Séaghdha with (back) or (forehead), please?
[BACK] - sender rubs a hand up and down receiver's back.
"Spare thoughts for the curious?"
Their voice serves to pull you from your rumination as your attention is drawn from the scenery below. Unlike your previous journey to the Summer Palace—which is one you would like to forget—the tranquility of this one is gradually serving to replace those murky memories.
Séaghdha has certainly served to assist in this. They move gracefully across the marble floor as they approach you, their golden eyes glimmering with amusement. The faint fragrance of citrus surrounds them, and when they rest one warm hand on your back, you can feel your body easing back into their touch.
"Can you not just peer into my mind and see them yourself?" Your voice is coy as they come to rest beside you. Their hand travels up and down the length of your spine, drawing forth a shiver from you, as they hum in return.
"Ah, but that takes away the fun of hearing them in your words." Their lips twitch into a faint smile. "I do like hearing your words. They're far better than those of my peers."
"Because your peers all have filters for what they say." Unlike you. Séaghdha engaged in conversation with you initially because they liked how candid you were with your words and now, many months later, that's only one of the reasons why. "But because you asked so nicely, I'll tell you. I'm thinking about how much it's changed."
Séaghdha's hand pauses in its actions for only a moment before resuming. Their body rests against yours—light enough that you don't move, but close enough that their warmth envelops you. You can feel the tension easing from your body the longer you remain in their presence.
"What's changed?"
"The Palace. It's... calmer. Better." Beithir's presence still hung heavily in the halls, but time has begun to ease the shadows away, as it always does with death. Séaghdha hums in return and tilts their head. The suns rays dance across their face and makes their feathers look like gold—a captivating sight to behold.
"... Yes." They smile then; a true, warm smile, which is directed at you as they look your way. "It feels like home again."
