#dadbelard

With practice effortlessness, Heinrix struck the lighter with one gloved hand while holding the flame steady from the surrounding air with the other. He moved slowly toward her, carefully bringing the small flame to her lips. Prisca leaned toward the flame, eyes still studying him, and noticed the faint twitches his face would make when he tried to appear neutral. She watched as the small light danced across his features, bringing a small sparkle to his eyes.  Taking a languid drag from the lho, Prisca held the acrid smoke in her lungs a moment before releasing it into the surrounding air.  She didn’t move right away, but stayed next to him, his presence giving her strength. “Thank you, Heinrix.” He looked up to her finally, placing the lighter back in his pocket. “My pleasure, Lord Captain." Prisca studied Heinrix, taking another drag from her lho, his mask still impenetrable. “What made you come over? I thought you were with the others.” Heinrix looked away for a moment, then turned his gaze back to her. “I don’t know. I just looked up and it felt like you needed me.” Prisca smiled, finishing her lho stick. This precious man. Always ready to rescue me. She took a seat at the bar and glanced back to Heinrix expectantly. Heinrix paused, unsure if he should leave or stay. “I apologize for overstepping Lord Captain. I did not mean to disturb you.” Prisca could feel the whispers coming back again, and Prisca had the growing suspicion that Heinrix’s attempt to help might have made whatever was happening to her worse. Despite that, she did not want to be alone.  “No, Heinrix, sit. Please.” Prisca couldn’t hide the naked desperation in her voice now. If Heinrix had noticed it, he had the good manners not to mention it, immediately taking a seat next to her. Octiviana approached and Heinrix looked over to Prisca. “Would you like something to drink?” Prisca nodded. “Amnsec if they have.” Heinrix put in an order for both of them and Octiviana disappeared to get their drinks. He looked back over to Prisca, noting the growing strain in her face. “Is everything alright Prisca?” Head in her hand, Prisca tilted to look at him. By the Throne she loved the sound of her name on his lips. “I think…maybe I’m just tired.” Prisca continued to watch him with one eye, wondering how it would feel to be wrapped in those arms and fall asleep.  “Heinrix…you being here is…nice.  It makes me feel…normal.” Octiviana brought their drinks and left again, Hendrix nodding in thanks.  Taking one glass, he moved to place it near Prisca, and Prisca reached for the glass at the same time, accidentally brushing his hand. Prisca let out a small sigh with the contact. Heinrix watched a slight shudder start to overtake her shoulders, movement so faint anyone would have missed it, anyone but him.  He moved the glass from Prisca’s hands and let his fingers wrap around hers. Prisca did not look at him, but she gripped his hand with sudden fierceness.  Scanning her body, he could feel the exhaustion in every cell. Heinrix said nothing, just continued to hold her hand, gently brushing his thumb against her fingers. He would have given anything in that moment to just wrap his arms around her and hold her close, let her know he would protect her from anything, that she wasn’t alone. Back at the table with the rest of Prisca’s crew. Abelard took measured sips from his drink as he watched the Inquisitor and the Lord Captain.  His mind drifted back to Theodora, and dreams never fulfilled. Watching them now was like watching history repeat itself.