#lydjachan

Though Eliza was ashamed to admit that Splinter was on the top of her ‘cravings’ list, she was immediately relieved of the guilt by Phoenix’s typical acceptance of her ferrety tendencies.

“I guess having a girl’s night with Medusa is a much better option than the alternative.” Eliza chuckled lightly at her own poor humor. “In fact some girl time sounds like a good idea all around. What do you think?”

“What do I think about what?” Phoenix questioned, sounding slightly suspicious.

“About Gwyn and I spending some time at the warehouse?” The ferret said brightly before switching her tone to pleading, gripping both of the healer's hands between her own. “Pleeease?? Donnie is suppose to work on a new room for us and I know that Gwyn is going to get underfoot and we both could use some time in the sun.” Eliza looked her friend in the eye, practically begging. “Being here is driving me crazy. I need a break.”

Phoenix pursed her lips, the ferret’s eyes large, her hands warm over her own.  “Splinter won’t like that…” she said slowly, and her heart immediately sank when Eliza’s look did.

Phoenix had such a difficult time reading the rat master.  Most of the time she got the impression he was not happy with her at all, or that he outright disliked her.  Then, other times, he was friendly, or what she surmised was friendly for him.  And then there was the night of their dancing in the dojo, when he’d seemed...happy.  She liked that Splinter, but doubted she’d have the privilege of seeing that one again.  Not after how it ended.

“Ok,” she said, feeling slightly guilty for agreeing and slightly relieved when Eliza perked up.  “I don’t mind having you over for as long as you want to stay.”  She glanced toward the door.  “But you have to help me with Mr. We-Don’t-Need-To-Go-Anywhere-Where-Someone-Might-See-Us.”

“Ya know, from someone who’s children get in trouble all the time I'm kinda sick of that argument.” Eliza huffed though she was elated with the Phoenix’s permission to stay with her. “Of course I'm going to back you up on this one. We've been ‘good girls’ and following his rules for weeks now. It's time to test just how much leeway we've earned.”

“You make it sound like you're asking for early parole.” Phoenix snickered.

“Hey, it's not that far from the truth!” Eliza stood and paced the room a few times while the healer started to pack her bag. “We could just tell him what we intend to do and hash it out like reasonable adults. Oorrrrr…”

“Or?”

“Or we could unleash our secret weapon on him.”

“And that would be?”

Eliza’s smile was almost predatory. “Gwyn, of course.”

Phoenix raised her eyebrows, as if she’d heard the ferret mutant incorrectly.  “Your daughter is our secret weapon?”  It was usually she who was saying such things, and sicking Medusa on someone was not something she would do lightly.  But then again, Phoenix’s daughter could eat people.  Gwyn had no chance of doing that.

Eliza stooped and slung her arm over the shorter woman, ignoring the twinge of discomfort as the new position allowed to one of the twins to kick her in the kidney. “My dear sweet Phoenix, you have no idea just how much that girl has our venerable ninja master wrapped around her little finger. Hold on, let me show you.” Eliza pulled her phone from her pocket and quickly swiped through her pictures till she found the one she wanted. “Look at that and tell me that she couldn’t get away with murder.”

Gwyn was sitting next to Splinter at a low table observing intently as the rat was in the process of folding paper. Perched precariously on his head was a completed paper crane while Gwyn had an origami flower tucked behind her ear. It was the epitome of a candid moment where the subjects were unaware they were being observed, just enjoying the activity they were absorbed in. The smile curling Splinter’s muzzle however, was unmistakable.

Eliza felt some of her annoyance drain. “If Gwyn wants to go on a sleepover, I very much doubt that Yoshi would be able to put up too much resistance. But, maybe we should keep it as our ace in the hole.” The ferret stood straighter as Phoenix looked at the picture, rubbing her belly in an attempt to settle the babies before they became too active.

“Come on, Splinter should be making himself some tea right about now. Why don’t we see if we can catch him in the kitchen. Who knows, maybe he’ll be reasonable for once.” Eliza said optimistically as she headed for the door.

Seeing the picture on the phone, Phoenix felt a stab of jealousy.  She wasn’t exactly sure what caused it.  Was it that her own children were no longer that age, where they delighted in such little things as papermaking?  Was it that they were now too old to be absorbed in her in such a fundamental way as Gwyn seemed to be with Splinter in the photo?  Was it the fact that the photo existed, an item she had precious few of, and none of them candid shots such as this?  Or was it the fact that a father figure was involved with a child, something her children never had?  She shook her head, dispelling the feeling with a sigh and smiling up at her friend as she left the room.

Eliza was correct, Splinter was in the kitchen, preparing himself some tea.  He raised his eyebrows as they entered, as if their appearance truly surprised him, before lowering his head in a small greeting.  “Ladies,” he said smoothly.  “Would you care to join me?”

“Yes, please!” Phoenix said brightly, skipping forward.  She had no idea where the man got his tea, or what made his preparing it so good, but it was the best stuff she’d tasted in a long, long time.  If they could a sweetener down in the sewers, it would be perfect…

Though it was not unusual to see the two women around the lair, it was a surprise for them to join him, usually preferring to keep their own company during The Phoenix's visits.

He smiled and motioned to the little healer to take a seat, his heart wavered just a bit to feel the exuberance she seemed to exude with her girlish skip. He turned to retrieve a second mug from the cabinet only to bump in Eliza who was already there. “Pardon me.”

“No problem, I was just getting myself a glass too.” She smiled cordially, before holding out the very vessel he was planning to retrieve, “You two enjoy your tea, I have some sweet herbal brewed in the fridge already.”

“Thank you.” Splinter replied rotely, inwardly he was put off balance. This was the most interaction she’d had with him nearly all week. Eliza didn't leave the room either, but started to flit here and there, as she often did when in the kitchen, but still managing to stay engaged in the light small talk as Splinter prepared tea for himself and The Phoenix.

“Is there anything you require?” he asked, placing the steaming cup in front of the small woman. At the same time, as if by magic a small plate of cookies and peanut butter crackers, one of his favorite non cheese snacks, appeared on the counter.

He could already hear Eliza chewing on something crunchy and when he looked up her eyes held a smile as she finished her mouthful and then sipped on her tall glass of herbal sweet tea. He blinked, something in the air was off, but the pleasant scene was too nice to allow ill thoughts to taint the mood. He returned his attention to the Phoenix, picking up his dropped thought. “I believe we may still have some milk.”

She raised her brows, smiling again.  He remembered she liked milk with her tea!  “Really?” she breathed, as if he’d just offered her a diamond.  Her family never had milk unless Chategris provided it for them, and she knew very well that when the cat mutant had it,  it was stolen.  It occurred to her that Splinter and his boys probably didn’t have any either, before Eliza’s arrival into their home.  While dumpster diving only provided sour milk, the grocery store had plenty of fresh.  Money and a human daughter provided a great deal for people who could not allow themselves to be seen in public.

Then she remembered why they were there.  As he stood up and turned to fridge, she turned to Eliza, her smile fading.

She liked Splinter when he was like this, not just because he was accommodating, but that certainly helped.  But he was sweet, in his own gruff way, like how he remembered she liked milk with her tea.  He had no reason to remember that, he didn’t take milk in his tea.  In fact, he had a very ritualistic way in which he drank it, she realized with a start.  “Oh,” she moaned, guilt eating at her shoulders as they dropped.

Splinter turned with a speed that surprised her, one moment he was facing the fridge, and in a blink, he was facing her and Eliza, the milk jug in his hand, the liquid inside barely sloshing.  His eyebrows were raised in concern, his golden eyes wide, but then his brows dropped in confusion.  “What is the matter?” he asked slowly.

Phoenix bit her lip, glancing at Eliza again.

Splinter turned to the ferret mutant, his brows up once again, the soft expression on his face slowly disappearing.

“Eliza was thinking,” Phoenix said yammered, gripping her cup of tea so tightly that her knuckles were turning white, “that she could be out of you and your boys’ hair while you guys were fixing up her and Gwyn’s space.”

“Was she?” he asked smoothly, eyes still on the ferret.  

Eliza gave her friend a sour look though she didn't see it, focused as she was on her mug. Splinter placed the milk before the Phoenix calmly before taking his customary seat. He gave no further comment, instead waiting for one of the women to elaborate.

Eliza rolled her eyes from the Phoenix as she poured the milk into her tea, back to him, affecting a casual smile in the process. “Yes, yes I was actually,” she said, her voice slightly pinched. “I just thought that construction might go faster if Gwyn wasn't asking Donnie questions every five minutes, annoying Leo, making Raph mad, or distracting Mikey.”

Splinter took a sip of his tea, trying to remain calm, though he was incensed. How dare she try to manipulate him, did he not have four teenage boys? Did she truly think he would not see through such a ruse. Well, two could play at this game.

Oh Maker, how did she get here? How did she come to the point where sheworried about hurting this dwarf’s feelings? “I could have phrased that morepolitely…” She trailed off, thinking. Cassandra hated that sort of posturing.It reminded her of her childhood, always needing to be polite and noble. She hated being noble. “No, I wasright the first time. This is truly awful stew.”

Fredgar let out a laugh and slapped his knee. Cassandra’s stomach gavea strange little ache, seeing him smile and laugh like that. Well, he was theInquisitor. The small diversion was probably most welcome. The face that she caused that smile should matter notat all.

Yet how it did.

“So I take it you didn’t like my secret ingredient?” Fredgar asked,arching a brow.

“If this is like when Sera-”

Fredgar waved his hand. “Of course not. I don’t pull childish prankslike that,” he said. “This is better. When we were down in Valammar, I found anentire pouch full of moss, direct from Orzammar. I’ve been waiting to use itfor something special.”

“Moss.”

“It’s an dwarven delicacy,” Fredgar said. “Haven’t been able to findany since we made it to Skyhold. I really need to talk to the quartmaster aboutsetting up trade with Orzammar.”

Cassandra lifted a spoonful of stew. There, clear as day, was themoss. “Moss.”

“I take it you don’t like it,” Fredgar said with a sigh. “I guess it’san acquired taste.” He reached out with his free hand. “Here, I won’t let yourbowl go to waste.”

“What am I supposed to eat?” she asked, already handing him the bowl.Hardtack for supper wouldn’t be the end of the world, she supposed.

“Go talk to Varric. He saw the moss and decided to figure outsomething else. Rabbit, I think,” Fredgar said. “I’m sure if you ask nicely,he’ll share.”

Cassandra stood, stretching her arms over her head. The rain hadstopped falling for a bit, though the clouds looked like it could start upagain at any moment. But for now, she could enjoy just being out of her tent,even if she did have to scrounge up something new for supper.

As she walked past Fredgar, he said, “You know, Seeker, I was justtrying to give you a taste of my culture.”

She stopped walking and turned towards him. Surely it would be good tolearn more about Fredgar’s culture. He might be a surface dwarf, but evensurface dwarves kept plenty of things about from underground.

And that was what friends, did, wasn’t it? They shared things aboutthemselves. Cassandra realized then that she considered Fredgar to be a friend.A very good one, in fact.

“Perhaps when we get back to Skyhold, I’ll share some of my spicesfrom Navarra,” Cassandra said. She normally hoarded them zealously, but somehowshe didn’t mind the idea of sharing them with Fredgar. In fact, she foundherself looking forward to the meal they would share.

“I’d like that. I’d like that a lot,” Fredgar said, bringing up hisbowl of stew in a toast. “Now go grab yourself some rabbit before Varric eatsit all.”