Not that bad ?? Not that bad ?! Tetia sometimes cannot believe the foolishness of her teachers — not taking care of themselves and pretending like their dear students wouldn't notice ! Without warning, she leans up to press the back of her hand against his forehead. She can't tell if there's a fever, but that doesn't mean Master Olly doesn't still need help.

❝ You need to learn to take care of yourself better ! You and Master Qifrey. Do you think we wouldn't notice ?? Wait right here. ❞ She promptly deposits herself at the stove, turning the kettle on and filling it from the vapor bubble. ❝ But you're right about that, ❞ Tetia announces brightly, ❝ I should bother Master Qifrey, since he doesn't look too good these days either. ❞

His fingertips graze her cheek, settle a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and Inej finds herself breathless, her heart adding a couple of extra beats to compensate. The mug she was reaching for ( his ) is as forgotten as their schemes. If she didn't know him better, she'd call the look in his eyes tender.

She falls into the moment carefully and extends her hand slowly, letting it hover beside @orphicflames's cheek. It's close enough for him to feel the warmth of her palm, but they don't touch. Instead, Inej lets her hand linger within his reach and waits.

She waits for him to close the distance.

“ When were you going to tell me? ” // agott for qifrey? / @orphicflames

✦ * . ˚ ⨯ ੭ * ‧ ❝ ... Oh, my dear. ❞

Among his many daily worries, Agott ranks highly. She has since the moment he met her, though to her credit, she has been truly remarkable. Showing restraint, cognizant of what it takes to graduate from apprenticeship — but this world is unforgiving and Qifrey's never known quite how to approach what's best for her.

She is, after all, still a child, no matter how quickly she wants to grow.

How could he ever get her to see the gift that is ?

❝ I had no idea what would come to pass, and I mean that honestly. ❞ Whatever answers Qifrey is seeking, whatever his deepest desires, the thought of putting his apprentices knowingly in the path of a Brimmed Cap — his stomach roils at the thought, and it is in no way from the aftereffects of surviving their little surprise cave in.

He sighs gently, opening his arms in a gesture of peace. ❝ You did so, so well, handling the situation. But it does not mean that you should have been put in that position in the first place, and as your teacher — I would not ask for your assistance against them. Not yet. ❞ The grin at his lips is wry and knowing.

@orphicflames ♡ 𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑶𝑴 𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑫𝑵𝑬𝑺𝑺 ♡ accepting

Tetia sat politely on the floor, her legs lies comfortably on wooden boards, and her back incredibly straight. She didn't want to cause him any more trouble—she knew Olruggio was already working hard. Of course, though, she wouldn't be indifferent to her hairstyle! She could be nicer and more grateful to Qifrey or Coco—but not to Olruggio himself. So if he messed something up, or gave her a hairstyle she didn't like, she'd say everything immediately. And she wouldn't stop talking about it until she got it just right.

That's exactly how this pink girl is, quite brave and ridiculously sarcastic towards people she respects and likes. She probably wanted to make Olruggio stop being that moody and serious guy. Because how tired can you be all the time? Doesn't it get boring at some point?

"Master Olruggio… Tell me, have you ever done anyone's hair? I've never seen you with other girls, or anyone at all… So please, if you ruin it for me, I'll cry so hard and tell Master Qifrey everything."

Her voice, though sweet, tried to sound menacing and serious. Why did she even agree to this? She's not sure herself.