#thenamesh

It's a quiet day, the clouds drift over head- sparce and white.

Gil is baking, finding new hobbies in old things all the time.

The world is quiet here.

Thena has gone for a walk, she likes to do that and he likes hearing about what she's seen when she get's back.

It's like a ritual.

Everything here is like a ritual. The waking and sleeping, the weather and sun and the way nothing changes. They do the same things over and over and try to find something different every now and then.

For all of it, Gil could hate it a lot more.

He loves Thena and so all of this. . . it isn't bad. It isn't even barrable. It's just nice. It's pleasant and he looks forward to the small things.

Him, who's seen countless years and battles, who knows at least some of the secrets of the universe. . . he looks forward to the small things because she's in them.

Thena drinks beer made especially for her. . . without alcohol and if she ever knows or suspects she doesn't say.

He doesn't think she does know but just the same. . .

He looks forward to her walks and what she brings back, the lizards and animals she takes as pets, the odd piece of rock she finds. She isn't always really with him and so she see's the world in a strange way but it's still her seeing it. He knows it's still her even if it's distorted by Mahd We'ry.

His bread is baking well, not like the last few batches. He's gotten something right this time but it'll take a few more tries to know what and he has the time.

They have all the time in the world.

All the time and none of the world.

Sometimes he misses the world but it's worth it and he can't see himself doing anything else. Can't see a world without Thena in it.

He catches himself, staring off into the distance as if looking for her. He needs to be paying attention.

This is the last moment for the oven, his bread is almost done and Thena should be back soon so she'll be just in time to get a piece while it's hot.

He smiles at the thought but does focus on what he's doing.

The bread is done and he takes it out, pleased at the brown color and the heat coming from it. Pleased with the smell and the timing.

It's little things connected to little things that make it so wonderful.

Thena get's back right as it's cool enough to eat and smiles as if she knew.

He can never see that smile enough.

Eternity isn't enough.

"What have you made?" She asks. "It smells good. Like the flat bread in Sumer."

He nods. "I've used the recipe from memory and I think I finally got it right. Have a taste."

She smiles again, crisp and striking and comes, taking a bit as he tears it and hands it to her.

She puts it to her lips and eats, never losing her smile.

It's radiant.

It's so blinding.

He smiles and eats a piece himself, finally having gotten it right.

"It's good." She say's and this is what they have in their little world. Small things like good bread and blue skies.

It's enough.

The bread is good and they eat plenty, laughing and sitting back like there's some kind of hope for her. Like things aren't waiting in the wind for them both.

This is a good day. There are bad days too but today is a good day and that's what matters. That's what counts.

They're together as always and the bread is good.

Little moments matter the most under a blue sky.