( The familiarity of the gesture is comforting in a place where thats in such a deficit. As much as Astrid might be a new acquaintance in the timeline of her life, even just this year, the comfort inherent in the points of cultural overlap might be enougn to make her one of Abella's closest friends, here. She'd need to be mindful not to lean too hard into that, or she could wind up clutchin to her like a buoy in a surging sea. Treat people like that and they drown.
She nods, is quiet a moment, and then--)
Sky Watcher... are they holy people?
( It seems reasonable to conclude, but for all she knows they could be more like a mayor than a priest. )
Mmyeah. They’re our priests, they worship the Lady specifically. So they read portents, bird bones and stuff, and they’re in charge of all our burials. We’ve also got shamans and augurs, they talk to the local spirits and get guidance that way; my uncle was augur for our hold. I s’pose still is, they wouldn’t get rid of him.
( It always feels so slightly odd, having to explain these everyday basic facts of life to someone else, when it was something she’d always taken for granted and knew that everyone knew. Abella might be a rifter, but even the other Thedosians have had to ask. The Avvar are simply so secluded. )
somehow i misread 'burials' as 'turnips,' devastated I realised before replying tbh
Wow. So-- your people are okay with spirits? I got the impression that spirits are a bad thing, it seems like one of the reasons people are wary of rifters.
( it makes sense that there be differing beliefs, that's just not one she expected. Regardless, Abella sways slightly to nudge Astrid with her shoulder. )
That actually-- I never asked you the question I got in touch about, did I?
What? ( Astrid looks blankly at Abella; she had completely forgotten there was another reason the other woman had come here to begin with, before they’d gotten derailed by Pocketcat and fables and personal histories. She squints, then: )
( She shakes her head. It feels so silly, now, to have reached out with that question. )
The Avaar feel like the closest thing to home, so I... I was going to ask if you'd be my emergency contact. I know we just talked about a lot of ways things are different, though, so if you'd rather not I totally get it.
( Caught off-guard; it’s not what she was expecting at all. Astrid herself had sat down at the infirmary, gotten someone to transcribe her answers, then moved on and not thought of the questionnaire again. She hadn’t even named anyone in Riftwatch as an emergency contact; it was just her living family back at Wulfhold.
But Abella’s a rifter. She doesn’t have family here.
( It looks like Abella might be about to cry again, but this time there's a smile.
Her relief is palpable, and she throws her arms around Astrid. Maybe all her gratitude can be shown in a hug, because words aren't easy when your breathing is shaky. )
( Astrid automatically eases into the embrace, arms around Abella in turn. The Avvar gives good hugs: she’s a little on the skinny side but it’s solid, her arms strong as she crushes Abella to her, face briefly buried in her neck.
How long has it been since she’s been hugged by someone? A while.
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no subject
She nods, is quiet a moment, and then--)
Sky Watcher... are they holy people?
( It seems reasonable to conclude, but for all she knows they could be more like a mayor than a priest. )
no subject
( It always feels so slightly odd, having to explain these everyday basic facts of life to someone else, when it was something she’d always taken for granted and knew that everyone knew. Abella might be a rifter, but even the other Thedosians have had to ask. The Avvar are simply so secluded. )
somehow i misread 'burials' as 'turnips,' devastated I realised before replying tbh
( it makes sense that there be differing beliefs, that's just not one she expected. Regardless, Abella sways slightly to nudge Astrid with her shoulder. )
That actually-- I never asked you the question I got in touch about, did I?
no subject
I guess not— What was it?
no subject
( She shakes her head. It feels so silly, now, to have reached out with that question. )
The Avaar feel like the closest thing to home, so I... I was going to ask if you'd be my emergency contact. I know we just talked about a lot of ways things are different, though, so if you'd rather not I totally get it.
no subject
( Caught off-guard; it’s not what she was expecting at all. Astrid herself had sat down at the infirmary, gotten someone to transcribe her answers, then moved on and not thought of the questionnaire again. She hadn’t even named anyone in Riftwatch as an emergency contact; it was just her living family back at Wulfhold.
But Abella’s a rifter. She doesn’t have family here.
So the answer comes immediate, unhesitating: )
Selvsagt. Of course. I’d be fucking honoured.
no subject
Her relief is palpable, and she throws her arms around Astrid. Maybe all her gratitude can be shown in a hug, because words aren't easy when your breathing is shaky. )
Takk.
🎀
How long has it been since she’s been hugged by someone? A while.
It’s nice. )