[Glacius has gotten fairly good at recognizing deflection when he sees it, but he supposes she is right: that issue is one that they will face further down the line, but the problem brought them to this conversation is more urgent. As such, he responds with a pointed remark, making his priorities very clear.] You among them. I will look out for who I can, but you are my friend, one of the closest I have. I will guard you as diligently as I am able, but I... can't leave Carlisle alone for long either.
[Not when he's sure the separation will be both stressful and risky for the both of them, given how crossfire tends to escalate around here.]
( And by now, Glacius probably knows that she'd tell him to look after Carlisle, that she can - at least - handle herself better than the priest can. She highly doubts either of them made the list, with Glacius' response to the gods and Carlisle's constant references to them as "false gods", and she's pretty sure that she didn't see their names in the network post - surely those would have stuck out like a sore thumb. )
Yes, but... [Glacius frowns, thinking on all of the difficulties inherent in this situation and how to address them.] Neither of us are always in. I have my work with the Guard, and you have the clinic, and even Carlisle can't stay in one place every hour of every day. I'll adjust my patrols to spend more time near your work place, but... there's still a lot of time for something to go wrong, or for someone to try and get to you.
What if... [The alien pauses now, an idea beginning to percolate in his head.] What if there was a way for us to be nearby one another more often, without complicating the work we need to do. I will have to make sure Carlisle is alright with it first, but you already live so close that you might as well... stay with us until this starts to blow over somewhat. And then we could alternate, staying at the clinic or the Guard's headquarters if things start to get busy at either area. I imagine more and more people will be needing medical asisstance as this conflict comes to a head, so if we stayed together, then I could keep watch over both you and Carlisle and you could continue your work.
[Another little frown tugs at Glacius' features, and he gestures vaguely, somewhat helplessly.] I know it isn't ideal... we are all of us people who like our space from time to time. But it might be the safest thing for right now... what do you think, Kate?
( Well, if there was anyone in this cave she'd want to live with, it'd be the person she feels most comfortable with. Kate relaxes a little more - it's true that they're used to having a certain amount of space, and after so many years living alone it feels natural to stick to her own tiny apartment here, but at the same time...
It's more sensible. And she sort of misses the social aspects of it all. )
S'pose I can crash on the couch.
( She can always come back up to change, to check things. It's nothing more than a few flights of stairs. )
Well, yes, you could do that... or you could take the guest room. The apartment has two bedrooms, you see, and I've been sharing Carlisle's lately so... up to you.
Anyways, this arrangement does not need to be permanent... but at least until things have stabilized, in as much as they can get in this city. At least until I know people aren't actively vying for your like. It would be remiss of me to not take every precaution that I could in regards to the safety of one I hold so dear.
So if we are in agreement, then I will go discuss this with my partner; his comfort is also important. I'll let you know when we've worked things out, yes?
[Glacius tilts his head slightly to one side and gives Kate a patient smile, as if he's waiting for her to explain something innocuous or innocent. His own ears aren't structured in a way that would tolerate plugs, and his own people don't playfully grill each other on their relationships in this manner, so at first he has no idea what she's getting at.
But then he notices that look on her face and remembers that he not only suggested that Kate get her own bed, but in the process hinted at intimate arrangements between him and his partner, and the dots finally connect. Needless to say, this was the last thing he was expected to be brought up given the dire circumstances that brought them to this point, and he has no idea how to respond.] Oh, ah. Mmm.. mmaybe. P-probably? I mean — we don't always... you know. But — hrm! [He clears his throat abruptly, likely just trying to buy himself more time to formulate a proper answer and largely failing.] That wasn't... what I was implying when I said... well of course we would try to be respectful, so I wouldn't. Think too much on it.
( Give her this moment of harmless teasing before everything goes to hell, okay? It's a good thing, this is a good thing! ... Okay, so maybe she's too close with Faith. Whatever. But it is nice to know that two of her closest friends are so happy together. It makes this city feel a little more pleasant. )
Fine with it. Just don't know how loud Carlisle is.
[Glacius just takes a good, long pause, growing more and more bemused the longer he's in this conversation.] Sorry, I'm... are you asking me to comment on the sexual aspects of my relationship?
( Oh, Glay. You still have so much to learn about human friendships. Kate has to stifle a laugh, the first one she's felt bubbling up in some time. It's good to know that despite the crap that's going on, despite the Null's bullshit list and their differing opinions, there's still this normalcy between them.
He is, after all, still her best friend in this cave. )
Just teasing. ( And, more seriously, because it's Glacius and she likes to try and be a better person around him, Kate adds: ) How people show affection sometimes.
( Y'know, when you and your friends are assholes. )
[He does. He does have so much to learn, and he never stops being aware of that-- even as he responds it's in a tentative manner, showing that although he goes along with it, he doesn't really understand.] I see. [Another pause as he digests the bit about it being affectionate, then he ventures his own question even more tentatively, as if he's afraid it risks offending her:] And is it viewed as being cold or disaffected if I choose not to comment on this particular aspect of me and my partner's relationship?
( Kate shakes her head, not seeming offended at all. )
No. ( It really depends on the person. Carl would probably try to make it so weird that the person asking ended up embarrassed. ) Wouldn't answer either.
[Glacius smiles at that.] What's that human saying--"great minds think alike"? If it makes you feel any better, I can share some other aspects of our relationship. Like, ah... hm.
[The ice alien pauses, and then goes wide eyed as something very obvious and very worth talking about suddenly smacks him in the side of the face.] We are Bonded, now. I--I'm sorry--I should have told you that sooner! It is just that the circumstances were... not ideal. I was very critical condition at the time, so my mind was not exactly in a place to share joyous news. But, ah... now you know?
[His face tightens up. Much like the Bonding itself, this is so, so not the ideal way to go about this. Why does so much shit always have to be going on in this cave, pulling him in every direction and making it hard to maintain a normal life?]
( Bonding... bonding... the term rings a vague bell, and Kate tries to sort through a muddle of Hadriel memories that have mixed with her three years back home until she plucks something out.
And blinks. Hold up, processing this. She would have liked to have known sooner, but- )
Aye? ( There's a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. ) You plannin' on celebrating?
I--I suppose we rather should, shouldn't we? Things have just been so... hectic lately. [Which is a polite way of putting all the madness and trauma that generally goes on in Hadriel. Given all that, it only makes sense to seize whatever opportunities for normalcy and celebration that he can. Glacius nods.]
I should discuss it with Carlisle first, see if there are any traditions or rituals he would like to observe... but I promise to keep you apprised of our plans much more summarily in the future. And if it makes you feel any better, you're the first person I've told of this, so it is not like I was purposefully leaving you out of the loop.
( That's an understatement, but Kate doesn't need to say as much. They both know all too much about Hadriel's style. Instead she just nods, a satisfied look passing over her face. )
Sounds good.
( God only knows that once this settles down, they'll need something to look forward to. )
It does. This whole thing is... good. Better than I ever thought I would get from a place like this... as are you. So I suppose it is only fitting that we celebrate it together.
Now, go, my dear friend. Make preparations. We'll make it through this, and that will be just one more cause to celebrate.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[action]
[Not when he's sure the separation will be both stressful and risky for the both of them, given how crossfire tends to escalate around here.]
[action]
Good job I'm nearby, huh?
( Though maybe not nearby enough who knows. )
[action]
What if... [The alien pauses now, an idea beginning to percolate in his head.] What if there was a way for us to be nearby one another more often, without complicating the work we need to do. I will have to make sure Carlisle is alright with it first, but you already live so close that you might as well... stay with us until this starts to blow over somewhat. And then we could alternate, staying at the clinic or the Guard's headquarters if things start to get busy at either area. I imagine more and more people will be needing medical asisstance as this conflict comes to a head, so if we stayed together, then I could keep watch over both you and Carlisle and you could continue your work.
[Another little frown tugs at Glacius' features, and he gestures vaguely, somewhat helplessly.] I know it isn't ideal... we are all of us people who like our space from time to time. But it might be the safest thing for right now... what do you think, Kate?
[action]
It's more sensible. And she sort of misses the social aspects of it all. )
S'pose I can crash on the couch.
( She can always come back up to change, to check things. It's nothing more than a few flights of stairs. )
[action]
Anyways, this arrangement does not need to be permanent... but at least until things have stabilized, in as much as they can get in this city. At least until I know people aren't actively vying for your like. It would be remiss of me to not take every precaution that I could in regards to the safety of one I hold so dear.
So if we are in agreement, then I will go discuss this with my partner; his comfort is also important. I'll let you know when we've worked things out, yes?
[action]
Wait wait, hold the phone. She has an important question before anything else: )
... 'M I gonna need earplugs?
( She gets the very distinct impression that Carlisle is not good with the concept of being quiet. )
[action]
[Glacius tilts his head slightly to one side and gives Kate a patient smile, as if he's waiting for her to explain something innocuous or innocent. His own ears aren't structured in a way that would tolerate plugs, and his own people don't playfully grill each other on their relationships in this manner, so at first he has no idea what she's getting at.
But then he notices that look on her face and remembers that he not only suggested that Kate get her own bed, but in the process hinted at intimate arrangements between him and his partner, and the dots finally connect. Needless to say, this was the last thing he was expected to be brought up given the dire circumstances that brought them to this point, and he has no idea how to respond.] Oh, ah. Mmm.. mmaybe. P-probably? I mean — we don't always... you know. But — hrm! [He clears his throat abruptly, likely just trying to buy himself more time to formulate a proper answer and largely failing.] That wasn't... what I was implying when I said... well of course we would try to be respectful, so I wouldn't. Think too much on it.
[action]
Fine with it. Just don't know how loud Carlisle is.
( Kate no. )
[action]
[action]
He is, after all, still her best friend in this cave. )
Just teasing. ( And, more seriously, because it's Glacius and she likes to try and be a better person around him, Kate adds: ) How people show affection sometimes.
( Y'know, when you and your friends are assholes. )
[action]
[action]
No. ( It really depends on the person. Carl would probably try to make it so weird that the person asking ended up embarrassed. ) Wouldn't answer either.
( Well. Maybe with the people she's closest to. )
[action]
[The ice alien pauses, and then goes wide eyed as something very obvious and very worth talking about suddenly smacks him in the side of the face.] We are Bonded, now. I--I'm sorry--I should have told you that sooner! It is just that the circumstances were... not ideal. I was very critical condition at the time, so my mind was not exactly in a place to share joyous news. But, ah... now you know?
[His face tightens up. Much like the Bonding itself, this is so, so not the ideal way to go about this. Why does so much shit always have to be going on in this cave, pulling him in every direction and making it hard to maintain a normal life?]
[action] how did this thread get so cute
And blinks. Hold up, processing this. She would have liked to have known sooner, but- )
Aye? ( There's a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. ) You plannin' on celebrating?
( Because that's how you do it on earth ok. )
[action] it was overdue!
I should discuss it with Carlisle first, see if there are any traditions or rituals he would like to observe... but I promise to keep you apprised of our plans much more summarily in the future. And if it makes you feel any better, you're the first person I've told of this, so it is not like I was purposefully leaving you out of the loop.
[action] very
Sounds good.
( God only knows that once this settles down, they'll need something to look forward to. )
[action]
Now, go, my dear friend. Make preparations. We'll make it through this, and that will be just one more cause to celebrate.