use it or lose it

[her_imperial_radiance]

Elspeth isn't sure till she says it, but when she says it, she's sure.

[My particular affinity for Milliways doors is gone. I went too long without using it when we had Jane, and if it comes back at all it will take a long time. Someone may still find one, but we can't expect it to be me or soon.]

She fields some questions - not that many; people tend not to ask Elspeth for clarifications or restatements.

And then she settles Harley on her lap.

"We're stuck in Aurum for a while," she tells him.

Comments

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Yep."

[pythbox]

Snuggle snuggle.

[her_imperial_radiance]

Heh. Pet pet.

[pythbox]

Cuddle cuddle.

...Wriggle.

"Itchy," he announces.

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Yes, sunburns are itchy, like I said. If you scratch it, it will get worse."

[pythbox]

"Itchy," he repeats.

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Yep."

[pythbox]

Harley wriggles out onto the sand and rubs his whole back against it.

[her_imperial_radiance]

Elspeth giggles. "I can wish the itch away, if you want."

[pythbox]

"Nahhhhhh," says Harley.

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Okay."

[pythbox]

Wriggle wriggle.

[her_imperial_radiance]

Elspeth doesn't need to take a picture; she can show people her perfect recollection of Harley's entertaining childhood whenever she likes. She just watches him, smiling slightly.

[pythbox]

His skin is indeed peeling off in places.

"Icky," he giggles.

[her_imperial_radiance]

"That seems to amuse you."

[pythbox]

"Yeah!"

[her_imperial_radiance]

"All right then," she chuckles.

[pythbox]

Harley giggles and rubs at his sunburnt, sand-covered arms.

[her_imperial_radiance]

Elspeth reads to herself.

[pythbox]

Eventually, Harley and his sand and peeling skin all flop onto Elspeth.

"Fix it?" he yawns.

[her_imperial_radiance]

Square. Healthy not-too-pink skin. "There you go. Do you want to develop another one?"

[pythbox]

"Nah."

Cuddle.

[her_imperial_radiance]

Another protective square, then. Cuddles. Also cuddles.

[pythbox]

Cuddles!

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Are you done being at the beach?" Elspeth inquires.