[He misunderstands her hesitation for the shyness which usually drapes her shoulders like a shawl: thus as he guides Olivia to her provisional seat and settles in beside her, eagerly does he commence the tale woven from his recollections. While Patroclus tends to the matter of the wine, jugs of which had been salvaged from the wreckage and allotted to the shanty-dwellers that they might better handle the bitter cold, Achilles follows him with his eyes.]
How long ago it seems indeed, so full have been the days passed in one another's company since then.
[His gaze now dips toward Olivia, as if sharing in a secret, ere returning to his companion.]
It was upon the rain-wrecked shores of Nalawi that first we met. This was the land over which watched Nalanni who delights in volcanoes, of whose wretched fate I have told you, dear Patroclus. For the troubles which plagued the cloven-footed Nalawi, I called for supplications to be made that the goddess might listen and offer her benison once more. Yet it was not the way of this meek race to burn in offering the rich fat of thigh bones nor to pour upon the altar blood spilt of oxen's throats, and thus my counsel was met with malaise.
[His hand is warm upon Olivia's wrist, her forearm, cradling her elbow with affection indolent.]
And who in the assembly spoke up but for this gentle-hearted woman, whose strange beauty made me wonder if this was not a goddess divine approaching? Indeed, it was Olivia who allayed the agitation which did stir within my breast for these altogether unfamiliar circumstances - always have I found her every word and touch to be as a balm that may sooth even the severest of wounds.
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How long ago it seems indeed, so full have been the days passed in one another's company since then.
[His gaze now dips toward Olivia, as if sharing in a secret, ere returning to his companion.]
It was upon the rain-wrecked shores of Nalawi that first we met. This was the land over which watched Nalanni who delights in volcanoes, of whose wretched fate I have told you, dear Patroclus. For the troubles which plagued the cloven-footed Nalawi, I called for supplications to be made that the goddess might listen and offer her benison once more. Yet it was not the way of this meek race to burn in offering the rich fat of thigh bones nor to pour upon the altar blood spilt of oxen's throats, and thus my counsel was met with malaise.
[His hand is warm upon Olivia's wrist, her forearm, cradling her elbow with affection indolent.]
And who in the assembly spoke up but for this gentle-hearted woman, whose strange beauty made me wonder if this was not a goddess divine approaching? Indeed, it was Olivia who allayed the agitation which did stir within my breast for these altogether unfamiliar circumstances - always have I found her every word and touch to be as a balm that may sooth even the severest of wounds.