New Year's Day [for Aragorn]

[soulthatwanders]

Waking up in unfamiliar surroundings was never a good thing, even if life on Tabula Rasa sometimes necessitated getting used to it. Prior to even opening her eyes beyond her initial observation, Wanda went through a quick mental inventory:

Headache? Present, but manageable.
Memories of the previous night? Hazy.
Clothing? A man's shirt, which she never slept in even when she was one.
Overall prognosis? Troublesome.

Extremely troublesome.

Wanda wasn't about to over think any further. Once she'd ascertained that this was probably a circumstance brought about by man-made as opposed to island-made bad decisions (unless magically-appearing alcohol counted, which she suspected would be something of a stretch), there was really just the one course of action that came to mind: getting the hell out of there as fast as was humanly possible.

Rolling over to the edge of the bed, Wanda suppressed a quiet groan and reluctantly looked around. Her dress had to be here somewhere.

Comments

[somanytitles]

"I thought you might try to sneak out in a panic in the morning. I thought this was the best way to assure you didn't and let you know that you were watched over while you slept."

It was unlikely that she would have been able to sneak out on him, but he didn't want to take that chance. Wanda was always surprising him and it would not have shocked him if she were especially skilled at moving quietly.

"I imagine you have quite the headache. May I get you some water?"

[soulthatwanders]

"Wha-ha-hyyy would you think I'd try to sneak out in the morning?" Wanda asked with an awkward, edgy laugh. And even if she was, what business did he have trying to stop her, really?

"Water would be good, though, thank you," she reluctantly added under her breath.

[somanytitles]

"I was merely concerned that you would be worried or confused. You consumed quite a bit of alcohol last night. I had to carry you here and I was not sure if you would remember everything."

Aragorn went and fetched her a glass of water, bringing it back with a biscuit as well. She would hopefully feel better with some food and water in her, not that she looked all that poorly off.

[soulthatwanders]

"So now you're judging me?" Wanda snapped halfheartedly, but once she had water and a biscuit in hand to nurse, she came down off of the nervous ledge she was on somewhat to embrace some modicum of rational thought.

"Wait, you had to carry me? So... what exactly would I have to be worried about?"

[somanytitles]

"You woke up in a strange room, likely with no recollection of how you got there, in the clothes of another. I would have thought that would be enough to worry anyone."

Aragorn's tone was more stiff than it normally was with Wanda. He was used to being talked harshly too, but rarely by those he considered his friends, especially when he was trying to help.

"Zelda is the one who changed you, by the way. I thought you would not be comfortable sleeping in your gown. If you wish to go though, I am sure you have much to do."

[soulthatwanders]

"You thought-" Wanda started before she laughed, more genuine and relaxed than the ones she'd been faking thus far, completely oblivious to any terseness in Aragorn's tone.

"Of course that's how it happened, oh that is just... that's fantastic, thank you. Oh, you're fantastic!" she babbled in a relieved rush, stopping just shy of asking him for a hug.

Honestly, what had she been thinking had happened?

[somanytitles]

Aragorn flushed a bit at her sudden declaration of happiness about... whatever it was that she was happy about. He wasn't quite sure what had happened but she was all smiles again, which pleased him. He much preferred making her happy.

"I- am pleased that you think so. You are quite fantastic as well, Lady Wanda."

[soulthatwanders]

"Yeah, it sounds like I was really fantastic last night," Wanda deadpanned, but she was still far too relieved to keep from grinning as she rolled her eyes self-deprecatingly. "I swear I used to be able to hold my liquor better." Losing more than half of one's body mass had a tendency to do that, though. Being on edge from going to a party with a particular guy didn't make it okay to try drinking like a professional linebacker again.

[somanytitles]

"I had a wonderful time with you at the party and I am very glad that you were willing to go with me," he reassured her. He honestly did have a good time with her, right up to the point that she became incapacitated by the alcohol.

"And you do not weight so much, so it was not difficult to carry you here."

[soulthatwanders]

"Flattery as distraction from the issue at hand, I like that," Wanda said, grinning as she polished off her unexpected mid-morning snack. "I- ...seriously, thank you. I had a good time, too."

Obviously.

[somanytitles]

"What was the issue at hand?" Aragorn asked. He hadn't meant to flatter and distract, though if there was an issue and he was unaware of it, it was perhaps best if it was avoided.

"But I am very pleased to hear that you had a good time as well."

[soulthatwanders]

"My flaking out like a college freshman at a house party, that's the issue," Wanda covered smoothly, pointing her finger for emphasis. "But hey, as long as good times were had by all, right? Happy new year, and all that."

[somanytitles]

Aragorn was glad that he had an excellent memory, otherwise he would have to keep paper on hand to write down all the things Wanda said that he did not understand. He could guess the gist of what she was saying though.

"If it is any condolence, I am quite impressed with how much alcohol you were able to consume."

[soulthatwanders]

That got another laugh out of Wanda, though she belatedly tried to rein it in a bit to curb her headache. "You know, oddly enough, that does make me feel a little bit better."

[somanytitles]

Aragorn gave a small smile at that, glad that she seemed in better spirits now. He wasn't quite sure what exactly had changed, but perhaps just knowing what had occurred after she no longer remembered had eased her mind.

"Though if you would rather wait until you are feeling better before heading outside, you are welcome to stay here as long as you would like."

[soulthatwanders]

Wanda found herself slightly conflicted. On the one hand, she didn't particularly want to go anywhere just yet. On the other, hanging around in any particular state of undress, not very far removed from a hilarious little misunderstanding that she was pointedly not thinking about probably wasn't a great idea, either.

"I should really get cracking on that whole breakfast thing, probably."

[somanytitles]

"Alright. But if there is anything that I can help you with, please let me know," he said, genuine about his desire to help her. Aragorn found that he was more than willing to help her, he wanted to help her. He also admired the fact that Wanda was a very independent person and more than capable of taking care of herself.

[soulthatwanders]

After the apparent events of last night, Wanda probably should have taken that much as a foregone conclusion, but she found herself grateful for it anyway, nodding with a smile. "Of course." And then, just because things were getting a little too earnest for her taste, "I knew I kept you around for something. Guess I'll go get changed."

[somanytitles]

"I am glad that you have finally found a purpose for my presence, I was growing concerned that I would continue to be a burned," he said, expression completely serious as he spoke. Wanda was getting used to his sense of humor, so he thought he might need to make it more difficult for her to detect.

[soulthatwanders]

Wanda paused on her way back into the bedroom, turning slightly to gauge his reaction before she grinned, caught off guard again. How in the hell did he keep doing that? "You just keep finding new and interesting ways to make yourself useful and I don't think we'll have too many problems on that front, tiger."

[somanytitles]

"I will endeavor to add things to the list I keep to avoid that eventuality," he said, giving her a small smile before he turned to busy himself with finding something to do while she changed.

[soulthatwanders]

"Heaven forbid," Wanda muttered under her breath, grinning to herself once the coast was clear, still too worn out to bother vetting her emotions to the degree she usually tried to. At least her dress was still in good shape from the night before, so she didn't have to look like too much of a human disaster during what was pretty much just going to be some pathetic Victorian walk of shame.

"How bad is my hair?" she asked as she reemerged, feeling considerably more at ease now that she was dressed.

[somanytitles]

"Your hair looks wonderful," Aragorn said. Of course, he might not be a completely objective source on that count, he thought her hair was especially beautiful. Had it not have made the situation terribly awkward, he would have compared it to moonlight or something similar.

[soulthatwanders]

It was just as well that he didn't, since Wanda was pleased enough by his comment as it stood to feel the need to roll her eyes to cover it up. "Real helpful," she said wryly, running her fingers through her hair to make sure she was as presentable as she was going to get. "But thank you."

[somanytitles]

"Take my cloak," he said, holding the garment out to her as she unnecessarily fixed her hair. As far as Aragorn was concerned, Wanda always looked stunning, even if she was just sticking her head out of his bedroom wearing nothing but his shirt.

"It is still cold and I would not want you to catch chill."

[soulthatwanders]

Wanda's first, inexplicably stubborn instinct was to decline, but even she couldn't pretend to find a justification for it and she took the cloak without a fuss. It was just a nice gesture, and since she no longer had an absurd amount of alcohol in her bloodstream to provide the illusion of warmth, it would likely prove to be a very welcome one once she actually got outside. "How many times do we have to go over this? Thank you," she said, trying not to flail about too much while she got her shoes on. "I'll be sure to get it back to you later."

[somanytitles]

"You are most welcome. And thank you again for accompanying me to the festivities," Aragorn said, giving her another warm smile while he gently placed his arms on her shoulders to help steady her while she stepped into her shoes.

"I truly had an enjoyable time with you."

[soulthatwanders]

Wanda assumed that there had to be a limit to the number of times a girl could get all warm and flustered over nothing in particular, but between that and a pair of steadying hands, she apparently hadn't hit her limit yet. "Well, there's another one like it next month, so if you're still around, we could always do it again," she nonchalantly offered.

[somanytitles]

"I would very much like that," he said. He had heard of the other party, Mardis Gras, and it sounded quite enjoyable.

"Though if someone else should ask you, please do not hesitate to accept. I would not want to monopolize myself as your escort."

[soulthatwanders]

"I really don't think that's something I'll have to worry about," Wanda laughed, shaking her head as she finished getting her shoes on and pulled the cloak around her. "Guys aren't exactly breaking my door down for the chance to hang out."

[somanytitles]

"What is their loss is my gain," he said, giving her a fond smile as he opened the door for her. It had certainly been a strange evening for him, but more enjoyable than many that were more what he was used to.

[soulthatwanders]

No matter how highly she thought of herself, Wanda remained doubtful of that, but who was she to argue? "Let's say it's our mutual gain," she said lightly, hesitating only a moment before she stepped out over the threshold.