In Ur Garden; Up Ur Tree

[onlytolerable]

 Sophie learned her lesson during the Arcana incursion. She'd spent far too much time buried in old tomes. On more than one occasion, she'd had to be carried to bed. So now, she paces herself. She gets the same amount done as she searches in vain for mentions of past magical failures--at least they have jumping off points--but she makes time to take the occasional break and clear her head.

That  still doesn't explain why the 8 of Diamonds is seen outside scrambling up trees.

Curiouser and curioser.

Comments

[denythyfather]

"What are you doing?" Adrien asks with an amused air, looking up at Sophie from his very safe spot on the ground, Sitara's hand in his. "Shouldn't you be doing work, Miss Berthier?"

[onlytolerable]

She opens her mouth to reply, spots Sitara, and clams up again. "Winter tree inspection, naturally. You've never pulled the duty?" She smiles down at Sitara. "You aren't afraid of heights are you, mon chou?"

She can't tell you, Adrien. It's a surprise and the recipient is standing next to you. She settles on a branch and amuses herself by attempting to toss a twig into his hair. Don't bother trying to look up her skirt. She's wearing ribbed--and opaque--tights, thank you very much.

[denythyfather]

"They've probably never given it to me because they know I won't do it." He grins, hefting Sitara up into his arms (though she's starting to grow too big for this).

She thinks for a moment before shrugging. "I dunno how to get up there," is her final answer.

[onlytolerable]

"Shirker," she chides good-naturedly before smiling at Sitara. "Well, of course you don't! You've never done it before." She swings down a few branches until she's safe enough to drop. "Now, until I say so, you're not to climb without someone to spot you." Like that had ever stopped her. Hands on hips, she scans the immediate area for a suitable tree.

"Here. This oak has lower branches than the maple I was in. Hold out your arm, lovely, and let me get a look at it." Sophie extends her own arm and circles her biceps with her other hand. "Rule of thumb: if a branch is as thick as this part of your arm, it should be able to hold your weight. Even then, never trust in it fully until you've tested it. Ah, it's easier said than done.

Can you jump up and grab that branch--closest to the trunk, always. Try to scramble up. Use your feet."

Don't worry, Adrien. Auntie won't let her fall.

[denythyfather]

Adrien watches as Sitara slips down from his arms, runs over to join Sophie at the tree. She’ll listen silently, looking down at her own forearms before clambering up onto the lowest branch. It’ll take a while, but she finally triumphantly stand up on the branch, only wobbling slightly.

[onlytolerable]

Sophie hauls herself up after her and gently hooks Sitara's arm around the trunk. The other she places around the branch above her. "Always hold on in at least two places, cherie." She smiles at Adrien. Don't swallow your heart.

"Elle a besoin d'une maison dans les arbres, n'est pas?"


[ooc: She needs a tree house, doesn't she?"]

[denythyfather]

Adrien can't contain his surprised laughter at that, as Sitara furrows her eyebrows with a huff. "Oui, c'est une idee excellente, mais... ou est les temps pour un tache comme ca?" He thinks a moment longer, then adds, "et qui vais la faire? Pas moi!"

((ooc: Yes, it's a good idea, but... where is the time for a task like that? -- And who would do it? Not me!))

[onlytolerable]

"Don't worry about that. I'm sure l'oncle will help." She smiles at Sitara. "Pardon. We were being rude, weren't we? Can you make it to that branch right there? See the one I mean? You'll need to edge around to the branch on the other side. Now, don't put all your weight on anything until you test it first." She gives an example. "Like this. I'm right behind you, so even if you misstep, I'm here to catch you."