The Serpent and the Lotus Blooms

A Day of Rest

((CW: (light) general therapy and trauma related content))

Saalah had drug himself out of bed with great effort this morning, putting on coffee to brew as he went about getting cleaned up and dressed for another day of classes. Mornings were not his best hours. His feet dragged laboriously, his body felt lethargic, every instinct was screaming at him to sleep. Midday was his favorite time of day. At home, he would roll out of bed when the sun was already climbing high in the sky to begin preparing for the evening's work. The warmth is what drew him in, and he would bask in the sun's rays as he did chores. He was a month into being at JingShui Temple and still his body acted as if waking this early was some great chore.

Once he had gotten decent enough, robes lazily slung on, loose but appropriate to be seen, he sat down with his hot cup on the lounge, stretching his long legs and taking his time and adjusting to being alive in general. It wasn't long before Serinity stepped out of the back room, still in her negligee she loved and a silk robe, red hair up in a messy topknot. Saalah rose a brow as she made her way to the kitchen, taking some of his coffee and yawning. Without much comment, the succubus flopped down beside Saalah, getting comfortable with her legs curled and propped beside his hip and taking a long sip of her drink. Finally, Saalah couldn't stop himself from commenting.

"Serinity, shouldn't you be getting ready for court? Where's Lada?" Long, dark lashes fluttered up to look at him, and she hummed before bringing her cup down to speak.

"Did Xiu Ying and Li Jun not tell you? Today is the temple's 'Day of Rest.' It happens once a month." Serinity smirked at the groan this information brought from Saalah. He sank back into the cushions of the couch, taking another long sip from his cup. Too late now.

"You mean I could have stayed in bed?" His voice was nothing less than grouchy, and Serinity nudged him with her foot.

"Yep, kiddo. You could be all toasty and warm in your pile of blankets right now, but since you're already up and half ready," Serinity nudged him, and Saalah looked at her through half lidded eyes, "perhaps you should get out and go see the disciples from Fengge Pavilion while they are here."

"Fengge Pavilion? Why are disciples from another sect here?" Saalah made no move to get up, slinking down in his spot. It was comfortable to be here, lounging with Serinity like this. It reminded him of home a bit.

"Fengge Pavilion is a Sect that specializes in the arts, particularly the healing arts. They have many great healers there. They send their best every month to act as counselors to the disciples of JingShui." Serinity jostled him again, raising her brows at him. "It could be good for you."

"I've been to counseling before," Saalah defended, but the idea...wasn't a bad one. It had been so long since he had been to a counseling session and with all the chaos that had occurred since he arrived at JingShui Temple, from encountering Lucifer to confessing his feelings to... Maybe Serinity had a point. Serinity let him muse it out to himself for a while. She wouldn't push it if he didn't want to go. Saalah was a very private person, after all, and talking about such serious issues was never easy on anyone.

Saalah finished his coffee, getting up to wash his cup and turning back to see Serinity had stretched out to take over the couch for herself. With a huff of amusement, he went and nudged her with a knee. Her head flopped to the side, grey-blue eyes looking innocently up to him.

"I may take you up on that. I'll take a walk and decide on the way." Serinity smirked and nudged him back teasingly.

"Go get dressed then. I bet you'll run into Xiu Ying and Li Jun, too. If you need me, I'll be home today. I want to stay as far away from any council members as possible. Court is exhausting." With that, Serinity pulled her phone out. After a moment she set it to her ear.