Snow was never a surprise, but seeing born-Silessians nudge each other and pointing to the sky, made her nervous. Gray skies covered with clouds looked the same to her, but what did she know? Leaving her book in her room, she retrieved her gloves and went to get Claud, held up in his priestly building, overseeing priestly things (or concerns about Edda, or concerns about Grannvale, or concerns about Sir Sigurd's forces — not all of them were Grannvalean).
The priests advising Claud knew her by now, letting her pass without comment. Gathered outside humorlessly, concerned with the first flurries, hands tucked into their sleeves, Taitiu didn't think to ask why. Claud knew everything.
Almost everything.
Composed, Claud stood in the window, curtain pushed aside with his long fingers. The shadow of a few flurries drifted down his cheeks. His scripture was closed, bookmarked with a few papers. She cleared her throat. "You should get your cloak on, Father. The Silessians are talking."
"They have been tittering since last night. Silesse gets one storm worse than the rest, usually. This year, it is a bit late, but they're happy to have it." Claud politely turned to face her as he talked.
None of their faces said it. "Sounds dreadful."
"Have you not become accustomed to the weather?" Her nose crinkled, shaking her head. She swore, like always, that he smiled. "I was just tidying up, but time slipped away from me. Luckily, you've come to collect me again."
Yeah, yeah. Someone needed to look after him. He marched weaponless into pirates. A storm rolling through with Claud unaccounted for. He'd slip on some ice. Fingers folded behind her back, "Hurry up. I don't want to get caught in it."
He bowed his head. The curtains fell perfectly shut, trailing towards the floor. Everything around him was, even the frayed edge of his cloak sleeve. Tailtiu grabbed him by it once he was at her side, leading him out.
He followed without giving into her, only stopping to lock the door. Before she could grab him again (it only took one hand to set a lock), he pulled her hood up, falling down over her eyes, smushing her bangs. His hand did not linger.
She dropped her head on his arm, soft under her cheek, face turned in. Easy, nice. "Thanks, Claud."
"It's no trouble, Tailtiu. I hope you do not slip."