I'm gonna see if I can get these done tonight. But, I'm certainly not going to force them, because God knows what I'd end up with. I told myself I'd be finished with these by Friday but I ended up doing a spot of last minute shopping – that was hassle! – And then I came home and watched TipsyBartender on YouTube and wrote down cocktail recipes all night. Then Saturday I had a drunken night with my best friend, as is my Saturday routine. So, here we are, Christmas Eve Eve, and I'm 10 shots behind!
I'm trying something a little different for this one; let me know what you think!
Chapter sixteen: Fireplace.
The flames flickered – dancing orange and red in the hearth – they licked along the contours of the wood, crackling against the bark of the logs that had only that morning been collected. The room was dim, the glow of the fire providing the only light, and its warmth radiating out to the far corners.
With a dark hair-framed pale face she sat with her eyes ablaze with the reflection of the fire. A steaming brew was clutched tight in one hand, she took a deep sip and her eyes fluttered shut in contentment as she brought the cup down from her lips. Her other hand stroked absently at the jade fur of the cat that had long ago passed out upon her lap, curled in on itself in warmth and fatigue and comfort.
It purred on, the sound creating a symphony with the crackling flames. She smiled gently down at the animal, an inexplicable fondness reaching her eyes as she continued to rhythmically run her fingers through its coat.
This therapeutic motion soothed her more so than her hot beverage, and brought her more warmth than the real-log fire.