Ankhami could not yet tell what sort of mischief her twin sister was up to. She had that stern countenance that she wore most times but almost seemed surprised to see her. Leather creaking against the wooden chair, Ankhami seated herself quietly but never let go of Ankhera's stare.
"It has been too long since we were last together." Nervous energy escaped Ankhami as she swept a gloved hand across the paper littered tabletop. "You've been busy?"
Ankhera's gaze remained steady but untelling and her silence was lifted with a soft sigh. "Yes, it has been a long time." Ankhami seemed hopeful for a moment and she softened her words and voice. "I've missed you." Truly, the one elf in all the realms she did miss on a daily basis was her twin. How many times had they been together in the last three years? Less than she might have hoped for. "I despise this cold, dreary .. forever frozen and snowing place." Ankhera turned her attention to the window beside the hearth as slender arms folded across her chest.
"It's not so bad if you have fur." Ankhami nodded her chin towards the window where her companion, Shogun, appeared suddenly and snorted a blast of warm breath against the windowpane. Seeking a small glimpse of his mistress and finding her, he turned and disappeared beneath the blanketing snow. "Perhaps you need a warmer coat?" There was that impish sparkle in her smile, and Ankhera turned a sharp look to her sister. "Not all of us are meant to wear heavy armor. I'm ...delicate." Ankhami smothered rich laughter but the twitch of her lips left no doubt of her coming grin. "We are exactly the same, silly. You could wear leather you simply chose the robes."
"Did I?" Amusement gone in a flash, Ankhami considered Ankhera for long moments in silence. "No, I suppose not." They both knew it was their Father's grief over their Mother's sudden and untimely death that pushed them both into early adulthood. Responsibilities and constant schooling were the remainder of their youth. Wood creaked as Ankhami unconsciously mirrored her Twin's crossed arm lean against the back of the chair. She hated that defeated feeling her Sister surely felt. It was shared between them in silence.
"Enough of that. Let us have something warm to drink and share our most recent adventures, hm?" Ankhami lifted a hand to wave down the nearest server and shoved a booted foot into the adjacent chair, stretching comfortably.
Ankhera studied her Sister with a small nod and silence for a few moments. She had always been the strong, kind and warm hearted of the two. She forgave easily and smiled more often which often elicited unwanted feelings of jealousy. As Ankhami gave the server their order for drinks, she studied her movements and interaction with the server. Ankhami had always found interaction with different races quite easy and it showed now with her sisters quiet laughter as they shared an amused glance toward some rowdy young elves near the back of the Tavern. Why can I not be so easy in my own skin?
Gelthan and Ankhami had a loving, easy relationship and shared interests aplenty. Perhaps that was the source of her glow and smile? Hmph. Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, Ankhera waited impatiently for the interaction to cease and gave a long stare to the server who suddenly found need to leave.
"Why do you do that?" Ankhami turned to Ankhera and stared at her steadily. The same silent stare; less gentle, was returned to Ankhami as they assessed each other's mood. Ankhera seemed perturbed but that was ..well, always.
"Do what?" Ankhera fussed with a fold in her gown and averted her eyes. She was never more uncomfortable than when under the scrutiny of her own searching stare. The one she shared with her sister.
"Never mind.." Ankhami sighed and leaned back again, watching her sister nervously twitch and shift. "What have you been up to recently?" Though she doubted it would be easy for her Sister to share what troubled her heart, she hoped for it nonetheless. Her gaze wandered briefly to the inn where so many gathered to ward off the cold, searching for familiar faces.