Dangerous. That was the perfect way to describe in a single word the decisions that the blue-eyed blonde was making as she sits there with him. No, she'd never been the best when it came to maintaining her composure while under the influence, but for the first time in longer than she could remember, Lani found that she cared little in this moment. Would there be regrets? It was very likely. How often was drinking not at the core of words kept silent for so long suddenly finding their way to one's lips? And, even without the effects of the alcohol, those already crumbling walls between her heart and the world couldn't be more fragile. After all this time, it was surely the equivalent of trying to cage the very tides of the ocean as it raged beneath the fierce hands of a tropical storm. There was only so much the fae woman could do, so much time left, before it would all come crashing through and sweep away any remaining hope that she had of hiding all the memories and emotions that made up the overwhelming heartache which has so plagued her. Even though she believed that enough tears have been cried, enough sleepless nights have passed that she should somehow manage to keep herself together for at least a while longer before she just couldn't hang on anymore... sitting there across that small patio table and staring into those hazel depths she had once allowed to lay claim to her heart and soul despite knowing she shouldn't, Lani knows that any amount of time she might have had was cut down to perhaps only a fraction. As she feels herself beginning to slip ever further into the embrace of that wine steadily disappearing from her crystal glass, she's caught somewhere between being aware of the risks she was taking to drown out the world and surrendering herself to the storm she's fought against for so long.

What was the worst that could possibly happen? She could say how much she thought of him, how clearly she could remember the way he'd kissed her lips as they hid away from the world and Somnia within the shelter of that cabin... her cabin, how hopeless she felt against the memories that they'd shared. Surely nothing could be worse than that... right?

For perhaps a moment, she dared to think of what would happen should she just let herself get swept up in the torrents of everything she held back. Maybe, if she did, she would finally find some semblance of peace, even though it wouldn't really change anything. What if the old Lani wasn't so lost anymore? She might remember what it was like to smile and feel like it actually meant something, to be rid of the mask that she wore so that the world didn't see how broken the fae woman was. Maybe, she wouldn't be stuck saying "I'm okay" when that couldn't be further from the truth. There might be a chance at true happiness, the very thing she once knew so well but could barely even remember now. What if she just poured out everything that she wanted to say to him without fear of what he'd think, of what he'd say or not say? Perhaps, then, her soul wouldn't feel so heavy, and every heartbeat wouldn't ache so much or at all... After all, he'd turned her away before, right? That was why everything had happened the way it did, or so it seemed. That fight had been what drove her to make her way home... only, she never made it there until weeks later, and not at all the same as she'd been when she left for Sacrosanct the first time. And yet, maybe that strange fae man - Dorian's father - had been right all along about the future he said he'd seen for her. "Sometimes, something must be broken to be put back together, sometimes what is put back together is stronger than it was before and you, Ma petite, are far stranger than you know"...., had been the words the strange man had said to her that afternoon when she and Dorian had been enjoying lunch together before her entire world was shattered. And, how strange it was, that they would seem a little clearer. While it was more than likely just the wine that continues to wash over her more with each passing moment, she wonders if all this time, she'd been running from something that she'd never actually had even the smallest hope to escape from. And, if that was the case, why run anymore?

It went without saying that she was tired - no, exhausted - of trying to fight against the memories and emotions stronger than any raging ocean or fierce storm. Sure, the fact that her resolve was wavering just a little more with every sip of that wine didn't help the matter, but in this moment, she dared to wonder what letting go would feel like.

Suddenly, as baby blue eyes meet hazel over the top of that lifted wine glass, there's a flash of something there in his gaze she swears was there for no more than the blink of an eye. She... felt it. She thinks at first that she was only imagining things, that it was surely just her own pure surprise as Andras offers to find work for her in Somnia, and yet she can hardly ignore that unfamiliar sensation. However, she's hardly allowed a moment more to consider it when he mentions her photography. Again, there is a wistfulness that flickers across her features, eyes of clear summer skies softening as she shrugs her shoulders."I don't really do photography anymore. If I'm being honest, the last photo I ever took... was, well, of you", she answers. Her mind wanders to that box in her closet of the camera he'd given her, carefully folded into that strapless black dress he'd also given her, their matching heels sitting right beside the dust-covered container holding so much more than anyone would ever really understand except perhaps Andras. There's a soft smile, almost sorrowful and yet more so wistful than anything else, as she watches the fae man. This was something that she hadn't told anyone. Not her parents, not Ellie... not a soul. She blinks away the expression, instead taking yet another sip of wine."Well, my phone number hasn't changed in the last three years, so I look forward to hearing from you...", she says, pausing for a moment."... on what you think would be best", she adds quickly, realizing that maybe he'd think she meant more than just wanting to hear about a possible placement... which wasn't exactly untrue.

Again, she seeks the ill-chosen comfort of her glass, taking another drink as though it would stop her from trying to say anything else. Even if it did manage to do the trick, the odds that she'd have more opportunities yet to say other likely foolish things were very much high. She knows she should probably stop, not reach for that bottle for a second glass... but the fae woman ignores her better judgement.

He very nearly perks up as Lani mentions how the last thing that she'd want to do was impose of the fae man and Ida as they busied themselves with Somnia and all the affairs that were currently needing their attention, a gesture of dismissal obvious and freed from the previous awkwardness that had her initially uncertain, there's yet another warm smile that finds blush-colored lips. She's about to thank him when baby blue eyes widen at his next words. A key?! To his house!? As he explains, the fae woman nods almost absentmindedly, still very much trying to process what it would be like to have a key to his residence. Well, it's just because of the job offer. That's all. Purely professional... Long, dark lashes blink over baby blues as if to try and chase away any thoughts that would muse the possibility of what having a key would mean. Maybe it would be easier to take the key? Because the other option would be to call him, and that would mean being with him and going to Somnia together like they had before."Whichever you think is best", she replies. After all, this wasn't really something she should have a say in... right? Perhaps if they were closer, like they had been before her fantasies had gotten the best of her, it would be more practical that she have a key... but they weren't, or so she believed. So distracted with her thoughts and very much in the throws of wine, she's hardly aware of what Andras is up to until he calls out to her, very much tearing her away from inner wanderings and focusing solely upon him. The chaos ensues, and in that moment, she forgets even more the discomfort she'd felt as her own unsuccessfully stifled laughter answers his.

For a moment, they are simply looking at one another, and she could almost let herself believe that there was a softness to those hazel eyes she once adored as the Lani she'd been seems to shine through fleetingly. It was like he could see who she'd been... and maybe he really could. How easy it had been to be with him once, even when he'd tease her relentlessly...

Deep tenor tones murmur words that perhaps she had been wanting to here after all this time, and as he leans forward and asks the fae woman if she thought he would be anyone other than the man she remembers, she blinks slowly at him and smiles softly through the flush of wine coloring fair-skinned cheeks."I suppose I had hoped that you would still be how I remember you... and I'm happy to see that you are", she says easily, hardly hesitating at the genuine warmth and wistfulness of her words. It was as he very nearly reassures her that he'd hardly give pause to the idea of another snowball fight right in the middle of the city center, that familiar simper that perhaps would have left her shying away if not for the wine only has her own smile lingering."You're probably right, although, maybe we should care a little less about the opinions of strangers", she remarks as she muses, finishing the last of her second glass just as the waiter reaches their table, placing the cup of soup in front of Lani and a plate of undeniably delicious-looking meats in front of Andras. She takes up the spoon on the napkin beside her own food and indulges in the warm, savory flavors of her meal, so wrapped up in the taste as well as the increasing sensations of the wine, she hardly notices the women standing up to leave until Andras says something. Lani shrugs simply, baby blue eyes glittering in response, clearly enjoying the soup in front of her too much to bother with remarking on their former observers. His offer might have surprised her but being so far into the wine she'd successfully drowned any reservations in, she trades the spoon in her hand for a fork."It looks really good, so yes", she replies, reaching over to stab at a piece with little hesitation. Leaning back into her own seat, she places the morsel in her mouth and eyes widen unbidden in delight she hardly tries to hide."Wow, I should have gotten that instead", she remarks, giggling lightly."Although, it's still not as good as that meat kebab from the Winter Solstice Festival", she adds so casually that one would think it had only just been yesterday rather than three years ago since that day.

She returns now to her own food, although her thoughts wander back to that time when everything had been as close to perfect as they could have been. And then, without thinking and before she could manage to stop herself..."Do you still have the scarf I gave you that day?"