Katherine and Fabia stood opposite each other in the barn. Behind them the afternoon sunshine dappled the yard.

“I don’t agree,” Kate stated. She crossed her arms and shuffled slightly to one side, less directly opposite Fabia. “The stores don’t make sense that way. We’re going to need access to the metal and its tools much less often than the leather things.”

“But digging out the forging tools is going to happen less often than it should if it’s too much of a hassle,” Fabia replied. “Look, I know from experience.” She turned around to rummage in a crate. Kate gave an exasperated sigh. She was tired of hearing that sentence.

“I don’t want to clamber around the anvil and goodness knows what else every time. Just because I can heal doesn’t mean I enjoy twisting my ankle.”

Fabia stopped rummaging for a moment and gave Kate a considering, sidelong look. “What’s irking you? You seem very upset for it to be about storage.” Her tone was casual and she turned back to pull something of out of the crate. Kate flinched slightly and looked out at the yard.

“Nothing. I just think this might not be the best way to store it. But it’s not – I’ll go and put the leather stuff behind…”

“Hmm.” Fabia pushed herself away from the crate and brushed off her clothes. “We’ll try your way.”

“Wha-“ Kate stared at Fabia in confusion. “But you just said… and it’s your decision.”

“I know what I said. But I’m not averse to trying something different. If it isn’t working out, we can change it again.”

“It’ll be extra work.”

“And it might not be. We’ll figure that out if and when it becomes necessary.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Fabia said. They were in the main hallway of the house and Fabia had stopped Kate to tell she wanted the forging tools back in front. Repairs kept getting put off, as Artur kept saying “I’ll get everything out when it’s worth it.”

“But I should have listened, you were right.” Kate sighed, shoulders slumped. “I just really thought it would work better, or at least save an inconvenience. Even though you already said this would happen.”

“Hey.” Fabia broke into Kate’s diatribe. “It was my decision to try your way. That’s my responsibility, and it also makes it my responsibility to deal with any necessary adjustments, understood?”

“Erm,” Kate replied stupidly. She looked at Fabia, who was standing there, relaxed and smiling slightly. “Are you sure? I can simply move everything back on my own…” Fabia raised an eyebrow and laughed.

“You would need a week to move some of those crates by yourself. Absolutely not, Artur and Matas are helping, it will be much quicker.” Kate felt her face grow hot, but this was unfortunately true. “I’ll see you in the barn after noon, yes?” Fabia asked and Kate nodded.

At the midday meal they were gathered in the kitchen.

“Artur, Matas, I need your help moving the forging things to the front of the storage,” Fabia said as she collected dishes.

“What, why?” asked Matas. Kate froze from where she was cutting a loaf of bread.

“Because they’re damn heavy. And we’ve been procrastinating those repairs. I want them started before the end of the week,” Fabia said. Kate relaxed and continued her task.

“When is that again?” asked Matas, balancing several jugs as he made his way to the board.

“Four days, knucklehead,” Fabia waited for Matas to set down the jugs before rapping him on the head.

“Faruq can help me with the repairs,” Artur said, setting the dishes around the table. Matas looked vaguely disappointed at this. “Matas and I can help you and Kate after we eat.” He smiled at Kate as she carefully set the bread in the centre of the board.

“If you have time,” she said, glancing at Fabia. She looked back at Artur. “I’m sorry to make you drag everything around again.” She almost started as Fabia’s hand suddenly touched her shoulder.

“Kate, it’s fine. Not your responsibility, remember?”

 “I feel left out,” Matas complained, looking confused. Artur left the room, probably to look for Helena. Kate bit her lip.

“It was my idea to put the metal supplies at the back. But-”

“Oh, so you’re why I could actually reach the leather tools,” he said, giving Fabia a pointed look.

“Um yes, but now the repairs-” Kate attempted to continue.

“Does this mean I’m going to have drag everything around and break my ankles getting at my tools again?” Matas complained. “Because I do not want another storage situation like in Santes, that was the fucking worst and-”

“And I wasn’t planning to exactly recreate it,” Fabia interrupted him. “But you’re welcome to weigh in on a better solution, you know.”

“Right.” Matas said, the wind momentarily taken out of his sails. “You should have asked more opinions, not just Kate’s.”

“You should have volunteered to help the first time then,” Fabia replied smoothly. “I wasn’t aware you had such strong opinions on the subject.” As Matas’ opinions on most things tended to be strong ones, Kate thought Fabia was poking fun at him, but Matas was unperturbed.

“If we’re moving things already, we might as well change this too.” Matas grabbed several pieces of food and a cup and began illustrating his idea on the kitchen board. Fabia looked on with interest and provided commentary on what she did and didn’t agree with. Meanwhile Kate looked on with mild bemusement, not least at the way Fabia engaged with the suggestions. At some point Fabia’s glance found Kate’s again. Her smile was amused and gentle.

“Like I said,” she mouthed. “It’s fine.”