Dinner was over and the sun was setting, blessedly later in the day than it had for the last couple months. Spring was finally here, and with it, a bit of respite from the winter's cold.
The evening was fair enough that those dressed properly could comfortably sit outside, which Cade was doing while Nerva practiced on the dummies several yards away. He sat on the stairs with a book, eating a sweet bun that he'd brought out from their meal, though he wasn't reading at the present moment. He was watching her drill, his expression wistful but admiring.

He had behaved himself well recently, and had already gone several weeks without an incident. Although life wasn't back to normal-- it likely never would be, for him-- he was beginning to find it tolerable enough. At least when he was boring, the Tranquil and other Templars didn't watch him so closely, and he could find a bit of peace. The constant surveillance still weighed on him at all times, but he'd had to adapt to it somehow so he wouldn't just go mad.

It was actually the most tolerable when he was with Nerva, who at least talked to him sometimes, even if she was brusque. Deep in the back of his mind, he knew she cared about him, or she wouldn't have done this at all. As he watched her practice, he envied her freedom to use weapons as she saw fit, but also couldn't help but be happy to be here.
Also, the bun was nice.