[ everything seems to be happening in november, apparently. in any case, navia receives a package from the basileios auction event—a gold antique hairpin, delicately wrapped and still nestled in its original case. alongside it is a small, decorated card dated from the twentieth of the month, penned in neat, careful script: ]
As thanks for giving me one of your roses, I figured it was only fair to return the favor in kind. The colder months may keep your flowers from fully blooming, but I hoped to find something that won’t wilt in the meantime—and might still resemble your radiance in its own way.
[ navia opened the package carefully after reading the note. not once did she expect anything in return, especially from someone she considered a friend now. her jaw dropped slightly as she stared at the hairpin, speechless. it was stunning, to say the least.
she scrambles for her syntrofos, quickly finding his name in her contacts. when she answers, she doesn't let him speak right away. ]
Wriothesley, I can't accept this! This... gosh it's too much!
[ wriothesley is in the middle of his shift when navia calls. normally, he’d wait until clocking out to return messages—but he knows when to make exceptions for people who rarely reach out without reason. when he does pick up, though, navia can’t see the way his brows rise at how abruptly she launches into her message. it only shows in the brief pause that follows, as he works to piece it all together. ]
Hm? Ah, I take it the gift was finally delivered? [ there’s an audible creak on his end, though it’s just him rocking back in a worn office chair. ] I promise, Navia, I didn’t have to fight too hard for it at the auction. It seems ornate accessories aren’t as prized here as they are back home. And as they say—what turns heads in Fontaine might raise eyebrows in Karteria.
[ whether or not that’s true is anyone’s guess. his voice doesn’t give away much—only a hint of smile behind his words to pass the gesture of the gift off as something casual, but carefully chosen. ]
[ she's settled into a chair at this point, having taken the hairpin out of its box and continued looking it over. ]
Still... [ her voice is calmer now, and she sighs. ] You didn't have to. It's absolutely lovely, but I didn't need a gift in return.
[ she's not sure how much he paid for it, or whether he was lying to her, but she's starting to come to terms with it. she honestly hadn't expected anything in return for the rose - it was freely given without needing anything in return, especially if it was going to help him stay calm. ]
[ there's a thoughtful hum on his end of the call as he considers her words before replying; he's slower this time and with a hint of warmth to his voice. ]
I didn’t have to, but I certainly wanted to. [ the smile is evident in his tone. ] Rest assured, Navia, this isn’t meant to be a gift for a gift.
[ he’s not so transactional, though he’s never shared gifts with navia before— unlike with some of their mutual friends he regularly exchanges with. so he offers her a more straightforward answer. ]
Compared to you—or others—my soul doesn't have much to offer in the way of creature comforts. So this is my attempt at the next best thing. There may not be any soothing feelings imprinted or warm memory embedded in the pin, much like your rose does for me, but I figured… even on the most tiring days or in the colder months, it might be nice to have something lovely to wear for when your flowers might not want to show.
[ there's an airy laugh to keep the conversation from being too heavy or awkward for either of them. ]
I hope I'm not overstepping any lines with any of that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
delivery
As thanks for giving me one of your roses, I figured it was only fair to return the favor in kind. The colder months may keep your flowers from fully blooming, but I hoped to find something that won’t wilt in the meantime—and might still resemble your radiance in its own way.
—Wriothesley
how dare you; voice call back!
she scrambles for her syntrofos, quickly finding his name in her contacts. when she answers, she doesn't let him speak right away. ]
Wriothesley, I can't accept this! This... gosh it's too much!
omg navia girl
Hm? Ah, I take it the gift was finally delivered? [ there’s an audible creak on his end, though it’s just him rocking back in a worn office chair. ] I promise, Navia, I didn’t have to fight too hard for it at the auction. It seems ornate accessories aren’t as prized here as they are back home. And as they say—what turns heads in Fontaine might raise eyebrows in Karteria.
[ whether or not that’s true is anyone’s guess. his voice doesn’t give away much—only a hint of smile behind his words to pass the gesture of the gift off as something casual, but carefully chosen. ]
no subject
Still... [ her voice is calmer now, and she sighs. ] You didn't have to. It's absolutely lovely, but I didn't need a gift in return.
[ she's not sure how much he paid for it, or whether he was lying to her, but she's starting to come to terms with it. she honestly hadn't expected anything in return for the rose - it was freely given without needing anything in return, especially if it was going to help him stay calm. ]
no subject
I didn’t have to, but I certainly wanted to. [ the smile is evident in his tone. ] Rest assured, Navia, this isn’t meant to be a gift for a gift.
[ he’s not so transactional, though he’s never shared gifts with navia before— unlike with some of their mutual friends he regularly exchanges with. so he offers her a more straightforward answer. ]
Compared to you—or others—my soul doesn't have much to offer in the way of creature comforts. So this is my attempt at the next best thing. There may not be any soothing feelings imprinted or warm memory embedded in the pin, much like your rose does for me, but I figured… even on the most tiring days or in the colder months, it might be nice to have something lovely to wear for when your flowers might not want to show.
[ there's an airy laugh to keep the conversation from being too heavy or awkward for either of them. ]
I hope I'm not overstepping any lines with any of that.