[There some knocking at Navia's door, weak and uneasy in nature. A repeated sound that is insistent, but falls silent after a moment.
Behind the door there is Aether, his entire form curled in pain and there's blood over his back and newly formed wings. He didn't want to worry her, he could've chosen to just go home, but has no strength to do so. He's also learned by now that if he needs help he shouldn't try to hide away. He can rely on his friends.
Still, it pains him that he burdens her like this without ever asking first. Not like he knew that he would get new wings, now all six of them sprouting from his back with closed eyelids littered over them.]
[ Navia doesn't expect visitors, even though she's told everyone that they can count on her for anything. When she opens the door, there's a moment of speechlessness that Aether's bloody form causes. She's never seen him this bad before.
Without any more words, she comes forward, placing his arm over her shoulders and definitely not touching his back or his wings. She leads him in, kicking the door behind them shut.]
Come on, Partner, can't have you bleeding everywhere, hm? Let's get you inside.
[He gives her an apologetic look as she helps him get inside.]
Sorry... You were the closest person.
[He takes a deep breath as his newly formed wing twitches a little, as if it's trying to grow out more from his back. Hopefully, this is the last time he'd have to go through this... Six wings. That should be enough, right?]
[ call it poor planning or simple happenstance, but the past day has been a steady unravelingāeach event forcing wriothesley to face his natural soul head-on. heās still reeling, still a little roughed up from shifting fully in the harbingerās little fight club, and worse: a few uncomfortable truths have come to light. namely, that the only way to keep the spiraling, mindless rampaging his natural soul brings about at bay is to forgeāand maintaināa genuine imprint. since getting by with fleeting and distant touches offers him nothing to tether to when shifted. and with his corruption, now more or less active, makes its presence known in a new way: he can already feel the pull of the moon, even as the rising sun paints the sky on his walk back to the valentia. ]
[ his syntrofos pings with a reminder that a full moon is scheduled for tonight. and after scraping together what information he could from childe before parting ways, wriothesley does the only thing he can think to do: call the one person he trusts in karteria without question. he only hopes that trust runs both ways as he finds naviaās contact and lifts the device to his ear. ]
Navia. Are you still at the Valentia this morning? Your room?
[ heās slightly out of breath, mostly from how quickly heās been walking. his cadence is more scattered than usualāand while navia canāt see it, but sheāll hear it in the way his voice catches, distracted. not by nerves, but by the moonās presence still lingering in the morning sky. it isn't until, funnily enough, the patho-gen building rises up to cut off his line of sight that the subtle pull finally lessens, and his voice evens out just enough to finish the thought. ]
[ with the colder weather coming into the area, navia's been steadily wanting to stay in bed. normally this wasn't the case - she was up with the dawn and spent all hours of the day with excess energy.
the ping to her syntrofos wakes her up, and before she can even even think straight she hears his voice, scattered and out of breath. that wakes her up almost immediately, because she knows wriothesley's usually always cool under pressure. ]
I'm here. I'm still in my room. Everything okay?
[ she still sounds tired, the gruffness in her voice still from sleep. she's throwing blankets off to pull herself from the warmth of her bed, the way her body protests when the cool of the air hits her.
then she realizes - if everything were okay, he might not be needing her help. better to ask him when he arrives. ]
[ despite the slight rush in wriothesley's voice, it's the everydayness of naviaās response that sincerely grounds him for a moment. it helps more than heād care to admit: the sleep in her tone, the absence of urgency, and the simple offer of teaāsomething plain and normal. and with his heavy footfall in the chill of the morning, he exhales quietly before answering. ]
As okay as we can be in this place, but it'll all make a lot more sense over tea.
[ bit by bit, he starts to sound more like himself. the edge softening into a familiar touch of dry amusement with the sort of news and ask he'll be bringing up soon enough. ]
Just passed the Council Officesāso Iāll be up in fifteen, twenty minutes, give or take [ there's a beat as he weighs whether to say it now or later, but in the end, he lets it out: ] And thanks for picking up, Navia. I know this isnāt the kind of call anyone wants to wake up to.
[He sits down, relieved to have a moment of rest. The pain is still there but he hopes the worst has passed. His wings are on full display, all six of them, three bloodied and brand new with multiple closed eyelids littered on them.]
[ Navia's careful when she touches the wet corner of the towel to the bloodied part of his new wings. This is the first time she's allowed herself to really look at them up close - they're beautiful, she thinks, otherworldly and beautiful. They remind her of Aether himself.
Her touch is gentle, cleaning off the blood and using the dry side of the towel to dry them off. ]
Now, you and I both know that friends don't have to repay each other like that. we help each other out no matter what.
[ normally, Navia would have jumped out of bed at his tone. you need her help? she's dressed in five minutes and ready to go do whatever she needs to do to help. oddly enough, it didn't bother her to be this lackadaisical right then - she knew he was alive, breathing, and what sounded like walking. if it was a matter of life and death, he would have said so. ]
I'll see you in a bit then. [ he can't see it, but the thank you makes her smile. it's always nice to be thanked, especially when most people forget. ] Well, try to not let it happen again, okay? A girl needs her beauty sleep, after all.
as her gaze travels further, she might notice the details he hasnāt managed to tidy away: the faint lines beneath his eyes from a lack of sleep, the uneven state of his coat, a missing button or two, and the subtle evidence of a fight stitched across the knuckles holding up the bag. and most telling of all is the absence of his usual ears, replaced now by something far more wolf-like in shape, partially hidden by the tousled fall of his hair. itās a subtle change, easy to overlook at first glance, but close enough now, she might see how they flick at every noiseāfrom the faintest stirrings in the hallway or the kettle beginning to whistle from inside her room. ]
[ she busies herself after the call with heading down into the kitchen to get tea for the both of them - the kettle isn't fancy, but the water is hot and she's snagged plenty of tea for the both of them.
when she opens the door, she's less put together than she really should be. She's dressed, obviously, but her hair is less put together than normal - the newly adorned yellow roses throughout make sure of that. patches of green, waxy skin go up her arms in no rhyme or reason, much like the stems of flowers. behind her, the mountain of blankets on her bed hasn't been folded; she's clearly preparing for the colder months. ]
Well, I'll let it slide since you brought food. Please ignore the state of my room, I haven't had the chance to make it fully presentable yet.
[ leave it to them both to gloss over each otherās corruption. in wriothesleyās case, it was always inevitableāsomething heād expected since arriving anyway. since then meeting others in different shapes and stages of their own certainly helped, but that change never really comes without some pain. regardless, instead of dragging it out at the door, he nods and waits to be let in. ]
Thereās no need to stress about our rooms. Itās not like mine is any better, or thereās much to do with them. [ theyāre already halfway through the allotted four-month stay, though the blankets donāt escape his notice as he heads toward the little tea station to piece together their makeshift breakfast. ] But do you need something to help keep you warm? I could look around for a space heater, if youād like.
[ there isnāt much room for a proper sit-down meal, but they make do. or at least wriothesley fixes her a slice of bread with jam and a cup of tea before worrying about his own. once theyāve settled into the quiet of naviaās room, with a bit more privacy between them, he does finally voice his concerns. ]
I see your Natural Soul is starting to show, for better or worse. I hope it hasnāt been too painful on your end?
[ she admits after a minute. it's accompanied by a sigh, with her hands going to her hips. ]
I've spoken with Tighnari about it. It's much like what normal plants do - it's a dormancy they go through in the colder months to conserve energy. I'm not happy about it, obviously, but I'll make due.
[ she mutters a thank you when he brings over her tea first, and she makes quick work of her bed so they both at least have a place to sit. she wishes they had a proper place to eat without having to go downstairs - when she goes looking for a place after their allotted stay, it'll need to have a proper room for hosting, or at least close enough to a nice cafe. ]
I wouldn't call it painful. It's more... uncomfortable. It's itchy and unpredictable. The thorns catch on things. But, the flowers are pretty, even if they do get in the way. [ her right hand has a small patch of thorns on it. they're small like they've just started growing; it's a new thing she's started to develop. ]
You've grown into yours, I see. Your ears blend right into your hair.
[ wriothesley maintains what propriety he can despite the cramped space, sticking to standing and quietly fixing himself a cup while listening to navia. he doesnāt want to dirty her blankets anywayānot with where heās been, or whatās clinging to his coat. ]
On the bright side, at least youāve got an excuse to stay cozy through the winter. [ thereās a wry laugh behind the tease, though the pile of blankets does conjure the image of being bundled up during the holiday months. not that there might be any holiday cheer in karteria, but now that heās on the surface, itās a nice thought to have. ] Terrible joke, I know. But if youāre too tired to keep up with things once it gets colder, I donāt mind stepping in where I canāor fetching whatever you need.
[ itās another layered joke, though the latter halfās more directed at himselfāto keep the mood light. ]
As for the thorns and flowers, Iām guessing itās better to leave them alone than try tending to them directly? [ āpruningā might be the better word, but heād rather not imagine what that might look, or feel like, for navia. instead, the mention of plants reminds him of tighnari, and he offers up what little he knows about it all. ] I know itās possible to grow roses with fewer thorns. Maybe once youāve got a better feel for how this all works, youāll be able to will them away altogether.
[ a light shrug, a small wave of his handānone of it too serious. itās not unlike thinking of shifting and corruption the way people talk about visions or transformationsāsomething to tinker with. heās shifted a few times since taking the harbinger up on his offer to spar yesterday, and itās a good thing he did. the backup plan was asking navia to keep an eye on himābut knowing what he does now, things turned out for the best. ]
Thatās how Childe helped walk me through taking my soul out for a āspin.ā You can treat it like a Vision almostādraw up what you need, and keep the rest tucked away.
[ navia laughs, shaking her head. she was hoping that in these next few months things would be different for her - getting out and doing more things, finding out more information, helping more people. she's had this idea of trying to do here what she does back home - help those less fortunate than her, whether it were the locals or the other augmented. ] Keep up with the jokes and you'll end up using all of your good material too soon.
I haven't played with it too much as of yet - only with the roses. [ unconsciously, she reaches up and fiddles with one near her ear, whereas some of the blooms are closed as they were newer, this one was in full bloom. it was her first one, the one that showed up after her first month here. she remembers when she got her vision, at her coming of age party, and how in the days after all she did was fiddle around with it and tried to see what she could do. ] Thorns are a plant's way of protecting itself... I think I'll leave a few, at least for now.
[ a brief pause and then she continues. ] I've already cut a few of them off. It doesn't hurt - it's like when you cut your hair. I think it would hurt more if I cut them off closer to the root.
[ her tone sounds like she might experiment a little, mainly to see how far she can push herself before something actually hurts. it then changes as she changes the subject from her. ] You said you were needing my help?
So long as you can spare me a laugh every now and then, I think I can get by on whatever I havenāt already spent. Hm, but if your thorns normally show when youāre under threat, then I canāt help but wonderāwhat kind of feeling calls the roses out? [ thereās a beat as he considers it, a flicker of something more thoughtful beneath the easy tone. ] My guess? Perhaps something soft. A sentiment you've carried with careāand like all your flowers, have slowly brought to bloom once you decided it was worth showing.
[ he lets out a chuckle to keep his words from sinking too deep, though the intent behind them is sincere. heās no expert in the workings of natural souls or the mess patho-gen has made of them all, but if inevitable change is the price, then softening it with some honest conversation isnāt entirely a bad trade.
and the segue into the reason he's come to lean on navia feels natural. despite the urgency behind reaching out, navia hadnāt pressed himāhad let him find his footing again, by offering a quiet sense of normalcy instead of fuss. so he sets his half-finished cup aside, posture straightening slightly before he finally speaks. ]
Andā¦ yeah. [ his usual finesse slips for a breath before returning in pieces, steadied by intent. ] So far, youāre the only one I trust when it comes to touch. At least enough that I would go so far as to call it an imprint, and I can only hope that the feeling is mutual.
[ the ask isn't as graceful as he usually is, but being a little vulnerable often isn't the smoothest when it comes to the approach. nevertheless, wriothesley still tries. ]
I think I can spare a laugh now and then for some ridiculous jokes. [ his thoughtfulness makes her think. if her thorns do come out when she's fearful or being threatened, what would bring out more roses? ] I'd like to think that my friends would bring them out as well. There's nothing I'd want to share more, you know?
[ his vulnerability catches her slight off guard. her posture straightens as she brings the teacup to take a drink, taking one longer than she'd like as she thought on his words quickly. she doesn't want her silence to mean something she doesn't mean. ]
There's no one here that I've known longer than you. [ she admits. ] You and I might not have always seen eye to eye on things, but I think we've come to a point that but there's no one I'd trust more. I think I see what you're saying, Wriothesley.
[ speaking of ridiculous, the knee-jerk reactionāfaint as it isādoesnāt escape his notice. still, wriothesley makes a point of setting any doubts or anxieties aside, especially since heād been the one who reached out to begin with. ]
Now, I know better than to ask something untoward of a lady, especially while sheās in her own quarters.
[ a flicker of an easy-going smile plays at his mouth as he steps forward and lowers himself onto one knee in front of navia. his expression remains warm as he places a hand over the square of his chest, posture precise and deliberate. ]
So, if youāll allow me your hand once more? It may be a lot of ceremony for your touch, but your faith in me isnāt something I take lightly, Navia.
[ meanwhile his other hand lifts and gestures for her rightāthe one with thornsāto be held steady in an open palm. all the while, his wolf ears perk up, subtly angling toward her with quiet attention. ]
[ all her hesitations gone now, her smile is accompanied by light laughter. she's not making light of this - imprinting is something they need to do here, and it's a way to survive. ] If you keep doing this, I'm going to expect it again should this keep happening.
[ nevertheless, she places her right hand in his. she's careful about it, not wanting to accidentally hurt him. if he's paying more attention, a few of the flowers in her hair bloom more, going from buds to near open. they might have just found out that a happier disposition helps bring her flowers out more; one of many things she's discovering. ]
[ his smile widens a touch at the softness of her laugh, and while it's hard not to notice the slow bloom of the roses in her hair, wriothesley lets the weight of the moment sit between them for now. besides, if a few more buds are coaxed open by the end of this, then it's all the more of a spectacle he can mention. ]
Should the next time be at a more manageable hour, then? Brunch, maybe?
[ itās a smooth little deflection, just to keep their spirits high as wriothesley glances down at naviaās hand, quietly taking in the signs of her corruption. the patches of green and waxy skin, the way both of his hands hold hersāfingertips gently circling the blunted thorns. large, rough palms familiarizing themselves with hers, smaller and softer in comparison. although he doesnāt overlook the light callouses from gripping her weapon, and it doesnāt faze him when he raises her hand to rest her palm against his cheek.
soon enough, lashes flutter shut as the contact grounds him. he breathes out slowly, shoulders loosening, expression softening with something quietly reverent. his ears twitch once before flattening, almost as if wordlessly inviting her to reach up and sootheābut he says nothing. heās too preoccupied with the calm that builds slow and steady, with the way he leans into her warmth. he presses the corner of his mouth lightly to her wrist, as if something there is anchoring him. ]
You smell wonderful.
[ it slips out, a little lost sounding, like he hadnāt meant to say it aloud. still, he lingers, quietly committing the scent of her to memory. ]
I wouldn't say no to a nice dinner, though brunch would suffice. As long as we can get dessert after.
[ she can't help but notice how surprisingly gentle he is with her. she's heard stories of him, some from her father, others just from rumors around the court of fontaine that tell a different side of him, one that she doesn't see now. this feels like a more special side of him, one he doesn't show often.
her eyes close momentarily as the calm fills her, that steady warmth that she felt the first time with him filling her once again. she relishes in that moment before she opens her eyes and reaches up into her hair with her free hand to pull one of the bloomed roses free. reaching up, her fingers glide across his ears gently, smoothing his hair down before nestling the rose near his ear. she wills it to attach to him, a permanent way of giving a little bit of herself to him. ]
[ meanwhile, wriothesley is in no rush to cut the bond or separate anytime soon. from naviaās scent, her touch, to the soft lilt of her voice; everything about her presence cuts cleanly through the unease heās been carrying. he threads his fingers lightly between hers at his cheek and, almost instinctively, dips his head when her other hand comes to rest atop it. more than anything, heās caught in the very real and unfamiliar grounding sensation of trust. and when she finally pulls awayāleaving only the ghost of her presence in the curl of a flower nestled behind his earāhe lets out a quiet sigh. its roots arenāt intrusive, just a gentle cling to his hair near the base of one ear. but even as a whisper, the fondness is clear. ]
Youāve no idea how much this helped, Navia.
[ and thatās putting it lightly, considering the ordeal of his first shift and how close he came to losing himself to his natural soul entirely. truth be told, both himself and childe both mightāve ended the night far worse off if not for the harbingerās abilities. afterwards, they'd spent the late hours quietly searching for solutionsāways to anchor himself better next timeābut every path had eventually pointed back to one thing: an imprint.
itās strange, how much steadier he feels now. comforting, even. a sign of how out of sync heās been since arriving. and if heās holding on to something as fleeting as naviaās touch or the calm it leaves behind, then he must not have properly breathed in a long while. still, even as wriothesley leans into the quiet selfishness of seeking comfortāhe hasnāt forgotten about navia and her current need with the cold season. so he shifts forward, gently lowering his head into her lap with an almost reverent care. ]
Itās a shame the best I can offer in return is a bit of warmth and maybe a nice evening out, but rest assured, if you ever need this back from me, youāll have it.
[ true enough, the corruption has left him running warmer than usual. sheāll feel it firsthand when he guides their joined hands at his cheek to rest at the nape of his neck, settling her palm against him for a little more heat. after that, his arms fall to rest on either side of her waist, loosely bracketing her where she sits. and there, head in her lap, lies a former duke wholly at easeāmarked by the occasional thump of his tail tapping lightly at her feet under his coat. every now and then, it lifts and drops again in lazy arcs.
That's right! You can always come to me in times like this.
[ he'll hear a sigh from behind him; Navia's still happy that they've come this far in their friendship. partners, friends, allies. they've come so far from their first meeting, trying to solve a murder.
she hums quietly while she cleans his wing, careful to wipe around the closed eyes. she'll have to ask him to see what they look like with the eyes open - a sight to behold, surely. ]
Do you think you'll get any more? Wings, I mean. This had to have been painful the first time around, not to mention the second or third.
[ she leaves her hand at his neck and guides her free hand back to his hair. she can already feel the heat radiating off of him - something she already appreciates. while it's a comfortable temperature in her room for most, navia still thinks it's a bit cold for her liking. he's like a warm blanket on her legs, and she fully relaxes under him. ]
Trust me, the warmth is already appreciated.
[ her hand idly plays with his hair for a moment, thumb softly caressing the back of his ear. him there, in her lap, really is a sight to behold. she hasn't thought of titles too much after their initial talk, and she's glad for it. here, they're just normal people trying to get by in a world out to get them. they're not better for having visions or powers or fancy titles. that makes her just a bit more happy.]
I do have one small request - if you don't mind. I'd like you to be there when I shift the first time. Just in case.
[ wriothesley is still basking in the hard-earned peace of their connection when navia raises her request. and thanks to the imprint, he can turn over the events of the previous day with more clarity than even his quietest nights in the fortress. funny, how allowing himself to feel true certainty, and to rely openly on others, does him more good than heād expected. enough that his usual hesitation in letting others even stand so close isnāt even on his mind.
even so, her request leaves him thoughtful for a beat before he lifts his head to respond. ]
Sure. [ the word comes quietly, almost offhand, as he straightens to meet her gaze. the sound is still soft around the edges as he regains his poise. he stops short of clearing his throat, choosing instead to pauseāespecially with her hand still resting on him. and while he no longer has human ears to give him away, the light flush on his cheeks and the shy flattening of his wolf ears do more than enough. he's enjoying her touch more than he cares to admit. ] Thank you, for trusting me to be the one to look after you. My own shift wasnāt the calmest, nor the most pleasant by any means, but it taught me enough to know what to doājust in case.
[ he flashes her a small, wry grin and echoes her words and cadence at the end for some humor. shifting is never easy. and since naviaās corruption had bled into her form long before his own, sheās at least familiar with that other presence simmering beneath the surfaceālike a masked guest waiting to be entertained.
his, on the other hand, had lingered in the shadows, silent and watchful, until it caught him off guard. so wriothesley does what he can now to ease her concerns, while there's still time and quiet between them. ]
Although I will say, going into yours with feelings like these does make a difference. Iād even argue youāre already steps ahead of me, and more prepared than you think. Nevertheless, I will certainly help you through it should you run into any trouble.
[ everything seems to be happening in november, apparently. in any case, navia receives a package from the basileios auction eventāa 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 wonāt wilt in the meantimeāand 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, heād wait until clocking out to return messagesābut he knows when to make exceptions for people who rarely reach out without reason. when he does pick up, though, navia canāt 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? [ thereās an audible creak on his end, though itās just him rocking back in a worn office chair. ] I promise, Navia, I didnāt have to fight too hard for it at the auction. It seems ornate accessories arenāt as prized here as they are back home. And as they sayāwhat turns heads in Fontaine might raise eyebrows in Karteria.
[ whether or not thatās true is anyoneās guess. his voice doesnāt give away muchāonly 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 didnāt have to, but I certainly wanted to. [ the smile is evident in his tone. ] Rest assured, Navia, this isnāt meant to be a gift for a gift.
[ heās not so transactional, though heās never shared gifts with navia beforeā unlike with some of their mutual friends he regularly exchanges with. so he offers her a more straightforward answer. ]
Compared to youāor othersāmy 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 figuredā¦ 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.
[He smiles warmly. He's made so many wonderful friends during his journey and Navia is one of those treasured companions. He can't help being thankful for that.
He keeps his wings still as they're cleaned and thinks how to answer the question.]
I'm... not too sure, but I think it may be all of them for now.
[As for it being painful... Yes, it was, but he's not going to admit that.]
[ he's much like her in that regard - she won't say she's hurt in front of anyone. they'll push through the pain so no one is worried. ]
More than six? That must be a sight. I'd love to see them one day, eventually.
[ With the first wing done, she moves onto the other. her touch is gentle, just like with the wing before it, carefully wiping the blood and gore away from it.]
You know where to come should you get more. I don't want you dealing with this by yourself.
More and more people tell me that... Maybe I should invite you all for a show sometime.
[He's mostly joking about it, trying to stay in a better mood despite the pain. Navia is gentle with him, though, so it's all fine. It's calming when she's looking after him this way.]
Just forwarding you a message chain so weāre all on the same page about a certain someoneās upcoming birthday.
Oh, and I suppose this doubles as a heads-up about your present, too. Or at least a proper housewarming gift, complete with a nice quilt to keep you warm for the next few months.
I almost forgot his birthday was coming up!! I've got just the idea for his present. I saw the loveliest chess set in the window of a store the other day. I'm sure he'll enjoy it.
And you know you didn't need to do that. Though quilt-making is something I didn't have you down for. I quite enjoy seeing this domestic side of you, Wriothesley.
Of course I'll handle desserts. I've got a couple in mind that he might enjoy.
I'd argue your gift is far more exciting than mine. I canāt wait to see it when itās time for presents. Hah.
And I ended up with more fabric than I knew what to do with, so I figured: why not put together a few more quilt tops now that the frigid months are here? Iāve also run into a lot of folks who are rightly suffering in the snow, and itād be a shame to let all that fabric go to waste.
[ so much yap and deflecting for doing cute domestic things he hasn't done in eons. let him keep some shred of 'cool mysterious emo' vibes, please. ]
But that all sounds good. I'm looking forward to a cozy dinner with everyone.
I'm quite sure your gift is just as good. Besides, you're the one getting all of us together. I think that'll mean far more to him than anything.
[ she sees that deflecting. she won't say another word about it to keep his dignity right where it should be. she'd rather keep it a secret and use this very valuable information to her benefit later down the road. ]
I am, too. Part of me wishes we didn't have to do it here, of all places. It's not fair that I got to spend my birthday at home, and the both of you have to spend it here.
[ nothing says burgeoning personal relationship like knowing a secret or two. and maybe planning to use it down the road with some sense of responsibility. potentially. navia has already had a taste of the 'friend' treatment in the form of extremely thoughtful gifts, so whatās the harm in knowing some of the details behind the next one she's bound to receive. hee ho. ]
Well, I actually sourced it from the same auction where I got your hairpin. So Iād very much appreciate it if you could manage not to look too surprised when the time comesāsince I happen to know just how sharp your eye for detail is.
But this isnāt me turning things into a gift-giving competition, not at all. Itās just that... if your reaction last time was any indication, then Iād best come prepared with a convincing story about how such a trinket ended up in my hands.
Though, on a lighter noteāthereās no need for any grim comparisons when it comes to birthdays. While I canāt speak for Neuvillette, I, on the other hand, am quite glad mine turned out the way it did. Itās not often I get to spend this much time on the surface, let alone spend the day with good friends without having to worry about wandering gazes or any whispered speculation.
Well, I have no idea what the fabric looks like, nor any sort of skill you might have with a needle, so I still will be quite surprised.
[ she knew she had overreacted last time - she hadn't expected a gift from him, nor something so beautiful and thoughtful. honestly, she never expects anything from her friends in terms of gifts - why ask for anything when just them being friends was a present enough for her? ]
I'm sorry about that, by the way. I overreacted. I just hadn't expected anything so beautiful. I can't apologize enough if I offended you.
Then I'm glad you were able to spend it in such good terms. I'll make sure to drag you up to the surface once we get home then the next time your birthday rolls around... even if we have to put a party into your schedule.
Well, go ahead and judge me twice, thenāsince I made one for you too. And honestly, I think you'll like the colors.
Donāt worry too much about it, though. If anything, I'd say youāre ahead of the curveāconsidering how half the cityās been busy decorating trees and Terra souls alike for the season. I hope you managed to take a few pictures of yourself during all that. Iād like to see what the holiday spirit looks like around here, through your eyes.
But your promise is one Iām looking forward to once weāre back home, Navia.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Action, before the event/tdm
Behind the door there is Aether, his entire form curled in pain and there's blood over his back and newly formed wings. He didn't want to worry her, he could've chosen to just go home, but has no strength to do so. He's also learned by now that if he needs help he shouldn't try to hide away. He can rely on his friends.
Still, it pains him that he burdens her like this without ever asking first. Not like he knew that he would get new wings, now all six of them sprouting from his back with closed eyelids littered over them.]
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Without any more words, she comes forward, placing his arm over her shoulders and definitely not touching his back or his wings. She leads him in, kicking the door behind them shut.]
Come on, Partner, can't have you bleeding everywhere, hm? Let's get you inside.
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Sorry... You were the closest person.
[He takes a deep breath as his newly formed wing twitches a little, as if it's trying to grow out more from his back. Hopefully, this is the last time he'd have to go through this... Six wings. That should be enough, right?]
11/5 early morning voice, action, & shenanigans
[ his syntrofos pings with a reminder that a full moon is scheduled for tonight. and after scraping together what information he could from childe before parting ways, wriothesley does the only thing he can think to do: call the one person he trusts in karteria without question. he only hopes that trust runs both ways as he finds naviaās contact and lifts the device to his ear. ]
Navia. Are you still at the Valentia this morning? Your room?
[ heās slightly out of breath, mostly from how quickly heās been walking. his cadence is more scattered than usualāand while navia canāt see it, but sheāll hear it in the way his voice catches, distracted. not by nerves, but by the moonās presence still lingering in the morning sky. it isn't until, funnily enough, the patho-gen building rises up to cut off his line of sight that the subtle pull finally lessens, and his voice evens out just enough to finish the thought. ]
I'll be needing your help.
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[ She leads him over to a chair, using her leg to pull it out and move it towards them. ]
We'll sit you down right here, okay? Face the back so it doesn't hit your wings.
[ Once he sits, she's off to go get a towel and a bowl of warm water. ]
I've got something to clean them with, if that's alright.
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the ping to her syntrofos wakes her up, and before she can even even think straight she hears his voice, scattered and out of breath. that wakes her up almost immediately, because she knows wriothesley's usually always cool under pressure. ]
I'm here. I'm still in my room. Everything okay?
[ she still sounds tired, the gruffness in her voice still from sleep. she's throwing blankets off to pull herself from the warmth of her bed, the way her body protests when the cool of the air hits her.
then she realizes - if everything were okay, he might not be needing her help. better to ask him when he arrives. ]
Come on up, I'll make some tea for your arrival.
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As okay as we can be in this place, but it'll all make a lot more sense over tea.
[ bit by bit, he starts to sound more like himself. the edge softening into a familiar touch of dry amusement with the sort of news and ask he'll be bringing up soon enough. ]
Just passed the Council Officesāso Iāll be up in fifteen, twenty minutes, give or take [ there's a beat as he weighs whether to say it now or later, but in the end, he lets it out: ] And thanks for picking up, Navia. I know this isnāt the kind of call anyone wants to wake up to.
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Thanks...
[He tries to smile.]
Once I'm better I need to repay you somehow.
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Her touch is gentle, cleaning off the blood and using the dry side of the towel to dry them off. ]
Now, you and I both know that friends don't have to repay each other like that. we help each other out no matter what.
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I'll see you in a bit then. [ he can't see it, but the thank you makes her smile. it's always nice to be thanked, especially when most people forget. ] Well, try to not let it happen again, okay? A girl needs her beauty sleep, after all.
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But of course. Iād hate to be the reason you wake up anything less than radiant, even if your companyās good for it.
[ with that, he leaves her with a gentle tease, the call ending on a note of soft amusement that lingers even as he arrives a little later than promised. when the knock sounds and navia opens the door, she finds him in relatively good shape, his expression faintly tired but still warm, and in one hand, he holds up a small bag from valentiaās cafĆ© containing butter, jam, and a baguette meant for their shared tea. the gesture isnāt entirely necessary, but it gave him something to do on his way upāsomething useful to burn off the residual energy from their call and offer something ahead of the conversation he hasnāt quite yet figured out how to begin.
as her gaze travels further, she might notice the details he hasnāt managed to tidy away: the faint lines beneath his eyes from a lack of sleep, the uneven state of his coat, a missing button or two, and the subtle evidence of a fight stitched across the knuckles holding up the bag. and most telling of all is the absence of his usual ears, replaced now by something far more wolf-like in shape, partially hidden by the tousled fall of his hair. itās a subtle change, easy to overlook at first glance, but close enough now, she might see how they flick at every noiseāfrom the faintest stirrings in the hallway or the kettle beginning to whistle from inside her room. ]
Hey there, Navia. Sorry for being a little late.
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when she opens the door, she's less put together than she really should be. She's dressed, obviously, but her hair is less put together than normal - the newly adorned yellow roses throughout make sure of that. patches of green, waxy skin go up her arms in no rhyme or reason, much like the stems of flowers. behind her, the mountain of blankets on her bed hasn't been folded; she's clearly preparing for the colder months. ]
Well, I'll let it slide since you brought food. Please ignore the state of my room, I haven't had the chance to make it fully presentable yet.
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Thereās no need to stress about our rooms. Itās not like mine is any better, or thereās much to do with them. [ theyāre already halfway through the allotted four-month stay, though the blankets donāt escape his notice as he heads toward the little tea station to piece together their makeshift breakfast. ] But do you need something to help keep you warm? I could look around for a space heater, if youād like.
[ there isnāt much room for a proper sit-down meal, but they make do. or at least wriothesley fixes her a slice of bread with jam and a cup of tea before worrying about his own. once theyāve settled into the quiet of naviaās room, with a bit more privacy between them, he does finally voice his concerns. ]
I see your Natural Soul is starting to show, for better or worse. I hope it hasnāt been too painful on your end?
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[ she admits after a minute. it's accompanied by a sigh, with her hands going to her hips. ]
I've spoken with Tighnari about it. It's much like what normal plants do - it's a dormancy they go through in the colder months to conserve energy. I'm not happy about it, obviously, but I'll make due.
[ she mutters a thank you when he brings over her tea first, and she makes quick work of her bed so they both at least have a place to sit. she wishes they had a proper place to eat without having to go downstairs - when she goes looking for a place after their allotted stay, it'll need to have a proper room for hosting, or at least close enough to a nice cafe. ]
I wouldn't call it painful. It's more... uncomfortable. It's itchy and unpredictable. The thorns catch on things. But, the flowers are pretty, even if they do get in the way. [ her right hand has a small patch of thorns on it. they're small like they've just started growing; it's a new thing she's started to develop. ]
You've grown into yours, I see. Your ears blend right into your hair.
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On the bright side, at least youāve got an excuse to stay cozy through the winter. [ thereās a wry laugh behind the tease, though the pile of blankets does conjure the image of being bundled up during the holiday months. not that there might be any holiday cheer in karteria, but now that heās on the surface, itās a nice thought to have. ] Terrible joke, I know. But if youāre too tired to keep up with things once it gets colder, I donāt mind stepping in where I canāor fetching whatever you need.
[ itās another layered joke, though the latter halfās more directed at himselfāto keep the mood light. ]
As for the thorns and flowers, Iām guessing itās better to leave them alone than try tending to them directly? [ āpruningā might be the better word, but heād rather not imagine what that might look, or feel like, for navia. instead, the mention of plants reminds him of tighnari, and he offers up what little he knows about it all. ] I know itās possible to grow roses with fewer thorns. Maybe once youāve got a better feel for how this all works, youāll be able to will them away altogether.
[ a light shrug, a small wave of his handānone of it too serious. itās not unlike thinking of shifting and corruption the way people talk about visions or transformationsāsomething to tinker with. heās shifted a few times since taking the harbinger up on his offer to spar yesterday, and itās a good thing he did. the backup plan was asking navia to keep an eye on himābut knowing what he does now, things turned out for the best. ]
Thatās how Childe helped walk me through taking my soul out for a āspin.ā You can treat it like a Vision almostādraw up what you need, and keep the rest tucked away.
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That's true. [He smiles weakly.] I'm still thankful, though. You're my irreplaceable partner.
[He cares about her a lot.]
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I haven't played with it too much as of yet - only with the roses. [ unconsciously, she reaches up and fiddles with one near her ear, whereas some of the blooms are closed as they were newer, this one was in full bloom. it was her first one, the one that showed up after her first month here. she remembers when she got her vision, at her coming of age party, and how in the days after all she did was fiddle around with it and tried to see what she could do. ] Thorns are a plant's way of protecting itself... I think I'll leave a few, at least for now.
[ a brief pause and then she continues. ] I've already cut a few of them off. It doesn't hurt - it's like when you cut your hair. I think it would hurt more if I cut them off closer to the root.
[ her tone sounds like she might experiment a little, mainly to see how far she can push herself before something actually hurts. it then changes as she changes the subject from her. ] You said you were needing my help?
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[ he lets out a chuckle to keep his words from sinking too deep, though the intent behind them is sincere. heās no expert in the workings of natural souls or the mess patho-gen has made of them all, but if inevitable change is the price, then softening it with some honest conversation isnāt entirely a bad trade.
and the segue into the reason he's come to lean on navia feels natural. despite the urgency behind reaching out, navia hadnāt pressed himāhad let him find his footing again, by offering a quiet sense of normalcy instead of fuss. so he sets his half-finished cup aside, posture straightening slightly before he finally speaks. ]
Andā¦ yeah. [ his usual finesse slips for a breath before returning in pieces, steadied by intent. ] So far, youāre the only one I trust when it comes to touch. At least enough that I would go so far as to call it an imprint, and I can only hope that the feeling is mutual.
[ the ask isn't as graceful as he usually is, but being a little vulnerable often isn't the smoothest when it comes to the approach. nevertheless, wriothesley still tries. ]
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[ his vulnerability catches her slight off guard. her posture straightens as she brings the teacup to take a drink, taking one longer than she'd like as she thought on his words quickly. she doesn't want her silence to mean something she doesn't mean. ]
There's no one here that I've known longer than you. [ she admits. ] You and I might not have always seen eye to eye on things, but I think we've come to a point that but there's no one I'd trust more. I think I see what you're saying, Wriothesley.
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Now, I know better than to ask something untoward of a lady, especially while sheās in her own quarters.
[ a flicker of an easy-going smile plays at his mouth as he steps forward and lowers himself onto one knee in front of navia. his expression remains warm as he places a hand over the square of his chest, posture precise and deliberate. ]
So, if youāll allow me your hand once more? It may be a lot of ceremony for your touch, but your faith in me isnāt something I take lightly, Navia.
[ meanwhile his other hand lifts and gestures for her rightāthe one with thornsāto be held steady in an open palm. all the while, his wolf ears perk up, subtly angling toward her with quiet attention. ]
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[ all her hesitations gone now, her smile is accompanied by light laughter. she's not making light of this - imprinting is something they need to do here, and it's a way to survive. ] If you keep doing this, I'm going to expect it again should this keep happening.
[ nevertheless, she places her right hand in his. she's careful about it, not wanting to accidentally hurt him. if he's paying more attention, a few of the flowers in her hair bloom more, going from buds to near open. they might have just found out that a happier disposition helps bring her flowers out more; one of many things she's discovering. ]
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Should the next time be at a more manageable hour, then? Brunch, maybe?
[ itās a smooth little deflection, just to keep their spirits high as wriothesley glances down at naviaās hand, quietly taking in the signs of her corruption. the patches of green and waxy skin, the way both of his hands hold hersāfingertips gently circling the blunted thorns. large, rough palms familiarizing themselves with hers, smaller and softer in comparison. although he doesnāt overlook the light callouses from gripping her weapon, and it doesnāt faze him when he raises her hand to rest her palm against his cheek.
soon enough, lashes flutter shut as the contact grounds him. he breathes out slowly, shoulders loosening, expression softening with something quietly reverent. his ears twitch once before flattening, almost as if wordlessly inviting her to reach up and sootheābut he says nothing. heās too preoccupied with the calm that builds slow and steady, with the way he leans into her warmth. he presses the corner of his mouth lightly to her wrist, as if something there is anchoring him. ]
You smell wonderful.
[ it slips out, a little lost sounding, like he hadnāt meant to say it aloud. still, he lingers, quietly committing the scent of her to memory. ]
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[ she can't help but notice how surprisingly gentle he is with her. she's heard stories of him, some from her father, others just from rumors around the court of fontaine that tell a different side of him, one that she doesn't see now. this feels like a more special side of him, one he doesn't show often.
her eyes close momentarily as the calm fills her, that steady warmth that she felt the first time with him filling her once again. she relishes in that moment before she opens her eyes and reaches up into her hair with her free hand to pull one of the bloomed roses free. reaching up, her fingers glide across his ears gently, smoothing his hair down before nestling the rose near his ear. she wills it to attach to him, a permanent way of giving a little bit of herself to him. ]
There. That way you can have it with you.
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Youāve no idea how much this helped, Navia.
[ and thatās putting it lightly, considering the ordeal of his first shift and how close he came to losing himself to his natural soul entirely. truth be told, both himself and childe both mightāve ended the night far worse off if not for the harbingerās abilities. afterwards, they'd spent the late hours quietly searching for solutionsāways to anchor himself better next timeābut every path had eventually pointed back to one thing: an imprint.
itās strange, how much steadier he feels now. comforting, even. a sign of how out of sync heās been since arriving. and if heās holding on to something as fleeting as naviaās touch or the calm it leaves behind, then he must not have properly breathed in a long while. still, even as wriothesley leans into the quiet selfishness of seeking comfortāhe hasnāt forgotten about navia and her current need with the cold season. so he shifts forward, gently lowering his head into her lap with an almost reverent care. ]
Itās a shame the best I can offer in return is a bit of warmth and maybe a nice evening out, but rest assured, if you ever need this back from me, youāll have it.
[ true enough, the corruption has left him running warmer than usual. sheāll feel it firsthand when he guides their joined hands at his cheek to rest at the nape of his neck, settling her palm against him for a little more heat. after that, his arms fall to rest on either side of her waist, loosely bracketing her where she sits. and there, head in her lap, lies a former duke wholly at easeāmarked by the occasional thump of his tail tapping lightly at her feet under his coat. every now and then, it lifts and drops again in lazy arcs.
what a sight. ]
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[ he'll hear a sigh from behind him; Navia's still happy that they've come this far in their friendship. partners, friends, allies. they've come so far from their first meeting, trying to solve a murder.
she hums quietly while she cleans his wing, careful to wipe around the closed eyes. she'll have to ask him to see what they look like with the eyes open - a sight to behold, surely. ]
Do you think you'll get any more? Wings, I mean. This had to have been painful the first time around, not to mention the second or third.
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Trust me, the warmth is already appreciated.
[ her hand idly plays with his hair for a moment, thumb softly caressing the back of his ear. him there, in her lap, really is a sight to behold. she hasn't thought of titles too much after their initial talk, and she's glad for it. here, they're just normal people trying to get by in a world out to get them. they're not better for having visions or powers or fancy titles. that makes her just a bit more happy.]
I do have one small request - if you don't mind. I'd like you to be there when I shift the first time. Just in case.
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even so, her request leaves him thoughtful for a beat before he lifts his head to respond. ]
Sure. [ the word comes quietly, almost offhand, as he straightens to meet her gaze. the sound is still soft around the edges as he regains his poise. he stops short of clearing his throat, choosing instead to pauseāespecially with her hand still resting on him. and while he no longer has human ears to give him away, the light flush on his cheeks and the shy flattening of his wolf ears do more than enough. he's enjoying her touch more than he cares to admit. ] Thank you, for trusting me to be the one to look after you. My own shift wasnāt the calmest, nor the most pleasant by any means, but it taught me enough to know what to doājust in case.
[ he flashes her a small, wry grin and echoes her words and cadence at the end for some humor. shifting is never easy. and since naviaās corruption had bled into her form long before his own, sheās at least familiar with that other presence simmering beneath the surfaceālike a masked guest waiting to be entertained.
his, on the other hand, had lingered in the shadows, silent and watchful, until it caught him off guard. so wriothesley does what he can now to ease her concerns, while there's still time and quiet between them. ]
Although I will say, going into yours with feelings like these does make a difference. Iād even argue youāre already steps ahead of me, and more prepared than you think. Nevertheless, I will certainly help you through it should you run into any trouble.
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 wonāt wilt in the meantimeāand might still resemble your radiance in its own way.
āWriothesley
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? [ thereās an audible creak on his end, though itās just him rocking back in a worn office chair. ] I promise, Navia, I didnāt have to fight too hard for it at the auction. It seems ornate accessories arenāt as prized here as they are back home. And as they sayāwhat turns heads in Fontaine might raise eyebrows in Karteria.
[ whether or not thatās true is anyoneās guess. his voice doesnāt give away muchāonly a hint of smile behind his words to pass the gesture of the gift off as something casual, but carefully chosen. ]
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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. ]
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I didnāt have to, but I certainly wanted to. [ the smile is evident in his tone. ] Rest assured, Navia, this isnāt meant to be a gift for a gift.
[ heās not so transactional, though heās never shared gifts with navia beforeā unlike with some of their mutual friends he regularly exchanges with. so he offers her a more straightforward answer. ]
Compared to youāor othersāmy 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 figuredā¦ 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.
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He keeps his wings still as they're cleaned and thinks how to answer the question.]
I'm... not too sure, but I think it may be all of them for now.
[As for it being painful... Yes, it was, but he's not going to admit that.]
When I'm shifted I have even more of them.
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More than six? That must be a sight. I'd love to see them one day, eventually.
[ With the first wing done, she moves onto the other. her touch is gentle, just like with the wing before it, carefully wiping the blood and gore away from it.]
You know where to come should you get more. I don't want you dealing with this by yourself.
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More and more people tell me that... Maybe I should invite you all for a show sometime.
[He's mostly joking about it, trying to stay in a better mood despite the pain. Navia is gentle with him, though, so it's all fine. It's calming when she's looking after him this way.]
I know and I can't thank you enough.
text
Just forwarding you a message chain so weāre all on the same page about a certain someoneās upcoming birthday.
Oh, and I suppose this doubles as a heads-up about your present, too. Or at least a proper housewarming gift, complete with a nice quilt to keep you warm for the next few months.
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And you know you didn't need to do that. Though quilt-making is something I didn't have you down for. I quite enjoy seeing this domestic side of you, Wriothesley.
Of course I'll handle desserts. I've got a couple in mind that he might enjoy.
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And I ended up with more fabric than I knew what to do with, so I figured: why not put together a few more quilt tops now that the frigid months are here? Iāve also run into a lot of folks who are rightly suffering in the snow, and itād be a shame to let all that fabric go to waste.
[ so much yap and deflecting for doing cute domestic things he hasn't done in eons. let him keep some shred of 'cool mysterious emo' vibes, please. ]
But that all sounds good. I'm looking forward to a cozy dinner with everyone.
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[ she sees that deflecting. she won't say another word about it to keep his dignity right where it should be. she'd rather keep it a secret and use this very valuable information to her benefit later down the road. ]
I am, too. Part of me wishes we didn't have to do it here, of all places. It's not fair that I got to spend my birthday at home, and the both of you have to spend it here.
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Well, I actually sourced it from the same auction where I got your hairpin. So Iād very much appreciate it if you could manage not to look too surprised when the time comesāsince I happen to know just how sharp your eye for detail is.
But this isnāt me turning things into a gift-giving competition, not at all. Itās just that... if your reaction last time was any indication, then Iād best come prepared with a convincing story about how such a trinket ended up in my hands.
Though, on a lighter noteāthereās no need for any grim comparisons when it comes to birthdays. While I canāt speak for Neuvillette, I, on the other hand, am quite glad mine turned out the way it did. Itās not often I get to spend this much time on the surface, let alone spend the day with good friends without having to worry about wandering gazes or any whispered speculation.
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[ she knew she had overreacted last time - she hadn't expected a gift from him, nor something so beautiful and thoughtful. honestly, she never expects anything from her friends in terms of gifts - why ask for anything when just them being friends was a present enough for her? ]
I'm sorry about that, by the way. I overreacted. I just hadn't expected anything so beautiful. I can't apologize enough if I offended you.
Then I'm glad you were able to spend it in such good terms. I'll make sure to drag you up to the surface once we get home then the next time your birthday rolls around... even if we have to put a party into your schedule.
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Donāt worry too much about it, though. If anything, I'd say youāre ahead of the curveāconsidering how half the cityās been busy decorating trees and Terra souls alike for the season. I hope you managed to take a few pictures of yourself during all that. Iād like to see what the holiday spirit looks like around here, through your eyes.
But your promise is one Iām looking forward to once weāre back home, Navia.