lightkeeping | [ABRAXAS] INBOX

[ Ciri's smile turns coy. ]

I do not. And I was hoping you wouldn't be in too much of a rush to return to Solvunn, either.

[ She extends a hand for Aloy to take, as if to help her aboard the ramp for boarding. An invitation. ]

What do you say?

Well, I've got...chores.

[At the compound. It's a weak little joke, because of course she's going to stay overnight, given this kind of invitation. Aloy doesn't need the offered hand, but it seems appropriate to take it anyway.]

But they can wait.

[ Ciri makes a mock-offended scoffing sound, mouth open. ]

You'd really rather do chores than [ ~~do me~~ ] spend time with me? Rude!

[ She's laughing, though, even before Aloy adds the last bit, taking her hand to tug her along up the ramp enthusiastically. It feels familiar in a way Ciri doesn't want to overthink anymore. It's not a lie, even if it never happened -- she's been happy in Aloy's presence for quite some time now, but if neither of them had the courage to explore it, nothing would ever happen. Maybe the push they got was from a weird source, but it doesn't make the warmth fluttering in her chest any less real. ]

I'll go rent us a cabin for the night. And there's food and drinks on board too, of course. I was told we sail in about half an hour.

You haven't seen where I live. It's a lot of yard work.

[And maintaining her security perimeter--she's sure that Ciri can imagine the kinds of things that Aloy gets up to, living outside the commune proper. It does make her a little sad, though, that they're separated by so much distance. She might like to show Ciri her compound sometime, and the Horizon doesn't really cut it.

For now, she'll try to enjoy this, letting Ciri pull her up the ramp, but finding herself slightly embarrassed when the actual logistics come up.]

I can help pay, um. I make a little coin from trading.

[ Ciri lets out a huff through her nose, shaking her head. ]

Please, Aloy. That's ridiculous. Do you know that Jaskier buys everything we could possibly need for the house and the animals, and grows half our food himself?

I make plenty of coin with little to spend it on. Let me enjoy this.

[ She dips down in a little curtsy, smiling. ]

I insist.

[ Whenever that's settled, Ciri will excuse herself for just a few minutes to get the room key and then return to lead Aloy below decks to their cabin. It's a little more modest than the ones they'd been given during the mediation attempt, all that time ago, but still very cozy and well-appointed. There's everything they could need -- a big bed, a table and chairs if they want to dine inside the room, and storage for whatever small amount of items they brought.

Once they're inside with the door closed, suddenly everything seems so... quiet. She can hear Aloy's breathing. Her own heartbeat.

Ciri turns to her, feeling ridiculous -- where has all her confidence gone, all of a sudden? -- and awkwardly says into the silence without being able to think of a good segue: ]

I, er. Made you-- got you something.

Okay, okay--

[Aloy might argue further, if only for the sake of her own pride, but Ciri does make a compelling point. She supposes that she can let it slide, but only because it's the first time, and she'll make a mental note that it will be her turn, next.

What does make her antsy is when Ciri excuses herself, and she's left waiting, not sure what to do with herself.

Thankfully, it's not for very long, and she brightens at Ciri's return, matching her step-for-step as they make their way to the room. It's nice--much nicer than what she's used to, and it's hard not to feel a little out of place. The only relief is that Ciri seems a little flustered, too. Aloy tucks a braid behind her ear.]

You made me something?

[She caught that the first time.]

Yeah... sort of. [ Ciri admits sheepishly, looking over at the leather bag she'd dropped off on the chest at the foot of the bed. ]

You'll see. Let me get it.

[ Maybe she should have grabbed it before announcing it. Now she has to go fumble in the pockets of her bag. After a few moments, Ciri pulls out a small package wrapped in paper and twine.

She hands it to Aloy.

Inside, well-wrapped, is a horned skull accompanied by two bones whittled into points, though not sharp enough to be obviously weapons. ]

It's for your hair. [ She explains. ] ...or just for decoration, if you prefer.

[Aloy is patient, at least, though it's difficult not to look slightly anticipatory, when Ciri digs around in her bag--mostly because she really has no idea what could be in store. She holds out her palm for it, trying to transfer the delicate gift as smoothly as possible, then turns it over in her hands.]

Did you make this?

[It doesn't matter if she made it or bought it, really, but the gesture is touching in its own way. Ciri might get the impression that Aloy doesn't often receive things like this.]

[ She feels a little ridiculous, waiting to see Aloy's reaction and feeling unnecessarily anxious about it. The question makes her blush. ]

I, er... tried.

I found the bones in the hunting grounds. I think it must've been a young gealaci kucing. [ She wouldn't kill a pup herself, of course, but when she'd found the picked-over carcass, she'd been intrigued and decided to add it to her collection of oddities and trinkets at home.

But when she'd cleaned and dried the bones and started working on the project -- the place she'd found it, the fond memories of hunting with Aloy in Nocwich, had inspired her to make it a gift instead.

And if it was meant to be a gift, it had to be a little nicer than her original plans of just setting it on the shelf next to her weird crystal knife from Oleuni Square. ]

I prepared and carved the bones, but I had to commission an artisan for the decoration. I thought it looked a little plain, so I wanted to... add something.

Is it too much? You don't have to wear it if you don't like it. But I hope you'll keep it all the same.

It's not too much.

[It's really touching, actually, though Aloy sort of lacks the words to make that known. She turns it over in her hands, and smiles as she admires the little details.

Maybe this isn't something she'd make for herself back home, but she understands what it means--how it's reflective of their time together, and an affirmation that Ciri cares about her.]

Do you want to help me put it on?

Edited 2024-10-16 20:39 (UTC)

[ Ciri's smile grows as she takes in Aloy's expression, the way she examines the gift with care and interest, and there's a sense of something loosening in her chest, something warm and bright that spreads through her limbs to her fingertips, buzzing with excitement. She is beaming. She feels so light.

Aloy really likes it.

And Ciri likes her. And it's not weird after all that imagined time together, and it feels fresh and new and tantalizing. ]

I'd love to. [ Ciri replies on a laugh, and steps closer to take the skull back. With a touch to Aloy's shoulder, she bids her turn around.

Her fingertips skim the back of Aloy's neck as Ciri brushes her thick mane of hair into parts, pulling some of it to the middle into a messy knot to fit the skull over, pinning it in place with the cross bones. It's a beautiful color, Aloy's hair, and full enough to hold up the trinket without slipping. Ciri admires her work, hands dropping to Aloy's shoulders, then sliding around the front of her in a loose embrace from behind. ]

I'm glad you like it. [ Ciri murmurs in her ear. ]

I'm really looking forward to our time together.

[Aloy does as instructed, and does her best to stay still, though she can't help but feel a warmth pooling in her stomach as Ciri runs fingers through her hair. There's some tugging, as she works her way through the tangles, but it's not unpleasant, and she finds herself leaning into it, only pulling away when she feels the hairpiece secured.

Or, she tries to. The arms around her middle make sure she can't move too far. Aloy smiles a little, sure that Ciri can hear it in her voice.]

Then let's not waste any of it.

[ABRAXAS] INBOX

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dont look at me

no worries <3

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