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[lightkeeping]

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[lightkeeping]

[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.]

[wiedzminka]

[ 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.

[lightkeeping]

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?

[wiedzminka]

[ 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.

[lightkeeping]

[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.