synthneon | FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

[ Alkaid smiles sweetly in return, pulling one hand from the fur muff and taking his. Her hand is warm and her fingers brush on the inside of his wrist. Just as a sign to show that she wishes to say and do. Though, she has more concern for his public image than her own. He is the one who has to remain in Ishgard even once she is called off to whatever whims the Scions are in need of. ]

I do wish all of Isghard would allow me a moment or two to myself! [ Her tail bristles slightly in a playful manner. ] How do you find yourself this evening, Lord Commander?

[ Her mint eyes move to look at the sight in front of them. All sorts of manner of people mingling for the festivities in the decorated area. The hat upon her head shifts slightly as her ears twitch underneath it. ]

Even Gridania is not as decorated as Ishgard. [ The comment is soft and almost meant to be to herself. ] I have never seen a Starlight Celebration so festive...

[ A shiver travels up from the base of his spine when she takes hold of his hand, followed by another as her fingers brush against his wrist. Truthfully, he would cast aside his public image if it meant having moments like these with her, but then again, Lucia might very well have his head if he did do something so seemingly foolish. ]

Well, if that is what you wish, then the two of us could retreat once more to the manor, although I would hate to take you away from the celebration.

[ His smile turns into a more gentle one then, because he will always desire to meet her needs before his own. ]

Out of all of us, you and your sister deserve a moment's peace. [ More than a moment, if he could ensure that no one bothered them. ] And I am well, to answer your question. [ How could he be anything but, when all has finally been set to rights and the process of adjusting to a new era of peace can finally begin? ]

Here in Ishgard, this celebration has a very special significance, and so very little effort is spared in preparing the city for the occasion.

[ Lucia may very well shake her head at such antics. Although, it is fairly obvious to her and Alkaid's sister that the two are very deeply in love. Maybe a moment of shedding the mantle in front of others would be welcomed... at the right time. As it stands, she does not move to let go of his hand. ]

Something tells me that the Warrior of Light and the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights suddenly disappearing might cause a few heads to turn.

[ Which, in so many words, is to say that she would not mind it either way. ]

I doubt we will see very many of those moments. [ Something is already happening elsewhere, that much she is certain of. Something that will call her away from Ishgard and the man she cannot take her eyes off of. almost, as if, she were afraid he might disappear if she looks away. ] I am glad... and, have you heard of Estinien?

[ Small talk, chit chat, all that is to be expected in public. ]

Has it always been like this? Even during the war?

[ It may take some convincing for Aymeric to even consider shedding the mantle that has become so intertwined with who he is, but it is not an impossible task. Still, it has to be done at the right moment, as she surely already knows. ]

Of course, you're right. It would do that, and would set many tongues wagging, I am sure.

[ And he won't have her becoming the target of idle gossip. His reputation is not the only one that he has to worry about. In fact, hers might be the more important of the two, at least in his mind. ]

All the more reason that I should not disturb you. [ He says that with a note of seriousness in his voice; he will not be giving her any orders or instructions this night, but perhaps she wishes to spend the celebration doing as she wills, not being linked with anyone and free to roam around to her heart's content.

Something does seem to be stirring, even with the long awaited arrival of peace. He can't help but think that their time together will be limited, which is why he cannot lose this opportunity. ] I have, and by all accounts, he is well, considering everything he has gone through.

[ He smiles at the notion; everything could have ended badly, what with Estinien's possession and all, and he is beyond relieved that his friend is still with them. ]

For the most part, yes. It has varied at times, given a lack of supplies and numbers of people to assist with the planning, but so many look forward to it, especially Ishgard's young ones.

[ That, more than anything, is a major reason why the celebration continued, even during the more trying times. ]

[ He will never leave his mantle of Lord Commander behind. Just as she can never truly leave the mantle of helping those around her behind. It is a complicated web to weave, but she will not abandon him simply because it is complicated. Perhaps that is a part of why she remains holding his hand even though their pleasantries of formality would dictate otherwise. ]

I would say it is all the more reason to disturb me. Sometimes we have to make these moments instead of waiting for the whims of fate to grant us them. [ Her gaze shifts back to him with a small smile. She means their private moments, not the ones bound to happen due to their respected duties.

A nod is given to his report on Estinien. She doubts she may see much of the dragoon in the future, but, she would still wish him well. His life is free of bloodshed and endless war. The Azure Dragoon deserves to see as much of the new life Ishgard has as all of them. ]

The idea of a small Lord Commander looking forward to presents from the Saint is rather adorable.

[ A mischievous glint takes her eyes then. While her sister is much more obvious of troublemaking of the two? One can see how she quietly is in her own right. Once they can look past her and the mantle she wears.

Alkaid spins then. Her hand moves from his to rest on his upper arm as she comes to a stop by his side. A tilt of her head and a playful sway of her tail might give a bit of her underlying intentions away. ]

On the note of the Starlight Celebration being such a sacred notion to all Ishgardians? I believe there to be none more suited to the task of escorting a Warrior of Light through the way his people celebrate it than the Lord Commander himself.

[ And... she rather wishes to give him his present with as few eyes on them as possible. ]

Edited (what IS TIMELINES) 2021-12-19 23:40 (UTC)

[ It is a vital part of who he is, and while he came from much humbler origins, now he would not betray any part of his life at all. That is how he sees it, if for any reason he forsakes any part of his identity: a betrayal and an abandonment. Because he is still very much the young man who was adopted into a noble house and trained to become a Temple Knight before eventually assuming the role of Lord Commander.

He does appreciate that her hand remains in his, however. ]

But you so rarely have a moment to yourself. Do you not wish for moments when no one is expecting anything of you or demanding your time? [ He is all for making moments such as this one, but not if she would rather be alone. It still seems too good to be true that she would want to spend what little free time she has in his company.

As for Estinien, her thoughts echo Aymeric's. He only wishes for his friend to have a chance to live, free of hatred and the need for revenge. It seems as though he has gotten a new lease on life, and he fervently hopes that he is able to enjoy every minute of it. ]

Quite so. I did rather enjoy the holiday when I was much younger, occasionally to the chagrin of my parents.

[ He notes that look in her eye and he cannot quite hold back an amused grin of his own, believing he knows what she is getting at.

When she spins, his gaze snaps to hers and he finds himself riveted, unable to look away. Similarly distracting are the way her head tilts and how her tail sways. ]

Of course, I would be happy to oblige. There is much to see, to the point that having a guide is more than a little useful.

[ And if their path winds up leading to his house, well, that is even better, because he would prefer to do what he has planned without an audience. ]

I might even divulge to you some of my- shall we say, more personal traditions.

There are certainly times like those. However, demanding my attention for a task and asking to spend it as a friend or more is entirely different. [ Which is to say, in so many words, she wishes she was closer to her fellow Scions as friends instead of just an organization. She wishes she could spend more time with Aymeric as just themselves. So many things she wants, and yet if she does not force her hand, it feels as if she will ever be given a chance for them. ]

Ah, was our dear Lord Commander something of a terror during the season?

[ He is very much distracting in his own right. If she does not focus on trying to get them away from the public eye, then she is afraid she may do nothing but stare. He has always been dashing, attractive, and handsome. Now, without the armor and the look of war upon him? She feels he practically glows... and seeing more of him and less his armor is always something she appreciates. ]

Oh, you would? I would love to see it. [ She means it sincerely. ] As ever, Lord Commander. Please, lead the way.

Edited 2021-12-20 19:03 (UTC)

[ At that statement from her, Aymeric smiles. ] Well, I am glad to hear you say that, because I would like to request a little more of your time so that we might get to know each other better. [ He notes how she said "a friend or more", and that is what encourages him to go through with what he has planned. ]

I must admit that I was a terror, perhaps even worse than that. [ He chuckles at the fond recollection and how he often exasperated his poor parents with his youthful antics. ] I am certain that my parents understood, as it was a festive occasion and I found myself caught up in the excitement of it all. Still, I can only imagine how great a headache both of them must have had.

[ As for her thoughts concerning him and his appearance, with the war finally having ended and the arrival of the Starlight Celebration, he feels something he has not felt in a long time: a feeling of lightness, no longer being weighed down by the stress of war and needing to direct the affairs of his city with thoughtfulness and wisdom. Of course, he still needs to do that, but a good portion of the stress has passed for all Ishgardians, not only himself. So in a way, it is not surprising that she thinks he is all but glowing. ]

In good time, as showing you those would involve leaving the scene of the festivities, and I would not deprive you of the sight. Now, I believe our path requires us to go this way.

[ There is a spot in the decorated area that is filled with many brightly and festively decorated trees, each one different from the last, and he means for them to survey each one individually. ]

I would certainly give it to you with no hesitations.

[ They are certainly more than friends... one mayhap even call them lovers. However, she will not use such a strong label given his position. Not merely as the Lord Commander, but as how his own parentage has surely branded him for so long. Now, of course, they can look past the title of bastard or merely the adopted son of House Borel. He is a man who helped lead Isghard to peace.

Yet even then she is aware that titles like that are not easily shed. ]

I would think that is merely a part of aging. I know for certain that my sister and I often stressed and annoyed our mothers. [ She leans against him ever so slightly. Her head tilts against his arm. Onlookers may not see it, but he will certainly know. ] Although, our celebrations were nothing quite like Isghard's.

[ Then, her eyebrows raise and the playful glint changes into something more gentle. Soft. ]

Of course.

And again, I must say that you are far too kind. [ Too kind to someone like him, is what he leaves unsaid. It is not that he feels undeserving of her attentions, although he would hardly be so bold as to claim that he does deserve them, but rather that he imagines she could choose to be with anyone, and yet she has chosen him.

Privately, he has already begun thinking of the two of them as lovers, but to state that aloud, even for her ears only seems far too much. Perhaps once he has done what he intends to do, then they can use another sort of label, if a label needs to be used at all.

As for how he views himself, he only sees himself as one of many who helped steer Ishgard to this hard-won peace. The victory does not belong solely to him, but to all of them, present company included.

Truthfully, if he could shed all titles and merely be Aymeric, he would. But everyone has their own destiny and path to walk, and he would not be so selfish as to abandon his so soon, despite what his heart might want. ]

One day, I would like to hear more about your early days and your celebrations, among other things. [ He would listen attentively to anything she chose to tell him, of course. ]

There are many things that I appreciate about the Starlight Celebration, but the sheer amount of effort and variety that goes into the decorating remains at the forefront of it all.

[ To further illustrate his point, he gestures to the collection of trees before them, careful not to move too much lest he disrupt her positioning against him and prematurely sever their closeness. ]

Edited (words are hard) 2021-12-22 09:16 (UTC)

[ His statement merely makes her smile fondly at him. He would be so humble to say such a thing. Regardless, however, she has fallen in love with him. She is merely a regular woman underneath the lofty titles given to her the world over.

Part of her wonders if he could truly shed his titles. So much of them has woven themselves into his person. She would love him no differently. Which, she hopes he understands by how she squeezes his arm gently and presses the side of her head to him. ]

I will gladly share them, you know that, Ser.

[ Her gaze moves to the trees that he gestures to. She steps forward, slightly dragging him with her in order to inspect each tree individually. A silence takes her as she looks over the decorations on one in particular. Moving one of the branches with her hand she cannot help but smile.

Tucked away behind a string of treats is a handcrafted ornament of a dragon. It's clear that irs made by a child. In that moment, it feels as if the whole struggle to end the Dragonsong War has been worth every moment and every heartache. Her tail sways side to side as she looks up at Aymeric with her fingers holding the branch to the side for him to see. ]

[ He can't help but feel as though he could spend a hundred years trying to find ways to express how he feels about her, how much he loves her, and it still would not be enough. Regardless, he means to start with that particular endeavor this evening, as soon as the chance presents itself.

And perhaps he will never be able to fully shed those titles, but just as he dreamt that one day, peace would return to Ishgard, that seems like a far-off dream to him. Only, unlike the arrival of peace, that might not ever be realized. ]

And I await that time quite eagerly, Mistress Alkaid. [ He has grown used to not using titles to address her, but there are times when it just seems to feel right, and not only because they might be being observed by people passing by.

When she drags him along as she moves to look at each tree, he follows willingly and without hesitation. This is one of his favorite things to do during the celebration, and it is even more special now with her there to enjoy it with him.

His face lights up when he sees what she is pointing out to him, and one hand carefully reaches out to lightly touch the dragon ornament. Even Ishgard's children have seen too much of war, and with its ending, he remains hopeful that they have a chance for a real childhood and a future with peace and no more fighting. He would move mountains to make sure that future remains intact for each individual person who calls Ishgard their home.

Not even bothering to hide the joyous look on his face, he turns to look at her, beyond glad to see a similar look on her face as well. ]

[ While the ornament rests against his fingers, Alkaid extends her own to gently touch the front of it. Her eyes close and a moment later a gentle enchantment takes over it. A swirl that looks like wind moving up and down upon its surface that stops the moment it is not touched. She stands proper then and rests her head against his arm.

Her other hand slides down his arm and her fingers slowly slides in between his. A little forward for the public eye, but she cares little. Non are walking this way. Her eyes close. ]

It is finally over.

[ The war. The struggle. The pain, wounds, and anguish remain as they rebuild. She, however, is fully committed to rebuilding Ishgard along side them. ]

[ Aymeric has seen some wondrous things in his time, even in the midst of the war that had gripped Ishgard for so long, but as he watches Alkaid perform this particular bit of magic, he cannot help but look on with an almost child-like sense of wonder. But more than that, a strong tidal wave of love washes over him, and despite his previous intention to hold off on what he meant to do until they were alone, he feels as though he can wait no longer. ]

Yes, it is, and that means that I can finally do something I have wanted to do for quite some time now.

[ But he pauses, because he has to do this right. ]

Might I ask you a personal question? [ He recalls the time he asked her a similar question, but his nerves are far too great for him to dwell too long on that recollection. ]

[ She looks up to him with a tilt of her head. A question and wanting to do something he has wished to do? A sort of nervousness washes over her then. Why, she can't properly say, but there is a sense of electricity and sudden urge to move that takes her then. Alkaid places her other hand on the one she holds and takes a few steps, tugging him along the way. They may not find entire privacy, but a bit further into the decorated trees may at least give them something.

Once further in, she stops and turns to look at him. The hand in her fur muffler clutches the small box she holds. An uncharacteristic amount of anxiousness takes her. What if the gift was the wrong choice? What if she should have never gotten one? What if, now that the war is over, he wishes to part ways after this night? Surely, there are better prospects now that he is a revered man. One must surely be waiting that will not always be whisked away by the plans of others...

Alkaid looks at the ground with her tail curling around her, closing her eyes to muster up the courage to give him what she has made. How utterly pathetic. She can look down Primals and the politics of men, but quiver at the idea of the man she loves dismissing her. ]

Please, before you ask, allow me...

[ Her hand leaves his in order to pull a small packaged gift from the inside of the fur muff. She holds it out to him, allowing him to take the palm sized gift. Then, she places both of her hands in the muff with her eyes cast downwards. Fear, excitement, embarrassment, it's all a mess on her face as he opens the gift.

Inside the package held together by a single ribbon is an emblem on a chain. The emblem is his adopted house's sigil with a dragon winding around it. A gem as blue as the earring he wears is nestled between the two. Once removed, it is clear a small note is tucked away inside.]

Dearest Aymeric,

This note is written in case you must open this present after our meeting - and so rarely can we speak out loud as we would wish.

My skills as a goldsmith are quite lacking, so I cannot take the credit for melding this gift. What I can say is that it is not merely a trinket to wear in front of the other houses or on the battlefield. It has been imbued with a protective spell as well as a healing spell. Merely wish for either and the enchantment will take place. I cannot always be with you to heal or protect as I so deeply wish -- thus I hope this will suffice in my stead.

Isghard will always be the home to my sister and I. No matter where the winds blow us, the sights we see, the people we meet? We always long to return to the city that sheltered us when none would. Even more so, there is one person in particular I wish to return to.

In our travels, we have found that very few feel things as we do. The love for our star, the empathy for those that we meet, the desire to help any in our path. It seems only as if people we meet understand this once we have aided them to the fullest. As such, it would not surprise me if the feelings I hold for you are not returned in equal measure, nor do I expect them to be.

I love the care you have for your countrymen, the adoration and faith you have in your city-state. The respect that you have for all life - not just that of your own kin. The desire to see the world beyond your borders, but the quiet acceptance of where you are most needed. The man and the Lord Commander both are one in the same. One I love deeply and would hope to continue to come home, should he so wish it.

Yours lovingly,
K'lantaa.

[ Should he wish to return his gaze to her, he will find her staring at the ground. Her eyebrows turned upwards as her hands twist and entwine her fingers in and out again within the muff. She quite obviously does not expect an answer... ]

Edited 2021-12-27 03:31 (UTC)

[ He too is beyond nervous, and he is about to fold his arms in front of him when she reaches out with her other hand and gives a good tug. He would follow her anywhere she wished, so of course he moves along with her without hesitation. As he does, he supposes this works better for what he has intended, because he does not desire an audience any more than she does.

When she finally comes to a stop, he looks at her, a question in his eyes. He also reaches with his free hand for the small box he has concealed inside his pocket, wondering if he ought to bring it out now. But before he can, he realizes that something is amiss with her. She appears nervous, and then she looks away from him, and that is when he begins to wonder if perhaps he misread her intentions and her words and she does not care for him after all. Perhaps she has found another that suits her better, and that is what she intends to tell him.

He steels himself for what he knows will surely be a blow, because he truly loves her and he intended to tell her just how much, and to ask her perhaps the most important question that he will ever ask anyone. Perhaps tonight will be the end of their time together, and he will have to let her go, regardless of his feelings for her.

Before she speaks, his gaze drops to the ground as well, but only for a moment because soon enough, she is speaking and handing him a small gift. This does not seem like a rejection, but the thing she is holding out to him could be a parting gift. ]

K'lantaa?

[ He can't help but look worried even as he opens the small box and takes in the sight of the beautifully crafted object inside. ]

K'lantaa, this is- It is beautiful. [ He holds it carefully, fingers lightly ghosting over the surface, taking in each small detail. As he does, he eventually makes note of the note tucked inside and he unfolds it, wary of what he might find.

As he reads, his face goes slack, mouth falling open just slightly. He takes in every word that she has written, and although he is not customarily given over to certain physical displays of emotion, something glistens at the corners of his eyes, but he pays it no mind.

He comes to the last paragraph in which she lays out her affection for him, and his gaze lowers even further. The words contained in her note are not a rejection or a dismissal, as he feared, but rather a proclaiming of her love. And that makes him beyond happy, and tells him that what he plans to do this night is not a misguided action.

Finally, he comes to the end of the letter and looks up to find her not meeting his gaze, instead staring at the ground. Her hands are presently held inside her muff, or else he would reach for one of them so that he could hold it, but there is something else he can do instead.

Looking around to ensure that they are quite thoroughly alone, he reaches for the small box that he has been hiding, and with the other, he extends a hand to her, hoping that she will take hold of it. ]

[ Thank the Gods he cannot see how she twists her fingers inside the muff. He might think she intends to break them. Even as he compliments the gift, and speaks her name, the feeling in her chest bubbles. She has no true understanding of why she feels he might reject her after all of it. Perhaps it is the knowledge that she will be pulled from Ishgard time and time again -- or the fact that he might need a more dependable partner now that the war is over. Perhaps she has failed to live up to some sort of standard or ideal that his culture would insist on.

Her ears are hidden by the hat she wears, but they are pressed to the back of her head as her tail curls further up against her. Tears have already gathered in her eyes at the thought he might dismiss her outright. Or, if his feelings were hardly close to her own. Logic and reason would say one thing, however, mankind has never been one to operate entirely on those two alone.

With the box now in her view, her head raises ever so slightly. Her fingers wrap around the box in his hand, gently taking it within her own. A few moments pass before she musters the courage to look to him, tears in her eyes and confusion obvious on her face. He need not give any gift to her that he has not already given her. Yet... ]

[ If he could see the way she twists her fingers together, he would only worry even more. But all he can see is the one he loves more than anything, and now he knows that she loves him in return. If he had even the smallest amount of doubt, he would refrain from doing this, but he feels confident that he is ready to take this next step forward, and more importantly, he believes that she is as well.

He had prepared words for this moment, but now he pays them no heed, letting the words come as they will. ]

K'lantaa, I realize that you may wonder if I have been reading too many dusty poetry books, but I... [ A smile, somewhat shy but no less loving, replaces the one of unrestrained joy from moments earlier. ] I do not think it is too much to say that your arrival into Ishgard and into my life has brought the sun and light itself back into a place that has long been darkened.

And so I sincerely hope that you will accept this gift and all that comes with it.

[ She already has the box containing the ring in her hand, so he smiles at her and says: ]

Please, open it.

[ Dusty poetry books. Had the mood been different, she might make a joke at the expense of the Library that Master Matoya had sent them to. Instead, her ears lift slightly underneath her hat as she finds herself between a frown and a state of confusion. Her arrival? Certainly he means the arrival of both her and her sister. She has done nothing extraordinary separately from being a Warrior of Light. All she has done is what any who might care for another would...

Her gaze drops slowly back to the small box with her fingers trembling. The box hinges open and her eyes widen. The faintest of gasps escapes her as it all clicks at once. Her mind immediately wants to deny the possibility that he would even bother with such a thing. She's far from nobility and farther from being what Isghard might consider an appropriate companion for a noble house - small or large. Her heart, however, sings loudly at the idea. It beats faster and causes the tears in her eyes to escape down her face.

Perhaps it is the first time he has seen her cry.

In an instant, Alkaid is pressing herself against him with her face in his chest. The box is still open and secure in her hand as she nods fervently. A sound of happiness and yet tears escapes her at the same time as she tries to answer him with her voice and yet fails. ]

[ As he waits for her reaction, he notes how it feels as though his heart has lept up to lodge itself firmly in his throat. With one word, she could cut down all his hopes and desires for the future- their future. But with another, she could make him the happiest man alive. The letter she wrote him seems to confirm that she desires a future with him, but he still cannot hold back the fear that threatens to firmly grip onto him as he waits.

He notices immediately that she is crying, and he fears that he has offended her, even hurt her somehow. ]

If this is not what you wish or what you desire, you... You do not have to accept.

[ He imagines not for the first time that perhaps someone whom she truly loves is out there waiting. But how does that explain the words she wrote to you? A small voice counters that thought. She strikes him as far too honest to even consider trying to placate him with pretty words and false promises. That does not seem in keeping with her nature, and so he refuses to accept it. ]

If I have upset you, I am sorry.

[ He does not have time to respond further, because suddenly, she is pressing herself against him, face buried in his chest. He sees her nod, and that is the precise moment when his heart leaps up yet again, not into his throat, but simply out of sheer joy and exhilaration that she has accepted. ]

K'lantaa. [ He takes one step back, but only so that he might reach for her to attempt drying her tears. ]

Please, if you will allow me the honor. [ He reaches for the box still holding the ring as he lowers himself to the ground until he is resting on one knee.

If she relinquishes her hold on the box, then he will reach for one of her hands so that he is holding it with one hand and the ring with the other. ]

[ In truth, she had never thought that this moment to be capable of happening with anyone. Not unless she returned to her tribe and settled for the idea of sharing her mate with others. She had resigned herself to traveling and enriching the lives of others, and in return, finding fulfillment in that. It is not an empty or hollow experience at all. The things she has seen, the things she and her sister have done...

Despite the tears, she tilts her head back to smile up at him. He hasn't upset her at all. She may yet find the words to share why she has reacted the way she has. It may not be instantaneous, but, she is certain she will before the end of the night. He is owed that.

Her smile widens as he places the ring on her finger. She does nothing to stop him of course. Her fingers are stretched out so he can easily slip the ring on her finger. Part of her wonders how he had it sized--did he look to see what size her rings were when they sat on the table stand? She may need to ask him that later as well.

Alkaid lets out a shaky exhale as she forces the emotions in her throat down. ]

Lantaa. [ There is no correction in how he says her name or it at all. Instead, it is more like permission given. ] The "K" is our tribe. Family has no need for it.

[ Another smaller way of her saying 'yes.' ]

[ Similarly, he never dared dream of a moment like this or even that he might love someone like this before he met her. Oh, he always knew that the time might come when he would meet someone and come to love them, or enter an understanding with another, so as to extend his family's line. But what has happened between himself and Alkaid is far more than he ever hoped for. Part of him still feels as though this all must be a dream, and that he will awaken to either find her gone to her next adventure or realize that he imagined her affections for him.

Either thought gives him pause, and he thanks Halone that this is not the case. ]

Lantaa. [ As before, he tries out the name, finding that he loves the sound of it and how it feels to say it too.

But then his hold on her hands tightens just slightly, and a question spills out before he can stop it. ]

Does that mean, then, that you accept both my proposal and me and what gifts I can offer you?

[ He holds his breath then, a part of him still believing that she could recant her words and her decision if he so much as lets one exhale escape. ]

[ The sound of her proper name - no titles or tribal traditions attached - makes a warm smile spread on her face. Her heart all but flutters as her fingers curl around his hand. A gentle laugh comes at his question. ]

Aymeric, you've no need to give me gifts. You've given my sister and I a home in your city. You've asked me to join your family. All that I would ever dream to ask from you would be your time and affection.

[ She laughs again -- this time at herself -- before reaching up and trying to brush away the remainder of her tears. Then, in one graceful and gentle motion, she leans forward to kiss the corner of his mouth. ]

If you have need to hear the word, then, yes.

[ He has long since realized that he much prefers her proper name to the one she uses on a daily basis. Of course, without her express permission, he would not dare use it, because it is clear that it is more than a name. It has meaning attached to it, and that is part of what makes it special. ]

Oh, but I do. I could spend my entire life telling you how important you are to me, and showing that to you with actions and yes, gifts, if needed. It cannot be said that such things are undeserved.

[ His smile widens, and he adds: ] I would give you the entire world if I thought that it would give you cause to smile. You shall always have my time and my affection, and all the love that I can give.

[ When she leans forward to plant that kiss, he does the same, wanting to pour all his love and adoration into that one gesture, while also knowing that there will be many more gestures like it to come. ]

[ She trusts him and his judgement to use her name. Even if he slipped once or twice and called her by name in front of others? She would not care. He has chosen her not only as his lover--but his wife. How could she berate him for something as simple as her name? ]

I've no need for more than what you've already given me. [ She smiles then. ] Although, I may relent if your gifts are kisses.

[ As she makes it quite known that she very much enjoys kissing him. Her arms wrap around his neck as she meets him in a proper kiss. She has to wonder what else he might have had planned for the rest of the night. ]

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