jarilo-vi is a cold, cold place. it is a world covered in snow and ice, in sleet and frost. belobog is warmer than it naturally should be, warm enough for some people to decide not to wear coats. things that would keep people protected from the elements. it's very curious, honestly. aponia can appreciate the technological advances. vill-v would've loved to look at the mechanisms these people have come up with. perhaps she would even be able to improve them. pyrotechnics was something she dabbled in more often than not. the warmth would be appreciated, she imagines.
speaking of warmth... gepard. gepard offers aponia warmth. to be able to get close with another human ( ah, it feels strange to even consider herself such a thing... with all her sins, she feels more honkai, more beast, than person ) after all this time. companionship is a rarity, even nowadays. it is her own fault, but that just makes this connection she's formed something she shall cherish even more. despite their bond aponia is still... distant, she will admit. a bit too stiff, not letting her posture fall for even a second. her words are still chosen carefully. fear. there is still fear within her. ah, how it hinders her. how it hinders them.
gepard makes her feel warm, and aponia wants to return the feeling. jarlio-vi is a cold, cold place. gepard is a silvermane guard, and that seems like it would put him closer to the sheer cold. keeping the people safe is his duty, and while the people of belobog likely offer him warmth... their warmth is not aponia's. their favors are not her own.
and thus, she works hard.
this isn't something aponia's done in a while. she feels uncharacteristically nervous. fear. there is still fear. she stands there, tall frame as straight as ever. her hands, however, are not clasped together as they usually would be. gentle smile ever-present, she waits. and when the man of the hour finally arrives, aponia's posture relaxes ever so slightly.
" gepard, " she speaks fondly, " for you. i... hope you enjoy. "
mulled wine and moussaka. a hot drink and an even hotter meal. the transfer of warmth from one being to another. indeed, she truly hopes he enjoys.