"I'm not made of stone.” Ilja intones, sounding almost solemn. They had ridden all the way here, to Urth’s Fount, by his wish. A place he’d said he had taken to come to in times when he felt he needed courage, strength. “I am simply a man. A man that sometimes makes poor choices. Who sometimes tells himself that he is right when he couldn't be more wrong."
Rei'li watches him, quietly, clearly trying to place where his words are coming from.
"No choice is made easily though,” the man goes on, “One weighs all options and... I am certain I know the answer. I think the answer has always been here in front of me but... I don't always let myself... Ah I can't think of the words...." He runs a hand through his hair and takes a few steps away, stopping only to look up to the crystal.
He looks troubled, anxious. The miqo’te rises a hand almost as if to reach and hook his fingers in the white shirt - but thinks better of it. Whatever it is, there’s almost a sense of resolve in the tone of Ilja’s voice. So he lets him pace off a spell, letting his eyes slowly follow up to the glow, too.
"... do you need words...?" he asks instead. It is only me...
Ilja takes careful steps back, almost wincing as he begins to speak, "Love, I... I ..." He bites his bottom lip, "I can do this. I can at least form words. I've gotten this far." He shoves a hand in his pocket and looks up at the crystal for a few moments moments more.
The Keeper watches him, quietly, glancing to the hand with a hint of worry. He doesn't follow the man’s gaze up this time, his eyes stay on Ilja alone.
The hyur looks back softly to Rei'li, "Love, we ... we've both been through so much. There are a lot of reasons why I brought you here and... I'm not going to bother you with every one of them... well not why I brought you here but... Rei'li..."
Ilja turns to face him, head on. "Rei'li..."
He finds himself holding his breath. "Yes...?"
The man kneels and holds out a leather covered box. Worn edges speak of wear from nervous fingers holding on to it. "Rei'li, will you marry me?"
Rei’li seems frozen for a spell at the sight, in shock, relief, joy. He reaches for the box as it's extended, but takes the man’s hand instead, dropping to his knees in front of Ilja. "Gods-” he remembers to breathe, “Gods-- this is what has been eating at you this past moon?"
Ilja’s eyes widen. "It... it has been. I suspect you’ll forgive me for not telling you?"
"Yes, I- yes. You-" the Keeper leans in to draw him close. "Yes, on both ends- Gods. I thought,” he goes on hastily, “I thought you were going to- leave another token and leave-" He sounds a little breathless, squeezing him.
Ilja hugs Rei'li tightly. He trembles as he holds him close, "I love you so very much. I love you so, so much. I ... I could never after what happened last time. Gods, Rei'li..."
"And I you. I'd just... I'd go after you again- Twelve..." He makes to wipe at his eyes, swiftly. "Yes. I will stand to Promise this love in front of the Twelve, Ilja. With you."
