@grimflyer (from x)
Kikimora flinched at the sharp response, arms folded across her chest in both a bid to keep warm in the frigid weather and as a means of withdrawing herself. She was in no state to needle the former Golden Guard as she used to, as she was so certain he'd be eager to do to her...only, no. The barbs never come, at least none overtly. He really was just...giving this to her.
"I...r-right. Yes, it's...very..." Words failing her, she just took the steaming mug in her hand and stared down, contemplating the fluid within. It would only last a moment before she pulled her scarf down past her mouth with one hand, the other guiding the cup to her first sip. It was incredibly hot- mere degrees away from boiling, she felt- but the flavor carried a delightful sweetness, and of course, Hunter was right- it did definitely help. Her chest flooded with warmth, feeling finally returning to her digits.
In the wake of this stellar rejuvenation, her eyes idly gazed at the frosted ground beneath her now. Her mind echoed with unspoken responses to the action. "Why would you be extending any sort of kindness to me?" "What are you planning to need me to drop my guard like this?" "Nothing I tried to kill you for mattered, so I really was hoping we could let that go." Each progressively worse than the last. Then, a simple answer, mumbled hesitantly, more into the lip of her cup than out loud for him to hear.
"...Thank you."