❦ ALL OUR CHARS. I mean err pick any you like.
(YOU GAVE ME FREEDOM, I GOTTA DO IT!)
He was crouched low nearby the water’s edge, bright eyes focused on the two forms splashing about in the water. For all of the purple-haired Aurin’s youthful antics, Neithe had to admit that she tapped into maternal instincts quite well and quite swiftly—not that he was surprised considering her history as a Matria.
Shialo cheerfully clambered onto Daxie’s back, kicking up water and leaning over as the former Matria tilted her head back with a laugh to say something to the child. They scampered back and forth within the lake for awhile before all of a sudden, Shialo’s sharp shriek drew his attention once again from where it had wandered. Spry despite old injuries and the age snowy hair implied, Neithe shot to his feet and darted to the edge of the water, just in time to see the dusky-skinned Aurin woman flail and drop beneath the water’s surface.
She did not fall… falling was too slow for that.
The water Aurin shed his coat hurriedly before aiming to dive into the lake. “Come this way, I’ll get her!” As the little girl began to scramble back toward shore, he broke the surface in a graceful dive, strong legs and the sweep of his tail aiding as propulsion and rudder. Under the water, he whipped around to spot the familiar, vibrant violet to no avail, heart hammering as he swam toward where he had seen her last.
It was a soldier’s instinct and the brush of something soft against his bare arm that saw him snap around again, teeth gritted.
Only to be faced with bright golden eyes against tanned skin and a cheeky grin flashing white fangs. Immediately, Daxie pushed herself forward to tackle Neithe—as much as she was able underwater—and nuzzle up under his chin for a moment before sweeping back up to the water’s surface.
As he followed with mock-exasperation, Daxie threw up her arms in victory toward the young girl on the shore, and little one laughed, clapping animatedly.
(Any sort of relationship between these two—whether romantic or in friendship—would be rife with Daxie likely trolling the hell out of the old man… and probably trying to get his kids in on it, too. She would have to get over her weirdness with older male Aurin because of her guilt over her consorts (specifically the one she crushed on), but I think even just befriending Neithe would help her in that instance. And he would have to be less upset about her possibly engaging in… uh… interactions with humans—not that she does much with them! I think a relationship either way with them could very possibly be a growing point for each. Or… really could just lead to some heartache and tiffs if they both turn out to be too stubborn.
Either way, I totally ship it, and I think they’d be adorable!)