i was inspired to finish two wintery things. Here's the one for @salad-tales <3
Reigning Riannoc in was like herding cats. He would run to and fro the windows of the Lion’s Arch shops like a child. It was endearing, in a way. The Commander- just Cor over the holidays- couldn’t help but smile. Watching this Knight, this valiant Knight of the Thorn, running excited like a human child.
He happily moved beside her, almost skipping. He took her hand, beam wide across his face. They were almost done. They just needed one more thing… And he quickly swiped the bag from her arm. He couldn’t let her carry that the whole time!
They finally came up to a bookstore, run by a lovely old Asura and her progeny. The older woman was sitting by the door, offering hot cocoa in warm travel cups. She let Riannoc leave the bag by the door, setting her arm on it as a protection. She offered a golem to show them around, laughing softly as she added, “Though I doubt you need it, Commander.”
Indeed! Cor had come often. Perhaps another time she’d take up the offer, smiling as she took Riannoc’s hand to keep him contained. To the left and far back of the store were historical texts. Riannoc scanned the spines of books as they passed countless ones. He did spot a few he might grab for himself later…
Cor let go of his hand as she stopped, pulling a book from the shelf to scan the contents. He turned to watch. Oh, Mother… He loved how intently she read. How intense she got. He loved her so much…
But she seemed to find what she was looking for after a few books. A thick book, bound in dark leather with silver and gold leafing and decoration. The title proudly displayed, Recent History of Orr
Oh, how exciting! How very exciting! If she had a heart, it would certainly beat right out of her little chest! Standing still was so hard, why couldn’t he get his armor on faster? All those buckles and fasteners-! Her dear friend was waiting! She was waiting, and the little sylvari spy could hardly stand another second waiting for her beloved!
Still bouncing on her feet, Vielcos kept looking between her dearly beloved before her, and down the path they would need to take to get to the friend. Waiting down by the arena. Knowing her, probably messing around with her magic while she waited. Or maybe she wasn’t quite there yet, and she was still walking. Oh-! She couldn’t stand it! Hurry up! She’d try to help if he wasn’t so particular about this set of armor.
“Blossom,” His voice tugged her attention. And a grin to her face! He was done! All dressed, and fastening his sword to his belt! “You’re… Very excited. Can’t wait for me to meet this friend?”
The only answer he got was her grabbing his hand and pulling him outside. Her body had to be covered by an extra layer, past the armor that protected her. A layer to keep warm. Which would, of course, be abandoned once they started in the arena. But for now, a nice bit of warmth. Which, given that bounce to her step, wouldn’t be needed if she weren’t sylvari.
Oh, it was hard to keep up with her. How she pulled and moved so fast! Cutting between people in ways only a thief could, slipping past so quickly and gracefully. Yet still lugging her very unrefined warrior behind her. As annoyed as his brows appeared, there was still such a smile. Ah, how precious she was! Especially when so eager!
Truth be told, he knew very little about this friend. Not that she was keeping her friendship from him, she would simply forget to tell him about this new friend, past the enthusiastic descriptions of their adventures together. He knew she was a Mesmer, and that the two would often run off on dangerous excursions, but little else.
Finally close, walking through the snow. Viel’s face lit up at the soft crunch. So much like a precious sapling, she was so entertained by the little things in life. She took extra steps, just to get a good crunch of snow beneath her. Canach couldn’t help himself from chuckling at her. Which only earned him such a bright smile and getting pulled to take a moment to crunch the snow with her. At least until-
“Ooh, I see her!” And off they were once again. That human- Oh, what a lovely one. She lit up at the sight of his blossom, her magic disappearing into purple butterflies around her. A norn child was visibly upset by this, but his mother pulled him away. Ah… This was the human they were coming to meet.
He couldn’t tell what armor she wore, with it covered by a thick fur coat. Come from money, it seems. Viel’s hand left his so she could hug her friend. What a tight embrace… They were close, she only hugged himself and Cor like that. She smiled, offering her hand and a slight cursty.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Vielcos has told me so much. I’m Jonah Kirim.”
Aw, look at her smile. How she clapped and bounced on her feet, beautiful blue eyes flicking between her beloved and her friend.
“Likewise… Canach.”
Oh, and she’s hugging both of them. And they’re both laughing at how precious she is. Oh yes, he could get along well with Jonah.
in which i just wanted to write about Vie with Occam
Yvrell is @just-eyris-things’ character <3
Introducing her to Occam was a good idea. Working in the forge got her mind off things, channeling her pain into making beautiful things. Though the sapling still clearly had problems, she was doing better. She was relaxed in the forge, she could relax, somewhere no one would hurt her. Somewhere with only two other sylvari.
Watching them, they were her third experience with love. They had a different way of expressing it than her dads and uncles, she was almost fascinated by it… Their subtle, quiet love. They could surely sense all that love they shared, but how they expressed it with the smallest of things…
Each strike of her hammer made her blink. Vielcos slowly drew her eyes down, watching as the shape she wanted slowly created from the metal. The blacksmith remained near, smallest of smiles over his lips as he watched her. She sensed a flicker of pride.
“You’ve learned well,” he commented. Her own pride flickered a bit, her pink glow brightening as she smiled a little. She kept quiet, staring at the piece as her hammer still moved.
“Has she eaten?” A second voice, the engineer the smith loved. He held a few snacks, little bowls of treats probably gotten from the nearby settlement. Occam shook his head, reaching to grab the sapling’s wrist.
“It’s time for a break.” She took a moment to nod. Occam moved to gently bump his forehead against Yvrell as she cleaned up and put her tools away.
They… They were in love. They had a gentle, subtle, but powerful love. Would that be the kind of love she had? Would she ever fall in love? She hoped so. They sat outside, overlooking the beach. Them near each other, her a bit in front of them. This was nice… This was very nice.
“Thank you…” She spoke softly, “Th.. thank you.. Uncles..”
She sensed a pulse of surprise from both of them, though Occam’s quickly faded to joy. She didn’t need to look to see the smile. But Yvrell’s remained as surprise… Was it bad? Should she not?
“We’re not related to your dads,” Somewhere between deadpan and a joke, “Are you… sure?”
“Yvrell,” Occam’s voice was quietly and gently harsh, “This is a big step.”
Silence for a beat, before the engineer sighed softly, “Yes… uncles. Of course.”
The lilac felt herself smile, looking towards them… Yes, that was a form of love. And if she focused, she could feel a different form towards her… Maybe not so much from Yvrell, not yet at least. By the time she was released to the wild, he would… But for now, just from Occam. And that was okay… This was love. She was loved.
i just wanted to write about Vie and her dads. vie is around two years old here
New moons were the darkest nights. The stars could shine, though, when there was no moon to drown their splendor. The unseen moon was high in the sky, as the sapling followed her luminary- her papa- into the forest outside the Grove. She carried tubes and notepads, pens and ink. She followed eagerly, eyes glowing bright as the scattered stars.
Malomedies led her into a clearing, far from other sylvari. He hummed as she helped him set up the tools they’d brought, setting the notepads and pens on a tree that he’d long since shaped to a desk. Setting up the tube- an asuran contraption, a gift to assist in mapping the stars- to point to the skies.
She was eager, happy to learn. It kept her mind busy, away from the stresses of the days before. He was happy to teach, to pass this knowledge to a sapling. To have someone with him. They spent the night watching the stars, joking and working.
“Ah, sapling,” He said with a smile, softly accompanied by the soft scratching of the pen, “I see something about you. You will grow into a wonderful bloom, and by your side, you shall have pure love and protection.”
The lilac giggled softly, looking up to the stars to search and find. Another voice came before she could speak,
“And I see that you two need tea and company.”
Both luminary and sapling looked to the voice, smiles clear upon their faces as the duskborn raven came close, warm mugs carried. One to each, and he sat in the soft grass beside the sapling. His free hand gently brushed the few flowers that remained on her shoulders. So few, but each so strong.
Malomedies stood from the desk with a soft grunt, moving to join his beloved and their daughter in the grass. Quiet, calm, peaceful. The distant sound of waves, the gentle breeze. Love radiating the air around them.
The sapling took a careful sip of her tea, sighed with content, and leaned into the firstborn.
A commission and an i oopsed and wrote the wrong characters for @krewe-yukii, featuring my Lexii and her aunt Twussa!
Lexii wasn’t usually the kind of girl that cared about the weather. Fog was nice. The chill and the tingle of water molecules felt… good. It was nice that people couldn’t see her. But recently… Recently, she found she didn’t mind that as much. Being seen wasn’t so bad. Sure, if she was working, it was. But now, right now, it wasn’t so bad.
It was a little damp from the last night’s rain. It had been heavy, raining all through the night. But that was fine. A few splashes were fine. She kind of liked jumping in puddles to make a splash. Made her feel young again, carefree. She hummed as she carefully stepped back to the stone path. This krewe she’d started working with, they were an interesting one. Pretty large.
Usually that would be a problem. Not now, though. And it wasn’t really work. The asura-sized golem behind her beeped incredulously at her as she jumped into another puddle. It carried a basket, woven by a sylvari with a little pink blanket lining the inside. It was a nice basket, she loved that basket. The contents inside she was sure to love even more.
Her sister loved to cook… And even more especially for this, after hearing her little sister had finally stepped out of her shell. Lexii couldn’t help herself, smiling as the thoughts filled her mind. Someone had finally managed to make their way into her heart. She hummed, beaming, gaining another spring to her step. A little faster! She was so excited!
There was a stone building ahead. Sort of a gazebo. She hopped up the stairs, the golem following. It set the basket on the stone near the center. It stepped away to the corner, entering rest mode as she pulled the basket open. First a little blanket, something nice to sit on.
It was an old one, admittedly. Knitted for her by her aunt when they finally got into contact. A few little containers of meals, made so lovingly by her sister. One of these days, she’d have to introduce her to the family. She knew that… But it was nice to wait.
Steps approaching, her ears perked towards the sound. Quickly looking! Ah! No need for that panic. She felt it dying as quickly as it started rising, seeing the adorable pigtails bouncing as her partner ran up the stairs.
“Am I late?” she huffed as she dropped to her knees to help Lexii unpack the basket.
“No no, I just got here myself.” She smiled. So warm. She felt so comfortable with her. With Kanni.
They enjoyed the day together. Enjoyed eating together… Just relaxing. Enjoying. It was nice. It really was.
Lexii sighed blissfully, leaning against her shoulder. It felt so nice. Even if she was a little scared to say girlfriend.
Twussa hummed, looking out over the stone buildings. Several asura working. It was nice to get out. She had one leg crossed over the other, holding a cup of slowly cooling tea. It was nice to leave the lab.
“And,” she looked towards the asura that sat opposite her, smiling as she had someone to speak with, “I believe you’ll find that the older the sylvari, the hardier the vines inside them are. Malomedies, Alchemy preserve him, came to visit a few months ago. Let me-”
She set the cup on the table, pulling the bag that leaned on the chair to her lap and shuffling through the datapads. Where was… Ah!
“Here, take a look. This compares his recovery from 1327 to his last visit.”
She slid the datapad across. The other asura hummed, setting her own cup down as she flipped through the images and read over the notes. Malomedies had suffered so horribly by her own hands. It was a miracle he trusted her enough to help him with his recovery. She sighed lowly. Less happily. She really did, truly, regret that every day that passed.
“Oh, he’s recovering well it seems.” Eviia tapped one of the pictures, “I notice you failed to note that his foliage is brightening again. I find that for sylvari that take after trees, looking at their foliage helps determine their health. Malomedies is an oak, yes?” Twussa nodded, eyes lighting up as she moved her chair closer to look over the images, “Then this pale color is likely a returning to what they used to be. I wonder…”
“It used to be beautiful,” The elementalist blurted, “Like the wings of a dragonfly. Iridescent. The different lighting made them look different. At least… As far as I’m told.”
The doctor raised a brow. Hm.
“Well, it looks like the leaves are still a little brown. Perhaps given another few years and that will return completely. Time will tell.”
“Assuming he even can recover that far. The asura that found him really did some… terrible things. If you refer back to his first visit, you’ll note the damage to his pith that is atypical to oaken sylvari.”
The asura nodded, taking a closer look at the image.
“I believe that is something that will affect him no matter how much I do. I have never seen it damaged like that… Minor damage can, I believe, heal after a decade or so… But that?”
“Twussa,” Eviia set the datapad down, took a quick sip of her tea, “You sound stressed the more we talk about Malomedies. Do you have a personal connection to his recovery?”
“Well… His daughter is my niece’s boss.” she laughed, hiding away the truth. Maybe she could tell. It was fine if she did. She’d talk about that later. Maybe. “And well… Seeing all that damage, knowing it was asura that did that? Let’s just say I’d like to apologize for it.”
“Makes sense.” She took another sip. “Oh, what have you learned about Mordrem corruption?”
The light returned. Twussa moved back, quickly digging again in her bag. More datapads. So much information! It was so wonderful to have someone to speak with!
The first of the wintery ficlets I finished~ This one for @medical-unprofessional-rat-man! I hope I did Arjuro justice <3
The snow was accumulating. That meant cold. Asura weren’t meant to endure such temperatures, they were adapted to the insulating heat of mountains. Especially this one. The extra layers added at least a hand-length of width to his torso. Not to mention the carefully made earmuffs that wrapped around and cradled his ears.
And that wasn’t even all the layers he had! He would need more if he went to Hoelbrak or further north. But that was all he needed, at least for now. Especially when chasing his pets through the building. A few of them cuddled up to Gargarin on the blankets and pillows behind him, already buddled up in the sweaters and warmth. Or not needing it. But then there was his marsh drake.
The little demon hated wearing sweaters. So did the Krytan hound. They ran. But they needed them! It was cold! Or maybe they just found it funny to watch their master practically waddle after them. He managed to catch the drake by the tail, quickly scratching his nails in a spot that made the beast roll onto her back, shaking her leg like a dog. Even he couldn’t help smiling, as he moved to start wrapping her in the light green sweater.
The hound trotted up beside them, licking Arjuro over the cheek. His sort of way to apologize. He sat, waiting patiently. Perfect! Good pets. Now they’d be warm.
The asura hummed a satisfied hum, leading the two back to where the others rested. Now would be a great time to fall into the pile and enjoy the shared heat. Though he needed to take a few of his own layers off for that.
All characters except Vie and Malomedies belong to @salad-tales.
It was well known that Malomedies hurt when the air got cold. Differently than other sylvari, whose bodies would creak and groan, his would ache and whine. He often had to stop, leaning more heavily on his staff. Until snow would fall, the luminary had to be supported by both his staff and his beloved.
With snow on the ground, however, he was perfectly fine. Able to stand as he did long ago, without leaning at all on a staff. Able to run and play with his children and night saplings. Often, even his beloved would be left in the dust. Chasing after with a laugh, enjoying the joy that bloomed to overwhelm.
Now, though, Bran sat in the snow, legs crossed in front of him. Malomedies with their children before him, a short distance away. A sleeping seedling in the basket beside him, bundled up in blankets handmade by her aunts and uncles. The raven took a moment to look at the seedling as she cooed, rolling onto her side and trying to snuggle the blankets closer.
He reached over, pulling the basket to rest in his lap. A hand gently brushed the velvety soft petals that just barely began to form her hair, still not only barely pigmented. A faint purple shade… How exciting it always was, to watch what colors their seedlings would grow into. The seedling cooed again, softly protesting the touch as she tried to sleep.
A shadow blocked the sun, Malomedies appearing in the raven’s vision as he looked up. The luminary smiled warmly, joining his beloved in looking down at the darling little seedling. His finger brushed her tiny petals, Bran watched how she protested even his touch. Their other seedlings surrounded, peeking over each other to look at the little one.
“When can she play with us?” Zinnia asked as her hand snaked around her siblings to reach for the tiniest sister. Bran gently moved his to push hers away, knowing she would try to grab the blankets.
“She’s still too young to manage her body heat,” Malomedies explained, picking the basket up, “She needs to stay in her blankets, but… There are still some things she can do with us.”
“Not snowmen?” Their poor ranger sounded disappointed, his sylvan hound popping up from the snow and shaking it off his yellowy leaves.
“Not snowmen.” The raven stood, brushing snow off himself, “But you enjoy sledding, yes? Perhaps when she wakes, she can join us.”
Little did they know, that would grow to be the littlest one’s favorite winter activity.
