#rexnorh

[houseshadowstar]

☪

Dwen smiles and hugs Rex, saying, “Étoile Chevalier.”

[danaan13]

*coughs* @rexnorh

i’m sorry I had to

[houseshadowstar]

🍰

The kitchen was kind of a disaster. But it always was when Ceridwen baked. For all that she was an excellent baker, she was an incredibly messy one too. Thankfully, the floor wasn’t so bad. 

Which was where Rhydia spied Dwen and Rex sitting. Just across from the oven, with three round cake pans inside, and an open bottle of wine sitting between the two sweethearts. They were covered in flour, and laughing at the egg that somehow hadn’t dripped down from the ceiling yet. 

Dwen finally takes a breath and smiles at Rex, “Mon Coeur... We’re in so much trouble. But it’s so worth it.”

[houseshadowstar]

Diverging Paths

Dwen was meandering her way back to her inn, cheeks flushed and smile soft. Dinner had been wonderful. Rex continued to be sweet, charming, and delightful. For the first time in several moons, Dwen felt like the world around her was giving her a bit of peace. And more than a few blessings besides.

Dwen’s thoughts were interrupted by the soft chime of her linkpearl. Dwen didn’t hesitate to answer, her hand pressing to her ear. “Hello?”

“Ceridwen, sweetheart. Good evening.

“Father! Hello! It’s a fair bit later than evening. What has you calling so late?”

“Ah well, I didn’t wish to interrupt your dinner date. Rather, I was hoping to hear how it went.”

Dwen stops in the walkway, surprised for a moment, and blushing vividly. She glances around at the sleepy road, merchants and workers trundling their way home under the Thanalan stars.

“Ah… Well… Dinner went well. Did Sirus tell you I had a date? I thought he knew better!”

“Ah heh. My apologies, sweetheart. Suan overheard your brother’s end of your last conversation, in the library.”

“Oh. I see.”

“So, when do I meet your new paramour?”

Dwen nearly stumbles into a merchant in her surprise, whispering apologies, before turning back to her call.

“Father!”

“What? If Bryce approves, surely they’re an upstanding sort.”

“That… That’s not the problem, Father. I just don’t want Rex to be overwhelmed. Sirus is a world of energy by himself. Our household isn’t really tiny anymore.”

“I suppose I can see your point. I still want to meet this… Rex?”

“Wu’Rexa Norh. A squire. And Lady Blanchimont’s fiancée.”

“Hmmm.. Ser Norh must be quite the marvel then, gaining both yours and Lady Blanchimont’s affections.”

“Father! Please… Rex is…  Rex is sweet. Charming. Kind. Understanding. Darling.”

“Do you feel happy, when you’re with Ser Norh?”

Dwen’s feet slow and she smiles fondly at the paving stones, running her thumb over her palm, where she’d been holding Rex’s hand earlier.

“I do. Happy. Safe. Like… Like I can tell her everything.”

“Have you told her?”

“No. I’m going to. Bryce and I are meeting with her and Lady Iris in a few suns. I’ll tell them both then.”

“Very well. A pity your brother isn’t so easy to match.”

“Father!”

Her voice was a little too loud, and a little too scandalized then, startling a poor guard nearby. Dwen blushes and scurries along, quickening her pace back to the inn.

“That’s unkind, Father! You know how Sirus feels about that.”

“I jest. I jest. Perhaps unkindly, yes. It baffles me that he is so happy with no hand of his own to hold. But well… I suppose I don’t really need to comprehend it fully.”

“Thank you for trying to understand, at least.”

“Speaking of… understanding.”

Dwen sighs and deflates, waving tiredly at the innkeeper, before heading towards her rented room.

“Here we go.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know you have your mother’s sense of adventure. I worry. And… well. Suan overheard one other thing.”

“I see.”

“Kugane? Really? It’s so far.”

“It’s not set in stone yet, Father. But, there’s work to be done there. And well.. would you rather Bryce and I trail after some mercenary band into Gyr Abania?”

“Now who’s being unkind?”

“Me I suppose. I know it’s far, Father. But Kugane does have an aetheryte. And… it wouldn’t be just Bryce and I. Furthermore, Kugane has laws about violence within the city. I’d likely be safer there, than I am here in Ul’dah!”

“You’re going regardless of my wishes, aren’t you?”

Dwen sits on the bed in her room, frowning softly.

“If I can? Yes. I don’t want there to be a schism between us, Father. But… I can’t stagnate in Ishgard. There’s less need for chirurgeons there. And well… This opportunity would likely be less battlefields. Also, I’d have a chance to expand my skills. Learn eastern medicine.”

“Very well. I have one request.”

“Yes?”

“Bring Ser Norh and Lady Blanchimont to meet me. Just a sit down in my office, to be… less overwhelming. I’ll make sure Rhydia has the apprentices busy.”

“I’ll talk to them and see what I can arrange.”

“Thank you sweetheart. Well, I’ll let you be now. Give Bryce my love.”

“I will. Please be sure you’re heeding Maymay’s instructions. I don’t want you having another relapse before I go on the road.”

“You can be sure she’s militarized the household against me. Tsuli alone is a terrifying force of nature now.”

Dwen laughs then and shakes her head.

“Good for Tsuli. Alright. I’ll stop nagging. I love you, Father.”

“I love you too, Sweetheart. Be safe.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

“Fury keep you.”

“And you. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Dwen sighs and tugs out her linkpearl, when the line goes silent. She smiles and murmurs, “Well… This will prove to be interesting.”

((for mention: @rexnorh @lominsianlily & @icpyrefangs ))

[houseshadowstar]

Would you rather adopt, or have your own kids? How many would you have? (Don't look at me like that, it's just been on my mind lately that's all! Curiosity, cats, et cetera...)

Dwen blinks and then starts to grin, suddenly seeming very enthusiastic. “Yes. Yes. And Yes! I want my own. I want to adopt. And I want to have several! I love children. They’re so resilient and wonderful. They learn so fast. And I love watching them play. If Father wasn’t adamant that I be married, or in a sworn commitment of some variety, I’d have already adopted two or three!”

((Dwen won’t admit it easily. But she goes window shopping for baby clothes.))

[houseshadowstar]

To House Shadowstar, two packages arrive- one good sized armful addressed to Dwen, the other no longer than a fulm for Sirus. Dwen's contains a massive, easily queen-sized karakul fleece throw, luxuriously soft and dyed a deep royal purple. The one of Sirus contains a small decorative statuette of a paissa holding a lantern in one creepy claw. The lantern is functional, and fits small candles easily inside.

Sirus had not yet returned to Camp Cloudtop, from his holiday visit home. So he and Ceridwen were both present for the delivery. 

Sirus grins at the little paissa statue, with its lantern. He holds it up for his father to see. “Look! It’s so cute!!” 

Integris smiles indulgently and answers, “It’s a unique and very apt gift.”

Ceridwen smiles at the blanket she’d pulled from her own package, standing from her seat and promptly wrapping up in it. “Oh this is absolutely delightful!!”

Integris chuckles and murmurs, “Your friend has good taste in gifts. Shall I do another painted card?”

Both twins answer, with a matched, “Yes Please!”

The next day, a card painted in watercolor, of an agrimony blossom, is sent to Rex. Inside is the twins’ signatures and an enthusiastically written thank you.

@rexnorh

[lance-of-fury]

"A little birdy told me that Anhe's going to the Starlight Ball," Rex clears her throat and beams hopefully. "...With me?"

Blink.

Blinkblink.

For a moment, Anhe can do nothing but stare at Rex, eyes widened some in disbelief. Rex- asking her to the Starlight Ball? Anhe was not raised in a courtly fashion- but she had read enough books on etiqutte, and knew Rex well enough, to understand the implications.

But the way they delivered it? In spite of the hopeful, innocent beam on Rex’s face, Anhe- at first- laughs.

This fit does not last long, preserving the miqo’te’s pride, and once it ceases, Anhe leans forward to gently punch Rex on the arm. “You- oh, you absolute nerd! Of course I’ll go with you!”

[lance-of-fury]

★ For Nyanhe ~

Bold: applies

italics: situational

I like you / I hate you / I dislike you/ I love you (as much as she can)/ Youare family / I would take a bullet for you / I would shoot you / I would lie toyour face / I would say something cruel to you on purpose / I would saysomething cruel to you accidentally  / Iwould cheat on you / I would physically hurt you (sparring!) / You annoy me/ You amuse me /I’d laugh at you / I’d laugh with you / I’d manipulate you / You scare me / Youconfuse me / I wish I knew you better / I trust you / I don’t trust you / Youinspire me / I consider you an equal / You are beneath me / You’re better thanme / I would trust you with my life / I think you’re mean / I think you’repetty / I think you’re childish / I think you’re smart / I think you’re stupid/ I think you’re a bad person / I think you’re a good person / I’m not surewhat kind of person you are / I wish you would listen to me / I want to makeyou proud / I wish you would notice me / I want to impress you / I would hurtother people for you / I’m not sure how to make you happy / I’m a bad influenceon you / You deserve better than me / We make a great team / I’d have a onenight stand with you / I’d have a relationship with you / I would marry you / Ifantasize about our life together / I would trust you with my most treasuredbelonging / I would tell you my darkest secrets / You disgust me / Youintimidate me / I hope I intimidate you / I’d hug you / I’d let you hug me  / I’m scared of losing you / I don’t think youlike me / I want to be better for you / I respect you / I don’t respect you /You’re my mentor / You’re my friend / You’re (one of) my best friend(s) / I have a crush onyou / I could easily watch you die / I’d get drunk with you / I’d party withyou / I’d comfort you / I’d prank you / I’d spike your drink / I’d act behindyour back / I’d abandon you / I’d hurt you to get what I want / I would choosemy happiness over yours / I would choose your happiness over mine / I despisehow much I care for you / I need you / I’m dependent on you / I don’t know whatI’d do without you / I’m scared of you leaving me / I’d give my life for you / Youfrustrate me / I’d call for you in a time of need / I would protect you / I’dvisit you in hospital / I’d carry you if you were hurt / I’d feel guilty if Ihurt you / I’d let you be near me when I am vulnerable / I’d ignore a phonecall from you / I’d call you at 3am / I’d break you out of jail / I’d get angryat you / I would shout at you / You’re too loud / You’re too quiet / You’re toosensitive / You can’t take a joke / You embarrass me / I feel nothing for you /You’re reckless / You’re bossy / You bore me / I would ask your advice / Iwould blame you for something I did / I would cry in your arms / You have thepower to hurt me more than anyone else /