(Action, amulet, letter etc, all fine!)
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Everyone says he yearns at heart for Shangri-La - IC Contact! (@empatheias)
But that's a nowhere land, after all.
[ With things seeming to settle down with those who have been effected by this dream dust as it's been dubbed, the Warrior seeks out Firion to see how he is, having agreed to meet at that same location they had met prior when the other had decided to abruptly awaken him over the amulet in the middle of the night with his concerns surrounding Kain.
It's on the way, however, that he stops and comes to pick a flower by the riverbank, recalling the way in which Frog had offered one to him and claimed it as a promise to always remember him regardless of what might happen between worlds and memories. Knowing the other's penchant for flowers and how they seem to suit him, it's a blue one that he picks, finding the colour to be deep and rich and full of something magical with the way touches of silver seem to rest on the ends of the petals, making it look as though the night sky is painted across something as delicate as a flower.
As of late, he's been going without his helmet and chest piece of armor (let alone the gauntlets), leaving his sword behind as he's been reminded it's something he doesn't need to carry around as much while here. However, despite the lack of certain stand out pieces, he still won't be too hard to spot as he stands there staring to the water, coming to smile a little while he holds that flower in his hand. To know that he has Firion here with him through all of this... to be remembered and have someone he will remember as well, he feels lucky to have this here and somehow hopeful that things will be ok. ]
It's on the way, however, that he stops and comes to pick a flower by the riverbank, recalling the way in which Frog had offered one to him and claimed it as a promise to always remember him regardless of what might happen between worlds and memories. Knowing the other's penchant for flowers and how they seem to suit him, it's a blue one that he picks, finding the colour to be deep and rich and full of something magical with the way touches of silver seem to rest on the ends of the petals, making it look as though the night sky is painted across something as delicate as a flower.
As of late, he's been going without his helmet and chest piece of armor (let alone the gauntlets), leaving his sword behind as he's been reminded it's something he doesn't need to carry around as much while here. However, despite the lack of certain stand out pieces, he still won't be too hard to spot as he stands there staring to the water, coming to smile a little while he holds that flower in his hand. To know that he has Firion here with him through all of this... to be remembered and have someone he will remember as well, he feels lucky to have this here and somehow hopeful that things will be ok. ]
[ He has been dreading this.
He'd tried - the healing crystal he'd been given remains unused and there's a journal in his room covered with scrawling handwriting - everything that he thought important enough to put to paper about his time in the rift - that he's gone through over and over, but despite his best efforts he'd found himself fading into something smaller, simpler, a man and not the champion of a god. He remembered, distantly, but he remembered it all as something he'd read in a book or been told b a stranger. It had happened to someone else, all of it, and he only knew of it through their words.
How could he have ever thought he would be something so grand? Seeing the Warrior in the distance as he approaches only makes that feeling stronger. How presumptuous he must have been, to think he could have ever fought at the man's side, one so perfect and the other so very, pathetically human.
But he has to be presumptuous a little longer. He has to pretend. He can't take anything more from the Warrior, not after everything he distantly recalls the world of the conflict taking from him. ]
This place again? [ He tries to smile. It works. ] I can't blame you, it's beautiful here.
He'd tried - the healing crystal he'd been given remains unused and there's a journal in his room covered with scrawling handwriting - everything that he thought important enough to put to paper about his time in the rift - that he's gone through over and over, but despite his best efforts he'd found himself fading into something smaller, simpler, a man and not the champion of a god. He remembered, distantly, but he remembered it all as something he'd read in a book or been told b a stranger. It had happened to someone else, all of it, and he only knew of it through their words.
How could he have ever thought he would be something so grand? Seeing the Warrior in the distance as he approaches only makes that feeling stronger. How presumptuous he must have been, to think he could have ever fought at the man's side, one so perfect and the other so very, pathetically human.
But he has to be presumptuous a little longer. He has to pretend. He can't take anything more from the Warrior, not after everything he distantly recalls the world of the conflict taking from him. ]
This place again? [ He tries to smile. It works. ] I can't blame you, it's beautiful here.
[ Hearing Firion's approach, he glances to the other and nods a little before he looks back to the water. It is beautiful here and it's no wonder that Firion had first picked this spot for them to meet when his memories returned to him of the conflict. ]
It is something that one might consider to be out of a dream for everything that we have been through with the conflict.
[ Sights like this... moments such as these... they're strange and things he's not at all accustomed to and yet, he's trying to adjust, to allow himself to see and feel them in ways he's never had the chance to before.
Which, glancing to Firion, he holds out the flower then. ]
Someone who I have come to regard as a friend here gave me a flower with a promise to remember me despite what may happen in this world. [ Pausing, blue eyes glance up to meet Firion's gaze. ] I thought to do the same for you. I may not remember much of anything before the conflict but I will not forget you and to have you here with me is something that I feel... I feel grateful for.
Edited 2017-08-24 07:35 pm (UTC)
It is something that one might consider to be out of a dream for everything that we have been through with the conflict.
[ Sights like this... moments such as these... they're strange and things he's not at all accustomed to and yet, he's trying to adjust, to allow himself to see and feel them in ways he's never had the chance to before.
Which, glancing to Firion, he holds out the flower then. ]
Someone who I have come to regard as a friend here gave me a flower with a promise to remember me despite what may happen in this world. [ Pausing, blue eyes glance up to meet Firion's gaze. ] I thought to do the same for you. I may not remember much of anything before the conflict but I will not forget you and to have you here with me is something that I feel... I feel grateful for.
Edited 2017-08-24 07:35 pm (UTC)
I-
[ He can't meet the Warrior's eyes at first, can't look at the flower. Instead he lets his gaze settle on the ground below them, silently begging it to swallow him and send him back to Jade right now. He would prefer that. ]
-my thanks. That is- very kind of you. And- [ His hands curl into fists at his sides. He doesn't think to take the flower from this man, practically a stranger. ] -I will try to remember you, as well.
[ He can't meet the Warrior's eyes at first, can't look at the flower. Instead he lets his gaze settle on the ground below them, silently begging it to swallow him and send him back to Jade right now. He would prefer that. ]
-my thanks. That is- very kind of you. And- [ His hands curl into fists at his sides. He doesn't think to take the flower from this man, practically a stranger. ] -I will try to remember you, as well.
[ There's a slow blink of eyes when Firion doesn't seem to take the flower right away and, for a moment, he wonders if perhaps he doesn't like the colour. He's aware that Firion is typically surrounded with red roses but... the blue reminds him of the night sky, something that he likes and so he thought that perhaps Firion as well would like it.
It causes him to second guess himself for a moment before he steps a little closer then and looks to the flower before he looks up to Firion. ]
Is this... unsatisfactory? Do you prefer... red instead?
It causes him to second guess himself for a moment before he steps a little closer then and looks to the flower before he looks up to Firion. ]
Is this... unsatisfactory? Do you prefer... red instead?
[ The white horse which Warrior has taken in as a friend of sorts comes to stop just outside the cottage that the Warrior now shares with Firion. The journey from the park to the cottage was a slow one, the Warrior not finding it imperative to get back as quickly as he could and, rather, allowed the horse to take it slow in her pace. He wears injuries, it's true, though nothing is fatal and he is more tired than in pain, though blood still drips from the insides of his arms; he's been dealt far worse and even died before, so.
Coming down from the horse is a little more difficult than he thought and he takes his time in doing so, pressing himself against her mane for a moment to which the horse seems to nuzzle at him, perhaps in a silent attempt at questioning his current state. He appreciates it, fingers gently stroking her face before he pulls away and slowly makes his way toward the cottage door.
Stepping inside, he's greeted with two meowing cats who hop down from the counter there near the sink (had Firion fed them?), weaving around his legs and looking up to the Warrior rather curiously. The Warrior, while trying to smile some to them, carefully sets his shield aside while sucking in a breath... perhaps twisting a little is not the best of ideas. ]
If I woke you, I should apologize, shouldn't I?
[ He speaks to the cats while taking slow steps toward the kitchen, wondering if perhaps he has something to give them in the form of a treat... while dripping blood, looking battered and dirty... completely ignoring all of that in favor of giving a treat for the cats. ]
Coming down from the horse is a little more difficult than he thought and he takes his time in doing so, pressing himself against her mane for a moment to which the horse seems to nuzzle at him, perhaps in a silent attempt at questioning his current state. He appreciates it, fingers gently stroking her face before he pulls away and slowly makes his way toward the cottage door.
Stepping inside, he's greeted with two meowing cats who hop down from the counter there near the sink (had Firion fed them?), weaving around his legs and looking up to the Warrior rather curiously. The Warrior, while trying to smile some to them, carefully sets his shield aside while sucking in a breath... perhaps twisting a little is not the best of ideas. ]
If I woke you, I should apologize, shouldn't I?
[ He speaks to the cats while taking slow steps toward the kitchen, wondering if perhaps he has something to give them in the form of a treat... while dripping blood, looking battered and dirty... completely ignoring all of that in favor of giving a treat for the cats. ]
Don't apologise to them, it's your house.
[ He's speaking from his own room, not initially looking up from his book. He's been trying to stay out of the Warrior's way for the last few days - something's been eating at the other man, he can tell, and all he really knows how to do for him is to give him space. ]
They jumped in when I opened the windows. I've not been able to chase them out, stubborn little beasts that they are-
[ And then he stops. Because he just looked up into the kitchen. To his credit, he doesn't panic, only places the book on the side of his bed and strides over, looking the Warrior over, trying to better ascertain his state. ]
-What happened?
[ He's speaking from his own room, not initially looking up from his book. He's been trying to stay out of the Warrior's way for the last few days - something's been eating at the other man, he can tell, and all he really knows how to do for him is to give him space. ]
They jumped in when I opened the windows. I've not been able to chase them out, stubborn little beasts that they are-
[ And then he stops. Because he just looked up into the kitchen. To his credit, he doesn't panic, only places the book on the side of his bed and strides over, looking the Warrior over, trying to better ascertain his state. ]
-What happened?
[ His house or not, to leave the little ones meowing for treats is something he can't do and so he continues with the task of taking down one of the clay pots from the cupboard which has some cat treats tucked away in.
It's then that he catches Firion looking to him out of the corner of his eye and takes a moment to have a breath, one of the cats hopping up on the counter and pawing at the pot while the Warrior stares to Firion. ]
I was in a fight. [ The cat meowing as he speaks. ] I... will be fine.
[ To which he lifts the lid off the pot and pulls out a couple treats.. with bloody fingers. ]
It's then that he catches Firion looking to him out of the corner of his eye and takes a moment to have a breath, one of the cats hopping up on the counter and pawing at the pot while the Warrior stares to Firion. ]
I was in a fight. [ The cat meowing as he speaks. ] I... will be fine.
[ To which he lifts the lid off the pot and pulls out a couple treats.. with bloody fingers. ]
[ He in't overly concerned - however bad this is, both of them have walked away from worse - but he goes to the bathroom to seek out the first aid kit nonetheless. It's- well. There's a mixture of things there. A sewing kit (that is to say, the primary tool he's used to using for this sort of thing). Pain-killing medicine donated to them by Sora. A selection of cold medicines, probably not useful right now. Strips of cloth with a sticky substance coating one side, something he'd come across during his efforts to learn more about the medicines of other worlds.
It's a strange mixture of things, but it's fairly well-stocked. ]
You went hunting? We weren't meant to head out for a few days yet, I thought.
[ He clicks his tongue in- something. Irritation, maybe? Nothing strong enough to cause an effect upon the world - as he watches the cats eating treats out of his friend's bloodied hands. ]
Either I can patch you up or we go to Lady Y'shtola for aid. We are- we are not at war. Not here. You do not need to endure.
It's a strange mixture of things, but it's fairly well-stocked. ]
You went hunting? We weren't meant to head out for a few days yet, I thought.
[ He clicks his tongue in- something. Irritation, maybe? Nothing strong enough to cause an effect upon the world - as he watches the cats eating treats out of his friend's bloodied hands. ]
Either I can patch you up or we go to Lady Y'shtola for aid. We are- we are not at war. Not here. You do not need to endure.
[ The Warrior watches the way in which the cats take to stuffing their kitty faces with the treats laid out for them, fingers wanting to stroke their fur and feel their purrs against his skin and yet, not wanting to possibly have blood stain their fur which would only need to be washed out then; cats didn't seem too fond of water from what he has learned.
The suggestion of going to Y'shtola for aid has the Warrior shake his head. While he doesn't mean to simply try and sleep this off, in a manner of speaking, searching out the healing aid from another is not anything that he wishes to do; these injuries that he wears being deserved in a sense. ]
I do not need the aid of a healer.
[ There's a pause that comes from him then, perhaps considering something before he walks by Firion then. ]
I fought with Cloud.
[ Even as he says this, he steps toward the two beds in the room that Firion has for himself and comes to set his sword aside against the wall, staring to it with pale blue eyes. ]
It was not with the intention to kill him but... it was not friendly either.
The suggestion of going to Y'shtola for aid has the Warrior shake his head. While he doesn't mean to simply try and sleep this off, in a manner of speaking, searching out the healing aid from another is not anything that he wishes to do; these injuries that he wears being deserved in a sense. ]
I do not need the aid of a healer.
[ There's a pause that comes from him then, perhaps considering something before he walks by Firion then. ]
I fought with Cloud.
[ Even as he says this, he steps toward the two beds in the room that Firion has for himself and comes to set his sword aside against the wall, staring to it with pale blue eyes. ]
It was not with the intention to kill him but... it was not friendly either.
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forthelight on October 10th, 2017 05:43 pm (UTC)action; little after being patched up cause QUESTIONS
[ Since being patched up by Firion after his battle with Cloud, the Warrior has kept to the confines of the cottage for the most part. Specifically? The bed. Not because he needs to rest from his injuries but because he's felt... strange- confused even ever since his quiet admission to Firion regarding his lack of, well, everything and how frustrating it is for him to try and understand it or, at the very least, pretend that he does when others suggest it to him.
The cats have been glued to his side, the two sleeping with him in his bed and keeping around him within the cottage. It's only when he wanders out to check on his horse friend or chop some wood and gather some food that they don't follow. Inside? Well, that's an entirely different story.
It's with fingers gently brushing through the fur of a purring cat laying against his chest in bed that eyes of a pale crystal blue slowly blink as the aroma of whatever it is that Firion has been preparing down in the kitchen wafts up into his room above. Scooping up the cat against his chest, he carefully makes his way down the ladder and comes up behind Firion in the kitchen. His hair is tied back into a ponytail, dressed in what one would consider to be 'sleep wear' or at the very least, what one would wear when simply lounging around the house.
Curiously, he tilts his head as he watches Firion go about the kitchen, idly stroking the fur of the purring cat bumping its head against his cheek, while the other three seem to be napping about.
Yes... the cats have gone from two to... four now. ]
What are you making?
The cats have been glued to his side, the two sleeping with him in his bed and keeping around him within the cottage. It's only when he wanders out to check on his horse friend or chop some wood and gather some food that they don't follow. Inside? Well, that's an entirely different story.
It's with fingers gently brushing through the fur of a purring cat laying against his chest in bed that eyes of a pale crystal blue slowly blink as the aroma of whatever it is that Firion has been preparing down in the kitchen wafts up into his room above. Scooping up the cat against his chest, he carefully makes his way down the ladder and comes up behind Firion in the kitchen. His hair is tied back into a ponytail, dressed in what one would consider to be 'sleep wear' or at the very least, what one would wear when simply lounging around the house.
Curiously, he tilts his head as he watches Firion go about the kitchen, idly stroking the fur of the purring cat bumping its head against his cheek, while the other three seem to be napping about.
Yes... the cats have gone from two to... four now. ]
What are you making?
[ The kitchen is something of a mess, as is Firion himself, covered in flour and smears of dough and the ends of chopped vegetables. There's a large bowl in the middle of the counter, covered with a damp cloth, and a large pot on the stove. He checks something in the oven, then looks up. ]
Bread. Some to have with the stew tonight, and dough to put in the oven in the morning for breakfast.
[ He looks around a little sheepishly. ] I'll have this clean again by the time I'm done. It's messy work, but it ought to be worth it.
Bread. Some to have with the stew tonight, and dough to put in the oven in the morning for breakfast.
[ He looks around a little sheepishly. ] I'll have this clean again by the time I'm done. It's messy work, but it ought to be worth it.
[ The... mess that Firion has all over the kitchen and even himself has the Warrior tilting his head in slight confusion for a moment while he still strokes the back of the cat's head that he holds against him. ]
I see. [ Pause ] You did not need to go to all this trouble.
[ Even as he says this, he lets the cat down to do their thing, the Warrior coming over to look at everything that is laid out on the counter as well as the pot that rests on the stove. ]
Is there... something I can do to help?
I see. [ Pause ] You did not need to go to all this trouble.
[ Even as he says this, he lets the cat down to do their thing, the Warrior coming over to look at everything that is laid out on the counter as well as the pot that rests on the stove. ]
Is there... something I can do to help?
Ah, please don't worry. It's not trouble, I'm simply used to having three pairs of hands.
[ He takes the lid from the pot, revealing a meat and vegetable stew, and takes a spoon to taste it. After a moment, he takes some more and holds the spoon out to the Warrior. ]
Hmm. Try some for me? It still needs to thicken a little, but it'll be ready soon. Too much spice for you? Not enough?
[ He takes the lid from the pot, revealing a meat and vegetable stew, and takes a spoon to taste it. After a moment, he takes some more and holds the spoon out to the Warrior. ]
Hmm. Try some for me? It still needs to thicken a little, but it'll be ready soon. Too much spice for you? Not enough?
[ The gentle click of the lock on the front door turning, the soft ticking that comes from the clock in the kitchen has the Warrior glance over his shoulder to the time. It's past ten and most of the lights have been turned on with the fireplace still going, though the fire is slowly beginning to die. The cats that have come in for the night have had their cream and are curled up by the fire, dreaming away of chasing mice and other things, he figures, smiling a little at how warm they must be by the fire.
It's looking to Firion's room that he sees the light still on and he wonders if the other man is still awake or if he's fallen asleep with a book in hand. Staring, hair tied back into a ponytail and dressed down for the night in clothes that are his sleepwear, the Warrior carefully makes his way over to the doorway of Firion's room and rests against it as he peers inside; the other doesn't seem to be asleep just yet. ]
I thought that you might have drifted off and left your light on.
[ He explains then as he stands there in the doorway, smiling a little to the man. He glances to the other bed that occupies Firion's room and wonders for a moment before he looks back to him. ]
The cats are asleep by the fire. [ Humming a little then. ] I think that they like it.
Edited 2017-10-28 04:53 am (UTC)
It's looking to Firion's room that he sees the light still on and he wonders if the other man is still awake or if he's fallen asleep with a book in hand. Staring, hair tied back into a ponytail and dressed down for the night in clothes that are his sleepwear, the Warrior carefully makes his way over to the doorway of Firion's room and rests against it as he peers inside; the other doesn't seem to be asleep just yet. ]
I thought that you might have drifted off and left your light on.
[ He explains then as he stands there in the doorway, smiling a little to the man. He glances to the other bed that occupies Firion's room and wonders for a moment before he looks back to him. ]
The cats are asleep by the fire. [ Humming a little then. ] I think that they like it.
Edited 2017-10-28 04:53 am (UTC)
[ His own bedclothes are thicker than the Warrior's, warmer against the late autumn air. His hair is loose, the collection of headscarves he wears hanging from the foot of the bed and the amulet-pin that usually holds them in place lying on a small table by the bed.
He does indeed have an open book in hand, a thick and heavy-looking one, but he seems to be only looking at it rather than reading it. When the Warrior enters, he puts it aside and glances out of the window at the dark sky. ]
No doubt they'll come to adore it once the cold season reaches us. [ He smiles at the Warrior's contented hum. No matter what he thinks of the cats, and no matter what they seem to think of him, he's glad that they make his friend happy. ] It is good to know that we shan't need to worry overmuch about rats through the winter.
He does indeed have an open book in hand, a thick and heavy-looking one, but he seems to be only looking at it rather than reading it. When the Warrior enters, he puts it aside and glances out of the window at the dark sky. ]
No doubt they'll come to adore it once the cold season reaches us. [ He smiles at the Warrior's contented hum. No matter what he thinks of the cats, and no matter what they seem to think of him, he's glad that they make his friend happy. ] It is good to know that we shan't need to worry overmuch about rats through the winter.
[ A smile gently tugs at pale lips and the Warrior finds himself pressing against the door frame a little more. It's true that he has come to enjoy the company of the cats and finds them to be... comforting, perhaps, in a way for him, something that... while he isn't all that accustomed to feeling, he has found it to be warm and welcome. ]
Perhaps more pillows and blankets will be needed for them by the fireplace.
[ Nevermind what he or Firion might need, of course his thoughts go to his furry little friends.
However, he steps inside then and, carefully so, takes a seat on the bed beside Firion's, fingers gently brushing against the sheet that covers it. This spot is the very same one that he sat in when Firion patched him up from his fight with Cloud... when the window had cracked from his sudden spark of emotion. When moss and ice and flowers had appeared. Perhaps this will become a "talking spot" for them. ]
Firion. [ He starts, glancing to his feet. ] I am often asked for my name when I meet those who do not know me and despite my not recalling my name, they still wish to call me by something.
[ Pausing, he looks up to Firion then. ]
You have never done such a thing. I suppose I simply... wonder why?
Perhaps more pillows and blankets will be needed for them by the fireplace.
[ Nevermind what he or Firion might need, of course his thoughts go to his furry little friends.
However, he steps inside then and, carefully so, takes a seat on the bed beside Firion's, fingers gently brushing against the sheet that covers it. This spot is the very same one that he sat in when Firion patched him up from his fight with Cloud... when the window had cracked from his sudden spark of emotion. When moss and ice and flowers had appeared. Perhaps this will become a "talking spot" for them. ]
Firion. [ He starts, glancing to his feet. ] I am often asked for my name when I meet those who do not know me and despite my not recalling my name, they still wish to call me by something.
[ Pausing, he looks up to Firion then. ]
You have never done such a thing. I suppose I simply... wonder why?
Would you have me do so?
[ He seems genuinely confused. It's clear that this means a lot to the Warrior, but it's not really something he's put a lot of thought into. ]
I have no need to, and you have not asked it of me.
[ He seems genuinely confused. It's clear that this means a lot to the Warrior, but it's not really something he's put a lot of thought into. ]
I have no need to, and you have not asked it of me.
[ Originally, he had wanted to make something much as Firion had made for him with the flower.
He had sat himself down, picked up the needles and colourful ball of red yarn, and tried to knit together a scarf for the other man, all while enduring some playful kitties batting around the ball all across the floor to which the Warrior would need to go and fetch it each and every time. The task had been, well, much more difficult than he had anticipated and the scarf had somehow come out with various holes stretched throughout (some that even the smaller kitties would poke their heads through), never mind the frayed ends. So, he had decided to leave that and try something else.
The last time he had tried to bake bread for Firion, it had come out lopsided with kitty paw prints all throughout the flour on the counter and this time was no different with a fruit bread he had seen in a window for the festive season and tried to recreate within their kitchen. Kitty flour prints aside, the bread had still come out lopsided and even burnt rather badly on one side to which he even had to open one of the windows to air the kitchen out.
Finally, he attempted to grow a flower for Firion much as he had done for him with the hopes of it being a red rose. However, as Firion seemed to possess a sort of gift for creating such lovely flowers with his emotions, the Warrior had been unable to make one and, instead, had created next to nothing despite his many attempts and encouraging mews from the kitties who watched curiously.
He had given up on trying to make something for Firion and decided to collect fire wood for the fire place as the nights were now much more chillier with the winter temperatures rolling in. It was during his chopping of wood that he had come to see what looked like the image of a flower within the rings of the tree and that was when an idea had struck him.
On Firion's pillow, not wrapped or anything of the like, he would find a small ring carved out of wood. It was smooth so as not to accidentally have splinters should he wear it and on the top of the band was a handcarved rose. The wood is dyed in a cherry sort of red and bleeds down the sides of the ring, away from the rose. Somehow, flecks of gold (hmm..) seem to shimmer within it as well and along with the ring on the pillow is a folded note that has clearly been written by the Warrior.
He had sat himself down, picked up the needles and colourful ball of red yarn, and tried to knit together a scarf for the other man, all while enduring some playful kitties batting around the ball all across the floor to which the Warrior would need to go and fetch it each and every time. The task had been, well, much more difficult than he had anticipated and the scarf had somehow come out with various holes stretched throughout (some that even the smaller kitties would poke their heads through), never mind the frayed ends. So, he had decided to leave that and try something else.
The last time he had tried to bake bread for Firion, it had come out lopsided with kitty paw prints all throughout the flour on the counter and this time was no different with a fruit bread he had seen in a window for the festive season and tried to recreate within their kitchen. Kitty flour prints aside, the bread had still come out lopsided and even burnt rather badly on one side to which he even had to open one of the windows to air the kitchen out.
Finally, he attempted to grow a flower for Firion much as he had done for him with the hopes of it being a red rose. However, as Firion seemed to possess a sort of gift for creating such lovely flowers with his emotions, the Warrior had been unable to make one and, instead, had created next to nothing despite his many attempts and encouraging mews from the kitties who watched curiously.
He had given up on trying to make something for Firion and decided to collect fire wood for the fire place as the nights were now much more chillier with the winter temperatures rolling in. It was during his chopping of wood that he had come to see what looked like the image of a flower within the rings of the tree and that was when an idea had struck him.
On Firion's pillow, not wrapped or anything of the like, he would find a small ring carved out of wood. It was smooth so as not to accidentally have splinters should he wear it and on the top of the band was a handcarved rose. The wood is dyed in a cherry sort of red and bleeds down the sides of the ring, away from the rose. Somehow, flecks of gold (hmm..) seem to shimmer within it as well and along with the ring on the pillow is a folded note that has clearly been written by the Warrior.
I cut myself on my blade while making this and blood had soaked itself into the wood. I have bled many times over the course of conflict and never has it seemed to create such a wonderous sort of red as it has done with soaking into the wood. Perhaps because my thoughts were of you while I carved this and those thoughts, those feelings have now soaked into the wood along with my blood. Such a thing... could this be considered frightful? But to bleed is to live and to live is to feel and I feel happy when I am with you. Should this be unsatisfactory, I will make another. But I thought... I thought that this seemed special to have happen. ]
[ In the corner of the room, wrapped in thick cloth to protect it from damage and to protect the cats from harming themselves with its blade, lies the Blood Sword. It had belonged to the Emperor once, if Paul could be believed, and through the humiliation of the emperor at Paul's hands, and the death of Paul at the Emperor's, it had come to be his.
Even before he unfolds the letter, Firion knows what stains the ring. The Blood Sword senses it, even cold and dry, screams for it. It's solemnly that he picks up the letter - the rose, the blood, together they do not a good omen make. As he reads the letter, though, his expression first hardens further at the talk of the conflict and then softens, warms. ]
You are terribly strange, friend.
[ He murmurs to himself, laughing under his breath, and slides the ring onto his finger.
He cannot wield the blood sword while he wears the ring, he knows. The sword would devour the blood from it were it in the same hand, and that red would be gone, and the Warrior would have bled for nothing. But perhaps here, he does not need to. Perhaps the rose and the blood need not be a bad omen after all, but a symbol that - at least here - he can be done fighting. ]
Even before he unfolds the letter, Firion knows what stains the ring. The Blood Sword senses it, even cold and dry, screams for it. It's solemnly that he picks up the letter - the rose, the blood, together they do not a good omen make. As he reads the letter, though, his expression first hardens further at the talk of the conflict and then softens, warms. ]
You are terribly strange, friend.
[ He murmurs to himself, laughing under his breath, and slides the ring onto his finger.
He cannot wield the blood sword while he wears the ring, he knows. The sword would devour the blood from it were it in the same hand, and that red would be gone, and the Warrior would have bled for nothing. But perhaps here, he does not need to. Perhaps the rose and the blood need not be a bad omen after all, but a symbol that - at least here - he can be done fighting. ]
[Waiting on Firion's doorstep when he gets home is a red rose with a red ribbon wrapped around it. There is also a box of heart-shaped chocolates with a card. All it reads is:]
- From Warrior
- From Warrior
This is... Firion, correct?
[ Squall frowns thoughtfully. Without a big connection to Firion, it was a bit more difficult to contact him. ]
[ Squall frowns thoughtfully. Without a big connection to Firion, it was a bit more difficult to contact him. ]
I- yes. It is.
[ It takes him a few moments to reply. The Warrior is late, late and not responding, and- well. The latter at least is unusual enough to cause concern. He knows that the Warrior had been looking over the hunting tasks, and difficult as it is to consider that he might have found himself overmatched-
-Firion has never been one to assume the best of a situation. ]
Apologies, but whatever it is you need- will it wait? I have a matter to attend to, I fear one of no small importance.
[ He's strapping a lance to his back even as he speaks. ]
[ It takes him a few moments to reply. The Warrior is late, late and not responding, and- well. The latter at least is unusual enough to cause concern. He knows that the Warrior had been looking over the hunting tasks, and difficult as it is to consider that he might have found himself overmatched-
-Firion has never been one to assume the best of a situation. ]
Apologies, but whatever it is you need- will it wait? I have a matter to attend to, I fear one of no small importance.
[ He's strapping a lance to his back even as he speaks. ]
This might be of importance to you...
[ The image instead turns to the top of Squall's head where a familiar kitten to Firion and WoL was perched with an amulet around its neck. ]
[ The image instead turns to the top of Squall's head where a familiar kitten to Firion and WoL was perched with an amulet around its neck. ]
I- see.
[ He breathes in. He holds the breath for a moment, then releases it. He starts to say something, then stops and presses his lips together. ]
He is not in danger, at least.
[ It doesn't sound like that's immensely comforting. ]
[ He breathes in. He holds the breath for a moment, then releases it. He starts to say something, then stops and presses his lips together. ]
He is not in danger, at least.
[ It doesn't sound like that's immensely comforting. ]