escordvi | closed ⚡🪶 and forevermore, i'll be chasing the storm we had.

[He knows those scholars will pay a high price for it so he's quite content with the payout.]

We've gotten all we can, anyway.

[But as he takes a few steps forward... He notices the little fire sprite following.]

Edited 2024-01-26 18:06 (UTC)

[Well, maybe if she knew that there was a high payout, she'd consider parting with it, but she also has a ton of jewels and coins, too... Hm.

Still, she can't help but feel that twinge of disappointment again that, although they came out with what promises to be a lot of gold in the end, they didn't come out with a single damn thing related to that relic. She really should not have gotten her hopes up, but even a hint would have been enough. It would have been something... a single step, or even half a step closer to finding it. Every moment that they waste not searching for it is a moment closer to the rifts taking one or both of them back...

A thought that she tries not to mull over too deeply, remembering his words in that room, when it's interrupted by the sound of the crackling that follows behind them. She stops, turns, and arches a brow at the sprite that is right on Cid's heel.]

I don't suppose you'll be going back where you came from?

[The sprite quivers. "Well, I... I was wonderiiiiiinnnng......"]

[But what is she going to do with a bone dagger—

A slight arch of the brow.]

Did you want something we picked up?

["N-no!" And yet it still fidgets.]

[It's lightweight and sharp and very throwable—

Benedikta mirrors his arched brow with one of her own before she continues walking back in the direction they came. She just wants out of this room before it kicks them out for them.]

Well, best of luck, then.

["W-wait...!" More fidgeting, and the coin drops to the ground. "I don't want to stay down here anymore..."]

Edited 2024-01-26 18:42 (UTC)

[Also very tacky.

Cid just stares at the sprite... And be gets the feeling he knows what it's getting at.]

Are you forced to live down here? Can't you go out and travel on your own?

[It won't be so tacky when it saves her ass—

"Well, no. Not really... As long as there is a way to keep burning, then we don't have to stay. It's not hard, though!"

Benedikta looks down at the sprite as if it's grown another head.]

So then why not just go?

[The sprite fidgets with the coin, and then fumbles and drops it again. "I would still need someplace to go back to... a fireplace or kindling, or lava!"]

There are plenty of fires around Nogard. And Eltrut.

[It turns its big eyes on Cid, hoping that he is picking up on what it implies, if only because Benedikta doesn't care enough to. If the sprite wants to leave, then it should just go find someplace else?]

[He can hear it clear as day... And he can't help but be amused.]

You know, I've been curious. What can a little fire sprite like you do?

[Also let's just pretend they are still walking further away from the altar.]

[The sprite clears its throat.

"Besides helping you find the treasure room—!" It helped, and the ends of its flames surge a little with what can only be assumed to be pride. "I can light fires, keep them going, give heat, and cook things! I'm not as good as the older fire sprites, they can do all kinds of things like become bigger, but one day I'll be able to be as big as them!"

Benedikta arches a brow. Older sprites?]

So, you are... a child?

[What even is this right now.]

[This is a little amusing, and the little fire sprite lowers its head a little shyly, its earlier bravado diminishing a little.

"Y...yes... I first awakened not that long ago..."]

That explains quite a few things. But why us? Surely you've seen other travelers and adventurers.

[The little sprite looks between them and then at the coin in its hands.

"Because... No one's given me anything before...

And and you two are so cool!!"

Why did it look like it's eyes were shining... And what a strange thing to say when he thought the thing had been terrified of Benedikta earlier.]

[It's Benedikta's turn to preen a little. Yes, she is very cool.

Only now does she pick up on what it's trying to say.]

So, you want to leave with us?

[It yelps in surprise, as if it had just been caught red-handed stealing again. "Y-yes, Windy Lady." Can a fire sprite blush? Because if it could, it would be right now. "That is... if you have a place for me..."]

[A wry grin as he glances at her before idly stroking his chin.]

Well... I suppose it would free some resources. Could find a place on the ship, if not my workshop. Depends if you'd like a crowded or quiet place.

[Why is he looking at her???

The sprite fumbles with its coin again. "Well, I... I want to meet more friends..."]

Human friends, or other fire friends?

[Because Cid sure does have plenty of the former. Bargaining with a fire sprite is weird.

"If they are like you two, then h-human..."]

The ship it is then. Presuming you promise not to burn it down?

[It squeaks. "NO!! Never!! I can control how my flames burn...most of the time..."

He's going to guess that's part of being a child, but that's an interesting little trick regardless.]

You also won't be able to stay for free—you'll have to earn your keep.

[It salutes at him. "Yes, sir! I promise I will be the best fire your ship has ever—oops!" And there goes the coin again.

Benedikta, meanwhile, rolls her eyes, though not without a slight quirk of her lip.]

Looks like you've obtained yet another crewmate, Cidolfus. You'll run out of room soon.

Just means I'll have to get a bigger ship—or a base.

[A wry chuckle. He really does have a habit of picking up strange things—]

But we're not heading back to the ship for a while yet... Can you make it there on your own or can you wait for us to pick you up later?

[The sprite deflates a bit. "O-oh, I can't come with you?"

Benedikta laughs. He really does have a knack for picking up lost little children.]

Why not just take it to your workshop in the meantime? It's closer, after all.

But then I'd have to come back here to pick up everything from the room.

[Hot springs room.

Unless they're coming back—]

[She arches a suggestive brow at Cid.]

I'll decide if you need to when we are finally out of this heat.

[The sprite looks between the two of them as it continues to walk with them, its mouth hanging wide open and its eyes so big that she swears they might pop off if that were possible.

But alright, not in front of the child.]

Do you have a name?

[...Aha. He catches that and just grins a little. All right, they can continue this conversation after he drops off the sprite—

"Um... Name?"

Oh.]

Suppose they might not use those. Something to call you.

[Ah.]

I'm Cid, this is Benedikta.

[Even wider the sprite's eyes grow in absolute awe of them both. "Ooohh, Cid. Benedikta. So I don't have to call you Windy Lady?"

Benedikta huffs with something of a laugh as they duck into one of the tunnels.]

You may if you'd prefer.

[She actually doesn't mind. She kind of likes this new title. Lady Benedikta, Elite Commander, Warden of the Wind, Dominant of Garuda, Windy Lady. She'll have to add that.

But the sprite shakes its head to Cid's question. "No, we don't have any names here... um... Cid?"]

Well, you are going to need something to call it.

Do you have a name in mind or should we name you?

[The little sprite thinks for a bit.

"I don't know...you can do it!"]

Had a feeling that would be the answer... Been naming a lot of things today.

[He looks at the little sprite and then to Benedikta.]

Any ideas?

Me?

[She walks on for a while, the only sound from her coming from the rocks crunching under her boots, and the soft hum in thought. She goes over the names that she does know, but nothing comes to mind that would suit the little sprite. Or maybe she's thinking too narrow.

So, she throws herself all the way back to the earlier days.]

What about... a name from a book?

[She glances at Cid, then down at the sprite, who gaaaaaaasps eagerly.]

A book?

[...Hmmm. If it's a book then he's certainly read quite a few, especially for Mid. Something for a little flame sprite...]

I remember a book I read to Mid once—a fairy tale about a little wizard that went on different adventures with his friends and learning how to grow stronger. His name was Vivi if I recall.

[There's a little lurch in her chest, something pulling at certain threads of her heart, because that had been the exact book that Benedikta had been thinking of. Funny, that...

And that he had read it to Mid... She casts a sideways glance at him again, fleeting, but long enough to try to read his expression.]

I know of that book. That was the first I had learned to read. But yes, the wizard's name was Vivi.

["You both know how to reeeeaaaaaaaad!?"]

[...Oh.

There's a slight look of surprise as he looks at Benedikta, the sprite forgotten for a moment.]

It was?

[In fairness for Cid, that was a while back and before he had paid particular attention to her. But now he wonders if he subconsciously remembered it because—]

...It was one of the first books I read to her...

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