escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

[She watches him all the while and when he returns to make that fire, it's her turn to wear a worried furrow between her brows, unable to stand this quiet for much longer.]

Cidolfus.

[The call is quiet but coaxing.]

What of you?

What of me?

[There's more curiosity and question in his voice as he's not sure why she would be worried about him....

And with that there's a loud thump and crackle of the log as the fire burns nice and large before he returns to her.]

[She is allowed to be worried about him, too!]

To start... you are much more worried of my state than I am.

[And she does not like it when he is.]

You had also used your magic to catch me up in the air. You do not feel tired?

After what you went through, isn't it natural?

[A sigh as he flops down next to her.]

And not at all, I didn't really use that much. It will take more than a few quick dashes and a short flight to wind me now.

[Her hand finds his leg, and she gives his knee a little squeeze before she's curling up beside him. Not comfortable enough that she will not be able to move, of course—the kettle still needs to boil—but enough that she can nuzzle into his neck.]

I still do not know how it happened... or how I was able to turn back.

[A little sigh that ends with a snort.]

I only wish that my "toy form" would be a little easier to manage.

[A low exhale as his arm goes around her and his head rests against hers.]

If it really was due to some toy, might be best if we just stay here for a while until something can be done.

[A quiet laugh.]

Like you said, stay by the fire.

But it is curious that you returned to that form instead of something different.

Perhaps the Rat King is fond of Garuda.

[She pokes him against the arm, her expression quieting.]

You seemed to be yourself. Even more curious that I was turned back so suddenly. The last time, he had to be defeated, did he not?

Perhaps I was missed.

[Hmmm...]

And you're right, he did. I wonder if it is because we're not on that island, his domain, so to speak. The power could be weaker out here.

I did question whether it really was that rat, but if there is some kind of "toy uprising" then he would be the only one behind it.

[She frowns again.]

But why toys? It's not as if they are very useful in fighting in an "uprising". You saw what it did to me. I was about as useful as a... balloon.

Ah, but that's the point.

[He raises a hand as if to punctuate his words.]

If it's to attack us, what better way then to curse as weak toys?

I suppose... It would depend on the purpose of the attack. Though, I did not feel very inclined to fight on his side when I was cursed, so you are probably right.

[It's all just a mess, and Benedikta sighs and lets her head fall to his shoulder, only to click her tongue when she hears the kettle whistling at them to signal that it's finished.]

At any rate, I've no inclination to go out there and fight the Pirat King either.

[She will stay here and drink her tea. Everyone else can figure that shit out for once.]

[A quiet chuckle as he stands to get the kettle and their tea going.]

Me neither. We dealt with him the first time, let some others have a chance at his reckoning.

That is, assuming that he does not turn us again.

[In that case, she might, but only if she were herself and not the teenie tiny Eikon.

But as he stands to walk away, she finally lets herself wince from the aches when he isn't looking, slumping further onto the couch and stretching out to try and twist the pain out of her leg, a hand going up to rest against her pounding head, and he will find her like this, half hanging off the couch, by the time he's finished fetching the tea.]

[He'll make each of their favorites, and although his mood had relaxed somewhat, it tenses again when he sees in that position, his steps faltering before he approaches and sets their mugs down.]

Are you sure you're not hiding anything from me?

[She hears his steps faltering first and knows what it means before he even speaks, and she just peers through her fingers at him. Several beats of silence pass before she breaks it with a sigh.]

As I said, the headaches would come.

[It's not a lie!!

A beckon to him with her other hand.]

Once I have the tea, I will be fine.

[There's clear doubt in his eyes... But he'll hand her the tea.]

Looks worse than just a headache.

As one might expect...

[She accepts the tea with a sigh of relief, and cradles the cup between both of her hands, the warmth in her fingertips already doing wonders to ease that tension slowly riding into every muscle now.]

Becoming a balloon and having one's head expand to that size is... nauseating.

[His eyes soften as he reaches up to gently brush his fingertips over her brows and temple, a light massage as they thread through her hair.]

Well, I suppose it could be worse. Could have been your feet.

[He tries to bring a little to help her feel better.]

[Another sigh, this one soft, as his fingers brush over her brows and hair.]

I do not want to imagine how ridiculous that might have looked.

[She takes that first sip of her tea, and the warmth that follows through her as it goes down is immeasurably soothing, along with his hands.]

... I should have listened to you.

[A small look of surprise.]

For what?

[She can't quite bring herself to meet his eyes and instead, she stares into her cup, watching the steam roll over the tea.]

Earlier. Perhaps a string might not have been such a terrible idea.

[....Ah. There's a slight, rueful laugh at that.]

In fairness, I was joking a bit about it.

[She does lift her eyes to narrow them at him. Playfully.]

I know. But it would have prevented me from floating away like I had.

[ ... A little sip.]

It was a matter of pride.

I know.

[He gently brushes his hand through her hair and around her head again.]

But I also should have done more myself to keep you safer.

[She clicks her tongue at him, and her own hand moves to his cheek.]

I did not want you blaming yourself for it. ... Even if I was cursing at you all the while at the time.

[That last part is added on with a laugh.]

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