✪ Finweald Cozy Night

[Asher]

you are a weapon and weapons. don't. weep

It feels unfair.

The passage of time felt so fast in this moment when, in comparison, those five years between the Titanius battle and the return of the Starcalled had dragged. There had been days, weeks even, when Asher wondered what had happened and lamented the fact that he was adrift here without accurate knowledge of, well, anything.

And now, again, that familiar feeling washes over him. He didn't want tonight to end, he didn't want her to disappear into a world where he could not follow her. He wanted to stay and talk, to learn about her, to listen to all her thoughts and hopes and dreams, and share his own. And it is at this moment that he realizes what he's been missing these past five years: connection.

His smile is tenuous and his nod is a jerky affair that makes his hair flop. He shoves it back, out of his view, before answering her. "I'm not sure where I should even begin to look or when," he tells her with a chuckle, "but I'll do my best. We'll meet again, Rael. Promise."

---

[ @Rael ]​

 

[Rael]

.

They each lingered, hesitated.

Having found something worthwhile, neither of them was willing to let go just yet. As the world would have it, however, she had obligations outside of this world to tend to, especially during the holidays.

How amusing it would be to give him a clue, to tell him where she'd stay, but if she had found him without any of those, then he could. The smile she had worn up until a second ago softly began to simmer down into her neutral expression, her hand raised to wave him goodbye as she retreated a step, then two, and turned to leave.

The pitter-patter of rapid footsteps announced her return, but before he could do anything, she was at his side, tugging at his sleeve and pulling him slightly downwards towards her. She stood on the tip of her toes, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Had to seal the promise somehow, or it won't become true."

Rael gave an apologetic bow of her head as she made to leave again, dodging in between the partygoers.

"I'll be taking my payment now."

Laughter and cheers roared as she held out a hand to a group seated at a table, the very same group that she had first accused of setting the two of them up, and who had expertly dodged the silver-haired bull's attention.

A heavy coin purse fell on her hand, the laughter didn't stop. It wouldn't, not with the deep color that spread all across her face.

"Oh, and the expenses of that table will be all on your tab, gentlemen."

She gestured with her thumb at the table she and Asher had shared, and after pocketing her profits inside her inventory, she was gone.

---

@Asher​