He's prepared to be wholly unenthusiastic about her gift, whatever it may be, but he's unprepared for what it actually is. He goes visibly still, staring at the inside of the box, before carefully lifting it out and holding it up to the light coming from the nearest window.
He says faintly, "When did you--?" Biting his lip, he brings it closer to himself so he can examine the crystals more closely.
"You never mentioned that you found these," he says unsteadily, after a few silent beats.
The shock in his voice seems to indicate she's definitely blown him away with it, at least. For better or for worse. She isn't entirely sure which yet, but the outlook is optimistic.
"I don't know how or why they were there," she continues, "but Hythlodaeus... he had the final crystal. The one that wasn't supposed to exist." Her eyes move up from the ornament to his face as she smiles faintly. "Ever the helpful soul, even as a shade."
The proof of her words lies in that very crystal hanging by his own. Though he touches and cradles them in his hands, he can hear naught of the other's voices. Of course he can't, for they are only plain crystal here with none of the memories imbued into them - a fact which wrenches at his heart.
"...Yes. And now you have the chance to experience his helpfulness in person."
He places the ornament back in its box. He shouldn't be surprised that his final contingency plan had worked. His plans never - rarely - went awry.
"Thank you," he says quietly. "I will treasure it."
"I'm grateful for that, indeed," she says with a grin, moving in to put her arms around him. The thought of telling him what's been on her mind about that continues to eat at her, little by little, but she decides to keep it to herself, at least for now. Indulge while she still can.
"You know, I don't mind if you don't want to do anything for Starlight in the future. I know some people find the gift-giving aspect really frustrating. Just be there with me, okay? That's plenty."
Irhya takes a deep, comforting breath of him. "I like it, though. I think I'll keep trying to surprise you, if that's all right."
"...Well," he says after a moment, draping his own arm loosely around her shoulders, "if you wish to continue your yearly tradition of one-sided generosity then do not let me stop you."
He still has her previous Starlight gift, does he not?
"If my company is all you desire then I can easily satisfy that in exchange for whatever you may give," he continues, finally meeting her eyes. He brushes back some of her fringe, gives one ear a light flick, and then adds more softly, "I'm sorry."
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omnicrafter) wrote2020-11-10 05:45 am
no subject
He says faintly, "When did you--?" Biting his lip, he brings it closer to himself so he can examine the crystals more closely.
"You never mentioned that you found these," he says unsteadily, after a few silent beats.
no subject
The shock in his voice seems to indicate she's definitely blown him away with it, at least. For better or for worse. She isn't entirely sure which yet, but the outlook is optimistic.
"I don't know how or why they were there," she continues, "but Hythlodaeus... he had the final crystal. The one that wasn't supposed to exist." Her eyes move up from the ornament to his face as she smiles faintly. "Ever the helpful soul, even as a shade."
no subject
"...Yes. And now you have the chance to experience his helpfulness in person."
He places the ornament back in its box. He shouldn't be surprised that his final contingency plan had worked. His plans never - rarely - went awry.
"Thank you," he says quietly. "I will treasure it."
no subject
"You know, I don't mind if you don't want to do anything for Starlight in the future. I know some people find the gift-giving aspect really frustrating. Just be there with me, okay? That's plenty."
Irhya takes a deep, comforting breath of him. "I like it, though. I think I'll keep trying to surprise you, if that's all right."
no subject
He still has her previous Starlight gift, does he not?
"If my company is all you desire then I can easily satisfy that in exchange for whatever you may give," he continues, finally meeting her eyes. He brushes back some of her fringe, gives one ear a light flick, and then adds more softly, "I'm sorry."