He was hesitating. Kire could see as much, and she swallowed, already preparing herself for what seemed like an inevitable rejection. She already had some excuse in mind, ready to assure him she had no hard feelings for what he was about to say, when he leaned towards her and kissed her. She closed her eyes and returned the kiss, leaning into him partly, the scent of cinnamon filling her mind even as he broke the kiss. When she saw him tug at the blanket, Kire unfastened her robe and pulled it from herself, letting it drop to the floor before climbing in.

Kire slept deeply afterward, though she was right about her body feeling sore from destroying the gate, and now from her night with Ruli, too. She was, as usual, slow to wake. She hadn’t known what, exactly, to expect with him, beside the general hope that it would at least be somewhat enjoyable. But that… “…wow,” she whispered, still facing her side of the bed, feeling a slight chill on her naked shoulders, the blanket only covering half her body.

--

Ed had stayed up well into the night, having a long conversation with Elva. He told her about Aera, the elves of Lithilote, what it had felt like when they first got stranded, what he had to do to cope. She in turn told him about how they had found out about their brother dying, the hellish months when Kire and her forces had tried to keep afloat as the empire dissolved into warring factions. They lapsed into silence at some point before reminiscing bittersweet memories of Earnest. When it seemed that both of them couldn’t stay awake any longer, the siblings put off the rest of their catching up for the night. Ed was directed to his chambers, where he had been told that the rest of their company was staying nearby. Briefly, he looked to the door that was presumably Ysaryn’s, hesitating. Figuring, however, that he was too tired, and that she might be needing rest as well, he went into his own chambers instead.

He rose early, however, as he was wont to do. Outside, last night’s weather blanketed the mountainside with glittering snow. Remembering that Ysaryn had wanted to go out and see snow, Ed left his chambers, returning not long later with a coat, and another smaller one slung over his arm. He knocked softly on Ysaryn’s door.

Ysaryn had slept like a corpse, tucked deep beneath the blankets and curled on her side like an animal in a burrow. A blissful, dreamless sleep that made her feel rested in the morning when she felt the temperature change with the dawn. Still, she groaned and did little more than wiggle beneath the blankets, unwilling to rise.
Until she heard the knock on her door.

Tossing the blanket back, she hissed at the sudden chill that met her skin before she scrambled out of the bed and rushed to the door. She met Ed with a pillow-imprinted face, blurry eyes, and wrinkled sleeping clothes. Not a dress, as Kire had found, but a set of trousers and a preciously warm long sleeved thing. While she hadn't been down to the springs, she'd cleaned herself, her skin absent of any of the odor and from from yesterday.
It took Ysaryn a moment of puzzled, half-asleep staring before she inhaled sharply. "Snow?" She asked at once, turning inside to grab her boots to shove her feet inside them. "We will go?" She asked, her feet thudding across the wooden floor as she rushed back and moved into the hallway with him, starting along the corridor. "I slept so well in the bed here. It would be terrible to live here. I would sleep all day!" She laughed merrily, rubbing the sleep from her face.

~

Ruli's eyes snapped open at the sound of voices in the hall. He was sprawled on his back, one arm tucked beneath the pillow, the other across his bare chest. As he listened to the voices fade, he wondered, only for a moment, why he'd removed his shirt when he remembered.
Everything.
In every satisfying detail.

Not daring to move just yet, he stared at the ceiling, mind surfing through the memories. The sound of her voice, the warmth of her skin, the dig of her fingers into his flesh. The apprehension, too. He recalled the look she'd made when she lay unclothed beside him, her scars on display. Vicious scars, too, that had no doubt been near-deadly in receiving.
He was sure his own face had been the same, the hesitation in knowing his own were on display. The crosshatch of raised lines across his front and back from his years beneath the whip, the hundreds of pale lines across his dark flesh from injuries sustained in fights or torture, the burn scar that tore across his left collar.
He hadn't cared about her. She hadn't cared about his. The night had still been...

Slowly, Ruli turned his head to peer at her. She'd slept with her back to him, the three lines of vicious scars tracing along her back and disappearing into the blankets that covered her. She breathed slow and even, her body limp and relaxed in the soft bed. Still sound asleep.
Carefully, Ruli turned to sit up, setting his feet down on the floor. The chilly air crept over his bare legs and torso. He bent to gather the discarded clothing and tugged them on quickly for warmth, rising to his feet once he was dressed.

It was then that he heard her speak, and Ruli froze, turning to glance at her from where he stood. Hair a mess, as usual, feet bare, but the rest of him clothed. He'd been about to grab his boots, to slip out of the room and find the others, and now felt guilty about the intention of wanting to sneak out. That word she muttered shocked him with hesitation.
"Morning." Ruli greeted awkwardly.

Ed stifled a chuckle when Ysaryn answered the door, clearly having just woken from such a deep sleep. When she finally snapped awake and realized what he was there for, he laughed softly, quite amused by her. Definitely not like Kire there. He watched, grinning, as she put on her boots, and before he could ignore the thought, he’d decided she looked adorable. “Yes, snow,” he called after her, chuckling. “And I understand. I was tempted to laze about, myself, but sadly habit’s made me an early riser.” He unfolded the thick coat he had brought along with him and draped it over her shoulders. “You’ll need that.”

He led her downstairs, where the servants were preparing breakfast and getting the manor ready for the new day, giving respectful nods towards the lord before continuing their work. Once they had reached the great hall they had arrived in last night, he turned right, going through the foyer until finally they reached the entrance. The moment the doors were opened for them, a chilly morning breeze blew in, along with a few snowflakes. Ed stepped outside, glad for the coat he had on, having been unused to Elva’s home for a long time. The manor was nestled against the mountainside, and spread out below them was a large town similarly situated against the slopes. Smoke rose from the chimneys of the homes below, and the early risers were already at work, trudging through the snow. Children swaddled in thick clothes were running about as well, playing with the snow and laughing.

Around them, they could see the snow-capped mountains, the newly risen sun peeking from between the peaks. Ed’s breath rose in steam in the cold air, his face already red from exposure to the chill. “What do you think?” he asked her.

--

Kire turned abruptly when she heard his voice. Her blush colored her cheeks as she realized she was still naked in his bed, and she sat up, hugging her blanketed knees to partly cover herself. She looked him over, and it took a couple of moments to realize he had just been about to leave. She stared at him in silence for a spell before she spoke. “Morning. So. That bad, huh?” she said, though she cracked a smirk after that, betraying the joke. She rose, resisting the urge to wrap the blankets around herself and focused on putting on the shift she had worn last night as quickly as possible. After she wrapped the robe around herself, she looked at him, her mind trying to sort out what to say next. “Breakfast,” she blurted out, “I’ll, uh, just pop back into my room and wear something more presentable. I’ll see you downstairs.”

She turned away and had to consciously walk like she wasn’t in a hurry to get out, particularly concerned with being seen either Ysaryn or Ed outside. In her room, she dug through the wardrobe and found travelling clothes, dressing slower than she had done back at Ruli’s room, buckling her sword around her waist before stepping back outside.

Downstairs, she could smell both coffee and hot chocolate, and a little more of the cinnamon and nutmeg from last night. The smell made her blush again. Gods, will my face just be red the whole day?
“Well, good morning!” she heard Elva’s cheery greeting as the Lady of the north climbed downstairs. “I honestly expected you much later than this. Jan will be down soon.” She stopped, curious, noticing Kire’s face. “Are you alright, dear?”
“Hangover,” Kire said quickly. “Just need to shove some food in my mouth.”
“Mmhmm. Well. You do have a rather unhealthy relationship with that mulled wine,” Elva said, winking, before going into the kitchens. “Breakfast will be done soon, so best gather everyone into the dining hall.”

Ysaryn grinned as he pulled the coat over her shoulders. Tugging her arms through, she sniffed it, feeling the faint scent of him through the fabric, telling her it hadn't been worn in a while. Naturally, she recalled, as he'd been in her own world for nearly a year.
"My thanks." She said, nearly skipping along the hall, slowing only when the first of the servants appeared and glanced their way. Cautious, she watched them, quite unused to the idea of servants, and having people around that saw all but spoke little made her uneasy.

When the doors were opened, Ysaryn inhaled sharply as the cold met her, her eyes narrowing against the blinding light of the terrain. Her pause lasted only for a few seconds, she adjusted her eyes and rushed forward across the entryway, down the steps into the snow, where she promptly stopped. Bending, she looked down at her feet as her leather boots disappeared into the freezing snow. "Holy Gods, that is cold." She voiced, dropping into a crouch. She ran her hands along the soft surface, bending her fingers to gather a handful. Turning her hand over, she watched it melt across her warm hand.

Rising again, she gazed over the town, the children, the smoke snakes that wandered upward. And the smell! Ysaryn inhaled deeply, her nose tickled by pine, smoke, and spices. "I think its beautiful." She admitted as she exhaled, her words leaving in a cloud of mist. "I can see why your sister lives here. And the snow! I imagine it is difficult to fight in. Cold like this would wear a warrior down."

~

She turned around so quickly, and Ruli wondered if she'd forgotten that he was here. Or, more likely, she'd assumed he'd still be asleep. But when she turned around, the angle of her head, for a moment, a terrifying, split second, it wasn't her face that he saw. Ruli inhaled, staring at her, feeling cold again.
"Uh. What? I mean, no. Its just, I wasn't sure you'd..." He raised his hand to brush his fingers through his wild hair, glad that she seemed to have a reason to speak. "Yeah. Breakfast. I was... yeah." Ruli swallowed, turning away as she dressed to offer her privacy. He wasn't sure how she'd feel about him now. If she'd regret it after all, if she'd be open and unashamed. It appeared the latter, at least, was untrue, as she bashfully dressed in a hurry, he gathered by the quick sound of her movements.
"Yeah. Sure. I-I'll meet you there." Ruli said, turning enough to watch her rush out.

How terribly awkward.

Slowly, Ruli sat himself down on the edge of his bed again, resting his elbows on his thighs. The night hadn't been bad. Not in the slightest. There was much of it that he quite enjoyed. But the panic in seeing Akuma's face, if only for a moment, and the rush she'd tried to hide in getting out.
Not that he'd been any better, trying to sneak out before she woke. He couldn't help but wonder if she regretted her choice, afterall.

It was a way to vent energy. She'd said so, herself. A way to cope with all that happened, to spend herself in order to sleep. He was a workout. That was all. Ruli sighed. Now that they were awake, their energy spent and rest obtained, maybe it would be nothing. A workout. That's all.

Slowly, he rose once more and wandered out of the room, making his way downstairs. Kire wasn't around yet, but Ruli heard Ysaryn's voice and wandered toward the source. A servant opened the door for him, and Ruli awkwardly thanked him before he slipped out. "Fuck." He instantly swore, tucking his arms around himself.
Ysaryn, with Ed nearby, looked up from the snowy lawn, grinning wildly. Her face was a lovely shade of purple, while Ed's was red, the chill and wind colouring them vividly. "Morning!" Ysaryn greeted.
"How are you standing in it?" Ruli asked, shivering in front of the door. Then he shook his head. "Forget this, I'm going in. Don't be out he-"
He was cut off by the burst of snow that smacked against his shoulder, chunks landing in his hair and falling down the collar of his thick shirt. Ysaryn's gleeful cackling met his ear, and he turned long enough to shoot her a glare before he slipped inside.

"That was even better." Ysaryn sang as she bent to scoop up more snow in her hands. "I like this. Snow is wonderful."

Ed watched her reaction to the snow and a warmth spread inside him, pleased that she liked it. “We don’t always like it, and I’m sure there’s much about it that annoys Elva as someone who has to be around this more often. But yes, the North holds its charm for us,” he admitted. He gestured at the mountains. “The cold and the mountain range provide excellent natural defenses, yes.” Always thinking of the battle ahead, this one. But then again, he wasn’t much better. He watched her bend and touch the snow on the ground, and he admired the way the morning light shone on her hair, the glow in her eyes.

Both of them turned when Ruli joined them not long after, and it was clear he wasn’t as delighted by the snow as Ysaryn was. “Morning,” he greeted anyway, though his eyebrows rose when Ysaryn threw a snowball at Ruli. Chuckling, he ran his hand through his hair. There was something about her curiosity and eagerness that was invigorating. “I’m glad you do. Though be careful; the cold could sneak up on you after a while. Best ask for gloves if you’re going to play longer outside. You might get frostbite.”

Kire had made her way to the great hall by then just as Ruli had gone back inside. She stopped short on her tracks, a little wide-eyed. “Um. Dining hall. There’ll be food soon. I’m sure you must be hungry.” She colored at that, though the blush hadn’t really left her cheeks since this morning. You made a promise. “Are they outside?” she asked. From the laughter she heard, it seemed they were, and having a good time. Or Ysaryn was, anyway. “I’ll just call them in. I’ll be back.” When she turned away she cringed at her own awkwardness, though she had to rearrange her expression once she was outside.

She hissed, having forgotten her coat. “Morning you two,” she greeted, pausing to look at the view. Cold as it was, she did like what she saw. One of the few things she did enjoy about the North. She turned to Ysaryn, smiling. “Ah. I see you’ve discovered snowballs.”
“She’s a fast study,” Ed remarked, grinning. “You alright? You must be really cold.”
“Uh. Yeah. Anyway, there’ll be breakfast soon for everyone,” Kire said, gesturing with her thumb behind her before stepping back inside.

By the time they reached the dining hall, someone was already seated beside Elva. Another woman, her raven hair loose around her shoulders, was speaking softly to her cousin, her emerald eyes alert as she saw the group walk in, her expression stern out of habit. “Good morning, Jan,” Kire said.
“Morning,” Janes replied, rising from her seat. “You’re back,” she said simply to Ed, though there was a soft smile on her lips.
“Indeed,” Ed replied, stepping towards her to give her a hug. The two spoke in Taakalon for a few moments to each other before Jan pulled away.
“Breakfast first. And,” she turned to the other two. “You must be Ruli and Ysaryn. Kire’s talked a lot about you two these past three months.”
“Yeah,” Kire said, glancing at them. “Uh. So. This is Janes, another Wyvern cousin. She and Ed are my two naggers while I’m on the throne.”
“Please,” Jan said, raising an eyebrow, “throne or no throne, we will still nag you. Unless this one wants to retire,” she said, gesturing at Ed, who shook his head.
“Telling the Empress what to do is one of life’s little pleasures,” he put in with a playful nudge at Kire. “Now come on, I’m starving.”

With Elva and Jan already having their seats, and Ed and Ysaryn finding their places, Kire sat beside Ruli, trying to both not look at him too much and not avoid his gaze, either. Turning her attention to the food, she piled cured meat, cheese, and bread on her own plate, realizing she, too, was starving from the long night they had.
“Elva filled me in on what you two talked about,” Jan said to Ed, before turning her attention to Kire, who was chewing her food with concentration. “How are you feeling after the gate? That must have been painful.”
“Yeah, it was a right bitch, that was,” Kire answered honestly. “To think that wasn’t a big gate. I’m just glad our whole crazy plan worked.” She looked down at her finger and saw that the burn mark had partially healed. “Half the work was done by Ruli,” she added. “He knows a lot of magic. He’s really good.” Without meaning to, she smirked at that last statement, and when she realized it she bent over her food again.

Ysaryn glanced sharply down at her hands, one of them holding another clump of snow, frowning at her cold fingers. "Fraust bite?" She repeated, suddenly stepped to the side and peering down, as if to hunt for something lurking beneath her feet. Frowning, she flexed her fingers, realziing that they did ache a good deal from the cold, as did her toes in her boots. The leather was too thin, with no insulation, made to move easily and breathe.

When she heard Kire's voice, Ysaryn looked up and grinned. "Yes!" She proclaimed, flexing her arm to give the snowball a little toss. Until it landed in her palm and crumpled. "Fuck little bugger." She swore at it, bending down to gather more, squashing it in her palms to pack it. Until Kire mentioned breakfast, and Ysaryn promptly abandoned the snow and hopped across the lawn, wiping her hands on her borrowed coat as they stepped inside.

Once inside, she stomped her feet to shake off the clinging snow, glancing up to Ruli with a wicked grin. "I don't see why you dislike it so much." She admitted, stepping up beside him.
"I don't like the cold." He answered, taking a step toward Kire and Ed to follow them to the hall. Ysaryn's sudden alertness caught his eye, and she was staring at him, her nostrils flared, her head tilted ever so slightly to the side. Shit, we smell like one another. Even without the not-so-subtle glance toward Kire, Ruli knew she knew, right then. "Please, don't."
She only laughed, a deep, teasing lilt he'd only heard now and then. "Oh. Later, then."
"No."
"Oh, yes." She cackled, moving away to walk beside Ed.
His face warm, Ruli followed, bringing up the rear, his eyes on the back of Kire's head.

Ysaryn stopped in her tracks upon entering the dining hall, her eyes scanning the room and the dark haired woman with caution. Ruli, likewise, lingered back to allow the family to reunite and speak a moment. He tried not to notice the smug look on Ysaryn's face, wishing very much he could shove her into some closet. Or himself into one.
When Janes turned their attention to them, Ruli lowered his head in a nod, while Ysaryn straightened, drawing herself taller. "Another Wyvern! Pleasure met, Janes." She greeted easily, stepping forward to claim a seat beside Ed at the edge of the group. Ruli suspected she had done it intentionally, not only to enjoy Ed's company, but to force himself and Kire to sit together. Her lingering stare as he sat himself across from Ed, the smirk on her lips, confirmed it.
Bloody elf, he stewed.

While Kire piled her food high with her meal, Ruli pulled small amounts on his own, uncomfortable. The expensive setting, the rich food, the noble family. He made himself eat, though, picking at his eggs, vegetables, and meat. Kire still wouldn't look at him, not that he went out of his way to look at her. Insecurity settled in, and he found himself wondering if her joke about it being bad was because he actually was. What sort of high standards did an empress have? A paladin?

She had promised not to avoid him, not to regret this, but he wasn't sure such a promise would be upheld. Hard as it was, he tried not to be disappointed by such a thing. What was he losing, really? Someone to talk to? Someone to fight beside?
Someone who bore the face of his nightmare.
Ruli pushed a potato around on his plate, a heavy ache rolling across his chest at such a reminder. The moment this morning when he saw her, and not Kire.

Ysaryn sudden cackle drew him from his thoughts, and he looked up to find her staring at him. "I'm sorry?" He asked, glancing around the table.

Kire glanced up suddenly when Ysaryn cackled, followed by Ruli’s voice. She looked at the elf, and the look on her face made her wide-eyed again. She knows. “I…” The cousins were looking at her now, wondering at her flustered expression. She looked at him this time and cleared her throat. “I—I just said you helped me with the gate, and you were really good with your magic,” she said, trying to read his face. He had been about to sneak out earlier. And he was withdrawn as they ate. Did I ruin it? she wondered. Did he not like it? The thought was like a splash of cold water on her. He didn’t enjoy it.
“Kire, dear,” Elva said gently, “are you sure you’re alright? Oh,” she clicked her tongue, “I should’ve looked you over before you went to bed last night.”
“No! No. I’m fine. I’m great, actually,” Kire stressed, putting on a a smile to reassure her. Jan narrowed her eyes, while Ed looked from his cousin to Ruli to Ysaryn, who clearly had a very good time watching them. Curious. Kire picked at her food then. “I probably should bring these two back to theirs. Have to make sure Zeke and Narda are alright, too,” she said. “So if you’re giving her a proper look at Amria, Ed, you’ll probably have to save that another time.”
“I’ll count on that,” Ed said, glancing at the elf beside him. “We’ve only just begun the tour.”
“Right. So. After we eat, we can go back,” Kire said, sighing. The other Wyverns looked at each other. Something was definitely up with Kire. Ed had a suspicion, given Ysaryn and Ruli’s behavior, though the other two women hadn’t known Ruli long enough to know whether his attitude was normal or not. They all seemed to be in a good mood last night, as far as Ed had seen, so whatever this was had transpired in the night.
Jan looked at Kire, then a memory made her behavior click. When Kire looked at her, Jan’s lips were parted, as if raring to say something. “Not now,” Kire said, a look of panic in her eyes. “Later. I promise. Later,” she stressed, looking at both Elva and Ed. Kire shoveled her breakfast down as fast as she could now, washing it down with some hot chocolate. Any other day, she would have enjoyed the breakfast. If it wasn’t so gods-be-damned awkward, we would both be enjoying breakfast.

“Alright, breakfast over,” she finally declared, standing up from her seat. She bent to kiss Jan on the cheek, and Elva too, who pulled her into a hug. Ed stood up, and Kire gave him a hug, too. “Welcome home,” she said, patting his back.
Ed grinned. “It’s good to be home,” he said. “Now don’t be too long away.” He turned to Ysaryn and grinned at her, bowing his head politely. “That goes for you too.” His gaze went to Ruli. “You take care now,” he said. “And give my regards to Envy.”

They stepped back to the Great Hall so Kire could give them all a few moments for breakfast to settle. “I’ll take us back to the Lithilote borders,” she said, taking Ysaryn’s hand. She took Ruli’s and almost expected him to pull away. The touch of his hand made her remember where his fingers had been last night, and she blushed all over again. “Deep breath. This’ll be faster than the gate, at least.”

As she had said, they stepped out into the edge of the Raielwen territory. Perhaps because of the residual gate energy, it was a lot more instantaneous than her previous portals. Thankful that she didn’t feel nauseous after that one, Kire looked to the other two to see if they managed just as well, then realized she was still holding onto Ruli’s hand.

When Kire looked up, Ysaryn flashed her predatory smile, her expression offering no doubt that, yes, she knew. Could smell each of their scents on the other, the lingering scent of desire mingling. Honestly, Ysaryn glad she'd slept so deeply. Sharing a wall with that otherwise would have kept her awake.
"Oh." Ruli said, clearing his throat and sitting more upright. "Yeah. You're welcome. Still glad I didn't kill you." He offered. Jabbing at a bit of his sausage, he put it between his teeth and chewed as Elva questioned Kire. She sounded so ... different. Uncomfortable. He stole glances at the three cousins. Kire had said she had done this once and regretted it, if any of them seemed to catch on based on her behavior, he'd know.
Why did his chest ache so badly?

Still grinning wickedly, Ysaryn craned her head toward Ed with a low chuckle. "Yes, yes, we are off to hunt down you pirate friend and the bitey one. Let's hope they have not also picked up my language, or we won't be able to gossip about them within range!" She straightened and leaned her elbows on the table. "For instance, do you think Narda and Zeck have bedded one another?"
"Stop it." Ruli warned, and Ysaryn rolled her head back again in a laugh.

When Kire all but shrieked at Janes, even Ruli glanced her way before he risked a glance to Janes. The ache snapped back like a punch as he realized that Janes figured it out. Aligned Kire's behavior with something else. Which meant something had gone wrong last night. What are you really losing? He asked himself again as he finished his plate almost robotically. She's little reason to return, now. You'll just be another story for the next time she wanders into some man's bedroom in the dead of night.
That though certainly didn't help in the slightest.

Finally, breakfast was done, and he rose quickly. Ysaryn was much slowly, unfolding herself from the chair with her eyes on Ruli. A feline deciding when to pounce on the cornered mouse. It was only when Ed spoke to her that she twisted towards him, bending at the waist in her own polite bow, as she'd seen the Raielwen elves do out of respect. "Just try to keep me away." She purred at him. "Tell Maika I am returning the blade another time. I like it. Oh, its still upstairs. One moment!" She called as she quickly darted out of the room.
"I-" Ruli said, glancing to Ed. "I promise, I will, but I need to watch her, she might come down with half the manor in her pockets."

They were gone a matter of seconds, each likely taking their own method of travel, before they were in the hall again. Each had their weapons on their belts, and Ruli had his crumbled up and soiled clothing back on, the clothing he'd borrowed from the wardrobe set across a chair upstairs. Ysaryn raised an eyebrow at him, then leaned around to grin at Ed. "I keep, too." She said, tugging at the fastenings of the coat she wore.

It was still quite uncomfortable, but far less than the gate the day before. Ysaryn and Ruli both tensed when they arrived in the forest, each wondering if they'd keep their breakfast down. Ysaryn released Kire's hand and paced in a small circle, her hands on his hips, though she was instantly distracted by the still-clasped hands between Ruli and Kire.
"Oh-oh-oh." She chuckled, and Ruli, finally noticing, as well, gently released Kire's hand.
"Don't." He said, his tone firm. Despite the clear temptation on her face, she obeyed, turning in circles again in search.

"We do not have to go there, do we?" She asked aloud, facing the direction of the elven court.
"We could look at the thicket." Ruli offered. "Split up, maybe. They won't allow me in, so, I'll go into the woods."
"So they are shooting me?" Ysaryn snapped incredulously. "No. We go together. You stand before me."
He sighed, keeping his nerves in check. "I'm not going back in the cage. I'm not crossing their border."
"Then we all go to thicket. Yes? Kirai?" Ysaryn rounded on Kire. Then her eyes narrowed. "Are you doing to yell at me, too, for saying what a pretty rose is you face?" She wiggled her dark fingers over her cheeks.
"Do you smell that?" Ruli interrupted.
"Oh, I smell much o-"
"Not that. Focus." Ruli snapped, turning his head.
Pausing in her teasing, Ysaryn straightened, turning her face in the same direction as Ruli. "Burn." She said decidedly. "Burn and ... Gem-en-ai. They scent. From Cordon."
Ruli turned to glance warily at Kire, fear crossing his face, before he started for the source, following Ysaryn's more perceptive nose.

It was nothing more than the burnt corpse of one of the wolves. Ruli exhaled audibly, crossing his arms. Ysaryn circled it, studying it carefully. "Axe." She said, pointing. "Narda claims this kill. See vine?" She pointed before twitching her shoulders in order to shrug out of the jacket. It was far warmer here than in the Amrian mountains.
"Its tied. They dragged it." Ruli glanced over the wolf, back towards the Lithilote border. "Fuck me, we have to go in there." He grumbled, ignoring Ysaryn's low cackle again.
"No." She said again, pointing once more to a spot behind Kire. "Giantess very easy to spot, yes?"

"You're back!" Zeke called, hurrying his pace as they neared the trio. "And alive!" He walked beside Narda, who outpaced him the moment she stopped slowing her gait for his benefit. Each was clean rested, announcing that they had, indeed, gone to the Raielwen at some point. Each carried a hare on their belt, their weapons drawn, though clean and unused.

Kire felt him release her hand at Ysaryn’s teasing, though she was thankful that he didn’t at least do so with revulsion. She listened to the two of them argue about where to go next, and when their tempers rose she was about to step in when Ysaryn addressed her. “Thicket first—” Kire began, then her eyebrows rose when Ysaryn teased her rosy cheeks. She pouted at the elf, trying to wave her fingers away, when Ruli interrupted. The two of them had keener senses, so Kire waited to see what they smelled. Gemini. She saw the look of fear cross Ruli’s face, and Kire frowned, her hand on her sword as Ysaryn led the way.

The sight of the burnt wolf, and the vine tied around it, was a relief. She had no doubt Narda killed the wolf, and Kire guessed they had dragged the corpse to Lithilote to show the elves what kind of threat this thicket was. She arched a brow at Ysaryn’s cackling, then turned when she pointed behind her.

“Ahh, and the Wyvernling returns!” Narda called, hurrying towards them. “And here we were getting ready for breakfast.”
“Hey Nard,” Kire said, grinning honestly, “and Zeke. I’m glad you both are in one piece.”
“Hah! But I bet we missed out on a lot, didn’t we?” Narda said, thumping Kire on the back. “And I see you found our little trophy there.” She snorted. “The Raielwen are deciding on how best to deal with this evil wood. I trust Ed has returned home, and that you’ve dealt with the gate?”
“Yes,” Kire replied, “and ‘dealt with the gate’ is an understatement, but dealt with it we have.”
“Mm.” Narda looked at Ysaryn, seeing the coat and the sword she was carrying. “If I had to hazard a guess, you’ve been to the North, and you’ve met the crew of the Wench.” The giantess grinned. “Now that everyone’s here, I suppose we must let Aera and our hosts know that we’re about to take leave of them now.”

Kire let them lead the way, glad that Narda and Zeke were perfectly fine while they were gone. She glanced at Ruli, lips pursed. “Could we talk later, after?” she murmured, her ears going hot.
“Hmm?” Narda remarked. “What’s this then?”
“Magic stuff. Gate things. You wouldn’t understand,” Kire replied quickly.

As they approached, Ruli kept still, watching as Kire and Narda embraced. He glanced toward Zeke, who simply nodded. At least he didn't threaten Ruki's safety should he attempt an embrace of his own.
Ysaryn, likewise, studied the reunion, and her expression lit up at once when Narda mentioned the crew. "Yes!" She said, her hands bunching around her face. Stepping nearer to the giantess, she rambled off quickly in elvish, her excitement radiating off of her. She gestured to the blade, the coat, her fingers, and laughed. "I will enjoy to see them again! Maika is a delight!"

Ruli, his feet planted in the ground to silently reiterate that he would not be crossing the border, looked to Kire as she addressed him. He should have known that was coming. "Yeah." He said, before taking a few steps from the burnt carcass. He was prepared to watch them make their way, until he realized that Ysaryn remained behind.
"I don't want to be threatened, either." she insisted with an indifferent shrug. "We wait here!" She informed the others with a wave.

"I feel I am to be envious, hm?" She said once the others were out of earshot, speaking the common tongue to prevent the sentries from the sentries. "I made offers for weeks. And in one night, you are in her bed?"
"Don't be envious." Ruli sighed, making his way to a nearby tree to sit against. "And she came to mine."
"Oh?" Ysaryn asked, interested in this. "You are too good for a chieftess but not for one with no seat?"
"Ysaryn." Ruli pinched the bridge of his nose. "It wasn't... it's not...." he sighed. "She needed to blow off steam. I was just the candidate she chose."
The elf turned to study him curiously, noticing his expression. "You are unhappy?"
"I'm ... don't know."
"But she could have more steam to blow. Is this what you want?" Ruli was quiet, and Ysaryn waited for a time before she turned back to face the border. "Nothing wrong with wanting her, you know. Or that she want you."

Kire looked behind her at Ruli and Ysaryn, and she wondered if the elf was only pretending just so she could talk to Ruli and tease him some more. And Ruli, what would he say about her in her absence? She faced forward instead, sighing. Gods, when was the last time she had been this nervous?
Narda looked down at her and shook her head. “You are a million miles away, little Wyvernling. What’s wrong?”
“Uh. Nothing big,” Kire replied, waving it off. “So, how have the two of you been faring while we were gone?”
“Not too badly, the second time around, especially since we mild-mannered ones were left behind, eh, Zeke?” Narda responded with a chuckle.
Kire shook her head at that, though she kept her objections to the statement to herself. “But why are you out here? Didn’t they give you lodging?”
“They offered, but we do miss meat, hence the hunt today. It wasn’t because they wanted to starve us, mind.”
“Ahh. Makes sense.”

Kire fell silent as they walked back to Lithilote. “Tell us about the gate, woman!” Narda needled, clicking her tongue.
“Oh! Sorry. I should probably start with what happened when we got separated.” Kire rubbed her nape, then did her best to retell their side of yesterday: how she emerged from the gate separated from the others. How Ed and Ysaryn were found, and then later, how the crew of the Wench stumbled upon Ruli. Her jaw clenched at the memory of the parlay with the Gemini emissaries, and she recounted how she and Ruli worked to tear apart the gate. And when that was done… Kire paused her retelling right where they had gone back to Elva’s manor in the North. “Your turn,” Kire said afterward, looking at them. “Did you have to fight your way through the thicket again?”

Kire listened, determined to distract herself from her thoughts, falling silent afterward. Narda looked down at her old friend, frowning. When Kire noticed the look on the giantess’s face, she sighed. “Narda,” Kire began, hesitating. “When you and Ed…the day after. Was it awkward? Did it feel like you had destroyed your friendship?”
Narda’s brows rose in surprise. Now that she hadn’t expected. She glanced at Zeke momentarily. “For a while. We had known each other a while already by then, and it took a while to navigate that new terrain. But once we were clear on what we wanted from each other, as bedmates and as friends, things went easier. But, Wyvernling,” the giantess’s tone was gentle, “this sounds like a conversation that needs a drink. And a more appropriate venue. And if I am to offer you advice, I would perhaps needs better details on your end, no?”
“Yeah.” Kire sighed.

Zeke chuckled. "It does help when the fanged ones aren't present. This should be a breeze." He answered the giantess as they walked along. With Ysaryn and Ruli both remaining out of the territory, perhaps they wouldn't be met with any resistance and trouble.

When the two fell into a discussion, Zeke instincively fell back, offering them the courtesy of privacy, despite the fact that he couldn't understand a damn word. He didn't want tp pry, even if the look on the blonde's face worried him.
"Your Ring, though." Zeke pointed out suddenly, once it seemed they'd concluded their discussion. "Might want to slip that off and hand it to your friend, or you'll be made to wear the things."

Their venture through the elven woods left them unbothered. Perhaps they were on orders to allow the two to pass, and Kire's sudden appearance hadn't exactly registered as a threat. It was clear they were being watched, regardless, as when they reached the marble court, Aera was waiting. She wore robes of deep purple, her hair swept up again to reveal her ears and the mismatched earrings she wore.
"Welcome back, Empress." She greeted. It was clear she was tired, the inconstant schedule she was keeping in order to offer her assistance wearing on her. "Your disappearance has caused a bit of concern. Shall I assume the rest are well?"
As it was confirmed, the elf nodded. "I am glad to hear that Edward and his soldiers arrived home in one piece." She offered Kire a soft smile. "I am sure your colleagues have informed you already of our agreement in destroying the tainted woods? We were going to wait another two nights to ensure your safe return, but now there is little need to wait. We will head out later tonight to burn it."

Another faintly amused glance to Narda and Zeke, and the game on their persons. "You are of course invited to reside here, but Narda and Zekiel have requested tent structures to be loaned, if you prefer to wait beyond our borders. I would hazard a guess that you would, in order to not leave your other two companions unsupervised. If that is the case, those supplies will be ready shortly."

Kire looked at Zeke when he reminded her about her Ring and nodded, slipping it off and handing it to Narda. When the giantess took it, she noticed her ring finger and frowned. “What happened there?”
“The cost of the gate,” Kire said with a shrug. “It doesn’t hurt anymore, at least.”
Narda shook her head. Magic always had a cost. She almost expect the Ring to suddenly feel white-hot against her palm, but no such thing happened.

Kire had half-expected them to be accosted by yet another taciturn elf guide, but seeing how Narda and Zeke were unconcerned as they strode into Raielwen territory, she relaxed, if only a little. Once they had reached the marble court, Aera was there to greet them, looking a little worn. Doubtless, because of them. Kire inclined her head respectfully at the princess. She put on a smile and gave a brief account of Ed and the soldiers’ well being, as well as letting them know everybody in their party was well and accounted for. “Good to know. The sooner those woods are destroyed the better, even if the immediate threat has been somewhat contained.”
“I shall be glad to watch it burn,” Narda said with a huff.

When Aera asked if they preferred to stay at the borders, Kire nodded, a little somber, remembering that she and Ruli had a discussion to finish, too. “Yes, please. That would be best.”
“Besides, we still have to cook these,” Narda put in with a chuckle, gesturing at the game they had caught. “You should come with us one of these days, Zeke. A proper hunt. We’ll catch more than hare.”

It didn’t take long for the elves to ready the supplies and bring them out for them. On the way back outside, Narda talked to Zeke about hunting grounds in Amria, whereas Kire was quiet, piecing together what she would say to Ruli later. What do I want out of this? she thought, Narda’s advice in mind. The way he was acting, it didn’t really convince her that he wanted anything more. Or was that just awkwardness? Was he like that with anybody else he had bedded? Should she ask?

“Here we are,” Narda declared upon their return to the other two, immediately starting on setting up. “Not as lavish as Elva’s manor, but you’d prefer this to a cell or to restraints, I wager,” she said with a chuckle. Kire managed to chuckle along with her at the remark before turning to help her set up. She made no comment at the fact that she had expected smaller, individual tents, but she supposed they couldn’t be choosy about a temporary arrangement. “So, Wyvernling, what’s the plan after this? Presuming the destruction of the thicket goes smoothly.”
Kire snorted at that, not quite believing her luck at such things, but after the days they’d had, she hoped Narda’s presumption was correct. “We’ll go back to Envy and let him know we’re alive, for one. Depending on how it goes later, rest for the night. And then we go home.” She looked at Ysaryn. “It might be a while before the battle begins. Though Ed and the girls will miss you,” she said with a smirk.

The tent was large, almost as large as one of the tents they had just used yesterday. “They’re not the camping sort, are they?” Kire commented, a little amused.
“I won’t complain, if their idea of camping means sending along luxuries,” Narda said with a grin. Besides the tent, the Raielwen had given them provisions to make their stay comfortable enough, such as enough blankets and pillows for all of them (double for Narda). “We better get these hares ready, gods I’m starving,” she said to Zeke once they had finished preparing their lodging for the day. “Are you hungry? I assume Elva had you well-fed. You smell of that spiced wine you like so much.”
Kire grinned sheepishly at that. “Yeah. Too much, Elva says. She might be right. You two go on ahead.” She turned and realized she was left with Ysaryn and Ruli again. She looked from the elf to Ruli and, to her credit, wasn’t blushing as much as she had been this morning. “So.” The composure was short-lived, as the blush returned, and she had quite forgotten the rehearsed sentences she thought of earlier. “Can I borrow him for a minute?” she asked Ysaryn, then cringed, figuring the elf would find her phrasing funny.

The return of the trio, laden with supplies to house them out in the woods rather than inside the insufferable elven court, was a relief to both of the two waiting in the woods. Ruli remained sitting beside the tree, Ysaryn restlessly wandering in circles, until they drew near enough and began to set everything down. Ysaryn remained circling, observing, while Ruli got up to assist in the building. Once it was up, Ysaryn ducked beneath it, exploring with in as Ruli and the others helped to lay down the blankets, pillowed, and crates of provisions.

"Very nice." Ysaryn cooed. "Think we are taking this home?" She asked with a smile.
"What are we going to do with it at home?" Ruli asked.
The elf shrugged. "Kirai takes us on many voyages. We will find use again."
Both of their eyes turned toward Kire when she approached and asked if she could borrow Ruli. Before he could offer to walk along with her and find a place to speak, Ysaryn floated past Kire. "I will leave you to the tent." She whispered mercilessly.

Ruli rolled his eyes. "She's not subtle." He commented apologetically. "Should've shoved her face first into the snow when I had the chance."
He rose to his feet, rubbing his hands through his hair. "We don't have to stay in here. To talk, I mean. If you want to walk with me, instead."

Kire couldn’t help rubbing her face in embarrassment when Ysaryn made her comment. But, for once, she laughed honestly in front of Ruli at his remark once the elf had left. “Yeah, no. Subtlety doesn’t exist in her vocabulary, in common or Elvish, I surmise.” She was glad he offered to walk; she needed to do something with her feet, or at least distract herself with the woods while they talked. As they stepped outside, she kept quiet, trying, and failing, to remember what she had thought to say and in what order she thought she would say them.

“I—I think we got off on the wrong foot today,” she said finally. “I don’t know how mornings after that worked. First time, he was gone by the time I woke, and then you earlier—well. I. There. I don’t know how these work normally, is what I’m trying to say.”

"You're really not wrong." Ruli said with mild horror about Ysaryn's lack of subtly in either language. She accepted his offer for a walk, and for that he was glad. Mostly to put distance between them and Ysaryn's sharp ears. When they left the tent, he glanced toward the fire that Zeke and Narda were coaxing to life. "Put her to work, please." He requested, gesturing to Ysaryn. She prompty turned around and spat something vulgar at him, and Ruli turned to give Kire a look that wordlessly said 'see?'

When they were far enough that he hoped Ysaryn couldn't hear, he cleared his throat. "Yeah." Ruli sighed as she explained herself. "I, wasn't really sure either. I wasn't sure if you'd ... I mean, considering what you said, I thought you'd prefer waking alone. Or at least, not waking up next to anyone. I suppose." He cleared his throat again. "Its not really my thing. I mean, its ... its been a while."

“Ah. I see,” Kire said lamely. She was silent for a while then blew out a breath. “I don’t know which I’d prefer, to be honest. This is only my second time ever to have a real go at it.” She grimaced at how she worded that, then cleared her throat. “Isn’t that funny? A hundred year old Empress and Paladin, and it’s bedding someone that’s making me this nervous?” A nervous giggle threatened to bubble up and burst out of her, which she tried to stamp down. “Just—it wasn’t—I wasn’t bad, was I? I mean, not that there’s anything wrong if you didn’t like it, and if you’d rather we forget about the whole thing I could do that. Not that I think it’s terrible, myself, quite the opposite,” she said, her voice just going slightly higher by the end of it. Her ears burning, she settled her gaze on a tree up ahead, staring intently at it as she waited for his answer.

Second time? Ruli glanced at her again, discovering quite too late that he should have picked up on this. Maybe she meant only the second time with a male. Really, she seemed far more comfortable with females. Ysaryn, in particular. Though, perhaps the elf's relentless teasing would put an end to that.

"No. You weren't." Ruli said with mild amusement, glancing sidelong at her again. "But, I, uh." He swallowed uneasily. "I'm not quite sure we should ... engage again. Though." He ruffled his hair again, remembering briefly the way she'd pulled it last night. "Its just ... we don't know one another. We're not strangers, no, but. I don't think I'm your type, is all. And you're ..." Empress. Royalty. Nobility. "You're from a whole different world."

Kire almost let out a giggle of relief when he said she hadn’t been terrible. Alright, one less thing to be embarrassed about. Though when he began to speak again and saw his uneasiness, her face fell.
“Well. You’re not wrong. We’re literally worlds apart.” She paused, frowning a little, trying to ignore the wave of disappointment that washed over her. “If I may put in an objection though, if you weren’t my type, I wouldn’t have enjoyed that as much. Much better than the first time, definitely.” Fantastic was the word she had in mind, but she didn’t want to look overly eager. But what do you want? “So, we’re just—friends, then? I’m at least that, right?”

Ruli raised his eyebrows at her when she mentioned enjoying their night. His internal masculine pride swept across him, and he inhaled if only to hide the fact that his chest swelled. "I'm glad I could be satisfactory." Ruli said, hoping beyond reason that he at least said that without sounding too boyish.
As she asked about being friends, he glanced her way again, wondering what he considered her to be. He didn't have many friends, none that he really knew he could count on. Not anymore. His and Zeke's friendship was damaged. He and Sid had always been cautiously distant. Ysaryn would likely sell him out for a small fortune any chance she got. He just had Envy. But even the Kartaian would sit back if Ruli's death or something somewhat less permanent meant the survival of the rest of them.
And then there was Kire. Who was like a strange thorn in the sole of his foot that reminded him to look down now and then and realize that he was still walking.

"Yeah." Ruli answered. "You're a friend. Though I'm not so great at those, either, so don't expect to be pen pals."