#❧ ⸺ ch. verona | verse iii.ii: kh ( post kh3 ) ❞

[strywoven]

@valorxdrive has requested a story : ❛ you know my door is always open to you. ❜ (To Verona!)

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

❝ Your door … ❞  Comes the thoughtful echo of the keybearer’s sentiment , clawed hand reaching up towards full-blooming boughs overhead and – with a well-practiced plucking twist-turn – the empyrean pulls down yet a n o t h e r gilt-skinned apple from the orchards ( this , a place she cultivated after the resurrection of her realm , forged on the grounds of once-destruction upon a mountain now regarded with hope rather than terror ) .  Her thumb smooths along the rare fruit’s face , its shimmer and lingering essence of magic prickling the flesh of her digit as she mulls over his words.  She must look an AWFUL LOT like those maidens from the myths ; donned in flowing silks and shawls , standing in repose with her mystical fruit amid the glow of the sun , cast in a s u b l i m e radiance ( she , as always , as if a vision just out of reach , a too-lovely figure carved from the tongues of old legends & made flesh )— And strange is it how she continues to play HUMAN ; pretending she is merely thus , m o r t a l , when she is rather obviously not.

A sudden toss sends the apple in her hand in Sora’s direction.  Watching him reflexively catch it from the air , she smiles at him – genuine , an expression that entirely s o f t e n s the characteristic sharpness of her features – and turns , nodding crowned head for him to follow as she leads him back down the dirt path.  It becomes apparent that VERY FEW come up to this place ( does she not take many guests ? or is it simply because it is sacred grounds ? ) .  Comfortable , as always , is the silence that fills the space between them ; little more passes the divide beyond the subtle , muffled t h u m p of their soles against fertile soil trekking the way back.  Well , in Fantasia , it is NEVER SILENT , is it ?  When the two are together , there is a gentle melody that hums in the air , tangling around the two and pushing them c l o s e r ( a song of their joined hearts , the magic in the world makes music for them ; lovering & lighthearted ) .  The bright-bodied notes whisper and tease them with every step they take , even the native chorus of the orchard seems to partake , singing along in such a way only trees and roots know how.

❝ I suppose , ❞ Her telepathy breeches the easygoing quiet , ❝ I should think to consider your words less literally and more metaphorically , hm ? ❞  After all , last she heard Sora did not exactly have a place of residence.  Not exactly.  He was always so busy bustling about with his heroics , she understood that it must be quite hard to maintain a home in any one place.  ❝ So for that , ❞ Claws tap to her chin in thought , ❝ You must mean your HEART is open to me at any time , right ? ❞  She looks over at him , sanguine lips pulling apart in a charmed grin.  ❝ As mine is always open to you , Sora.  But , I think you must have already known that ! ❞  There’s a soundless laughter lilting her internal voice , punctuating her words with a mirthful verve.

[strywoven]

@ninthnocturne has requested a story : ❛ you make me want to pretend to be a better man. ❜

a prompt i lost.

Momentarily taken aback , shock adorns the fine marble of the Valk’s features , only for gilt brows to furrow together , ever-gleaming countenance taking on a look strung between CONCERN & CONFUSION as she makes to decipher the Siren’s remark.  ❝ Ah … And what would t h a t mean , Myde ? ❞  Verona questions in turn , crowned head canting slightly , wings ruffling.  ❝ My love , that seems an absurd thing to be saying — ❞ She rises from her seat at the desk , crossing the room in a flourish of glinting smoke and whirl-wisps of shadow toppling about her stride , churning ‘round her silent footfalls.  Pitch-painted palms raise and gingerly set upon his face , thumbs smoothing against his cheeks.

❝ — To suggest , at all , that you need p r e t e n d ; that you are not truly a GOOD MAN .  Why !  Perish the thought !  I’ll hear nothing of it ! ❞  No sooner has he begun to draw breath , perhaps to rebuke her than she shakes her head , leaning lower , b o w i n g from towering stance to place a kiss to the corner of each eye , then to his crown , ❝ No , no , not another word of it.  Even for all the ill will you’ve done , you are - and shall always be - A GOOD MAN TO ME .  There is no pretending here , there is only the blessing I have known you to be.  Is that not enough for you ? ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : you ate a lot of people back in your day. [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

No secret was it that Fantasia’s guardian had once been a creature most c r u e l , known well for her carnivorous appetite.  Even with her histories , the remark comes a little TOO candidly from Selena , spoken as simply as if discussing the weather outside.  Startled , there’s a clatter of porcelain as Verona drops her cup back into place onto its dish , none too gently , granting the keybearer a mildly o f f e n d e d look ( pointed ears lowered , wings ruffled , lips pressed into a thin line ) .  She huffs softly , nodding in acknowledgement.  ❝ Well , yes , that is true.  I … ❞  The thought starts , merely to trail off as she considers it further.

Come to think of it , ever since she had been restored following the fall of Chernabog ( & her succession to his mantle thereafter ) , she has not felt any lingering u r g e to fulfill a once-insatiable hunger that constantly lorded over her life.  Perhaps it was due in part to the removal of his influence , or maybe because of the cull of Darkness from Fantasia itself ⸺ She is not so sure.  But she has noticed that she has found normalcy these days ; she has not once felt inclined to pursue her usual fare for some time ( & isn’t that progress ? ) .

❝ I d i d , ❞ She emphasizes the past-tense , lifting her cup again , sipping at the tea , ❝ Grateful I am now that those days are past us. ❞  A sigh , ❝ I truthfully do not think it would suit the image of a Guardian if I were still a cannibal.  I doubt the public would have the STOMACH for it ! ❞  Ever in poor taste , unfortunately , but she thinks she’s funny.

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : i hope i've at least done some good here. [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

As the last of the council departs , bidding the two a pleasant-parting farewell , Verona takes a moment to collect herself from the recent discussion ( politics amongst realms , restorative endeavors — all such things befitting her station , yes , but no less tiring ) before turning to Selena standing beside her.  The hardened seriousness of business-like decorum dissolves , her faintly gleaming complexion instead taking on a s o f t e n e d look as she regards her fiancée ( o’ how strange it is to be handing away such a title , given all that has transpired ) .

❝ You worry far too much , ❞ Verona chastises lightly , reaching out to brush her knuckles along the keybearer’s cheek , her touch lingering.  ❝ I believe you have , ❞ She affirms , her tone reassuring and upbeat , ❝ We all understand how hard it is for you to partake in our meetings to begin with , so we are all more than happy to hear your input whenever you think to provide it.  After all , you’ve the experience to share , and the insight to help us , too. ❞  A smile lifts the seams of sanguine lips , her head shaking slightly , ❝ I certainly do not wish for you to feel OBLIGATED to participate , but you have been a tremendous help to everyone thus far.  Even if you do not see it.  The council acknowledged it , the Queen herself acknowledged it , and I am acknowledging it.  So please , Dear Heart , do not doubt yourself.  You have done much for me and now , for Fantasia. ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : “your voice is putting me to sleep.” [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Clawed digits fall still upon the sound of beloved’s half-awake remark , horn-crowned head canting slightly to acknowledge the other woman tucked close to her side , swaddled in the furl of a wing laid ‘round her dozing form.  Verona blinks , gilt brows raising and pointed ears perking.  ❝ … Is it ? ❞  Telepathic tones echo through thought , voices overlapping , teased with a lilt of bemusement as silvery eyes crinkle at the edges , filled with a pleased m i r t h .  Just as well , how might she ever think to resume the role of GUARDIAN if she cannot be so comforting a presence to another soul ?  And yet , she cannot resist the temptation to prod , just a bit , ❝ Oh , by the realm , do tell me I am not so terribly b o r i n g , then ! Perish the thought ! ❞  Her hand withdraws from Selena's hair , draping overtop her face as she feigns a DRAMATIC DISMAY at the prospect.

Such play does not last , for maw splits into a grin , empyreal light BEAMING & BRIGHT , as if twinkling ( fallen ) star come to life anew and radiating an infectiously lighthearted air.  Verona bows slightly , leaning over to press a lingering kiss to the keybearer’s crown , ❝ Perhaps I should think to amend that , hm ?  Would not want to leave my Heart wanting , now would we ? ❞  One cannot simply c o m p l i m e n t the great Valk without having her turn it into a coy foreplay of some sort ( certain things never change , do they ? least of all a warmongering creature of habit ) .

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : ∗ 75﹕ sender  and  receiver  go  on  a  hike . [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

❝ Come , quickly now , lest we miss her ! ❞  Never is the Valk quite so EXCITABLE , it must be a special occasion ( though what that occasion is , she did not happen to mention it to the poor keybearer being hastened along with her ) .  But it assuredly seems i m p o r t a n t , with the way she hurries , the way she radiates such eagerness.  The energy is infectious , even if queer , the realm around them responding in kind , seeming to BLOOM & FLOURISH ; flowers giggle-gossip as they pass , boughs of trees wave and bend to brush the tops of their heads , the forest itself becomes rife with an upbeat chord , plucking and preening along to their rushing about.  Yet one must wonder: just w h a t is it that has managed to put her in such spirits ?

The two must look right strange , indeed : an odd pair of women dashing almost mindlessly through the wood , the blonde dragging her raven love behind as she giggles and trips along to keep pace with her counterpart.  And at last , after a lengthy trek through groves and thickets , Verona comes to a halt , allowing Selena to do the same beside her.  She stands still , points of ears pricked and alert , listening intently to the innate musicality of the world and all it might have to disclose to her.  With a nod , she turns towards Selena , her grin returning , ❝ As of late , you’ve only ever really interacted with the HUMANS of Fantasia , ❞ She shrugs , correcting herself , ❝ Well , them and my Familiars.  But , today , I have an old friend of mine I think you might like to meet.  She has been looking forward to meeting you , at least. ❞

From the wood , the trees h u m and m u r m u r amongst one another , seeming to shuffle aside to make way for a youthful-looking entity that leaves trails of sprouting greenery in her wake.  The spirit peers from ‘round the bend of an oak , blinking wide-eyed and curious like a fawn , hair unfurling and whisking about her head as if caught in eternal breeze.  This , THE NATURE SPRITE .  She spots Verona and dashes outwards from hiding , swirling around the Valk to the tune of chime-like notes.  Gathering up the blonde’s hands , the spirit bounces in the air , speaking without speaking , plainly immensely happy to see her companion.  A curious trill sounds when she cocks her head , tipping it to acknowledge Selena.  She points at her , and Verona nods , the spirit throws her hands in the air and t w i r l s about , sending waves of petals and flora flowing around them.

Verona smiles haplessly , brushing the flowers from her hair and turning to the Keybearer beside her.  ❝ Dear Heart , I wanted to introduce you to one of Fantasia’s many spirits , ❞ A hand motions to the sprite who waves excitedly , grinning , ❝ That is our Nature Sprite.  I have known her since I first took my oath to protect Fantasia. ❞  There comes a brief silence , one where the sprite looks e x p e c t a n t l y between the two warriors before , finally , Verona sinks down to one knee.  ❝ Since she has known me for so long , and knows the realm the best , ❞ She begins , taking up one of Selena’s hands in her clawed own , ❝ I wanted her blessing before finally asking something that has been on my mind for these last few months , ❞ It feels as if the whole of the forest has come to listen to the proposal , ready and curious and heavy with anticipation , ❝ Dear Heart , I know we have seen much together , but I have always felt that our story had just begun.  Everyday I wake up to you , is an honor , is a pleasure.  You remind me of the Light I thought I lost so long ago.  And you , always you , Dear Heart , are the song I find my way home to.  So , will you … Marry me ? ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : The cake isn't perfect, in fact, it's pretty lopsided and the chocolate icing is melting despite her subtle attempts to use ice magic to prevent it. She's even managed to find some fresh strawberries in the market to decorate it. 

Selena still brought it out with pride and a smile on her face after their dinner. 

"Happy birthday, dear Heart."

belated bday things for verona.

All throughout dinner there had been these SECRET GLANCES between her beloved and her ravens , the three smiling at one another as if in on some coup the great Valk was not privy to ( & that only made it funnier , it seemed ) .  At last , when Verona asked what the joke was , assuming she would get a direct answer , Selena simply smiled and told her there was a SURPRISE DESSERT awaiting them after dinner was done.  A surprise , she said— Verona cannot help but inwardly sigh.  She is not oblivious to what the date is , more than aware of what tonight is ( her birthday ) , but she also knows there is a s i l l y tradition in this house when it comes to such days.  The titan can only hazard a guess as to what sort of play her lover has gotten up to t h i s year ( not that she can say she minds , it is this lightheartedness that makes days like these all the more special ) .

❝ Not another one of your odd gifts and gags , I hope ? ❞  Verona jokes as dinner comes to a close and she goes about , tidying up the table for whatever Selena is preparing.  She can hear Selena’s laughter from the other room ; a g o o d sign , all things considered.

When Selena returns from the kitchen , a soft , bewildered gasp leaves her as the keybearer sets down a cake on the table before the blonde.  ❝ Oh— ! ❞  Clawed hands press clasped to her breast , steeled wings fluttering behind her as her look of surprise quickly fades into one of tenderness.  True is it that the cake is not a perfect confection , but that did not matter at all ; look at it , look at the LOVE it was made with ( & does that not mean more than anything else ? ) !  She would be blind to deny it.  ❝ Well , now I know why you had Huginn and Muninn barricade me from the kitchen this whole time , ❞ She says with a laugh , ❝ Thank you , this is wonderful.  And something we can all share.  I am eager to see if your cooking lessons have paid off. ❞  Yet even if not , Verona would g l a d l y eat the whole thing regardless.  She motions to the cake , ❝ Shall we ?  I can serve , if you like.  I can have Pandora put on a pot of tea as well. ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : you've been staring . [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Cannot quite hide the teasing smile which blemishes her gleaming countenance , now can she ?  Though she may think to t r y ; with dark-tinged clawtips pressing to lips to suppress the soundless laughter which BRIGHTENS her features and silvery hues dancing away , avoiding the eye of her lover in playful , though poorly feigned i n n o c e n c e .  ❝ Have I been ?  Oh , please do forgive me , Dear Heart , you know I cannot help myself when it comes to you ! ❞  Cheeky drawl and all , Verona doesn’t even care enough to hide her guilt ( & whyever should she ? should her love not be as obvious as the sun rising each day ? perish the thought ! ) .

Verona pushes away from the doorframe at the entryway of the study , moving forth to gather up Selena in her arms and HOIST HER UP , twirling her about the book and scroll-cluttered room , uncaring for the fact the other was – very likely – just in the middle of something ( for from the desk topples a mess of parchment & texts in the wake of the flurry of motion between the two ; no matter , she’ll see to that another time ) .  The room heaves a hapless sort of songful s i g h , as if the house itself is sitting aside and spectating as the two interact like twitterpated school-girls ; the melody that dances alongside them is plucky and vibrant , every chord an echo of their hearts singing in UNISON .  But in the next instant , the empyrean gingerly returns Selena to her feet , brushing her hands along her cheeks , grinning down at her ( lo’ she is radiant in her bliss & so plain with her ardent adoration ) .

❝ I did not mean to interrupt , ❞ Although she knows the apology is rather moot by now , her head tipping to look beyond them at the utter disarray she’s caused of Selena’s hard work.  She looks back to the other , pointed ears perking slightly and wings flicking , sending skitters of glittering smoke-light off her plumes and careening away along the floorboards.  ❝ Though I d i d come to check on you.  You have been holed up in here all day , I admit I got a bit worried. ❞  Verona steps away from her , moving to begin picking everything up and returning it to the desk.  She pauses , skimming over the tomes in her hands , pale brows furrowed quizzically.  ❝ … What are you so intently studying , Dear Heart ? ❞  Her gaze shifts back to Selena , expression and tone curious.  ❝ Must be rather interesting , I imagine , if it’s stolen your attention so completely. ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : ❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜ [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Brief is the glance the blighted one spares for her beloved laid beside her , silvery hues flicking momentarily over her half-awake , d o z i n g features ( beautiful as ever & she hardly sees it , verona catches herself thinking ) before returning to the book in her lap.  ❝ Afraid I cannot make that promise this time , ❞ Verona replies , gingerly turning the page and tipping her head to follow the flow of the passage , ❝ I have a Council meeting early tomorrow morning and last I checked you loathed attending them. ❞  She’s not forgotten the look of d i s c o m f o r t Selena tends to assume when sitting down with parliament and the crown , discussing the restoration of the realm and treaties with other Stars.  Something Verona cannot fault her for ( something none of the other members fault her for , either ; they’ve all assumed it dredges up some unwanted / unhealed pains ) .

Marking the spot with her clawed thumb , Verona allows the book to close and turns slightly against the pillows to look over at the keybearer properly.  ❝ I shall be back by dusk , as always.  Unless of course … ❞ She shrugs a shoulder , head shaking , ❝ I am called to the attention of the townsfolk.  You know how they can be at times. ❞  Says this haplessly and with the lilt of a chuckle , as if it cannot be helped ; the whims of her people are not exactly under her control , even as a PRIMAL GOD-CREATURE .  It seems more apparent that she abides by t h e m rather than the other way around nowadays ( for better or worse ) .  ❝ I always tell you , you are more than welcome to accompany me.  And you do not have to come to the meeting , you can wander around the area , mingle with the locals , do as you like. ❞  A smile raises the seams of sanguine lips , humor still dancing in her eyes.  ❝ I wager that might be far more entertaining for you than sulking here all day , hm ? ❞  Her attention shifts back to her book , resuming her reading as she continues to muse , ❝ Huginn and Muninn can go with you.  They can help you make some new friends.  Besides , I am sure you must be getting quite b o r e d of just us all the time. ❞  It’s spoken as a well-meaning ( though knowing ) JEST .

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : ❝ ... i guess i'm just scared of losing you. ❞ [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Such words rouses up a lighthearted l a u g h t e r ; near-soundless amusement , pitch-painted clawtips raising to touch to sanguine lips splayed into a GRIN that bites back the loosed notes toppling from her maw , ❝ And , oh , wherever would I g o , Dear Heart ?  Not ever would I consider leaving you behind ! ❞  No matter how EARNEST the sentiment may very well be , the realization soon dawns on her ⸺

⸺ It has , indeed , happened afore.

These worries are founded , grounded in the e v i d e n c e and proof of the past that stands as an ill-healed scar between them ( the idea that it might happen again , that history could come to repeat itself at the hands of an unforgiving fate is not out of the question ) .  Verona knows it is foolish to let it go unacknowledged , to assume that it would heal if they simply elected to FORGET it ever occurred ( like all their memories with each other , it is just as real as everything else ) .

Inadvertently , her hand shifts from lips to cheek.  She remembers well the sting of Selena’s hand STRIKING HER in fury , in grief , in shock ; don’t you ever do that again , she’d wept , unable to keep herself calm , don’t you ever— !  The a n g e r in her tear-stained face , the p a i n coursing through her , are things Verona now lives with … And constantly REGRETS being the cause of.

❝ I apologize , ❞ Verona amends ( though she knows , even now , an apology shall never truly suffice for what’s been done ) , lowering her hand and tipping her head to the other , ❝ It is not fair of me to make light of your concerns as I do. ❞  After a moment , the blighted one reaches out to Selena , g i n g e r l y gathering her in up in an embrace of both arms and wings , a comforting swaddle as her claws thread through the keybearer’s dark hair.  ❝ But please understand , Dear Heart , I do not intend to go anywhere else.  Not again.  At least , ❞ She sighs , shaking her head , ❝ Not until I am called upon by Fantasia itself.  And should that ever happen , I would have enough mind to t e l l you about it , ❞ Verona draws away slightly , setting her palms on Selena’s cheeks , pressing a kiss to her lips.  ❝ In the hopes that I’ll not be a l o n e this time , hm ? ❞  A smile is offered , foreheads pressing together.  ❝ Whatever happens from here on , whatever should come for us , I p r o m i s e you we shall confront it TOGETHER . ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : ❝ your face is not a face I would forget. ❞ [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Is that not the point , the blighted empyrean wonders , catching herself dawdling in the midst of her beloved’s words , to be … Remembered ?  To be cherished ?  To be THOUGHT OF FOR ALL ETERNITY , kept safely within the hearts of those who love you ?

For as comforting as this may seem , the revelation that Selena would sooner consider forgetting the entirety of the world than Verona , she finds no sense of consolation , only a lingering d e s p a i r .  There is , one must know , a difference between a memory and a l e g a c y left behind.  Verona’s own is founded on WAR & WRETCHEDNESS ; there is no making up for the damage she has done to Fantasia at the behest of the great darkness , Diabol ( the mantle she now serves in penance for her covetous destruction ) .  But despite it all , even when she sought to sentence herself to ISOLATION , her people began planting the seeds of f o r g i v e n e s s , and to her , have thus given the ( undeserved ) blessing : we begin anew , o’valk , we begin again … this time together.

It does not – and perhaps shall not – make sense to her.

Conflict takes root , casting a s h a d o w over gleaming countenance , dimming her everlasting radiance.  Verona takes a breath , exhales a huff of haze that swirls up in loose , silver-black ephemeral spools , tangling ‘round the horns of her broken crown.  ❝ Sometimes , ❞ She begins , pausing if only to gather courage in the gesture of brushing raven locks from the curious face of her lover , ❝ I get to thinking that I would rather … I WAS forgotten. ❞  Such a confession comes easily , almost TOO EASILY ( after all , does selena not deserve her honesty ? even at its worst ? ) , the wounds on her existence suddenly plain and obvious before again disappearing just as soon as they had been exposed , hidden away with a s m i l e as if it does not hurt her quite like the woeful glint in her eyes might imply.  ❝ But grateful I am that you’d not forget me. For I would not think to forget you , either. Though , I do hope … My memory is a g o o d one. ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : ❝ there’s that smile. there’s that smile I love. ❞ [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Fantasia heralds the new seasons with a GRACIOUS FLOURISH the other realms do not quite possess ; its everlasting song changes , its magic shifts , the spirit of all its creatures manifests a n e w .  Standing outside , Verona can f e e l the difference weaving through her bones ( the sounds , the smells , the sights , the gentlest of pluckings in the harmonies of her darkened heart ) ; telltale signs that winter has left the seat , and bequeathed it to spring – the Nature Sprite herself ( though she & her fellows have gone unseen since the time of the war ) has come once more , like she does every year , to paint the world as a welcome tapestry of new-blooming hues and colors.  This , then , a marker of another passing of time – another year having come and bygone ; another year spent in PEACE , another spent happily ( indulgently ) with her FAMILY .  Everything is as it should be ( an ending verona herself still does not feel she deserves ) ; even now , the grip the War had had on Fantasia seems such a distant nightmare of a memory.

Almost too caught up in her own thoughts , Verona nearly misses Selena coming outside to join her , tossing her a smile.  ❝ What ? ❞  She asks , brows lifting , pointed ears perking.  And when receiving no answer , she leans towards the keybearer and asks again , ❝ What is with t h a t look ? ❞

There’s a light prod by the other to her cheek , right next to her still-smiling lips , her following words inspiring Verona to groan and give a roll of silver eyes in mock exasperation.  ❝ Oh , come now , ❞  Clawed hand gingerly bats away her finger , though her displeasure lasts only briefly , replaced again by her lighthearted , whimsical air from afore as she leans away again.  ❝ It is rather hard for me n o t to smile , I think.  After all , you can sense it , can’t you ?  The way the world is opening itself to spring ? ❞  Or perhaps … Selena might not have developed that ability yet , she realizes.  She shakes her head , reaching to take the other’s hand , lifting it to kiss her knuckles , ❝ Well , if not , I shall teach you.  Or Fantasia itself will.  If you live here long enough , you pick up on all it has to offer. ❞  A pause , her features softening , the bright aural light she exudes dimming and w a r m i n g as she gazes lovingly at Selena , ❝ And just as when I first offered for you to live here with me , I intend to share ALL OF IT with you , Dear Heart.  That alone , is reason enough to smile , isn’t it ? ❞

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : ❛  I like it here, it's nice.  ❜ [Verona]

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

❝ See ?  I told you , ❞ Verona pauses , allowing the keybearer to catch up to her , ‘fore she gives her shoulder a playful jostling , ❝ You only needed time to get used to the Castle and its people , there was no harm in that.  Beyond the certain pains of talking with the Council , everyone here is really quite charming in their own ways , I think. ❞  She laughs to herself , waving off her words , ❝ I am not saying that purely as a native , I do believe they are all good people who mean well.  Especially her majesty , Queen Tengai , ❞ They make an exit through the great marble archway , departing the Castle and leaving behind another day speaking to the Council.  Verona , though she no longer lives on grounds , r e m e m b e r s the lay of the land and easily charts their course to the royal gardens.  On their way they occasionally pass by some aristocracy who smile to BOTH WOMEN and offer their cordial , warmhearted hellos.

❝ She once confided in me she was worried for you , you know , ❞ Verona continues , tossing Selena a wistful smile.  ❝ She is still so young and full of hope , she wanted to do everything she could to make you feel comfortable here in Fantasia. ❞  She chuckles , ❝ I think she gets ahead of herself sometimes , but you ought to know she was rather h a p p y whenever you decided to join our discussions and offer your insight. ❞  Turning away , she plucks a purple primrose from a bush , the lovely little bloom likely wouldn’t be missed amid a place so full of many others just like it.  With a bow , she offers the flower to Selena , smiling as the other plucks it from the delicate pinch of her claws.  ❝ Truth be told , I am also glad to know you are feeling more settled here.  I always wanted you to consider Fantasia as good as your h o m e and its people something like f a m i l y , so perhaps this means we are going in the right direction. ❞  There’s a childlike EXCITEMENT & GLEE in her voice , a glimmer of hopefulness in her eyes as she says such a thing ; if Selena becomes one with her world – why – that would surely make for the most w o n d e r f u l gift of all !

[strywoven]

@lcstkey has requested a story : The keybearer feels guilty for her lateness; it had taken her many moons, many pricks of the needle, and an unexpected snag to finish her gift. 

Selena could hope that Verona would forgive her for that as she hands it over; a large quilt she had painstakingly made for her. She hasn't strayed from her chosen theme; the night sky with its many colorful stars.

But if she looked closer, perhaps the Valkyrie would notice that she had used a certain blue dress to help make up the night sky patches.

𝑼𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Through the going seasons , Verona could readily admit that – once in a while – she had been somewhat suspect that Selena might very well be p l a n n i n g something , or at the very least hiding something— And she would know , wouldn’t she ?  A warden of many secrets and schemes herself , Verona could almost s e n s e it ( & damned if she did not try to uncover the supposed truth of the matter ! ) .  Though over time , the instinct came and went ; Verona allowed her suspicions to come and go – easy as the coldened wind through the whispering tree boughs now naked in their crystalline wintertime cloaks – letting her beloved Selena have her peace without being privy to the SEEMING EVERLASTING CURIOSITY of the immortal Valkyrie ( besides , what real proof had she ? there was no sense in chasing down a nonexistent quarry & tormenting your lover the whole while ) .

Almost a day like any other , Yule passes them by , casting ‘pon them its sense of comfort and joy as it goes.  When the rest of the year is spent dedicated attempting to repair a near-destroyed realm , Verona allows herself today ( & therein the remainder of the year she has generously been allotted by parliament ) to cater to Selena and the makeshift FAMILY the two have made together in their hidden grove ; less a house , more a h o m e as it were , made alive by the song of LOVE they shared.  And it was mutually agreed , many weeks ago , there was to be no gifts ( not for a lack of wanting to be so giving , but yule was not meant to be about presents ) .  So surprised is the Valk when she wakes some few days into her holiday to the sight of the Keybearer already awake , already smiling , and – with a flourish of motion – unfurls her handmade gift out ‘pon the bed , letting it settle in a comfortable weight ‘cross Verona’s lap.

It’s … A QUILT , Verona realizes , silver eyes wide and bright with both surprise and appraising fascination.  ❝ Was this what you have been hiding the whole time ? ❞  Can’t help but ask , although the jig is long up.  She smiles at the sheepish look the other woman wears , rubbing the back of her neck all the while.  Clawed hands gently lift the blanket here and there , taking time to examine the carefully sewn patchwork ; places shimmer and glint when morning light catches certain threads , other areas are flush in silvers , lavenders , and deep swathes of indigo and violet-- There are certain skeins of silk squares she remembers from a once-gown Selena had worn.  As if she could conjure the memory into being , pulling it from her everlasting wellspring of knowledge , Verona lifts the quilt and presses it to her cheek , closing her eyes ; it’s soft and warm , it smells like Selena … What stories all these fabrics could tell , she knows , all SPECIALLY & PURPOSEFULLY taken from other things that would remind them of their times together.  Though she smiles , she feels the delicate prickle of joyful tears at the corners of her eyes.  Of all things , she never would have guessed t h i s would be a gift she would get.

A small sniff , a few blinks as she lays the blanket back down and looks to Selena , giving a grateful nod.  Hand and wing extends , both motioning for the raven to come near , to settle herself in her embrace.  Once close , Verona presses a kiss to her temple ; then another on her lips.  ❝ I wager your poor fingers must be quite sore from this work , hm ?  But it was worthwhile , it came out beautifully.  No , it came out perfectly !  Thank you , Dear Heart , thank you … SO MUCH . ❞