#Claire ~ Ashes of A Knght Unretruned || Elden Ring Verse

[executionersghost]

From @hexenjagd

From when she entered her space, the very moment in which she kneeled before her, she observed every step taken. Claire carefully kneeled, and bowed her head before the Witch Knight herself.

Helena's fingers twitched and flexed, knuckles curling inward. Her lips pressed thin in silent refusal and brow ever so slightly down turned.

Rather than stand before her, above her, beyond her as the parody of some untouchable monument-- slowly, and ever so thoughtfully she moved to kneel; sinking seamlessly to the ground with her. Both knees settled at once upon the very same dirt, and it was there that she remained rooted alongside her.

Her hands were ardent in action as they sought out the svelte shape of her chin and jaw hidden beneath her hair, seeking to rectify. Lengthy fingers curled beneath to prompt her with a tilt. Her thumb settled upon her chin as she guided her. Her touch firm, and wholly attentive.

Perhaps the only set of hands that had been laid on Claire in untold ages every moment born from consideration.

It is only when their gazes meet that she is truly satisfied, her hands remain-- holding her there.

Perhaps such actions could be mistaken for little more than covetous claiming had one not known otherwise and lacked the insight to fathom what any of this could have meant. The very thought of it would be betraying the her intent entirely.

Perhaps, deep down maybe there was the inkling something possessive. A seed in the center of her own malformed spirit; twisted by this newfound eternity. No. This was different.

This, this was much more in the way that one covets something dear, rather than the displayed desire to shamelessly own that which did not truly belong to her.

"Lift your head. I am not your lordship." Her command punctured the silence and it is a dulcet sound, wholly acknowledging.

"You have served time and again; followed me regardless of my dubious nature and I believe you without hesitation." There is no command now, no honey-sweet coiling in her words. It was a pure, honesty.

"There is little need for you to do that in my presence; you are so much more than a soldier. Your spirit is undeniable force-- it is an honor to serve along side you, Ser Knight. "

((this got long but yeah... Helena does not forget and it's not that she thinks that Claire thinks they're not on equal terms it's more along the lines that she thinks u are incredible Claire and that you are more than the just what you died as. Hope you enjoy))

For: @hexenjagd

Reverence.

She had bowed to others, yes, but the action had always been a conclusion to her favors. A gesture to show that her work had been completed. A simple, courteous thing she ought to do before she faded once again to ashes. I have lifted my blade for you, and my work here is done.

Yet this…for this peculiar Witch Knight, an equally peculiar force compelled her to kneel. This figure of death and ash and bone. This woman who had dared to reach into her world and pluck the very strings that held it together. How she looked upon the other so fondly. Captivated. Mystified. So much…

Reverence.

It was unexpected then; the rustle of fabric as soft as the breeze as Helena lowered herself to the ground in front of her. No. Alongside her. The cool flesh of her fingers then pressed upon her phantomized form and she let herself be guided. The experience of touch…how strange it had become. She had hardly remembered that it could be so soft.

Helena’s eyes had always been so uniquely beautiful and while the force of habit that ran in her very nature briefly fed the impulse to look away, this felt important. Asked for. And so she would willingly give, keeping her gaze steady, unwavering. Dare she think she could see her own adoration reflected there? She no longer breathed yet she could swear she was holding her breath.

Lift your head. I am not your Lordship.

She hung on to every word and all that was spoken to her settled into her very being. She no longer had a heart, but if that was true, then what currently swelled in her chest? What caused her hands to shake and her eyes to sting? What could possibly explain the single tear that rolled down her cheek?

“Thank you.” She said in her ever-lilting voice. “Thank you for reaching into this…in-between so that I may have someone to serve alongside. The honor is mine…a-as well.”