A gift exchange for the 12 Trials of Zi'da. [Vincent D'Ordyn]
Seated on the shores of Lake Lovalus, Rharne serves as the home of the Lighting Knights, the Thunder Priestesses, and the Merchant's guild. This beautiful trade city is filled with a happy and contented people who rarely need an excuse to party.
“Must be the biqaj blood,” Sabine quipped as Vincent helped her out of her cloak. Her eyes fell to his lips before she could catch herself. She bit the corner of her cheek and shifted her gaze to the couch, and then to the window as she felt her face grow warmer.
Down, girl.
Gratitude mixed with disappointment when the conversation quickly fell into their usual pattern – her telling him about her trial, and him telling her about his. She leaned her bag against her legs and settled onto the couch – that damn couch – as she waited for him to join her. Her fingers stroked Cloud’s fur mindlessly as Vincent spoke about his mercenary work and poured their drinks. But when he returned to her side and sat down so close that she could almost hear his heart beating, Cloud promptly jumped down and slunk away.
It was clear the put-out kitten wasn’t going to be the center of attention any time soon.
Sabine accepted the drink and brushed her hand against his leg in thanks. She took a small sip of whiskey and shifted toward him as he placed a small wooden chest on his lap, curiousity sparking in her eyes in spite of her newfound impatience with gift giving.
“A lady?” The laughter came like a knife – short, sharp, and to the point. Sabine’s amusement was mixed with wariness as she eyed the chest and prayed that he was joking. “Please. That’s the last thing anyone would ever say about…” He undid the clasps of the small chest to reveal a purple silk gown, embroidered with lightning, and her voice dropped to a near-whisper. “…me.”
Speech failed her as she stared at the gown, half-afraid that touching it would somehow make the garment disintegrate. She glanced at her fingers, where remnants of dirt still lingered under her nails, and hesitantly brushed the fabric with the back of her hand. Never in her life had she owned – or even felt – something quite so exquisite.
And Immortals, did she hate it.
“I can’t accept this,” Sabine said, without pulling the gown from the chest. When her eyes met Vincent’s, all traces of jest and flirtation had been replaced with complete seriousness. She shifted away from him on the couch so that their legs were no longer touching. “It’s too much – too extravagant, too expensive. I… thank you for the gift, Vincent. I just can’t accept it.”
It took all of her self-discipline to keep her response civil and to hide the offense that she had taken. But if Vincent watched her expression, he would see the emotions shift across her face, and if he pushed her for a deeper reason, she wouldn’t hold back.
Last edited by Sabine on Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:45 am, edited 4 times in total. word count: 467
Vincent closed his eyes as he saw the joy slip from Sabine's. Vincent cursed himself, he really was getting tired of the taste of boot leather. Had he not learned in these past seasons with her. As Sabine pulled away from him on the couch, Vincent let out a little sigh, and shut the box. Leaning forward, he placed the box on the table again, and followed after her on the couch. Reaching out he gently touched her arm and then slid his hand down it's length until he found her hand. If she pulled her hand away, he'd let her. If she allowed him to take her hand, he gently reach up and cup her cheek to turn her to him.
"Bine,I didn't mean to upset you with either my words or the gift. I only meant to give you something that would show you, and anyone else what I saw. The beauty, strength, and power that is your storm." Vincent said softly. If she had allowed him to place his hand on her face, he would gently stroke her cheek with his thump. "Though I can understand why, what I said, would upset you, and I'm sorry for not thinking before speaking. Forgive my plunder?" He asked gently.
Her eyes closed as he touched her arm, only to flash open once more as he took her hand. Sabine stilled, frowned, and pulled away, dropping both hands into her lap. Still, she didn’t say a word, allowing him to talk, to apologize, to say his piece without interruption.
Throughout his explanation, she waited for the anger to rise up, to take root in the space between them and ruin everything they’d built the trial before, but was surprised to find that her offense had turned to sadness. It was a familiar sadness - the very same one that had been carried with her to Rharne, that had lingered in the corners of her heart, and that had reared its head on the very first trial of this damn holiday.
Sabine glanced sideways at Vincent once he'd finished. “It’s not just what you said,” she began. “I mean, yes, I was reminded of everything those nobles find important - and I never want to be that woman. But it’s more than that.” Lines creased between her brow. She stared down at her lap where her hands fiddled with the hem of her blouse. “How can I accept something like that dress,” she nodded to the wooden chest, “when my father’s rotting in slavery and the rest of my family is stuck in a Lowtown hovel?
“Immortals, Vincent. I feel bad enough celebrating the 12 Trials without them. How can I let myself have something so extravagant when everything’s so fucking broken?”
How can I let myself have you?
“It’s not fair.” She curled her fingers into fists and dug her nails into the palm of her hands. Her gaze fell back on his. This time, if he tried to reach for her, she would let him.
“Plus where would I even wear it?” she added, more fiercely than she’d meant.
Last edited by Sabine on Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:46 am, edited 1 time in total. word count: 317
Vincent didn't push when Sabine pulled away from him, and sat quietly as she spoke. He had known that she missed her family and didn't fault her for the sadness that sprung up behind her eyes. The lack of family was something that Vincent felt everyday, a void he longed to fill that sat empty in the back of his heart.
After she finished, and as he gazed into her eyes, so full of hurt and vulnerability that it near broke him to see it, Vincent gently reached out and pulled her into him, his arms slowly encircling her in a gentle embrace. "I'm sorry that this journey pulled you away from your family. It was selfish of me, but I needed you. I need you for more reasons than to just be my guide here. I wanted you next to me, and that was selfish. We will return to Rynmere as soon as we can, and when we do, we will bring you family home, all of them. Together." Vincent continued. "Whatever it takes I will drive your pains and demons away, and do my best to see a smile on your face every moment I can. I know the pain, and anger, and regret you feel now, but we can remedy the holes in our hearts. As soon as we find the meaning behind that coin, we will go back, get you mother and brother from Lowcity, and free your father." Gently Vincent pulled away so he could look into her eyes again. "No matter the cost, I will make this happen. I swear it." With that Vincent would simply pull her close again if she'd allow it, and would hold her as long as she'd allow it.
At her words about the dress Vincent looked down at the chest sitting on the table in front of them. "Forget about the dress. Let just say that I owe you a gift. You can ask me for anything, and I will do everything I can to give it to you."
As Vincent pulled her in, Sabine rested her cheek on his shoulder and felt the tension begin to drain from her muscles. His arms were strength and his voice was safety. He whispered promises and explanations in her ear, and she could feel his chest vibrate with sincerity.
It was a familiar situation – one they might have found themselves in trials or seasons earlier – but this time it came with a new intimacy after the prior trial’s events. The promises Vincent made always carried weight, but now they also carried expectation - expectation that, regardless of the path she chose for them both, he would still care enough about her to return to Rynmere and bring her family back to Rharne.
She knew she was taking a risk, helping him before she helped herself. She’d known it when they'd left Rynmere, and she knew it today. Still, as he pulled away to search her eyes before embracing her once more, she realized that she also knew, just as deeply, that he would do everything in his power to help her – much like she would do the same for him.
Path, be damned.
A long silence passed before she replied. “It wasn’t selfish of you to bring me here,” she said quietly. It was selfish of him to lock her in the cabin on the way there, sure, but not to ask her to come. That thought, however, she kept to herself. “You said it yourself. Partners, right?
“And you owe me nothing,” she continued. “No more gifts.” While she wouldn’t take the dress home, she wanted nothing more from him. Well, other than, “Just… keep your promise. Okay?”
Sabine glanced back at her bag, which leaned innocently against the couch, and extracted herself from Vincent’s arms. “I, ah, might ask for one more thing.” She bent forward and dug into the bag, pulling out the three purple candles that released a whiff of lavender into the air. She bit her lip and held them out to him sheepishly. “Maybe don’t give me a hard time for these?”
Last edited by Sabine on Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:46 am, edited 1 time in total. word count: 353
Vincent held Sabine close. Feeling her chest rise and fall against his as she relaxed. After a few bits she broke the embrace and reached own and into her bag, pulling out a handful of candles. Vincent couldn't hide the mirth at her slight embarrassment of her gift, as a smile crept onto his face. Taking the candles from her he sit them on the table with the box that held the dress.
Turning back to her he gently took her face in his hands. "I think I can manage that." Vincent said as he leaned in and kissed he gently on her brow. "Whatever happens, whatever obstacles we happen to face, we'll face it together." As those word left his lips, he brought his down to meet hers in another kiss, this one similar to those they had shared the trial prior, and with it that feeling of fire and ice that filled him every time he kissed her. He was almost certain that he would get drunk much quicker off the kisses they shared than any liquor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Timestamp: 59th of Zi’da, 716
Location: Vincent’s Home
Vincent woke early in the morning, despite the hour that him and Sabine had retired for the night. Though Sabine had gladly accepted his offer to stay the night, between the whiskey and her long day at the Cathedral, she had passed quickly into sleep when they had retired to Vincent's bed. Staring at the ceiling, Vincent ran the events of the previous night over in his head, and though there had been a rough patch or two, could help but smile. One that only grew as his eyes lowered from the ceiling to still sleeping form of Sabine on his chest.
The gentle sigh of he breath, and the slow methodical motion it brought to her resting form was almost enough to let Vincent allow sleep overcome him again, and just lay there with her for the rest of the day. Almost. Gently Vincent lifted a hand and brushed the few hairs that had fought their way free of Sabine braids out of her face, before continue on to rub her arm, an attempt to rouse her. "Dawn's a few breaks away." Vincent stated, when he'd finally roused her from her slumber. "When do you have to return to the Cathedral?"
Like a hawk, she soared across the blue skies, arms spread wide as her violet dress trailed behind her. She caught a current and let it carry her for a time before flitting around a puffy white cloud and angling for the shore.
Angling for him.
He was leaning against a tree – an old oak – with his arms crossed and a deep line creasing his brow. She landed nearby, falling into a crouch before carefully dusting herself off and moving to greet him. Above them both, the skies began to darken as gray clouds rolled in like horses.
“Why not me?” He glared down at the grass. “What makes him so much better?”
A raindrop hit her nose.
Her sleeping form stirred as Vincent brushed hair from her face.
Sabine frowned. “Bram, you know I love you…”
“Not enough. Not like him.”
Thunder cracked and lightning flashed across the sky.
“Just tell me why, Bine.”
She shrugged helplessly and raised her voice above the storm. “I don’t know, okay! It’s different with him. He makes me feel…”
“What? What does he make you feel?”
“Dawn's a few breaks away."
“Sabine? Wait-”
“Mmmphf…” Sabine blinked blearily as Vincent roused her from sleep. A small frown touched her lips as she struggled to remember who had been calling her name, but the memory was gone as quickly as it had arrived. Instead, she snuggled closer and began to draw slow, lazy circles on the chest of the man who lay next to her.
“Morning,” she mumbled, her eyes still closed. “The Cathedral? In a break or so…” The soft patter of rain drummed on the windowsill and she wrapped her bare leg around his to steal more of his warmth. “Can't I just skip it and stay here forever?”
She lay with her head rested against his chest until reality reared its ugly head as her mentor’s threats of making her clean the entire building should she ever be late again were echoed back at her.
Fuuuuuuck.
Adrenaline sparked and her eyes flashed open. She groaned and attempted to pull herself free from Vincent, the blankets, and the bed, trying very hard not to look at him lest she lose the tiny amount of self-control she’d found.
But she broke resolve as her legs swung over the side of the bed, glancing back at him when her toes touched the floor. “First time we've slept in the same bed,” she said, unable to shake the sly smile that had taken control of her lips.
“It'll have to be longer next time.”
Last edited by Sabine on Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:46 am, edited 2 times in total. word count: 441
Vincent was half tempted to pull Sabine back into as she sat up on her side of the bed and looked back at him a mischevious smile on her lips, but he knew she didn't have long before she had to leave to head back to the Cathedral. Instead he too sat up and swung his legs out of bed. Walking over the wardrobe he pulled out a pair of trousers and a fresh tunic, slipping into both quick enough before turning back to Sabine.
Walking over to her he bent down and planted a kiss on her lips, gently pulling her to her feet as he pulled her deeper into himself at the same time. After a few trills passed he broke the kiss with a warm smile. "Good morning, and as for spending more time sharing a bed, I'm sure we can work on that matter. You go ahead and get yourself ready, I'll run downstairs and get us something for breakfast." He said, as he broke their embrace with a last quick kiss, before turning towards the door, and heading down to the bakery that his home sat atop.
A few bits later, and a small blush on his cheeks, Vincent reentered his apartment. The wife of the baker, who normally ran the stores counter, had made note of the extra pastry that he had asked for and had quickly put the clues together that Vincent had had a guest stay the night. It wasn't the fact that she knew Vincent had a guest that had pinked his cheeks but the look she'd given him as she'd handed him the pastries.
Dropping the wrapped parcel that held his and Sabine's breakfast on the table, Vincent approached the door to his room and knocked on the door frame. He'd wait for Sabine to call out to let him know he could enter before he would enter.
Her eyes followed him shamelessly, running over the muscles and old scars that stretched and flexed as he slipped into a fresh set of clothes. When he turned back to meet her unwavering gaze, she could barely muster up the effort to pretend to be embarrassed. Instead, her eyebrows raised playfully and she welcomed the kiss that was awarded to her when he returned to her side and pulled her into his arms.
“Mmm…” Maybe she’d been making this whole thing into a bigger deal than it was. She didn’t want to lose him, sure, but she also didn’t want to lose this. Sabine wrapped her arms around his neck and fell deeper into the too-short kiss, trying very hard not to pout when he came up for air and brought them both back to reality. “Go, go,” she said, shooing him away as he stole a final kiss and broke their embrace.
In the quiet that followed, she dropped back onto the bed and touched her fingers softly to her lips. An uncontrollable smile spread across her face. She shook her head as if to shake away the grin, but there was no chasing away the tired happiness that had made a home in her skin.
But her self-indulgence faded as she once again remembered the time, and her body was sent into motion. Yesterday’s clothes were quickly pulled on – she would have to borrow a robe from the Cathedral for the trial – and she was in the middle of re-braiding her hair when the front door creaked open. Vincent’s footsteps sounded on the wooden floor, and a knock soon followed.
Always the gentleman.
Well, almost always.
“Come in.” She tucked the last strand of hair away as the door swung open. A cursory glance took in the colour on his cheeks as he stepped into view, but she chose to say nothing until she passed by him on her way to his kitchen. “Did the stairs tire you out?” she teased, reaching back to grab his hand and pull him with her.
“Smells wonderful. Thank you.”
Her eyes landed on the lavender candles that had been left in the table’s center, and she silently berated herself for not planning ahead. She would have to send his gift along with a courier later that afternoon.
Last edited by Sabine on Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:46 am, edited 1 time in total. word count: 395
Vincent stepped into the room just as Sabine finished fixing her hair. As she passed him she made mention of the color in his cheeks, and grabbed him by the hand to lead him back into the common area of his home. Vincent recounted how the bakers wife had commented on him 'finally finding a body to help warm his bed' and how she 'had been thinking of telling some of her female customers about him'.
As the reached the table, Vincent saw the gifts from the prior night, and pulled his hand from Sabine's. "One moment." He said as he walked back into his room and opened the chest that sat at the foot of his bed. After a few moments he pulled out a small rectangular box, before closing the chest and returning to Sabine at the table.
"I know last night was unplanned, but I wanted to give this to you now." Vincent said putting the box on the table in front of her, giving her a small kiss on the cheek as he did so. Afterwards he'd walk around and take a seat so he could watch as she opened the gift. When she opened the box she would be met with a bright azure feather about as wide as wide as two of her fingers and about as long as her hand, palm to finger tip. "It's a feather from a Storm Shrike chick." Vincent explained. As she ran her eyes along its length, she would eventually noticed the silver chain and charm at the end of the feathers shaft. "So you can work it into you hair." He said if she inquired.
