[Alear isn't sure she could sleep if she tried. Sure, she's going to have to try at some point, but right now she doesn't want to be anywhere but Griss's side. The second statement gets her to chuckle, nodding.]
I am, yeah. It was just as overwhelming as I would have thought--it turned from a simple congratulations to practically a party, and that lasted well into the night...
[she loves everyone. really, she does. but good gods above...]
I can't complain, though. We deserve it, after all we managed to do today. But it is nice to have a little peace and quiet. [...] And...I'm glad to be able to talk with you, too.
[It's strange, but it's truthful. Sure she can't fucking stand him sometimes but she did miss his presence a bit at the gathering.]
I'll try to keep that in mind. But yes, you've waited long enough; you can open it now.
[When Griss finally unwraps it, he'll finally see the little box for what it is; small and black, and with an easy click he'll be able to open it up and see a pretty gold ring with a blue gem set within it.
There's no mistaking it. Griss has obtained the Pact Ring! ...And Alear is very pointedly looking at that sunrise, right now, don't mind her.
She's not sure how Griss is going to react--she had a mildly threatening talk with Zephia that both confused her and made her more certain that Griss was the one she wanted to give this to, but even now, she wonders if this is too much. This is certainly something they'll have to discuss, but for now, Alear waits.]
[Good, then he wastes no time in getting that open! He's been dying of curiosity sonce Alear entrusted it to him, and no amount of idle wondering (or shaking) has given him a clue of what to expect.
His answer is... a ring? Well, he does wear rings, so that's not all that surprising, but this is...
Well, it's something alright.]
It's... nice...?
[...someone missed the memo on the Pact Ring. Sorry, Alear.]
Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. He can't possibly not know what this means, right? No, no, what if she did something wrong? This is a step too far. This has to be, this is too much to suddenly spring on someone and even with that talk with Zephia that seemed all to knowing, she--]
I--! [Alear turns back to him, clearly thrown, every bit not the fearless leader that she was earlier.] I'd hope so? It was my Mother's, after all, and it's...I...
[Wow. Oh wow. Her face is starting to turn a shade of crimson to rival the red in her hair and she's stammering, uh--]
Did--did Zephia not explain anything about this? I was so sure she'd caught on, and...
[rest assured that zephia is cackling in the distance.]
No? Was she supposed to?
[Zephia doesn't make mistakes. She wouldn't just forget. So maybe there's another reason behind this? Or maybe she really didn't know about whatever's got Alear so worked up.]
Look, stop fretting about it and just start from the beginning. It's your mom's, so it's important to you, yeah?
No? I didn't ask her to, but she...I thought that she, because you...but I...
[If only it were so easy to stop fretting, to stop feeling this immense sense of shame wash over her. She should've been direct, she should've done literally anything else but this, she should've realized when he didn't get her the first time he didn't get her. Foolish, foolish--]
Yes. Yes, it is. It's... [Alear's eyes close, as if bracing herself. It's mostly so she doesn't have to look Griss in the face for this.] ...Marth told Vander and I about it, when we went out to gather more rings. We came across an illusion of the Lythos Castle Gardens, and retrieved this ring from an altar. This is...
It isn't an emblem ring; it is a ring known as the Pact Ring. It's a kind of ring passed down from Divine Dragons, and it carries a great significance. It's...it's something that...
[come on, girl, you can do it!!]
It's something that...we may give, to those we consider great allies to us. Even...precious, to us, so that we may never part. It carries my Mother's power, and...
[...]
To be honest with you? I don't know what meaning my Mother derived from it. I don't know if she ever gave the ring, or a ring to someone at all. I wanted to try and find my own meaning for it, and give it to someone I consider truly dear to me. And...you're that someone, Griss. If you're amendable to it, I...would like to stay by your side.
[She absolutely understands if he can't, or won't. In a way, Alear wonders if this is too much even still; they've definitely got an understanding of one another. They've talked, and talked, and beaten each other up a bit, and talked some more, and it's been nice to not feel so lonely up at the top. Alear isn't sure if this is really love, or anything of the sort, but...
Well. She's willing to let him go, if necessary. She'd feel kind of bad taking the ring back at that point, but at least he knows now.]
[Griss listens. He doesn't interrupt or try to rush Alear; he can tell that this is A Lot for her to work through, and he can see why she was hoping that Zephia would handle explaining it. He can also see exactly why Zephia didn't, but that's not the point right now.
Her words mean more to him than he can ever express. That of everyone - all the people who supported and worshipped her from the start - she chose him to grant something so meaningful. She seemed a bit awkward about giving it to him, but there was no hesitation. She's certain this is what she wants.
He never would have guessed that he'd want something similar, but sitting here with the sun rising and watching her somewhat awkward expression, he knows what his answer is.
Griss has been silent for a long moment, but when he moves, it's with purpose. He removes one of his own rings and slides the Pact Ring on his finger like it's the easiest thing in the world. When he turns to Alear, it's with a genuine grin.]
I'd ask if you're sure, but you wouldn't have given this to me if you weren't. So sure, I wanna stay by your side too, Alear.
[He pauses, glancing down at the rather plain, thick black ring he removed.]
...This is all I've got right now, but I can get you somethin' nicer later. Not sure anything'll compare to this... so you've got my word I'll take good care of it.
[It really is just so simple. Griss doesn't worship the ground that she walks on; he sees her as a person, and while she doesn't begrudge the people who stand beside her and only see her as the Divine One, she didn't know how much she needed someone to see her. To stand beside her on that lonely pillar, maybe, but to see her for all of her flaws, and maybe let her be something besides the hero.
Alear's eyes open when Griss speaks up, and her expression openly goes to one of shock while she listens, and watches him take off one of his own rings--she'd never asked him if they held any sort of significance, or anything, but he takes one of his and adds her own to the mix, and he even gives her one of his own...
Alear can't believe it. The vice on her chest releases, and Alear takes that ring carefully into her hands and clutches it against her chest with both hands.]
Are you kidding me? Don't even think about it. [Alear immediately goes to put the ring on her finger, and--gods, it clashes so hard. It might even be a little big for her, but good luck getting her to let go.] It's perfect, Griss. I'm never going to let it go. You have my word.
[Alear walks closer, then, to Griss. It's without hesitation that she goes to take one of his hands, the warm smile on her face practically glowing beneath the dawn's light. His own smile is perfect, cuter than she could have ever imagined, but this moment, this quiet...it's theirs, isn't it? It's all theirs. The start of their future.
...Heh. Maybe Zephia realized it before either of them did.]
...You really do have such a cute smile. Heh. It really makes me feel lucky that I get to see it, you know?
[O-oh, that's making him feel oddly breathless, despite the fact that he probably should have expected it. Alear's prone to being sappy and sentimental, after all, of course she'd want to keep his ring. Still, seeing it on her finger like that...]
Yeah, yeah, don't mention it.
[Well, it's making him feel sentimental as well. Sentimental enough not to point out how badly it clashes with her entire look, anyway. Alear's not goth enough for this.
He grips her hand tightly when she takes his, but that remark earns a scoff and an eyeroll.]
"Cute"? C'mon, I'm anything but "cute". And don't get used to it! You know I'm not usually so... [handwave. open?] sappy.
[But despite his complaints, Griss truly does look pleased.]
Alear tried to go for a kiss on the cheek, but uh. Guess who managed to bumblefuck her face right into one of Griss's piercings?? This girl!! One of her hands comes up to poke at her poked lip, just. Just give her a couple seconds here to recover her pride. Ow.]
[Oh, wow--that's actually surprisingly gentlemanly, and Alear definitely just felt her heart skip a beat at that. What the fuck, that's illegal??? That's so illegal.]
...Yeah. Yeah, I can safely say that definitely does. Keep that up and you might just sweep me off my feet...
[d-doki]
Come on, though, you don't have to do that. I just need to get better at not ramming my face right into them, that's all. [Alear chuckles at that, though, grinning brightly.] It isn't so bad, really.
[Oh, he definitely knows it's illegal, given the smirk when he pulls back. But Alear's pretty charming in her own way, huh... He really wouldn't mind swapping his piercings out or temporarily removing them, but that's cute.]
You wanna get some practice in, then? I'll hold still, just for you.
[That's definitely teasing, and meant to fluster her, but damn he wouldn't mind if she actually took him up on it.]
[Hi, did you want Alear's face to go more red?? Because it sure is. It's going red like a damn cherry right now.]
You--! [aaaaaaa] You're the worst sometimes, I can't believe it.
[That doesn't stop her from taking a step closer, though, one of her hands coming up a bit to rest at the side of Griss's face--a little awkward and nervous, like she's still a bit unsure, but...]
But...I guess if you're gonna be nice about it, I wouldn't mind getting some in at all. And it might help me satisfy a bit of curiosity, too...
[What curiosity, Alear doesn't specify--if Griss actually does hold still for her, she'll go right in and plant a proper kiss on his lips and let her fingers go into his hair. She admittedly isn't going to take this too far but...
...Okay, look, she's really curious to if Griss has any other piercings he's hiding, don't @ her--]
[And there it is!! Victory!! Griss is grinning by the time Alear steps forward, but he stays true to his word and holds still. Well, mostly, because he is going to return that kiss, and his gands come up to her arms, his touch surprisingly gentle.
As for Alear's question... he's got an eyebrow pietcing, but nothing else that's immediately obvious... at least until they're breaking apart and he takes the opportunity to deepen that kiss - she can probably tell his tongue's pierced too just from that before he pulls back with a satisfied smirk.]
Not bad, but next time don't expect me to play so nice.
[Sorry if he bumped you with his snake bites?? Jk he is really not sorry at all.]
[This is...nice, honestly; his touch is gentle, and the kiss is surprisingly blissful. Really, Alear could get lost in the feeling, and she doesn't expect much when they break apart for a moment--
And then he deepens the kiss and. Oh. Griss can likely feel Alear start a bit as her tongue mingles with his, and she doesn't really have more than a bit to enjoy it before he pulls back. The gall! The nerve!! How dare he look so smug!!
...And yeah she's. Bleeding just a lil bit from the snakebites, but does she care?? No. She just hopes this doesn't awaken anything--]
...If that was you being nice, I'm almost scared of what your being mean is. But that was...really nice. Thanks, Griss.
[Like holy shit.]
Come on; we should try to get some sleep. Want me to take you back to your quarters, or are you fine on your own?
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[Alear isn't sure she could sleep if she tried. Sure, she's going to have to try at some point, but right now she doesn't want to be anywhere but Griss's side. The second statement gets her to chuckle, nodding.]
I am, yeah. It was just as overwhelming as I would have thought--it turned from a simple congratulations to practically a party, and that lasted well into the night...
[she loves everyone. really, she does. but good gods above...]
I can't complain, though. We deserve it, after all we managed to do today. But it is nice to have a little peace and quiet. [...] And...I'm glad to be able to talk with you, too.
[It's strange, but it's truthful. Sure she can't fucking stand him sometimes but she did miss his presence a bit at the gathering.]
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[Griss sounds pleased, though. After a moment, he holds up the box. It's still sealed, despite his complaints.]
So you gonna let me open this now?
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I'll try to keep that in mind. But yes, you've waited long enough; you can open it now.
[When Griss finally unwraps it, he'll finally see the little box for what it is; small and black, and with an easy click he'll be able to open it up and see a pretty gold ring with a blue gem set within it.
There's no mistaking it. Griss has obtained the Pact Ring! ...And Alear is very pointedly looking at that sunrise, right now, don't mind her.
She's not sure how Griss is going to react--she had a mildly threatening talk with Zephia that both confused her and made her more certain that Griss was the one she wanted to give this to, but even now, she wonders if this is too much. This is certainly something they'll have to discuss, but for now, Alear waits.]
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His answer is... a ring? Well, he does wear rings, so that's not all that surprising, but this is...
Well, it's something alright.]
It's... nice...?
[...someone missed the memo on the Pact Ring. Sorry, Alear.]
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Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. He can't possibly not know what this means, right? No, no, what if she did something wrong? This is a step too far. This has to be, this is too much to suddenly spring on someone and even with that talk with Zephia that seemed all to knowing, she--]
I--! [Alear turns back to him, clearly thrown, every bit not the fearless leader that she was earlier.] I'd hope so? It was my Mother's, after all, and it's...I...
[Wow. Oh wow. Her face is starting to turn a shade of crimson to rival the red in her hair and she's stammering, uh--]
Did--did Zephia not explain anything about this? I was so sure she'd caught on, and...
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No? Was she supposed to?
[Zephia doesn't make mistakes. She wouldn't just forget. So maybe there's another reason behind this? Or maybe she really didn't know about whatever's got Alear so worked up.]
Look, stop fretting about it and just start from the beginning. It's your mom's, so it's important to you, yeah?
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No? I didn't ask her to, but she...I thought that she, because you...but I...
[If only it were so easy to stop fretting, to stop feeling this immense sense of shame wash over her. She should've been direct, she should've done literally anything else but this, she should've realized when he didn't get her the first time he didn't get her. Foolish, foolish--]
Yes. Yes, it is. It's... [Alear's eyes close, as if bracing herself. It's mostly so she doesn't have to look Griss in the face for this.] ...Marth told Vander and I about it, when we went out to gather more rings. We came across an illusion of the Lythos Castle Gardens, and retrieved this ring from an altar. This is...
It isn't an emblem ring; it is a ring known as the Pact Ring. It's a kind of ring passed down from Divine Dragons, and it carries a great significance. It's...it's something that...
[come on, girl, you can do it!!]
It's something that...we may give, to those we consider great allies to us. Even...precious, to us, so that we may never part. It carries my Mother's power, and...
[...]
To be honest with you? I don't know what meaning my Mother derived from it. I don't know if she ever gave the ring, or a ring to someone at all. I wanted to try and find my own meaning for it, and give it to someone I consider truly dear to me. And...you're that someone, Griss. If you're amendable to it, I...would like to stay by your side.
[She absolutely understands if he can't, or won't. In a way, Alear wonders if this is too much even still; they've definitely got an understanding of one another. They've talked, and talked, and beaten each other up a bit, and talked some more, and it's been nice to not feel so lonely up at the top. Alear isn't sure if this is really love, or anything of the sort, but...
Well. She's willing to let him go, if necessary. She'd feel kind of bad taking the ring back at that point, but at least he knows now.]
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Her words mean more to him than he can ever express. That of everyone - all the people who supported and worshipped her from the start - she chose him to grant something so meaningful. She seemed a bit awkward about giving it to him, but there was no hesitation. She's certain this is what she wants.
He never would have guessed that he'd want something similar, but sitting here with the sun rising and watching her somewhat awkward expression, he knows what his answer is.
Griss has been silent for a long moment, but when he moves, it's with purpose. He removes one of his own rings and slides the Pact Ring on his finger like it's the easiest thing in the world. When he turns to Alear, it's with a genuine grin.]
I'd ask if you're sure, but you wouldn't have given this to me if you weren't. So sure, I wanna stay by your side too, Alear.
[He pauses, glancing down at the rather plain, thick black ring he removed.]
...This is all I've got right now, but I can get you somethin' nicer later. Not sure anything'll compare to this... so you've got my word I'll take good care of it.
[It's the most precious gift he's ever received.]
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Alear's eyes open when Griss speaks up, and her expression openly goes to one of shock while she listens, and watches him take off one of his own rings--she'd never asked him if they held any sort of significance, or anything, but he takes one of his and adds her own to the mix, and he even gives her one of his own...
Alear can't believe it. The vice on her chest releases, and Alear takes that ring carefully into her hands and clutches it against her chest with both hands.]
Are you kidding me? Don't even think about it. [Alear immediately goes to put the ring on her finger, and--gods, it clashes so hard. It might even be a little big for her, but good luck getting her to let go.] It's perfect, Griss. I'm never going to let it go. You have my word.
[Alear walks closer, then, to Griss. It's without hesitation that she goes to take one of his hands, the warm smile on her face practically glowing beneath the dawn's light. His own smile is perfect, cuter than she could have ever imagined, but this moment, this quiet...it's theirs, isn't it? It's all theirs. The start of their future.
...Heh. Maybe Zephia realized it before either of them did.]
...You really do have such a cute smile. Heh. It really makes me feel lucky that I get to see it, you know?
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Yeah, yeah, don't mention it.
[Well, it's making him feel sentimental as well. Sentimental enough not to point out how badly it clashes with her entire look, anyway. Alear's not goth enough for this.
He grips her hand tightly when she takes his, but that remark earns a scoff and an eyeroll.]
"Cute"? C'mon, I'm anything but "cute". And don't get used to it! You know I'm not usually so... [handwave. open?] sappy.
[But despite his complaints, Griss truly does look pleased.]
1/2
I won't, I won't. But you know me, I just can't help being a little sentimental, yeah? [Snrk.] Would you prefer handsome instead, maybe?
[...Ah, she can't stand how pleased he looks; it's in the best way, but Alear's face moves with purpose as her eyes close--]
2/2
[Well.
Alear tried to go for a kiss on the cheek, but uh. Guess who managed to bumblefuck her face right into one of Griss's piercings?? This girl!! One of her hands comes up to poke at her poked lip, just. Just give her a couple seconds here to recover her pride. Ow.]
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And then he bursts out laughing at poor Alear's injury. Just. Give him a second...]
Looks like I'm gonna have to invest in somethin' a little less dangerous, just for you.
[Given the tone he's using that might be sarcasm...?? It's definitely affectionate though.]
Here, this outta do for now.
[He brings her hand up to place a kiss on the back of it, mindful of his piercings, of course.]
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...Yeah. Yeah, I can safely say that definitely does. Keep that up and you might just sweep me off my feet...
[d-doki]
Come on, though, you don't have to do that. I just need to get better at not ramming my face right into them, that's all. [Alear chuckles at that, though, grinning brightly.] It isn't so bad, really.
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You wanna get some practice in, then? I'll hold still, just for you.
[That's definitely teasing, and meant to fluster her, but damn he wouldn't mind if she actually took him up on it.]
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You--! [aaaaaaa] You're the worst sometimes, I can't believe it.
[That doesn't stop her from taking a step closer, though, one of her hands coming up a bit to rest at the side of Griss's face--a little awkward and nervous, like she's still a bit unsure, but...]
But...I guess if you're gonna be nice about it, I wouldn't mind getting some in at all. And it might help me satisfy a bit of curiosity, too...
[What curiosity, Alear doesn't specify--if Griss actually does hold still for her, she'll go right in and plant a proper kiss on his lips and let her fingers go into his hair. She admittedly isn't going to take this too far but...
...Okay, look, she's really curious to if Griss has any other piercings he's hiding, don't @ her--]
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As for Alear's question... he's got an eyebrow pietcing, but nothing else that's immediately obvious... at least until they're breaking apart and he takes the opportunity to deepen that kiss - she can probably tell his tongue's pierced too just from that before he pulls back with a satisfied smirk.]
Not bad, but next time don't expect me to play so nice.
[Sorry if he bumped you with his snake bites?? Jk he is really not sorry at all.]
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And then he deepens the kiss and. Oh. Griss can likely feel Alear start a bit as her tongue mingles with his, and she doesn't really have more than a bit to enjoy it before he pulls back. The gall! The nerve!! How dare he look so smug!!
...And yeah she's. Bleeding just a lil bit from the snakebites, but does she care?? No. She just hopes this doesn't awaken anything--]
...If that was you being nice, I'm almost scared of what your being mean is. But that was...really nice. Thanks, Griss.
[Like holy shit.]
Come on; we should try to get some sleep. Want me to take you back to your quarters, or are you fine on your own?
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Don't mention it. You don't have to escort me back... unless you wanna spend the night.
[It gets a smirk and then a laugh from him.]
Kidding. Zephia's next door.
[Can you imagine the chewing out we'd get if we woke her up while banging.....]
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Y-Yeah, I'd rather not--ah, test? Zephia? On just--ah--
[y-you know what--]
I'll see you sometime in the afternoon, then, Griss. Take care.
[AND ALEAR PROCEEDS TO FLEE THE CONVERSATION, GOODBYE, SHE'S GOING TO NAP FOR ANOTHER THOUSAND YEARS--]