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She was thankful when Ikora had offered up her private library in the Tower for her personal use. Some place where she did not have to worry for crowds, or the mistrustful stares from civilians and guardians alike.
For once, Eris could have some semblance of peace. Even if just for a moment. She dared to hope at least.
That, however, was a hope quickly dashed by the heavy footfalls steadily growing louder over her shoulder. A Titan most certainly, she had no doubt of that. Eris hummed quietly, and spoke when she figured the guest was but a few feet away. Not even bothering to look up, she had no need to.
“Loud footsteps...hello, Titan.”
The footsteps stopped. Eris, growing more tense with each second of passing silence, prepared herself for the comments and endless questions of a prying guardian.
However, a familiar voice eased the tension that had been building, “I am sorry to disturb you, Eris. Ikora said I would be able to find you here.”
It was her Guardian. The Exo never was one for subtlety. But Eris was happy it was her, and not a stranger.
“Five, I was not expecting to see you today.”
The Titan maintained a small distance from Eris, always cautious not to crowd her, “Yes, well...it wasn’t originally my intention. But you know how plans can change. How are you feeling today?”
Eris smiled and waved her over, “Better than most. You may come closer.”
Five approached, close enough that Eris felt the shift in the chair’s fabric as the Exo’s hand came up to rest on the back of her seat. Letting her know where she was approaching from, before contact was made.
Finally the Titan’s hand came up to finally rest upon her shoulder, a familiar weight that had become a sort of comfort for Eris when she found herself in the mood. She couldn’t help but reach a hand up, resting it atop of Five’s.
“I know you have been quite busy, and I will not keep you long if that's what you wish...but I have a gift for you.”
“A gift?”
The hand fell away from her shoulder, but she could still sense Five’s presence behind her, “Yes, I thought it might help you just...feel a little more comfortable? If that’s alright.”
That caught her attention, Eris carefully marked her page and set the large book aside on the bookshelf at her side. She felt rather than saw as a soft, plush blanket was laid across her lap. It was quite warm, and certainly not what she had been expecting.
“What are you doing?” She asked curiously, her hands reaching down to brush over the blanket on her lap. Eris could not lie, it felt wonderfully gentle on the bare skin of her hands.
Five chuckled at her side, cool lips pressed to Eris’ cheek moments later, “Getting you more comfortable. I am going to put something on your lap, is that alright?”
Eris heard a chair being shifted across the floor to be placed down next to her own, and the shuffling of some sort of container. She frowned, trying to discern what exactly was happening. But that did not stop her from nodding.
Her ears caught the sound of something metal opening, or unlocking perhaps? Five’s gentle whispers were heard next, something along the lines of ‘That’s it. Come here’.
Before she could ask who the Titan was speaking to, a weight pressed down onto her lap. Eris tensed briefly, but Five reached out with her hands - one on Eris’ shoulder, “It’s alright, she’s harmless. I’m right here, Eris.”
“She?”
Eris’ hands reached carefully towards the weight on her lap, stopping suddenly when her bare skin connected with something soft. Much softer than the blanket had been, and- moving!?
She almost jumped, but the thing in her lap let out a soft meow. The sound caught her off guard, Eris paused and tilted her head curiously. She lowered her hands once more until her fingers found the soft object in her lap again. Cautious, but ever curious, Eris traced out a tail, and a small furry body before finally brushing her fingers against a set of whiskers and tiny ears.
“What...is this?”
Five laughed, “Surely you know what a cat is, Eris? Well rather, a kitten. She is completely harmless, I just figured you could...use the company, when you don’t want others around.”
Eris felt herself immediately relax, unable to stop the natural urge to pet the small cat now sitting calmly in her lap, “I...thank you, Titan. Tell me, what does she look like?”
“A lot like you actually. Black fur, bright green eyes and gives me the overwhelming desire to hug her.”
“I think you may be biased - I am afraid she is much softer than I am, my Titan.”
Another laugh, “I think you are much softer than you would like to believe you are.”
The weight on her lap shifted as the Titan spoke, and seemed to crawl up her chest. Eris wasn’t sure what she had expected to come next, but it certainly wasn’t one of the kittens' small paws reaching out to tap at her chin several times.
“I think she likes you!”
Eris brought both of her hands up to cradle the kitten, smiling as it continued just curiously reaching out to touch her face. She did not voice her thoughts aloud, but this was a welcome gift.
It was a companion, one that was soft and gentle. One who would not judge her for her past, or her present. When she would throw herself into work, she knew it would never call her insane. This pure creature was just simply a friend, one who, much like the Titan sitting at Eris’ side, would love her regardless of the scars, and even for them.
“Thank you, Five. I...will take good care of her. Does she have a name?”
The Exo hummed, reaching out to place a hand upon Eris’ shoulder, “I figured I would leave that to you, Eris. You pick her name.”
“I think...I think I can manage that.”
Five moved to stand, hand on instinct seeking out its place on Eris’ shoulder. “Good. Would it be too much to ask you to watch her for a few minutes alone? I meant to make us tea, but I am afraid I only have so many hands.”
Eris nodded, still preoccupied with the kitten pawing at her chin. Her focus was pulled away from the tiny creature when she heard Five’s footsteps fall away into silence, the kitten wasted no time in taking advantage of the distraction.
It leaned in and promptly licked at her nose.
That did make her jump, but it also filled her with an unfamiliar warmth, and a budding sense of joy. Something so unfamiliar that she was unable to stop the soft peals of laughter bubbling up from deep within her chest.
She pulled the kitten away, all too gently of course and cracked a smile, “What shall I call you, little one?”
Eris stared at the tiny, squirming kitten eager to toy with the various beads and charms that hung from her hood. So wild and full of life, and a certain nickname given to her by a certain gambit running lightbearer came to mind.
“Hmm, how does...Moondust sound?”
The kitten meowed at her as if agreeing with her choice and Eris smiled, “Moondust it is then.”
...
Several minutes later, Five returned to Eris’ secluded corner of Ikora’s library cradling a mug of herbal tea between her hands. This time trying to approach at least somewhat quietly so she did not disturb Eris, but still making sure her steps were loud enough to at least let her know that someone was approaching.
Yet Eris did not react. There were none of her usual playful jabs or remarks about the Exo’s loud approach.
Five frowned at the silence and cautiously rounded the corner around the shelf, coming to a stop next to Eris’ chair. She halted the moment her eyes landed on Eris.
Eris was leaning back in her chair, curled up beneath the blanket Five had given her. Head lolled to the side against the back of the seat. While against her neck, curled into the tiniest ball was the small black kitten. Both of them were fast asleep, completely unphased by her approach.
Five made no sound, and spoke not a single word as she gently sat the mug down on the shelf beside Eris. Once she ensured it was far enough away that Eris would not accidentally spill it when she woke, Five reached for the edges of the blanket she had draped across her lap.
Carefully, she worked to readjust and unfold the quilted fabric. Taking the time to tuck it under Eris’ feet and pulling it up over her chest just below where the kitten lay curled up. Five took great care in adjusting her arms so that both of them were above the blanket, taking note of the string of beads and charms Eris had wrapped up in her right hand.
As though she had been using it to entertain the kitten.
“You must have needed the rest, poor thing. I will be here when you wake,” She whispered, mostly to Eris before she moved her chair back across the table from where Eris slept. She sat down, cracked open one of many nearby books and began to read.
It was a rare moment of respite for the both of them. One well deserved.