Work Text:
It was a typical day in Coerthas as a snowstorm raged into the night. But perhaps to a not so acclimated Au Ra it was proving to be much more of a trial than many had seen the hero face before. While the majority of those at Camp Dragonhead went about their business and retired for the night, their commander sat at his desk whittling away the hours trying not to be overly concerned for the girl’s wellbeing. The hour had grown so late, the skies darkened and the cold winds howled as the blizzard kicked up.
He stood abruptly about to start pacing to alleviate some of his worry when suddenly the door flew open and a carbuncle rolled in covered in snow.
“Nova, get back here before you make a mess..!” cried out the familiar voice as she closed the door behind her with a great heave against the wind. However it was her cloak that was far more snow ridden than the arcane creature. With one little shake she had already created a small pile beneath her.
“Lord Haurchefant. My apologies, I promise I’ll clean this mess up.” Arisa bowed to him, further dropping more white fluff about.
Haurchefant couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched and was filled with relief seeing she was no worse for wear. “No need to fret over a bit of snow. We are quite used to treading it in ourselves here and there. It comes with the territory.” he assured her.
She bowed politely once more and pulled away the hood of her cloak. A white puff of breath escaped her lips as she spoke again, looking to him with those piercing crimson eyes of hers. “You’re still working at this hour?”
Be still his heart. It was she who was the one concerned for him?
“Certainly. Someone has to be here to welcome back those such as yourself after a long day’s work.” he smiled.
The Au Ra began to smile back but shuddered as a chill ran through her. He was still learning much about Arisa Haneishi but there was one thing that was always painfully obvious and it was how ill suited she was built for the cold.
“Pardon my manners. Please come warm yourself by the hearth.” He ushered her over to a chair by the fireplace, gently taking her cloak to hang and thaw.
“Thank you.” Nova, her carbuncle followed at their heels and shook itself free of the remaining slush while it curled up at her feet to warm by the fire. “I wish I could say I was getting used to the weather here but I believe you would only hear the sound of my teeth chattering in between my bluff.” she let out a weak laugh as she rubbed her arms and her tail curled around her waist in a feeble attempt to add to the warmth.
“You are not the first to struggle with the cold I assure you.” He wanted to wrap her up in something to warm her but alas there were no blankets around that night to spare. Pondering a moment on how to best thaw his friend an idea came to him.
“I believe I have the perfect cure. I’ll be but a moment as I prepare it.” the elezen beamed before scurrying off at a surprising speed for his armorclad steps. Most would no doubt prefer a good pint after a long mission but he had a feeling the Au Ra might like something different. He had heard much about her time growing up near Aleport and did not dare to serve her unbefitting spirits. Nor did he suspect dulling the senses would serve to ward off the chill of the long night.
No, he had something much better in mind and a specialty those at the camp had grown to know him fondly over. He carefully mixed and boiled the beverage to perfection before pouring it into two generously sized mugs.
“This should do the trick. Here you are my friend. Careful it’s hot.”
Arisa stared at the cup presented to her and smelled the sweet aroma wafting from it. It smelled familiar and yet foreign all at once. “What is this..?”
“Why, it’s hot chocolate. Brewed with the finest of kukuru powder I assure you.” he beamed as if he had gathered each ingredient himself. The knight took great pride in the brew.
Arisa took another whiff before finally bringing the warm mug to her lips. Her eyes lit up as she let out what he assumed was a sound of content. However the light in her eyes seemed to fade into deep thought. “It tastes like…”
Like what? He wondered and waited with baited breath for her to continue.
Except she did not.
Haruchefant’s confidence in his choice of beverage began to waver as the silence hung heavy in the air.
Had he somehow insulted her?
Was it because it was not alcoholic?
By the Fury, had he somehow insinuated she appeared too young to him by giving her hot chocolate instead of wine?
The color started to drain from his face as he began to panic inwardly. He was still learning much about her and of Au Ra so it was completely possible he had missed the mark. To cause the ire of a warrior of light, what kind of leader was he? No, what kind of friend would be so thoughtless?
She stood abruptly, setting the mug down with an uneasy motion and loud sound. It startled her carbuncle who hopped to its feet and let out a confused yip. Looking between the two it focused its attention on the commander as if ready to pounce.
“L-Lady Arisa I–?!”
The elezen swallowed, bracing himself to be on the receiving end of the warrior’s wrath. Would she sic the arcane creature upon him? Summon an egi of a primal to exact her revenge? The possibilities were endless and he felt his life flash before him as he watched her open her mouth no doubt to perform an incantation.
Instead he saw a shimmer in her eyes as he heard her voice almost whisper. “..ome…”
He blinked. “Lady Arisa..?”
That did not sound like a spell at all nor did he sense any bloodlust from her.
“H-Home…” she murmured weakly. “It… it tastes like home…”
His eyes widened as he finally saw her clearly from the light of the fireplace. Teardrops began to pour from her eyes as she trembled not from cold but from something else.
Home.
How could he not have noticed it sooner?
So far from home she found herself now in a strange and foreign land. Who knew the last time she had seen the family she usually spoke of so cheerfully. When was the last time he had seen that smile of hers? Genuine and bright. Enough to melt away the cold.
He took a step forward, daring to take action, but before he could complete a stride toward her he found himself nearly knocked back. He looked down in awe as this strong yet slight figure clung to him desperately. In all his time with her watching her battle he never stopped to realize just how incredibly small she was. Why, she barely reached his waist. In fact he could see her standing upon her toes in an effort to hold onto him properly.
Now this simply would not do. What kind of knight was he?
Without a word, he placed a warm hand atop her head. Then he wrapped her up in his arms and carefully lifted her up a moment before setting her back down as he knelt to ease her burden.
Her sobs echoed through the room and he could only imagine the feelings she had been enduring. The best he could do was be there to let her and protect her from any that might pry.
They stayed that way holding one another before the fireplace until she calmed. He smoothed her hair, careful not to disturb her horns as he did so. Her tail unraveled from her waist and he felt it wrap around him a moment. When he looked down his eyes met hers and saw how flush her face was. His hand moved to gently cup her cheek and wipe away a stray tear.
“Pray excuse my manners, but if I may…” Haurchefant spoke up to break the silence. “You will always have a home here.” he promised her.
He watched as her lip quivered a moment before she softly bit down and nodded in understanding. When it seemed she was about to cry once more it was he who pulled her in close again for another hug. Arisa’s body relaxed against his and her breathing settled. A nudge at their feet caused her to pull away as large round eyes gazed up at them, nose twitching in concern.
Wiping at her eyes, the Au Ra nodded down at the creature. “Yes, I know Nova…” she spoke to it as if able to comprehend its peculiar yips for language. “He says not to let your hospitality go to waste.” she explained to him shyly, the pink peeking out from behind her scales on her cheeks this time from embarrassment.
Such a peculiar presence she was since the moment she entered his life. She thoroughly fascinated him and this moment of weakness Haruchefant had been privy to did not escape him either. Nova herded her back to her mug before she could make the strange break between them anymore awkward.
By the time she finally returned to drinking the hot chocolate however it had turned lukewarm. He read the slight disappointment on her face and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t I make us another round before bed?”
Crimson eyes sparkled again and nodded eagerly. “Thank you, Haurchefant.”
“My pleasure, Arisa.” he bowed graciously, taking her mug to go brew more cocoa. The elezen secreted another glance back at her watching the Au Ra animatedly talk to her carbuncle.
Now that was a smile befitting a hero and one this knight was more than happy to protect.