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Snow. Such a white, cold and strangely soft thing. There was no snow in Thanalan, nor was there any to be found around Ala Mhigo, Gridania and La Noscea seemed to get their fair share of it, and yet, he could remember the Grand Melee, and his very first time seeing so much of it. Just a vast field upon field of nothing but a white canvas that could make lesser men get lost, and as soon as you put your foot forward onto the snow, you could feel it give in under the weight, leaving a mark, not unlike the desert and yet so different, it didn’t burn the same, it didn’t felt the same, but above all, he remembers that day vividly because of the snow dancing in tandem with a fearsome warrior that was part of the melee, her feet moving around not minding the snow or how both of them were absolutely not used to fight under such circumstances, it was gracious, it was fearsome and it was hypnotic, to say the least.
Such thoughts always came back to him whenever he saw the recent starlight decorations, whenever he was reminded of Ishgard, or now, when he was invited there, once again, this time not for a fight, but to have a small meeting and then go back to Ala Mhigo, it wasn’t really something terribly important and Commander Hext had offered to go, but sometimes he felt he had to let her with more responsibility, slowly and surely Lyse would eventually become a pillar and as much of a leader as anyone could wish for.
As he was getting close to the city, he was able to notice a rather familiar silhouette near the bridge, that brown hair and the profile spoke volumes to him, for a hyur, there was a fearsome warrior, kindest soul of them all and his partner against all odds, Morgan seemed to be handing out something to the soldiers and as he got closer he couldn’t help but smile before said soldiers saluted him, as they were aware of his coming to talk with the Lord Commander. “No need for that, seems I caught all of you on a break.” Raubahn turned to face Morgan who was surprised to see him all the way here but joyous all the same. “I had no idea you were here, did something happen?”
“Oh, why would you assume I am here only for some sort of trouble? I came here for personal business, then got caught up with the new trend in tea, apparently there is new spices coming and the drinks are getting better.” She took a small vial and offered it to the former Flames General “Do taste, it will return to you some warm.”
He could imagine other ways to get more warm but accepted the drink regardless, starting to drink and feeling a rather pleasant warmth fill his body, it did taste a bit spicy and that was probably what helped to get warmer which he was glad for, “Quite good, do you need help distributing those?” The face on his beloved seemed to paint a thousand questions before she could even open her mouth but he simply let out a hearty laugh “I would like to go to the city with you, I’m sure you more familiar with it, being more used to go around than me. I could use your guidance until the meeting happens.”
“Oh.” She seemed to be a bit flustered, which was unusual, but it had probably something to do with the fact that it was pretty cold and also they had some public around watching their banter, yet she still nodded and then clarified “I am actually done, we should be good to go into Ishgard.” Her smile seemed to be even more bright than the snow, so pretty and so filled with happiness, sometimes such a gesture made him wonder what had he done to deserve such shows of affection coming from her, and he welcome it, every time, offering his only arm to her and urging the Monk to get close, so they could walk into the small post inside the gate to the bridge and soon walking through.
As they were walking on the bridge and talking, about nothing, the view, the time they have spent away from each other, no matter how much or how little, they were mostly enjoying walking side by side, Raubahn making sure to use his cape to keep her safe from the cold winds assaulting the bridge and she was making sure to keep close, holding to him and giving him all her warm possible, making the long trip into Ishgard the less cold, the less alone and the more enjoyable, as long as they were together.
“I was also having some snow fights with some of the kids when I arrived, you’d be surprised by how damned good they are when throwing balls.” She had commented but there wasn’t any reply even when they were still walking forward, making her a bit curious, raising her head and stopping for a second to try to see the face on her lover. “Is there something wrong?”
The taller man seemed to be thinking, with a rather serious expression, until he turned to see her and finally asked “What is a snowball fight?” He could probably imagine such, but rather than figure it out by himself, he could ask, and it was obvious, probably for many, that he had never lived close to any places that had to deal with a lot of snow, or at least enough for them to have snow fights, or to make snowmen constantly. Morgan blinked for a few seconds before she started to laugh, not for making fun of him, not at all, she was simply endeared, finding his question and his entire demeanor rather cute, everything screamed to her that Raubahn considered all she told him something important and wanted to always understand, but also, it showed that he was interested in something as silly as a snowball fight.
“I can actually show you once we arrive at the city, if you’re up for it.” That sounded more like a challenge than she had wanted to, regardless it seemed like her dear was in for a fight, snow or not, which was not really surprising at all, they both really liked to fight when it was for fun, for the challenge and not for the fate of anything, the joy to enjoy a fight that was challenging enough and also made them both use their all made them both excited, no matter the time and no matter the amount of times they did it.
They could spar together, they could enjoy talking about new tactics, they could get even more along just as they traded blows with each other and then enjoying close time together, a bath together, cuddling if time permits, maybe even just lay down and be lazy, though those days were simply too rare of a luxury and yet that made them even more precious and a treasure to enjoy.
As they were getting close to the city, there could be seen a big patch of snow to the sides of the door, Morgan immediately ran away and went directly to the snow, standing there and then kneeling down, seeming to make something with the snow and her hands, then turning around and showing proudly her perfectly round ball of snow to a impressed Raubahn who was not expecting a traitorous attack “Aren’t you cold holding that?”
“I am, a bit, but that’s the fun of it...I think, there’s even more fun to this but I consider the making of them to be just as good.” Before the taller man could say anything else, she threw the ball to his face, immediately laughing and running to the other snow patch to start making a new ball. “If you lower your guard so close to me don’t be surprised when I get the first point!” Suddenly there were points and the fight had started.
The general was cleaning the snow from his face with his hand but the basics had been understood, the fight was on and he was not going to fall behind, so after laughing for having been caught off guard, he made his best effort to start making balls, they were not as round as those of Morgan, but he was only using one arm, so the fact he could make anything resembling a ball was already a feat, soon there was snow flying forward and back, some balls hitting the mark and making Morgan laugh as she fell down to the snow, only to soon get up and counterattack, making him cover himself with his cape, his height making him such an easy target compared to her who was used to move around so easily, paired with better knowledge of the terrain.
Eventually both of them ended falling to the snow, and the points forgotten as they laugh, filling their lungs with cold air that was burning their fingers already, some parts of their faces as well, but they were warm regardless thanks to all the exercise they did, a soldier got closed, finally, after the absolute storm of snow stopped and told them to please get inside the city before any of them got sick by staying too much on the snow, Morgan stood up first, then went to help her dear and both of them walked with big grins on their faces inside the city, immediately being ushered to the nearest inn so they could warm themselves, and while it seemed everyone was worried about how covered in snow they were, both of them couldn’t be really bothered as they actually had fun and the cold was but a secondary thought.
Once they were inside a room and the chimney was lit with a warm fire, Morgan was the first to move around getting some towels, giving some to Raubahn who took her and sat her down in front of him, starting to clean her hair and her clothes “That was a rather interesting way to have a spar...I would be more than happy if you were to honor me with another of those fights. Though, there’s not really snow in Ala Mhigo.” The sound of Morgan laughing made him smile, even more, a common occurrence whenever they were together. “I am not joking, even if it sounds like so.”
“No, no, I don’t think you are joking, but it does sound rather funny when you say you’d be honored to fight me again...with snowballs, which is quite fun, you have quite the aim and the strength to throw me down!” She was having absolute fun, raising her hands to take the big one from him, moving slowly to turn around and see him, then standing up so she could help him to get clean. “First, let me make sure you don’t get sick for following me with my ideas...”
“I believe I have said sometimes I regret not following you more often, not only into your more dangerous battles, but anywhere...” His voice was soft, as soft as the voice of a man used to command, used to the war and roughness could be, even so, he was soft and careful with her, letting her take care of him, knowing full well she was gentle, strong and yet she was oh so kind and beautiful. “I assume my arriving has been announced, but since I was ushered here with you...would you care to enjoy the fire with me?”
There was no answer, Morgan simply got closer to the fire and looked over to him, awaiting, he soon laughed and moved close to her, sitting to her side, moving his arm to hug her and then press her body close to his own, resting his head on top of her own, remaining both in silence for a few minutes, that big hand from Raubahn’s caressing softly the side of Morgan’s body, the crackling of the fire being the only sound that could be hear besides the faint sounds of the usual customers inside the Forgotten Knight coming to drink.
Eventually, just a bit more before any of them could fall asleep, Morgan whispered something, holding fast to the hand of her love, turning her face to look over to him “Happy Starlight.”
After the initial surprise that kicked the sleepiness from him, he smiled and moved forward, lowering his body to get close to her face to give her a soft kiss, feeling her lips turning up, happy to make her just as joyous as she made him “Happy Starlight...”
“Would you like for me to give you a tour around the city after your meeting?”
“Would we have another snow fight?”
“Anything you want, of course, we will need to recover warmth later...” She said, having fun and looking to his eyes.
“Oh, I think I have more than a few ideas about how to recover such, if you would indulge me.”
It seemed this starlight, besides being actually white, it seemed it was going to be more warm, filled with love and he would be able to spend it with one of his most beloved people in the entire Star. Of course, they would probably have a little celebration later with everyone, but for now, their private reunion would be the present from both of them to the two of them.
And they were going to enjoy it, until other people could tell they did.