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The first thing Ashton knew was that it was getting dark. Then, everything was illuminated and green, the lush greenery around them illuminated by small fiery spirits.
Of course, everyone stared in awe or intrigue at the little fireballs and how they seemed to float so dainty in the air around them.
But that's not what caught Ashton's attention.
It was Orym's look of warm awe as the green sparks flitted softly around them. And they knew the look he had on his face.
He wanted to reach out to nature as he tends to do and Ash kept that note to themselves, holding it for later.
And indeed did it manifest itself later.
Orym offered to take watch and everyone settled into their respective places to sleep.
Almost everyone.
Ashton heard the little Halfling schuck off his chest plate and stretch, making that little squeak he always would when a good stretch was had.
As they popped open their good eye, they saw Orym soundlessly scurry off only about 15 feet away and look up in awe once more at the spirits of the forest and their soft pulses of verdant green.
Somehow getting close enough to not be seen within earshot, Ashton took in the whole exchange.
"Hope you don't mind me here. You're all so beautiful and I wanted to share some beauty back to you as a thanks. That is… if you'll have me?"
Oh my Gods. Orym is asking permission to share with spirits. Ash exhaled out of pure adoration before covering their mouth out of fear of being heard.
"Well then, you're not saying no so here goes.."
They watched as Orym began to fluidly and gracefully began to do something similar to the Zeprah'tam, at least, they think that's what he told them it was called.
No, this was different. He's dancing.
Orym was dancing with forest spirits, who were now dancing with him.
And they were staring in awe with their mouths slightly agape, hands having fallen slowly from their face.
It was as if time had slowed to a snail's pace, all Ashton was experiencing was the gorgeous sight in front of them and the raging thump of their heart in their chest.
They could see every tense muscle flex and relax, gliding frictionless into each step. They took in every soft, smiling inch of Orym's freckled face.
And Ashton Greymoore let themselves get lost in this solitary moment of Orym's appreciative gesture to the spirits.
A little too lost.
"Beautiful…" They croaked out an unintended whisper and the spirits got startled, scattering.
"Hello?" Orym went rigid and immediately dropped into a defensive position, snapping Ashton out of their starstruck stupor.
Fuck! This is why you don't get nice things, Greymoore!
They slunk back to camp as quietly as they could, scolding themselves mentally the entire time.
Just as they managed to get into a somewhat believable position, Orym came softly padding into camp to check if everything was ok.
Ashton did not miss the soft sigh of relief as the now on watch for real Halfling slipped his leaf covered breastplate back on and took point somewhere nearby.
Eventually, as they replayed the scene of Orym's serenity in their head, they drifted off into some state of sleep.
Maybe this time, they do get some sort of nice thing.
Even if everything Orym does is a constant good, a sight just for Ashton to have seen was everything they needed for now.