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In the frigid land of the Upper Aetia Region there was the Cloudkeep. It was a fortification in the sky to protect the life of the Queen of Agnus. The impossibly long stairways raised up to the heavens and lead to the chambers of Nia, the Queen of Agnus. During a recent visit from her friends, she found out her husband had returned through a miracle of a great being of unknowable power, the Archsage. Rex had given his very being to save the world. But they had been granted a new chance to be together. After a lovely meal with their loved ones, Nia and Rex decided to have some time alone while their friends went outside to camp. Not realizing that nine people leaving had made the venue much colder. They stood there in the cold room that became colder as the sun went down.
“Titan’s foot! How can you stay in this freezer in the sky, Nia?” Rex said as he shivered and rubbed his hands together for warmth. The very tall man shook like a pine tree being chopped by a lumberjack.
“I was s-sleeping in my p-pod, d-dumbarse! ” Nia said as her teeth chattered and she rubbed her hands over her arms and tried to heat them up.
“Poppi! Is there no heating in this place?” Rex asked as he approached Nia and surrounded her with his arms so they both shared their heat like penguins huddling for warmth.
Poppi had responded from her chamber in the Cloudkeep’s supercomputer, “Poppi is sorry, Rex. There nothing like that here. This was only area of command for Agnus Castle Feronis and later Nia’s pod storage; it not made as living quarters.”
“My “pod storage”? D-don’t make me out to be s-some sorta ice cream in the freezer, Poppi!” Nia sassed as she buried her face in Rex’s chest and wrapped her arms around him.
“I mean you are a cool and sweet treat, but that’s besides the point. Poppi, is there any way you can make the place a little warmer?” Rex asks as he rests his head on top of Nia’s.
The chamber to the super computer opens and Poppi jumps out. She looks around the area and ponders for a moment. Then an idea forms in her head and she speaks. “Poppi think there good way, just stand by table near window.”
While still in their embrace, Rex and Nia walk in a crab-like manner in tandem towards the area Poppi specified. They cling on to not let any heat between them escape and they inch sideways, step by step. Because of the size of the area and wanting to preserve their heat, they move too slowly for Poppi’s liking. She decides to just lift them both over to the table and be done with it.
“Bloody hell! H-hold on!” Nia yells in a muffled voice as she is still buried face-first in Rex’s pecs. Rex lets out a very deep “Woah!” as Poppi places them adjacent to the window.
Poppi exclaims, “We in optimum area for heat retention. Cooling drive furnace!” Then she starts rotating and steam pours from her like a train. The sudden release of energy allows for the little corner of the keep to have a nice and toasty temperature, like an impromptu sauna.
In unison, Nia and Rex let out a sigh of relief.
“You’re the best, Poppi!” Rex says with a big smile and peering between Nia’s big ears.
“Yeah, you’re bloody great!” Nia says, still muffled by Rex’s chest.
“Rex and Nia can let go now. Body heat no longer escape from losing contact!” Poppi exclaims triumphantly with a nopon-like flap of her arms.
After hearing this, Nia looks up into Rex’s eye and Rex peers down at her own. Both noticed their faces were red… and not because of the cold. They smile at each other and decide to hug tighter.
In unison, Nia and Rex say “No. Not yet…”
Poppi sighs and just returns to the computer chamber.
“Poppi, can you play my favorite song?” Nia asks while still staring at Rex.
“Affirmative. Playing ‘Kaleidoscopic Core’ on max volume.”
Rex and Nia start dancing in rhythm with fast-paced violins. Their movements in time with the tune pick up in speed and intensity. They don’t miss a single beat despite all their twirls and elaborate moves. As the song neared its end, Rex and Nia give one last large twirl and leap combination. They stick their landing and start laughing in unison.
“Bastard! A thousand years and you’re trying to move like a spring chicken! Watch your knees, old man!” Nia teases as she rests her head on his chest again.
“Haha! Pot callin’ the kettle black! You’re an old lady as well, Your Highness.” Rex retorts with a kiss on her temple.
He then continues, looking at the super computer’s direction and says, “Poppi, could you play something a little bit slower?”
“Affirmative! Playing ‘One Last You’ on medium volume.”
Nia and Rex start a leisurely pace that creeps on as the song continues. They dance in a more precise and relaxed manner with a few interruptions of Rex kissing Nia’s neck once in a while.
“It feels like a dream seeing your face again.” Nia says they’re still slowly dancing and she puts a hand on Rex’s cheek.
“I never thought we’d see each other till Origin did its thing.” Rex replies as he wraps an arm around her shoulder and hangs on tight.
“Hehe. Gotten a little clingy without me around, eh? Mr. Big-and-Strong Salvager!” Nia says as she pinches his cheek a bit.
“That’d make you Mrs. Big-and-Strong Salvager, y’know?” Rex says with a chuckle and draws her closer.
“Oh you got me so good, you handsome bastard.” Nia retorts as she tilts her head up and closes her eyes.
“You smug so-and-so.” Rex replies as he leans in and gives Nia a long, deep, and passionate kiss.
The song winds down and the two let go from their embrace but remain holding hands. Their eyes are still locked on each other as Poppi starts speaking from her chamber.
“Poppi detecting temperature drop in your corner of Cloudkeep. Would you like Poppi to release more steam?”
Rex starts to reply but he notices Nia moving his hand around her rear and she gives Rex a look that radiates heat.
“I think me and Nia are gonna have a little frolic in the woods, Poppi!” Rex says with excitement.
“Yeah. A little frolic . We’ll be back later, Poppi.” Nia says with a mischievous grin.
“Roger-roger! Poppi will not scan Aionios in Rex and Nia’s direction… for several hours.”
Rex quickly grabs his camping stuff and picks up Nia bridal style and bolts down the stairs. Nia laughs and gives him a kiss on the cheek as they descend and head off into the night.