Work Text:
The cold winter chill was nothing new to Princess Ivy. In fact, it was nostalgic, though the Askran winter was a bit colder than the ones back in Elusia, though that may be due to the impending winter of annihilation. Odd that they're still having this festival even with the end of days supposedly coming. Perhaps to keep spirits up? Who could say? That Summoner was an interesting one for sure.
Earlier today Ivy received an invitation to participate in this year's winter festival as one of the winter envoys. If she remembered correctly both her younger sister Hortensia and the divine dragon Alear, along with an alternate version of her who is male, were envoys last year. Ivy thought she was unfit for this, but the summoner was very adamant she'd be one this year. She had also received a more festive version of her outfit, though it was about as warm as her normal outfit, but the cold didn't bother Ivy anyways… well most of the time at least.
“Well, the outfit does look nice on me, I do wish it covered up a bit more though. The winter here is a bit colder than I'm used to….” Ivy said aloud to herself as she examined herself in the new outfit. She just had to grab a few more things than she'll head out. But before she could move, there was a knock on her door.
“Give me a moment, I'll be right there!” Ivy yelled out as she adjusted a few things on her outfit before heading to her door. Ivy opened to an intimidating armored knight standing there. Ivy froze up on the spot, she had seen many armored knights before, but none were as striking as the one standing before her. The jet-black armor, the red cape, and the festive decorations doting the armor? Now Ivy was more confused than afraid but there was still a bit of fear. After what felt like an eternity the knight finally spoke up.
“I presume you are Princess Ivy, yes? I am here to escort you to the festival.” The knight said in a somber tone.
“Oh yes… yes, I am. And you are?” Ivy replied and asked. Now having a proper look at the knight, Ivy felt as if someone, definitely one of the Emblems, had described him to her at some point in the past.
“You may refer to me as The Black Knight. I hail from the world of Tellius, one of the Four Riders of Daein.” The Black Knight responded. Ivy was in shock. The Black Knight. The very same one that Emblem Ike spoke as his rival and the one that Emblem Micaiah spoke fondly of. That Black Knight was escorting her to the winter festival.
“Ah yes, I know of you from the Emblems of my world. Emblem Micaiah spoke fondly of you…. Emblem Ike not so much.” Ivy commented which resulted in a small chuckle from the knight.
“As expected of them, no matter the world. Now then are you ready to go?” Black Knight asked.
“I just have to grab a few things then we can go.” Ivy replied. The Black Knight nodded in response. As Ivy turned around, she was surprised by someone she had forgotten about.
“Looking for these?” Emblem Micaiah appeared out of seemingly nowhere with the very things Ivy needed.
“By the divine one! I asked you to stop that…. but yes, thank you.” Ivy replied as she grabbed her things. Emblem Micaiah simply smiled. Though they weren't engaged like they were used to back in Elyos, Emblem Micaiah still sticks around with Ivy despite being free to come and go whenever she pleases.
“You're heading off to the festival, correct? I am interested in seeing it, if you don't mind me coming along?” The Emblem asked. Ivy nodded in response.
“Of course not. I enjoy your company. Well, as long as he doesn't mind.” Ivy said with a slight smile as she gestured to behind her. Emblem Micaiah smiled at Ivy before seeing who was at the door.
“The Black Knight! I never thought I'd get the chance to properly meet you, of course here in Askr it was possible, but it didn't really come to mind.” Emblem Micaiah said in response to seeing him.
“It does feel a bit weird, having these memories of you but none of the emotional attachment to them. But I hope we can make new ones of our own!” Emblem Micaiah continued on. The Black Knight let out a small laugh.
“Yes, that would be nice. And of course I don't mind you coming along. Now then are you two ready? We still have time before the festival starts but I don't want to risk it.” The Black Knight asked. The two nodded their heads and with that the three of them headed off.
A few minutes later
“Wow this is truly a beautiful sight. With how peaceful it is, one wouldn’t think that we were at war with the very heavens above.” Ivy commented. The sight of the decorated town with people singing festive songs and children playing in the snow reminded Ivy of her childhood…. A much simpler time.
“Yes…. Peace, however brief, ought to be cherished. War weighs heavily on all of us, so times like this should be valued.” The Black Knight remarked. That comment caught Ivy off guard. From everything she learned about the knight, this was the last thing she'd expect him to say but then again Ivy is no stranger to putting on a front with others. Perhaps The Black Knight isn't who he really is but that was none of Ivy's business.
“Yes indeed, just one of the many reasons why we fight.” Emblem Micaiah replied. Ivy nodded, though it wasn't why she initially helped the Divine Dragon fight back against the Fell Dragon or Askr, it was the reason why she kept on fighting.
The three of them stood there for a moment to take in the sight of the festive town square. Truly a sight to behold as it started snowing. Ivy sighed as she thought about days past that she wished to go back. Emblem Micaiah and The Black Knight must have heard her sigh and they were looking at her now.
“That was a rather loud sigh wasn’t it…. I was just thinking back on the fonder days of my childhood. Despite the rather hostile state of Elusia's royal court, I still managed to make some good memories especially with my younger sister. I still remember the winter where Hortensia and I had snuck out of the castle to play in the snow, it was a wonderful afternoon. While yes Father was mad at us, it wasn’t for very long. Hmmm maybe we can make some more memories during this year's festival… if Hortensia is present again this year.” Ivy reminisced. Emblem Micaiah smiled warmly at her and even if she couldn't tell, Ivy felt like The Black Knight gave her a small smile as well.
“Well, I do think that is possible this year!” Emblem Micaiah pointed out as she gestured towards Hortensia talking with The Summoner and a few other winter envoys. Hortensia then saw Ivy and proceeded to run over to her.
“Wait, Ivy?!?! You're going to be a winter envoy this year?!!” Hortensia yelled out as she ran over. Ivy winced as Hortensia did so, hoping she didn't trip or fall but fortunately she didn’t. Hortensia practically tackled Ivy as she hugged her. Ivy nearly fell over but managed to stay standing and returned the hug.
“Hortensia you shouldn’t run in the snow like that; you could trip over something in the snow or slip on some ice. But yes, I am one of this year’s winter envoys.” Ivy said after they finished hugging. Hortensia gave a nervous smile.
“Yeah, I know…. But I was so excited to see you! You look great, amazing even! Of course, I got to ask: how cute do I look?” Hortensia asked, before striking a cute pose showing off her festival outfit. Ivy blushed at Hortensia’s comment, not exactly used to getting sincere comments like that even from her own sister but she shook that off.
“Thank... Thank you for that… anyways you look absolutely adorable! 100 percent going to be the cutest one at the festival, I am sure of it.” Ivy replied, which resulted in Hortensia smiling and hugging her sister again.
“Well then off to the winter festival?” Ivy continued on.
“Of course, come on everyone else is waiting for us!” Hortensia replied very enthusiastically as she proceeded to grab Ivy by the hand and pulled her off to join the rest of the winter envoys.
Though their festive night is just beginning, the two sisters are sure to make some wonderful memories tonight.