Closed | The journey goes on as your love ever nears

[mythalenaste]

WHO: Pel and YOU
WHAT: Arriving back at Kirkwall
WHEN: Early Firstfall
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Pel would have written to her close CR to let them know she's coming back, so if you think your character would have known about this, assume she wrote! Prompts written by request.

Closed to Close CR

The woman who steps to the dock from the boat is scarcely changed from the woman who, nigh-on a year ago, stepped from the dock to the boat. Her hair is a little lighter, perhaps, and plaited down her back instead of on each side. There is more lean muscle, a body harder and sturdier than ever before. She is not wearing armor at present, but she does carry a unique sword, which few saw before she left--an ancient elven blade with a hilt long enough to effectively double as a staff. Nevertheless, she has changed. Her heart has grown, her mind has stretched, her decision to live quietly as possible exchanged for the certainty that she must do more than study in order for this war to be won. It is not a joyful certainty. She wanted to continue in peace with no greater worry than raising a child, but that would not be realistic. If she falls in battle, she prays Sina will forgive her.

It is the child she hoisted up to the dock who has changed. Little Sina walks straight up to a total stranger and hugs his legs, her host of white, wild curls mussed from the journey.

"No-no," Pel says quickly, taking the toddler's hand, "that's not your lethallen." She steers her daughter in the direction of the nearest greeter--you. Sina immediately transfers her embrace to the correct person this time, despite not recognizing you any better than the random stranger.

"This is your lethallen," Pel says with a grin.

Comments

[samahl]

Cyril has been buzzing since she heard that Pel would be arriving in Kirkwall. He had missed her more than he could say. Missing out on Sina's development had been depressing on some levels too. Now, though, he can make up for lost time.

When she hugs a stranger rather than coming up to him he laughs. "Though that stranger is rather good-looking, at least you have good taste little one." Then he hugs the child before moving to embrace her mother.

[mythalenaste]

Sina wraps her tiny arms around Cyril’s neck, trying to encourage him to pick her up. Pel hugs him tightly, as if she can squeeze the last year into his body. If he has not picked up Sina by the time the hug ends, she raises her arms to him.

“She’s tired,” Pel explains. And doesn’t point out that the girl doesn’t remember her time here before. That much is obvious. Inevitable, even. “I was recommended a nanny for her in the alienage. You should visit any time you like. How have you been?”

[samahl]

Cyril is never one to deny Sina for long so he picks her up as soon as the hug with Pel is done. He looks at the little girl and smiles at her in a slightly goofy kind of way.

"Traveling can be rather exhausting, so I understand." Then, after he focuses on Pel again. "Nari and I have been talking about helping out more in the alienage, this will be an excellent excuse for us to visit more."

[mythalenaste]

“You’ve looked after her, like we promised?” To Sina. They promised it to the spirit of Sina as she passed through the Fade on her way to the gods. Pel has been writing to Nahariel, of course, but it’s comforting to know she can see her promise through in person.

[samahl]

"I think it's more she's been looking after me," Cyril replies, thoughtful but still happy.

[mythalenaste]

“Good to hear,” Pel says with a grin, and moves in to wrap both cousin and baby together in another hug. Sina wriggles a little and draws away enough to point at Cyril’s vallaslin when the hug is over.

“Beem,” she says as if it’s a revelation.

“It’s the same as mine, isn’t it?” Pel tells her.

“Mamae been,” Sina confirms, touching the markings.

[samahl]

Cyril grins at hearing the little girl talk. He had kept his communication with Pel through the crystals, but this was the first time he had heard her voice in person.

"Yes, I got them to match your mother," he answered. He spoke to Sina clearly, as he would any other person. He didn't turn his tone into a sort of baby talk like some others might.

"Will you want some of your own? When you're older?"