The Stairway to Heaven [Hearth Day][Private]
Feb 7, 2024 17:55:15 GMT -5
Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Feb 7, 2024 17:55:15 GMT -5
As far as glamorous vacations went, Cyran often gave little thought to what he might enjoy. He was a hopelessly practical man, preferring to transfer his funds to those who needed it more than himself. If he didn’t need it to survive, there was no true point in keeping it. No point in dreaming about what the future might hold. When you spent your existence wandering alone, every trip just felt like part of the same vicious cycle.
And therein lie the problem.
Or, well, the opposite of a problem, really, because he could never bring himself to call Delaela Asiliari trouble, especially not when it meant he had such a lovely woman in his life. But, as per the aforementioned lack of concern about himself, Cyran oftentimes found himself at a loss for how to treat her the way she deserved.
He wanted to spoil her. More than anything. In the single year since they’d met on that fateful street - a single year, and one that managed to feel like a lifetime - they’d hit the ground running and never found time to stop and breathe. Such was life, he supposed. The uncertainty only taught them how to build more stable foundations with which to weather any storm together. And when the storm died down, what then? Would Del find him boring? A now-retired assassin with nothing but a tainted name, skeletons in his closet, and a homemaker’s heart? Doubtful, but… there were still seeds of doubt. Dates had been few and far in between while on the road, moments of romance stolen when they could breathe without watching their backs for vengeful assassins, members of Zarius’s own crew, any further attempts on their lives by his father, or the regular bounty hunters seeking an enemy of the crown. They were, quite frankly, booked; leaving no room in their schedule for little more than a goodnight kiss here or a moment of idle daydreaming there.
But with it approaching a year since their first date, Hearth Day of all things, Cyran needed to give room to consider a little frivolity. He remembered the day fondly. Shy little excuses to spend more time out of the orphanage, playful competition, stargazing, hastily rushing to find a shop still open that time of day because there was precedent and they were both too nervous to let the evening go by without finding something to signify that it had mattered. For the longest time, Cyran carried the ring with fond memories, and the reassurance that it had happened; even if it was only the one time thing, for a day, he’d been allowed to walk lightly, without the burdens that followed him. For a day, he’d known what it was like to matter to someone.
And yet. It hadn’t been the only outing.
It had been the first of many.
And Cyran adored each and every second they spent together, which made everything feel new and fresh. He learned love in all its unconditional forms - and that reciprocation was not a burden on her behalf, but a joy.
What a difference a year made.
It also, unfortunately, meant that Cyran had to consider how to give her a special day now that Hearth Day was rapidly approaching. Unfortunate, because Cyran had no idea how to ensure that they could get away from what chased them and give her something truly peaceful. He’d already acquired gifts for her - after a rather pleasant surprise outing with Leandros - but even the knight wasn’t privy to his big gift.
Cyran was not a man for whom words came easily. He knew gifts, acts of service, time. That was his devotion. If he could not simply tell Del how much he loved her, he had to learn how to show her in other ways. This particular gift had required a lot of subtle work and secrecy; a subtle order to Cahya to make a quick trip to Ironwood Ore and Timber during their visit around Winter’s Crown. Late nights where the absence of dreams reminded him of the empty space where nightmares ought to reside, where rest felt too impossible, so he stayed up with books and his studies and sketched out the enchantment he had in mind. Popping off to find a stonemason who could help him construct the tool, and carve in the magic he had in mind.
They could not go home, but that didn’t mean home couldn’t come with them.
And yet, it was not the gift that Cyran found himself struggling with. It was the where.
It had to be a true vacation this time. Not a work one or something they squeezed into their travels. An honest escape. He wasn’t sure why he was so insistent on that, but he was. Settling on the precise location itself was difficult when nowhere in the world seemed safe enough. In the end, he settled for a lovely cabin in the north - they’d had fun there in the past, seeing the northern lights… enough to make the chill worth it. Besides. This luxury inn was built into the mountains, making it an optimal place for hikes, birdwatching, stargazing - whatever struck their fancy.
Actually getting up there was proving to be a bit of a trek though.
Even though Cyran - and by extension, Del - was technically a noble once more, he staunchly refused all boons associated with the performative, fluffy name. Which meant that where others might have a carriage to make the trek up the well-paved mountain road, the two had to rely on their horses; and when the horses couldn’t make it any further, they had to use their own two feet. The biting chill couldn’t cut through the warmth of anticipation for the event, though. All the while up, Cyran felt himself for what was excited for what was to come. One might even call this his first real couple’s vacation.
They were rounding a bend, soon to reach the destination as indicated on his map. Cyran turned to Del, face flushed from the bitter wind and a small, nervous smile on his face. “Not much longer. It should be… much warmer inside. We can relax… have a drink. They probably even have ciders and such.”
He was so excited for the outing that Cyran hadn’t given much mind to the fact that it seemed… emptier than it might have in its heyday. Or that there were rumors surrounding the place of its uncanniness. As it was, he was ignorant to all the oddities that surrounded this place - merely looking for a good time as the couple drew closer to their destination.
And therein lie the problem.
Or, well, the opposite of a problem, really, because he could never bring himself to call Delaela Asiliari trouble, especially not when it meant he had such a lovely woman in his life. But, as per the aforementioned lack of concern about himself, Cyran oftentimes found himself at a loss for how to treat her the way she deserved.
He wanted to spoil her. More than anything. In the single year since they’d met on that fateful street - a single year, and one that managed to feel like a lifetime - they’d hit the ground running and never found time to stop and breathe. Such was life, he supposed. The uncertainty only taught them how to build more stable foundations with which to weather any storm together. And when the storm died down, what then? Would Del find him boring? A now-retired assassin with nothing but a tainted name, skeletons in his closet, and a homemaker’s heart? Doubtful, but… there were still seeds of doubt. Dates had been few and far in between while on the road, moments of romance stolen when they could breathe without watching their backs for vengeful assassins, members of Zarius’s own crew, any further attempts on their lives by his father, or the regular bounty hunters seeking an enemy of the crown. They were, quite frankly, booked; leaving no room in their schedule for little more than a goodnight kiss here or a moment of idle daydreaming there.
But with it approaching a year since their first date, Hearth Day of all things, Cyran needed to give room to consider a little frivolity. He remembered the day fondly. Shy little excuses to spend more time out of the orphanage, playful competition, stargazing, hastily rushing to find a shop still open that time of day because there was precedent and they were both too nervous to let the evening go by without finding something to signify that it had mattered. For the longest time, Cyran carried the ring with fond memories, and the reassurance that it had happened; even if it was only the one time thing, for a day, he’d been allowed to walk lightly, without the burdens that followed him. For a day, he’d known what it was like to matter to someone.
And yet. It hadn’t been the only outing.
It had been the first of many.
And Cyran adored each and every second they spent together, which made everything feel new and fresh. He learned love in all its unconditional forms - and that reciprocation was not a burden on her behalf, but a joy.
What a difference a year made.
It also, unfortunately, meant that Cyran had to consider how to give her a special day now that Hearth Day was rapidly approaching. Unfortunate, because Cyran had no idea how to ensure that they could get away from what chased them and give her something truly peaceful. He’d already acquired gifts for her - after a rather pleasant surprise outing with Leandros - but even the knight wasn’t privy to his big gift.
Cyran was not a man for whom words came easily. He knew gifts, acts of service, time. That was his devotion. If he could not simply tell Del how much he loved her, he had to learn how to show her in other ways. This particular gift had required a lot of subtle work and secrecy; a subtle order to Cahya to make a quick trip to Ironwood Ore and Timber during their visit around Winter’s Crown. Late nights where the absence of dreams reminded him of the empty space where nightmares ought to reside, where rest felt too impossible, so he stayed up with books and his studies and sketched out the enchantment he had in mind. Popping off to find a stonemason who could help him construct the tool, and carve in the magic he had in mind.
They could not go home, but that didn’t mean home couldn’t come with them.
And yet, it was not the gift that Cyran found himself struggling with. It was the where.
It had to be a true vacation this time. Not a work one or something they squeezed into their travels. An honest escape. He wasn’t sure why he was so insistent on that, but he was. Settling on the precise location itself was difficult when nowhere in the world seemed safe enough. In the end, he settled for a lovely cabin in the north - they’d had fun there in the past, seeing the northern lights… enough to make the chill worth it. Besides. This luxury inn was built into the mountains, making it an optimal place for hikes, birdwatching, stargazing - whatever struck their fancy.
Actually getting up there was proving to be a bit of a trek though.
Even though Cyran - and by extension, Del - was technically a noble once more, he staunchly refused all boons associated with the performative, fluffy name. Which meant that where others might have a carriage to make the trek up the well-paved mountain road, the two had to rely on their horses; and when the horses couldn’t make it any further, they had to use their own two feet. The biting chill couldn’t cut through the warmth of anticipation for the event, though. All the while up, Cyran felt himself for what was excited for what was to come. One might even call this his first real couple’s vacation.
They were rounding a bend, soon to reach the destination as indicated on his map. Cyran turned to Del, face flushed from the bitter wind and a small, nervous smile on his face. “Not much longer. It should be… much warmer inside. We can relax… have a drink. They probably even have ciders and such.”
He was so excited for the outing that Cyran hadn’t given much mind to the fact that it seemed… emptier than it might have in its heyday. Or that there were rumors surrounding the place of its uncanniness. As it was, he was ignorant to all the oddities that surrounded this place - merely looking for a good time as the couple drew closer to their destination.
Quest Name: Do we part?
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 4 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Mystical Archive Ticket
Description: Chaos has erupted across Charon, Disrupting the nations Hearth Day celebration. You are needed to help, fighting off crazy fae who are trying to destroy things, or helping others caught up in the chaos. The details of the celebration and its disruption is up to you, but the Fae are pushing the limts, so be creative when interacting with the unwanted guest.
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 4 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Mystical Archive Ticket
Description: Chaos has erupted across Charon, Disrupting the nations Hearth Day celebration. You are needed to help, fighting off crazy fae who are trying to destroy things, or helping others caught up in the chaos. The details of the celebration and its disruption is up to you, but the Fae are pushing the limts, so be creative when interacting with the unwanted guest.