pactmarshal | songerein inbox

[ It seems like the haze of the holidays is just about over. Once Christmas has passed, there is an odd limbo during which everything seems to come to a stop, waiting for the new year to come. It is during this time that Susato finds herself back at Trahearne's place of residence.

It feels like she has seen him less and less at the Harvest since the wedding, but she thinks nothing of it just yet. She simply takes a deep breath as she knocks on his door, perhaps more gently than she intended. ]

Trahearne? It's me.

[ Trahearne is scarce nowadays. The revelation at the wedding, followed by his dear friend's departure has left him feeling emptier, weaker than ever.

The last thing he wants to do is affect the others.

Whether he's home or not is a mystery, because in true sylvari fashion, the door swings on its hinges in response to the force of her knock. And with the light flooding inside, a fern cat comes trotting to the door, eyes wide and tail curiously perked at the sight of the visitor. ]

Oh...! [ When the door swings open, Susato is half-expecting Trahearne. She peers into the darkness however, and seems to give the general area a once-over when it is not obvious who's opened it. She sees the cat, and is reminded of the ones that had followed Mr 76 home a few months prior. ]

You're not one of ours.

[ The strays do tend to wander, but...... ]

Have you seen my friend?

[ Susato may not recognize the cat, but the cat seems to be familiar with Susato. Some things Trahearne has had around the house will have her scent on it, after all.

She trots to Susato to weave through her legs, sniffing at her as she does. With wide, yellow eyes--one that are oddly reminiscent of Trahearne's own--she peers up at Susato before giving a quiet chirp. It is...an answer. Apparently.

And before Susato can do or say anything else, she darts over to the side of the room where the kitchen is, hopping up onto the counters. There she sits, turns to look at Susato expectantly. ]

[ Susato speaks snake, not cat, unfortunately. She does recognize, however, that it is an answer, so her eyes follow the cat closely. From the moment she brushed against her legs, Susato is watching carefully, and she follows her closely enough to see her sit on the kitchen counter.

She peers cautiously as she passes through the door way, peering for any further sign of him as she approaches the cat. ]

Trahearne?

[ She calls. ]

Please, I don't wish to be here long without your permission... [ Is there anything unusual about the kitchen? ]

[ The house is still, quiet, and dark. Susato's calls go unanswered.

Except for an impatient meow from the cat on the counter. If Susato looks, she'll find that the cat has placed herself right beneath a shelf that holds a sizeable jar with a pawprint on it.

Whenever Trahearne's friends visit, she always gets a treat. She recognizes Susato as a friend, and has thus decided it must be treat time.

Feed her. ]

[ Susato will at least turn on the lights in the kitchen so that she can see better. She's taking the moment to scan the rest of her surroundings once it's illuminated better, and spots the pawprint on the jar near her new furry friend. ]

Oh, I see.

[ Without thinking much, Susato reaches for the jar and discovers that it has some weight to it. She has to place it on the counter, then turns the jar the way one would to read a label. ]

This is what you want? ...Hold on, not yet. [ Susato playfully pushes back the feline's advances. ]

[ The jar is a clay one, with a simple cork keeping it closed. There's nothing else on it to denote what's inside, but it's clear by the decorative paw print on the front and the way the cat eagerly sticks her nose towards it that it contains treats.

And once Susato opens it, she will indeed find it full of treats. Not cat food--it seems Trahearne keeps that elsewhere. The cat doesn't seem starved or desperate for food. If Trahearne has been gone, it hasn't been for long. That, or she's getting fed elsewhere.

Either way, the longer Susato takes to feed the cat, the more aggressively she will start rubbing her face on Susato's hand. ]

Edited 2023-01-27 11:33 (UTC)

[ She's figured out that it contains treats... They probably keep something similar for Wagahai back home in Japan, though it's likely not made of clay. Either way, it takes her an extra few moments before she manages to twist the jar open.

She tentatively sniffs its contents, then reaches inside for a treat.

Then she'll lay it out on her palm to offer it to the fern cat. ]

Do you have a name?

[ She looks for a collar. ]

Seisyll.

[ The voice is deep, familiar, at once slightly irritated yet commanding--but it isn't the cat that's spoken. ]

Off the counter.

[ It's Trahearne. He steps through the open door, a stern look on his face as he observes his cat. Seisyll snatches what treats Susato gives her and quickly leaps from the counter and trots away--she knows she's been naughty.

The sylvari watches his pet for a moment, not acknowledging Susato's presence right away. He looks...tired. His skin, leaves look dull, perhaps even brittle. The pack slung over his shoulder says he's been away for a few days; he drops it unceremoniously by the door as his attention at last fixes on his guest. ]

This is a surprise, Susato. I see you've met my cat.

T, Trahearne!

[ IT'S TRAHEARNE...... ~~holy shit.~~

[ Upon hearing that deep, familiar voice, there's a jolt that runs right down Susato's spine, straightening her back immediately. She turns sharply, placing a hand over her mouth and the loud gasp that escapes in her surprise. Naturally, after a moment, her nerves settle, and her shoulders relax once more.

The relief is palpable. ]

Y, Yes, I have. Sorry, I don't mean to be here without your permission...

[ Immediately, Seisyll and his treats are forgotten, and she's fumbling about her person. ]

I'm here because I wished to see how you were doing, and... and I also wanted to return this.

[ Finally, from one of her sleeves comes a familiar looking bottle necklace full of cranes; that metallic maple leaf charm included, gently tapping against glass. ]

[ Trahearne only absently observes Susato as she goes through her shock, only waiting to move and start rummaging through his pack once he sees her relax. ]

It's all right. [ Is all the reassurance he gives without looking up, continuing to mind his things.

But when she states her business, and he hears the clinking of the charms on the glass, he pauses. That's right. That wasn't all that long ago, the last time they saw one another and she took his charm in for repairs. But at the same time, it feels like a lifetime ago.

His hands shuffle around in his pack for a brief second before he stands, a softer, yet somewhat forced smile on his face. ]

I see. I appreciate all you've gone through for me, Susato.

[ He strides towards her, opening his balled fist as he does. In it rests her charm, no less worse for wear than the day she gave it to him. ]

Let's make a trade.

[ Susato watches curiously as Trahearne rummages through his things. Meanhile, Siesyll also seems curious, having hopped off the counter as requested, but only to sniff curiously at the bag as Trahearne offers up the charm for trade. Perhaps dad brought something back for her, too...?

Susato spares the cat a concerned glance, but otherwise, just smiles as she makes the exchange, taking her own charm back from his palm before replacing it with his. ]

I was happy to help. Please tell me if it breaks again.

[ He won't, probably. It's worth saying, though. ]

Were you on a trip? I haven't seen you at the Harvest lately. [ Which is alright, to be clear, but given the nature of their previous conversation, his absence had her concerned. ]

[ Trahearne did not bring anything back for her... She's spoiled already.

And Susato guesses right. At the exchange, he only offers her a faint smile. Maybe he will. But he also doesn't want her to notice how bad it's gotten.

He gently places the charm on the small dining table for the moment, hefts his pack onto the chair, and peers into it. ]

I'm not sure if I would call it a trip. I was exploring parts of the wildlands I've been meaning to visit for a while now.

[ His tone is even, measured. It's the truth, technically. Some were places he'd wanted to visit with Ori, but decided to go on his own anyway. ]

[ Susato peers nosily as he digs into his pack, but otherwise, gives Trahearne his space. If there is more to the "trip," she doesn't think anything of it. Appreciating the sighs of nature helps to clear the mind, does it not...?

Though she herself would not need it for a couple more weeks to come.

After a moment to consider that maybe this topic doesn't need to be breached, she'll continue with caution: ]

Were you also drawn to Ori's grove?

[ Trahearne freezes for a second. It's been a while since he's heard Ori's name, and this is the moment he realizes how long. Though her departure was relatively recent, this is still the longest amount of time that he's not heard her voice. Not heard someone speak of her. She had been a constant presence since the hour he arrived. Life without her has been...hard. ]

It was...a stop on my trek, yes.

[ He laid there for an entire night in tears. But he won't mention that.

His movements resume, pulling things like empty ration bags and books from his pack and stacking them on the table. ]

Among other places.

I'm sorry.

[ Granted, that could have been far worse, as far as reactions go. Still, guilt manifests, seeing the way he froze and nearly shut down completely. Words of apology come naturally to her and escape before she even has a chance to convince herself not to, but he probably tires of hearing it.

She has to admit that she felt the same, after her father woke. ]

Will you tell me about them?

[ There's a slight bristle at the apology, but he lets it roll off him. He knows she means well. They were all affected by Ori's departure. Their numbers slowly dwindle now, and soon there will be only a few of them who understands the pain of losing the other...

But he doesn't want to discuss this--the grove, that is.

Instead, he pulls out a neatly folded sheaf of paper, lines sprawling across the visible section. It's a map. ]

Allow me a moment to get situated. You're welcome to take a look at what I've mapped in the meanwhile.

[ Trahearne gathers up the rest of his things in his arms, moves to deposit some of the empty ration packs on the counter, then heads upstairs. Seisyll is right on his heels.

The map, if Susato is at all familiar with the wildlands, might not be much of a surprise. Noted here and there are interesting rock formations or trees, clusters of flowers or mushrooms or fruit he thought were of note. Trahearne's writing, lines, sketches are neat, legible. The paper is a bit stained from being outside for so long. And the area it covers is vast. No wonder he was gone for a while.

There is one part of the map, up towards the edge, if Susato's gaze goes that way, that might suggest he may have wandered into the wastelands. ]

Ah... Of course.

[ She watches him as he pulls out the map, then takes it once it's clear that it's being offered to her. For some reason, she feels compelled to wait, watching he and Seisyll trails behind him and they both disappear up the stairs before she starts to unfold it.

She spends enough time in the Wildlands, gathering ingredients, though she always avoid anywhere that would be considered dangerous; and she certainly hasn't made it as far as the Wastes.

When Trahearne returns, she will have taken a seat with the map, and there seems to be a small box on the table in front of her that wasn't there before. ]

[ Trahearne returns several long minutes later, alone. He runs a hand through his hair as he makes his way down the stairs, not immediately looking at Susato. Still, he makes his way to the small dining table and slides into the chair opposite. ]

I'm sorry, I don't have much in the way for guests. [ He wasn't expecting her.

At last, he looks up, and he spots the box. He raises a brow. ]

What is that?

Oh—

[ She is just admiring how far he traveled when Trahearne returns, and she looks up from the map. She's just about to shake her head and go on about how he really has no need to apologize. Seeing what he's referring to, however, she sets the map down and picks up the box to officially offer it to him. ]

This is... the other reason I came. Your Christmas gift.

My apologies that I did not have time to write a card... or wrap it properly... and that I was not able to drop it off before now, but... but I hope you like it!

[ When Trahearne opens it, he will find a bookmark inside. ]

[ Ah, Christmas. A holiday he's come to learn is akin to Tyria's own Wintersday. He never really celebrated, and so its festivities had mostly slipped his mind. Why wouldn't they, when he had far more personal matters weighing on his mind?

So he eyes Susato curiously as hands him the box, accompanied by apologies. She doesn't need to, he thinks. He hadn't given anyone anything.

For a moment his hands cradle the box, a bit apprehensive about opening it. He doesn't deserve this. She didn't need to fix his charm and give him a Wintersday present. This is unnecessary.

But he also doesn't want to yell at her as he did after the wedding, during their last meeting. So he slowly peels open the box, and when greeted with the sight of the bookmark, he only stares. ]

...

[ susato singlehandedly staving off his transformation fr

His brows raise, the dreamotion emanating from it melting the thorny nightmare that had come to encase his heart in the past few weeks. And as he lifts his eyes, too, there's a hue of guilt in them. ]

...Thank you, Susato. You did not need to do this.

[ At a glance, she... can't tell if he even likes it! Or knows what it is... but she does smile regardless. When she looks into his eyes, she can feel a weight lifting, however small, so she has to believe she helped, even if it was unnecessary. ]

It is a bookmark.

I... Well, I know you must have many, but I thought this one might bring you some good luck whilst you read your next great adventure.

[ Perhaps that is where the dreamotion energy comes from that gives it a slight etheral glow, though as with most things, she still can't say exactly how it will manifest. ]

[ Gingerly, Trahearne takes the bookmark in his hands. It feels warm, a stark contrast to the cold winter air that has surrounded him these past few weeks. It's almost...welcome.

He studies it, its glow, before lifting his eyes to look at Susato. Though he seems no less tired, he seems just a touch less tense. There comes a little huff of an exhale, which may have been a chuckle if he were in a better mood. ]

This is thoughtful of you. [ It's no secret he surrounds himself with books; he'd have hidden away in the Tree of Stories if he hadn't given himself a job...concerning more books.

He places it back in the box. He'll have to find a suitable book to use it with. ]

I do not have anything for you.

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backdated → end of dec, sometime between christmas and ny

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