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[ 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.

[ Susato shakes her head. It's not meant to be a dismissive gesture, but she does want him to understand that despite the traditions of exchange, there were no underlying expectations here. ]

There is no need for that.

[ She doesn't mind. There is a pause here, and her eyes settle back on the map now that that's been settled. ]

This was quite a journey. I shall let you rest, but... Did you find what you were searching for? [ Was he searching for something at all? ]

[ There's a contemplative moment as Trahearne sets the box aside. He looks at it, sitting at the edge of the table, under the window, before turning back towards Susato. His expression is neutral. ]

I was not searching for anything in particular. Only exploring.

[ Trying to calm himself, get away from everything, the constant reminders that he is alone--

He smiles. ]

I appreciate you stopping by today, Susato.

[ His smile is a relief to see, at least, and for the moment, she supposes she is satisfied. She'll glance up to return his smile, but her eyes continue to scan the map out of curiosity, taking in any marks or notes he may have made. ]

I was happy to.

Perhaps we could explore together sometime. [ She has been working on her healing dreamotion! She could keep him safe. But she thinks that much has been implied already...

She'll let that thought sit in her own mind. ]

[ There is nothing unique about the notes he's made, not particularly. No new discoveries, nothing circled. It might be a little disappointing, in a way.

His eyes soften a bit. It's like she can tell something is wrong. Or maybe she knew that he and Ori liked to do just that, and he searches for a way to fill that void. ]

I would like that.

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