songerein | [Closed] I'd Even Sing You Poetry

Entry tags:

[Closed] I'd Even Sing You Poetry

Who: G'raha Tia & Madhuri Qalli
Which: Closed log
Where: Wandering around Reverein
What: G'raha is finally proposing to Madhuri, but will definitely not nail it. Forward dated to mid-month.
Warnings: The normal spoiler blanket for Shadowbringers & Endwalker. Gross feels.

Ever since Thancred teased G'raha about Madhuri and him being married upon learning she was living with him, he had been giving the idea some serious thought. Of course, Thancred only meant to poke fun at him, but there was something inside that welcomed the idea.

The problem -- as it was with anything related to relationships -- was that G'raha didn't know the first thing about what he should be doing. Following his gut seemed to be working just fine, but it didn't calm his nerves. The past few months he had been contemplating how to pop the question and the best setting to do so. During this time, he had conveniently used the revenyte project as his purpose for being so busy.

A few months passed by, and he still had no idea how to best approach the subject. While out walking around with Madhuri, he found something to otherwise distract his uncertain mind. Pausing to kneel down in the snow and ball it up in his gloved hands, he threw the snowball at her back while she was otherwise distracted.

If you can't think properly, clearly that meant a snowball rematch was in order. He lost the war last time, but came out with a much greater prize. This year, he would come out the champion! Maybe.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Talk of being nowhere in anyone's story, never getting the chance to have what other people could... they were alike in that regard. Still, even if she still battled with that feeling sometimes, she was a happy hypocrite in proving G'raha wrong in that regard. He could have anything he wanted. He could have what everyone else could.

She framed his hand with hers and felt misty-eyed again. Perhaps she'll never fully take in precisely what she'd done to earn any of this or such lofty titles as 'the best thing' to happen to someone, but it still felt so good to hear.

"Yes... another puzzle for us. I accept that challenge. I know that, no matter what we do, I'll love every moment of it as I get to spend it with you."

But she laughed quietly. "You need not prepare anything for me! Did you not just offer me a lifetime with my heart so full? So in turn, I give my all: My love, my companionship, and the occasional reminder to please get some sleep."

They had plenty of differences, but in that regard, they were perfect for each other. Two people who thought that they would have to sit in the sidelines while everyone else got their happily ever after. Now it was their turn to have a chance.

'As long as I get to spend it with you.' That statement gave him butterflies, but he shared in that sentiment. He was happy to do anything as long as she was by his side. It could be something boring, and he'd be more than happy to be there. Her words pleased him, letting out a slight chuckle to her last comment.

"I sleep enough, thank you very much," G'rahaplz..., "but I suppose this means we're going to be busy for a while. I'm... not entirely sure what goes into planning a wedding." Eustace and Tifa's wedding gave him ideas, but how to personalize it for their own was another question.

The quirk-browed look she gave him. G'raha. Please.

Yet he brought up a good point for reference. Eustace and Tifa's wedding was beautiful, but it wouldn't be right to go through the same thing. That was their day, and the two of them needed to come up with something uniquely theirs.

"Thinking on it, they seemed to have a number of personal rituals from their respective worlds. Other than that, there's a ceremony itself and a whole lot of music, dancing and food. That last one's so easy, you could practically call it done already. But I wonder if there are any miqo'te rituals you'd like to impart...? Or something from the First! Xaela focus so much on family matters and exchange of dowries that I couldn't really go with any of mine." She brought a hand to her chin and was lost in thought.

He had to think about that for a moment. Sure there was his culture from a tribal stand point, but that was a little more difficult when it was nothing that would really matter for a wedding. And even if they did, it wasn't like he followed traditional when he had been whisked away to Sharlayan while he was young. About the only things of importance were the Allag eye and the whole... patriarch thing. He couldn't say he was particularly interested in becoming a nuhn any time soon.

"It seems we're both in bind then... The only thing that comes to mind wouldn't really effect the wedding all that much," nor would it really be original because the wedding before also had something of the same thing.

"Miqo'te, by nature, are hunters. But I don't exactly fit that mold. The only thing that comes to mind is hunting for ingredients for food," was that helpful at all? He wasn't sure.

"We can put a pin in it. You may be on to something!" Maybe a spot of archery? They would always workshop.

"We both had to be odd ducks among our own kind, huh? I'm sure if we put our heads together on things we like, we can make something truly extraordinary!"

She brought her hands to his cheeks and nuzzled him. "We're adventurers with gobs of experience in improvisation in the face of daunting odds! We could practically just have a private ceremony and then run off to go slay a dragon in the woods after; that would be the best day of my life!"

Madhuri has clearly only attended one wedding. Two weeks ago.

That was an idea to keep in mind, but they had plenty of time to decide. "Another similarity that we share, it seems," he chuckled lightly. Her suggestion was so silly. It was an option, but he wasn't so sure that was the way to go. But she brought up an excellent point.

"What if we take inspiration from the places we've been? Surely, they must have moments to use for ideas," he asked, piggybacking off of her suggestion.

Places they've been is good. Their world was chock full of amazing places, and she couldn't help but think of all the places that just reminded her of him, from the vastness of the Silvertear Lake, but-

She clasped her hands together and all but sparkled. "...Lakeland."

Madhuri bounced a little.

"You showed me so many wonderful places from the First...!"

Lakeland. What a good suggestion. He was rather fond of Lakeland, but that was hardly a surprise, given how long he spent there.

"That's a wonderful idea. How about you? Are there any places that you're fond of?“ he asked her. May as well get both of their preferences.

Hmm, let's see. She folded her arms and put some thought into it. "The Steppe is... harsh, but a harshness I'm accustomed to. Being married up in those mountains would be more my speed as a xaela, but I'm not the most xaela of auri. Only somewhat."

Then it hit her.

"Oh, but I love Thavnair! I learned of so many customs during my training in the kreigstanz! The colors are so beautiful, so regal...! You don't fully know just how thrilled I was to finally go there, even with everything that was happening. Helping you fine folks in the Scions' inner circle as a healer after the Tower of Zot fell was plenty motivation to go, but... how could I pass up seeing a place I'd only read and dreamed of up until then?"

There may yet be a way to implement Steppe influences into their plans yet somehow.

"Then perhaps we can somehow incorporate the colors into the scenery and decorations, as well as some of these customs if they're applicable here?" he suggested, "what are some of the ones that stuck out to you the most?"

"Are you ready to be shocked? Are you truly prepared? Sitting down?" She smirked.

"The food. But I like the use of banners and anything to catch the wind so the place truly feels alive, always dancing. But you know, I think we have some time to sit and brainstorm without standing out in the cold, too." She stepped in to wrap her arms around him.

"...This calls for celebratory mulled wine, doubly so to help us thaw after our frosty war, too! You throw a mean snowball." She kissed both of his cheeks.

"You do a Saint's Little Helper proud."

"Madhuri, you told me I'd be shocked. I feel very underwhelmed by this revolation," he teased back with a grin.

"I agree. We can think of the finer details later as we go. For now, I say your proposal is sound," it was a little cold yet. He held her close, taking notice of how close the gumdrops have gotten. There was a decent amount of them now.

"You got a feast in sure. But now we're going to go," he addressed them before turning back to her, "At your service. Shall we then?“

"Greedy!" She jabbed a finger at them briefly, but was too far into enjoying the warmth of her company to be too cross at them for watching like vultures.

"Yes, let's be off. But first, Ser... I am slain from your victory. My legs may not work properly in getting us home. Whatever shall we do...?"

"Oh my, that will not do at all. Worry not, fair maiden, for I shall see you to safety," he said, overly dramatic than necessary. He was something of a theater kid, after all; even a hundred mental years later. So on that cue, he let go of her to then swoop her into his arms, securely holding on to her.

"What a shame. I don't think I'll be able to use the revenyte like this. I guess I'll just have to walk us all the way back home," he said with a cheeky grin. In truth, he probably could have managed, but where's the fun in that?

It had happened before, yet the swiftness in which he picked her up had little daisies pop in her hair. She curled inward and nuzzled his neck.

"And be lulled into deeper safety and security by your dulcet tones all the while? Whatever did I do to be defeated by such a kind lord of the ice?"

"It was inevitable," G'raha said with the slightest shrug, cheeky grin melting to something softer. He kissed her forehead lightly before starting to walk the way home. There may or may not have been tiny crystals following him here and there, sparkling with dazzling colors.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Closed] I'd Even Sing You Poetry

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject