002. (v2) [audio]

[stillseecracks]

[A recent conversation with Kairi led to her finding a skirt in his nest of clothing on Xanth's bed.

He was using it as a blanket, honest. It had just been so much simpler to bed down in clothes instead of having someone make blankets. But he doesn't want a repeat of this event, so...]U-Uhm, uh, s-so

Comments

[angha_firebird]

Xanth? We...met at the stables. I don't know if you remember...

I know how to sew. A little. [A very little.]

I would be happy to help, if you still need it. I might not be able to sew very fast, though...

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth looks down at Aara's dress when she gestures, and his smile widens.]

B-But, simple's n--nice. Later I-I learned how-- h-how great it was j-just to... s-slip on a shirt, a-and not-- worry a-about buttoning it wr-wrong, or t-tightening breeches i-in a-- a weird way.

I-It's just so... s-so easy to l-look nice i-in something simple.

[angha_firebird]

[Aara looks up at Xanth with an open gaze, taking in everything he said as if soaking up his words provided the air she breathed. She felt comfortable when she was with him. At ease. She was only beginning to realize this now. Then her eyes widen and her lips part open slightly in surprise. She inhales slowly in awe and wonder, a slow smile lighting up across her face as a rather empowering feeling warms and fills her. He was either complimenting her, or trying to make her feel better, and Aara can't keep the warm happiness she was feeling from spilling out across her face.]

Thank you... Xanth. I... I agree.

[She tilts her head as she looks at him, her smile never waning. Whatever this feeling was, it was good, and she wanted to keep experiencing it. She wanted to protect it--along with the people here.]

I think you would look nice in both simple, and extravagant clothing. And... I think I am very happy I have had the chance to meet you. [For everyone she met in her life she considered a small miracle. She had almost died, after

[stillseecracks]

[As Aara's speaks, Xanth can't help a blush; that's some unexpected praise.]

W-Well, uh, th-- tha-- thanks.

[He ducks his head, but he sneaks a glance at Aara all the same. He's grinning.]

I-I'm, um. I-- I'm-- g-glad I met you, t-too.

[angha_firebird]

[She smiles warmly. Then it is her turn for her heart to flip flop in a startled manner. She finds she cannot find any proper words at the moment, but Xanth's mannerisms and grin create a wide, entirely happy smile on Aara's face, and a gentle laugh escapes her as she ducks her head this time, a light blush staining her cheeks.]

I'm glad. Thank you, Xanth. You are... really kind.

UWUWU THEY'RE SO CUTE

[stillseecracks]

[Oh, now she's blushing, and more compliments are coming his way. Xanth is really not sure what to make of this.

(Girls? What do??)

He lets out a little laugh of his own.]

Uh, th-- th-thanks.

[He falls silent for a few moments, chewing on his lip, then remembers the task at hand. He's here to make blankets, not to make Aara blush!]

H-Hey, um, I-I think-- w-we've got it all s-s-- sorted?

Daaaw! They are!! ^~^ I onlly now realized how horrible I have been to her in her canon...

[angha_firebird]

[Aara's still smiling down at her lap, completely distracted from her offer of assistance. At Xanth's later comment however, she gasps and her wide blue eyes seek Xanth's out in minute horror and apology.]

I'm so sorry! I promised I would help and we've only now got this part done!

[Her fingers tremble slightly as her hands hover over the area they were working at, wondering what to do next, and how to get it done the most efficiently. She's blushing a darker hue of red for a completely different reason, now.]

[stillseecracks]

N-No, it, don't-- d-don't worry.

[Xanth reaches over to touch his fingers to Aara's hand, hoping to still her shaking.]

You... y-you were he--helping.

[angha_firebird]

[Her panic abates slightly at Xanth's touch, but the crumpled apology has yet to leave her face.]

I... I'm sorry. I'm usually better at helping.

[Still. His reassurance helped her feel a tiny bit better. Her attention was clearly caught by his action, in any case.]

[stillseecracks]

Y-You're-- you're d-doing fine. I-If I w-was alone, I-- I'd p-probably only be h-half done.

[Xanth makes a little more contact, putting his whole hand over Aara's. His hands are rough, but not terribly; they're calloused from years of work, and then softened by months of inactivity.]

[angha_firebird]

[That made sense, and helped reassure her quite a bit. She nodded, feeling a little more at ease. Her attention was then turned to where Xanth's hand rested over hers, and she stared at it in minute awe, a rosy hue slowly rising high on her cheeks. She turned to Xanth, then smiled and relaxed underneath that touch.]

Thank you, Xanth.

[She turns her hand over in his, shy suddenly but also grateful for the contact. She gives his hand the smallest squeeze.]

I promise I'll help you for as long as it takes to get your blanket done.

[She smiles.]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth's stomach does a flip as he realizes exactly what's happening: he is holding the hand of a pretty girl that he just met. And it's making him nervous, but he's... alright with that.

He squeezes Aara's hand in return, a blush spreading across his cheeks.]

Th--thank you.

[And damn, does he mean it.]

[angha_firebird]

[Aara's blush grows darker at Xanth's return squeeze, and for a moment Aara wonders if her heart will burst from the pressure suddenly growing in her chest. Upon a shy laugh-turned exhale, Aara found breathing helped, and she nodded at Xanth's thanks.]

You... you are welcome.

[Her voice is even breathier than normal, and Aara concentrates on breathing, and trying to keep more heat from creeping up on her face. It was only then that she could feel the calluses on Xanth's hand. Curiosity got the better of her, and she gently tugs his hand nearer to her, frowning in thought as she slips her hand from his only to flip his palm up and cradle his hand in both of hers.]

Where did you get these?

[stillseecracks]

[If Aara truly wanted to defuse the tension, examining Xanth's hand was a terrible way to do it. Xanth just swallows hard and lets Aara look.]

U-Um. F-From-- work. I, I w-worked on-- on a-a ship for... f-four years.

[angha_firebird]

[Sorry, Xanth. Aara's curiosity and interest is piqued, her nervousness abated. She scrutinizes his hand--rougher than hers--larger and more pale than she was used to seeing, too. She traces her fingertips lightly over his calluses, completely drawn in and oblivious to any discomfort she might have been giving poor Xanth.]

A ship? What was it like?

[Her eyes lift to Xanth's once more, her nearness not completely registering yet. Her light grip on his hand loosened.]

What did you do while you worked?

[stillseecracks]

[At the very least, Xanth can distract himself by talking of his past. In fact, he does exactly this.]

It... i-it was... h-hard work. B-But it-- it was-- g-good work. I-I mostly... cleaned, or, d-did odd jobs. C-Carrying things, he-- helping wh-wherever I-I was-- was needed, th-that sort of th--thing.

[He slips his hand free of Aara's grasp.]