Nyx
His box had three items inside. The first item was a jar of a tincture that can help soothe my emotions if they become too volatile. While my flare-ups have been less frequent, I still can't let myself become too emotional. This tincture will help me stay mellow until I'm completely cured of the Velintra.
The other two items are a pressure-activated orb and a deck of flash cards with Vel'Sharii runes on them.When activated, the orb pulses with soft light and warmth, which will be great for meditation. The flash cards will help me learn the various runes.
"Thank you, Aspen. These are much needed." Aspen gave a little bow and a wink.
"These three pulled me away before I finished my last check of the ritual space, so I'm going to go finish that. See you tomorrow, Moonbeam. Love you." Then he was gone. Keir followed with rolling eyes, "I'll go make sure he eats before midnight. Until tomorrow, Dragonfly."
Now only Lux and Elias remained of the four interlopers. I pulled Lux's gift bag closer while Líma carried away the two gift boxes so I had room to maneuver this heavy bag. "What is in this bag, Lux?" I couldn't help asking as I threw the colored paper everywhere.
Korran tried to rearrange the board out of the corner of my eye. With lightning-fast reflexes, I popped his hand. He playfully shook his hand, "Just checking if you are aware of your surroundings."
"Uh huh. Right. Líma and Maram, if you will both take a picture of the board as is. We can pick up our game at a later date. I look forward to winning, so I can be patient. Can you, Korran?" I challenged, smiling widely.
"Sure. You won't be winning, but if believing in that delusion is what you want to go into the ritual with, then by all means, I support you." His confident tone made me want to finish our game now, but Lux cleared his throat.
I turned my focus back to Lux's heavy ass bag while Líma and Maram took the requested pictures, then cleared the table.
Inside the bag were three items. On top was a jewelry box containing a bracelet of pearls and amethyst. It was beautiful. I held it out, and Lux came forward to put it on me. "I checked. You can wear this during the ritual. It doesn't have any essence embedded in it, but that doesn't mean its natural energy won't help you.
He kissed my head, then helped me pull out the next box and a large carved obsidian ashitaka (horned wolf) from the bag. Holding the carved ashitaka, I examined all the details.
"So this is what your other side looks like. You still haven't shown me your shifted form. I demand a viewing after the ritual. If you look anything like this carving, you look pretty majestic." Lux's chest puffed up, and he looked smugly at Elias.
Elias sarcastically gave him a thumbs up. I giggled at their interaction. Are Lux and Elias closer than Keir is to Elias? Interesting. That is not what I expected if that is the case.
I opened the last gift box to reveal a music crystal. When I injected essence into it, ambient forest sounds and low drums began to play. Since I only injected a small amount, the sounds faded away quickly. "Thank you, Lux. This will be useful when I meditate. I appreciate you all choosing such thoughtful gifts for me." Lux patted my head, then before either I or Korran could react, he grabbed Korran and activated a talisman.
They were gone before I could process what he was doing. I looked at the other three people to make sure I wasn't the only one who just saw Lux do what he did. "Did he just…?"
"Yes, my lady. It appears the scion just kidnapped the patriarch. I must go find him now. Have a good rest of your evening." Maram left the room at a run. Líma gestured towards the door, "I recommend moving to the patio for an early dinner, mistress. Will you be joining the mistress this evening, Specialist Cress?"
I looked at Elias, curious what he would say. We have never had dinner just the two of us before. Why does this feel like this is turning into a date? With tense anticipation, I wasn't sure what answer I wanted him to give.
"If the lady doesn't mind, I would like to stay. I did bring gifts as well."
Now I was really curious. "Stay. I would like to see what you have brought." Elias offered me his hand, which I took before I thought the move through properly. He pulled me up from the chair, then we walked hand in hand out onto the enclosed heated patio. Líma quickly set the table and placed glasses of water before us.
"Today's menu includes: grilled onyx salmon, rosemary rice, and twice-baked vegetables. Is this acceptable or do you wish for something else?" This was the meal I had already picked out earlier, so the question was for Elias.
"I want to get a 6 oz bison steak cut in addition to the menu items." Líma nodded, then turned to me. "Mistress, would you also like a bison steak cut?" I shook my head, then Líma excused herself to step inside to wait for the food delivery.
I think this is the first time it's just been the two of us without training. What do we even talk about? I don't really know anything about him personally.
"So…"
"Would you like to see…"
We both spoke and stopped at the same time. We looked at each other, then laughed at how awkward we were behaving. I gestured for him to speak first since I didn't really have anything to say. From his spatial ring, he pulled out two medium-sized bags.
"These are…congratulations on completing phase two of your recovery and rehabilitation gifts from me and the person who sent you those s'mores sandwiches. We hope you will like and treasure them." Elias pushed forward a white bag that looked like glitter had thrown up on it.
Thankfully, when I pulled it in front of me, glitter did not get on me or scatter everywhere. I liked how sparkly the bag was, but it didn't seem like something Elias would have chosen, so I couldn't help asking. "Did you pick out this bag? Is this one from you?"
Elias coughed into his hand and looked away. "No, I didn't pick out the bag. My friend said they did a bit of research into you and found that you like sparkly things, so he figured this bag would please you. I told him I wasn't sure if sparkly was still your thing. By the way, can I record you opening his gift so he can see your reactions later?" Elias held up his phone awkwardly.
He is really out of his element. I don't want to find him cute right now, but I honestly do. I didn't tease him even though I wanted to.
I can't help feeling like I'm being courted right now. Is he courting me? Is his friend, who I'm pretty sure I haven't met, trying to court me? I wish Zen or Venus was here right now to help me navigate whatever is going on here. Hell, I would even take Pavo's guidance right now.
"Ummm, I guess I don't mind. If he isn't busy, you could video call him, and he can see me open everything live. I'm guessing he wants to stay hidden for now?" I fiddle with the ribbon while I tried to figure out how comfortable I was really feeling about some unknown person giving me gifts. Should I even be accepting these gifts? Can I call a friend for help?