closed the blinds and made goddamn sure we could never see the sun

Iki went easily into her cousin's embrace, pressing herself against the dark fur of his chest. His big frame was comforting. She felt safe with him. "I'm sorry," she whispered again. The little princess was sorry about a lot. Sorry that her father left. Sorry that Pontifex and his family had been banished. Sorry that she hadn't been more excited to see him. It seemed like all of the regret that she'd been harboring was regurgitated at once. Like the kind soul that he was, Pontifex just took it all in stride, comforting the fae as she needed.

When the pair parted, Ponti offered Ikigai some wine. Lynx pointed ears tipped backwards for a moment. She'd never had alcohol before and admitted as much, not being shy about the fact. She was a princess, afterall. She wasn't supposed to get drunk. Then again, her father wasn't supposed to leave her either. "I've never had alcohol before," she spoke softly. "I'll try it though. Will you... make sure that I'm okay?" Mercuric eyes tilted upwards as she searched her cousins face. Surely he would look after her, but those eyes were still filled with an innocent, pleading look. She didn't want to embarrass herself if she did this.

As they parted, Pontifex told her to make herself comfortable. "I've been here a lot since you left," she admitted. "No one really comes here anymore." Iki settled herself upon the furs and waited.

"Ikigai"