Worth more than you were given

While he prepared their drinks and snacks, Ember listened with rapt attention while Erik explained how hospitality was of vital importance to his family and customs. Showing reverence to the gods by being hospitable. The thought of the gods manifesting themselves as mortals was an abstract and bizarre concept for her to think about, but she supposed it made sense. Being kind to all guests in preparation for a god's visit. Ember shot a sly smirk to Erik, her braided tail swishing playfully behind her as she asked in a teasing voice, "Are you saying I might be a goddess in disguise, Erik? Maybe I am and I'm here to test you. Better be on your best behavior." She giggled and winked, enjoying the lessons on Erik's culture and family customs. It felt like she was really getting to see parts of him that nobody else did. She wanted to know everything she could about her bastard viking prince.

He brought their drinks over and looked keenly interested in the alcohol she had commandeered from the Hallows, earning him another light giggle from the Carpathian princess. She liked getting to see this more casual side of Erik come out. She knew of his struggles with himself; of being noble blood but denied the acceptance of his viking king father. She had made it her mission to make sure Erik knew how much he was worth, no matter what anyone else tried to say. She smiles, a lopsided little grin that she picked up from her father, when his confidence shines through in his vow that he'll be better the next go round. "Oh I have no doubt, my king of the mountain," she teased him, her tail flicking up to playfully bat at his hip.

Ember graciously took the cup of tea from him and took a slow sip, making a delighted little hum at the sweet, slightly herbal taste of his tea blend as it flowed over her tongue. Honey and cannabis undertoning the rich taste of black tea. Erik's remark about her being a bit sore earned him another knowing smirk from the fae who swatted at his hip with her tail again as he nosed her cheek. "Oh don't worry, I'm not too sore yet." A little double entendre to keep him enticed. Boys were so much fun to tease. She reached her own muzzle up to press a gentle kiss to the edge of his jaw. "The tea is lovely. Thank you, Erik." She's reveling in how he's touching her, how his digits are stroking through her groomed coat. He's always been so gentle with her, so different to how the world sees him. He's a marvel to her in all that he is.

Then he's asking to put her bag up for her and Ember knew it was time. She slipped the strap from over her neck and handed it to him. "No. I want you to open it." A simple instruction, one that would have life changing effects. When he did, inside he would find two bottles—the wine she had stolen from the Hallows, and a small glass bottle filled with a shimmering golden liquid. Ember set her teacup down and guided his paw with her own to the bottle of medicine. "There's a healer in the Hallows who specializes in everything about the Long Night... and the effects that stayed after it." She paused, letting her words sink in so he could realize what she was saying. "I told her about you—about your condition—and she poured all her research into making this. She said it might not remove the crystals completely, but it should fix the ones that are hurting you." Ember gently squeezed Erik's paw in hers, then left his on the bottle, peering up at him with hopeful blue eyes resolute. "I promised you I'd find a way to cure you." The promise she had made to him when they'd been pups and this had very much been a farfetched fantasy. She'd promised him a cure, and now she had delivered. It was up to him if he wanted to take the leap of faith.

"Ember Carpathius" | "Carpathian"