[closed] fall and turn the white snow red

[morbide]

Who: Henry morbide & Tataru Taru seemstressed
When: 3/1
Where: Tataru's residence
What: A gift from the outpost, a check-in, and a burden from Henry.
Warnings: N/A

[Fortunately, Henry has a reason to be visiting her that isn't as selfish of him. He'd feel odd if he were to arrange a visit purely for himself, on his own accord, for something like... this. Which still fills him with — something, he can't place it, but it's uncomfortable. Beyond any desire to catalogue it, as someone who'd much rather ignore potent emotions than process them. He's uneasy enough to make him wonder if he should fake ill to get out of the engagement, because he's sure that this discomfort is akin to illness.

(But he walked past a man trimming hedges earlier and ended up stuck for minutes, trying to be good and unseen, in case the trimmers were for him. What part of him, he could never guess: his skin, numb to sensation, prickled in dreadful anticipation... until a crow pecked at his toe. How silly! he realized in retrospect. That kind of thing hasn't happened in some time, but this is the kind of thing he's been dealing with.)

But he has a pack of the things he collected for the Lalafell out in the distant Wilde, bound not by boxes or bags, but individual spells created with Abjuration to keep them sealed and away from each other. He compares the address to what she sent him about five times, doubting his own comprehension, before he knocks on the door.

The moment she opens it, he waves with one hand first, then both.]

Heya, Tataru! Lookie here, as promised: the goods, AND I've still got all ten fingers, no more and no less!

[Be proud! All fingers are there, and he didn't try to... grow any new ones??]

Comments

[morbide]

...

[Henry holds out his hand. It's the one that isn't blackened by magic.]

Did you need to hold my hand? [He giggles a little, sheepish.] We'll be doing it soon, anyway. So if it's too much...

[If it's unwanted, they'll be doing it soon anyway. He could wait.]

[seemstressed]

<sub>[She glances at the offered hand, a bit pink in the face, before she finds herself reaching out with her own, much smaller one in offering. Gingerly she wraps her fingers around his, giving them a squeeze. While Tataru at first glance may look quite soft her hands tell a different story - delicate, sure, like a lady's should be, but firm with the telltale signs of a life of hard work.

There's a bit of a shock, she feels, jolt through her palm as she grips onto Henry tighter than she means to, but passes it off as nothing of concern.]</sub>

It isn't too much.

[morbide]

[It's a nice feeling for Henry, who... didn't realize he was keyed up at all, until the contact. He won't say anything on it, however. He's not exactly sure what he's feeling, and he doesn't much care to investigate or navel-gaze.]

Now we'll definitely be pointed in the right direction for Bonding ceremonies! Which is a good thing, 'cause I kinda forgot which room it's in...

[Pointed they are, by a tall Witch in the lobby who knows exactly what they're here for. Bonding is just a thing that happens, no matter how special, so they're prepared to direct wayward Mirrorbound to their proper destinations.]

Basically, we stand in a circle and they pull out our magical essence — our souls, they say. They tie 'em together, and it's pretty pretty. That's all after we hold hands and say vows and stuff, though. Does that reduce the uncertainty for you?

[Not that he didn't go through it a little the night before, but here's a bit more information, now that they're surely only minutes away. He squeezes her fingers into his palm.]

[seemstressed]

I-It does, yes.

_{[For all the joking and flirting the two had done between them about marriage, now that she's here to Bond and is getting the nitty gritty details about it...it does seem a bit more intimate than tying the knot, doesn't it? The squeeze to her fingers has her swallowing, a sensation akin to pins and needles slowly beginning to build in the digits. She ignores it though. It's uncomfortable but it's not like Henry's cutting off her circulation. He's holding her hand quite gently, if anything.]}

As long as they stick our souls back in the right bodies afterwards.

_{[She's kidding, of course, but then again she's always wondered what it'd be like to see things from a higher vantage point permanently...]}

[morbide]

Oh, they don't even take 'em! Don't worry about that. ...Oh, but wouldn't it be funny if they put us back in the wrong bodies?! Nya ha! I used to have a spell that could do that neat trick! You woulda loved it.

[SURE she'd love it! Who doesn't??

Henry does hold her hand gently, but that healing magic of his, haywire as his abilities are in the moment, tries to draw from Tataru's vitality to recover the subconscious pain he feels in his fingertips. It can't work, however, as the tissue is quite dead. The Plegian mage is none the wiser to this.

They finally stand outside of the doors, and Henry stops, gesturing with his other hand and a soft smile.]

This is it! The soul thing, they just sorta draw the signature out and entwine them. It doesn't feel like much at first, but I hear it grows stronger over time, like a rope? Maybe. Well, let's get started!

[The best Henry can do is offer his enthusiasm to soothe her nerves. It's all he has, if he had anything to give in the first place.]

[seemstressed]

<sub>[Definitely wouldn't have loved it Henry...but she's not going to say that.

The more they walk, hand in hand, the more tired Tataru begins to feel. It's a drain she can't seem to put a finger on, but she shakes it off, attributing it to nerves and not resting well the night prior.

Once they arrive she's subconsciously giving his hand a tighter squeeze, glancing about to take in the ornate interior of the building they'd entered. It reminds her a bit of Ishgard's architecture, what with its sweeping stone buttresses and gothic elements. The stain glass of the windows is ornate and pleasing to the eye, especially with the sun filtering through. She could easily see one getting married here and exchanging vows...

Which is sort of what they're doing, isn't it?

The Witch who is to guide them through the ceremony has them stand in a certain spot, instructing them to face one another hand hold hands. Reaching for Henry's other she takes those blackened fingers within her own, careful not to squeeze in case she causes accidental damage.]</sub>

Do we...speak our vows first? Or does the signature take place before doing so?

[morbide]

Vows first. Right?

[Henry turns to the Witch overseeing the procession, searching for approval. The Witch nods, and he further explains: "To a new Bond, we will begin with doing just as you are: hand in hand, speak thy heart and establish thy wishes of your Bonded partner. With such promises established, the procession of magical tethering may begin."

Henry nods, and glances back to Tataru.]

What he said.

[. . . . . One of them is going to have to go first. Henry feels obligated. He wavers in place, his not-dead hand giving Tataru's fingers a squeeze.]

Guess I should start saying stuff, huh? Told you it was more nerve-wracking than a marriage!

[seemstressed]

_{[He's right. This is more nerve-wracking than she had initially thought. Even so, she'll manage, even if she stumbles over her words. Besides, Henry said he'd start, right? She'll follow his lead and let him speak first. Even if holding his hands is making her feel woozy for some reason she appreciates the comfort doing so brings.]}

Well then, let's hear what you've to swear to me.

[morbide]

... Right!

[... Whew! Feel that shift in the air that Henry can't detect. This tension upon realizing that he totally volunteered himself to speak his vows into the air first. The Witch conducting the ceremony waits patiently, though it feels like pressure to Henry, even as Tataru's cute, round eyes fix on him.

He doesn't realize that she's being drained from, and the more nervous he gets, the more his body attempts to sap the life force from around him. ...Tataru's saving grace may come from that Witch who watches, for he might be able to detect that something's amiss, should it get too bad.

The slight dark mage... clears his throat. It echoes.]

Refresh my memory, ahaha... Am I supposed to start this out some way?

[The Witch is kind and patient. "Speak freely. Begin with name, conclude with proclamation of choice, of willingness." Well, that's something. He remembers something or other like that with Makoto, although both of them read some generic vows. Tataru... deserves this, though he knows it could be better.]

I, Henry, no-last-name, [CLOWNING AROUND ALREADY?! He's smirking! Henry, take this seriously!] promise to do all of the chores Tataru wants! I'll run any errands, and do aaaanything in my power to put her at ease. Really, anything, including ridding her of her enemies, hee hee! And, I promise not to off myself...

[That last point is said regretfully, but it seems more like a joking regret. His tone... It's all a bit too airy, too chipper for sincerity, until he trails off here. Henry averts his gaze and points it directly at their hands, his tone leveling out into something deeper, smoother, like it follows the deep pull of rapids.]

But moreover, to keep my Bonded safe from harm. To see to her health and well-being, so she can't overwork herself. And... To trust that she'll tell me if she can't handle it.

[That last one is the hardest. Henry shifts uncomfortably.]

... I choose Tataru Taru to be my Bonded, 'til she should want otherwise.

[seemstressed]

<sub>[His vows start off in a way she expects, light-hearted and teasing, but soon enough the tone of it all shifts and Tataru's left feeling the pit of her stomach grow heavy with the gravity of what she's doing. A heat has gripped her cheeks as she takes a moment to find her voice, to avoid tripping over her own words that she's about to speak. It's that last part of his vow that's really getting her and the sincerity behind it.

Taking a deep breath she looks up at the mage, squeezing his hand as she finds the courage to speak herself, feeling somewhat lightheaded as she starts.]</sub>

I, T-Tataru Taru, swear to do right by my Bonded and do anything I can to ensure he is able to blossom and thrive. I may not be strong but I will do what I can to keep him safe from harm and guide him toward prosperity. I will tend to his well-being both in body and soul and will stand by him in sickness and in health.

_{[There's another exhale as she grounds herself, offering up a sincere smile.]}

I choose Henry to be my Bonded.

_{[There's no tacked on clause like he added. If Tataru commits she does so in full.]}

[morbide]

[Henry wavers in place, not having realized that he's holding his breath. Sure, he felt a little tense when he did this with Makoto, and he thinks he feels a little tense now... It's really not something he needs to pay much mind to. Marriage sounds easy, Bonding sounds easy in theory, but it's with all of the baggage that it makes him hesitate.

No. He said he'd trust that she'd tell him if things ever got overwhelming, and that they'd look out for each other. That's what counts. Henry steels his nerves, even though the "worst" of it's already over and done with. Perhaps he's just steeling them for the road.

The Witch overseeing the procession lifts his hands, drawing out a wisp of magic from each of them, a light that represents each of their souls. From different worlds as they are, it's only natural that they take on different casts, different brightnesses, different textures. There, he ties the two together, ornate like a light show, and just as quickly as he began, the visible light from these souls fade away.

Simple as that, it's over. He offers them congratulations.

Henry smiles at Tataru, and it's with a bit of relief. He doesn't let go of her hands, still unaware of his current condition causing any trouble for her.]

See? Pretty painless, right?

[Ha ha HA HA HA? No, being tied to his soul at this point in their Bond won't trouble Tataru, but his unstable magic is still the same. It'll take a bit of time for that to resolve itself.]

[seemstressed]

_{[The whole spectacle of it all has her mesmerized for a moment, as the light of their souls is intertwined and sewn together. It doesn't last long though and soon enough the two of them are being congratulated. She looks from the Witch in charge back to Henry, cheeks still pink. It'd be a lie to say she doesn't feel drained but there's a relief that washes over her as well as she stares up at the mage.]}

It was a lot simpler than I imagined it would be.

_{[She's glad it's been settled, to put it simply. She doesn't let go of his hands though either, opting to carefully lace her little fingers between his instead. There's something quite nice about having his hands on hers all of a sudden.]}

Thank you for bonding with me, Henry.

[morbide]

[Get used to that physical contact, because it only makes a Bond grow stronger. Henry feels odd: he already found that having her hands in his left him feeling like his pulse was a step higher, fainter, but Bonding in itself has a powerful effect. He doesn't quite remember this same sensation last time... But it was too short lived for it, wasn't it?

Henry... squeezes her hand back, appreciatively, and lets out an airy giggle. One to dispel nerves, but also one of genuine pleasantness.]

Thank ME? Who was it who crawled to your doorstep with some dubious mushrooms and begged you to Bond, again? You're a silly one, Tataru! I should be thanking you, like, a million times over.

[He grins.]

But I guess I could just clean up to show that gratitude, right?

[seemstressed]

_{[She's going to realize eventually how great physical contact is but for now the connection hasn't been made. Instead she's just enjoying the feeling of his hands clasping her smaller ones. His giggle has her relaxing, glad that the whole thing is done and over with. They're Bonded and that's all there is too it. Henry might have a point that he's the one that asked her but that doesn't mean she hadn't been in need of a Bond herself. He'd done her a favour without realizing it.]}

I won't say no if you decide to help me tidy up a bit back at the house. We'll have to get it ready for you to move in, after all.

[morbide]

[Gods, that's right, she wants him to move in... It's not as though he forgot. It's been weighing heavily upon his mind ever since she offered, and diligently, he even consolidated his things back in the barracks.

It'll be nice, to live somewhere and be expected to contribute. He doesn't know what that's like, really. Kind of like being with the Shepherds again, where duties existed and everyone was expected to contribute. It's exciting to him, to have that sense of belonging and expectation. Even when he pretends to groan, a poor display of acting since he's still smiling.]

Yeah yeahhhh, I'll help tidy up straightaway... Twist my arm, why don't you! Nya ha!

[Yeah, he seems so put out by it. Henry continues with his grip on Tataru's hand, even as he's gently reminded to take his lovey-dovey affair elsewhere, this is a place of Bonding, good fortune to them, but please the man has a wedding to conduct in like fifteen minutes.]

What'd you think of the process, Tataru? Did ya like it enough to do it a second time?

[seemstressed]

<sub>[It's Tataru who takes the initiative to tug Henry along while he keeps her hand in his, giving the Witch who conducted the ceremony a quiet thank you as they begin to leave the building. While Henry may be transfixed she at least gets the cue that they better leave.

That doesn't mean he has to let go just yet.]</sub>

Three months and we'll repeat it!

_{[She sounds confident enough that that's how things will play out. Three months and they'll renew their freshly made vows. She gives their hands a little swing.]}

What did you think of it?

[morbide]

[He actually has to consider his feelings on their ceremony. What did he think of it? What could he translate into words? It wasn't as though he could discern how he felt about it, especially now that it was over and done with... But he could try.]

It was a lot less freaky than I thought it would be. Painless, that's for sure. I kinda feel good, now! Wonder if that's the loosening of nerves, the Bond, or the fact that I'm lightheaded... Maybe it's all three.

[Lightheaded apparently feels good to Henry... Anyway, gloss over that, it's unimportant.]

We'll be ready for it next time, huh? That is, if you reeeally wanna, in 90 days time... Maybe I'll really make you fly the coop! Or, more likely, you'll chase me and my collection of dead birds out the door with a broom. [A thought.] Say, Tataru, do they make brooms your size? Or do you want me to do all the sweeping, too?

[Henry is very chatty.]

[seemstressed]

<sub>[Who thinks being lightheaded feels good...Henry you're something else.

He's right though, now that it's done and over with, she's feeling much better herself as well. Is it a placebo effect? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, she won't think too deeply on it.]</sub>

Well...yes, there are Lalafell sized brooms. _{[Or rather child-sized brooms for other races.]} But, since you offered so sweetly, you're welcome to help me sweep as well.

_{[Yeah you walked right into that one buddy.]}

[morbide]

Ack... Guess so! Sweeping duty's on me. You can count on me...

[So many chores that he'll have to do, instead of just... letting things sit around the room, and not having much to deal with other than magical implements to begin with...]