![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nyanderenekoWord Count: 2,283
Summary: Nishiki comes across some unique stones that remind him of a certain someone, and quickly becomes eager to share them with her and see exactly what she thinks of his dazzling discovery.
*Author’s Note*: This didn’t go exactly the way I intended, but that’s alright because I still think it came out cute. Just a little scenario based on the fact that apparently Nishiki really likes shiny things in canon, as well as sharing them with the people he cares about. For the record, the stones I mention in this fic 1) aren’t actually natural stones and 2) don’t actually have magical properties (ofc) but for the sake of the fantasy aesthetic I ignored both of those facts and just did whatever I wanted.
It was both challenging and satisfying, making that outfit for her. He’d done it on a whim, without having to be asked, and without even really thinking about why he was doing it…or why he wanted to. Seeing her frightened, shaking form that night, eyes radiating apprehension and confusion…he knew that was an image he’d never forget. Clothes dirty and torn, barely holding herself together as she stumbled through the trees, acting on the assumption that perhaps in her human form it wouldn’t be as easy to mistake her as the prey they were tracking. But she’d never been prey, he knew that better than anyone, and he was determined to do everything he could to help her recover from that nightmare of an ordeal.
So he’d made her a new outfit. He’d scrounged up the available materials and got to work almost immediately on crafting her something that would make her feel more at home. Knowing how most of the Hoshidan citizens felt about Nohrians and their hesitancy to accept outsiders lest they prove to be dastardly spies or traitors, he didn’t want her to be bombarded with any more negative attention. But her apparel, and not to mention smell, were both undeniably foreign. Strong and defined, with a tang that both he and his fellow kitsune could recognize right away. The appearance was the first thing he could fix, one of the easiest ones…and he knew the smell would just have to come with time.
The bright white and pink color palette of the sakura patterned fabric he’d been lucky enough to find…it’d helped her feel like a new person. She practically was, little more than the refugee of a ransacked village whose citizens had scattered, fearing for their lives. Nishiki and the other kitsune were all too familiar with the threat of hunters and their cruel, heartless greed for wealth over life. But he could tell there was something different about her, this new person that’d suddenly come under his care. Beyond the physical, she’d managed to stir an emotion, a sensation in him the likes of which he’d never known before. Now that he had, he was determined to never let it slip from his grasp.
She could leave if she wanted to, of course. He was nowhere near selfish enough to try to force her into a life she didn’t want, especially after all she’d been through. But the happiness on her face, the elation and embarrassment and surprise when he’d presented her with a gift that was almost like putting on a new skin, that gave her the opportunity to experience a new kind of existence…and he’d made it by hand. She’d been so stunned, so taken aback by his charity that she had no hope of stopping the involuntary flow of tears that immediately followed suit. At first he’d mistaken them as negative, a reaction of rejection and rage, but as she fell at his feet and thanked him for not abandoning her, he’d realized just how wrong that assumption was. She couldn’t believe he’d gone so far as to accept her like this, granting her the option of a second chance she’d banished from her mind the moment she’d made the decision to flee.
He’d given her the ability to enter this new life with confidence; even joy. His gesture was just one small part of that equation, though, since the true root of her happiness resided in him from the start. She was resolved to cling to that optimism for as long as she could. As she adjusted to this life, he came to understand that she was a much more integral part of his than he’d anticipated. Letting her in without restraint or limitation, encouraging her to get as close as possible because he couldn’t get enough of that feeling, that rare exhilaration mixed with calm that’d overtaken him from the moment he’d felt its gentle touch. She was the catalyst, that much was obvious, and he’d been too blindsided by his own contentment to realize just how much of that influence was real, not imagined…and standing right in front of him.
He turned the smooth stones over and over again in his hands, watching them glint and sparkle at the slightest twitch. He could sense a strong, indecipherable power dwelling deep within them, a pulse of whatever essence they’d inherited from the earth. They were some of the most remarkable gems he’d ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on…and in an instant, he knew what he had to do. So he’d summoned her out here, to one of the quiet, scenic forest spots he frequented. Hopefully out here they wouldn’t be disturbed. There was no one he wanted to share this discovery with more, no hands he trusted them in more wholeheartedly than hers.
“Sorry I’m late!”
Jogging through the trees with a smile of greeting, his heart was unexpectedly overwhelmed at the sight of her. Sleeves swaying with her movements, ribbons fluttering in the breeze, cherry blossoms flaunting their subtle beauty across her torso…it never failed to take his breath away. Not in response to any talent or self congratulation on his part, but because all of those things were simple indicators of her presence. When he saw them, even if he only caught the slightest glimpse, he always knew which person they were attached to, the enchanting individual he was sure to find if he chose to approach. She would always be there waiting for him, blooming like a rose and captivating him with the indescribable nature of her very existence.
“No such thing as late,” he assured, returning her smile with one that charmed her as effortlessly as he always did. “This was kind of short notice, but I didn’t want to wait. I found something I wanted to show you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” she replied cheerily. “I’m excited to see it! You always find the neatest stuff. Maybe that’s one of your hidden talents.”
Clearly it must have been working the night I ran into you, then. “I don’t know if I’d say I always manage to come across interesting things, but I won’t deny that what I found this time is definitely special.”
Deciding it would be better not to draw out the suspense, mainly because he wasn’t sure he could handle it, Nishiki opened his palms to reveal some of the most breathtaking stones Nova had ever seen. The kitsune chief was known for being drawn to trinkets and objects such as these, shiny novelties whose usefulness usually didn’t extend far beyond serving as flamboyant decor or satisfying his amusement. But that was a trait Nova secretly admired in him, his ability to find delight in things most people may have considered frivolous or unnecessary. Nothing was ever too small to be meaningful to him…and she couldn’t help hoping she fell into that category as well.
The glossy dark blue gems cradled in his hands appeared imbued with what she could only describe as starlight. Peppered with silver accents that made the already lustrous stones gleam even more magnificently in the afternoon sun. She wanted to touch them, but at the same time wasn’t sure how fragile they were, and her companion had yet to inform her of why he’d chosen to share them with her in the first place.
“They made me think of you.” He spoke as if he’d heard her silent inquiry, and those few words were enough to tug her heart and squeeze her lungs. “Little pieces of starlight. Just like you, right? At least, that’s what I think of when I hear your name.”
It was one of the most heartwarming things she’d ever heard, but she didn’t want to lose herself to her own emotions just yet.
“It seems like more than just their appearance is impressive, though,” he continued, and she did her best to distract herself with this subject instead. “Like they have some sort of natural energy. I know there are certain plants and minerals like that around here, ones with unique mystical properties. Sakura’s mentioned them to me before. I wasn’t sure if these would be able to help you, either with your fighting or your healing…”
As he placed one in her hand, Nova felt the effect he was talking about the instant it made contact. She was sure it must have been much stronger to her, considering her attunement to such substances, and it wasn’t surprising that even someone who lacked her keen perception would still be able to sense the stones’ influence. Their impact seemed even more potent than she anticipated, and she supposed discussing their properties with Sakura might help her determine and quite possibly unlock their full potential.
“These are incredible,” she murmured, and he perked up at her words. “I’ve never seen anything like them. You’ll have to show me where they came from.”
“I’d be happy to,” he replied, taking the stone from her hand. “But I have one more surprise for you.”
Instructing her to close her eyes, she felt him slip something around her neck. His hands moved gingerly, cautiously, so as to avoid unsettling her. She could sense him standing behind her, and the careful way he conducted himself made her heart skip. So delicate and deliberate, his every thought clearly fixated on how he interacted with her. It was so…intimate, but she knew that was probably taking things a tad too far. Getting caught up in her own unrealistic fantasies, interpreting his gestures and demeanor with far too much self-indulgence. She just needed to pay attention to the task at hand and stop deluding herself with such senseless musings.
The unusual sensation of energy returned, making her skin tingle and fur rise. She was almost too impatient to wait for his permission to open them again, and as she glanced down it wasn’t hard to see where the aura was coming from. A polished pendant featuring the same gem she’d been presented only moments ago hung from her neck, twinkling like the night sky. She realized it must have taken him some time to put the accessory together, especially if he’d had to make it from scratch.
He’d had these stones for a while now, then…she was surprised he’d been able to keep them a secret for so long, considering the aura they exuded. But he’d also called this meeting to judge her reaction, to ascertain whether or not presenting her with his gift was going to be worth it, if it was something she even wanted in the first place. A mixture of gratitude for his generosity and concern that he thought he had to conduct a test at all churned in her gut, and an involuntary flush turned her cheeks the same color as her ribbons.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course I do!” she blurted a bit too emphatically. “You don’t even have to ask! This is amazing, it’s one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever received…you’re always doing thoughtful things like this, you know? Kind things that I have no hope of ever being able to acceptably repay you for?”
“Your happiness is payment enough,” he answered, gracing her with a gentle smile that only intensified the flush in her cheeks. “And I’m glad I got to show them to you. I need to find a good use for the rest of them.”
“I’ll see what I can work out with Sakura,” Nova offered. “They do appear to have some kind of supernatural quality…something that could definitely be useful in healing, or a similar practice. And if nothing else, they’d make absolutely stunning decorations…that is, if you don’t mind me making use of a few more of them?”
“Nothing would make me happier,” Nishiki encouraged, the weight slowly lifting from his anxious heart. “I didn’t want to just shove them all on you if you didn’t want them, but I was kind of hoping you would be the one to take them off my hands.”
Always so considerate, doing things for others without having to be asked…he truly was one of the most thoughtful individuals she’d ever been fortunate enough to encounter. She knew compensating others for even the slightest measure of hospitality they showed him was a personal principle he was intent to never leave unfulfilled. But it wasn’t like she expected anything from him, or would be disappointed if he failed to live up to the vague standard he’d established for himself. As much as she appreciated his charitableness, she certainly didn’t want him to be taken advantage of. And more than that, she never wanted to be the person that acted in such an ungrateful manner towards him.
The more he did for her, the greater her indebtedness to him seemed to grow…she didn’t mind staying by his side forever, if that’s what it took to properly repay his kindness. But she wanted to ensure that she was giving back enough, that the recompance she had to offer was equal to or even greater than his benevolent actions. In her heart she knew it didn’t matter, that what she did would never be sufficient. The extent to which he’d helped her was beyond comprehension at this point, unable to be measured or determined by such limited means. She couldn’t help hoping that staying by his side would be enough for him, somehow, or that one day he’d present her with an opportunity to properly show her gratitude. If nothing else, perhaps the love she had to offer would be a fitting place to start.
Summary: Nishiki comes across some unique stones that remind him of a certain someone, and quickly becomes eager to share them with her and see exactly what she thinks of his dazzling discovery.
*Author’s Note*: This didn’t go exactly the way I intended, but that’s alright because I still think it came out cute. Just a little scenario based on the fact that apparently Nishiki really likes shiny things in canon, as well as sharing them with the people he cares about. For the record, the stones I mention in this fic 1) aren’t actually natural stones and 2) don’t actually have magical properties (ofc) but for the sake of the fantasy aesthetic I ignored both of those facts and just did whatever I wanted.
_____
It was both challenging and satisfying, making that outfit for her. He’d done it on a whim, without having to be asked, and without even really thinking about why he was doing it…or why he wanted to. Seeing her frightened, shaking form that night, eyes radiating apprehension and confusion…he knew that was an image he’d never forget. Clothes dirty and torn, barely holding herself together as she stumbled through the trees, acting on the assumption that perhaps in her human form it wouldn’t be as easy to mistake her as the prey they were tracking. But she’d never been prey, he knew that better than anyone, and he was determined to do everything he could to help her recover from that nightmare of an ordeal.
So he’d made her a new outfit. He’d scrounged up the available materials and got to work almost immediately on crafting her something that would make her feel more at home. Knowing how most of the Hoshidan citizens felt about Nohrians and their hesitancy to accept outsiders lest they prove to be dastardly spies or traitors, he didn’t want her to be bombarded with any more negative attention. But her apparel, and not to mention smell, were both undeniably foreign. Strong and defined, with a tang that both he and his fellow kitsune could recognize right away. The appearance was the first thing he could fix, one of the easiest ones…and he knew the smell would just have to come with time.
The bright white and pink color palette of the sakura patterned fabric he’d been lucky enough to find…it’d helped her feel like a new person. She practically was, little more than the refugee of a ransacked village whose citizens had scattered, fearing for their lives. Nishiki and the other kitsune were all too familiar with the threat of hunters and their cruel, heartless greed for wealth over life. But he could tell there was something different about her, this new person that’d suddenly come under his care. Beyond the physical, she’d managed to stir an emotion, a sensation in him the likes of which he’d never known before. Now that he had, he was determined to never let it slip from his grasp.
She could leave if she wanted to, of course. He was nowhere near selfish enough to try to force her into a life she didn’t want, especially after all she’d been through. But the happiness on her face, the elation and embarrassment and surprise when he’d presented her with a gift that was almost like putting on a new skin, that gave her the opportunity to experience a new kind of existence…and he’d made it by hand. She’d been so stunned, so taken aback by his charity that she had no hope of stopping the involuntary flow of tears that immediately followed suit. At first he’d mistaken them as negative, a reaction of rejection and rage, but as she fell at his feet and thanked him for not abandoning her, he’d realized just how wrong that assumption was. She couldn’t believe he’d gone so far as to accept her like this, granting her the option of a second chance she’d banished from her mind the moment she’d made the decision to flee.
He’d given her the ability to enter this new life with confidence; even joy. His gesture was just one small part of that equation, though, since the true root of her happiness resided in him from the start. She was resolved to cling to that optimism for as long as she could. As she adjusted to this life, he came to understand that she was a much more integral part of his than he’d anticipated. Letting her in without restraint or limitation, encouraging her to get as close as possible because he couldn’t get enough of that feeling, that rare exhilaration mixed with calm that’d overtaken him from the moment he’d felt its gentle touch. She was the catalyst, that much was obvious, and he’d been too blindsided by his own contentment to realize just how much of that influence was real, not imagined…and standing right in front of him.
He turned the smooth stones over and over again in his hands, watching them glint and sparkle at the slightest twitch. He could sense a strong, indecipherable power dwelling deep within them, a pulse of whatever essence they’d inherited from the earth. They were some of the most remarkable gems he’d ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on…and in an instant, he knew what he had to do. So he’d summoned her out here, to one of the quiet, scenic forest spots he frequented. Hopefully out here they wouldn’t be disturbed. There was no one he wanted to share this discovery with more, no hands he trusted them in more wholeheartedly than hers.
“Sorry I’m late!”
Jogging through the trees with a smile of greeting, his heart was unexpectedly overwhelmed at the sight of her. Sleeves swaying with her movements, ribbons fluttering in the breeze, cherry blossoms flaunting their subtle beauty across her torso…it never failed to take his breath away. Not in response to any talent or self congratulation on his part, but because all of those things were simple indicators of her presence. When he saw them, even if he only caught the slightest glimpse, he always knew which person they were attached to, the enchanting individual he was sure to find if he chose to approach. She would always be there waiting for him, blooming like a rose and captivating him with the indescribable nature of her very existence.
“No such thing as late,” he assured, returning her smile with one that charmed her as effortlessly as he always did. “This was kind of short notice, but I didn’t want to wait. I found something I wanted to show you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” she replied cheerily. “I’m excited to see it! You always find the neatest stuff. Maybe that’s one of your hidden talents.”
Clearly it must have been working the night I ran into you, then. “I don’t know if I’d say I always manage to come across interesting things, but I won’t deny that what I found this time is definitely special.”
Deciding it would be better not to draw out the suspense, mainly because he wasn’t sure he could handle it, Nishiki opened his palms to reveal some of the most breathtaking stones Nova had ever seen. The kitsune chief was known for being drawn to trinkets and objects such as these, shiny novelties whose usefulness usually didn’t extend far beyond serving as flamboyant decor or satisfying his amusement. But that was a trait Nova secretly admired in him, his ability to find delight in things most people may have considered frivolous or unnecessary. Nothing was ever too small to be meaningful to him…and she couldn’t help hoping she fell into that category as well.
The glossy dark blue gems cradled in his hands appeared imbued with what she could only describe as starlight. Peppered with silver accents that made the already lustrous stones gleam even more magnificently in the afternoon sun. She wanted to touch them, but at the same time wasn’t sure how fragile they were, and her companion had yet to inform her of why he’d chosen to share them with her in the first place.
“They made me think of you.” He spoke as if he’d heard her silent inquiry, and those few words were enough to tug her heart and squeeze her lungs. “Little pieces of starlight. Just like you, right? At least, that’s what I think of when I hear your name.”
It was one of the most heartwarming things she’d ever heard, but she didn’t want to lose herself to her own emotions just yet.
“It seems like more than just their appearance is impressive, though,” he continued, and she did her best to distract herself with this subject instead. “Like they have some sort of natural energy. I know there are certain plants and minerals like that around here, ones with unique mystical properties. Sakura’s mentioned them to me before. I wasn’t sure if these would be able to help you, either with your fighting or your healing…”
As he placed one in her hand, Nova felt the effect he was talking about the instant it made contact. She was sure it must have been much stronger to her, considering her attunement to such substances, and it wasn’t surprising that even someone who lacked her keen perception would still be able to sense the stones’ influence. Their impact seemed even more potent than she anticipated, and she supposed discussing their properties with Sakura might help her determine and quite possibly unlock their full potential.
“These are incredible,” she murmured, and he perked up at her words. “I’ve never seen anything like them. You’ll have to show me where they came from.”
“I’d be happy to,” he replied, taking the stone from her hand. “But I have one more surprise for you.”
Instructing her to close her eyes, she felt him slip something around her neck. His hands moved gingerly, cautiously, so as to avoid unsettling her. She could sense him standing behind her, and the careful way he conducted himself made her heart skip. So delicate and deliberate, his every thought clearly fixated on how he interacted with her. It was so…intimate, but she knew that was probably taking things a tad too far. Getting caught up in her own unrealistic fantasies, interpreting his gestures and demeanor with far too much self-indulgence. She just needed to pay attention to the task at hand and stop deluding herself with such senseless musings.
The unusual sensation of energy returned, making her skin tingle and fur rise. She was almost too impatient to wait for his permission to open them again, and as she glanced down it wasn’t hard to see where the aura was coming from. A polished pendant featuring the same gem she’d been presented only moments ago hung from her neck, twinkling like the night sky. She realized it must have taken him some time to put the accessory together, especially if he’d had to make it from scratch.
He’d had these stones for a while now, then…she was surprised he’d been able to keep them a secret for so long, considering the aura they exuded. But he’d also called this meeting to judge her reaction, to ascertain whether or not presenting her with his gift was going to be worth it, if it was something she even wanted in the first place. A mixture of gratitude for his generosity and concern that he thought he had to conduct a test at all churned in her gut, and an involuntary flush turned her cheeks the same color as her ribbons.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course I do!” she blurted a bit too emphatically. “You don’t even have to ask! This is amazing, it’s one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever received…you’re always doing thoughtful things like this, you know? Kind things that I have no hope of ever being able to acceptably repay you for?”
“Your happiness is payment enough,” he answered, gracing her with a gentle smile that only intensified the flush in her cheeks. “And I’m glad I got to show them to you. I need to find a good use for the rest of them.”
“I’ll see what I can work out with Sakura,” Nova offered. “They do appear to have some kind of supernatural quality…something that could definitely be useful in healing, or a similar practice. And if nothing else, they’d make absolutely stunning decorations…that is, if you don’t mind me making use of a few more of them?”
“Nothing would make me happier,” Nishiki encouraged, the weight slowly lifting from his anxious heart. “I didn’t want to just shove them all on you if you didn’t want them, but I was kind of hoping you would be the one to take them off my hands.”
Always so considerate, doing things for others without having to be asked…he truly was one of the most thoughtful individuals she’d ever been fortunate enough to encounter. She knew compensating others for even the slightest measure of hospitality they showed him was a personal principle he was intent to never leave unfulfilled. But it wasn’t like she expected anything from him, or would be disappointed if he failed to live up to the vague standard he’d established for himself. As much as she appreciated his charitableness, she certainly didn’t want him to be taken advantage of. And more than that, she never wanted to be the person that acted in such an ungrateful manner towards him.
The more he did for her, the greater her indebtedness to him seemed to grow…she didn’t mind staying by his side forever, if that’s what it took to properly repay his kindness. But she wanted to ensure that she was giving back enough, that the recompance she had to offer was equal to or even greater than his benevolent actions. In her heart she knew it didn’t matter, that what she did would never be sufficient. The extent to which he’d helped her was beyond comprehension at this point, unable to be measured or determined by such limited means. She couldn’t help hoping that staying by his side would be enough for him, somehow, or that one day he’d present her with an opportunity to properly show her gratitude. If nothing else, perhaps the love she had to offer would be a fitting place to start.