10/05: Cold

A/N:

″zheijasirii” - It appears to be de-thorned bramble branches woven together by magic and dusted with sage incense. In Eridæus’ hometown, it’s made as a protective charm.

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For someone who loves summer, I am always impressed at how resilient to the cold Lucio is. We have just finished showering from an impromptu trip to Zephyr Bay, and I am making a pendant for Lucio, per his request. Although I have dried myself, the Vesuvian sea breeze feels just a little chilling for me. Xaranya is a cold place, but I've always been one to shiver regardless. As I slowly thread and weave the brambles together, I try to think about the things that define Lucio.

While his brashness, immaturity, and his straightforwardness are definitely the most noticeable traits about him, I think the snow is very suiting for him too. I chuckle a little, looking at the shape of the zheijasirii--it seems I had unintentionally made it into the shape of a goat. I believe Lucio and the others refer to it as his 'fursona'; had he stayed a bit longer, he would have seen this for himself, properly. Lucio had been observing me, but I remember hearing Mercedes and Melchior barking just before he got up from the chair.

I make the final touches by coating the zheijasirii in a coat of krassi to ensure everything holds together; letting the warm aura of the cohesion spell emit from my palm. It is a necessary spell, particularly for somone like Lucio. As a loud thwunk echoes downstairs from Lucio and the dog's playing and I close my eyes. I think about the seasonly hailstorms of Xaranya, muttering the chant of a basic freezing spell I'd been taught during medic training. A slight shiver passes through my body, prompting me to open my eyes again.

It is a success, the bramble-woven goat was now encased in a transparent, chilled casing of ice. A faint blue sheen reflects off its surface as I tilt in various positions under the light.

"Lushiyo!" I call as loud as I can, "It's finished!"

I hear the thundering of his footsteps going up the stairs as I thread the hemp through hole I'd made inside the goat and seal the ends with a light spell.

"You finished it?" Lucio eagerly asks as he enters into the room, peering over my shoulder, "Ooh it looks so pretty!"

I turn around, gently holding the pendant by its hemp and gesture for him to tilt his head down, "Gentle?"

"Promise!" he lowers his head, his shoulders shifting in excitement, "I won't break it, ever!"

I gently slip the pendant over him, "Now, be careful, Lucio, because-"

"AHH, IT'S COLD!" he immediately draws his hand back upon briefly holding the goat.

"...It is cold." I finish with what started as a sigh but turned into a content laugh.

"Why's it so cold, Ery?"

"It fits you," I pause, "...Even if you don't live in the cold anymore, it is still part of who you are."

Lucio stares deeply at the pendant before slowly nodding his head, "Thanks, Ery ... I mean it. I'll never lose it."