[For as good as Takame's eyes were, it took the call out for him to finally be able to spot the Miqo'te. That made things much simpler and faster. He approached the bench Cehd'ra was perched on, stopping before it to greet him with his standard bow.]
Cehd'ra, correct? I hope I've not kept you waiting long.
[ It's kind of nice not having to crane his neck so Cehd'ra doesn't hop down from the back of the bench. At least not yet. He'll wave off the bow rather than return it, ears twisting with some embarrassment. ]
This is me making up for my mistake before, so don't worry...here.
[ Cehd'ra fishes into his jacket pocket and produces a small plastic bag. Inside is a silver chain, sturdy and long. ]
Hm? Ah. [His brows raise slightly when Cehd'ra pulls out the bag with the chain. He felt it was just as much his mistake for allowing the ring to be taken and that there was no reason for the Miqo'te to make up for anything.
Surprised he was, there was a softness in his expression, the closest he could get without words to show that while he was surprised, he was also glad.]
I... Thank you.
[There's some reluctance as he stepped closer, lifting his hand slightly as if wordlessly asking permission to take it. He isn't used to this and it shows.]
[ The hesitation is noticed, causing one of Cehd'ra's ears to twist curiously. Maybe it's the fact that it's jewelry? A man giving another man a gift like that...Cehd'ra knows there are some who'd find it odd. He hopes Takame isn't one of them.
Better to try and not make it more uncomfortable by asking. ]
Try it on for me? If y'don't mind. 'Want to be sure I got the right length.
[ He'll deposit the bag into Takame's open hand, bringing his own to fold behind his back. ]
[More that gifts given to him are few and far between. He was thankful despite his inexperience with this. When the bag was placed in his hands, he nodded.]
Oh, yes... yes of course. [He's careful when removing the chain, pulling it out with the tips of two fingers, unhooking it. Rather that opt to put it on alone, from his pocket he pulled out the familiar ring that got them here, looping the chain through it to drop it at its center.
Then did he pull it back around his neck, fumbling for a moment because of his long hair, and fastened the hook again. It fell just past his collarbone resting at the center of the scales on his chest. With a fond hum, he nodded once more to himself, a quiet approval. It felt just right. Then he looked to Cehd'ra again as if waiting for his approval.]
[ He'd tried not to get something too delicate since the idea was for it to hold a ring so he's glad to see Takame test that as well. He's about to offer to help the man get it hooked when he manages it. ]
Well now, 'say that will work nicely.
[ Cehd'ra leans forward, tail stretching out for balance as he gets a closer look. Long enough it could hide easily under his clothes if he wanted, all the better to keep it safe. Perfect. The miqo'te's ears give a pleased wiggle as he leans back again, smiling. ]
Mm. [It's small, barely noticeable even. But there was a soft smile on his face seeing his sister's ring on a sturdy chain again. He won't be as likely to lose it like this. Not only was it a reminder of her but he would also keep it safe to not risk her ire upon seeing her again...
He tilted his head at that question. There was something to pay back? It was his own fault that the ring got stolen... if Cehd'ra wanted for them to be "even", though... he nodded yet again.]
... I would say so. [And yet it felt uneven to him...] You truly did not need to go through the trouble. 'Twas mine own carelessness that caused her ring to be taken.
[ Cehd'ra holds out a finger and lifts his head, all faux refinement. ]
Tili was my responsibility, her actions were because of my own...or my own inaction, I s'pose. 'Not for that she wouldn't've given you trouble to begin with.
[Feigned or not, Takame's shoulders reflexively tensed when he was asked to cease and the slow sway of his tail briefly halted despite his expression remaining even as always.
Even then, the tension lasted but a moment before he relaxed again. An "Understood" went unspoken in favor of something more casual.]
... Alright. If you insist. [He bowed his head slightly, then began twisting at the ring on the chain.] Forgive me, I meant no offense.
[ That momentary tension doesn't escape Cehd'ra's notice, prompting Cehd'ra to ease off on the act. He goes as far as to finally step down from his perch on the bench to put Takame back on the proverbial high ground. He's not sure had caused a reaction like that, only able to mentally note that the Doman is very disciplined. ]
I do insist and no offense taken. You're a tense one, aren't you? Y'don't have to be like that around me, believe me.
[To say he calmed when Cehd'ra stepped down wouldn't be entirely accurate, but at the very least his tail began to sway naturally once more. He was still fidgeting with the ring, trying to figure out what he could say to not unsettle Cehd'ra.]
... Am I? [He knew damn well he was.] ... Ah, it's... a habit that I suppose I must... work on. But you are most kind.
Well, hey, 'least you've plenty of time to work on it now, right? That's how I see it, 'matter what was going on back home and whether you want to go back to it or not...here it's a fresh start.
[ Cehd'ra's ears twist, a small sign of nerves coming through behind an easy smile. Maybe that's just him. Probably that's just him. But if there's a chance Takame could take the advice and get some use out of it...
The au ra called him kind. Cehd'ra doesn't want to disappoint. ]
He'd gotten one when he traveled to Eorzea and had little to show for it. At the very least he could see no change in himself. Though it was true that he had one less looming threat to be concerned about in this realm... not against just himself but for others. That was the last thing he would share.]
[ Lunatia should be an even fresher start. No ties to whatever life they'd led before whatsoever, except for the slim chance that someone comes along who knows them. Granted, as many from Hydaelyn that he's met in this place the odds may be better than he'd like, but they're still low. ]
Right? An' if you need help relaxing just send me the word, I'll find something that'll take your mind off whatever ails you.
[ Probably Chroma generating but...there are other things if Takame isn't interested. He'll just have to think harder to come up with some. ]
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Cehd'ra, correct? I hope I've not kept you waiting long.
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This is me making up for my mistake before, so don't worry...here.
[ Cehd'ra fishes into his jacket pocket and produces a small plastic bag. Inside is a silver chain, sturdy and long. ]
For your ring.
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Surprised he was, there was a softness in his expression, the closest he could get without words to show that while he was surprised, he was also glad.]
I... Thank you.
[There's some reluctance as he stepped closer, lifting his hand slightly as if wordlessly asking permission to take it. He isn't used to this and it shows.]
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Better to try and not make it more uncomfortable by asking. ]
Try it on for me? If y'don't mind. 'Want to be sure I got the right length.
[ He'll deposit the bag into Takame's open hand, bringing his own to fold behind his back. ]
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Oh, yes... yes of course. [He's careful when removing the chain, pulling it out with the tips of two fingers, unhooking it. Rather that opt to put it on alone, from his pocket he pulled out the familiar ring that got them here, looping the chain through it to drop it at its center.
Then did he pull it back around his neck, fumbling for a moment because of his long hair, and fastened the hook again. It fell just past his collarbone resting at the center of the scales on his chest. With a fond hum, he nodded once more to himself, a quiet approval. It felt just right. Then he looked to Cehd'ra again as if waiting for his approval.]
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Well now, 'say that will work nicely.
[ Cehd'ra leans forward, tail stretching out for balance as he gets a closer look. Long enough it could hide easily under his clothes if he wanted, all the better to keep it safe. Perfect. The miqo'te's ears give a pleased wiggle as he leans back again, smiling. ]
What do you think, are we even?
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He tilted his head at that question. There was something to pay back? It was his own fault that the ring got stolen... if Cehd'ra wanted for them to be "even", though... he nodded yet again.]
... I would say so. [And yet it felt uneven to him...] You truly did not need to go through the trouble. 'Twas mine own carelessness that caused her ring to be taken.
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[ Cehd'ra holds out a finger and lifts his head, all faux refinement. ]
Tili was my responsibility, her actions were because of my own...or my own inaction, I s'pose. 'Not for that she wouldn't've given you trouble to begin with.
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Even then, the tension lasted but a moment before he relaxed again. An "Understood" went unspoken in favor of something more casual.]
... Alright. If you insist. [He bowed his head slightly, then began twisting at the ring on the chain.] Forgive me, I meant no offense.
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I do insist and no offense taken. You're a tense one, aren't you? Y'don't have to be like that around me, believe me.
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... Am I? [He knew damn well he was.] ... Ah, it's... a habit that I suppose I must... work on. But you are most kind.
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[ Cehd'ra's ears twist, a small sign of nerves coming through behind an easy smile. Maybe that's just him. Probably that's just him. But if there's a chance Takame could take the advice and get some use out of it...
The au ra called him kind. Cehd'ra doesn't want to disappoint. ]
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He'd gotten one when he traveled to Eorzea and had little to show for it. At the very least he could see no change in himself. Though it was true that he had one less looming threat to be concerned about in this realm... not against just himself but for others. That was the last thing he would share.]
You are right. I'd never thought of it as that.
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Right? An' if you need help relaxing just send me the word, I'll find something that'll take your mind off whatever ails you.
[ Probably Chroma generating but...there are other things if Takame isn't interested. He'll just have to think harder to come up with some. ]