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The horse's hooves clapped upon grass, its movements decided by the pink-headed Xaela reigning it in. Attached to her with hands on hips was the Kathun of the Dotharl tribe, kidnapped from her duties for a small break — something she was hesitant in doing, given her beliefs in having to strive harder each day. Eventually, after much begging and nagging, she caved in for the benefit of her closest companion. Despite being of different tribes, Sadu and Cirina had spent more and more time together, from menial tasks to hunting, and their tribes had grown stronger and healthier than ever thanks to the collaboration, each caring for an aspect where the other would be weak. Ever since, more than a dozen moons had passed, and their bond only grew stronger under the Dusk and Dawn's watchful gaze.
“Are you doing okay back there?” Cirina asked with her usual care, as she kept her eyes glued to the path forward.
“Of course!” Sadu answered, her hands still clinging to the other's midsection. She wasn't used to riding, since her tribe doesn't make use of horses, and her buttocks are hurting a little, but she's never one to complain.
“Have you ever been here?” The silence is broken again, perhaps trying to fill it with something more than the trotting and the sounds of various wild animals.
“No, at least not in this life. Unsure about the others. I guess you have?”
“Yes! I come here often, actually. It's... There's a place very special to me. Well, it's not really too often, but I always come here to gather my thoughts.”
Cirina stopped the horse — they had been riding westward for the best part of the afternoon, the sun starting to hide behind the horizon. Amidst the valley, a cave. The two dismounted from the steed, Cirina letting it follow them through the lead. The entrance to the cave is wide and unlit, but the next in line as Khatun of the Mols had come prepared with a torch, quickly enkindled. The sound of rushing water anticipated the presence of some body of water, most likely a river of some kind — but after around four hundred yalms and a bend, the revelation would come of a little oasis amidst the mountain and near a lake.
The place was mostly smooth stone, eroded by the ages and water and wind — it used to be entirely submerged, but once broken through, it only remained as a small still pond, fed by the river in the cave, that also fed the lake that could be seen from its insides, thanks to an opening that revealed the cave beneath, and the waterfall below. So, they were at the inside of a cliff face, an entirely natural spot except for the standing torches that someone had built; that someone being Cirina herself, that now proceeded to light them, and extinguish the hand torch.
“This is the place?” Sadu asked, albeit rhetorical. She stared beyond the hole in the wall, gazing at the sky and lake alike. The moon had risen, and it reflected its three quarter shape fully onto the water. It almost sparkled, and even Sadu can appreciate something beautiful, even when not drenched in blood.
“Yes! Do you like it?” Her voice was charged with hope. If she didn't, then her whole plan was going to fail.
“It's nice.” She nods. “But you know I'm not one to soak for the sake of it. We bathe only when strictly necessary.” Ever the goal-oriented kind. But Cirina knew, of course she knew — she had been in love with her for quite some time, now.
“It's not just for the sake of it, I promise!” She smiled.
“You did say it was important! I trust you, but I'm not seeing it. Did you trick me into resting again?” Sadu tilted her head, prompting her lover to laugh.
“No, no! Not after that scolding. It felt like you were about to pull my horns off!” She shook hands and head, still chuckling. “Well...”
Cirina cleared her throat, and sighed. She psyched herself up by giving herself a few small slaps, much to Sadu's confusion. She got down on one knee, bowing her head to her beloved, presenting a hand-woven reed crown with both her hands. Before she could even speak, Sadu had understood, and her eyes widened.
“Sadu,” Her voice trembles, anxious and excited. Their relationship has gone on for quite a while without a hitch; she can't think of any reason as to why she would be denied. Yet, the fear is still there. “Ever since we had met, the sight of you made my heart race. When we started spending time together, it felt like a dream come true, every day more fulfilling than the one before. My grandmother spoke of a vision of prosperity and happiness for me, and I believe this future to be with you. Will you allow me the honor to be your Nhaama?” She finally rose her head, looking up at Sadu.
The fearless warrior seemed stunned for once, her breath suspended, illuminated by the moonlight. She looked so beautiful, in the graces of the Dusk Mother. If she said yes, would their wedding be blessed by the goddess herself? Cirina clearly hoped for such a thing, given the place of choice, knowing full well how majestic her companion would look like, even more than usual. Likewise, Cirina shared much of the same lightning on her, and Sadu felt an uncharacteristic ability to say anything. She felt overwhelmed, unable to formulate a thought. Her gut is saying yes, her heart is saying yes, and her mind is saying yes — yet she can't communicate it, stunned by the unexpected proposal, and by Cirina's beauty, more radiant than ever. She needed a few moments to process it all: first off, she didn't exactly realize they had been in a proper relationship, but now it all made sense. They never called it such, but they were always together, they had spent countless nights embraced to one another, and never her thoughts had wandered to anyone else. Yes, that's indeed a relationship; which now makes sense as to why would Cirina have those reactions when those women from Eorzea had given her their linkpearls. She's never been one for romance, but all this... Just made sense, now. She blinked for a moment, as if checking if she wasn't having a waking dream. It was real, and Cirina was still awaiting an answer, kneeling in front of her.
It wasn't the thought of their tribes becoming one once Cirina would properly become Kathun that were pushing her — it wasn't even the possibility of a delectable heir with her strength and Cirina's senses. It was the prospect of having the rest of her life next to Cirina, in harmony and joy. She wanted her, and her alone.
“Yes!” She finally grasped the crown, bringing it to her head. At the same time, she grabbed Cirina's hand, pulling her upwards from her kneeling position. It was a swift motion that'd bring the two's lips to meet, head angled to not let the horns interfere — a motion they had done countless times, that now had gotten a whole new meaning; followed by an affectionate horn to horn rubbing. “You were right. This was important.” She grinned.
“You've made me the happiest I could ever be!” Cirina answered in kin, squeezing herself to the other's body.
Needless to say, the rest of the night away would be spent in the pond's water, skinny dipping, cuddling, and many other effusions of love, before having an exhausting rest of the night on the roll-up hay bed that Cirina had packed. Yes, she had come prepared; she knows her Sadu all too well.