Work Text:
“Penny for your thoughts?”
His voice came out of the gloom, but instead of frightening Ivy, so deep in her own world, it fell across her like a warm blanket.
Actually, there was something else that fell across her like a blanket. Ivy blinked, catching the red cape with its furred edges smelling of cinnamon, clove, and burnt battlefields.
“I’m glad you didn’t throw it away.” Diamant stepped up beside her, smiling. The stars above and around them reflected on the light of the small pond in the Somniel, where Ivy knew Diamant was most at ease here among the clouds. “It’s a pain to dry.”
“I would never,” Ivy said, huffing. Gathering it around herself tighter, she inhaled silently; it smelled like home. “What gave you the idea I needed it?”
“You looked cold.” Diamant shrugged, glancing to Ivy and then back to the rippling water. Nighttime fish were active, but no one was around to disturb their home. No surprise; after losing Alear to quite the spiral of epiphanies and deaths, and with Veyle slinking around guiltily in corners, no one really came out at night. No one besides Ivy, strengthened by the horrors of war, Panette’s acquaintance, and the necklace always warm at her collarbone. She pretended never to see when Anna or Jean, Clanne or Framme, would sneak off to get their fortunes read by Seadall. She had even been considering that herself, before Diamant approached.
Beneath his cape, her shoulders sagged. “It would have to be truly frigid for me to be cold,” she said softly. “So — whatever have you that idea?”
“You were hugging yourself.” Diamant’s voice was not unkind. He did not focus and stare her down as he spoke of his observation. He gave Ivy time to respond, but she remained quiet. “I know you weren’t thinking of swimming with the fish… the heated pool is back there.”
Ivy scoffed. “No. I would never.” Closing her eyes, she shrank into the cape more, almost nuzzling into it, had Diamant not proven so observant and she not a princess. “But I thank you, Prince Diamant, for thinking of me and keeping me company.”
“My pleasure, Princess Ivy.” Diamant smiled. “I don’t suppose you’re going to answer my question?”
Ivy stroked the warm interior of the cape. “Hmm? What question?”
“A penny for your thoughts?”
Turning her head to focus on Diamant in the starlight, she clicked her tongue. “A Princess does not reveal all that she is thinking.” Pause. “An Elusian Princess, that is.”
“I see.” Diamant nodded. “Shall I leave you to it, then?”
“No.” Ivy flushed a little at how quickly she responded. Clearing her throat, she moved to sit on the dock, slipping off her shoes. “I would much prefer to have your company, Diamant. Won’t you join me?”
Nevermind. The fish’s evening would not be so peaceful, after all.