[Gift] Trinkets and Treasures

Apollyon’s eyes were locked to the skies even as the mountain breeze ruffled his feathers. His flames flickered and danced in it. He’d caught glimpses of the mercenary, Kovaithe, flying overhead a few times, and he was hoping that he’d spot her again today. This time he was ready. He was nearly certain she’d not spared him a second glance before, but this time he’d make sure she noticed him. He’d spent all morning preening, gathered up his best shinies, and had settled in to wait. Now he just needed to find her.

He spotted motion overhead, in the skies over the mountains, flying deeper into the range. Perfect. It was showtime. He leapt into the air, felt the winds beneath his wings, and pushed himself higher, higher, to meet her. She certainly had taken notice of him now that he was here next to her. She cocked her head and slowed her flight. He couldn’t mess this up. With a flourish, he did a roll around her in the air, then spun as he plummeted back towards the mountains. He spread his wings to catch himself only at the last minute, hoping the brief display would draw her down with him. As he landed, he turned to watch, hoping. Success. She far more casually flew down, slowly circling his little nest until she landed.

“What’s all this, then?” She asked, surveying the area.

Apollyon flung open his wings, and with a flourish of wind and flame, he displayed his offerings. He’d collected old coins and melted them down into bars with his heat, then decorated his little ‘nest’ with anything  else he could find that glittered and shined. “A gift of treasure for the fine lady.” He shook his feathers to further emphasize the point. “As much as I could find.”

Koivathe lowered her head to appraise the offerings before rumbling for a moment thoughtfully. She turned back to face the wind hybrid. “A proposition, then? You mean to woo me with these? I will admit, I appreciate the gold, but as for your little shiny trinkets, well…” she laughed. With a stomp of her foot and what was clearly the use of some form of earth magic, she split the ground beneath her. A small hairline crack widened into a full fissure, and at the very bottom sat something that glittered. “Such things as these tend to be more appropriate.”

Apollyon fluttered over and craned his head down to look at it. “Oh…” he muttered. He hadn’t thought about the fact that she might have a preference for the kind of shinies she wanted— what a fool he was! He’d ruined his chances, she’d made a fool of him with a simple motion.

Seeing him tense up at the sight, Kovaithe chuckled. “It’s alright— just make note for next time.” She reached a claw in and retrieved it. Then, to his shock, she turned and held it out to him. “For now, you can consider this my offering.”

It was a beautiful stone, one that appeared to change color depending on how the light struck it. Apollyon had never seen such a marvelous rock— and the lady meant to give it to him? He was beyond flattered. He bowed deeply to her. “I shall be sure that my gifts to you are more worthy in the future, madam. I thank you for your generosity.” And then realization sunk in. Wait. The lady gave him a gift? As an offering in the same way as his display? Had he truly won her over? He glanced up at her with cautious optimism.

She smiled down at him. Today would be a good day indeed.