[ This is the moment where Cipher should run. It's too close, too vulnerable, too open but it's also the moment where Cipher knew she should be vulnerable. This is the moment she needs to invite Aglaea with her to the stars and beyond, to be with her again in some capacity. Even if it's not... like that. It's still something, to be at each other's side and travel the stars.
Cipher breathes out carefully, looks towards Aglaea and then looks away when she notices the other woman's all seeing eyes on her. She wonders how the golden threads would work outside of Okhema. Would she still be able to see so clearly? ]
I... want to leave Amphoreus.
[ Her gaze skitters back towards Aglaea, hesitant, before she looks away again. ]
The Trailblazers said they could get me my own ship. Or join them on the Astral Express for a while if I wanted. But I โ
[ Her stomach is in knots. She feels terrible. She wants to run. ]
I want to go. With you. I don't want to ride their train, I want to explore with you instead.
[ Fuck. She said it. She said it and now she can't take it back. Quietly, she stares hard at the ground as they walk, her hands dropping to clench at her sides. Even her tail comes to curl around her body, showing just how hard this was for her to say. ]
[ Definitive surprise flashed across Aglaea's face as that first sentence registered solidly. She had most certainly heard things correctly, and even noticed the way Cipher kept glancing at her and then looking away again which was a telltale sign of the other woman's forage into something she was unused to.
Allowing herself to be vulnerable and expressing her true thoughts not hidden by any form of coy layers or disguised words.
Given her history, Aglaea knew it must be incredibly hard for Cipher to speak her mind to her like this. She always had known Cipher would someday wish to explore further than what Amphoreus could offer, but to think she really did want to explore the vast galaxy with her? It managed to warm her heart in a way she didn't think was even possible with her waning humanity.
Her expression then softened and she shifted just a touch closer, reaching a hand out to brush gently against one of Cipher's. ]
Thank you for being so straightforwards with me, Cifera.
[ Aglaea's tone was light, but wholeheartedly sincere. She didn't make any moves to step away any, but never pressing any contact more than what Cipher would be comfortable with. ]
If I am to be quite honest? I have been feeling restless since the situation has resolved and I have long since recognized that the other chrysos heirs are more than capable of handling matters here.
[ Especially those like Phainon. He'd grown so much and experienced more than what a normal person should ever be made to experience but she also had seen his leadership and that they all could handle matters here now that the Black Tide was no longer a threat and people could freely traverse Amphoreus beyond Okhema's walls. ]
To have a chance to spend more time with you and be able to experience something new? I would be pleased to join you in your travels.
[ Logic dictated that she shouldn't but falling onto old habits was something she'd done for WAY too long. Aglaea knew that she would not have even remotely considered leaving Okhema if it wasn't for Cipher necessarily bringing it up or wanting her specifically to join her in her travels across the galaxy.
[ There is no possible way that Aglaea agreed to Cipher's request, Cipher thinks. There is no way that the other woman heard Cipher's insane desire and said yes to it, not when it was Aglaea who was so duty bound to Okhema that the idea of leaving was... impossible. Absurd. Absolutely ridiculous. Cipher knew she was being foolish by asking her to go with her but she also... hoped.
She hoped, and that is why she's struck dumb when she gets exactly what she wants in reply. Her eyes drop down quickly to the hand brushing against her own and then up again to Aglaea's face. She knows they should keep walking, that she shouldn't let this distract her, but she slows to a stop as the stunned sensation does not leave and she's still so struck dumb. ]
You โ really?
[ She doesn't know what to say, doesn't know how to even put into words how badly she wanted this and now that she has it, emotion floods her in a way it hasn't in a long, long time. A dam breaking inside her and she feels heat in her eyes as they grow wet and she has to swallow around the lump in her throat.
A bit in awe, she clarifies โ ]
You'll come with me...
[ She sniffs and she tries very hard not to do anything more than that to give herself away but her voice is very small suddenly as she continues, quiet โ ]
Agy...
[ Oh, she should've thought better about this. They really shouldn't be in public right now. She's absolutely going to break. She just got what she wanted more than anything else in the world and she doesn't know how she can handle that, at all. ]
Simply just having the opportunity to be present when Cipher let her walls down and let herself be genuine without any sort of act in place just warmed her heart. That same one she had been sure was encased in some form of ice after all this time, and yet was proof that some of her precious humanity still indeed remained.
Aglaea nodded and made to gently grasp Cipher's hand, intertwining their fingers as a soft hum was breathed out. Her smile warm and unbelievably kind. ]
Come, Cifera. Let us go somewhere a little more private, shall we?
[ To someone as proud and headstrong as the demigod of Trickery, she knew that it was never easy to let herself show emotion like this. So she's light, but insistent as she lead the other Chrysos Heir into a quieter alley away from the hustle and bustle of the market.
Somewhere that happened to shield them away from the prying eyes of others. ]
Listen. I know it may seem a little strange, given my duty to Okhema but... I suppose I have missed spending time with you. As selfish as it may come across.
[ Cipher lets Aglaea lead her to a private little alcove, quiet and hidden away from others. It makes Cipher relax, an exhale leaving her at the sudden privacy and her hand clutching Aglaea's a little tighter in response. Her feelings a mess right now, the overwhelming sensation of affection for Aglaea the most prominent one.
She said yes...! She's going to come with her, going to travel with her, they're going to be together...! It's a surreal feeling, getting what you've always wanted, and Cipher is still unsure if she should be feeling this way in the first place. ]
You can be selfish.
[ It's Cipher's first response there, quiet but encouraging. She'll step in close to Aglaea, her free hand reaching up to touch her cheek oh so gently. ]
If anyone deserves to, it's you, Agy.
[ In so many cycles, how many times has she lost herself to the flame chase journey? She deserves to be selfish, to live a life just for her at this point. ]
I know that's rich coming from me but...
[ She really wants Aglaea to live for herself, and hopefully in that, be by Cipher's side at the same time. ]
[ It's subtle, but Aglaea's shoulders relaxed as if slowly allowing herself to finally do so after what felt like an eternity of being the 'one in charge' of everything. All the responsibilities and that stress came with it, holding it close so nobody else had to deal with it.
She leant a little into that hand touching her cheek, lips curling into a light and gentle smile. ]
Mm. No... you're right.
[ Aglaea's tone is a touch bemused but she's not shying away from what is little more than fact by this time. Too many times had she forgotten herself and what it was like to live beyond her actual duty. ]
It is long overdue, I think. So perhaps we both can move forwards and try being more honest. Together.
[ Her voice is softer now, closing her eyes and exhaling a soft breath she didn't even truly know she'd been holding. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Cipher breathes out carefully, looks towards Aglaea and then looks away when she notices the other woman's all seeing eyes on her. She wonders how the golden threads would work outside of Okhema. Would she still be able to see so clearly? ]
I... want to leave Amphoreus.
[ Her gaze skitters back towards Aglaea, hesitant, before she looks away again. ]
The Trailblazers said they could get me my own ship. Or join them on the Astral Express for a while if I wanted. But I โ
[ Her stomach is in knots. She feels terrible. She wants to run. ]
I want to go. With you. I don't want to ride their train, I want to explore with you instead.
[ Fuck. She said it. She said it and now she can't take it back. Quietly, she stares hard at the ground as they walk, her hands dropping to clench at her sides. Even her tail comes to curl around her body, showing just how hard this was for her to say. ]
no subject
Allowing herself to be vulnerable and expressing her true thoughts not hidden by any form of coy layers or disguised words.
Given her history, Aglaea knew it must be incredibly hard for Cipher to speak her mind to her like this. She always had known Cipher would someday wish to explore further than what Amphoreus could offer, but to think she really did want to explore the vast galaxy with her? It managed to warm her heart in a way she didn't think was even possible with her waning humanity.
Her expression then softened and she shifted just a touch closer, reaching a hand out to brush gently against one of Cipher's. ]
Thank you for being so straightforwards with me, Cifera.
[ Aglaea's tone was light, but wholeheartedly sincere. She didn't make any moves to step away any, but never pressing any contact more than what Cipher would be comfortable with. ]
If I am to be quite honest? I have been feeling restless since the situation has resolved and I have long since recognized that the other chrysos heirs are more than capable of handling matters here.
[ Especially those like Phainon. He'd grown so much and experienced more than what a normal person should ever be made to experience but she also had seen his leadership and that they all could handle matters here now that the Black Tide was no longer a threat and people could freely traverse Amphoreus beyond Okhema's walls. ]
To have a chance to spend more time with you and be able to experience something new? I would be pleased to join you in your travels.
[ Logic dictated that she shouldn't but falling onto old habits was something she'd done for WAY too long. Aglaea knew that she would not have even remotely considered leaving Okhema if it wasn't for Cipher necessarily bringing it up or wanting her specifically to join her in her travels across the galaxy.
Sometimes it really did take the right person. ]
no subject
She hoped, and that is why she's struck dumb when she gets exactly what she wants in reply. Her eyes drop down quickly to the hand brushing against her own and then up again to Aglaea's face. She knows they should keep walking, that she shouldn't let this distract her, but she slows to a stop as the stunned sensation does not leave and she's still so struck dumb. ]
You โ really?
[ She doesn't know what to say, doesn't know how to even put into words how badly she wanted this and now that she has it, emotion floods her in a way it hasn't in a long, long time. A dam breaking inside her and she feels heat in her eyes as they grow wet and she has to swallow around the lump in her throat.
A bit in awe, she clarifies โ ]
You'll come with me...
[ She sniffs and she tries very hard not to do anything more than that to give herself away but her voice is very small suddenly as she continues, quiet โ ]
Agy...
[ Oh, she should've thought better about this. They really shouldn't be in public right now. She's absolutely going to break. She just got what she wanted more than anything else in the world and she doesn't know how she can handle that, at all. ]
no subject
Simply just having the opportunity to be present when Cipher let her walls down and let herself be genuine without any sort of act in place just warmed her heart. That same one she had been sure was encased in some form of ice after all this time, and yet was proof that some of her precious humanity still indeed remained.
Aglaea nodded and made to gently grasp Cipher's hand, intertwining their fingers as a soft hum was breathed out. Her smile warm and unbelievably kind. ]
Come, Cifera. Let us go somewhere a little more private, shall we?
[ To someone as proud and headstrong as the demigod of Trickery, she knew that it was never easy to let herself show emotion like this. So she's light, but insistent as she lead the other Chrysos Heir into a quieter alley away from the hustle and bustle of the market.
Somewhere that happened to shield them away from the prying eyes of others. ]
Listen. I know it may seem a little strange, given my duty to Okhema but... I suppose I have missed spending time with you. As selfish as it may come across.
no subject
She said yes...! She's going to come with her, going to travel with her, they're going to be together...! It's a surreal feeling, getting what you've always wanted, and Cipher is still unsure if she should be feeling this way in the first place. ]
You can be selfish.
[ It's Cipher's first response there, quiet but encouraging. She'll step in close to Aglaea, her free hand reaching up to touch her cheek oh so gently. ]
If anyone deserves to, it's you, Agy.
[ In so many cycles, how many times has she lost herself to the flame chase journey? She deserves to be selfish, to live a life just for her at this point. ]
I know that's rich coming from me but...
[ She really wants Aglaea to live for herself, and hopefully in that, be by Cipher's side at the same time. ]
no subject
She leant a little into that hand touching her cheek, lips curling into a light and gentle smile. ]
Mm. No... you're right.
[ Aglaea's tone is a touch bemused but she's not shying away from what is little more than fact by this time. Too many times had she forgotten herself and what it was like to live beyond her actual duty. ]
It is long overdue, I think. So perhaps we both can move forwards and try being more honest. Together.
[ Her voice is softer now, closing her eyes and exhaling a soft breath she didn't even truly know she'd been holding. ]