a thing for gil

[circuitice]

[ Well! When he was asked to come with the Traveler to Dragonspine, he didn't think they'd actually be staying overnight. He would have brought a few more provisions. But, well, you know. Hindsight.

Luckily, he's not overly bothered by cold. So it could be worse, as long as they've got a fire and a good ghost story to share... ]

Have you ever spent the night here before?

Comments

[circuitice]

I'm often very busy in Mondstadt.

But not so busy I don't hear rumors of the white lady.

[ he leans in, almost conspiratorial, at that.

not because of warmth, obviously. ]

Have you heard her legend, Traveler?

[glidinglight]

[ Clearly, clearly. ]

"The white lady?"

[ She arches an eyebrow. ]

No, the books failed to mention anything about a woman in white.

[ She's not sure that this isn't just Kaeya trying to pull a fast one on her. But... it's entertaining enough, and she doesn't get to spend that much time with him. One tall-tale seems like a fair trade in exchange for that. ]

Who is she?

[circuitice]

[ guilty as charged, but there's something exciting about the way she's playing along with his jests. the children, and the nuns, would have already been scandalized. but this? this is an important performance. and so, he outstretches a hand gesturing over the snow. ]

No one entirely knows. Ah, if we had a name, perhaps we could put her to rest.

[ he steals a glance at her ]

But some say she's the first person to have frozen here on the mountain, as she waited for someone who would never return.

[glidinglight]

[ She is indeed playing along, eyes going faux-wide and doe-like as she considers the story. ]

Goodness. In order to be willing to wait that long in a place like this... it must have been a very important person she was waiting for. A lover, you think?

[circuitice]

Are you sure you haven't heard this story before?

[ he teases lightly in response to her playing along ]

[glidinglight]

I'm the Traveler. I've heard all kinds of stories in all kinds of places. But maybe not this one. Keep going, let's see.

[circuitice]

[ he laughs lightly, inclining his head towards her, enough for her warmth to radiate onto him.

ah, he did like being indulged sometimes. but now, he'd have to up his ante. ]

Well, it's a good guess. You see, once this land used to be a warm and welcoming place. And that was where the white lady and her lover made their home.

[glidinglight]

You know, even after seeing all the ruins, it's still hard to imagine people making this place home. Even if not for all the snow.

[circuitice]

I think the snow adds a bit of... something to it.

[ he says as he leans closer, gleaning off her warmth. ]

It makes it easier when you think the vengeful spirits of jilted lovers may come grab you, after all.

[glidinglight]

[ She leans in; it's much more comfortable to share body heat. It really is cold. Besides, he's doing a pretty decent job spinning his tale. It just feels appropriate for the moment.

Her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper, ]

Jilted! So the white lady was abandoned then?

[circuitice]

[ and of course, he counter leans in, his cheek brushing against her hair as he turns to speak more conspiratorially, ]

That is what the rumors say. That her lover, upon seeing disaster, turned and ran away as fast as his feet could carry him.

[ it doesn't matter that he's making it up as he goes along, she's playing along, and well... he loves a good ghost story. ]