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| Details |
| Author: | Athena |
| Summary: | Colson receives a letter from Estel with several requests, and considers the possibilities with Mordecai. 1200~ words. Personal plot RP. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Chain: Morson
It's past the time Colson woke up (7am), and the time Mordecai woke up (not 7am), and past the making of breakfast, the eating of breakfast, and the cleaning up of breakfast, and into the space before the afternoon but well enough into the day that the sweet, mellow sunshine of the first day of fall streams in peacefully through the windows.
The hint of a chill brushes up against the house like a friendly stray cat coming to say hello without lingering, and the paladin brings in only that faint touch with him as he comes back inside. He already sorted his mail by the mailbox, a quick and easy endeavor with the regularity of his post of correspondence and information on their various holdings and charities, but one unusual addition of a personal letter has caught his attention; he reads it as he shuts the door behind him and makes his way back to Mordecai.
Whatever it is and whomever it is from, some part of this letter amuses Colson, and he lets out a deep chuckle, smiling gently at the letter.
Mordecai is seated on the couch, his legs tucked partially underneath him, holding his clipboard on his lap. He looks up with a soft smile as Colson returns. "The newsletter?" he asks before he fully takes into consideration the fact that the letter Colson is holding is only a single page long.
Colson's attention shifts instantly to Mordecai. "Ah, no. It is a letter from Estel. She had some information to share on an unusual plant in Pandaria, and she has a jewelry request for her partner. She sent us some tea. And she has another personal jewelry request. She wishes for me to know that the tea is not a bribe for either," he says seriously, but with a sparkle to his eyes.
Mordecai makes a faint noise of amusement. "Estel once described tea to me as 'flavored leaf water'. We could try it with lunch, maybe? What's, um, the jewelry request?" He tilts his head.
"As usual, Estel is not incorrect," Colson says. There's a pleased lightness to his face as he retakes his place by Mordecai's side on the couch. "The first request is for an enchanted type of ring that is 'pretty on the inside' but nondescript on the outside for her partner and herself for use in the field, I expect. And the other is for a pair of wedding rings."
Mordecai wiggles closer on the couch so he can lean his shoulder against Colson's. "I remember her partner's fighting style. She probably wants something that won't catch the light for him. Although he wore gloves the whole time, so maybe not…" Mordecai holds his left hand up, turning it so that the azure moonstones in his wedding ring do catch the light.
"Hm." Colson looks at Mordecai's left hand, smiling at the ring. "Perhaps something that he can also be certain will not draw attention if he does not wear it on his hand. Many who specialize in melee combat range with hand held weapons prefer not to have a ring on a finger, for several reasons. I will think on both potentials, and consult the various designs currently available to see what may be done to achieve the effect that seems to be desired. I shall be honored to accept the offer to make the wedding rings. It was always something I enjoyed when opportunity presented itself in the army, a most welcome reprieve from chainmail."
Mordecai looks charmed by this, but when doesn't he? "How many wedding rings have you made? Including mine."
Colson makes a thoughtful sound. "I would need to consult my records to be sure — ah." His hand twitches, and he slowly exhales. "I am afraid I cannot. That notebook was lost with the…disruption of the townhouse." That sure is a way to describe it. That one is going straight into the Understatement of the Year competition. Still, it doesn't seem to distress the paladin overmuch; the loss has been processed and accepted.
"If I recall it right, it would be somewhere in the range of ten, perhaps as many as twelve. Not many for a professional jeweler, but significant for a hobbyist who knew the people in question personally in some way. I was not friends with them," he clarifies. "But I was familiar with them all.
"Oh," Mordecai says sadly, and pats Colson's knee. Rest in peace, notebook.
"That feels like quite a lot to me." Mordecai tilts his head. "Did you know I'm always wearing my ring in my dreams? As long as I'm myself, that is."
Colson places a warm hand under Mordecai's, and then bends his head to kiss Mordecai's ring, turning his cheek after to brush against his husband's fingers. "I am pleased to know it," he says, a deeper undertone to his voice.
Mordecai blushes faintly. "It's just… fundamental, now. If I were marrying you a second time I'd ask you to make that ring exactly like this one and not change a thing. That is, I mean - um, you know what I mean, right?"
"I do," Colson assures him gently. "I understand that for some people, novelty is in itself desirable, and attachment to items is momentary. However, there are others for whom stability and familiarity of meaning in an object surpasses a desire for improvement on it. The object can represent elements beyond itself. Safety. Love." He rests his cheek more into Mordecai's hand. "I have been told I am one such person, and I find no fault with the description."
Mordecai brushes his thumb against Colson's cheek. "How do you make a ring pretty on the inside?"
Colson makes a considering sound, a light humming of thought. "There are some methods that involve an inscription that is only on the inside, used for statement purposes, such as to have 'I love you,' written along the band. Then there are also other methods that are usually used on the exterior of an inset of something, such as adamantite and some woods. I am not certain that it can be reversed, to have that inset on the interior instead, but I shall ask those who might be more knowledgeable on the process."
"Oh, I didn't think of an inscription," Mordecai says a little sheepishly. "I should have."
Colson shakes his head. "Inner ring engraving is not typically associated with a decorative element. But, functionally it is the same for outer ring decoration from a jewel crafter perspective, and so it came to mind easier for considering methodology." He gently presses Mordecai's hand into his cheek in a version of a reassuring squeeze.
"Would you like to try the tea now or later after lunch?" Colson asks, ready as always to perform a task.
"Oh, well… I'm not in any rush, but if you wanted to try it now, we could?" Mordecai does not seem to have a strong opinion here. He is on the couch and he is comfortable.
"I am in no hurry," Colson says, surprising no one. The only time he's in a hurry is an emergency, and making tea has never been an emergency for Colson Aspenwood. "And I am content here."