18 Extra 7

The snow had settled down on the field, and Cyrus stares outside his window. Crecylla was busy sketching on her letter to Luna. Cyrus runs his hands through her hair, and he hums an unfamiliar tune. Crecylla blinks confusedly at him.

"What song is that?" Crecylla mumbles.

"I was thinking of making a new song. I'm scared you'll get tired of the last one" Cyrus hums. "Did it sound bad?"

"Should we get you a piano?" Crecylla hums. "I know you don't play but I could help you document the notes and all"

"Where would we get the piano?"

Within 3 days, Cyrus wakes up to a rather large package in front of the cottage. He grumbles about having to bring it in, but he doesn't wake Crecylla to help him. He opens it, and he's surprised to find a starry piano. It's navy blue, and despite it not being a grand piano, he's stunned. Did Crecylla write about it to Luna? A note on the keys answers his question.

To my lovely sister in law!

When you write to Luna, I notice that you don't talk about playing your piano as much as your old letters from Phoenicia. So here's the thing! I asked Luna if you had a piano you loved, and when she mentioned that it was in your old room, I was surprised to find an upright piano in your room instead of a grand. So I had the guards package it up and ship it to you! Don't worry too much, and good luck on your continued journey with it. I had a feeling Cyrus is reading this so if he is, please write to me more often :(. It's not as fun when you don't.

Much love,

Helios of Astaria

"Good morning sunshine" Crecylla presses a soft kiss to his lips. "what's this?"

"Morning moonlight. Helios sent the upright piano in your old room to us." Cyrus hums.

Crecylla glows, and she wants nothing less than to play it, but she figured it would be out of tune. She open the top, and she gets working on tuning the piano. Cyrus brews a cup of tea, and he asks if Crecylla wanted any milk with it. She shakes her head no, and she continues with the piano. Cyrus hums and puts a dab of milk in there anyway, she probably didn't hear the questions properly.

Crecylla plays the final note, and she wipes the sweat off her head, it had probably been at least 2 hours by now. She plays each key in order, and when they're all in tune, she goes to take a shower. She's all sweaty from the piano, and the dust in the box area made her look four shades darker than usual. She hums a tune to herself, and she gets into the shower.

Cyrus pushes his hair back when he hears the shower turn on. He mumbles, and he pours himself a cup of tea. He sips on it, and he feels a mild sense of irritation climb up his throat. Would she… no she wouldn't. He had no reason to worry. They would work it out like they always did.

Crecylla stops the shower, and she walks out. She would have the piano sit there for a few days, and then she would start playing it. There wasn't much to do in the winter, and if they needed any supplies, they could buy some from the marketplace at the town center. She dries her hair with her towel, and when she sees Cyrus deep in thought, her throat tightens. He had something on his mind, and she wasn't sure if she could diffuse it yet.

"Something on your mind love?" She's cautious as what to say, she knew he was angry at something, but she didn't know what.

Cyrus holds Crecylla's hands and rubs the back of her hand gently. He's irritated and he wasn't sure if he could tell her without sounding childish. He tells her anyways, and when Crecylla cracks a smile, he softens. She assures him it wasn't true, and she wipes her thumb on his cheek. It was enough to her.

Cyrus relaxes, and he mumbles a handful of things. Crecylla snickers, and he shoots her a glare. Perhaps a visit to the marketplace would cheer him up. She throws one of the winter coats to Cyrus, and she slips into warmer clothes. She invites him to join her at the town square. She had heard they would be doing something today.

Cyrus goes begrudgingly, and he follows the girl as he's lead through the crowds. Her eyes glimmer at the sight of a snowball fight, and she goes in without a thought. Cyrus watches her, his body too warm to be able to make any snowballs. Crecylla sends a fluffy of snow towards them, and the other team gasps. The game goes on for another 30 minutes before the kids are called home, and Crecylla emerges victorious. The children on her team crowd to give her a group hug, and she hugs them all through her 3 layers. She waves them all goodbye, and she grins at Cyrus childishly.

A young child approaches Crecylla timidly, and she asks her what's wrong. Apparently she had grown a snowflake style flower, and wanted to give it to her. Crecylla tries to tell her that the flower was rare and that she should keep it at home. She insists on giving it to her as a token of her thanks, and Crecylla accepts it. She gives the little girl a warm hug, and watches her get home safely.

Cyrus recognizes the girl. She was the little one that had been the town talk lately. She had a knack for growing flowers, and her plants always came out ethereal. Perhaps it would be ok to ask her parents for a commission sometime. He hums when Crecylla gathers a flurry of snow for the flower to sit in. It had to be kept in cold conditions, and Crecylla would have no issues keeping it cold all year long.

The two spend the rest of the evening at home in bed. The snowflakes fall outside, and homes are warm. Warm hues of orange glow in the town and each family celebrates in a special way.

"You think we should have kids soon?" Cyrus mumbles into Crecylla's neck.

"If you do the carrying" Crecylla snickers. "Of course love."

"Shall we start trying then?" Cyrus flips the girl over, and let's just say that Crecylla wouldn't be getting out of bed anytime soon.