((was waiting for the end of my fight with Christoffe to post, but as time moves on... I'll edit if this becomes conflicting))

"Hey detu?" Noli Ol'Inalo cautiously ducked under the doorway and peered at his wife. He got an I-know-I'm-not-your-detu-anymore look in answer, but nothing more threatening. Actually, she looked quite sheepish, but that might be the effect of the split lip. She had been examining it, lantern in one hand and mirror in the other.
He stepped inside, crouched in front of her and surveyed her face for other signs of damage. "Dom'bali?"

"Nothing I can't mend." If you just talk about this morning.

"Let me help you."

"No need. I still know how to cast a stitch."

"Give me those." The man reached for the lamp and the mirror. "I know you do. But you'll be more at ease with your hands free." Even if humans could not speak with the mona, he knew how it worked. He had had numerous occasions to see her re-enforcing Monite words with signs.

Shi took a deep breath and centered herself, trying to ignore her husband presence. She pronounced the polite opening words that her grand-mother had taught her, calling the mona to attention, and felt her field surge, its distinctive taste growing on her tongue. She followed with the stances of the stitch spell, looking at her face in the mirror and passing a finger on her lip. She felt her skin sting and breathed again, keeping her concentration. Soon her lip was patched. She resisted taking the mirror back to check her work closely before thanking the mona.
Noli presence was not disturbing anymore. He was just there, watching her, her awareness of him equal to that of all her surrounding. It had been a long time since she had calmed down enough to concentrate… Since Ti's death actually. But right now, she had managed to find a tiny island of peace in herself. Probably because she had taken a decision. And her husband presence felt perfectly normal. Comforting, even.
She forced a weak smile. "Domea."

He nodded and smiled back, but only briefly. "I'm sorry. I… I don't know what to tell you. I was so lost, I needed someone."

And I wasn't there. The man was falling back on his Mugrobi habits, skirting around an unpleasant truth, using the sound of his voice as a cushion. "I know."
The green-eyed witch sighed and moved aside, gesturing him to sit on the place she vacated on the bed. She knew he was not comfortable crouching. And what do you want now? She raised a questioning eyebrow.

The man sadly shook his head as he sat. "I don't know. We can try… I mean, she's a Red. She'll leave with her tribe."

"But it makes you sad. You'd rather she crosses, don't you?" She studied a silent husband, but could not see anything in his face to contradict her. "And what about her? You were already seeing her the last years, didn't you?"

"Nothing happened. We were just having a little fun while you listened to these tales I don't understand a word about. Just friendly, you know… Well okay, a bit more than friendly, but nothing happened. We knew you wouldn't agree." There was a long silence before he continued. "She's a witch. She knows we have to move. And she knew I was married, I did not trick her or something."

The man was not telling everything, it was visible. Shi completed his thoughts easily. "But she thought I did not want you anymore. She'd like to cross too."

The man nodded. "I'm not sure she cares so much about you still being there. We're wicks, now. We don't have to follow human customs." The witch shook her head while he continued. "We can work out something, can't we?" Shi realized she was needlessly delaying. Her decision had been taken, why discuss the alternatives?

"You work out something with her. I'll find myself another place." There was an edge in her voice, but she softened immediately. "I'm no more that witch, Noli. All this was a good dream, but the awakening is painful."

"You don't have to go." Noli stood, his head touching the cart's low roof. "We'll break, if you really want." She saw him hesitate. He was obviously unhappy with what he was saying. "Lizbeth's a rosh. She'll understand." He was now avoiding her gaze, but his distress at the idea was clearly visible for his wife. He was just trying to follow his idea of honour. Whether or not it would pave the way for more misery.

"What makes you believe I want you to break? I'm not blind, Noli!"

"And now you've opened your eyes and seen the hunter is greedy." He was back at looking at her, but did not seem much happier. "But I really care, Shi. You're still my princess, even if I…"

The witch stood and put a finger on his lips. "Shhh. I know you're a balach. "
The tanned man stayed silent, fidgeting. As if released by having spoken out loud her decision, Shi felt the need to move. Or maybe was it to avoid adding a "but" to her previous sentence. No use to fight about past mistakes. She undressed, putting aside the blood-tainted tunic.
"No, it's more a case of the princess realizing even her doesn't know the answer to her own riddles."
She reached for the beautiful white silken pants and tunic in her trunk and started donning them. The delicate tissue felt good on her skin. She had been worried that Neti was growing too tall to inherit the outfit. She'd gladly be still worrying about such simple things.
"It's not fair. I'd better go searching for the answers myself. I think I'll help you until the rain, but then I'll dust. You help me with the buttons?"
She raised her arm for him to fasten the tight-fitting tunic, that simple intimate gesture sealing the truce between them. Then, she added a white tissue belt to her outfit and crossed the sword and the knife inside it. The ancient lacquered wood scabbards gleamed in the light coming through the door, their darkness contrasting beautifully with the white clothes.

"I thought you had forgotten your birthday." There was a small smile on Noli lips, but it was quickly erased by the answer.

"I don't dress-up for that. I need a talk with this Lizbeth and her fami." Shi was stricken by the frightened look her husband cast her. Have we become such strangers? "Don't worry. I just said talk."

"With the blades? You're going to frighten her."

"You know they're my only family jewellery. I want to make good impression." She untied her dark hair and let them flow freely on her back. "And I don't see how I can look so frightening." She looked up at him, emphasizing her small size.

"Only for those who know you." They exchanged a long glance, silently sharing twenty years old memories, memories of a time when she still had to embrace patience as more than an old-fashioned teaching. "I still can't believe this kov managed to land a kick on your face."

You've shared a lot about me, did you? The short brunette was not sure if she should feel jealous or flattered. "Well, if this chip wants to share my husband's bed, she'd better learn not to be afraid of me!"

She exited the kint, and he followed. "And what about your birthday?"

"Slip something inside my bag." She turned to face him. "For when I'll be tired of walking and want to remember the good times. Something light, mind you? I'm leaving you the kensers."

The worried look on the man's face was heart-warming. It felt good to see he was still caring, even if he now loved another one. She took the time for a long breath, before turning away briskly.
Stop trying to make me stay. It will never work.

--

((L.4 – Early Morning))

"So that's it? You're really leaving?" Stopped by Noli's voice, Shi turned to face him. The Mugrobi was rubbing his eyes, having probably not slept more than her. Though his night probably did not include drying clothes on a campfire and closing the bag that was now sitting beside her with her weapons in one of the few dry spots around the brewery tent. "I was looking for you. Afraid that you were already gone, without even a Fotamos."

"That was my plan." I just got derailed by a bit too much ale to drink. "Got anything to say about that?" Even if they were on much better term since her birthday, they had cautiously avoided subjects not relating to the brewery during the past week for a good reason. Shi's voice was not exactly soothing. "Don't even start. You know you don't really want me to stay."

The man stayed silent as worry, honour, and truth battled in his soul. He finally nodded as the truth won. They still stayed silent, just watching each other. The witch finally felt she had to at least acknowledge his effort, she could not go away like that. She took another long breath, straightened, and looked at him in the eyes.
"Sana'hulali, Noli Ol'Inalo. I wish you a long and happy life. With plenty of children and grand-children." She paused, remembering all the harsh things she had said during their fights. "I really do." Or at least I know I should.

He nodded again, at lost for proper words. For a Mugrobi, she had turned him into quite a silent fellow. Shi swallowed a big gulp of emotions coming up with the memories of the young handsome and considerate Mugrobi brewer whose life she had derailed. "Just don't forget me too fast?"

The man was tear-eyed while put his hands on her shoulders. "I'll never forget my princesses." He pulled the small witch towards him, until he could hug her. The witch tensed, then let go and returned the hug. She rested her head on the man muscular chest with a sigh. Other memories flooded her head. Am I really ready to leave all that behind? She held tighter for a moment. I'll never have that back now. I've got the choice to leave with the good memories, or stay and bring two other people down with me.

"Remember you've got a husband here." They were back at arm's length, and he was looking at her seriously. "And be careful out there."

Shi nodded, turned to pick her gear, and walked away without looking back.