Soulmates

( 15 ) The Tiger Knight and The Magpie Princess

A hailstorm raged all over the hemisphere en masse, the sound of the icy stones clattering over the roof softly ringing in the room. Because of the weather Hajay had stayed home, and Dansuki had lounged with him since she didn't have anywhere else to go, so Hajay let her stay with him.

She was looking through the surprisingly well-furnished abode, noticing years-long experience of traveling and even plane-hopping.

Dansuki picked up a cobalt blue colored geode and inspected it carefully, captivated by its shininess.

"Oh, those are common in the cave systems of this plane. I've collected a few of them."

Dansuki then examined the other three geodes on the counter. One was purple, another was indigo and the last was a light blue. She then motioned over to an artifact table and saw a neon cobalt blue, crystalline planet-like orb surrounded by glistening purplish-blue rings.

"Where did you get this from?"

"It's a 40000-year old artifact. Its plane of origin is unknown, but i found it on the side of the road along with a backpack with its contents spilled out and a sea green beanie."

Dansuki nodded along as she ran her fingers over the artifact's rings, making a light buzzing sound. It was surprisingly soothing.

She then motioned over to a shelf and something caught her attention; a book titled "The Tiger Knight and The Magpie Princess". She carefully pulled it out of the shelf and dusted off the book thoroughly and cautiously.

"Oh? What'cha got there?"

"This book here. It looks interesting."

Dansuki showed the book to Hajay, and he was positively surprised.

"Oh, uh- That's...That's one of my favourite books! I got it from my first solo plane-hopping session... It's something dear to me."

"Can we... read it together?"

Hajay felt himself heat up from Dansuki's question.

"Of course, dear.."

The couple sat down on the bed and started reading, taking turns for each chapter of the story.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

The Tiger Knight and The Magpie Princess
"The Tiger Knight and The Magpie Princess" is a novel with drawn illustrations that was written in the 1800s, written by an anonymous author who went under the pseudonym "& (ampercand)". The story is set in a relatively ambiguous time and place, following the 'Tiger Knight' as he takes the isolated 'Magpie Princess' to see the world. Many aspects like the setting were left up to the reader's interpretation to instead focus on the Tiger Knight and the Magpie Princess' relationship, composed of several layers of a deep, complex love, affection and devotion for each other. Readers have speculated the novel takes place in the 3D world due to the relatively abstract descriptions and illustrations of the depicted locations.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

After reading, Hajay put the book back onto its shelf and right afterwards went to cuddle with Dansuki, who was relatively sleepy.

"You know, my lady..."

"Hm?"

"Now that i think about it... The book does remind me of our bond. Deep and devoted."

"That's what i thought too... You're my Tiger Knight, and i'm your Magpie Princess."

Hajay chuckled.

"You're right, love. Now rest, you look all tuckered out."

"Mm... If you say so..."

Dansuki snuggled closer to Hajay and fell asleep on his shoulder. He gently managed to wrap his hand around her and ran his fingers through her hair, feeling its softness.

⚜️・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆🏰・❦.⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆🌌♱⋰♛ ⋱✮🌒˖⁺｡˚⋆˙₊˚✧ ੈ‧₊˚❄*‧.₊˚☆༉