My Dearest Lady Cotton

Good Luck Charms

   Swinging her legs back and forth, Cotton peered through the curtains, catching sight of drizzling rain skidding alongside the window panes. Drifting heat crackling around the hearth enhanced the warm and cozy atmosphere, melting the gentle pitter-patters of the early storm into a soft symphony.

   Spreading out a piece of fabric, the lavender haired woman gingerly cut away at it, relishing in the soft wool that touched her fingertips. Plucking her Husband's old tunic into her arms, she couldn't help but squint incredulously upon the many holes littered across the clothing.

   "How many holes are even on here?" She grumbled with an annoyed raise of her brow, stuffing her hands into her fabric box for more yarn. If Louis had not been napping now, he for sure would be answering all my questions, or... Possibly avoiding them.

   Slouching, she gazed upon the wet streaks skittered along the windows. The lass knew her man performed dangerous stunts and missions thanks to his job. She knew he had injuries from time to time; ripped sleeves, damaged equipment. But his normal everyday clothes? He hardly ever wears them!

   Scratching the back of her head, Cotton puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Just what does he do on his rare breaks to create such a mess?

   If you ask me, it sounds as if his muscles rip right through the poor thing! Giggled her childish side, gliding it's sight along the sewed corner which was once divided into a ginormous hole.

   Shaking her head from the amusing theory, the young Wife folded the repaired tunic and began her project. Weaving the thick yarn over and under, she tied the charm into a knot, forming a lithe bird.

   Stars if I know. We promised not to speak of anything work related in the house.

   But why? Inquired her soft mind. Have you not been fervent on wanting to know the details?

   Rubbing her temple, she pushed away the tunic, leaning towards the sound of thunder rumbling across the sky. At one point, yes, but I don't wish to hear anything more grave. I had enough of those, I'll just ask him when he wakes.

   If he ever does. Snorted the other half, gnawing its lips in an annoyed manner.

   And with that, both sides vanished, leaving Cotton alone with the rattling wind. Resuming in piecing together the charm, her mind gravitated towards the silver haired Knight. Looping the string to one end, she casually glanced to one side, eyeing the howling rain slapping upon the foggy glass.
  
   The lilac lass wanted to gift him something, like a good luck charm. Perhaps that would protect him better, the ladies who constantly sat around the fountain claimed it helped their Husbands. Mayhaps if she made one, it would possibly make his work easier! And with a dash of Vivian's Enchantments, the charm would be even more reliable for him. That is if she would do so.

   Sighing, the young Wife dropped her hands to her lap, staring perturbedly upon the half finished form of a dove.

  Lately, the blonde woman, whom she called her friend, had been acting rather strange for a while now. Vivian had begun to frequently avoided the pair. There had been countless unanswered letters, declined visits, and refusals of their presence.

  Her own sister, Chroma, had not a clue of what had been occurring. Nor did she bother to even explain or dip into the matter.

   Of course, Cotton could not hep but be worried. Nervous even. Something was clearly in the air, and no matter how many times she sniffed it out, the problem would be repeatedly snatched away from her grasps.

   She clearly dislikes you. whispered her psyche, slyly sinking into her skin as a flash of lightning shone through the house. Why else would she avoid you?

   "I am not going to fall for your tricks. That's enough out of you." Cotton scoffed, dismissing her thoughts away, discarding the atrocious dove. Preparing another ball of yarn, she desperately shoved the concerning topic under her positivity, busying herself with a brand new set of materials.

   After an hour and several minutes of remaking an entirely new 'charm', the lavender haired woman finally completed the end result. Smiling brightly, her blue eyes glimmered with excitement and joy.

   "I hope he likes it~" She hums, eagerly stashing away her box of fabrics and knitting tools. Settling back into the stool, she pressed her cheek into her palm, closing her hopeful gaze to the meek grumbles of thunder in the fading rainstorm.

   What would he think? Would he like it? Was her Knight going to wear it everyday? Oh she hoped so!

  Clutching the gift tightly to her hastily beating chest, a pink flush bloomed across her cheeks as she imagined the moment she wrapped it around his neck. Oh how she prayed he'd enjoy it. It will definitely be a grand surprise when he wakes!

   "Mm, it's finished already?"

   Jolting from her seat, she twirled her body towards the sleepy voice, finding herself next to her yawning Husband. The man sadly pouted at the sight before him, disheartened from the clearing storm.

   Cotton chuckled and leaped out of her shocked state, coming to hug the Knight from around his waist. "You missed it, it was really relaxing."

    Louis looped an arm around her shoulder, drawing a frowny face upon the foggy window, his pointer finger squeaking against the glass. He sighs, lazily dragging the same hand through his bed hair. "At least I had a great nap, that was probably the longest I have slept in a while."

   At that, the lavender haired woman pursed her lips, disproving of his terrible schedule. "Louis, now that you are on break, you can finally rest some more, no?"

   "Well yes, but actually no." He answers, pressing her closer to his heated body.

   "What do you mean?"

    Dark aqua orbs glanced to her direction before eyeing the completed charm sitting upon the table. "I'm required to attend the Winter Ball as a guard.." Lifting a hand to stop his Wife from bursting into flabbergasted denials, he continues. "But just for that night. Then I am allowed permission to recover until the end of the Summer Festival."

    Oh what a relief that was to hear! Cotton relished in the news, her Husband would be free for the rest of the week, then, after the few extra days the Summer festival added, he would be back to work. At least the additional days allowed him to relax instead of pushing himself to the limit.

   "Is that for me?"

    Ah, he noticed.

   Grinning from ear to ear, the young Wife calmly slid out of his hold, scooping her creation from his sights and stuffing it between a stack of folded linen. She wanted it to be surprise! And now that he's already seen it, the thought of astounding him was kind of ruined.

  "You'll see." She replied back, returning to his side and covering her miffed mood with an innocent smile. Stars! Curse his observant Knightly sight! Cotton inwardly imprecates, dragging him off and away from the good luck charm.

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