Work Text:
A clack of a wooden needle against another, threading through loops of yarn. Over and under, one after the other, until loops grow into rows, then a fabric is formed. With each motion Astoria tests the tension of her work, runs her finger against the plush softness of the fiber. She works in tandem with the steady rhythm of the holiday music playing in the background, pausing only as she reaches the end of one page and must tap for the next.
'Tis early in the day, the light still low for the lethargy of winter's sun, but the area is nevertheless already filled with shoppers. Through the large window panes she sees wool coats and paper bags of various colors hustling about, and fine powder snow peppering the streets and people as would a shaken snow globe.
For a moment she is distracted with watching the activity outside; there is a sense of magic, in this little pocket of time she has carved for herself, especially as she thinks about the hectic weeks at work as the quarter nears its end. Starlight, too, draws ever closer, and before the eve arrives she hopes to finish a knitted hat for herself, as is her personal holiday tradition, and, time permitting, something small for each dear family and friend-
"Hey."
An unexpected voice, grown more familiar over the recent months and low with what she assumes is sleep. Her… collaborator, G'raha Tia, in an oversized parka and his customary low braid, grinning at her over a steaming mug.
"-good morning!" 'Tis a side effect of living so close to the office, but it never fails to surprise her to see a coworker outside of work hours.
"Morning," he greets cheerfully back. "Thought my eyes were playing tricks on me for a moment. Do you mind if I…?"
Astoria stares at him blankly.
His smile falters. "Of course, if you would rather I not, then-"
"No, it's fine! Sorry, I'm a bit out of it this morning." She flushes, pulls her scattered belongings into a haphazard pile.
G'raha has always been generous with his smiles, and he offers her another as he shrugs out of his jacket and slides into the other chair. It is a smile that, Astoria knows, has charmed many in her department, but she is not as easily fooled by his easygoing demeanor. She watches him warily, braces herself for yet another set of questions that she would need to note down for a follow-up.
"'Tis awfully cold this morning, isn't it?" he asks instead of retrieving his ever-present module from his bag and takes a leisurely sip of his drink.
"It is," she agrees and mirrors him. Her own coffee has gone cold already, she notes with dismay. Perhaps once he has taken his leave she can get another, a hot chocolate this time, or the new holiday drink she has been eyeing ever since the cafe updated their menu...
"A hot drink does much to make the cold bearable, as does-" G'raha's eyes meet hers momentarily, before sliding down to the mess on the table. "Say, forgive my curiosity, but is that a hat you are making?"
Astoria blinks. Her project, which lays forgotten by her hand, is little more than a hoop of yarn at the moment. "It is. I'm surprised you can tell."
She finds her eyes drawn to the curious dust of pink on his cheeks, the sheepish quirk of his lips. "There's… a rather embarrassing story behind that, actually, and uh…"
Curious despite herself, Astoria leans in.
"A favor, if I may be so bold to ask," he says before bringing his mug to his lips once more.
'Tis a phrasing to instantly put her on alert. She watches him cautiously, pondering a response that would not land her another meeting beyond scope. He holds her gaze, and it feels almost like a strange battle of wills, except she has no idea what, if anything, they are contesting.
Astoria is still debating what to say when her companion winces and bites back a yelp, ears and tail puffing up indignantly.
So abruptly is the perceived tension broken that it takes her a moment to come to her senses. She hurries to the self-service counter, fumbles for a glass to fill with cold water.
There are tears at the corner of his eyes as he looks up at the sound of her setting it before him. "Thank you," he says weakly and gulps down the water, looking so forlorn that Astoria feels compelled to ask if he is okay.
"Naught hurt except for my pride," he sighs.
Astoria feels her lips twitching, now that the moment of panic is past, and muffles a giggle. He has ever been so assertive that to see him off balance is a guilty novelty. Not to mention… "A favor, you were saying?" she says hastily, lest she starts thinking G'raha Tia is endearing or some other dangerous nonsense. Even if there is a chance of her ending up with more work ere the conversation is over.
"Ah, yes…" G'raha runs a hand through his hair, miraculously avoids pulling out his hairpins completely. Astoria forces her attention back to his words before she gives in the urge to fix it for him. "I've been trying to learn to knit a hat myself, and, well, 'tis not going so well. That is the why I was able to recognize the start; I've watched a tutorial more times than I can count…"
Whatever she had been expecting, it is not this. "You want to learn to knit?" she repeats.
"I do." He peers up at her through loose bangs. "My ears are pretty sensitive to the cold, and it has been a trial to find a hat for a Miqo'te that is more warm than fashionable. Given that, it seemed logical to make one myself… if you'd be willing to teach me?"
Astoria's eyes flicker to aforementioned ears, which had gone from pressed flat against his head to perked in attention as their owner awaits her response. They are incredibly soft looking, though she has never studied them in such detail for propriety. She glances at the wind-rustled trees outside, remembers the chill against her cheeks even with her sizable scarf. "If you're okay with an amateur as a teacher…"
"Thank you!" It should be illegal how happy he looks, with his eyes lit up in crimson glow. "Whenever you're free is fine- I mean, with the holiday season around the corner I would not wish to be a burden-"
"I'll be here most weekend mornings," she interrupts his uncharacteristic ramble. His excitement is infectious, though, and she finds herself not as adverse to giving up her alone time as she thought she would be. "I have quite a few I need to make before the season is over, so…"
"I'll be here," he says quickly. "Tomorrow. I have all the materials already."
Astoria could not suppress her giggle this time. "I'll see you then, G'raha Tia."
What a fascinating holiday season it is shaping up to be…