it's a work of art!

✦ If anything was difficult when it came to communicating with Nico, it was her language. Of course cursing was a thing in Fodlan, but she’d never heard someone speak as off the handle as this woman did. “Wine and dine? What does that mean?” Puzzlement was clear on her features, for it wasn’t a saying she’d ever heard in the past. It must have been something more common in other worlds.

“Right. Well, come on then.” She didn’t think a free food invite would be turned down anyways. It was just more enjoyable to eat with other people once in a while, even if she ultimately had to foot the bill. Byleth wasn’t rich or anything, but she also wasn’t poor. “It’s a short walk. They have a patio, should we sit there so you can smoke?”

     ✧ At the woman’s comment, Nico can’t help but chuckle as she arches a single brow. She really can’t be serious, can she? Then again, Byleth seems to have been under a rock most of her life when it comes to certain phrases and words the gunsmith exclaims often.

     ❝ That’s up to you, ❞

     ❝ I don’t have to smoke but if ya don’t mind hangin’ out on the patio then that’s fine with me, ❞ it’s not like she’s feeling stressed at the moment or getting a really big urge to pull out a cigarette.

✦ “Materials? Inspiration? Are you an artist of some sort?”

“I’ve never met one in the flesh before.”

      ✧ ❝ Yer damn right I am! One day, they’re gonna be puttin’ my creations in the mausoleum, ❞ she pauses.

      ❝ Er, museum. ❞

If the weight of it all weren’t pressing on him, he’d probably reply with a roll of the eyes, a huff, or a sarcastic ‘thanks, Nico’, despite actually appreciating her words a lot.

Instead he replies with an unconvinced ‘mm’, stretching out the fingers of his mechanical hand, then flexing them in again as he realizes just how fortunate he is to not have his demon arm in this place. “Too demon to be a real human, and too human to be a real demon,” he muses aloud, half lost in his thoughts. “Really got shafted in both departments, didn’t I?”

     ✧ At his reply and demeanor, Nico can only offer a slight frown in response. Something bad must have happened... Otherwise, he seldom ever dwelled on his heritage for long periods of time. Not only that but he seems... Not just sad, but completely defeated, as well.

     ❝ More like the best of both worlds, ❞

     ❝ If you were such a piece of shit, I don’t think me or Kyrie would bother with your ass, so-- ❞ she lightly pokes his forehead.

“No kidding?” He replies, defensively, “You can’t just drop something on me that broadcasts stuff I’d like to keep private and act like it’s not gonna be embarrassing.”

“You’re makin’ this shit up. Tell me what this means next, huh?” 

He flips her off.

     ✧ ❝ If you’re gonna be embarrassed 24/7 then that’s not my problem or the ring’s, ❞ she’s quick to retort, adding in a shrug. Upon seeing Nero’s rather crude gesture, however, Nico feigns a thoughtful expression as she leans in close to his hand...

     Soon grabbing it with one of her own while using her other to bend his finger back as far as painfully possible. 

Dull or not, it’s gaudy enough in being large that he’s quite pleased with it that Nero dons it right away on the same finger that sports Zero’s blue glass ring. “I’ll pretend you didn’t just call me a priss so I can say thanks, Nico. It’s real nice.”

He holds up a hand to examine it better, right up until she tells him that it apparently broadcasts his mood. It’s the word ‘horny’ that forces his hand back down. He shoots Nico a look. “No way a ring can do that,” he says, despite the subtle way he tries to cover his hand with his mechanical arm. It’s not even that he is horny, especially not in this moment, but the thought is so appalling to his shy little self that a faint blush rises to his cheeks.

     ✧ At his rather genuine thanks, Nico can’t help but smile a little more warmly. As much as she teases him, Nero is still a very important person and friend to her and thus, she’s happy to see him enjoy his birthday gift. Truthfully, she has spent a few nights agonizing over what exactly to get him that wasn’t some sort of weapon or modification crafted by her own hands.

     ❝ Heh! Yer welcome, ❞ she now says, rubbing the back of her head.

     ❝ It sure can. Why, whatcha feelin’ right now? Huh? ❞ and with that, Nico leans in to try and see the ring Nero so feverishly attempts to cover up.

Well now, this is sure a surprise to behold the second he walks out of his bedroom in the morning, having just barely clipped in his prosthetic when he’s got a box offered to him. But it’s a welcome one. Truth be told, he’s missed having her loud mouth around the house.

“I dunno, Nico. Had me a little worried with all the loose screws you’ve got in your head,” he teases, heading over to the counter to set it down and, well, open it up! He peels back the flaps of the box, and beholds…?

     ✧ Despite the roll of her eyes, opening the box will reveal... A ring! But not just any ring. Though one may notice the rock in the middle is a little on the larger side, the gem itself is also quite dull. 

     ❝ I know how much your internally prissy ass loves rings and shit, ❞ she now says, with some excitement in her tone.

@devilbring​

      ✧ Dialing his number almost angrily, Nico waits for a few moments... And then: 

     BEEP!

     ❝ What’s black and yellow and flies at 30, 000 feet? ❞

      ✧ ❝ Well, go on; open it! ❞ the woman now exclaims as Nero holds the small, wrapped box within his hands.