#bardau

Considering how often the group was on the move, it had proved difficult to find a gift for Theo. At one point, over a month ago, however, they had spent a few extra days in a small Antivan village. Unbeknownst to the elf, those days had been strategic - it was during that time that Niki had commissioned a shop owner to make the gift she had in mind. As was to be expected, the woman had given a meticulously specific description of what the end product was meant to look like, and paired with the right amount of coin, she was not disappointed.

Even now, in the very early hours of Theo’s birthday, Niki gazed upon her gift with pride. Delicate fingers brushed over the thin case’s polished cherry wood before moving to undo its clasps - she had to have one last look before handing it over. Inside, the box’s length was cushioned and coated with a royal blue velvet. Settled snuggly within a perfectly shaped impression upon the cushion sat a brand new flute of wood that matched its case.

With an excited grin, the bard carefully shut the case and fastened its clasps before grasping it by the handle as she stood. Making sure to snatch the Antivan brandy lying on her bed, she scampered out of the carriage and over to Theo’s. With her closed fist holding the liquor, Niki banged upon his door, already beginning to sing, “Joyeux anniversaire!”

The faint scratch of charcoal against paper was suddenly interrupted by a banging against his already rickety wagon door, accompanied by a jaunty celebratory tune from an all-too-familiar voice. Previously focused eyes widened with a blooming grin and quickly the elf set down his sketchpad to jump from his cot and greet the chipper songstress. The door swung open to reveal his art-smudged face and the few tresses of hair that still fell from his messy bun, though his disheveled nature was entirely overshadowed by the pure joy his features held.

"You're late, this year! By--" Theo blurted, quickly glancing at a pocket watch that was very obviously not meant for his own dirtied, thieving hands, "Seven minutes! But what's this - you've brought me Antivan brandy!? All is forgiven."

As soon as the giddy bard began to pry at his friend's fingers, amber eyes fell on the object in Niki's opposing grasp. Immediately, the booze seemed to be wiped from his focus as gaze locked onto the wooden box. It was a rather familiar shape of casing, though he'd never gotten his hands on one of such fine make. "...What is that?....What iS THAT!? Gimme gimme gimme!" The murmur of intrigue suddenly exploded with poorly-reined anticipation and both hands flung out with grabbing fingers.

Using those swift rogue abilities for the best of purposes, Theo managed to snag the gift from Niki and wasted no time in opening its latch to reveal the impressive instrument inside. Wide eyes feasted upon the marvelously constructed piece for a few drawn moments before the case was suddenly clasped shut as arms drew it close to his chest. In that same instant an immense and high, rasping squeal launched from his ecstatically contorted face until finally managing to form words.

"NIKI, YOU PERFECT, GLORIOUS FUCKING BITCH!"

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