take the moment and taste it

Magic, Soh thought, was beautiful: shimmering gold and silver threads seemed to feed the image of paper that hovered in midair. It was enough that Soh's fingers itched to draw the moment, but she knew that she'd never be able to capture the pure energy that Nova sent into the air with any accuracy. Instead, she tucked her hands into her pockets, shifting her weight from one leg to the other as she waited.

"That's so cool," Soh said of the described necklace. "I didn't realize that you could make so much." She was impressed, and she let it show, awe still evident in her eyes as she watched Nova weave her magic through the air. At Nova's offer, Soh blinked, surprised. "I mean, I would love that, but I don't want to be a bother," she said hesitantly. "But... I could use a new ring, if you're serious."

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

She basked under Soh's continued amazement, sitting a little taller in her pink stool as her magic unfolded in front of them. It wove tiny strands together like a tapestry, forming a soft cream sheet that threatened to catch in a breeze. When it was about halfway done, the echoed framework of the second piece appeared next to it, her hands waving in front of them like an expert conductor of design and beauty. 

Brushing past any indication that it would be a 'bother' to her, Nova gasped. "OOOH. I love making rings." The first piece of paper completely solidified with a soft pop and ripple of light before drifting gently onto the glittery surface of her workshop. Continuing to work on the second, Nova rambled on about the ring. "What gem color? Red? Blue? Purple? Pink? I love pink."

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

One piece of parchment solidified with a soft pop! and fluttered gently down onto the workbench. Soh watched it eagerly, excited to have something tangible to signify her progress on her quest. It was one thing to do the tasks that Safrin had set for her, and another thing entirely to see the fruits of her labors come into being.

As for a ring, Soh thought for a moment. ”Pink is pretty,” she agreed. ”But I’m rather partial to aquamarine, personally.” The light blue was one of her favorite colors, and as a gemstone, it was particularly beautiful. Growing excited thanks to Nova’s enthusiasm, Soh clapped her hands together. ”I’m so excited!”

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

More magic spilled out, overlapping and interlocking in shimmering threads that fit seamlessly into place. She peeked a look at Soh while she worked, grinning bright to already have her next project at hand. "Ooh! Okay! I can work with that!" Aquamarine was a pretty color after all. At least she hadn't said something boring like black or white.

Slowly, the second piece of parchment took form, rustling gently in the air until it took physical form from one corner to another, popping into existence upon completion. It hovered then drifted carefully to the countertop where it settled next to the other one.

Nova picked them up, shoving them hurriedly into Soh hands (it wasn't like they could wrinkle). "Here! Hold these!"

Turning her shimmering attention to the workstation again, sparkling ideas and images flashed behind the blue of her eyes, fingers wiggling in preparation for the magic she was preparing to unleash. Parchments were one thing, but bigger magic infused items took effort and skill that she was proud to show off.

She took a deep breath, sticking out her tongue as she played with an illusion that appeared. It was a silver ring with an aquamarine stone, simple, boring. But as Nova tweaked it, tiny whorls of metal coiled around the side in an elaborate and intricate design of feathers. The pair of tiny wings wrapped delicately around the band to cradle the stone between them like they'd captured the open sky in a single gem.

The idea clicked into place, beautiful and perfect in all the ways that reminded her of why she loved designing. Nova smiled around the concentrated tightness of her features, opening her hands as she called forth the magic to make the materials. One hand pulsed in a moment of blinding silver that expanded then compressed in tendrils of metal that coiled and swirled into a single unadorned band. In the other, light prickled slowing into existence, starting with timid uncertainty before speeding up, flashes of blue joining the white until a glittering gem solidified in a constant shine upon her hand.

Engrossed in her work, Nova grinned to herself and brought the two together, slotting the stone into place on the band before wrapping it again in her magic. The metal twisted and bent until it matched the illusion hanging in the air. And in a final touch, a small pinprick of light appeared, floating gently to settle into the gem with a final pulse of magic.

Beaming at the ring, she rotated it between her fingers a few times before deeming it "Perfect." Although reluctant to part with something so shiny and pretty, Nova turned to Soh, offering it out with a blinding smile. "What do you think?!"

---

Nova has made Sohalia:

It's Giving Luck | A silver ring with an aquamarine stone that, when worn, grants +1 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted. (Made by Nova)
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic | Cost: Other

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

No sooner had the second parchment popped! into existence than Nova was shoving them into Soh's hands. Grabbing them awkwardly (she hadn't been expecting the sudden motion), she was relieved to find that they indeed did not tear or wrinkle. "Perfect, thank you -" she started to say, but then Nova was off on her next project, which was apparently going to be a ring for Soh.

This time, Soh fell silent as she watched Nova work, marveling at the other woman's abilities. The ring that slowly took shape in midair was one that Soh might have picked out at any jeweler's shop, but not one she would have thought to design for herself. Still, the delicate feathers were perfect for her - so many of her shifts involved flight, and this ring sought to memorialize that fact in silver and aquamarine.

By the time Nova finished, Soh was openly staring, her mouth in a small 'o'. She accepted the ring, slipping it immediately onto her right hand and appraising its gleam. "Nova, it's perfect," she gasped, turning it this way and that so that it caught the light. "Thank you."

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

Watching Soh take the ring, Nova gushed over the creation. "Right?! I love how light the feathers came out!" They looked so realistic, like tiny wings dipped in metal, like someone might mistake them for being soft. And as Soh slipped it onto her finger, it looked as if they might be cradling her and the little piece of sky they'd found. Clapping her hands, Nova gave a small bounce in her seat. "It looks great on you!"

She gave a little giggle in response to the appreciation, leaning back in her chair as she let out a slightly annoyed breath. "I wish I could make things like this more often, but if you ever want me to make it a little stronger or make something new, just let me know!" As if reminded of the toll it took, Nova reached for another candy to pop in her mouth, trying to satisfy the hungry pit growing in her stomach.

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

"I will definitely take you up on that," Soh giggled, still admiring the ring on her finger. It really was a work of art. She wondered if Nova ever dabbled in something like drawing or painting; maybe they could go to one of those paint and sip places together sometime. It would be nice to spend some more time with her friend.

In the meantime, though, she dropped her hand from where she'd been looking at her new jewelry. Nova popped a piece of candy in her mouth, and Soh gestured towards the entrance of the guild. "Hey, so, do you know any good places to eat around here? My treat!" she said. It was the least she could do after Nova had been so generous with her.

Tucking her parchment carefully away into her bag, she followed Nova out onto the street, happy to enjoy the rest of her visit.

fin

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia