Belleteyn and Birthdays
Hello hi!
So I was informed by @ahh-fxck that it is not only Beltane/Belleteyn, but also Yennefer and Ciri's birthday?
And thus, we simply had to have some time with them, right?
Oh, I also made an attempt to include a polish folk dress, but i litterally based it on a wikipedia description, so I'm hoping it makes sense. Words have been fighting me all week, but please enjoy this little thing where many things are celebrated <3
Warnings; None. Just floofy mother daughter time with some Ciri pining over Mistle hehe.
On Ao3 here
It is still early in the day, but there is much to be done before they leave. They plan to join the big celebration, but there still is a small one to be held here at home.
Belleteyn is special for many reasons, not only because it is the official start of summer, but a night of protection of growth.
It also happens to be both of their birthdays, and Yennefer has a little gift prepared for Ciri that it is time to bring up.
She ordered it months ago, and she picked it up only a few days prior; the white blouse crisp and new, the embroidered vest with colorful beads front and back, the buttons barely visible thanks to the complicated threadwork.
The skirt has a floral pattern, colors matching the vest perfectly, and the apron to go on top of it all.
She folds them and puts them on Ciri's bed, the red coral bead necklace and lace up boots next to them.
When that is done, she walks back downstairs and prepares the table for their little celebration of their own. Yennefer is not much for cooking to be honest, so she bought them a perfectly fine plate of little cakes to share.
When Ciri returns, she is sunkissed, nose and cheeks a bright red, but her basket filled with flowers. Together they decorate around the windows and doors and weave a crown of flowers for Ciri to wear.
"I have a surprise for you when you come out of the bath." Yennefer says without looking up, smirking when she hears the girl gasp.
"What is it?" Ciri asks excitedly, lowering her flower crown to her lap.
"If I told you, what kind of surprise would that be?" She teases.
"Hmm." Ciri complains, sounding very much like a witcher they both know. "Fine. Then I won't tell you what I got for you either."
"You got something for me?" Yennefer asks, genuinely surprised.
"I did," the princess says with a smug smirk. "But I guess I won't tell you yet."
"Fair enough," Yennefer amends, and after a brief silence she adds "Looking forward to meeting Mistle today?"
Suddenly the flowers in Ciri's lap are mighty interesting, and the girl blushes deeply.
"Maybe."
"You should ask her to dance with you."
"Yennefer," Ciri wines.
"You should! If you want something in life, little one, you better reach out and grab it. Or her, in this case."
"What if she doesn't want me grabbing her?" Ciri pouts.
"You could try asking her first."
"But what if she says no....."
"But what if she doesn't?" Yennefer counters. "Taking the first step is scary, and probably is for her too. It takes courage, and that is something I know you have."
Ciri says nothing, but the corners of her mouth quirk up in an uncertain smile. The flower crown is tied together, just a little too big on top of Ciri's head, but it is beautiful.
They share the remaining cakes, sticky with syrup and jam, and then Ciri is off to bathe.
The sorceress is preparing her own dress and applying lip tint as she hears Ciri's excited squeal from the other room.
"YENNEFER!!" Ciri yells, rushing into where Yenenfer sits in front of the mirror. "YOU DID NOT!!"
"But I did!" Yennefer grins, turning to look at her. The girl is pressing the skirt against herself, already wearing the long blouse.
"YENNEFER! THESE ARE CRAZY EXPENSIVE!" Ciri informs her, as if Yennefer doesn't know.
"Tailor two towns over owed me a favor." Yennefer smirks. "Happy birthday, sweetling.
Ciri throws herself at Yennefer, wrapping her arms around her shoulders and squeezing tightly. Her hair is still damp and smelling faintly of flowers.
"Thank you. I love you." Ciri says into Yennefer's shoulder, more or less sitting in Yennefer's lap now.
"I love you too, my girl." Yennefer replies, stroking a gentle hand over that ashen hair that is growing wilder by the day. She holds so much affection for this child, she barely understands it.
Ciri is her daughter in every way but blood, and she is the best gift life could ever have given her.
"Did the boots fit?"
"There are boots too?!" Ciri sits back, looking almost affronted.
"Ciri, darling, there is no outfit complete without shoes. Come on, let's go see if we can get you dressed before the entire day has passed!"
Yennefer helps Ciri get ready, the vest proving trickier with their small buttons hidden oh so well. When the apron is on, Ciri dons her flower crown, and her outfit is complete.
"How do I look?" Ciri asks while beaming, spinning in a small circle, making the skirt flutter.
"Like you are about to break some hearts tonight." Yennefer says proudly, pinching that still soft cheek.
Ciri scrunches up her nose, then quickly whirls to her dresser by the window. She comes back with something folded up, something black and silver.
"I know you are not very fond of colors, but I sneaked some silver thread in there." Ciri says with a mischievous smile.
When Yennefer picks it up, she sees it is a scarf. Long and black and soft to the touch.
"Ciri." Yennefer says, a little breathless.
"Yennefer." Ciri replies, all smug smiles.
Now it is Ciri's turn to be wrapped into a hug.
"Dare I even ask how you got a hold of this?"
"You are not the only one with strings to pull." Ciri says happily.
"So the bard then." Yennefer concludes, and Ciri laughs.
"Will you wear it tonight?"
"Of course I will, little one. Thank you."
When they arrive at the festivities, the maypole is already surrounded by dancers.
There are bards standing on a podium on the far end, the drummer beating out a rhythm that has all the dancers jumping through their steps.
Ciri runs off immediately, and Yennefer can see her finding Mistle. By both of their furious blushings and wide grins, Yennefer takes it Ciri used that bravery of hers.
She is proven right when Mistle grabs Ciri's hand, kisses her cheek, and leads her out to see what the celebrations have to offer.
Yennefer has some obligations of her own before she can attend fully, but for a moment she just stands there and breathes in the life and joy of Belleteyn.
Through the crowd, Yennefer sees Ciri's colorful skirts billow, hear her happy laugh.
If life gave her one blessing, it was this girl.
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