Pyrite's necklace for Eikthyr

Pyrite sits at his desk, in a study full of books and stones, he draws out a long sigh and mumbles “the summer festival..” An event he had always looked forward to, now made him nervous. He was gathering up all his courage to ask a particular shiji to go to the festivities with him, not just as a friend. Knowing the necklace tradition he gathers together small items, then realizes he doesn't have anything to string them on. He searches high and low, he finds some twine but it's too short, an empty bobbin. He thinks about ripping apart some clothes to harvest some usable string. Before ruining some clothes he thinks of using his own hair, plucking some of the long strands on his back. He then braids them all together, the same braids as the shiji in mind uses for his hair. Now with a good base, he grabs the first piece to string together. 

Petrified wood from his hometown. He had collected it when he was young. It was easy to find, all you had to do was dig enough. Oh did he dig as a young shiji, every shiny item gave him excitement for the next discovery. His love for pretty and dull pieces still stays with him everyday.

An old talon bone from a hippogryph, he found it on his first study of the molten crater volcano. His team was searching for gems to study and while he was excavating a small area he found this bone. His teacher who was overlooking the search identified it. Since it was found alone and deep, it wasn't very scientifically significant. He kept it as a souvenir. He found many gems in that area. His teacher praised him for his eye to spot the gems, he felt so proud that day.

A flower encapsulated in tree resin, the petals a light blue with a small yellow center. He found this just before meeting the shiji this necklace is for. Along the path to this shiji's workshop, a lovely find, he saw it as a good sign. 

A pink shell from the last summer festival.  The company was good and the food was even better, dancing, swimming, laughing. A fun time between travel and study.

Between each piece he places little gems and colourful rocks to garnish the whole necklace. He holds it out and looks at his work, he realises he doesn't have a centerpiece. The part that makes him the most nervous, a centerpiece should be picked out together. He knows that most of the tradition from the aquatics has lost its heavy romantic intention, he hopes it will be received as romantic interest. 

Gathering all of his courage he stands at Eikthyr's door and knocks twice, a pitiful knock, no one heard it. He takes a deep breath in and as he tries again with more gusto the door opens. Standing tall, much taller than Pyrite, a handsome gentle shiji. Looking down at him with a sort of softness to his stern face, with a kind smile “I was just about to come visit you, get you out of your study to get some fresh air.” Pyrite a bit stunned and stammered “oh wow uh we were both thinking of eachother, that's well uh.. cute.” They stand there for quite a few moments of silence as Eikthyr takes his time to look at the frazzled shiji “well come on in cutie.” They walk in, Pyrite already knows his way through to the sitting area and sits on his favourite cushion on the tall shiji's old comfy couch. Eikthyr pours a glass of water for each of them before taking his place in front of Pyrite. A bit shy, the short one says “I made you a necklace for the festival, I want to go to it with you… If that's okay...” He trails off quietly with his last words. Eikthyr perks up and purrs “oh it's the first time you are the one inviting me to a date” a bit confused the short one replies “uh what do you mean? This would be the first date… right?” with soft eyes the tall one pats him on the head “sure it is cutie” he looks fondly at the flustered shiji. Pyrite pulls out the unfinished necklace and takes the time to explain every item he has added and what it means to him, the fun moments, the sad moments, how he felt, how life was back then. Once he is done talking about every piece he realises how long he had been talking for, he looks up at his mate's face, a few tears to his eyes. “Im so sorry!” Pyrite exclaims before being pulled into his strong arms. “I love it, what a beautiful necklace, I wanted to make one for you as well. Started carving it this morning, I only have one shell done.” Eikthyr pulls out this carving to show Pyrite “That's it, that's the centerpiece it was missing” together they string the very last piece. Pyrite places it over Eikthyr's neck and ties it in the back “does it look as beautiful as I feel?” he purrs at the smaller one. “You truly do” he replies.