Who: Cidolfus Telamon and Benedikta Harman. Status: Closed. Where: Eltrut. What: While on a picnic, they get swarmed by some moths. Event stuff TBA. Warnings: NA for now.
[It had been a while since the two of them had gone on any real "date". Sure, of course they had gone out several times for breakfasts or for lunches when Benedikta felt inclined to get out of bed at a reasonable time, oftentimes both of them, but the last time they had made plans to do so? It must have been a month, perhaps more. Long enough that she had lost track of time at some point.
So here they are with a picnic packed in a basket looped over Cid's arm, with Benedikta's arm through the other. It's sunset, the skies over Eltrut are painted orange, and the stars have already begun to peek out as they venture into one of the parks for a nice dinner outside. They are even fortunate to find an open gazebo at the edge of the park that overlooks the water despite the busyness of it all. Here, it's more peaceful and quiet, just the way she likes it.]
This should do, yes?
[As she steps up into it, brushing her fingers along the flowers and vines that crawl up the sides.]
[Cid smiles as he watches her for a moment before following after, setting the basket down on the small table there.]
Given how every other one seemed to be occupied, I agree.
[He takes a moment to glance around, the view of the sunset a little obscured but clear enough for them to watch from the gazebo and the scent of the flowers not too overwhelming.]
[She doesn't say it, but she certainly would have scared some people off if they needed to.
And as she steps further into the gazebo to look out to the other side, she takes in a deep breath of the scent of flowers mixing with the crisp ocean down below.]
Mm, like the one we found on our honeymoon? I do wish that there was a little more privacy here.
[IS THIS REALLY THAT UNUSUAL. Granted he's only playing around, but well, he's also not wrong in his assessment.]
Well I would have rather stayed home, then.
[That smirk deepens, that heat simmering in his gaze before he quietly laughs and leans in not to kiss her lips as she might expect, but her forehead as if to tease her.]
Well, she's going to sneak a kiss anyway, leaning in to capture his lips before he can get away from her after that too chaste one he left.]
What ever happened to your sense of adventure and keeping me on my toes?
[Her fingers squeeze his waist before she takes him by the hand and leads him a step back to the little picnic table that's set up at the center of the gazebo.
[It's been a week or so since the operations to prepare for the deep ocean expedition has started, and it's no surprise that Cid would want to join in. He's had several underwater schematics lying around, most of them more fantasy than realistic, but there were a few he could use as inspirations to try and make work. Especially after he's met with several of his fellow inventor and engineering acquaintances to see what they've been up to and where he could best use his talents to help.
Although he could work in one of the provided workstations at Port Hope, he opts his own personal workshop for some of these smaller projects—at least to get started. Once he believes they are ready he'll have them more widely available for further testing and review. One such project is a variant of the turtle propulsion system he's already finished a few prototypes of, this one a crab. Remembering those steep cliffs and how tiring it could be to swim upward, having something that could climb could be a useful alternative.
As he usually has a more professional artisan build the actual product, he works on smaller scale models to test the mechanisms (a reason why he's come to be good at creating toys these days—). Thus with several different parts, sketches, papers with various calculations that are scratched out or circled or some other strange notation that only he knows, and an ash tray that has already seen use by the cigar that has in his mouth, he is deep in concentration as he tries to get this dumb thing to work.]
[It is a good thing that he is so easy to find, though since all of these expedition preparations have started, he has spent more time in his workshop than anywhere else during the day. That, and she would be able to find him just about anywhere regardless. But she is glad that it's here, as it offers them some quieter space as well as more privacy, and with many of the other crew members having already gone to Port Hope to help with setting up there. She knew the workshop would be silent save for the sounds of his tinkering....
And then the loud BANG of the door when it bursts open, and a familiar wind sweeps in. Hopefully he wasn't concentrating too hard that he is startled when she arrives with all the unceremonious grace she always carries.]
Cidolfus!
[As she wanders over to his desk and she sees him, she beams with pride, and she cradles a large box in both her arms that is wrapped like a gift.]
[Unfortunately, he was concentrating that hard, so when the door bangs open with that wind, he jerks back with a violent start, knee banging against the table and dropping the pieces that were in his hand with a slight swear. However, the initial surprise an annoyance is brief as he can immediately tell who it is as he looks up with a slight wince.]
A gift?
[Although a little strained from the throb in his knee, his eyes move first from her to the box in her hands with genuine curiosity.]
[Whether she notices that little wince or not (she doesn't), she gives no sign of it as she sets the box down on his desk and on top of whatever papers he'd been looking at.]
Something like that, yes.
[She is positively teeming with joy right now, as she comes around to him to steal a kiss.]
[...Of course she would... But he's used to it by now and at least she's not crushing any of the small pieces. Subtly he'll push what he had been working on to the side, but then smile when she gives him that kiss. Clearly whatever she's brought has her in a good mood, so why wouldn't he also feel the same? She's always so cute like this—]
All right, are you going to tell me or am I going to have to open this to figure out what it is?
[It has been a packed few days, perhaps even more. Now that they are on Liansa, Cid had been busy working, and Benedikta had kept herself occupied with going back and forth between the snail and Eltrut, collaborating with the seamstress on the new diving gear to bring to him, and fishing for giant shrimp, among other things. It is the first day in what feels like far too many—even though it has not—that they have had a moment to breathe. It has been a long one, but she is glad that they have managed to find some time, now that his work is almost finished and the diving gear complete and ready for final testing.
But tonight, they have more important matters to attend to.
They may not be Paladins, but the two of them have been working with the whales and helping them over the many months. It's a strange feeling, to have grown so attached to these creatures, or to have come to relate to them in a way. She feels for Elah, understands where he is coming from in that he feels betrayed, and she wishes that she could do more. Wishes that she could bring the heads of every person who took part in that horrible experiment on that island, if not for the leviathan, then for herself.
But this will have to do.
With their lanterns in their hands, they approach the shore after the sun has set.]
Do you suppose the rumours are true about Elah being nearby?
[His gaze looks out to the dark, distant waters, the feel of a storm ever in the air. There's not one approaching now, but in the far distance he can see that little flash where the storms seem to be continuous over the water.]
But I wouldn't so surprise if it had grown curious and perhaps even lonely.
[She quite enjoys this brisk evening air. The way that the static and the ozone lingers even if there is no inbound storm. The winds are cool and crisp, smelling of the ocean, and it still reminds her of the first days she's spent out on the water.
With a glance at him, he'll feel her shoulder bump his own when they stop near the water's edge.]
Mm. You've yet to see him? Even after spending the time here?
[She is not sure how she feels about these diving suits, now that she has hers on. So much so that she is going to have several words for the seamstress when they are finished with these tests because why design them this way? What purpose does it serve? She knew that they were not going to be the most elegant things to wear—function over design or whatever—but couldn't she have at least tried to make it somewhat stylish? The colours are quite nice, the green custom to Benedikta's, but there are several other "features" that she could do without.
They are on Cid's boat this time (hers is a bit broken) already out at sea, anchored to where they will dive, and she is getting changed in the restroom, using the mirror to slide into it. Cid will no doubt hear her having troubles, if the slap of the tight fabric against skin and the subsequent swear that comes after it is any indication of her woes.
[With her in the bathroom, Cid had changed out in the room. Of course it was... A bit tight. No, quite tight, and feels that it's revealing a bit more in certain ways—]
Really, how does she wear things like this...
[A low mutter as he tries to stretch out a bit before he looks at the door to the bathroom.]
No. The zipper is fine. Yes, yes, a blessing and all that.
[Can he hear the pouting in her voice? But actually, that zipper being on the side was a good thing, she's not sure how she would have managed otherwise.]
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🦋 touched by mothlight.
So here they are with a picnic packed in a basket looped over Cid's arm, with Benedikta's arm through the other. It's sunset, the skies over Eltrut are painted orange, and the stars have already begun to peek out as they venture into one of the parks for a nice dinner outside. They are even fortunate to find an open gazebo at the edge of the park that overlooks the water despite the busyness of it all. Here, it's more peaceful and quiet, just the way she likes it.]
This should do, yes?
[As she steps up into it, brushing her fingers along the flowers and vines that crawl up the sides.]
I am shocked that we managed to find one at all.
no subject
Given how every other one seemed to be occupied, I agree.
[He takes a moment to glance around, the view of the sunset a little obscured but clear enough for them to watch from the gazebo and the scent of the flowers not too overwhelming.]
Reminds me a little of the one back on Latrommi.
no subject
And as she steps further into the gazebo to look out to the other side, she takes in a deep breath of the scent of flowers mixing with the crisp ocean down below.]
Mm, like the one we found on our honeymoon? I do wish that there was a little more privacy here.
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[A playful gleam in his eyes as he smirks slightly while sidling up next to her.]
Might have a different sort of picnic.
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But when he arrives at her side, she makes room for him and turns to face him more fully with her hands at his waist.]
And that is a problem how...?
[Do not dare try anything, you sly man.]
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Well I would have rather stayed home, then.
[That smirk deepens, that heat simmering in his gaze before he quietly laughs and leans in not to kiss her lips as she might expect, but her forehead as if to tease her.]
no subject
Well, she's going to sneak a kiss anyway, leaning in to capture his lips before he can get away from her after that too chaste one he left.]
What ever happened to your sense of adventure and keeping me on my toes?
[Her fingers squeeze his waist before she takes him by the hand and leads him a step back to the little picnic table that's set up at the center of the gazebo.
... Let's unpack before things get out of hand.]
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🔨 workshop shenanigans
Although he could work in one of the provided workstations at Port Hope, he opts his own personal workshop for some of these smaller projects—at least to get started. Once he believes they are ready he'll have them more widely available for further testing and review. One such project is a variant of the turtle propulsion system he's already finished a few prototypes of, this one a crab. Remembering those steep cliffs and how tiring it could be to swim upward, having something that could climb could be a useful alternative.
As he usually has a more professional artisan build the actual product, he works on smaller scale models to test the mechanisms (a reason why he's come to be good at creating toys these days—). Thus with several different parts, sketches, papers with various calculations that are scratched out or circled or some other strange notation that only he knows, and an ash tray that has already seen use by the cigar that has in his mouth, he is deep in concentration as he tries to get this dumb thing to work.]
no subject
And then the loud BANG of the door when it bursts open, and a familiar wind sweeps in. Hopefully he wasn't concentrating too hard that he is startled when she arrives with all the unceremonious grace she always carries.]
Cidolfus!
[As she wanders over to his desk and she sees him, she beams with pride, and she cradles a large box in both her arms that is wrapped like a gift.]
I brought you something.
no subject
A gift?
[Although a little strained from the throb in his knee, his eyes move first from her to the box in her hands with genuine curiosity.]
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Something like that, yes.
[She is positively teeming with joy right now, as she comes around to him to steal a kiss.]
And the timing could not have been more perfect.
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All right, are you going to tell me or am I going to have to open this to figure out what it is?
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[She sees him nudging his things away, and she'll nudge the box towards him in turn.]
Just open it, you silly man.
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🐳 port hope.
But tonight, they have more important matters to attend to.
They may not be Paladins, but the two of them have been working with the whales and helping them over the many months. It's a strange feeling, to have grown so attached to these creatures, or to have come to relate to them in a way. She feels for Elah, understands where he is coming from in that he feels betrayed, and she wishes that she could do more. Wishes that she could bring the heads of every person who took part in that horrible experiment on that island, if not for the leviathan, then for herself.
But this will have to do.
With their lanterns in their hands, they approach the shore after the sun has set.]
Do you suppose the rumours are true about Elah being nearby?
no subject
[His gaze looks out to the dark, distant waters, the feel of a storm ever in the air. There's not one approaching now, but in the far distance he can see that little flash where the storms seem to be continuous over the water.]
But I wouldn't so surprise if it had grown curious and perhaps even lonely.
no subject
With a glance at him, he'll feel her shoulder bump his own when they stop near the water's edge.]
Mm. You've yet to see him? Even after spending the time here?
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Not at all, though perhaps I was just in the wrong places. The area is quite vast, and I doubt it's venturing too close.
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[A glance down at the lanterns in their hands, and Benedikta raises a grin at him.]
Are you going to sing?
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[A laugh and shake of his lantern at that.]
Perhaps your voice would be more welcomed.
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🦑 just keep swimming.
They are on Cid's boat this time (hers is a bit broken) already out at sea, anchored to where they will dive, and she is getting changed in the restroom, using the mirror to slide into it. Cid will no doubt hear her having troubles, if the slap of the tight fabric against skin and the subsequent swear that comes after it is any indication of her woes.
...
....
But having a mirror at all was a terrible idea.
Because now she refuses to come out.]
no subject
Really, how does she wear things like this...
[A low mutter as he tries to stretch out a bit before he looks at the door to the bathroom.]
You all right? Think I got myself sorted.
no subject
...
Well, there are other things...]
I am fine.
[Her voice sounds very Not Fine on the other side of the door.]
Why don't you head up to deck and I will meet you there.
no subject
Sure? Don't need help with the zipper do you? Or is it also on the side like mine was? Small blessing that, really.
no subject
[Can he hear the pouting in her voice? But actually, that zipper being on the side was a good thing, she's not sure how she would have managed otherwise.]
Just... give me a few moments and I will be up.
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All right, I'll get the masks ready.
[And up he'll go...careful to not slip and she might hear him muttering about how his feet feel weird in this suit.]
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