escordvi | closed ⚡🪶 and forevermore, i'll be chasing the storm we had.

[A low chuckle.]

Aye, you could say that. Though it's not as if it was that much better.

[She carefully looks aside at him, lifting a brow.]

What, your knack, or the environment?

Hm... Both?

[A wry grin as he thinks back to a time he hasn't really thought much of until today.]

Didn't have as much opportunity to tinker around before I left, and while we could get by, we were certainly lacking compared to the "grand land" of Valisthea.

[Her eyes cast downward to their feet, and it occurs to her that she has always known very little about his life before he became Lord Commander... or Ramuh's Dominant. She never really asked, though that isn't to say she was never curious, more... afraid to, back then.

And she doesn't even know what compels her to do it now, of all the times. Maybe something to keep her mind off of her feet lest she overthink the skates too much?]

... And so you picked up that hobby of yours after landing on the Twins?

...Hm.

[A low hum as he skates forward a bit in silence.]

Suppose you can say I had more time and opportunity to do so, particularly after my "promotion."

[He keeps his gaze down on the ice, as if to also keep track of his feet. But really it's because this is a complicated thing for him, especially when talking about it with her. As if he's trying to be careful to not offend her with his true thoughts.]

Was sent out on a lot of expeditions to the Outer Continent in the early years, so had plenty of free time on the ships to pick it back up properly.

I remember.

[She's trying equally hard to stay away from the more bitter memories.]

You used to hole yourself up in your cabin often with those books of yours. Always hunched over your desk with something.

[A quiet chuckle.]

Well it was the best time since otherwise I would have to deal with paperwork or some other job. There were times when I hoped I would be sent out, since I could also see what the other side has been up to.

Engineers of Valisthea were more well learned, but in the Outer Continents, the engineers there were technically a little more advanced in non-magick ways because they were a necessity. How to light bellows, water irrigation, windmill and water wheels. I learned from there and improved on it when I returned, that's all.

[He does hit a little bit of a sore spot with the non-magick ways... How he tried to create things that could possibly make life easier without it rather than simply owning it and using it... but then she remembers the little specks of stone that had started to creep over his arm before he fled.

She shakes her head, trying to clear it of those memories. Focuses on her feet again as she slowly gets the hang of the motions a little more. Enough that she's not trying to half-skate half-walk anymore but is gliding smoother. Even her hand isn't holding his in a white-knuckle grip anymore.]

And here you are... doing it all again.

[She decides to shift gears a little, not wanting to wander down that particular road.]

Even in a world as advanced as this one, you are still keen to do more.

[Another hum, unaware of her true thoughts.]

You know me, can never sit still when I find something interesting.

[His voice remains cheerful, but the fingers of his left hand curl in a bit, recalling how it once used to be stiffer and ached. At least here magic is more of a supplement then a necessity and no one is being exploited.]

Been learning more about what they call "mechanical engineering" and "electrical wiring." Thought it fitting given my "expertise."

[He says both of those things like she knows what it means.

The next words come a little more carefully, considering the state she found him in when she entered his workshop.]

Is that what you have been working on?

[...Ah.

There's a melancholic silence that falls between them before he answers.]

I was, aye. Been working on some different non-lethal "weapons" for the past few weeks and got a few ready for public testing. Was preparing for that when you came.

[She feels that silence sink deep into her bones, and she almost regrets asking about it, but he gives her an answer anyway, surprisingly enough.]

You are testing weapons with the public?

[What the heck kind of weapons was he making!?]

[He can't help but laugh at her response.]

I did say they were non-lethal, and these are for public use. Specifically those who need to defend themselves or out hunting.

Two devices are designed to stun only, while the other is a net gun that will vary depending what magic is infused into it by the user.

[She rolls her eyes, though she is a bit glad that she got a laugh out of him. A strange feeling, that.]

And what is the point of a weapon if it is not lethal?

[Is he really so surprised that she thinks so? But honestly, she can see the use in something like either of those things. She's just being difficult and challenging for the sake of it. ~~when is that different from any other time~~]

You might as well be carrying around a dull blade at your hip in that case.

[He knows she's being difficult so he just chuckles.]

I think you know very well the experience of being "stunned by lightning."

[And that is definitely a dirty smirk as he looks at her, leaning in close.]

Though this would be far less pleasurable.

I do. Very well.

[Oh, she catches that smirk, and she gives one of her own, something flaring up in her eyes when she meets his, her voice going low and quiet.]

But if I find that you've been using that particular knack on anyone else, Cidolfus...

Edited 2024-01-16 15:19 (UTC)

[A low laugh as his hand tightens over hers.]

Never would dream of it.

[And then a softer, more subtle voice—]

It was only ever yours to have.

[A heaviness sets in her chest at his low voice, and at those words—one that makes her heart flutter and a flame ignite in her belly, and it makes it all the way up into that heated stare of hers before she tears it away, pretending to mock him with a laugh.

... Before she loses her focus on her skates and slips.]

Good. Because I might have had to test one of your new "weapons" on you, in that case.

[And catches that look in her eye, holding it until she forces herself away. And then grin a bit when she slips and helps catch and support her.]

Hah. Wouldn't do much on me.

Hmm. I suppose not.

[She grips his hand tight, pretending that didn't just happen. Cool as a cucumber, she is, though she is starting to feel a little cold. And she'll stop them, spin herself to face him, and tug him to her, the people skating behind them being forced to go around.

Her lips come close to his, her breath clouding in the space between them—]

Then I'll just have to find other ways to remind you.

[—before she tries to skate off without him.]

[There's a slight widening of his eyes as he stares down at her, and predicatbly when she tries to skate away he grabs her wrist before she can take more than a "step", pulling her with enough force to drag her back. With one arm wrapped firmly around her waist, his other hand grabs her chin and wrests her face upward where his lips will crash against hers for a rough kiss, holding her there and not caring at all about the stares and awed whispers as people have to skate around them.

Only after he feels satisfied does he release her, smirking.]

Shall we check on those hot springs, then? So you can "find ways to remind me.

[She isn't expecting him to grab her so suddenly and pull her back to him that a small sound leaves her when she finds herself almost immediately face to face with Cid again, right back to where she had been. If she had gotten any further, he might have risked them both and sent them crashing to the ice, but instead, she feels her body curve against his, her muscles yielding and her chin lifting when he forces her to look at him.

Forces her to kiss him.

Another surprise, a bold and daring move considering where they are, and one part of her wants to shove him off and scorn him for putting on such a display in a public place where people are no doubt staring at them as they skate by, while the other wants to lean into it more. Absolutely craves it.

It becomes clear within seconds which side of her wins when she keens into it, pushing her lips back against his firmly, and when she is nearly breathless when she pulls back, her lips burning hot against the chilly winter air.]

... I was starting to feel a little cold.

[A warm breath against her lips as there's that small, quiet laugh as he looks down at her before there's something more of a genuine, playful smile.]

Then let's get you warmed up.

[Only then will he pull back his hand resting against her chin to down her hand and proceed to slowly escort them back to the edge of the rink where their belongings were.]

[And if she wants one more kiss for warmth before they leave? She does chase after him, but never quite gets what she wants as he leads her back by the hand to the edge of the ice to gather their things. It's there that she does steal a kiss before she moves to take off her skates and replace them with her boots.

So, after getting changed back into the clothes that they came in—and you better believe that Benedikta is going to simply take this nice coat and scarf and mitts when they leave—they head back down the mountain on the gondola. And while the springs are back in business, they decide to take a somewhat scenic route back to the inn itself that takes them along the coast where there is a view of both the ocean on one side and the stretch of the springs on the other, climbing up the side of the island.]

This is much better.

[The weather, the view, the salty sea air. It's not too hot, nor is it too cold. Quite perfect, actually.]

... Though I could do without those loud birds.

[Just up ahead is a large flock of penguins, their cries echoing through the air.]

[Cid allows that little steal, smiling with amusement before they make their way down. No funny business from him this time on the gondola ride, mostly because it was far less full so he didn't have as good of an excuse—

But on their little walk, hand in hand, Cid glances up ahead at the flock of penguins. ....Hmmm.]

Can just go around them.

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