closed 🪶⚡ all the storms we have faced that tried to break our embrace...

[garudas]

Who: Cidolfus Telamon & Benedikta Harman.
Status: Closed.
Where: Some faraway island. Ocard. Somewhere in Nogard.
What: Benedikta's birthday, event stuff, and going after the slaver for The Price of Freedom.
Warnings: just don't look in here. Also, potentially FFXVI spoilers buried somewhere. Violence and blood in the price of freedom thread.

happy birthday, benna 🎂
ain't no rest for the wicked 🔨
a date with dragons 🐉
boy oh boy, the price of freedom is steep 🗡️

Comments

[ramuhs]

[A dramatic sigh.]

It's already a full sized bed, how big do you want it?

[garudas]

[He better get used to this. She's going to nag and nag and nag about it until she's happy with every single bed he has—]

The biggest that will fit. And it needs more pillows.

[ramuhs]

[He's going to design the damn bed— But as silly as this all is, he can't help but smile, if wryly and with a rueful laugh.]

All right, I'll see what I can do.

[garudas]

[Honestly, maybe that would be for the best. He knows her tastes well enough—

Her own smile, however, is a bit more subdued again, though no less genuine as she presses her lips to his for a short but tingling kiss.]

...You don't mind, do you? If I waited for you there...

[Not that his answer would change much of anything, but... there's still that small unsure part of her that needs to know.]

[ramuhs]

[A slight raise of his brows.]

Of course not. You could even wait out and watch if you wanted...though you'd might be bored. [A quiet chuckle.] Should I make your own little "lounging" corner?

[garudas]

Mm... You mean one separate from your bed?

[Her eyes glint with the implications of that, and they certainly are not difficult to pick up on. That bed is for the more...private affairs.]

Next to your desk?

[ramuhs]

Think I can make some space for it, especially if it's just me there. And if it's too crowded, can hide in the room.

[He knows how she is.]

[garudas]

[She gives him a pleased hum and lets herself fall, her weight relaxing as she stretches out over him.]

Suppose I'll have to hunt for some new books to read in that case. Be sure to leave some room on your shelves for me...

[Honestly, though? Strangely enough, the thought of just lounging around while he worked is... nice. He might have feared that she'd seek his attention at all times of the day, but in the end, she really is just like a cat. Seeks attention on her own terms, and then pulls back once she's satisfied enough. Happy to simply stay in his presence, even if they are doing separate things.

It's almost as if...

She shakes the thought away.]

[ramuhs]

[Another small hum of amusement.]

Might need to make your own shelf. Been getting new books to read and study as I continue to learn about all these new tech and methods.

[Honestly it's fascinating and just like in the past he enjoys reading up on new theories and methods before trying his own hand at it. But he won't bore her with the details, instead adjusting his arms around her more.]

I also thought the same in the ship.

[garudas]

[She gives a little huff, and a roll of her eyes to match it, lifting her head so that he can see that spark of sarcastic amusement, hidden in the shadows of her messy hair that tickles his cheeks.]

You want me to make my own shelf?

[She wouldn't know the first thing about making anything.]

You're the tinkerer, not me. Or have one of your little cult men do it.

[ramuhs]

[That makes him laugh.]

No, of course not—I meant I would...

[Then his voice drifts as something sparks in his eyes as he looks at her.]

But that would be interesting, wouldn't it? Making something of your own. With my help, of course.

[garudas]

[That gets another huff, though it ends up sounding more like a bark of laughter than anything else.]

You think I could make something?

[She is prideful and arrogant in every way, but even she knows not to set high expectations for that. In spite of that, though, there's a small, dim glint of hope behind the greens of her eyes.]

...Though, I suppose if you are helping...

[And doing most of the work.]

[ramuhs]

[He sees that glint and knows what she's thinking.]

Would be good for you to learn some basics.

[A wink.]

Can even help design it if you want. Paints, everything.

[garudas]

[...

She lowers her face at his wink, nuzzling into him.]

Anything I want? Perhaps some little birds painted on it?

[ramuhs]

If that's what you wanted, don't see a problem.

[garudas]

Mm.

[That is, indeed, what she wants, so she just gives a small nod.]

And it won't interfere with all your other new projects?

[ramuhs]

Building a shelf? [He just makes a kind of pfft sound and shake of his head.] Knock that out in an hour or two.

[garudas]

[He'll hear that snort right in his ear.]

Arrogant, are we? You think you can still knock it out in an hour or two with me at the helm? I know you are good, Cidolfus, but...

[ramuhs]

It's just a bookshelf.

[An arch of the brow.]

So long as I get all the materials and design beforehand, shouldn't be too hard.

[Is he going to regret those words—]

[garudas]

[He's going to regret those words, especially if he hands Benedikta the hammer—

Slowly, her head lifts again from his shoulders, and all of that mirth from just moments ago is gone, or it has softened into a look of pure and utter fondness and affection as her gaze flits across his face.]

... I'd like to watch you sketch it.

[If there is one thing that she has always loved, it was watching him draw his designs. How his brow would furrow ever so slightly, how his fingers held his quills so precariously. How he'd run his hand through his hair every so often while he waited for an idea to come to him. She wonders if he ever noticed all the nights she would lie on his bed and just watch him in the candlelight.]

[ramuhs]

[He notices that shift, and his own expression softens as he reaches up to brush her hair away, just so he can see it better.]

Sure. Anytime you'd like.

[garudas]

[She leans down to press a kiss to his lips.]

When next you feel the inspiration strike you, tell me and I will fly to meet you.

[And not just to his desk, but to his arms, because at least now, she can believe that he'll catch her this time.

She's about to go in for another kiss to seal the deal fully, not just on this, but on everything...

...

When she stops short, a thought coming to her just like it had him earlier, and she just blurts it out.]

The relic.

[ramuhs]

[Her words move him, and he is more than willing to continue that kiss, his body leaning up as his arm tightens around her, hand already pulling her closer to him...

...

When she blurts that out.]

The relic?

[Just a lazy question as he still tries to kiss her, his lips pressing against her lips.]

[garudas]

[She won't stop him, even keening softly into it when they touch again. She'd stop them right there, and she nearly does as she kisses him right back, but the thought comes rushing to the forefront again, interrupting the flames that he stokes in her again.]

... We cannot let that fall to the wayside, Cidolfus. Not even for these projects of yours.

[He cannot forget how important that relic is. Finding it, researching it... The thought of it being forgotten at all absolutely terrifies her.]

[ramuhs]

[Only now does he stop, his eyes opening to flick up towards hers.]

It hasn't.

[His hand runs through her hair as if to placate.]

However, it's not an easy thing to work on. First needing to understand the history of how things started, how this world works, what efforts have been already and what rumors or clues to sift through...

[His words come quiet and low against her lips.]

I know you want the answer now... But there's only so much we can do at any given time.