escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

[What, he can't understand owl!! Though he didn't really need to know bird speak to understand.

So he just looks at Benedikta and at the owls a little smugly.]

It seems our little family is growing. And if we're lucky we may be grandparents.

[Oh that makes the little owl hoot and hide her face in Bidowlfin's wing in embarrassment as Bidowlfin squawks. DAD NO]

What—!?

[That certainly shot up Benedikta's voice several octaves in surprise.]

No, he is far too young for that. [She turns around to the owl]. You are far too young—

[Bidowlfin just HOOT HOOTS and flaps his wings in indignation while Cid watches a bit amused.]

It's true he seems young by our standards, but isn't he already an adult by an owl's?

[Hoot hoot!!

Yeeeeahhh Dad is on his side!! ~~this totally won't bite Cid later—~~]

[Something twinges in Benedikta's chest as she looks at the owl, and it makes her expression crumple into a pout.]

... But he is still so small.

[Mumbled under her breath as she turns away from the three of them in a huff.]

[Seeing her pout he can't help but chuckle quietly.]

I don't think he can grow any bigger. And he's bigger than her.

[As Bidowlfin hoot again, Cid pets them both before setting them to the side to go up to Benedikta.]

[The owls both follow him, and Benedikta stiffens as all three come up to her, her shoulders squaring in embarrassment at these conflicting feelings. Her eyes meet Cid's briefly before she turns away from him, too.]

... Where did the two of you meet?

[Bidowlfin starts to explain with a string of hoots, and Benedikta's lips press into a line as she starts to translate.]

Another family of owls lives on this island?

Is that so surprising? I'm sure there may be more scattered around.

[She glances at him again, and then at the owls, both of whom are watching her with eyes that are dangerously wide and pleading and cute, threatening her very put together demeanour.]

Oh, I do not doubt that. I suppose I just did not imagine...

[Bidowlfin hoots gently at them, and bumps the other owl with his wing.]

... But if he likes her.

[She is being so very cute right now, and honestly he can't really blame her for being so shocked. If something like this were to happen to Mid........

Cid will once more pick them up so that they can be held up closer to them.]

How about we learn a little more about her, hm? Does she have a name? How long ago did they meet?

[And then a sudden thought.]

Should we meet her parents?

[No, wait, maybe that doesn't matter with owls??]

[Bidowlfin hoots in protest at the last part.]

He was already nervous bringing her to us, let alone her parents.

[Which is kind of... sweet. The fact that he had come to them first? Was he not afraid of what Benedikta might say? Or was he waiting to see what they thought?

More hooting, as Benedikta reaches up to gently fix some feathers on the other owl as Cid holds them, going through the motions without much thought. The little owl ruffles and chirps, her eyes closing at the feeling just like Bidowlfin used to do when he was younger.]

Her name is Willow. ... After the willow tree?

[Hoot hoooot~]

[Watching Benedikta, he smiles fondly.]

Well then, an honor and pleasure to meet you, Willow. I trust you'll take care of Bidowlfin?

And if he ever crosses you, you can always fly over and tell us.

[A playful wink as Bidowlfin hoot hoots in protest!!!]

[Benedikta can't help but grin at that.]

Do try not to embarrass him in front of his woman, Cidolfus...

What, s'only natural, innit?

[He ruffles Bidowlfin's head feathers with a grin.]

Our little chick all grown up, eh?

[Bidowlfin's feathers puff out at him, and he screeches when the ones on his head are all ruffled out of place.]

Perhaps a little too quickly, I think. It was not even a year ago we found him, was it?

[Willow looks between them all, hooting curiosity in question.]

[He just chuckles as Bidowlfin tries to peck as Cid's fingers, and the owl hoots more when Cid gently brushes Willow's back.]

Aye, day we found the Roost. And such a wee one he was.

[He looks up to Benedikta.]

If it weren't for you he wouldn't be here.

[It's her turn to bristle a bit in embarrassment, especially so when Bidowlfin hoots in his agreement, chirping about how much he loves them both...]

I very much doubt that. You would have found him sooner than later. You've a very frustrating way of sniffing out those who need a place.

[She looks down to the owls.]

But it was a blessing. I am glad that we did.

[If they hadn't... well, she doesn't want to think about that, and sensing her thoughts, Bidowlfin pecks at her now, making her hand retract away from them.]

If only he would stop causing us so much trouble.

[He looks down at Bidowlfin, recalling it all and how frantic Benedikta had been. Truly, if she had not had heard him, it would have been too late...

But he just smiles a bit and means down closer to Willow who hoots curiously as he speaks just loud enough for Benedikta to hear—]

Takes after his mother.

[That earns him a smack on the arm, the motion and sound startling the owls.]

What is that supposed to mean!? I have caused half as much trouble as this one.

[He just laughs at that.]

But you admit to causing some!

[She is forced to bite back a smile at that, not quite as distressed about it as she would like to pretend to be.]

Only when it is necessary.

[She turns to Willow and leans in a little.]

We must keep the boys on their toes, after all.

[He leans towards Bidowlfin now.]

Careful, son, the ladies might start conspiring against us.

[Bidowlfin belts out a shocked string of hoots as he looks at both her and Willow, his round eyes somehow growing even rounder.]

Even if we were, you would never know.

[And now she steps up to pluck at his feathers the same way she had done to Willow's, her gaze softening.]

Will you be leaving?

[The once shy and nervous Willow seems a lot more at ease now, her little body visibly more relaxed as Bidowlfin just has a few huffy hoots.]

Surely they wouldn't go far.

[At least not away from the island. And Bidowlfin will confirm as much. Perhaps one day they might want to join the crew and sail off to visit another owl, but they want to remain on the Roost as it is their home. They also want to fly around and look around the party some, but...

They will be making their own little nest soon and have even found their own tree (gasp).]

What?

[The tension and the shock snaps right back into her shoulders.]

But you have only just met.

[There are some softer, trilling noises that come from Bidowlfin now, and he turns around to preen Willow's feathers, the motions looking more like kisses than anything else, reminding her of herself when she is feeling especially clingy.

To Cid, all of this might look a little odd, but the look on her face says plenty.]

[It is a little strange, especially since he's not sure what was said.]

What did he say?

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