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

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?

[He really should look into some animal magic, if only so that he can understand when his owl son says such sweet things as this that even Benedikta feels a little embarrassed translating it for him, a flush creeping up into her cheeks. He's said it so clearly and openly and with excitement yet, it feels so... private. Probably because she would feel embarrassed if someone else repeated the things she's said about him.]

That they are in love, and...

[More hooting, and this time it gets Benedikta to raise her brows before she deflates with a huff of laughter.]

... He wants to marry her someday, like "papa is always saying."

[He may have to if his "son" is going to have owlets and he'll be a grandfather!!!! But that gets a rise of his brows before he laughs and gives Bidowlfin a feather ruffle.]

That's my boy. Have to be firm in your resolve.

[She playfully narrows her eyes at the pair of them, while Willow is busy being a blushing little maiden owl.]

Is this what you have been teaching him when I see you two whispering about things together?

What a father teaches his son remains a secret between them.

[Solemn hoots from Bidowlfin.]

Then I suppose us ladies will have to make our own secrets.

[And equally solemn hoots from Willow, who seems to be opening up a little, as she looks up at Cid and chirps for some scratches.]

... But let us not move too quickly, yes? You've only just introduced her to us.

[Those are very cute chirps and Cid will oblige happily.]

Aye, and it's winter. You could always nest out in the garden.

[Sensing his own little dove is not wanting to let go so soon, he tries to offer a suggestion.]

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