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

[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.]

[She sees what he's doing, or thinks she does, and over the owls, she flashes him a sheepish, if a little crooked, smile. She didn't think she could feel something like this, but is this what it feels like, watching something she cares about grow up? It reminds her of when she got to see some of Mid's milestones, small as they were, and there is a sense of pride, as well as a heaviness with the knowledge that they will one day move on and leave...

It's silly. So stupid that she tries to shake them off.]

Yes. We could create one for you.

And I promise it will be simple.

[Bidowlfin doubts......

But he will converse with his lady.]

[Even Benedikta shoots him a dubious look. Simple in Cid terms is different from simple in everyone else's, she's learned over the last several months. Not that she minds it... he is so full of surprises that it is him who keeps her on her toes.]

I will be sure to hold him to that.

[A fond glance at him, and Bidowlfin now hops out of Cid's arms and starts to hoot again, his wings flapping about.]

He is going to introduce her to some of the others?

Hope they have someone to translate.

[A wry grin as he gives them one last affectionate pat.]

But all right, you kids have some fun. Just don't get into too much trouble.

[Wink.]

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