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

[garudas]

Who: Cidolfus Telamon & Benedikta Harman.
Status: Closed.
Where: Around places.
What: Cid and Benedikta follow a lead and sneak into a fancy holiday party. Event stuff TBA.
Warnings: it's them, what do you want from me



🥂 🎄 ❄️

Comments

[ramuhs]

[A quiet, low hum.]

I wouldn't say I'm not at all. I'll surely miss him perching on my head and handing me my tools.

[A quiet laugh.]

Perhaps I'm more proud than sad.

[garudas]

[She snorts under a breath, her lips pulling into a fonder smile.]

Do you remember how small he was when we had found him...? He fit into your palm.

[ramuhs]

[A quiet chuckle.]

Aye, such a wee little thing, and a squirmer. Had to do all I could to make sure he didn't slip out into the water.

[garudas]

Mmm.

[She plucks at the cords of his shirt.]

How you would fit him in here to keep warm, once he had gotten used to you. It really does feel like it was only yesterday when you were teaching him the ways of the world, passing on your wisdom. Or myself teaching him to fly...

[ramuhs]

It really wasn't that long ago, truly.

[A quiet smile.]

Just a few months... But so much has happened in that time, too. For him, and for us.

[garudas]

Perhaps that is why...

[She gives a little tug on the string, but it is more an idle action than anything else.]

Far too much has happened for us in that time, too.

[Garuda, the Abyss, Ultima, and several injuries later, here they are.]

And now you are talking to him about having his own children?

[ramuhs]

Well...

[He leans in a little closer, hands gently sliding down her sides, but it's more of a soothing action as his voice softens.]

Weren't we talking about our own not that long ago?

[garudas]

Yes, but that is different.

[Everything is different, because Bidowlfin is still a baby!!!]

That would make us... [She lowers her voice, as if breathing the word itself would bring upon them a curse, but there is the slightest hint of mirth in her gaze.] ... Grandparents.

[ramuhs]

[He's an adult!!

But at that he just laughs, hugging her closer.]

And? Something wrong with that?

[garudas]

[He'll catch sight of her stare before she buries her face into his shoulder.]

Yes, I am far too young and beautiful to be Grandma Owl.

[ramuhs]

[Another laugh as he nuzzles the top of her hair.]

And what of me?

[garudas]

[She hums, contemplative, as if she has to pause to think of her answer, and as she chuckles quietly, her arms slide around his shoulders.]

I think you are just right.

[ramuhs]

[He just gives her a look because WOW...

...

But he just laughs after because he can't really deny it.]

I'd say it's a fitting image for me. Perhaps if I were a bird I would have been an owl

[garudas]

Well, you are wise beyond your years.

[She presses an innocent kiss to his cheek and then pulling back to look at him fondly.]

You are really prepared to have a little gaggle of owls around?

[ramuhs]

[A low hum.]

Depends on prepared, but in some ways I'm quite looking forward to it.

[garudas]

You cannot teach all of them to be your assistants in the shop. You must save some for me.

[Here they are talking about grandowls that Bidowlfin does not even know he will be having yet!! But surely there will be news of eggs in a nest soon.

Speaking of nests—]

You had mentioned you were going to build them a nest?

[ramuhs]

I can spare you two.

[A wry grin before he turns them towards the back of the house in the direction of where the outlook is.]

But aye, nothing too unconventional. At least a safe hollow for them to nest in. They should be fine here, but...

[A subtle frown as he remembers how they found Bidowlfin.]

Perhaps a backdoor of sorts, or something to better protect them from potential predators.

[garudas]

Any predators would not dare step foot near our home.

[She follows along, shuffling with her arms still around him as he guides them both in that direction. But she catches that frown, knowing what he might be thinking, and her own expression drops a bit.]

Perhaps you could find a way to link it with the house, or even within the caves itself. No place safer than inside.

[ramuhs]

I could, but...

[A rueful shake of his head.]

I shouldn't interfere too much, either. They need to also know how to survive on their own, especially should they wish to live further out in the island.

[garudas]

[This took a sadder turn than she expected, and memories of what they had seen in the wreckage of his old home flashes through her mind. It had not been a pretty sight...]

... I doubt they will want to go far.

[Her hand presses to his cheek.]

You have made him into a right and proper helper. I do not think I have seen him look so happy as when he is helping you.

... And who will play with the moogles in their stead?

[ramuhs]

[It is a sad memory, but it's one they have to remember as they are owls and meant to live in the wild. The last thing he wants is to cripple their survival.

But he can't help but smile and chuckle a bit at that.]

Fair enough. Especially since it will be a yet before they have "other" playmates.

[A teasing but more fond smile as he leans in closer.]

[garudas]

[Though she does not move from where she is, she does not close that distance either, instead watching him with a grin, her eyes following him.]

With the way you always talk about it, I am starting to wonder if it truly will be "a while".

[She is only teasing. She knows that they have much to sort out before then, but there is still that little flutter of longing in her heart anyway. It finally makes her lean in and press her lips to his in a sweet, lingering kiss.]

Perhaps the little owls will be good practice for us?

[ramuhs]

Either good practice or a deterrent.

[He laughs at that, swaying them a little as he returns that kiss.

He did have experience with Mid, but the situation was far different than it is now. He'll be learning it all over again, really, but he wouldn't mind it. If anything he looks forward to it a bit.]

[garudas]

I doubt there is much that will deter you now...

[She brushes her lips against his one more time before she pulls back, a shimmer of mirth in her eyes.]

Myself, on the other hand...

[ramuhs]

On the other hand...?