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
[This is so cute that he can't help but feel some of that guilt fade. But those eyes with those tears also tear at his heart, so while he does smile a little and leans his cheek closer to her little claw, the touch still warm despite the cold air around them.]
No, it is, I took the situation too lightly. And I had promised to keep you safe.
[She does feel a little bad about him blaming himself, though it is not all that surprising. If the roles had been reversed, she might have blown the whole place apart just to get him down if she needed to.
Never mind the fact that if she had not let go in the first place, it would not have happened. ... She really should have listened to him, but she is both rattled and far too stubborn and ashamed to admit that just yet.]
It was the winds.
[And those people who opened the door without a care in the world, frankly. She will choose to blame them.
She rubs her face against his cheek, her large tears wet on his skin, and there will also be a red spot where she was hit with the rope earlier.]
Perhaps we can start by getting back on the ground?
[A slightly scolding tone, but even as he smiles at her, she feels those tears streaming down her face, falling onto his cheek with big plops. She is not usually a crier, so why now? Is it because of her form? Questions that she will not linger on.
Instead, he'll feel her face peck against his cheek in what is supposed to be a kiss before she tries to awkwardly climb into the front of his jacket on her own.]
[It would never be too much if it meant saving her. But it's when she tries to climb into his jacket will they hear some cheers, and he'll glance down for a moment while still keeping a hand close over her.]
[The children, especially, are cheering loudly, and she catches a glimpse of them as she continues to try and shuffle into his coat.]
Yes, because you are quite the show off...
[Except just as she is about to do slide in, she feels that same tug of magic she had earlier when she'd been skiing down the hill and transformed. It's abrupt, a bit jarring, and she only gasps before one second, she is the tiny bird balloon and the next, in a puff of smoke and magic, she is wrapped around him. Her face is inches from his, eyes wide in shock, her hands splayed across his chest, and legs tangled with his.
[In one moment he was about chuckle and wait for her to cozy in his jacket, and the next he's staring at her wide-eyed, not expecting to have her turn back so soon least of all up here.
And that stunned silence will be broken by a loud WHOOOOOAAAAA and cheers, the children shouting how the balloon bird turned into a princess!!!!]
[Her arms immediately wrap around his shoulders for support when she feels herself slipping ever so slightly, and she can feel her cheeks growing red and warm at the children calling her a princess???
"It's like in the books!" One of the little girls shouts.]
[She needn't worry too much as he had tightened his arms around her, but then again they were sill up in the air and he was still semi-reclined on his back.]
How could I? If I could I would have done so long before now.
[Well, he should probably bring them back down now.]
[Before he does bring them back down to the audience that is somehow awaiting them...
She gives him the kiss that she has been wanting to give him since he had caught her, but couldn't. Of course everyone below sees it, but she ignores the hoots and cheers, and perhaps even relishes in them a little (even if she is a bit embarrassed), as she wraps her arms tighter around him and kisses him with all the appreciation in the world.]
Thank you for catching me.
[Her nose is cold as she nuzzles it against his cheek.]
[Really this is all just a confusing mess with things happening one after another, but when she kisses him it's like a hit flash of clarity strikes him. Also ignoring the crowds, he stares at her for a moment before he smiles softly.]
Always.
[Yes...now he will always be there to do what he couldn't before.
And he will pull her back into another kiss, a deeper one this time with one hand cupping her face. A hand that might feel colder given that he had taken off his gloves back at the lodge and didn't even think about putting them back on when he chased after her.]
[She much prefers it without the gloves anyway... And in spite of his colder palm against her cheek, she leans into it anyway, melting into the kiss and letting the warmth of it keep her warm and chase away the cold air.
Smiling against his lips, she chuckles softly at the calls of the children, unable to ignore them any longer.]
Not only that, it would seem you have now saved a princess.
I was not the one who made a heroic, daring rescue. Though they seem to think that I was magicked into a balloon like those princesses in the stories and their frogs.
[As they land, Cid just chuckles as he watches Benedikta's face flush from their comments.]
Hmmm, rather than a prince, I'm more like the "king" and she my "queen."
[That makes the children just go "OOOOOOHHHH" even louder!!! A KING AND QUEEN!? LIKE ROYALTY!!!
And now the children are surrounding Benedikta, wanting to know how she got cursed.
"Was it an evil witch!?"
"Did you a cursed apple??"
"Was it someone who was jealous of your marriage to the king so they tried to off you and take your place!!??!"
....
That last one might have gotten everyone, both children and adults, to look at the young girl a little oddly, her eyes still aflame with whatever dramatic story she's imagining in her little head...]
[Even Benedikta is stunned right into silence at that, and she stares at the girl along with everyone else. But she doesn't seem to mind or maybe she doesn't even notice. She's staring at Benedikta, far too enamoured by the idea, to care. She cannot help but be endeared by it, but also what sort of stories is this girl reading? She looks no older than seven.
After getting over her initial embarrassment, she leans down and brings a hand to her mouth to tell the girls a secret.]
An evil witch, jealous of my marriage to the king, sent me a cursed apple.
[They all GASP!!! The one girl shouts "I knew it!" triumphantly.]
But my king is a clever man, and outsmarted her again. [She flashes Cid a tiny grin.] That bird that you saw was her minion, come to take me back to her lair.
[There's a slight arch of the brow at her embellishments while the kids OOOH and AAAAHHH in excitement, and then he just chuckles.]
Sure taught them a lesson. But we'll have to be careful as I am sure they will try to strike again.
[His arm goes around Benedikta's waist as there is a gaaAaAsSspp. And then it's the boys' turn to try and get in on it.
"Don't worry!!!"
"You just need knights to help protect her!"
"We can do it!!"
Of course the girls just laugh and make fun saying, "No way, why would the cool king need little weak knights like you?"
Which will distract the children as they start to play their own version of the events, their parents just letting out a small sigh but grateful that everyone turned out okay.]
[And off they go... She's forgotten how distracted they can be, though she remembers a very young Midadol being the same way. She watches them run off, listens as each girl picks their knights, and with a light sigh that sounds almost like a laugh, she turns to Cid.]
Hard to say. It does make for quite a story, does it not? And perhaps this is fine ending for ours...
[And he's moving in closer, ready to activate his ring to send them back to the Roost when they hear some voices calling out to them. At least one other person has also returned to normal, but a few more of the affected are making their way, either scrambling through the snow or carried by their friends. It's clear they are glad she's able to change back, but with information still so sparse they're hoping to learn more about what happened...]
[She is very ready to get out of this cursed place and return home, so when she sees his ring, she steps closer to him in turn, allowing her arms to go around him again.
...
Only for her to click her tongue at the sound of peopleβor rather, toysβshuffling towards them and calling out for their help. It really is a pity that so many bore witness to what happened... She'd rather everyone just forget that it did, and a part of her wishes that no one would have had the chance to see her when she turned back.
But she is feeling generous, if not a bit tired, so she will answer their questions. Mostly. Her responses are curt and to the point, explaining to them what it felt like when she had turned into the toy version and then back. She still has no idea how it happened, or how she managed to break said curse. She still wonders if it has anything to do with something Cid did, but what?
Unfortunately, that is all she knows, and while generous, she is not feeling it enough to remain here until they do turn back.
So, with a little sigh, she lets her head fall to Cid's shoulders as the cursed toys waddle away, one of them tripping in the snow.]
[He'll also offer what little information he had gotten before he had to hang up his conversation with the crewman from earlier, but it really is hard with so little to give. Hopefully they'll hear news soon, or turn back on their own like she and that other one did.]
Aye, quite. We can practice skiing on our own hills.
[A wry grin before he hugs her close, and in the next moment they are standing in the entranceway of their warm house on the Roost.]
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No, it is, I took the situation too lightly. And I had promised to keep you safe.
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Never mind the fact that if she had not let go in the first place, it would not have happened. ... She really should have listened to him, but she is both rattled and far too stubborn and ashamed to admit that just yet.]
It was the winds.
[And those people who opened the door without a care in the world, frankly. She will choose to blame them.
She rubs her face against his cheek, her large tears wet on his skin, and there will also be a red spot where she was hit with the rope earlier.]
Perhaps we can start by getting back on the ground?
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[A quiet hum as he briefly closes his eyes.]
Let me catch my breath a moment. Bit relaxing like this.
[He gives her a crooked, wry grin, as if trying to help lighten up and ease the tension from before.]
But even before that, best if you get in my jacket.
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[A slightly scolding tone, but even as he smiles at her, she feels those tears streaming down her face, falling onto his cheek with big plops. She is not usually a crier, so why now? Is it because of her form? Questions that she will not linger on.
Instead, he'll feel her face peck against his cheek in what is supposed to be a kiss before she tries to awkwardly climb into the front of his jacket on her own.]
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No, not too much.
[It would never be too much if it meant saving her. But it's when she tries to climb into his jacket will they hear some cheers, and he'll glance down for a moment while still keeping a hand close over her.]
Seems we attracted quite the captive audience.
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Yes, because you are quite the show off...
[Except just as she is about to do slide in, she feels that same tug of magic she had earlier when she'd been skiing down the hill and transformed. It's abrupt, a bit jarring, and she only gasps before one second, she is the tiny bird balloon and the next, in a puff of smoke and magic, she is wrapped around him. Her face is inches from his, eyes wide in shock, her hands splayed across his chest, and legs tangled with his.
She stares at him, stunned into silence.]
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[In one moment he was about chuckle and wait for her to cozy in his jacket, and the next he's staring at her wide-eyed, not expecting to have her turn back so soon least of all up here.
And that stunned silence will be broken by a loud WHOOOOOAAAAA and cheers, the children shouting how the balloon bird turned into a princess!!!!]
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"It's like in the books!" One of the little girls shouts.]
How did...? Did you do that?
[Except he looks just as surprised as she feels.]
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How could I? If I could I would have done so long before now.
[Well, he should probably bring them back down now.]
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She gives him the kiss that she has been wanting to give him since he had caught her, but couldn't. Of course everyone below sees it, but she ignores the hoots and cheers, and perhaps even relishes in them a little (even if she is a bit embarrassed), as she wraps her arms tighter around him and kisses him with all the appreciation in the world.]
Thank you for catching me.
[Her nose is cold as she nuzzles it against his cheek.]
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Always.
[Yes...now he will always be there to do what he couldn't before.
And he will pull her back into another kiss, a deeper one this time with one hand cupping her face. A hand that might feel colder given that he had taken off his gloves back at the lodge and didn't even think about putting them back on when he chased after her.]
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Smiling against his lips, she chuckles softly at the calls of the children, unable to ignore them any longer.]
Not only that, it would seem you have now saved a princess.
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[A quiet chuckle before he moves so they are more standing upright in the air.]
Suppose we should greet them, your new fans.
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[She seems a little surprised by that.]
I was not the one who made a heroic, daring rescue. Though they seem to think that I was magicked into a balloon like those princesses in the stories and their frogs.
[Which is... sort of true?]
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[And as Cid slowly descends with them together, they will hear the little girls in particular admire how pretty the princess is!!]
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They thought me a real balloon. Garuda must be tossing somewhere inside me.
[But as soon as they get within arm's reach of the children, the girls all rush over to gush at her.
"Oh my gosh, you really are like a princess!"
"Do you have any pretty dresses too?"
"Does that make you a prince?"
Benedikta's face flushes as they all jump with excitement at her, and she looks to Cid for help.]
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Hmmm, rather than a prince, I'm more like the "king" and she my "queen."
[That makes the children just go "OOOOOOHHHH" even louder!!! A KING AND QUEEN!? LIKE ROYALTY!!!
And now the children are surrounding Benedikta, wanting to know how she got cursed.
"Was it an evil witch!?"
"Did you a cursed apple??"
"Was it someone who was jealous of your marriage to the king so they tried to off you and take your place!!??!"
....
That last one might have gotten everyone, both children and adults, to look at the young girl a little oddly, her eyes still aflame with whatever dramatic story she's imagining in her little head...]
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After getting over her initial embarrassment, she leans down and brings a hand to her mouth to tell the girls a secret.]
An evil witch, jealous of my marriage to the king, sent me a cursed apple.
[They all GASP!!! The one girl shouts "I knew it!" triumphantly.]
But my king is a clever man, and outsmarted her again. [She flashes Cid a tiny grin.] That bird that you saw was her minion, come to take me back to her lair.
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Sure taught them a lesson. But we'll have to be careful as I am sure they will try to strike again.
[His arm goes around Benedikta's waist as there is a gaaAaAsSspp. And then it's the boys' turn to try and get in on it.
"Don't worry!!!"
"You just need knights to help protect her!"
"We can do it!!"
Of course the girls just laugh and make fun saying, "No way, why would the cool king need little weak knights like you?"
Which will distract the children as they start to play their own version of the events, their parents just letting out a small sigh but grateful that everyone turned out okay.]
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Let us hope that this story does not spread.
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Hard to say. It does make for quite a story, does it not? And perhaps this is fine ending for ours...
[And he's moving in closer, ready to activate his ring to send them back to the Roost when they hear some voices calling out to them. At least one other person has also returned to normal, but a few more of the affected are making their way, either scrambling through the snow or carried by their friends. It's clear they are glad she's able to change back, but with information still so sparse they're hoping to learn more about what happened...]
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...
Only for her to click her tongue at the sound of peopleβor rather, toysβshuffling towards them and calling out for their help. It really is a pity that so many bore witness to what happened... She'd rather everyone just forget that it did, and a part of her wishes that no one would have had the chance to see her when she turned back.
But she is feeling generous, if not a bit tired, so she will answer their questions. Mostly. Her responses are curt and to the point, explaining to them what it felt like when she had turned into the toy version and then back. She still has no idea how it happened, or how she managed to break said curse. She still wonders if it has anything to do with something Cid did, but what?
Unfortunately, that is all she knows, and while generous, she is not feeling it enough to remain here until they do turn back.
So, with a little sigh, she lets her head fall to Cid's shoulders as the cursed toys waddle away, one of them tripping in the snow.]
Have you had your fill of these hills?
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Aye, quite. We can practice skiing on our own hills.
[A wry grin before he hugs her close, and in the next moment they are standing in the entranceway of their warm house on the Roost.]
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[As they appear in front of their home, the warmth immediately rushing to greet them.]
I think I will spend the rest of this winter at the fire.
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But are you really all right? Everything happened so fast, I didn't get to check if your leg was hurt.
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πππ