closed 🌠⚡ tell me i'm the one you want...

[starshower]

Who: Tifa Lockhart & Eustace.
Status: Closed.
Where: Ocard flower gardens.
What: Eustace and Tifa finally go on their first date.
Warnings: Dunno yet :D


[After talking about it and all the planning and the anticipation, one would think that all that preparedness would leave her feeling at ease about the whole thing, but now that the day is finally here... not even Tifa had expected herself to be as nervous as she was. It's not as if they haven't spent any time together before this, or hadn't been quite as close, but there's just something about it being a date now—officially, all of those times she's invited him to the bar or when she's visited his home on Nogard don't count—that has every nerve of hers on end.

Not in a bad way, but she is willing this to be as perfect as it can be and prays that nothing will go wrong. She hasn't forgotten what Ocard was like last year, and she hopes that the dragons are kind enough to leave the two of them alone to enjoy their picnic in the gardens in peace. That, and her excitement is buzzing, all of that pent up anticipation coming out of her in hastened footsteps and red cheeks by the time she finally does manage to find him.

She whirls around a tall hedge of rose bushes when she spots him, her dark, strawberry-printed dress flaring out around her as she clutches her small picnic basket close. Her heart leaps into her throat like this is the very first time that she's seeing him.]

Sorry...

[She wanders over with a sheepish smile, her face flushed with embarrassment, her eyes flitting to him and noting just how handsome he looks...]

This place is so big, I think I got a little lost.

Comments

[starshower]

Are you going to be okay to wade into the water in that?

[She gestures up and down at him.]

[flamekthunder]

I'll be fine. I can always change if I have to.

[A light smirk because yes, he brought his own change of clothes without telling her.]

[starshower]

And you didn't even warn me!?

[She gives him a good (light and playful) jab on the arm.]

[flamekthunder]

I considered.

[Said with a laugh before he looks around for a moment.]

I do know they have a changing area around here...and that they provided swimsuits for those who need it. Want to check first?

[starshower]

Well, it wouldn't be fair to make you change, and I have to walk around in the water in my dress.

[Not that she minds. She would have done it if she had to, but if they're offering swimsuits, then she might as well take it.]

Yeah, let's go check it out. Could be fun.

[flamekthunder]

Think they might be over this way...

[He thinks he sees the roof of a hut or something not too far from where they are, closer to the treeline, so with her hand in his, he'll lead her over to it.

There is a small handful of people gathered around, some clearly having already gotten their share and heading out while one or two seem to have just arrived. And as Eustace said, next to the changing station there was a small shack with racks of swimwear, along with a dragon seamstress who was more than happy to create something out of scratch if needed. Thin fabrics lined the walls, the materials soft and lighter than most others found elsewhere.]

[starshower]

[Although the selection is small, Tifa is still in awe of what's in front of her, some of the suits more decorative than others, bearing little scales as decorations, and so many different colours and shades that it's hard to pick from. She settles on something somewhere darker—a two piece in a deep shade of red with golden scales holding the straps to the main piece, and a translucent sarong in white, the bottom hem of it also decorated in matching golden scales sewn into the fabric. Even then, the fabric is light and smooth, almost silky against her skin.

And when she comes out of the changing room with her selection, she sets her hands on her hips, trying not to let the flush in her cheeks get the better of her.]

Well? What d'you think?

[flamekthunder]

[Although Eustace had seen her choice beforehand, he wouldn't know how it would look until she put it on. So while she went to change, he did the same with his swimming shorts and loose white shirt. He took less time so he leans against the wall near the entrance, waiting for her to come out. And when she does...]

...

[For a moment he can only stare at her a little stunned, surprised by how different the swimsuit looks on her compared to just hanging on the rack. Of course, once he realizes he's staring at not saying anything, there's a slight rise of a heat on the back of his neck as he clears his throat.]

It's good.

[Oh that's lame—]

I mean...it suits you.

[.........He sucks at flattery.]

[starshower]

[In spite of everything that she had said earlier, she finds herself not minding his stare, and the flush in her cheeks creeps down into her neck and chest beneath it, that rise of heat under her skin matching his.]

You think?

[She peers at him, her own gaze lingering on every part besides meeting his eyes.]

I was a little unsure about the colour, but I kinda like it.

[flamekthunder]

No, it's... It's a good color for you.

[Why is this hard.]

[starshower]

[The colour in her cheeks deepens, and she wanders over to him, her dress folded neatly over her arm.]

... Thanks.

[Stopping in front of him, her eyes look him up and down, and though she attempts to be subtle about it, it's very Not Subtle at all.]

You look good in that, too.

[WHY IS THIS HARD...]

[flamekthunder]

[...Very not subtle, and somehow that breaks the tension for him, a small laugh escaping.]

Thanks.

[A small, teasing smile before he holds out his hand so he can take her dress to put it in the bag.]

Here, let me take it.

[starshower]

Such a gentleman.

[She does hand it to him, making sure to fold it one more time, and as soon as it's in the bag, she takes hold of his hand once more, her own sliding against his palm a little less shyly than before.]

Come on. I wanted to see the ones that were in the water.

[flamekthunder]

[He'll glance at her with a smile before nodding.]

Sure.

[His hand tightens over a little more.]

Just watch your step, the shells can be sharp.

[starshower]

Then I guess you'll just have to hold my hand a little tighter.

[A smile over her shoulder as she leads him across the sand towards the water, and while there are some speckled along the beach, she's more interested in the ones further in. That, and she wants an excuse to head out there and take a wade through, the afternoon heat finally starting to settle over the island.]

They're so shiny...! What colour should we pick?

[flamekthunder]

Whatever you want.

[A small shrug as the cool water washes over their feet as they approach the shoreline. The waves aren't really that rough right now, so it's not a bad time for wading through the shallows.]

There are a lot of blues and greens...think I saw a yellow one over there.

[starshower]

I kind of like the blues...

[She's looking around for some red ones but so far, she hasn't seen any. Maybe if they go a little further, but she'll stay here for now, leaning down to dip her hand into the water to try and dig out one.]

Wonder if any of these are actually crabs... They kind of look like shells from the top, don't they?

[flamekthunder]

...I hope not.

[There is definitely a disgruntled face at the mention of crabs. No, he still hasn't really gotten past what happened back on that leviathan.]

[starshower]

[Poor Eustace...]

What? Not fond of crabs still?

[As she pulls out one shell and holds it up, the iridescent surface of it shimmering between a shade of green and gold.]

[flamekthunder]

Only if served on a plate.

[So that would be a no before he spots a shell and plucks it out of the water, its coloring more of a sunset orange and yellow.]

[starshower]

Hmm, too bad. I'm actually not a fan of cooked crab.

[She had lowered her voice at that, just in case any of them are. Wouldn't want to be overheard!!!

But she leans in closer than she needs to to peer at the shell he's picked up.]

So, what do you think we should make anyway? You don't exactly strike me as the jewelry type.

[flamekthunder]

More for me then.

[Serious or teasing...who knows... But with some of the shells in hand, he considers her question.

.....Hm.]

Honestly... I'm not sure. I was mostly thinking this would be for you, but now...hm. Some kind of charm to attach somewhere?

[starshower]

I meant for both of us, silly.

[Matching ones, if they can, but given the amount of variety and uniqueness to each of the shells, that might prove difficult. So, as close as can be.

But he's onto something.]

A charm, or... a decoration, maybe?

[flamekthunder]

What kind of decoration?

[starshower]

[She looks down at the shell in her hands, and then takes the one from his, holding them up to the sunlight together, watching as they shimmer.]

They might look good on some wind chimes, maybe.