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]

[She turns just enough that she can glare at him through the corners of her eyes.]

Five feet, six inches, thanks. And that's without the shoes.

[She nudges her hips back against his as if to scold him, but he'll hear and perhaps even feel that soft laugh escape her as her shoulders relax further.]

Is that gonna be a problem?

[flamekthunder]

[He just chuckles in return.]

Dunno... But I wonder if it would be easier if we did it like this.

[It's not, but he's still playing around, and he will squeeze her a little as he lifts her up just enough to set her on top of his shoes.

Still so short—]

[starshower]

Oh—!

[She shouts in surprise the moment her feet lift off the ground, and for a moment, she thinks he might scoop her up and carry her away. She's ready with her protest, already nearly sputtering it, when he sets her back down on his shoes.]

You think so? I thought the point was trying not to step on each other.

[At least it makes it easier for her hands? Because they'll slide a little further back.]

[flamekthunder]

You're just standing on them, so it doesn't count.

[And it does make it easier to move and hold her like this, feeling he doesn't have to crane his neck so much.]

[starshower]

[Which means that his lips are closer to her ear, his breath tickling it yet again that she has to stop the shiver from racing up her spine.

And is not successful.]

Well then, I hope you know the moves for the both of us...

[There's something softer in her voice now, her shoulders relaxing against his chest as she leans into his warmth.]

[flamekthunder]

So far it's just this, so think I can handle this much.

[It's hard not to notice the way she shivers at his voice, and it makes him want to tease her more... But they've already been through several precarious positions and situations as it is, so for now he'll hold back.

However, their time to be like this will be shortlived as it won't be but a few minutes later that the music seems to change into something a little livelier and the snakewoman calls out again.

This time, she wants to see the ladies or smaller partner really shake those hips and arms! Step out and "dance" around their partner while shimmying and shaking their arms and hips while the other watches and claps along. She will even demonstrate.]

[starshower]

[Oh god, this is only getting worse, and part of her regrets even bringing them over here at all. She should have dragged him away when she had the chance, she realizes, after watching in horror as the snake sways and undulates around her partner, caressing him with her hands as she moves in a circle.

She's not really sure how to do this...

...

....]

Um...

[There's a brief moment when she steps away where she reconsiders, but it lasts for only a beat. Maybe two. Before she starts to slowly wave her hips in front of him, her cheeks turning red in the process... But there's something else that compels her. Perhaps some determination? A little confidence boost? Or maybe it's the magic that's in the air that's creeping into her head—she knows that some of these snakes have that ability. Whatever it is, it makes her spin slowly in a circle. And though she's not quite waggling her hips like some of the others are demonstrating, her movements are a bit more coy, and her voice is small.]

... How's this?

[flamekthunder]

[Seeing the demonstration, he really wondered if Tifa would actually do it, and seeing her stepping away and hesitating, he was about to tell her they could just walk out and find something else to do.

But then she...

...Actually does it.

His eyes widen in surprise and he can only stare and watch her as if mesmerized...

...And...try not to laugh.

It's a strange thing. It's clearly meant to show of her curves and movements, and it does, but... Is it because she just looks like a cute little rabbit trying her best? Maybe because it doesn't seem to suit her? Or is it because something like this isn't really to his tastes?

So although he tried, he has to bring his hand to his mouth and try to stifle the laugh that's threatening to slip out.]

It's...uh...

[starshower]

[She hears that, and she stops to give him a light swat on the arm.]

Stop laughing!

[Her face is so warm and so red now that she uses her other hand to hide behind.]

[flamekthunder]

Sorry—

[And he can't help the small pfft that ends up escaping.]

Just looks...you know.

[starshower]

[And now she's hiding her face in both her hands, and she gives a vigorous shake of her head before she lifts it, her cheeks flushed. But there is something of a laugh sitting at the edges of her eyes.]

Well, I'd like to see you try, then!

[flamekthunder]

[He just raises his hands in surrender.]

Too tall.

[The snake did specify!!]

But weird as it was, it was kind of cute. Like a rabbit wiggling her tail.

[starshower]

What!?

[Oh, now that flush is creeping down her neck, and her hand goes back as if she means to check herself for a tail.]

That's not true. I was doing it all... like that...

[Her gaze darts to the snake and then away.]

[flamekthunder]

[He just chuckles again.]

Well, doesn't matter... Not really to my tastes, anyway.

[He steps in close to take her hands as if to try and soothe her a little.]

[starshower]

[To that, she deflates with relief and wraps her hands around his.]

Oh, thank god. I thought I'd have to do more of it if you did like it.

[flamekthunder]

Would you really do it even if you clearly hated it?

[starshower]

[She flushes a little, tipping her face away.]

Well, probably not here... It's not the dancing I mind. Used to do some when I was younger. Helped a lot with my training.

[flamekthunder]

What... Wiggling around like a rabbit?

[A teasing smile as he places his hands on her hips and moves her to mimic what she was doing.]

[starshower]

[She likes this much better, if they can even call it dancing, but she follows along with a giggle over the beating drums.]

Yup. Bet you can't do much better, you big scary wolf.

[flamekthunder]

I'm not even going to try because you're right.

[Not even going to try to make this a competition he will gladly take the loss.]

[starshower]

That's what I thought.

[And rather than turn back around to continue the dance, she takes a step closer to him instead.]

Who says we have to follow the rules, though...?

[flamekthunder]

[He just smiles a little.]

No one—

[And as if right on cue, the snakewoman calls out again as the music begins to change.

"Ho ho, what a fantastic display! Everyone is pulling out their inner snakes!"

In reality, there were many similar to Tifa and Eustace who were too embarrassed to continue, but there were also a few who...really got into it. Perhaps that's the real reason for the sudden change.

"Now it's time for the other partner to show off their moves~ Hold your partner close and slide your hands alllll over as you move against them!"

That elicits a number of mix reactions, from startled gasps to raucous cheers. Eustace, meanwhile, will be a stunned and flustered because what.]

[starshower]

[Ah, just as she was getting comfortable dancing with him, there's another announcement, and this one...

Tifa is pretty sure she's about to melt into a puddle of embarrassment at his feet right now. They had already been standing fairly close, facing each other, but now she is incredibly conscious of his hands around hers. She's not entirely sure what to do with herself now, especially.

But Eustace...

She looks at him in a "what now" sort of way. Is he really going to do it...?]

[flamekthunder]

[...

..

.............]

We're leaving.

[THAT'S HIS DECISION.]

[starshower]

Wait, but—

[Her hands squeeze his as she looks around.]

What about the rest of the dance?

[Not that she'll stop him if he leads her away...]