closed 🌠⚡ it's far too easy to miss the beauty in the simple things

[starshower]

Who: Eustace & Tifa Lockhart.
Status: Closed.
Where: Around.
What: It's Tifa's birthday, and she's overworking again, so Eustace takes her away. Event stuff tba.
Warnings: Fluff.

Comments

[flamekthunder]

[There's a reason why he isn't really being adamant on her not taking the wheel, but he's going to block her all the same. So it's more like playful banter than trying to really stop her.]

Do you even know how? You don't even know where we're going.

[starshower]

No, but how hard could it be? Even easier if you show me.

[Good, because even if he did try to stop her, she would still do it, and her steps are hurrying before he can—]

[flamekthunder]

[He'll let her get just within reach...!

Before he grabs her wrist and spins her back to him, arm around her waist as he smirks close against her ear.]

Or are you going to try and steal my boat to escape?

[He's going back to that little kidnapping play, just for a little bit. It was a little hard to resist.]

[starshower]

[Her giggles echo through the air as he spins her around, her hair catching in the wind, and she "stumbles" back to his chest, catching with a hand grabbing hold of his shirt to keep her balance. And with his voice in her ear, she feels her breath hitch just so, a warmth creeping up into her cheeks and her heart beating just a little quicker.]

And how exactly am I going to escape with you on it? Unless I plot to throw you overboard—

[She presses a hand to her lips.]

Oops.

[flamekthunder]

Hmmm, is that what you're thinking?

[His fingers trail up the underside of her wrist to take her hand while his arm keeps a firm hold around her waist.]

Maybe I should tie you down in the cabin below...

[This is totally not something from one of those books she's ready. Totally.

it is]

[starshower]

[She narrows her eyes at him, because she does wonder. It is all playing out a little similarly, but it must just be a coincidence—

He'll feel those goosebumps rise along her arm in the wake of his finger, a shiver shaking through her before she relaxes against him with cheeks flushed pink.]

How dare you! [Totally playing it up as well, though not quite as good as he is. Actually, she's terrible.] I... am the Princess! The Paladins will hear about this and come after you!

[god.....]

[flamekthunder]

[—

Pft— There is definitely a snort there and slight shake of his shoulders at her little act. Then again, he feels a little ridiculous himself, so it all works out.]

And? How would they even find you?

[starshower]

They will search the high seas to get me back! And I have my phone with me, who's to say I haven't already sent them my coordinates?

[They being Avalanche, apparently.]

So you're going to have to outrun them if you want to stand a chance!

[flamekthunder]

That shouldn't be too hard. This is one of the fastest ships there is.

[Well, sort of. It is built for speed, but not that kind!

But there's a laugh as he looks down at her.]

So, you really want to know how to steer it?

[starshower]

Did you think I was joking?

[Well, she was in some ways, but in others, not completely.]

They don't even let me steer the Seventh Heaven all that often. And a smaller boat is definitely different from a giant galleon like that. I think.

[flamekthunder]

Very.

[A wry grin as he loosens his hold only so that he can lead her over to the wheel...and remain standing behind her.]

You also have to control the sails, but we should be fine for a while. Otherwise, steering a boat, is just a matter of remembering you're controlling a large object weight a lot of weight and through water. So even the slightest turn might need several rotations of the wheel before it gets going.

[starshower]

Mm, that much I knew.

[She sets her hands on the wheel once he leads her over, but her body leans against his behind her.]

The bigger ship's a pretty good workout on the arms... the few times I've tried. This feels like it'll be a little easier?

[flamekthunder]

It should be. So go ahead and try...just don't set us off course too much.

[A wry grin.]

[starshower]

Well, it would help if I knew where we were going!

[But she starts to turn it slowly, hand over hand. It's a good thing her arms are so strong, or else she might have had some trouble with this, but she turns it with relative ease. It's enough that there's a whoosh of wind that caresses them, brushing through her hair, and the sails flap in that breeze.]

Well? How'd I do, captain?

[flamekthunder]

[He chuckles at that.]

Not bad so far.

[A low hum as he points to a speck on the horizon.]

You see that island off in the distance. That's where we're going. see if you can keep us going in that general direction.

[He then taps the large compass attached to the wheel.]

We're always going to northeast, so keep us in that direction in case you lose sight of it.

[starshower]

[She stares off to the horizon where he points, to that little island that crests over it.]

Oh. That's not too hard at all.

[With a glance at the compass, she gives the wheel another good turn to take them in that direction.]

How long do you think it'll take?

[flamekthunder]

If we can keep this pace, about two hours.

[So it really isn't that far at all.]

[starshower]

We'd make it there with plenty of time to spare for the rest of the afternoon.

[She leans her head against his chest so that she can look at him, her nose and eyes crinkling with a smile.]

So I hope you've got plans to keep a restless princess busy.

[flamekthunder]

[Just a mischievous grin.]

Don't worry. I already had the whole day planned out, and already adjusting it for an extended stay.

[starshower]

Always so prepared, even when I'm not.

[She lifts herself up on her tiptoes and kisses his chin, hoping that it will earn her a proper one as well.]

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got.

[flamekthunder]

[He's a little surprised by it, and if he wanted to be mean he could withhold... But he won't and instead smiles and gives her a proper kiss in return.]

No complaining from the princess later.

[Another wry grin before he remains where he stands to help guide her, showing her more about some of the controls for the sailboat. Since it's meant for one person, there are additional functions to help with the sail rigging so that he can more easily control it from the wheel. He'll show her how it's done when the wind shifts, and he'll only move out when he has to take more control of the sails to tie them back.

But overall it's a beautiful day for sailing. With the skies clear, the waters calm, and the winds strong but manageable, they make good time towards the island. At some point he'll offer and provide them some drinks and some snacks as the continue to either chatter about this and that or just enjoy the peaceful scenery. A few dolphins even appear, leaping ahead and beside them before eventually drifting off.

Until at last they reach the island and Eustace takes over the wheel then. He's clearly scouted it out before as he brings them towards a specific harbor that he can dock the boat. Telling her she can either wait for him on the deck or go ahead onto the white, sandy beach, he'll go below deck to bring up a few things, and once out together they can walk out towards the lush forest beyond.

It's a small island with clear signs that it's uninhabited. The song of birds can be heard clearly and with how relaxed Eustace is, it's clear it's a safe place. And not long after they take those first few steps towards the green, something small and furry scampers out from the bushes before disappearing back in, its long ears and bushy tail obvious clues as to what it was.]

[starshower]

[Excuse you, she is the birthday girl, and she wants a kiss!

But the sail to the island is a nice one. She hasn't done this in a long, long time—the last time would have been when he had taken her out on his boat during Winterstide, and back then, it had been a little chilly. Today, the skies are blue and the wind is warm, the sun beating down on her cheeks helping to ease the worries on her mind. But it's him who helps to wash them all away as she listens and watches him fondly as he explains the workings of the boat, and then whatever else they end up talking about for the hour and some that it takes to get to the island.

Really, she would have been happy just to be on the boat for the day, so when they do reach the shore, she cannot help but be taken aback in awe as she looks around the beach. And when something catches her eye—]

Eustace, look!

[She points to the little rabbit that hops out from the bush, pauses to look at them, and then runs away when Tifa takes a few steps towards it.]

Aw, guess they wouldn't be used to people around, huh...

[flamekthunder]

No, this isn't an island many go to.

[A small look of amusement at her as she watches.]

But who knows, you might have a chance to earn their trust.

[starshower]

You think?

[She stares at the rustling bushes, hoping that it will come out, but then they stop. It must have run even further in.]

I guess I have a little bit of time to try... I'll need to leave out some food for them, if we've got any to spare.

[And then regret later—]

[flamekthunder]

[Just a small arch of the brow because he can already foresee that regret—]

You sure that's a good idea?