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

[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?

[starshower]

[Well, alright...]

Okay, I guess I could see how it could be bad, but... maybe on the outskirts of the camp? Or maybe I could just try to feed one when we see it.

[flamekthunder]

[He just looks at her for a moment before he breaks into a small smile.]

We'll see. Let's first make camp and then we can look around some more.

[starshower]

Oh, do I get to make camp with you? Here I thought you'd already have it set up.

[But she's more excited about the idea than anything. She's never really done this sort of thing before, always having stayed in inns when they were traveling from city to city. No place where she's really camped before.]

You'll have to show me the ropes there, too. Doubt it'll be too hard, but I at least can make the fire.

[flamekthunder]

Well the original plan was more like a simple picnic... So while I've found suitable places for that, I didn't really plan for a camp, no. So you'll be able to help.

[A wry grin as he can sense her eagerness.]

Just make sure you follow directions or you won't have tent for the night.

[starshower]

Would it be so bad, though?

[Her fingers suddenly slip through his and she takes his hand as they walk into the shade of the trees, where the sound of the birds is so much louder, though not at all in an intrusive way.]

Sleeping under the stars?

[flamekthunder]

[Feeling her hand, his own will tighten over hers as he smiles a little more.]

Depends on the weather. Might not like it so much if it rains.

[But he says it with a light voice, teasing her.]

But it's not bad. I've done it a few times when the weather was good for it.

[starshower]

It's going to take more than a little rain to scare me off.

[And teasing right back with a laugh, her head falling to his shoulder as they stroll leisurely through the trees. It's so peaceful that she lowers her voice so as not to disturb it too much.]

Wouldn't mind the option of both, though. If we're going to be here a little while, then might as well take advantage of it, yeah? It's a little harder to see the stars from where we are by Eltrut, and with the lights.

[flamekthunder]

[...Ah.]

I forgot, you're closer to the city. Where I am there's not as many lights so I see the stars easily enough.

[Hm hm.]

In that case, there's a place that could work.

[starshower]

Really? As long as it doesn't interfere with your plans...

[flamekthunder]

Those plans changed the moment I decided to kidnap you.

[A wry look.]

But it's fine. Things were fairly loose from the start.

[starshower]

Ah, right. I've been kidnapped, silly me! I should be foiling all of your plans, shouldn't I?

[She gives his hand an appreciative squeeze and looks ahead at the path through the trees.]

Though, I think I could do with being kidnapped to places like this more often.

[flamekthunder]

Experience the freedom and fresh air instead stuck away in your lofty castle?

[A softer smile.]

That was something, wasn't it?

[starshower]

[She gives him a look with narrowed eyes again.]

Something...? I might have mentioned it at one point, yeah. I'm a little jealous of all the girls who get whisked away someplace else. The castle can get a little stuffy sometimes.

[flamekthunder]

Then that's at least one wish fulfilled.

[As he speaks, they soon step out of the dense trees into a small clearing. it's still within the forest, but the sky is now more in full view with the sun filtering through the clouds above. The clearing itself is filled with small flowers, thistles especially, and they can hear the soft rippling sound of a small stream nearby.

And of course—a few more rabbits.]

[starshower]

[The rabbits glance up at them from where they are grazing in the grass, the motion grabbing Tifa's eyes as she takes in the sight before them. It's so simple, really—it's just a clearing like any other that they've seen before, but perhaps because it's so secluded and she hardly ever gets to see anything like it makes it all the more special. More so still because it's with Eustace... A place that he picked out.]

... It's beautiful.

[She carefully steps out of the trees, and the rabbits skitter a little further.]

Is this the spot?

[flamekthunder]

This was my initial place for lunch, but it could work for camp, too. There are a few other place could look at... One is on a small ridge so you get more of a view, but not as many rabbits.

[A light grin.]

Personally I think this is the best place for camp and the other locations are better just to look and visit.

[starshower]

[She lets go of his hand and runs into the flowers, butterflies fluttering out from within them, and she spreads her arms out and giggles.]

No, it's fine. I think this is perfect! I see a little green patch over there where we can set up camp?