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]

[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?

[flamekthunder]

[He nods after watching her with a soft, warm smile and stepping over to the patch.]

We don't have to set up right away, in case we see somewhere else. But it's a good location.

[starshower]

I'm good with setting up here. Save the rest of the island as a surprise for later.

[And she looks eager to as well!]

Where do we start?

[flamekthunder]

Depends... How hungry are you?

[starshower]

... So, how upset would you be if I told you I haven't eaten yet today?

[She hangs her head in shame.]

[flamekthunder]

[Oh.

She should be able to take a guess by the way his expression hardens at that.]

Not even a small breakfast?

[starshower]

[Yeah, there it is.]

No... Just some water and a bit of tea this morning.

[Which she forgot to finish.]

[flamekthunder]

[Hard stare....

Before he lets out a breath and pushes out the small cooler he had carried along.]

Then the first thing we'll do is set up lunch.

[Which was probably going to happen anyway, but now he's going to be mentally shaking his head at her for skipping her meals again.]

Here, you can pick a spot and spread out the blanket.

[starshower]

[She puffs out with a sigh, deflating a little at that look on his face, but she'll take the blanket and wander a little further into the center of another small patch of flowers where she lays it across.]

Right here seems good. Need any help with the food?

[flamekthunder]

Not right now. Besides, it's supposed to be your birthday meal, remember?

[A wry grin at her.]

Not that it's much... Just something I was able to make and pack. For dinner we can try for some fish and you can have more of a real camping experience.

[starshower]

[She does raise a brow at him, but she will be good and sit down...]

No big hunt this time? I'm sure there are some things around here that we could.

[flamekthunder]

Not on this island.

[A light shrug.]

The rabbits are only able to live here because there aren't any large predators. Some foxes, and eagles, but that's about it.

[starshower]

[She nods in understanding.]

I see... Makes sense. And I wouldn't want to start hunting the rabbits. They looked peaceful here.

[flamekthunder]

I would have been surprised if you did.

[A light grin.]

So knowing that, I had brought our own meat... But it was more for today than anything longer.

[He starts unpacking the cooler to pull out the boxes filled with various food—kebabs, sandwiches, a soup, and some side salads.]

You haven't fished before, have you?