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]

[A quiet chuckle as he tries to imagine.]

Not sure if I'd be able to feel anything if you tried now.

[Which is a shame. He could try to kiss one of those cute little ears, but—a thought occurs to him as he stares at her coloring...]

...I wonder if you're poisonous.

[starshower]

Oh...

[Oh no, now she's worried, and she huddles away further into the shell.]

I don't feel poisonous, but... you aren't feeling itchy or anything after touching me, do you!?

[flamekthunder]

I don't think so...

[Just lets his voice drift suspiciously.]

[starshower]

Eustace?

[Can he hear the stare that she is giving him in her voice?]

Don't scare me like that!

[flamekthunder]

[Just looking at her.....

But then he smiles and laughs quietly.]

Sorry. I still feel fine, so don't worry. But it would be good for you if you did have some kind of defense, like spines that really could poison someone...

[starshower]

[She puffs up her body, and those bristles do stand on end.]

I've got a few, from the looks of it, but don't know how sharp they are.

[flamekthunder]

You can try them next time, if someone else tries to claim you as their wife.

[starshower]

Let's hope you can scare off any "next time".

[She doesn't mean to make a little squeak noise of a laugh, but when it comes, her ears stiffen and stick straight up, and she clears her throat, which is even squeakier.]

So uh, where are we going?

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a small chuckle that she might feel more now that she's against his chest, a gentle rumble as he continues to direct the seahorse back to—]

The village. There should be someone there who might know what happened.

[starshower]

[A gentle rumble that makes her entire body shake inside the shell, but it's... oddly comforting, too.]

This potion came from the surface though, didn't it...? You think the whalefolk might know?

[flamekthunder]

It's from the sirens, so if it's using some kind of underwater magic, they might. There might also be sirens or other merfolk there, too.

[starshower]

Hmm, okay.

[She frowns to herself.]

Maybe we should stop trusting the sirens altogether.

[flamekthunder]

It has been a bit hit or miss lately...

[And they'll soon see the village ahead, so Eustace places a protective hand over the shell.]

[starshower]

[She squeaks when his hand comes over the shell—it's so big and almost intimidating in a way—and she huddles further inside.]

Should I stay hidden?

[Why is she whispering? Can he even hear her like this!?]

[flamekthunder]

[There's a low hum as he stares out into the town, trying to see what people are there.]

Just for now. You can still look out, and if it's clear of any of those other... People you should be fine to come out more freely.

I mostly don't want you slipping out into another current... A lot of whalefolk swimming through.

[starshower]

[There's a sad little noise that comes from her, and her ears droop and her body flattens.]

Yeah... fair enough. I just wish I could enjoy the village properly with you.

[She was really looking forward to seeing it!!!]

[flamekthunder]

I know...

[A apologetic look as he tries to pet her head.]

It's just for now. If we can change you back then all our problems will be solved... But if not, maybe we can find someone who can give you something better to protect yourself and let you move more freely.

[starshower]

[If only he could see that weary look that she gives him.]

Like a tiny leash?

[flamekthunder]

I was thinking more like a bubble...

[His voice trails a bit.]

With a leash.

[starshower]

[She would smack him if she could!!!]

I wasn't serious, you know! That's even worse!

[flamekthunder]

[He can't help but chuckle at that and he'll try to pet her again as they now near the village entrance.]

We'll figure out something. As long as we can keep you from getting swept away from the currents.

[starshower]

[Huffing and puffing, she grows fatter and then smaller again with a big sigh.

But as they enter the village, she huddles further into the shell as another full-sized whale swims right over their heads, and she can feel the current brush against the bristles on her back, making her stiffen.]

Maybe there's a potion shop around.

[flamekthunder]

[His hand tightens over her to shield her as he looks up with a pensive frown.]

Hopefully... Just stay close in her shell and don't worry—I won't let anything happen to you.

[He just hopes they will actually help... He's heard that the locals are rightfully wary of outsiders, but maybe seeing Tifa like this will persuade them how they're not much of a threat.]

[starshower]

[Not much of a threat? Is it because she's tiny!? She can be very threatening when she needs to be, thank you—!

But she does as he says, huddling further into the shell as a whale guard approaches Eustace, his spear out and floating in front of him, and while he doesn't seem to be aggressive yet, he is certainly on edge. His eyes flick to Tifa in the shell, and he tilts his head.

"What's your business here?"]

[flamekthunder]

[He just stares evenly at the guard before holding up the shell with Tifa poking out for a moment.]

We're here to help with the whale situation... However, not long after taking the potion my girlfriend turned into this instead. We were hoping there was someone here who could help change her back.