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

[Although Eustace had a decent catch, he's actually quite proud of Tifa with her catches. It's even more fitting given that it's her birthday, so he was happy to let her have the win. And once they finish grilling, with the extra fish safely stored in the cooler for another meal, they enjoy their time at the camp. Just as before, Eustace teaches her a few things, like best way to use a campfire and grilling fish over it along with some of the other ingredients he had on hand they could use. The sauce, for instance, one that would be on the tangy side with a bit of a spicy kick to it.

He would also tell her more stories of his early camping days, from his childhood to his first time out on a mission. And should TIfa have anything to share, he would listen as well.

And once they've finished and cleaned up, the sun has started to set and Eustace takes her hand to lead her up a different path.]

We passed by it earlier, but let me show you this one spot...

[Fortunately, or unfortunately in the sense that she had no stories to tell, she had spent most of her time on the run staying inside inns within each city they've had to visit, or having a place to stay in those that didn't have one, so she happily listens to all of his stories, as well as his tips that she tries to remember for later. This isn't going to be the last time that they go out camping together, that's for sure.

And while the dinner is nice, she grows more and more eager to see what else he has planned, especially when he takes her hand as the sun starts to set and leads her down a path they haven't really been to yet.]

Oh? What's special about it?

[A small, quiet laugh.]

You'll see.

[They'll soon climbing up a slow, winding path, and soon she'll hear the familiar sound of the waterfall they passed by earlier. It won't take much longer for them to start cresting the hill and from there she'll find themselves at what is likely the highest point of the island. Covered in colorful wildflowers, there are still many parts of the forest that rise up higher, but it's still a good, clear view of the sky and even a peek of the ocean over the horizon.

Especially to watch the sun slowly setting.]

Edited 2025-05-25 03:45 (UTC)

[She is a simple girl with simple wishes, and so she doesn't need much, nor is she expecting much as they come up over the top of the hill, so when she finally does see what's so special about this place, she is left surprised and utterly breathless at the sight.

The wind rustles her long hair and the wildflowers dance in the breeze, as if waving in greeting to them. The sky is painted with the colours of dusk, pinks and oranges mixing with the beginnings of velvety blue, and as she stares all the way up, she can see the stars, and surely once the sun has fully set, they'll be able to see them clearly, especially with how bright they are now.

She takes a moment to take it all in, slowly walking through the flowers as she moves to the center of the hill, his hand still in hers...]

You can see everything from up here. It's incredible...

[He watches her quietly, letting her take the lead as she walks through until they stop at the center.]

It's the highest point in the island, so you won't get a better view than this.

I can think of at least one better view.

[She looks at him as she says it, her fingers squeezing his, before she looks out again, turning around on the spot to get a view of every angle, and she catches sight of the moon shining bright on the other side of the setting sun.]

Was this where we were gonna set up camp?

[There's a small look of surprise at her words before he smiles, thinking the same. Then again, it's a view he's had all day, really...]

If you wanted, but we'd have to bring everything up here.

Mm, no.

[She takes both of his hands this time and turns them towards the sunset before she drags him down into sit with her in the flowers and the grass.]

I think this is just fine the way it is.

[He'll willingly sit down next to her with a low hum of agreement, and they'll sit close together for a moment before he glances at her.]

Won't get too cold?

[Terrible idea for her to look at him at the very same time he does her because she feels her breath catch, and like she's swallowed a dozen butterflies. She lets herself take in that particular view, however, before she shakes her head and lowers it to his shoulder.]

Not here, I won't.

[She scoots closer, tucking herself right in at his side.]

It's nice...

[There's a quiet exhale as he briefly closes his eyes before he rests his head against hers, his hand leaving hers only so that it can slip behind her to better support her.]

It is.

[It's quiet...peaceful... Everything he's ever wanted and sought for and to think he'd find it most with her right at his side like this. Through the corner of his eye he can see how the soft oranges, yellows, and pinks wash over her, somehow accentuating all her features. It makes him think of all the effort he's put into things lately... How while he's lived mostly the same, there have been notable changes, too.

And how he feels a bit more whole like this. After all, he's seen many different sunset on his own, but... This is different. It feels different.

Maybe that's what it means to be in a relationship...]

[There really are no words that could properly convey the things she feels right now. Happy is not enough, at peace doesn't feel quite right. Maybe just... speechless? It seems to encompass the many different things if only because each one has left her that way. Between the sunset, the breeze, the sweet smell of the flowers, and most of all, him at her side, his warmth wrapping around her protectively, she feels so very at ease. And after everything that had kept them apart only a month ago, she is glad to just be here again.

So she says nothing more, because nothing really needs to be said, as they stare out at the setting sun until soon—a little too soon, she thinks—it has nearly vanished beneath the horizon, leaving them with a sky speckled with shimmering stars.

She casts her gaze up, smiling.]

They're so bright out here. You rarely get to see them like this so close to the towns.

You're right. And you can get a better view of them....

[With his hand taking her side, he suddenly pulls her down with him as he flops onto his back so that her head can be against his chest when they land.]

Like this.

[That earns a surprised noise out of her, but she falls with him into the flowers anyway, petals flying up as they land in the grass and her head on his chest. A few get caught in their hair, and when she looks at him, she brings a hand up to pluck it away from his ear.

And without ever taking her eyes off him...]

Yeah, much better from here.

[There is a beat that passes, or several if she is judging by her own heart, before she glances up at the sky, no longer able to hold his gaze when she feels her cheeks growing warm.]

You know any of the constellations?

[His own eyes meet hers, and he'll maintain the gaze for long as she is able and his eyes will continue to follow her even when she looks away before they drift upward.]

A few. Had to learn them if I wanted to sail through this world's waters.

...Was a little disconcerting to not find any of the ones I knew from my world.

Yeah. Makes sense. I only know a few.

[Is she trying to distract herself from this weird, nervous feeling in her belly? Maybe... Especially when she can feel his eyes still on her. She does wonder if he can hear the race of her heartbeat, or the catch of her breath.]

There's the horse one... [She searches the sky for it and then points it out to him.] And then the crab.

Edited 2025-05-25 06:16 (UTC)

[He can...but he won't say anything. He thought he would also feel some kind of nervous anticipation, but he feels...strangely calm? It's not that he doesn't feel anything... No, it's the opposite. It's because he feels so happy and at peace with her here that he's able to stay as calm as he is. Excited in a different way.]

Mm...

[A low hum as he confirms them.]

There's one that they call the sea serpent, and another that's a turtle. And the brightest star is the one that leads north.

[She's relieved that he goes along with it, but how long before she can't take it anymore? The urge to look at him is tempting, and she does chance a glance at him through the corner of her eyes, noting how he looks under the white light of the moon...

She swallows and points at the star.]

That one, right? Feel like that's one that exists in all worlds.

There's probably some version of one in every world.

{He turns his head slightly to look at her.]

What kind of constellations did you have in your world?

All kinds, I think... Though, I never really had much of a need to learn them before. Not like here, and even then, I don't really know much about them at all.

[She pauses, pondering a bit, as she stares up at the stars, but every last bit of her focus is turned to him—how he moves, how he breathes, how she can feel him looking at her again.]

There was one that looked like... a bear. A fish. A lion... Sort of like the constellations here. Though... not quite the same.

[A low hum of understanding at that.]

Want to make your own?

My own?

[Her arm slides further around him, holding herself closer, and she finally shifts her gaze to him.]

What do you mean...? Like, draw one out in the stars?

[Another low hum as he smiles softly at her.]

Constellations are made with stars that remain consistent, but you can make out any shape from any of them.

Edited 2025-05-25 19:04 (UTC)

Then...

[Her gaze lingers before she looks up again.]

Help me find a wolf and a rabbit.

[A quiet laugh at that.]

I thought you would ask for that.

[He glances at her and then looks back up.]

Should it be their faces? Or running or standing...

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

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