+- Court of the Fallen (https://cotf-rpg.com)
+-- Forum: Out of Character (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=26)
+--- Forum: Important (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+---- Forum: Archives (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+---- Thread: picnicking you (/showthread.php?tid=12620)
RE: picnicking you - Sohalia - 03-14-2026
[say]"Deal,"[/say] Soh said, blushing at the clear flirtation in his smile. Gods, this was nice. When was the last time she'd been on a normal date that wasn't made heavier by some baggage or other? With Zavien, she didn't have to worry about prior missteps, nor what he might think of her now, nor what topics she might need to tiptoe around. It was an ease that she didn't want to take for granted, and in a sudden rush of warmth, she reached out to set her hand atop his.
At her continued failure, Soh huffed a dramatic sigh, flopping back on the blankets - though she was careful to keep her hand on his as she did so. Throwing her other arm over her face, she said, [say]"I give up. You've bested me."[/say] She could guess all day and probably continue to get it wrong. But she took the loss with a smile, peering out at Zavien from beneath her arm as she asked, [say]"What kind is it?"[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Zavien - 03-14-2026
The blush and warm touch of her hand had him realizing just how easily he'd slipped into flirting. They were on a date and they'd already slept together and he had no reason not to flirt with a beautiful woman like Soh, but it just surprised him how naturally it came. He was suddenly reminded of yesterday and his lack of impulse control, wondering if he'd changed or if she was having this effect on him. It didn't really matter now, but it was something he'd have to watch and ponder later.
At this moment, he tried not to let it worry him, holding her hand and chuckling as she flopped back onto the blanket. Zavien turned to face her more fully so he could catch the flash of her silver eyes peeking from beneath her arm. He grinned, considering for the briefest of seconds whether he should keep it from her a little longer.
Too much of a gentleman for that, he decided to put the lady out of her misery with a final smug grin. [say]"Peanut butter."[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Sohalia - 03-14-2026
[say]"Peanut butter!"[/say] she cried, hiding her face beneath her arm again as though in shame. [say]"I should've guessed!"[/say] Now that their game was concluded, Soh shifted her arm off her face and gazed over at Zavien. Even though it had just been a silly game about their favorite foods, Soh felt like she knew him far better now than she had before. Would it always been like this, she wondered? Learning new things about one another, lighthearted flirtations, easy laughter?
[say]"That was a lot of -"[/say] she started, but a sudden shriek interrupted her, the noise sounding a bit like an angry cat, but with an edge that Soh couldn't quite place. She sat straight up, suddenly uneasy. [say]"Did you hear that?"[/say]
The breeze gusted by, blowing a cloud over the sun, and Soh was suddenly cold. Shivering, she looked around. There were no further noises - until she partially shifted, using her tide jaguar form to improve her hearing. Then she heard a shuffling noise - and it sounded like it was coming from below them. [say]"Uhhhhh, quick question,"[/say] she commented with a nervous laugh. [say]"Do you believe in ghosts?"[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Zavien - 03-14-2026
He didn't necessarily rub it in, but he also didn't let her off the hook so easily, nodding his head in resolute agreement of her failure. [say]"Mhm. I really like peanut butter."[/say] But a smile peeked through the joking disappointment, light and much too happy with the outcome.
A sharp, cutting sound broke through the blissful moment. Zavien snapped to attention, instincts and senses on full alert as he sat up. The sound stopped after the short burst, but he didn't move, eyes scanning through the mist for the source. His voice was low when he answered her, still listening for more. [say]"Yeah..."[/say]
When he didn't immediately hear another sound, he caught Soh's frightened face in his peripheral, squeezing her hand that had somehow found its way into his. [say]"It was probably just a cat."[/say] A really angry one, but hopefully just a cat.
The drop in temperature didn't really help with the theory.
Noticing a shiver run through Soh, Zavien unrolled one of the other blankets and knelt in front of her. Maybe a picnic hadn't been such a good idea with the temperamental weather, but at least he'd brought the extra blankets. He wrapped a thick brown one around her shoulders, his hands lingering as he waited to see if it helped at all. It was then that she asked her question.
His eyes widened, taking her nervous laughter as a sign to be supportive by answering honestly. He ran a soothing hand down her arm, offering her a small hint at a smile. [say]"Yes, but I've never seen one before."[/say] And he'd certainly never been harmed by one. Still, if only to distract her from whatever fears might be playing through her head, he asked with a gentle curiosity, as if they were making casual conversation, [say]"Do you?"[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Sohalia - 03-14-2026
Soh peeked out at Zavien one more time, this time to stick her tongue out in a playful, childish display. But then she dissolved into giggles, finally sobering enough to say, [say]"I'll keep that in mind."[/say] Burgers and steaks, scones and peanut butter cookies - all things that she'd been teaching herself how to cook, or at least finding out where the find the best of them.
Their lighthearted teasing came to an abrupt end as the noise cut through the Barrows, and Soh swallowed hard as Zavien snapped to attention alongside her. [say]"A cat,"[/say] she echoed, straining to hear more. When no further noises were forthcoming, she slowly allowed her hearing to shift back to normal. [say]"Maybe I can..."[/say] She trailed off, reaching with her Attuned abilities to see if there was a cat in the vicinity, figuring that if she could compel one to appear, perhaps that would solve their problem.
She was so focused on her search that she barely registered Zavien moving until he was draping a blanket around her shoulders. She looked up, surprised but grateful. [say]"Thanks,"[/say] she said, a small, worried smile appearing. She didn't want to be so fearful, but this was Caido, and there were all manner of creature to be afraid of. Hadn't they both learned that the hard way, once upon a time?
[say]"Yeah, I do -"[/say] Just then, the nearby brush rustled, and before Soh could warn Zavien, a thin black-and-white cat stepped out. Blinking stupidly, Soh stared at it. [say]"Oh."[/say] Her compelling must have worked. The cat strode lazily towards them, seeming completely unbothered by the entire situation. [say]"Well. Now I feel silly."[/say] She stretched out a hand, offering it to the cat, compelling it not to bite or scratch her as she did so.
RE: picnicking you - Zavien - 03-14-2026
He was focused on Soh when a rustling sound put him back on alert. It was no longer a single distant caterwaul, but an imminent, approaching threat. One hand moved to the hilt of his sword, the other remaining steady on her shoulder as he prepared to strike at whatever threat appeared. But as a small black figure stepped casually into the light, Zavien was similarly stunned.
His hand fell away, a breath going with it as he turned back to her with a relieved smile. [say]"You shouldn't. That's a pretty terrifying cat."[/say] It was a tease half for her as well as himself, feeling equally as silly for the reaction. But joking was easier than letting tension take hold, and he gave a wry little smile. [say]"So ghosts huh?"[/say] He settled back on the blanket, closer this time as he also reached a friendly hand towards the cat. The look he shot Soh was curious and playful enough for her to make a joke of his question if it was easier. [say]"Do they scare you?"[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Sohalia - 03-14-2026
The cat in question wandered over to headbutt Soh's outstretched hand, then turned to sniff at their picnic. [say]"None of that is for you,"[/say] she informed it, laughing a little at the absurdity of the situation. When it continued to investigate the quiches, Soh took pity on it. [say]"Oh, here,"[/say] she said, digging in a pocket and coming up with a few pieces of jerky. Glancing at Zavien, she said, [say]"I always have some on me for companions, but this seems like a reasonable use of it."[/say]
The cat snagged at the jerky, settling between the two humans and purring loudly, happy to allow either human to pet it. Soh stroked its back absently. [say]”Not always,”[/say] she answered honestly. [say]”Flora’s house is haunted by spirits, and they don’t scare me. They’re mostly friendly, unless you make Flora mad. But…”[/say] She trailed off with a frown. [say]”… I guess, there’s so many stories about the Barrows, it’s hard not to be a little nervous out here.”[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Zavien - 03-14-2026
The cat seemed insistent on joining their picnic and Zavien had to wonder if Sol was still rolling around in the patch of flowers they'd left him in during their walk over here. He'd be inconsolable if he could see the treatment this stray was getting, especially when Soh broke out the jerky, causing Zavien to laugh with startled disbelief. [say]"Are we the same person?"[/say] he asked jokingly, He reached into his pocket to reveal a handful of jerky that he always kept on standby, shaking his head before replacing it for later use.
As for the topic of ghosts, Zavien wasn't sure he wanted to know what the spirits did when Flora was mad. He'd already seen her reactions, and he imagined they could only be worse, but at least if he avoided the place, he might not have to worry about that.
The rumors and stories about the Barrows might be a more immediate concern, and his eyes roamed the mist as he thought of them all. [say]"Mm. I've heard a few from the locals, although I don't know how much I believe."[/say] He smiled as one particular memory surfaced. [say]"One guy claims he saw Safrin's ghost riding a capybara."[/say] Other than having no idea what a capybara was or how that would work, Zavien had chosen to dismiss that particular anecdote, under the firm belief that Safrin is very much alive and well.
RE: picnicking you - Sohalia - 03-14-2026
Soh's startled laugh must have surprised the scrawny cat, because it looked up at her with reproach before continuing to nibble at the little pile of jerky she'd set out for it. [say]"I used to carry it whenever I saw Tal and Boreal,"[/say] she explained. [say]"And then I found Tarak, and... after, I just knew so many people with companions, and it was such an established habit, that I never stopped. And now I have Anani, so..."[/say] She pulled out a larger piece and began to shred it, supplying their cat friend with a steady stream of food. He looked like he could use it.
As for ghost stories, Soh snorted at the thought of Safrin's ghost riding a capybara. [say]"What even is a capybara?"[/say] she wondered, brow creasing as she wracked her brain. She'd never seen one of those before, she was quite sure. Then, shaking her head, she sobered. Drawing her knees up to her chest and wrapping the blanket more tightly around her shoulders, she said, [say]"The ones about daemons always get me. Especially after Tarak died."[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Zavien - 03-15-2026
Their laughter mixed together, the coincidences continuing to baffled him. [Say]"I think mine started with Boreal too."[/say] Zavien's smile softened at the thought of Tal, wondering what his friend would think about this new development. Once he'd talked to Koa and straightened things out, he imagined there would be plenty of people to tell. Anxiety fluttered alongside excitement as he glanced between Soh and the cat, planning to cross that bridge when they got there. It wasn't like they were in a rush.
Pulling out a piece of his own jerky, he added it to the cat's growing pile. [Say]"It's come in handy more times than I can count."[/say] For companions and monsters alike.
Although he hadn't no idea what kind of monster a 'capybara' was. If it was a leading part in a ghost story, he figured it must be pretty terrifying, but he shook his head. [Say]"No idea. Probably some kind of scary horse?"[/say] Why would Safrin be riding it otherwise?
Suddenly, Soh was shrinking, drawing herself in and bundling the blanket tighter. Her words wiped any humor from his face, sadness giving everything a familiar weightedness that he moved slowly through. He sat close to her, wrapping his arms around her blanketed shoulders where she could rest against him if she wanted. [Say]"I'm sorry, Soh,"[/say] he said softly, allowing a quiet moment in honor of the fallen companion. Knowing that nothing he said would change her loss, Zavien let his presence be the comfort, a safe space for her to share or grieve as she needed.
RE: picnicking you - Sohalia - 03-15-2026
A strange mix of coincidences, to be sure, but Soh wasn’t going to question it. Every similarity just made her happier, more sure of the decision to try and build something with Zavien. [say]”I haven’t seen them in a while; I hope I can visit them while I’m here.”[/say]
As Zavien added jerky to the pile, the cat continued to eat. Its stomach was growing distended, and Soh deserted her jerky stash in favor of continuing to stroke its short black fur. She wondered what it was doing out here, and what they were going to do about it when they left.
Thinking of Tarak always came with mixed feelings, and Soh leaned into Zavien’s hold as her lingering grief crashed over her. [say]”I got to see him,”[/say] she murmured. [say]”Remi brought him back so I could say goodbye. I thought about questing to bring him back, but… he seemed content.”[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Zavien - 03-15-2026
Thinking on Tal, he was reminded that they'd planned to meet up again soon. [say]"I stop by when I can. He and Alys seem to be doing well. I'm sure they'd be happy to see you."[/say] Zavien smiled at her, his hand joining in the doting of the cat to see if it liked chin scratches like Sol.
However, his full attention quickly shifted to Soh, his arms occupied with comforting her as she recalled the loss of her brave companion. He wanted to be completely in the moment, to soothe her hurt and give Tarak the respect he deserved; but mention of Remi and how she'd gone through the effort of seeking him out for those final moments stabbed deep in his chest. Should he have done more for Lena? Should he have asked to see her again, to say all the things he hadn't gotten the chance to? What did it say about him that he hadn't?
Guilt and shame curdled in his stomach, souring the moment. His shoulders stiffened, suddenly feeling like he was betraying her memory by holding Soh, for even daring to replace her or find happiness when she'd never get the chance. He'd barely considered her or what she might think if she knew he'd moved on so quickly with someone they'd both known.
Discomfort and unease threatened to send him into a panicked spiral, willing him to pull away, to run. But Soh was leaning into him, clearly hurting and grieving, and he couldn't imagine doing that to her right now, couldn't imagine abandoning her for a trauma that wasn't her fault. He'd give her at least this moment, he'd be the strength she needed until he could process his unresolved feelings.
Taking a deep breath, he did his best to sound reassuring and supportive, wishing desperately it might distract him from the dark place his thoughts had gone. [say]"I'm sure that helped, to know that he's not suffering."[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Sohalia - 03-15-2026
Oblivious to the maelstrom beginning in Zavien’s mind, Soh leaned against him, grateful for the simple comfort brought by the contact. Had she realized the sharp turn his thoughts had taken, she would have done her best to put him at ease, to remind him that Remi was Flora’s father, that she never would have thought to reach out without her best friend’s coaxing. She would have let Tarak go and had to live with it as best she could. Besides that, Lena’s death hadn’t been Zavien’s fault. She would have hated to see him living with such guilt, particularly now that their relationship was a part of it.
The blanket around her shoulders was warm and fuzzy, and the cat was still purring nearby. [say]”It does,”[/say] she confirmed. [say]”It was a strange experience. It was like a doorway opened up into Mort’s halls. There were other griffins there, so I know he’s not alone. I suppose I should have realized that he would be okay. Mort is supposed to be very kind, after all. I doubt his halls would be unpleasant.”[/say]
Shaking her head, she seemed to realize that the mood had shifted. Suddenly remembering Zavien’s death, and Lena’s, she sucked in a sharp breath. [say]”I’m sorry - I didn’t mean to bring all that up.”[/say]
RE: picnicking you - Zavien - 03-15-2026
Zavien nodded his head, only half listening despite trying so hard to pay attention. It was comforting to know that Mort's halls were the sanctuary everyone thought them to be, but he couldn't stop thinking about Lena, his guilt only rising as Soh took notice of his wandering.
He shifted next to her like it might root him more fully in his body where he could forget about all the obstacles to what they were trying to build. Jumping to dismiss whatever blame she was placing on herself, Zavien squeezed her shoulder, his head shaking as he took a deep breath. [say]"No. Don't apologize."[/say] The unfocused glaze of his eyes cleared, a small smile crawling onto his face. [say]"I'm glad that you got that experience - that you want to share it with me."[/say] But he fell silent again, holding back for fear of further ruining their date with talks of death and ex-girlfriends, unsure if he'd already done so.