[IC] Hello Kitty Eorzea Adventure

[RhyNbolo]

Rhy chuckled as she pulled up her seat at the table, “Caring for people pays well! Medically, of course. Goodness knows you’re not hurting for Gil either, dear.” She did so enjoy putting him on the spot; she’d hoped originally that it would help him open up a bit, but at his point it was more entertainment to her than anything else. It was how she showed her love.

She looked around the restaurant as they waited for their food, taking in the atmosphere of the place. ”Perhaps one of those Au Ra villages under the Ruby Sea. To move too? Do they accept outsiders? I visited one once, and they seemed like lovely people while I was there.” Her mate’s silence filled the air. She attempted to interrupt his solemn brooding by reaching over and booming him on the nose. ”Gotcha!”

[Ninian]

Letting out a groan, the miqo'te responded, "You know what I was trying to say..." Hanging his head, he groaned, "Anyway... thank you for the meal." Trying to not think too hard on the blood noodles that were about to be theirs, he stared at the table, too embarrassed to look his mate in the eye.

On the topic of seafloor dwellings, the man nodded some, "They are a touch xenophobic, but I believe two chirugeons may sway their opinion. I would not count it out just yet, my dear."

With a boop, he was forced to look Rhy in the eyes for the briefest of moments, only for him to avert his gaze shortly after. Furrowing his brows, he retorted, "Having fun I take it?"

[RhyNbolo]

A happy nod was her response, ”I’m always having fun when you are around, dearest.”. She smiled at the brief eye contact, ”You have incredibly pretty eyes. They’re kind eyes.” She gave a small sigh, settling her chin on her intertwined fingers, just staring at her mate for a few moments.

As she stared, she pondered what to do next. She supposed that they should seek out supplies in the housing district, although she was willing to put that on hold should the evening go well. Priorities must be kept, after all. After planning out their route to the docks, she started looking around. Their food was taking an awfully long time. ”Hmmmm… Perhaps he needs some extra encouragement…” She shifted around, debating getting up.

[Ninian]

Ears flattening against his head, he let out a groan, "...I'm aware. That is why I'm so concerned." When she looked into his eyes and proceeded to complement them, he averted his gaze with flushed cheeks. He was far too embarrassed to respond, much less with a mirroring compliment. Instead, he attempted to pretend it never happened, instead focusing his gaze on a distant, calligraphic painting.

Upon getting even the slightest hint that his mate was going to further bloody the noodles, he sat up straight, looking her in the eye. "This wait is normal. I'm sure it will be here soon." What he said wasn't too far off from the truth. Perhaps they were a few minutes behind schedule, but he was willing to wait. He hoped she would be too.

[RhyNbolo]

Settling back into her chair, Rhy crossed her arms over her chest, ”I certainly hope so!” She let out a small sigh, looking around the restaurant. Her eyes lingered over several large porcelain pots, each filled with bamboo sticks, ”Look at those, dearest, aren’t those the kinds of pots those fish people live in?” She gestured to the large jars, cocking her head, ”Namazu, aren’t they?”

She continued staring, ”I met one of them a year or two ago now. Fascinating little thing. He traded me a truly massive amount of healing herbs for an orange I’d plucked from a tree. Curious fellow.” She continued staring, as if hoping a small grey head would pop out.

[Ninian]

Looking towards the pots, his brows furrowed for a brief few moments before he nodded, "Yes, though I'm unsure of whether or not they live there, or if it's the equivalent of say, a couch. I do not believe it is their residence, but they certainly seem to enjoy them." As she went on, he nodded, "Yes. They are... unusual. Some are not trustworthy, others are so naive they couldn't possibly imagine the possibility betrayal. Still... while they are exceedingly talented crafters, their... common sense, I suppose I should say, is lacking."

A smile tugged at his lips as he nodded, "They are fascinated by fruit, or anything they cannot reach themselves. Though I am not surprised by the trade, it is still interesting nonetheless."

[RhyNbolo]

A chuckle escaped her lips, ”I should remember to bring a whole bag of oranges with me next time, then. Imagine what they would trade for those!” As she leaned back, her stomach gave a bit of a growl, ”I do hope that they, ah!” Her relative patience was rewarded with two heaping, steaming bowls of noodles set before them. Thanking the waitress, she stared hungrily at the bowl, then at her mate.

”I do hope these aren’t too bloody for you, dearest. They were purchased with love.” She winked at him, then dug in.

[Ninian]

Looking to his mate with furrowed brows, he considered her words. "That is not a bad idea. Though I still do feel bad for the Namazu. It seems like an unfair trade, but to them... they may think the same as us." Shrugging he let out a sigh, "This talk of morality is giving me a headache. Especially since there is no clear cut answer."

Much to Rhaq'a's approval, the noodles arrived before Rhy got herself into yet another round of seduction. Giving the waitress a bow of appreciation, his gaze then flatbrowed at her comment. Flattening his ears against his head, he retorted, "...of course not. I love my noodles... bloodied." Looking away, he attempted to eat the blood noodles with brooding silence.

[RhyNbolo]

A wide, toothy grin followed his words, ”Well then, dearest, perhaps I’ll need to try to coax some free noodles from you soon. Unless you’d like me to secure a steady supply from here? Either way works for me.” Her grin never faltered; she was enjoying herself too much. She loved these situations where she got to tease Rhaq’a and still get her fulfillment either way.

After a few moments of quiet eating, the only sound between them the slurping of noodles, she put down her utensils. ”So, after dinner. I’m thinking a stroll through Shirogane? See what kinds of traders we can find in there, look at some beautiful homes, then perhaps a soak in the springs?” She waggled her thick eyebrows at the last part.

[Ninian]

The only way to win, was not to play. So, instead of answering in either way, he simply grunted, and shrugged off the question. Staring into his noodles, he let out a sigh before hastily finishing the bowl. The longer they lingered there, the higher chance of his mate contracting some nasty venereal disease.

Putting down his utensils, he picked himself from the wooden seat. "If you like, we could wander through Shirogane, yes. We may find something useful."

[RhyNbolo]

Her face fell somewhat at the look of disapproval on her mate’s face. She shrugged it off, knowing that his silence would mean a vote for his noodles. And she’d get his noodles. Or at least someone’s noodles; she was more thirsty than hungry at the moment. As he got out of his seat, she did the same. ”Don’t worry about the payment; it’s been taken care of!”

She took his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. At least they’d get to enjoy a pleasant stroll through Kugane towards the docks before they had to get to work. She snuggled up to him, a gentle smile on her lips. ”I love quiet walks like this with you. They’re so calming to the soul.”

[Ninian]

Letting out a dejected sigh, Rhaq'a responded, "I had assumed so, but..." Sulking, he continued, "I did not need confirmation." Shaking his head, he glanced over as his mate took his hand, and he squeezed it gently.

As they made their way through Kugane, the miqo'te quietly took in their surroundings, his gaze finally falling upon his mate who was snuggling against him. A smile crossed his lips as he gently pet the back of her head. "As do I. Let me know if you need to rest."

They approached the ferry, who was patiently waiting to fill up the boat before departing. Stepping onto platform, he offered his arms to Rhy, to help her make it across the slight gap.

[RhyNbolo]

Her long braid wobbled back and forth as she shook her head, ”I’m not so far along yet that I need to stop to rest every few minutes. That won’t be for another couple of months!” She beamed up at him, giving her abdomen a small pat. She was clearly thrilled about her current condition, and what would come due to it. It had been such a struggle.

Despite her pronouncement of no weakness, she did gladly take the offered arm, stepping lightly onto the deck of the ferry. She snaked her arm around his waist, walking with him towards an empty seat for the ride to Shirogane. The gentle slapping of the water on the hull, the warmth of her mate next to her, and the general exhaustion of a long day was threatening to lull her into a quick nap during the ride.

[Ninian]

Letting out a sigh, the miqo’te shook his head. “Still. That is not to say you shouldn’t take it easy. If you injure yourself now, you will find yourself in a dreadful situation later.” Her confidence on the matter instilled the opposite in him. Unfortunately, changing her mind would prove difficult.

Upon finding a seat, Rhaq’a carefully sat next to his mate, looking to her with curiously furrowed brows. “I thought you did not need rest?” Whether she’d take it or not, he offered her his arm.

[RhyNbolo]

She shook her head, leaning into his arm, wrapping her arms around it in a hug, ”Mmmmm, I don’t… need…” To undermine her point, she yawned, settling her cheek on his shoulder. She chose to ignore his pronouncements; she knew all too well the dangers. But she refused to focus on them. She’d spent too much of her life doing that.

As she cuddled into him, her azure eyes fluttered between open and closed, and she occasionally wiggled just a tad closer to him. She was really enjoying this boat ride. And it had nothing to do with the boat.

[Ninian]

As his mate snuggled into him, he gently pet her head with a warm smile. He was going to have some manner of conversation to pass the time on the ferry, but it was coming clear that she was exhausted, and could use the rest. The man's long tail beat against the ferry's seat as his golden eyes fell upon Shirogane. It was quite the sight.

Gently, he nudged her as the glowing suburb illuminated the night's sky. Fireworks from the summer festival burst brilliantly, shimmers of reds, blue and yellows played across the water's glint. "Rhy... look."

[RhyNbolo]

A gentle nudge roused Rhy from the sleep she swore she didn’t need. Her eyes blearily opened; scooting her glasses up her nose, she looked up at Rhaq’a, then where he was looking. Her eyes widened as the fireworks lit up the sky and water. It was as though they were surrounded on all sides by glittering lights. ”Wow…” A whisper escaped her lips. ”It’s beautiful…”

She continued leaning into her mate as the ferry drew closer to Shirogane. The skyline of the homes drew closer as the ferry droned on. She loved spending time like this with him. Even without saying anything, they spoke so much between them. It was a shame when the ferry pulled up to the dock. As the passengers disembarked, she stayed, holding onto Rhaq’a as long as she could.

[Ninian]

A smile tugged at the man's lips as his mate was woo'd by the beautiful lightshow. Petting her head, he chuckled, "I knew you would want to be awake for this." Letting out a sigh, he looked towards the night sky once more, "I have been to Kugane a number of times, but never has it been so lovely."

Now docked, he stood, offering his mate a hand to make their exit. Now on the dock, he looked around the market street that seemed to branch off into a variety of residential districts. Putting a hand to his lips, he pondered, "Where shall we start...?"

[RhyNbolo]

A small nod was the only reply she could make, her eyes drinking in the sights around them, ”I don’t think we’ve been together before; it makes it much lovelier.” Her sappiness was oozing hard with a mixture of deep, abiding love and not being awake. With a small groan, she stood, accepting his offered hand. As they disembarked, she looked around, closing her eyes and letting the feel of the wind and the smells of the housing district run past her.

After a few moments, she opened her eyes again and looked around in earnest. ”That… That is an excellent question.” She looked around their immediate area, not seeing anything resembling a map. ”I suppose we could just choose a direction and start going, if you like.” She gave a small shrug, ”I’m not terribly picky. Just so long as we get back to the inn at a decent hour. I may have reservations.” She gave his arm a quick squeeze, a small chuckle escaping her lips.

[Ninian]

His chest tightened when she mentioned reservations. Hopefully it was simply to stay at a room, and nothing more sinister. Trying his best to ignore that particular train of thought, he responded to her suggestion. “Certainly. The main shops are down the middle here, but we likely won’t find what we require there." Gesturing towards his right he continued, “This path had an excellent view of the beach. Perhaps we could start that way? It should be roughly a circle around the apartment building. We can use it to orientate ourselves.”