abraxaslogs | [ CLOSED ] into an ocean

Entry tags:

[ CLOSED ] into an ocean

Who: Claude and various
When: January
Where: Cadens, Aquila, TBA
What: Catch all
Warnings: Threads for the Tier 1 and Tier 2 quests related to the island have been marked accordingly

( closed starters below. find me at

indech, by PM, or on discord to plot something! )

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Oh, now we're moving onto baths, are we? This is sounding more and more like an elaborate plot by the minute.

[ Certainly not because he's spiraling it out into one. Definitely not. It's also absolutely not fueled in any way by Hilda's laugh, her fingers in her hair sending a barely there shiver down his spine as they always do without fail. Her lean into his touch as it skims over her clothes, and what has him toying with her hem to brush the skin beneath it lightly as if in thought. As if it was an accidental touch and that moving it farther beneath isn't occupying his thoughts. ]

I'll allow it. You know I never say no to a little spoiling.

[ For himself, for others - for Hilda beneath him to be paired with that thought from before as he tilts his head to kiss the corner of her mouth, her chin, then the potential start of a path down to her jaw as he tests her grip in his hair in the process to see if she'll hold it. ]

[ The way she bats her eyelashes says everything she doesn't say, which is that she doesn't have the faintest idea what he's talking about.

At his agreement she dramatically she gasps - although there's still laughter laced in that sound and in her words. ]

What really? I never would have guessed.

[ The way his hands "accidentally" skim her thigh makes her smile knowingly into the kiss, breathing him in as much as she can until he breaks it. As he makes his way further down her neck she tightens her grip for a brief moment. Her eyes flash mischievously holding his gaze before flipping him onto his back.

Hilda's thighs tighten against his sides. Fingers tangle together with his, pulling his hands above his head before transferring her grip to clasp his wrists. Slowly she descends so that her breath ghosts his lips, the shell of his ear, his neck. Sweetly she murmurs into his warm skin that smells so comfortingly of pine. ]

It's only fair that I spoil you a little more before you spoil me then, right?

Edited 2024-03-24 06:38 (UTC)

It's like you're reading my mind. Someone might think you're rather good at that, you know.

[ If his hands weren't (rather delightfully) pinned this would be the time that he'd pull her in for a kiss, but with no way to do that - and no wish to interrupt her - Claude closes his eyes to focus on the feeling of her breath skimming over his skin. Anticipation builds from there in the way they've become so good at stoking it within each other and drawing it out until there's nothing left to do but enjoy those spoils lavished until well spent.

When the next morning comes around, Claude wakes to the mid-morning sun streaming through the nearest window directly into his face. Even as someone who enjoys rising with the sun it's a bit much, really. Upon grumbling when it seems to shine all the brighter now that he's awake he does find it comes with another benefit: Hilda's waking up at the same time when this sunbeam's served as their personal alarm clock. One more squint outside reveals it's much later than sunrise, at least, which is all the motivation Claude needs to rouse them out of bed. After a bit, anyway; even with their plans for the day there's still some time required to enjoy the simple luxury of being curled up together.

By the time they make it to the markets with their bags for that beach in tow as he carries his own, dutifully has Hilda's slung over one shoulder, and her hand laced through his free one, the crowds are bustling past as Claude peers down one row of the market stalls and then the opposite direction next. ]

It shouldn't be too hard to find what we want to bring for that picnic, right? There's surely a merchant around here somewhere with some options we can take with us and ways to package it to keep the sand out before you're ready to show off your newest exfoliation techniques.

[ As much as they can both agree that the rift between them had been less than ideal, the efforts to repair the space in between them had also brought reminders of things that she had forgotten about. One of which is being able to wake up beside him again. After a myriad of complaints aimed at both Claude and the sun, and asking for 'just a couple more minutes' to be dressed, they eventually make it out the door.

From beneath her floppy sun hat she offers him a bright grin. ]

Aquila has a little bit of everything. I'm sure there's something that pairs well with the all natural sand exfoliation package.

[ Outside of the beach day that Jesper had held last year (some of which she's purposefully tried to forget), she's spent just as much time here in the markets as she has the Cadens ones. ]

How do sandwiches sound? And maybe a cheese board with whatever fruit is in season? Those should be easy to carry and not too heavy to carry.

[ Is that an allusion that Claude will also be carrying their lunch? No, not at all. In fact, she might be even entertaining carrying it because the cute little picnic basket she's carrying goes incredibly well with her outfit. ]

I think anything might be lighter than this bag, you know.

[ That's complete with, of course, dropping his shoulder where her bag's slung like it suddenly contains the weight of the world within it and gravity was summoned by just thinking about it now. There's also a sigh as Claude shrugs it back up to where it belongs - false complaint or not, he's still carrying it - and tugs lightly on Hilda's hand to bring her along as he turns in the direction of a nearby sandwich shop. ]

But we'll manage! Since all of those things you listed off might as well be required in my eyes, and we should probably find some drinks to go with it. There's a good cafe nearby with sandwiches I usually grab when I'm here for the workshop where we can start.

[ Or so he means to, but of course there's distractions to be had on the way. The first is a fruit stand which is rather fortuitous given it was something on the list, and this particular stand also has cups and flagons meant for travel to hold what's a particularly enticing offering here: fresh juice from a buyer's choice of fruit to be turn into that juice. It's enough to get Claude to browse for something beyond things to go onto the board, and not without a smile. ]

These markets remind me of the ones I grew up going to as a kid. Almyra's ports had all kinds of things from everywhere and I used to spend a lot of time browsing around. Sometimes when I was supposed to be doing something else, much to my tutors' chagrin.

[ Her voice takes a hopeful turn as they begin to head towards their destination. ]

Does that mean you'll carry me the rest of the way to the beach?

[ Because surely she's lighter than her bag. Surely. While it may sound like a trap to anyone that isn't familiar with their brand of playful banter, it couldn't be farther from the truth.

Her eyes gleam at the selection of fruit piled high atop of each other and she wastes no time picking several out for their board and the juice. Once they've made their selection she takes a hold of the bag being offered while they wait. A fond smile flits to her face at the thought of a young Claude darting through various legs and stalls in an effort to throw off an exasperated tutor. ]

I'm jealous. Goneril had markets but nothing like this. The closest thing was Derdriu - and even then, my parents wouldn't let me go alone. I wasn't allowed anywhere without supervision. [ The thought makes her sigh. ] And that was normally Holst which meant he never let me out of his sight.

Only if Holst was the one to carry you around Derdriu.

[ He's kidding, but also - it does sound like something that might happen. As does carrying Hilda here despite how he's skipped past that beyond a squeeze to her hand in his, considering they both know there's a chance that might happen as it is. ]

I'm not so sure I was really meant to be out of anyone's sight for a variety of reasons, but that didn't stop me from managing it most of the time. Nader at least found it entertaining though I always paid for it in training later.

[ That comes with a familiar grumble, the beginning refrain of a complaint, though there's no denying the fondness within it. In the same breath and at the moment their canister of juice is handed over and they move onto their next task, something else occurs to him. ]

Huh. Strange to think this is the longest I've gone without seeing him even accounting for me leaving for Fodlan, considering he showed up as my supposed retainer not long after I became duke. [ A brief pause as yet another tangent pops into his mind - this one of course with mischief behind it as Claude pairs it with a sidelong look of amusement sent towards Hilda. ] Well, I suppose there's always a chance he could be summoned here with the rest of us and then he'd really adopt you after all.

Of course he carried me around Derdriu.

[ Now it's her turn to grumble and groan as if reliving the embarrassment of being flung over his shoulder as a means of punishment after finally catching up to her. Being smaller and having the ability to slip through the spaces in the crowd didn't make up for the fact that she had far shorter legs than Holst.

Hilda can't help but think that if she shouldn't have been wandering around, then Claude definitely shouldn't have been. An only daughter who wasn't going to inherit anything was hardly as important as a potential future king - but she lets that go unsaid. Instead her thoughts drift to how they both had shared a penchant for breaking the rules even at a young age.

Whatever fondness that might appear on her face is momentarily stolen away by the horror of Nader appearing here in Abraxas. Even if he's joking she offers him a quick elbow to the side. ]

Take that back! And besides, if he's anything like you told me he probably wouldn't bother trying to adopt me before he lectured you.

[ Mild horror aside she huffs, she rests her head against his arm. ]

Speaking retainers...did you take a retainer after the war? Was it Lorenz?

[ Of course he did; Claude does an exceptionally poor job of smothering the wide smile on his face as Hilda confirms a suspicion he was pretty sure was true already. Just like the reaction regarding Nader suddenly appearing here at which he holds back absolutely zero laughter no matter what her reaction might be to that. It's something light to think about - sort of - as they wander their way through the rest of the market picking up this or that to add to the picnic basket considering there's truly no end to the lecturing Nader would do here.

With Hilda's head leaned against him he leans down to press a kiss to her forehead while waiting for a merchant to bag up the last of their supplies, though when she asks a question he's not expecting Claude pauses to shift his gaze to her as they turn to leave. ]

A retainer? No, I was as good as one myself after ceding the Alliance back into making Fodlan one united nation and resigning as its leader after. Lorenz would've resented being a somehow even lower rank than he already felt like at the start of the war if that were the case. I'm sure Teach will put him in charge of something worthwhile, though.

[ A thought which might have been bitter once, but they'd covered too much ground during the war for that supposed rivalry Lorenz believed they were in to last throughout it. Something he wonders if Hilda's seen fully or if he should fill in the blanks there, then decides it's a less important detail than the ones surrounding the rest of what she's asking. They'll get there. But not without a little teasing first, naturally. ]

Of course, I could always tell Teach to assign it to you instead. I think you could have all those misbehaving lords looking sheepish while Lorenz would still be busy blustering about diplomacy and on the first paragraph on the first page of his ten page speech written just for the occasion.

[ Claude's laughter at the expense of her horror at an imagined scenario would normally be met with another sharp elbow or whined protest. But her weakness for Claude's free, unabashed laughter would never fail to cut right through any of her pouting put on or not.

When his lips meet her forehead her eyes flutter closed a moment only to open again when she feels him turn to look down at her. Her question about it being Lorenz had been mostly a joke because she can imagine the Gloucester heir's reaction to it. But some of it is curiosity. After all, she didn't know how their friend's demeanour had changed after the war. But it's not like retainers were treated poorly - case in point Dedue and Hubert. One just had to overcome whatever ego one might have surrounding it.

The merchant holds out the bag towards them and she offers them coins in return and a smile before they begin on their way through the crowd. Her head still rests against his shoulder not particularly eager to be further from him. ]

Ugh, don't you dare. Just because I like putting grizzled old lords in their place doesn't mean I want to do it as a job. [ Never mind that they both know the thought of her having a job of any kind, even one that she liked is nothing more than a lofty dream. ] Besides, I probably won't have time if I'm supposed to look after some kind of household. Or maybe I'll convince someone to go traveling with me before I have to get married.

[ As Hilda keeps her head on his shoulder and after a few steps, Claude carefully shifts. Despite his best efforts there's a bit of jostling, not to move her out of a place he's always thought of as hers at his side but to move so he can wrap the arm she's leaning against around her instead with his hand resting on her hip after. All the better to idly let his fingers trace over her side as he's done a thousand times before in moments of closeness, never one to keep still even if they're still in motion at a leisurely speed to their destination.

More laughter escapes him at Hilda's protest about dealing with cantankerous lords - a complaint he understands well and especially when it comes to the Alliance's particularly obnoxious ones who insisted on being as difficult as possible on any given topic. Claude had, rather shamelessly, also involved Hilda in knocking a few of them back down and sending Lorenz after the others. An effective team, he'd always thought. Other quips about it rest on the tip of his tongue and ready to go in an instant about further teams since there's no reason that couldn't continue, right?

She reminds him of one in a way which quiets the joke he was about to make when it doesn't feel right. Because it sounds like that nebulously described future is one again which doesn't overlap with his own vague outline of one he'd placed before her; or does it? It could on a technicality, but it's the have to get married which doesn't. ]

Don't forget you'll have a trip to Almyra to make in there. [ With a pause to tug on the fabric beneath his fingertips like he has to get her attention and it's not already focused on him, and despite the uncertainty over what it is Hilda's envisioning for her future there's nothing but lightness in his voice. ] Or more like several since Almyra's a big place with lots to see, and because I know it'll completely surprise you if I say I plan on showing you all of it before you get to declare your trips done.

[ Or to ask her to stay, he thinks fleetingly, but instead of saying so he squeezes her closer as they turn towards the path to the waiting beach. ]

[ The slight jostling doesn't bother her because she knows that she'll easily find her place at his side. When she's settled, her arm snakes around his waist ensuring that anyone that is coming in the opposite direction will have to go around them because the likelihood of her separating from him is slim. ]

Well obviously I have to make a trip to Almyra. I thought that was a given.

[ It's even hard for her to say whether or not she means what she says about traveling Fodlan and the lands beyond it. She has no plans, ever, save for this nebulous fate that she knows will await her should she return home and survive the war. Daydreaming suits her fine and has proven an effective tool for providing solace in wartimes, just like knocking down lords too set in their ways does the same. But even the great pretender isn't blind to inevitability. Why not have as much fun as she can while she's still free of real responsibility and avoiding the fact that some day they'd be going their separate ways?

Speaking of - her gaze swings up towards him with a look. ]

But if we do go home, won't you have responsibilities? Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of an heir to the throne showing me around their home, but I feel like the point of a royal is that they're supposed to be running the affairs of their country. That's sort of hard to do when you're very far from the capital.

[ Claude just gives a hum to the mention of it being a given, since - that's a pleased sort of feeling to know that much. Something to hold onto amidst everything else, and something he's reminded to hope for in the future when they return home: that leaving might not have to mean any kind of end, but rather a chance for something new in whatever form it takes. It's difficult to resist the temptation to take that and run with it, to start thinking of where all those visits could go if only they had the chance to take them first.

Though - there's a valid question which goes with that and as they keep walking, Claude takes a few moments to consider it before answering. ]

Well, probably, though I think it'll be some time before any coronation happens and the real responsibility begins. There'll be plenty for me to catch up on after having been gone for so long and perhaps a bit more time to do what I'd like in the meantime.

[ Assuming things work out the way he plans for them to, that is, but that's a topic for another time when they aren't headed to a beach for the rest of their day. It does, however, open the door to more to be talked about. ]

Almyra's a kingdom but it's not one run entirely by the monarchy like Faerghus was once. The capital's sprawling and diverse, just like the rest of the land around with lots of generals and nobility to match the different cultures. All the more reason to make trips wherever since that'll be helpful from the royalty standpoint, too. [ And that gets a bit of a grin and most definitely a wink to go with it as he looks back at her and adds, ] Don't think I'm above scheduling a vacation for multiple reasons to go along with the relaxing.

[ It's hard for Hilda not to get swept up in imagining futures that haven't yet come to pass just like it's equally difficult for her not to get excited about the prospect of a coronation. Being a democratic alliance, it should come as no surprise that she had never seen something like that before. And while it would probably be pomp and ceremony, there was always some kind of celebration after the fact. ]

You'll invite everyone else along, right? The other Deer I mean. I'm sure that they'd all love to be able to celebrate you. Even Lorenz if he'll put up a fuss about it.

[ They both knew that man way too well now. He cared for his friends - and any excuse to dress up wasn't about to go ignored by Lorenz Hellman Gloucester. Dreaming about a land she'd never been to is only furthered by Claude's description of it as they make their way further away from the crowds and the bustle. The path ahead turns lush with blessed shade as the trees stretch over the path that will lead them towards the beach.

The thought of Claude making a royal tour into something more akin to a vacation is exactly the sort of thing she'd expect from him. Luckily she's able to ]

Does that mean that Almyra has different territories similar to Fodlan that are ruled by various heads? [ She gasps, lips twitching in amusement. ] Don't tell me you're going to have to deal with an Almyran version of Count Gloucester.

[ If Nader was a version of Holst then it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to assume that right? ]

Maybe.

[ That's the best answer he can give her, for once not meant to be evasive but a truth. Maybe hinges upon many things neither one of them have lived yet. He follows that up with an apologetic smile since there's no need to guess whether it'll be a satisfactory answer. Perhaps it would've been better to attach a 'someday' to that even if it feels like stating the same thing.

Rather than getting lost in a long description of how it'd absolutely be worth not saying a word to anyone for the sheer of joy of watching Lorenz sputter at some future diplomatic meeting, Claude turns his consideration towards her next question though not without a groan meant for her entertainment first. ]

Please, as if anyone anywhere could ever hope to be more of something than Erwin Fritz Gloucester. [ The man in question's name is absolutely said in a faithful impression (mockery) of how that full name was frequently announced - a habit, Claude had realized quickly, passed on to Lorenz where both were deserving of many an eye roll. ] There'll be plenty of other nobles like him waiting for their chance to be just as irritating, I'm sure.

But I think the best comparison for how Almyra's organized would be to think of somewhere like Fodlan minus the borders and where each area has its own history, beliefs, possibly even a language and anything else which adds to Almyra itself overall with room for all of those things to exist as they should. Western Almyra even speaks the same language as Fodlan. My father knew it from growing up, but Nader had to learn it before they went on their great adventures of sneaking into the Alliance repeatedly.

[ Stories which had shaped his own penchant for mischief as he'd grown up hearing them, certainly, and now there's a grin on Claude's face as if to say he knows as much with the bridge to the beach approaching. ]

[ Maybe in different circumstances she'd have pouted and protested, demanding an answer as to why he's being so specifically vague about inviting their friends. But as it stands, she understands. There's no guarantee that they're from the same timeline. That just because the Deer hadn't been amongst the list of dead accounted for in his ledgers didn't mean that they'd be there in hers.

Instead she quietly leaves it there, but not before giving him a gentle nudge in the side. Thankfully there's no time for sobering thoughts to pull them under. His spot-on (read: over the top, exaggerated) impression immediately has her snorting.

As naive as it sounds, the thought of a country without borders has her surprised. After all, it's not as if she had grown up in that kind of place and fate hadn't even been kind enough to whisk her away to a place that wasn't similar to Fodlan in the division of its country's borders. She's only momentarily distracted by the idea of Claude's father (a king, she absently reminds herself) and Nader sneaking off to cause trouble for someone, namely her father. ]

I can see where you got your mischievousness from. And why you're so determined to see Fodlan take after Almyra.

[ She can see the bridge off in the distance along with the distinct sound of the rushing water beneath it but it doesn't occur to her to be worried. After all, flying on the back of a wyvern had seen her take to higher heights before. What was a little bridge? Or rather a long little bridge. Thankfully her attentions are turned elsewhere. Rather, her attentions sweep back up towards him, something soft and admiring in her expression. ]

You know, I never would have thought something like that would have been possible before I met you. But the fact that I know that's possible now and that you're the one spearheading it...I think it could really happen, Claude. If someone like you can't do it then I'm not sure who can.

[ Her grip around him tightens. ]

I hope I'll be there to see it.

It's possible, if only people believe it could be.

[ A change not limited to Fodlan, either. The same drive to make it happen in Almyra waits at home after those letters he'd written but never sent on parchment grown brittle in the Horizon like they know something he doesn't about being destined to never be sent. That over time and overthinking, what had once seemed like the best idea does no longer even as maybe hangs over everything.

Including what Hilda says about that dream he's always kept his eyes on with every move made in pursuit of it to be one step closer, though it's tempered surprise which has Claude looking down at her at the last words out of her mouth. Something he's considered also though guessing whether her hopes are pinned on that same thing or not is something he'll have to tease out, he thinks, when he wants to believe that no matter the differences they've heard of from others brought from Fodlan - maybe this will be the constant. Maybe. ]

And I hope you are, too.

[ And while here: that's the best they can ask for, isn't it? Claude finds it hard to linger on doubts about what the future might bring when they're here. They're together, and that's enough for him to believe as he leans down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead that will have to say the rest. All those wishes, all those hopes, all the everything they've not yet said but he believes and can wait for.

Because - ]

Now, did I tell you about this bridge? [ He knows he didn't. Speaking of mischievousness as he whirls the conversation another direction for now: the quick grin he flashes her will say as much, which really makes this plan even better. (To him.) ] It's known for its scenic views of the bay and the landscape behind it. Including beneath it since it's a suspended bridge.

[ If Hilda guesses this might be the part he's most excited about besides the beach awaiting them - she'd be right. ]

[ Tempered or not she recognizes that look of surprise. She blinks back in mild curiosity, wondering if she had said something strange or odd. They had, after all, just been talking (okay, maybe joking was a better word) about a coronation. She'd have to assume that it would be in his lifetime; he was far too determined for that not to happen. There's little time to linger or ask because he silences her question with a kiss that she leans into.

Just like any time he kisses her, she savors the warmth of it, never wanting to take them for granted after already nearly losing him several times now. Her eyes flutter briefly shut as she makes a quiet wish of her own. If there was anything she could do with her meager abilities, it's that her optimism and belief in him would see Claude achieving what he wanted through to a new dawn no matter where their paths took them.

The moment comes and goes and tenderness turns to suspicion the moment she sees mischief in his grin. Her eyes narrow as they trek on. ]

May I remind you that you said telling me anything about this trip would ruin the point of a surprise?

[ So no. He definitely didn't tell her about the bridge. ]

Please tell me this bridge is stable.

[ Her eyes narrowing only adds to his glee in a reaction he knew was coming and just as the grin widening on his face suggests. That was a good plan by his past self - not that he'd really doubted that decision for when it came for everything even if it also risked a little bit of anxiety in choosing well when it comes to the plans for the vacation, but still. Better to keep Hilda from getting too suspicious before this one even takes place by putting on a show of supposed surprise. ]

Of course it's stable! I wouldn't bring you somewhere unsafe. Just think of this as added scenery since now we get the full view of everything around while going over it and the far more scenic part awaiting us with the sea on the other side.

[ Which is absolutely selling it, right? Right. But Claude does actually mean it about the scenery since that was a big part of choosing to come to this specific beach aside from being away from the far more crowded parts of the city for not quite privacy but close to it; there being a chance for mischief to go with it is really just a bonus.

With one last squeeze to her side as they approach the narrow bridge only wide enough for one person to go through at a time, it's maybe ever so slightly alarming in a general sense of wariness that the footpath is made of planks with small gaps between them. The ropes holding it all together and suspending in the air look study enough if not also a little aged by being near the sea as everything in Derdriu once did. Something familiar and which he knows means they're durable even if the first glance isn't quite so reassuring, which is why he lets go of her to ready for crossing where the first part of the path is obscured by trees until it opens up later - both for the view and the sea below. ]

Now, do you want to go first or do you want me to? Remember we've got relaxation waiting on the other side.

[ Her completely flat look is indicative of just how much she believes all the words coming out of his mouth are complete and utter nonsense. Which is to say, not at all. ]

Just because you wouldn't bring me somewhere unsafe doesn't mean you wouldn't bring me somewhere with a side of risk involved.

[ The risk and the gamble was part of the fun of it all for him - she's spent enough time around him to know that. But in all of those times that they've faced risk and danger together her faith in him has never wavered. ...Although it might very well be tested thanks to the state of these planks.

Casting a glance towards the planks before back to him she noisily sighs - ]

Yes, but at what cost? Are you sure there's no other way across?

[ Unfortunately she knows the answer to that question and after a moment she surges ahead, taking one tentative tap and step at a time. The moment they're both on the bridge however it immediately begins to wobble and sway resulting in a tight, white-knuckled grip on the ropes beside her. The muttering under her breath isn't quiet enough that it can't be heard over the rushing waters below. ]

I'm going to kill you.

Oh, c'mon. Just think of the beach waiting on the other side since that'll be more than worth it, right? This is all part of the adventure!

[ Or something like that, since that's his excuse and he's sticking to it. Joking aside - or open laughter aside because Claude absolutely laughs when Hilda bemoans crossing the bridge even as he's just a couple of planks behind her making the same crossing, it really is a nice view. It might not be an entirely safe one unlike the view from their balcony, but: the water, the landscape, the promise of what's ahead all adds up together to be rather nice in his opinion.

It's certainly something besides what they'd seen before on that initial trip to the beach with the rest of the Summoned (and the other memories with it he'd rather write over with brand new ones on this trip) and not something to forget. Unfortunately for Hilda and even if he's downplaying it, the risk really is also part of the appeal.

Which is why after he balances the bag sliding down his shoulder and looping a couple fingers back around the ropes to steady himself now that they're out more in the middle section of the bridge, an idea strikes him. Naturally. ]

This reminds me a little of some of the bridges we used to have to cross when we were out on missions, except that this one looks like it's in a much better state even being a little seaworn. Or maybe more like the footpaths in Derdriu, which...

[ The specific ones Hilda would know from her visits, of course, and for one of his favorite pastimes on them: wobbling the whole thing. It's with a lean to one side and thanks to the extra weight from what he's carrying that Claude manages to sway it that direction even as the guidewires do their best to prevent it from happening. ]

Does part of the adventure include falling to my death in a cute sundress on my birthday week? Because that's not really my idea of an "adventure".

[ Which should go without saying. While she certainly didn't mind a little bit of risk in her life to keep things interesting, it was usually at the expense of others.

The bite in her voice isn't quite as scathing considering how much she's concentrating on the placement of her feet. About halfway across she pauses to consider the view thinking that if she's going to die then she might as well see a nice view before it happens. Begrudging as it is to admit, it is a nice view, showing a vastly different side of Aquila than she hadn't had the chance to see before.

Most of the time spent here was flitting between shops and merchants, getting her business established with Jesper by making formal acquittances of the places she enjoyed shopping in. Before she can say so however Claude has taken matters into his own hands once again. Before he's even begun to trail off she knows where this is going. A sharp gasp precedes her protest as she whirls around on him, eyes wide, teeth bared. ]

Claude don't you -

[ "Dare" is swallowed up by a squeal. Her grip tightens on the ropes as she feels the already unsteady ground beneath her rock even harder. ]

What is your issue! [ But of course in her annoyance she only does what makes the most sense here in the moment: sway the bridge right back. With the timed synchronization of their distributed weight the bridge swings even further from side to side ] Are you trying to get us killed?!

[ Knowing each other for this long means he knows exactly what her reaction is going to be - and not just because anyone rational who perhaps doesn't want to risk plunging to the ground below would have the same one. Hilda's immediate protest gets laughter from him in what's very helpfully not taking it seriously. Or mostly not taking it seriously when it comes to the bridge's potential for collapse, considering her distress is too real for what he'd meant as a silly little prank. ]

Don't make it move even more! But really, this bridge isn't going anywhere. This isn't so secluded that they're not maintaining it, [ with a point to some new metal fasteners on the ropes that he couldn't begin to name without a diagram to reference but seem important and shiny enough to have been a recent addition, ] but here.

[ One quick hop forward thanks to holding onto the ropes serving as railings to propel himself forward to close the couple planks' worth of gap between them so he's right behind her instead. Claude leans down to brush a kiss to her neck, fully accepting of his potential fate of getting swatted, prodded, or whatever else for it even as he reaches forward to loop his arms beneath hers with hands outstretched and palms up for her to take. ]

Hold onto me and we'll make it the rest of the way. Or we'll fall to our deaths together which I hear is something romance novels would approve of even if it's not in my plans for today or, well, ever. Just a few more steps and then it's nothing but sunshine and the sea from here on out.

[ Honestly, in spite of the earlier outrage, the ridiculous nature of this entire situation is enough to make her start laughing. She knows that this is a prank and that any trip with Claude is bound to have at least one or two baked in. And, not that she'd be willing to admit it to him right away, but the bridge swinging is sort of fun in the daredevil may care way that she knows he intended.

Even with the bright spark of joy in her eyes she playfully swats his face away from her before threading her fingers through his as the bridge's wild swinging begins to slow. ]

I've never read a romance novel where they fall to their death together.

[ Stories about dying together though? Sure. But they're in agreement there. She has no desire to die alongside her love. Bringing his knuckles to hers she gives him a fond kiss before she buckles a little, leaning her weight into him. ]

At this rate you owe me a piggy back the rest of the way once we're off the bridge. I don't think my legs survived that.

Maybe we could pitch it to the authors as a metaphor for some tragic love story. That always sells, right?

[ It does if the markets in Derdriu were anything to go by; he's browsed through crates of many a romance novel before. Even one he wishes didn't exist purely because of the too personal connection in it, but that's a topic for another time.

Focusing on Hilda leaning back into his partial embrace is better, especially since it's yet another opportunity to tease her. ]

What, is carrying all of our worldly vacation belongings not enough already? I think I have most of your suitcase here in this bag, you know.

[ Like it's all very painful and not at all something he's completely used to by now, given that this is far from their first trip. Or even beyond that, it's far from their first trip to and from a market where he'd learned long ago about Hilda's love of shopping rivaling his own thanks to their unlimited coin purses. Claude hums in thought as a preface to yet another familiar round of bargaining. ]

What if I promise you a massage instead for your legs? One that absolutely isn't just so I have yet another reason to put my hands on them, of course.

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