timeandtides_backup | [closed; chocobo forest date]

Entry tags:

[closed; chocobo forest date]

Characters: Delita, Refia
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: Delita takes Refia to the chocobo forest. Is it a date or not?
Location: Lindblum to Chocobo Forest
Date: June 1804

Realizing it was time to leave for Refia, Delita tied on his cloak pausing only long enough to shake some dirt off the edges. There was no reason for him to be apprehensive concerning this outing as he had already been to the forest multiple times. Yet contrary to his nature, he had spent time fussing over his appearance. Before leaving his room he steeled his nerves in, so as to not betray his feelings to the general populace.

As he approached the agreed upon meeting place, his thoughts dwelled on the ladies that had been in his life: Tietra, Alma, Ovelia, and now Refia. He knew not the importance of this meeting, yet one thing was solidified in his mind - he did not wish the lady Refia to die and he would ensure her safety was paramount.

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Refia first knelt to place the saddle on the ground, then lifted Pollo from his box and set him on the grass. The little sheep gave another happy 'baaah' before bending to start munching on the nice green shoots like any sheep would. Refia stood and turned to where Delita's hand was gesturing, and her face lit up at the sight.

"Oh! They're so little!" The sheer joy that spread across her face made her blush rush away, and she clapped her hands together in front of her mouth to stop herself from literally letting out a happy squee. "That's adorable!"

This caused Delita to relax and allow the cares of the world to soften. It amused even himself to watch the little birds climb on atop the other in game. It allowed him to think back to simpler times, a look of peace upon his face. He could almost forget her death.

"They have no worry."

"No... It's like being a child again." Not that Refia was the most grown up of anyone on Gaia, but she'd certainly been through her share of responsibilities in the last two and a half years. Saving the world tended to do that. She crouched on the balls of her feet to rest a hand on Pollo's back, smiling as she watched the chicks bounce around as though they had springs attached to their feet. "It's really nice to see that somewhere in the world."

She was smiling more and more as she watched them.

It had been a long time since Delita's childhood. Any hope of holding on the innocence of those times was dashed at the untimely murder of his sister. His face stiffened at the thought of his sister, a face he attempted to hide turning his head away.

"'Tis a rare site to see children playing. My desire is to see them enjoy a peaceful time."

Fixating his attention upon the chicks allowed him yet another respite from the harsh reality, with a smile creeping back onto his person with the company beside.

Not a very long respite, unfortunately - Refia had turned to say something to him just in time to see him look away, looking unhappy. And of course, she couldn't let it go by.

"Delita? What is it?" she asked, straightening from her crouch, all her attention focused on him now and not the chicks before them. "You look... hard." She couldn't think of another way to say it, though that wasn't precisely the right word for it.

He was angry at himself for allowing thoughts of Tietra to impact the day before him. He wished he could soften his expression, but all memories of his sister were still hard to bare.

"There is nothing for you to worry about. I was only reminded of the one I am unable to share this day with. 'Tis my hope that my sister will find her way to the peace of this forest."

Whatever Delita said, of course Refia was worried. Or not worried, precisely, but she did remember what he'd told her of his sister - how she'd died suddenly, and very recently if his feelings were anything to judge by. Refia's expression slowly fell as the thought of how much he was hurting from that even still crept on her - then she reached for him and slowly took his hand, weaving her fingers in with his.

"She will, if you want her to. You just... have to believe it."

Her gaze didn't turn away from him after she spoke.

Delita was surprised yet comforted by the sudden response in Refia. The tension in his body slowly dissipated as he felt the warmth of her fingers. Unsure of exactly how to respond, he took a simplistic yet heartfelt approach.

"Thank you."

He gently squeezed her hand if for nothing more than to reassure himself that Refia was still actually next to him.

And when he did that, she smiled, widely, very happy at how he'd calmed down. She returned the slight squeeze with her own fingers, and somehow that felt... like a promise, almost.

"She wouldn't want you to be sad forever - she'd want you to live. I think that's what everyone wants for the people they care about."

Delita knew that what Refia said was true. He had heard it enough from Ramza, but Ramza was a Beoulve.

He looked down towards the ground, "'Tis easier said than done. I have been taught ever since becoming a Squire that I should protect that people of the Kingdom." It is easy to see the pain that lingers despite the proximity of the white mage. "How can I live so long as they are able to repeat their crimes."

He looks away, not pleased that another afternoon has been tainted by spilled blood.

Refia frowned again at that - she wasn't very pleased by this turn of events. This was supposed to be a happy trip, something fun - something just for the two of them. Morbid thoughts had no place here.

She didn't drop his hand, but she did step around so that she was looking him right in the face, that determined tilt to her chin that he'd definitely seen before. "So promise yourself to stop them in the future, every time they try again. You're not a god, Delita - the best you can do is your very best. And I know you'll do your very best to help everyone you can."

It was strange the amount of strength he was gaining from the proximity of his friend. It takes everything within to bury the pain from the surface to hopefully salvage the afternoon.

"I have no desire to be a god. I shall endeavor to utilize these thoughts you have given myself."

He manages to replace the frown upon his face with a smile given solely to the one by his side.

And that's enough to cause Refia to smile back at him - she can't forget that he was upset, but if he's able to smile, then she can't not.

"That's better. And look - Ardi's chasing Alfa around." She stepped back a little to point off to the side, and it was true - Alfa was trotting around the woods, with the other chocobo in pursuit, both of them looking to be having quite the fun time. It made her giggle a little, though she didn't drop Delita's hand.

"Chocobos are always so... silly."

A small chuckle escaped his lips as he turned to watch the frolicking of the chocobos. Some other time he may have been concerned about the closeness but this day he simply allowed them to experience the day in lightness.

"'Tis amazing to watch them relax within the confines of this sanctuary. In my days, I have not seen this silliness before. I am pleased to see him so natural."

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[closed; chocobo forest date]

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