isleofavalon | ninth shot ⊗ closed december catchall

[He also has a lighthearted feeling as they walk out together, and he is more than happy to have her cling close to him, his arm wrapped tightly around her. And then he laughs at her exclamation before looking out as well.

This kind of busyness and noise is one he would have shut out and passed through until he could find some place quieter. The lights and sounds, he would have glanced but think nothing more. The peacefulness brought by the festive air would at least be a welcomed sight, but he would have just observed it from afar.

But now...now he was a part of it, a member of the crowd. With Tifa next to him, the things that would have been uncomfortable or ignored are now appreciated and can be enjoyed. And of all the lights glittering the streets, the only one that shines the most is right next to him.]

Just close your eyes and point somewhere.

[She could easily light up the entire street all on her own if her excitement had its own light magic, and there's a peal of amused laughter at his suggestion. It feels almost like cheating when she closes her eyes—she'd already gotten a decent enough look to know exactly where it is she wants to go, and more importantly, the place that she thinks he would appreciate the most.

As pretty as the blinking lights of the casino at one end of the street are, with a hand over her eyes, Tifa points in the opposite direction to the park, decorated with arches and fences, and rose bushes lining them all. It's almost as if the city knew that tonight, they would need the perfect place to kill time.]

It shouldn't be too crowded in there, what with all the snow.

[Which Tifa knows too well that it was more his thing than a bustling casino filled with lots of people and loud music, or crowded boutique shops where he would be shoulder-to-shoulder with a stranger as she dragged him through the aisles. Of course, she has no real preference, so with a bit of a jog, her heels clicking against the bricked roads, she takes him there, stopping just short of the white picketed archway. With all of the flowers, the image... reminds her of something.

Ah, best not to dwell on it.

Much to her surprise, there's a night market going on further down the block, at the bottom of the hill, and with pleading eyes, she looks at Eustace... At least it won't be as busy?]

What do you think?

[He can tell she's being considerate of him, and it does send a bit of a sweet feeling. Really, he would put up with whatever noise or crowd if that's what she wants, but he does find her choice infinitely better, especially when he knows she had him in mind. So there's a light smile as he looks down at her and gives his agreement.

And then she's leading him through with her usual spirited energy, again quite the contrast to his more relaxed, quieter stature, but he keeps up with her all the same, finding it cute. And while he should probably be looking around, his attention continue to be drawn to her instead, finding watching her changing expressions and how she lights far more entertaining and pleasing to watch.

So when she looks at him with those pleading eyes, how could say he no?]

Sure, let's go.

[Thankfully, while there are more people than she thought, the market itself is spread out enough that it never feels too cramped. They have space to walk, comfortably arm-in-arm with one another, and the room to stop and look at the different booths without feeling overwhelmed or pushed along by people wanting to take a peek or pass by them. It could be that the marketplace has only just opened, and those who might venture down here are still out for dinner or are making their way through the many shops on the street first, but she doesn't linger on the thought for long, happy enough that they can wander through without worrying about there being too many people.

She appreciates that he is still open to it regardless, and every now and then, she makes her gratitude known with a gentle squeeze of his arm, or a smile up at him before they walk up to another booth, and this one is littered with different types of homemade candies—caramel apples, fudge, chocolates and chocolate covered things... anything that she could dream up, it's probably here.]

These look delicious! Any of these catch your eye?

[Is Eustace even that much of a fan of sweets like this, she wonders?]

[She really does have a sweet tooth... And even after everything they ate and the chocolate cake? Although they didn't really finish that one, huh.]

If I had to pick... The caramel apple.

[Probably the least sweet of the bunch.]

[A man with good taste. They still have plenty of leftovers, yes, but what was the harm in bringing extra for the road? It's not like she has room to eat it now, so she asks for them to be boxed up to go, and the merchant obliges, wrapping them both neatly in a cute red box. She picks out some peanut brittle, fudge, and chocolate covered red licorice to bring back for Aerith and Red as well.

But even after all of that, with the box and the bag in her hands, she doesn't feel like she's quite found what it is she's looking for here, only after realizing that she was looking for anything at all, and her brow unconsciously wrinkles with disappointment as she looks down at her collection, lips pressing into a frown.]

Is there anything you want?

[With his eyes mostly following hers, he noticed the change in expression and then the question.]

Me?

[What for...?]

[Her fingers fidget on the box, and the stringed lights around them, dangling from each lamp post only saturate the colour in her cheeks.]

I want to get you something, too. Not just a candy apple, or a steak dinner. Something you can take home and remember tonight with.

[This was their first "real date", after all. And if she gets to have this necklace, then he should have something, too. The problem is, Tifa doesn't know what that is.]

[...Ah...

Seeing her flushed cheeks and hearing her words, a ripple of warmth spreads through him. His expression is soft as he gazes down on her shy figure, a small smile forming.]

That's difficult... There really isn't much that I want when it comes to something like that.

[He could say "whatever," but that's not really helpful and he wants to at least try.]

It would be better if it was something small, something I could always carry with me no matter what I'm doing.

[Be it out on a job, in the woods, or even just walking through the streets. If it's something she picked for him, he would want to keep it safe. And the safest place would be on his person.]

[Something small, something he could keep on him... and she figures something that he might find useful to have. It doesn't have to be decorative or fancy, and as much as she wishes it could have more meaning behind it like the pendant around her neck, it would require a little more time and thought. So, she'll have to make do with what the market has to offer.

Humming to herself, she wanders forward, looking at the booths nearby, and there's one in particular that catches her eye that she stops and turns to Eustace—]

Wait here.

[—before running off to the booth. She's gone for several minutes, blocked from view by the people coming up behind her to see what this shop has to offer, but when she returns, it's with a long, wrapped box.

She grins.]

Don't worry. I'm not proposing.

[As much as he wants to follow her, he obediently waits for her, curious what she found. So he blinks in surprise before laughing at her throwing his words from earlier back at him.]

I'm disappointed.

[No he's not— But he'll reach out and take the box.]

Should I open it now or wait until we get back?

Let's wait until we get back.

[It might be a little embarrassing—for her, not him—to open it here. What if he doesn't like it? At least then, it would just be the two of them, and not dozens of other people who Tifa feels like are watching them, as if they're the center of the universe, when she knows that isn't the truth.

But before he can say anything, she's dragging him off again to look around before they do go back. She'll stick to the market, only leaving when the crowd starts to thicken, and with several more bags and boxes in tow. More snacks, some artisan wines and a case of beer to match, some cheeses, fruits... Anything to support these locals.

It's surprising how busy this part of the city has become since they left the hotel, or at all for that matter. If Tifa had known about this district sooner, she would have visited more often. It's exactly the kind of place she'd love to spend shopping, if she had the money for it, and who knows... maybe even a great spot for a bar... All of those thoughts occur to her as they make their way back to their room, with Tifa still clinging onto Eustace's arm as best as she can with all of their newly purchased goods. Her nose and cheeks are rosy from the cold but being next to him is more warmth than she needs.

And when they arrive back at their room, she's the first to lay out everything on the table, and she goes for a pack of strawberries first, taking it with her to the bed for them to share.]

That was fun. My feet are killing me, though.

[Once again he follows along, taking a few of those bags and boxes so she's not carrying everything. Honestly, he's really not much of a shopping person. Whenever he goes out for himself he goes to the exact store he needs and is in and out, browsing only for a little while before moving on. Whenever the girls went out he was quick to separate to not dragged into what he knew would be noisy and bothersome.

This is exactly how it would be.

Yet with Tifa he doesn't mind it at all.

He isn't having "fun" necessarily, not like how Tifa is clearly enjoying herself, but he is enjoying himself as well, his perspective changing little by little. Things he wouldn't bother paying any attention to he now at least casts a glance, wondering why she might be interested in it. Even when in the crowds he doesn't mind so much, ensuring he covers her and keeps her from being jostled too much instead.

And in a way, he does have a little fun, his mood positive throughout. But it would be a lie to say that it wasn't a bit of a relief to finally return to the hotel.

Setting his load of bags and boxes next to hers, he sheds off his suit jacket and hangs it in the closet before following her to sit on the bed.]

I'm impressed you managed to buy so much.

[For all that dragging around the market she did, she'll make it up to him. For now, she offers him a large fresh strawberry as a form of concession, because she knows him well enough to know that she'd taken him out of his element by dragging him through the shops and all those people, but it's not every day she gets to go shopping like that, and with him at her side, no less.

Looking at all of the things spread about the table, she... really did buy a lot, didn't she?]

I guess I did go a little overboard... [Is that a hint of shame in her voice? Perhaps a little, especially when she catches sight of the giant bags of sweets she bought.] I'm bringing most of it home!

[For Aerith and Nanaki, and there might be some treats for Clover in there too.]

It's not close to home, so I figured I'd get it all out of the way before we left. Don't think I'll be coming to this end of town very often.

[There's just a light chuckle as he takes the strawberry, enjoying the tart sweetness.]

It's fine, I'll help you bring them back. But I suppose it is an are neither of us would normally venture into.

[He then pauses and looks at her.]

It looked like you were enjoying yourself, though. Are these the kind of stores you like?

[Through a bite of her strawberry, she beams at him.]

I mean, I guess so! I can't remember the last time I've been able to go shopping like that. Never had the time or the money to, but I'd have to go a long way to find shops like that back home, so I never did.

[Not like it was easy or quick to get plateside in Midgar, and even less so being a member of Avalanche. It was hardly ever worth the risk for a nice set of coasters for the bar.

There's an eager glimmer in her eyes as she sets the strawberry down for a moment, and nudges the wrapped box closer to him.]

... Open it.

[And whenever he does, inside the box will be a small silver knife wrapped in a leather sheath, with lines skillfully carved into it to depict a wolf. ~~That I am not going to link because I couldn't find one that I really liked.~~ It isn't much, and certainly not on the level of a thoughtful gift like this, she knows, but it's something small and something he can keep on his person at all times no matter what he's doing, and best of all, Tifa figures that he'll be able to find good uses for it on the daily.]

[It only now occurs to him that he doesn't really know much about Tifa's likes and dislikes. Somehow it hadn't mattered to him, but now that he's realized it, he makes a decision right there to make more of an effort and let her have more opportunities to enjoy what she never could before.

But now she wants him to open the gift and he takes it with some curiosity. And when he opens it, his eyes widen in surprise as he carefully pulls out the small knife, studying the details and the intricate carving of the wolf. Turning it this way and that, he runs his thumb alongside the blade before looking over at her, his smile warm.]

It's beautiful. Thank you.

[If she'd been holding a breath, Tifa doesn't notice until she exhales with relief, all of the anxious tension leaving her muscles with it. She isn't sure why she was so worried, but...]

I'm glad you like it. I know it isn't much, and I bet you've got more than you know what to do with...

[She tries to slow her words down with another breath and reaches across to place a hand over his.]

But I saw it, and I thought it suited you.

[He just smiles softly as he leans closer to her, fingers entwining with hers.]

No...it's more than I've ever received before.

[He's received a few small gifts in recent years since joining Gran's crew, but it had been a long, long time since he had received something as heartfelt.]

[Her head tips, and she looks down to the knife, then back up at him.]

Hm? Not even on your birthday?

[Maybe that's just an odd thing for her to think of. Growing up, Tifa had plenty of friends who would come to any parties her parents hosted, including birthdays, and each kid would always be showered with gifts on theirs. They were never anything extravagant or expensive, but they were thoughtful and meant something.

... The thought makes her aware of another detail that she's missed.]

When is it anyway?

[Just a slight shake of his head.]

I was never really close with anyone until recently and usually too busy and indifferent about it to begin with. It's only in the last couple of years that I started exchanging small gifts for the holidays.

Birthdays... [There's a small pause before his eyes widen slightly as he realizes something.]

...It's probably soon. It's the last day of the year, near the height of the winter season. December 31st.

[He phrases it that way because of how calendars likely differ.]

[For the sake of convenience—]

That's so soon.

[And for a beat, she considers asking if he wanted or was going to do anything special—a get together with friends, or perhaps a nice dinner somewhere, but that isn't really him, is it? Although it would be fun to surprise him with the former, if she'd met most of them...]

Any plans?

Not really. To be honest I would have forgotten about it if you hadn't asked.

[Hearing that... makes her kind of sad... but at least now she knows that it's coming up and can plan something accordingly. Even if it will be something simple, perhaps with just the two of them. Whatever it is, she's going to make sure that it's both fun and quiet. A peaceful birthday, but still one that he deserves.]

Well, now I know.

[Not wanting to dwell on the upset turn her stomach is doing, she leans forward, her smile disappearing into a kiss that she presses to his lips, brief and light, before she's biting into her strawberry again, her eyes saying everything that words aren't needed to. They'll cross that bridge when they get there but for now, she's going to make the best of their first real date and take advantage of the fact that they're finally alone again.]

But we'll save that for later.

[He smiles a bit at the soft, sweet taste of the kiss, brief as it was. The idea of sharing his birthday with anyone would have been an annoying thought in the past, but now it doesn't seem so bad. He starts reaching for the strawberries, and idea in mind, but pauses.]

When's yours?

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