[PRP] Stargazers (Roshan, Chika)[FIN]

[Menelie]

Umi

Chika stretched, popping her back as she reached for the upper branches. She had one goal in mind as she set out for the day. See the stars. She'd brought along a basket full of snacks and blankets to get comfy and stay there a while. Someone had mentioned the night sky was supposed to be particularly beautiful tonight, and she had been determined to see it with her own eyes.

It was with this mindset that she'd set out, only to have wound up utterly lost looking for where she was supposed to be going. "Ooooh." She grumbled, " Where was that staircase again?" Chika asked of no one in particular. Her daughter was much better at finding her way than she was. Chika was mostly good at getting lost. "I'm gonna miss the stars at this rate!" She huffed quietly, almost pacing as she looked everywhere she could to try and find the last set of stairs that would direct her where she wanted to go.

Mene

A soft light appeared from around the corner, soon followed by a dappled male holding a lantern. And it was a good thing he'd brought it, as well, or he'd have crashed into Chika. "Oh!" he said, surprised to see anyone up here at this hour. "Good evening....can I help you find your way?" While Roshan was on his break from his work in the night watch, it was still his duty--and his nature--to help out.

It was Roshan's custom to come up here on his breaks and stargaze. It was an odd thing, that looking at the stars made him feel more connected to the Earth, but it was a practice that grounded him and gave him peace. He hoped he wouldn't miss the stars by escorting the lovely lady back to her alcove, but obviously the fauness before him was more important than his meditative practice.

Umi

Thank goodness for the light announcing him before he spoke or she'd have climbed the tree. She hadn't been expecting anyone out here.

"I was trying to find the way out to do some stargazing, but it looks like I've gotten a little turn around." The fauness blushed, rubbing the back of her neck. "You wouldn't happen to know the way would you?"

Mene

"Oh!" repeated Roshan, surprised and delighted. "I was on my way to the same. I know the way quite well." He motioned for her to follow him, and with the light he led her to the staircase without problems. He could have found it in the dark, of course, but the lantern did make things easier. At the staircase he invited her to ascend first, holding the lantern aloft so they could both see well.

Umi

"Oooh! Goody, I brought snacks for us then!" She smiled, holding up her basket. When the other had shown her the staircase she was rightfully embarrassed. She'd walked passed it three times.

That must have been the problem, she needed a handsome soul and a lantern to guide the way. He offered to let her go up first, to which she politely bowed and took to the steps, wiggling her tail and hips with each one. She couldn't help it, she was bouncing with excitement. "Thank you for the light. I swear I passed this staircase 3 times before you came along!"

Mene

Oh, I wouldn't want to impose on your evening," demurred Roshan, making a hand gesture of the same. She probably hadn't packed food for two, after all, and besides, he couldn't stay long.

However, as he followed her up the stairs he found that he did want to impose on her evening. How long had it been since he'd had company besides his fellow night watch? He kept such odd hours that it was difficult to meet new pae, go on dates, any of that. "She can be tricky this far up, our Tree," he said with a chuckle. Maybe the Tree had delivered this lovely lady to him as well?

 

[Menelie]

Umi

"Nonsense. The night sky is meant for friends." She said resolutely, careful to watch her footing as she made her way up. He was right, the footing was precarious this high up.

Chika had most certainly packed enough snacks for two, even if she was only one. She reached out an arm to balance herself, almost touching the edges of the stair well, "Wow, you're right. The footing isn't anything like I'm used to further down. Almost like she's grown wild up here." Chika spared a glance over her shoulder, glad once more for the light. Maybe the snacks weren't just in a basket tonight, he looked yummy!

Mene

Roshan couldn't help but smile. She was charming as well as beautiful! "It's not far now," he offered. "But I think you're right, she has grown wild up here. Or at least...we haven't had need to tame her up here." He imagined Laisidhiel had once, long ago, been completely wild, until she'd taken the Faun into her care.

As they reached the top of the stairs, Roshan put a gentle hand on her elbow to direct her toward the path forward. The branches were even more of a maze up here. "If you follow this one you'll reach the stars," he noted.

Umi

"It's a fun wild though. It's almost like you can feel a bit of her personality coming through." Chika gently pat the wall she had been using to balance as she walked. That had then automatically went to his when he touched her elbow.

"I think I see them!" She exclaimed, trying not to blush. His hand felt so nice touching her, she'd almost completely forgotten why she'd made the trip up here. "Thank you!" The fauness exclaimed, grabbing his hand. "Let's go! It's supposed to be amazing out tonight!"

Mene

"Is it?" inquired Roshan. "I'm out here almost every night, and they're always breathtaking. I wonder what might make tonight even more spectacular?" You know, besides the addition of lovely and charming company. He wondered, though, if she were this in tune with the stars, why he'd never seen her out here before.

After a moment's searching, Roshan noted a branch that sort of swooped as it had grown upward, creating almost a bench. A small smirk--perhaps Laisidhiel wasn't so wild up here after all. He gestured to it, inviting her to sit. He sat next to her, but found that it wasn't as wide as he'd previously judged, forcing them to sit quite close. "Er--I can move, if you like," he said with a blush.

Umi

"You know, I'm not sure why they're supposed to be so special tonight. Was just something I'd heard while I was on some of the lower levels. I think they're supposed to be extra clear or the moon closer tonight." She blushed, mostly for not knowing why tonight was supposed to be good for stargazing.

At the bench, they had both realized it was smaller than it looked. He offered to move but she only shook her head and pulled the blanket off the top of her basket. "Just makes it easier to get and stay cozy." Chika draped it over their laps with a smile. "I told you it was meant for friends!"

Mene

Blushing, but not complaining, Roshan kept his seat and arranged the blanket comfortably. As either of them moved, their shoulders bonked awkwardly where they touched. To give them just a touch more room, Roshan put his arm up above (but not around, he wasn't that bold) Chika's shoulders. Feeling more settled, he turned his attention to the stars. They really were marvelous, and they did seem clearer than normal.

He fell quiet and just sort of....drank in the moment. The cool air, the warm....blanket, the crystalline stars, the smell of the branches. It really cleared your head. Or, at least, it usually did.

 

[Menelie]

Umi

Her new friend comfortably covered, and snuggling in, her own gaze went upwards. The stars gently twinkling, clouds a distant memory and the moon nice and bright. It was almost full, and most certainly larger than usual, but not the largest they would have seen it.

Chika realized his arm was near her shoulders, and reached up to grab his hand and pull it in closer as she leaned into him. She wasn't afraid of a nice cuddle, even if the pae she was touching was a complete stranger a few hour ago. "I see why they said it was a nice night." She hummed, resting her head on his shoulder.

Mene

"Uhhh yeah," stammered Roshan, only sort of vaguely aware of what she'd said.

Roshan was astounded at how immediately comfortable she was around him, and how comfortable she was making him feel. Is this what girls were like? His experience was naturally real limited, but somehow he'd always thought most ladies were shy and hesitant and it'd be up to him to make that first move. Which was obviously why he'd never even been on a date. But she? She was cuddling in like they'd known each other for ages. He tried not to think about how she was just as soft as she looked.

Reminding himself that he'd come up here in the first place to meditate, he tried to get out of his head and focus on the stars. And after a moment he successfully relaxed.

Umi

It wasn't long before her snuggling had her shifting into a more comfortable position. That was better. Chika kept her eyes fixed upwards, keeping her hands mostly to herself, even if she was cuddled up closed.

"Is that a shooting star?" She gasped, excitedly leaning out of his lap and forward to see. If he had been doing something she hadn't noticed, and would promptly feel terrible for interrupting him.

Mene

"I believe so," answered Roshan calmly. "They're supposed to be good luck, aren't they? Or grant wishes, or something?" He wondered what she'd wish for.

After a few more snuggly moments, Roshan suddenly jumped as if he'd been poked with something sharp. "Earthmother's hooves!" he swore, leaping up from the bench. "I've got to go, I'm so sorry, I'm on the night watch and I was just supposed to be taking a short break up here, and now I'm late getting back." He quickly tucked the blanket back around her and put the lantern on the bench next to her. "Keep the lantern and be careful coming down!"

And he scooted away, swearing bewilderedly to himself.

Umi

At the mention of good luck, Chika smiled brightly, her tail and ears flicking upright with her excitement. Good luck was always good. "Good luck sounds wonderful.

She snuggled back in until he'd leapt off the seat. Bewilderment clear on her face as he left his lantern to her and rushed off. "But we didn't get each other's names?" The fauness realized after he'd retreated. Finding him again was going to be fun, to say the least.

Holding the lantern, Chika sat there for a little while longer. Contemplating the next course of action. Once she had that figured out, she packed up the barely touched basket and made her way back to her alcove.