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[ There he is again... providing her with safety and comfort, without asking for anything in return. Just her company. It's been a year, but she hasn't stopped thinking about how lucky she truly is.

She closes her eyes when she can feel his hand in her hair. There's a small smile on her face, content. This little treehouse may be small, but Ayaka does not wish to be anywhere else right now. Cloud is here with her. ]

It is aways from now... but on your birthday, would you let me take you on a vacation?

[ A little birthday celebration with friends and family doesn't seem all that bad, either. Just a small and intimate gathering... but that idea will have to be something Ayaka will have to warm her beau up to before he agrees. But her suggestion is a separate thing. As she always says— something just for them. ]

Take me...on a vacation?

[ Just the two of them? It wouldn't be the first time the two of them had a proper getaway together. But this... This would be the first time that she's actually taken him away on his own celebrated day. A day that he once never put much stake into. A day that he would have thought as forever marred knowing how many years he's ultimately lost. And yet, as he looks into her eyes, he's reminded of a memory closest and dearest to his heart. Beneath a moonlit night as neither one could sleep late into celebrating his birthday, tears streaming down her beautiful face as she makes a new vow.

"I wish to be with you..." ]

... Yeah.

[ "Everyday. Every birthday..." ]

[ Cloud's breath looses with a faint tremble as he can't fight the smile that pulls at his lips. The way his heart swells. A sudden rush of euphoria as he finally, finally yields and allows himself something he wasn't sure he'd be able to have again. Newfound happiness. New memories to add to that happiness. Not to just hang onto what he still has, but to embrace what's new and exciting. A chance to continue doing what his best friend implored upon him with his final words...

He lowers himself down more so that he can be on her level instead of lying on his side and watching her from higher. He doesn't touch his forehead with hers quite yet, simply feeling contentment in her presence alone. Her radiance. Just how bright and warm she really is despite the Cryo Vision she carries. ]

Yeah. Take me anywhere. [ A beat. ] For my birthday.

I'm sure Zack would like to spend time with you, too, though. I can't be too selfish.

[ So closer to the actual day? She'll coordinate with both of them so she can finalise their plans! But... now that she knows when his birthday is, and now that she is more prepared, she can give him something that's better than what she gave him the last time. More. Anything and everything for Cloud, because he deserves it all. ]

I'll let you know what places we can visit, and make you choose.

[ For now, they have something else they should be celebrating. ]

Before we leave... would you give me a moment to get changed? I'd like to dress up for where we are going tonight.

Time with Zack and everyone...and time just for us. [ A beat, and that smile of his becomes a smirk as he decides to sneak a quick peck of a kiss in. ] We'll figure out both.

[ Because he's going to take this chance to be selfish too. For both their sakes. ]

Same here. [ She can get up to get changed and readied any time she'd like. He'll follow suit when they're done cuddling in their very own treehouse. ] Got a change of clothes in my bag ready just for tonight.

[ Because while, yes, he looks great in his usual SOLDIER uniform or the Nipponese attire, Cloud's since come to accept and actually not mind wearing more casual outfits. ~~If he's got the experience with getting dolled up, right? LFDKJSHA~~ ]

[ Cloud really does spoil her, not even telling her to share him with everyone else. A time just for them... Anything that's just for the two of them. . . it really is so precious. A time where they can just be themselves, with no one else to see them or judge them for their faults and imperfections.

Just like now.

Ayaka closes her eyes as she presses herself closer to her beau. ]

You do? [ Cloud isn't one to dress up, but now she's very excited to see what he's prepared to wear... ] I can't wait to see it.

[ One last kiss before she pushes herself up, and she makes sure it's worth getting up for. So sweet, one that lingers, enough warmth to keep them both comfortable in their cosy little treehouse, but also one that beckons to follow. You couldn't want to disappoint your white heron, would you, Cloud? The two of you have a date tonight.

Ayaka pushes herself to sit up not long after, a small smile on her face. ]

I must dress up now.

[ So she can see him sooner!!!! ]

Edited 2023-07-03 06:52 (UTC)

Nothing too fancy... [ His voice ebbs away when she kisses him again. Lingering. A sweep of her lips to his that sparks excitement. If this were the end of the night, they'd be staying right here. That kiss would be above and beyond as far as inviting her beau to make good on all the fun they can have. Making good on the heated affection he can give her. ]

I'll be waiting.

[ And he can change into his own clothes out here! Unless that's what Ayaka wants, than he can slip into the bathroom. Regardless, given the cool yet not so harsh conditions of Coldreach, teetering between Winter and Spring eternal, Cloud's choice of attire was simple yet effective. A long sleeved brown turtleneck combined with black pants. Simple! It's actually...less clothes and layers than he's used to putting on, considering the amount of armor he tends to keep on his person. ]

[ Ayaka takes a moment to gather her things, opening her luggage and taking out what she intends to wear for the evening. It's rather cold in Coldreach, so she can't exactly wear a sundress like the time she did on her birthday! Even though she'd like to wear sleeveless dresses around Cloud afsdgd ]

I'll try not to take too long.

[ But she would still like to look her best for him!! Off Ayaka goes, using the bathroom to dress up. First, she removes the ribbons in her hair, strips down to just her underwear, and replaces her attire with something more modern. It's warm and cosy, but she would say that it isn't warm enough, which is why she would need to hold Cloud's hand.

Somehow, despite how this isn't her normal attire? She feels pretty comfortable! And confident. Placing a nice pin in her hair, it's down and loose, free-flowing, compared to how she normally wears it, too. She hopes Cloud wouldn't mind— she'd like to try something new for tonight, a little extra detail to make this date memorable.

She does her eyebrows and eyelashes next, a little bit of blush... Ayaka keeps it relatively simple in terms of makeup. And once she's done, she smiles at herself before leaving the bathroom, her dirty clothes in tow. She'll have to put those in a laundry bag... ]

Ah- [ Stopping as soon as she sees him, her surprised expression only lasts a second or two before she starts to laugh. ] Oh my. You read my mind yet again.

[ With the colours!! ]

[ Cloud, on the other hand, doesn't mind the cold of this area as much. Even when he was younger, he was better suited for the mountain terrains. After becoming augmented against his will, however, those issues became even lesser. As Ayaka preps herself in the bathroom, he's already folded and hung up his uniform and gear in the chair beside their little tableside. As for the rest of his person? He tries his best to make sure the soft brown colored sweater is put on right. Or that his turtleneck wasn't out of place or folded down in the back or something.

...or that his hair was still kept in place after pulling his head through the top; something he didn't fuss with as often in his time wearing that SOLDIER uniform. But tonight? As he sighed through his nose and muttered little "no"s to himself, she would find him fiddling in the reflection of a mirror as he straightens some of those spiked bangs of his.

Only to sense her presence and clear his throat as he turns to face her. ]

How do I.........?

[ —look? That's the word he wanted to end that sentence on, but it wasn't every day he saw his girlfriend with her hair down in such a manner. Not when she's dressed up so differently from her usual choice of wears. Even her Fontaine-inspired outfit was a comfortable sight for him. It's so new...and he knows he's looking at Ayaka as he turns from the mirror to look her up and down.

But...unbeknownst to Cloud? He's having a very similar train of thought as his friend Zack once did. An angel. ]

A-Ah.

[ He's in the presence of an angel. And when she laughs and mentions he's read her mind once more, his cheeks color with a blush before a shy smile graces his lip. A shy yet true smile all the same as he closes the distance between them. ]

There I go again...

[ He breathes, collecting himself as he sets a hand on his hip more confidently. ]

You look beautiful.

[ Ayaka only wants the best for Cloud, so she must do her best at all times. Vain, perhaps, it may be, that she tries to look as good as possible whenever Cloud is around, but she doesn't want his gaze to be led astray.

She fights the urge to shy away this time, merely looking away for a moment before she continues her way to her him. She still has her clothes to put away, but she shouldn't be wasting time if it's just for a few seconds, both to present herself to him and to get a look at him proper, too. ]

You look very handsome, Cloud. Just as you always do.

[ And no doubt, were his mother here to see him, she would say the same. ]

I should just put these away... [ She lifts her arms up a little, where the dress she wore earlier on hung. ] I won't take long now.

[ He knows that she's wont to give him many reasons to keep his eyes on her. So that they may never be led adrift. If he was a true mindreader, and if he ever found out she still thought of it? Well...that was a bridge they would cross together in due time. His gaze was going nowhere. Not in any way that matters. He's right where he wants to be. Watching who he wants to eventually spend the rest of his life with. Despite the uncertainties they've since faced, and how nothing was still for certain as to their capabilities of returning to the same world together...

He made his choice. Devoted and true. ]

Thanks... [ He nods as he gives himself a onceover, noting the buckle of his belt wasn't facing entirely the front. ...perhaps he should shift that himself. ~~Leave her hands to fidget with it to the evening festivities.~~ ] Right. I'm just gonna wash my face then I'll be all set.

I shall call the receptionist to ask for a suggestion as to where we can eat.

[ She did say she'd ask one of the locals, after all.

And once she has the directions and a place to go to, it's just waiting for Cloud and getting a move on! Ayaka makes sure she has everything in her purse. Her phone, a little bit of coin since most transactions are cashless nowadays, lipstick in case she needs to fix it up later on, an a ribbon for her hair to tie with in case she needs it.

After dinner, it's the observatory they go to! There's quite a lot of walking, but Ayaka doesn't mind it one bit. Even though they see each other everyday now, they don't really seem to run out of things to talk about. Whether it's about her brother, Inazuma, questions about materia and magic, amongst other things. Throughout the trip up to the observatory though, Ayaka doesn't talk about their anniversary just yet, or the year that had past, thinking a proper time would come for it later. And it's even pushed back even further upon seeing the large telescope atop the tower, housed within a dome. ]

It really is nothing like a treehouse, is it? [ Obviously, but she can't help but make the remark, anyway. ] The brochure said that there aren't any sights to see in the observatory. The floors that comprise it are made up of stairs that reach the top.

[ Lots of climbing again, it seems! But at least it's just about five floors or so. ]

[ Cloud doesn't take long getting prepared himself. His own phone, a side of change, and he deliberated on whether he should keep Tsubaki here or not! Ultimately, he decided to place his faith in tonight being "uneventful". After all, it's not like he was helpless without a sword. And Ayaka still had the ability to manifest hers should she need to.

Every time he hears about her world, he hangs upon every word. Nippon may not be Inazuma, but he can't help but feel like he'd become acclimated to her kind of environment all the same. He really would have been prepared as far as customs were concerned. All that mattered now? Was ensuring that he had what it takes to handle some of the more political matters that the Kamisato Clan attended to. As well as the backlash he would no-doubt face as an outsider having the hand of the Shirasagi Himegimi. An alibi that would take time to manifest. But that was for the future. That was something they could decide and craft together. ]

Treehouse Observatory might hafta get invented next.

[ It's up to them. ٩(｡•́‿•̀｡)۶ ]

Doesn't seem like there's a lot of people around either... [ The fact that Ellipsa was more or less counting on the otherworlders to protect it, maybe the original populous wasn't as keen on touring so much. A thought for another day. Another time. Five floors or so, according to the brooch. So then! ] Well?

[ Turning to Ayaka, a cool smile on his face, he extends his hand for hers before they can enter. ]

Shall we?

[ This is the highlight of their date— the observatory! By now, Ayaka's procured yet another brochure, talking about the sights in Coldreach. The skies don't get as colourful like it does in the Winter Segment, but given how it's only 6 PM or so and it's gotten very dark, the stars shine very brightly in this part of the city.

Without hesitation, she takes her beau's hand as they enter the observatory together. Without much to see beyond stairs and walls until they get up to the last floor, where a giant telescope rests in the centre, and doors around it so that they could go to the deck outside. ]

It's so big! [ (Michael Scott voice) That's what she said. ] Have you ever seen anything like this before, Cloud?

[ Surely something like this must exist in Gaia. Surely!! ]

Not in person, no...

[ Suffice to say that while he's not starstruck over it, there is a sense of wonder and curiosity in his eyes as he can't stop looking at the massive telescope at the centre of the top floor. There are a couple other people venturing and watching the accruing stars from the railings of the outer deck, whilst an Astronomist keeps a close distance from the telescope. People are free to use it with guidance! But it's no toy. Thus why someone is watching it at all times when these doors are open.

Turning back to Ayaka at his side, he does remember...! ]

Apparently there's a place people go while studying Planetology back home though. [ And frankly? He might have blanked on the name it's been so long, if it hadn't been from an unintentional nudge from Tifa. ] Cosmo Canyon.

[ There aren't that many people, but Ayaka sticks to Cloud a bit more, her hold of his hand tightening a little as soon as they're up and out in the open. It's nothing against anyone here! Just... she'd rather not have too much attention on them. Especially at this time. ]

Cosmo Canyon... [ She repeats the name softly, committing it to memory. If he hasn't been there, he probably doesn't know what it's like! Is it really a canyon? But maybe he can answer this curious question— ] What makes it a destination people go to when they study?

If I were a betting man? The observatory...

[ He looks back at the telescope towards the centre of the room. ]

And...they say that you can get a better understanding of the Planet out there.

[ That's very vague, Cloud... But okay! She takes it as the observatory being the highlight, then.

Looking up at the telescope, she wonders what they might see. The brochure's listed down various constellations that are easy to spot, and they might even see some planets if their eyes are keen. ]

Shall we try it?

[ Or they can go out and see the deck, first. ]

[ Just wait until the new year, Ayaka. He'll explain it better then when Rebirth drops. ]

Why not?

[ He half shrugs, squeezing her hand as he takes the lead towards the telescope. As they approach, the staff member tending to it greets them with a little wave and smile.

"Hi there! Is this your first time at Coldreach Observatory?" ]

It is. [ Hand on his hip. ] Mind if we try out the telescope?

[ "Absolutely! Who'd like to go first?" He can't recall hearing stories of Inazuma having an observatory. Nothing like this, anyway. So he has to wonder, looking down to his girlfriend at his side. ]

Go for it.

[ Ayaka nods, acknowledging that she'll go first before she lets go of his hand and follows the staff member closer to the telescope. It seems there's a script already for these sorts of things, and Ayaka is oriented on how to use it, what to look out for in terms of constellations.

She asks if there are shooting stars that she and her beau would be able to see, but unfortunately, she's met with some unfortunate news. Now isn't the time for them, but perhaps in another month or so!

It's definitely a new world when Ayaka takes a look through the lens. At first, she's not quite sure what she's seeing! It's just a solid colour at first, but when her eye begins to focus, she gets to see that it's not a solid colour, but a portion of the sky! It's not even blue, but because she's able to see the stars up close, she can see the light and how it mixes with the colours in the sky. ]

It is a string of stars, like a necklace...

[ She whispers those words to herself in amazement, taking a few seconds to take it all in and remember what she saw so she can look at the brochure momentarily to look for what it is! ]

A string of stars... [ Cloud's arms cross as he watches on with a calm little smile. ] Sounds like a line for a poem.

[ Cloud, meanwhile, follows along with his own brochure, if she tells him if there's anything that pops out at her! Giving her enough space whilst staying by her side, the staff member can't help but watch on politely yet with a sense of satisfaction. It wasn't every day outsiders took an interest in Astronomy! And...they look happy. That's all they could ask for when it came to anybody visiting these parts. ]

You must see what I mean, Cloud.

[ It is absolutely beautiful!! To think, with just the naked eye, the sky looks so dark, but with this telescope? It's almost as if it's daytime still with how bright and colourful the sky is.

She pulls away and gets up, so she can allow Cloud to look through the telescope. ]

You should be able to see it right away.

[ The string of stars! Meanwhile, Ayaka checks out the brochure to see if there's anything about this... The moon has craters, a bright red planet, ah- there it is! ]

It says... it is called a nebula.

?

[ Oh! It's his turn? Nodding, he steps in to take her place, only offering a glance to the staff member as he acknowledges that he was paying attention to their instructions when helping Ayaka. He's used a telescope before! Just...nothing on this scale. A hundred times over; that's just how impressive this one is. ]

Is Cosmos Canyon's like this...?

[ Spoken with introspective, he bends down to get a proper look into the telescope. And for where Ayaka's left it off? He's not the most expressive of people most days, but he does react. Hard to hear, the soft inhale he take as his eyes widen at the sight. A colorful display...cosmic dust and brilliant starlight that makes it feel like its own reality. Far removed from anything he thought he knew. The nebula is gorgeous. Coming from someone who liked stargazing when thinking to himself, a hobby he absolutely returned to thanks to Ayaka's presence, this was more impressive than he thought. ]

This is crazy.

[ He moves the telescope carefully, the scope zooming across the sea of stars as he attempts to zoom in beyond. Stars...stars as far as the eye can see. Until he thinks he's come across something. Constellations were for the ordinary eye. But these? ]

Is that...a galaxy?

[ He steps back, unaware of the smile on his face as he nods towards Ayaka to come back and see. He's only seen them from pictures in books. ]

Do you see it? There's a shower of colours in the sky— it all looks so beautiful!

[ Even the photo on the brochure is captivating, and her excitement definitely bleeds through her voice. Her smile doesn't waver even as she continues to watch Cloud look through the telescope, because if he's enjoying this and has his breath taken away, then that makes things even better.

It's just a few seconds before Cloud steps back that her smile calms, as she stands there in disbelief at how... normal this all feels. It is almost foreign, almost forgotten. . . Days like these, golden and bright, are what she needs most at this time. ]

Ah- really? [ She must shake these thoughts away for now, because she's getting distracted! Cloud may have caught her lost in her thoughts for a moment, though, before she's closer to him now so she can be the one to take a peek this time. ] This is beautiful. . .

[ Of course, of course, her world really has been so small. She's never seen anything like this! So much so that her hold on the brochure tightens a little, crumpling it slightly. ]

Beyond that are other planets...

[ Whether it was her duties as the Shirasagi Himegimi, and the strife Inazuma once faced (and continues to behind the scenes), or Cloud's undetermined road he faces with everyone back home... These really were halcyon days that were a blessing they may have never had if it weren't for meeting one another. If it weren't for worlds beyond theirs having other plans for them. ]

Think one of 'em could be Teyvat? Or Gaia? [ He pauses after asking that. It's a daydream. But he also realizes, ] ... Either Gaia.

[ His shoulders give a gentle shake as he tries not to laugh. For some reason, that nearly cracked him. ]

That is a possibility, isn't it?

[ It could be anything. There are limitless worlds out there, ones that may sound absolutely silly, but could possibly be real! ]

Perhaps it could be a world where tea flow from the rivers, and the ground is made up of chocolate.

[ He doesn't crack from his little idea there? She does. This is it— Ayaka at her safest, where she can be herself, with that childlike innocence that she put away due to the need to grow up. ]

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