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[flamekthunder]

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[starshower]

I can help with that part.

[Although she has been helping when she can, but now that she's back at the Harvest, she's a bit shorter on time these days than she was a month ago... and he and the dogs always insist that she rest when she gets home at the end of the day, but she only sometimes listens.

At least with the decorations, it's a leisurely shopping trip when she has the time and not the strenuous work that comes with putting it all together.]

I've been working on collecting some things for their room...

[flamekthunder]

I've seen a few of them... Have you gotten anything new?

[There look, see? They can have a normal conversation...while still being close and intimate.]

[starshower]

[Eria should be proud of them.]

Well.

[Tifa tips her head so that she's resting on his shoulder, leaning in close so that she can whisper low, so the dogs don't hear.]

Remember when I mentioned some cute little hangers? When you brought up wanting to expand the house?

[flamekthunder]

[He tilts his head slightly to catch her quite words and only nods silently in response.]

[starshower]

I took the idea to a woodworker in town and...

[She peeks around to see some of the dogs trying to eavesdrop, but the moment she looks, they all glance away, pretending that they were doing something else all along. She grins and turns back to nuzzle her face in Eustace's hair.]

They're almost done. I think you're gonna love them.

[flamekthunder]

...Now you have me curious as to how it'll look.

[starshower]

Well, that'll just be another surprise waiting for you.

[Gosh, she has so many little cards hidden up her sleeve for once! It's kind of exciting. So exciting that she giggles and has to drown it in her cider, and she has to lick away the line of foam that thickens over her lip again.]

We could hang it up in the room once it's all finished. As sort of an official "welcome home" for the dogs. Sort of like that plaque you got made for us.

[flamekthunder]

[Now what is she giggling about. He arches a brow at her, but there's a faint, amused smile as he watches before he lightly nuzzles her.]

I think they would like it.

[starshower]

I think so, too. So, make sure you save a few spare nails to hammer in.

[Quite literally breaking in the new room that way, although she wonders if it will pull the same trick that it did with the plaque, as it's now framed beautifully on the front of the tree with flowery vines, the blossoms changing every now and then to fit the mood or the season. Almost like their tree wants to surprise them with something new every day.]

There was... another thing I wanted to ask you about.

[This one has her a little more shy, and squirming a bit in his lap, her fingers fidgeting with the handle of her mug.]

[flamekthunder]

I'll be sure to have extra. But what is it?

[And don't squirm in his lap...! Well he won't actually complain, she just better be mindful.]

[starshower]

[She's mindful. Just maybe not in the way that he'd like her to be right now—

Her hand lifts the mug in front of her face, hiding as much of her smile and the flush in her cheeks as it can, the steam billowing up in between the two of them and creating an apple-scented cloud that covers her eyes.]

What if... we got a painting done? Of everyone... you, me, all the dogs...?

[She feels so silly and cheesy bringing that up, and she spins her head away from him to hide some more, looking down into the fire and at the dogs that tip their heads to the side, curious and questioning, at her.]

[flamekthunder]

[An arch of the brow.]

A painting... Like a family portrait?

[It would be cute, but also that is a lot of dogs to stand still for a long time. They really need cameras...]

I don't mind, I think it would be nice... If they could stand still long enough.

[starshower]

[She knows it'll be difficult which is part of why she was so hesitant about it, but speaking of cameras—]

Unless you know someone with a working camera who could take a proper photo.

[His reaction does make her feel a little better, though. Maybe it isn't so silly, after all.]

[flamekthunder]

....Hm.

[He wonders for a moment.]

I remember meeting someone a while back...but I don't think they're around anymore. It is curious how there haven't been any cameras developed—unless we missed it.

[starshower]

Well, maybe it's time we looked into it. If not for this, then... for the wedding?

[Because she at least wants that day to be immortalized in some way, whether it's through paintings or pictures.]

We could try asking around? Maybe when we go ahead and announce it to more people. Someone's gotta know, right?

[flamekthunder]

I'm sure there is some way... But are you ready to announce it?

[A light grin.]

I know you've been keeping it quiet, so it didn't really matter to me. Who do you even want to invite?

[Don't tell him it's an open invite—]

[starshower]

[She's shy, but—!]

Well, we're going to have to eventually!

[Announce it, that is. She knew that day would come at some point, and she figured that when it did, it would be easiest to do it with him over their journals. But would it be a public announcement?]

I guess it would be anyone that you and I both know. [At that, she laughs.] Then again, that's already starting to feel like half the town.

... I figured you'd want something small, though.

[flamekthunder]

...You're not wrong, I would prefer it to be small. And I doubt everyone would want to come, anyway.

But you're also correct that we somehow know quite a number of people...

[A small, rueful sigh.]

But it's also an important day, one that doesn't come around often if at all. So you can make it however big or small you'd like.

[starshower]

Here you go again.

[It's said fondly, of course, but she does nudge him gently, careful not to spill any of their cider.]

I want to know what you think too, Eustace! It's important to me. If that's what you really want, then we can make it work. I personally wouldn't mind something more... intimate, myself.

[They are going to be sharing a lot of very personal, intimate moments themselves.]

[flamekthunder]

And I just want you to be the happiest bride there can be.

[A wry grin as he hugs her with his one arm around her waist, the other still holding his half-finished cider. But he muses for a bit.]

...Hmm, how about this. The ceremony can be with close friends, but the reception could be more open to those who wish to celebrate with us.

[starshower]

[Well, she just wants him to be the happiest groom this world has and will ever see! But she knows that arguing with him will only take them around in circles so she will allow it. For now.

Mostly because his idea is a good—no, excellent—compromise.]

That sounds... perfect.

[It's enough that they will be sharing anything at all with anyone, but if it's with close friends, it feels less daunting.]

We could announce it on the journals when it's closer? Maybe next month.

[flamekthunder]

[A nod.]

Mm... That should be good. We'll have hopefully figured out a few more things by then.

Though now that I've mentioned it...where would the reception be? And the wedding venue... We talked about it being outdoors, right?

[starshower]

We did, yeah, but... I'm not sure.

[She pauses to think, and to take another sip of her cider, letting it sit on her tongue for a moment. The sweetness crinkles her nose, and its warmth brings a flush to her cheeks when she swallows.]

I think we said somewhere outside town? Where it's quiet... not a lot of people. Maybe not too far so that people don't have to travel much, but...

[It might be the strong rum or her embarrassment that's doing this to her, but she hides her face in his shoulder.]

A clearing somewhere in the forest? Could have the dogs scope out some places.

[At that, a few of the older ones glance up.]

[flamekthunder]

[As he waits, he also takes another drink of his own, the warmth pleasant and with just enough sweetness to suit his tastes. And whether it's the alcohol or just Tifa's natural time and his lack of resistance to her, he can't help but find her hiding cute.]

Mm... That's right, I had thought of a few places...

[A small pause.]

What about near the Corgi tree? We could use it to prepare so you don't have to travel in your dress.

[starshower]

[....!

Why didn't she think of that!?

Tifa throws her arms around him, and this time, some of the cider does spill on her lap and she has to pause to gently set it down before she loses anymore.]

Let's do that. It'll be a good place for all the dogs to hang out before the wedding, too! Thirteen's a lot to wrangle for either of us in one morning. And we could decorate the tree... with lots of little lights and flowers...

[Even in the winter, they'll still bloom.]