[SHOULD HE BE NICER TO THIS FAIRY WHO IS APPARENTLY PART OF THEIR GARDEN NOW maybe, but he's never been one to be polite towards anyone who is giving him attitude or being uppity towards him.]
[He should be nicer yes, and Tifa would remind him to be if her own patience wasn't being tested, but thankfully, Eustace's question gets a better, controlled grip on the situation, from the looks of it. Sparkles appear around Mirabelle, and she flies over to the kitten to coo at her, and Sprinkles flicks her wings fondly.
"I didn't find her! I'm her mother, silly." One more little coo coo at the cat before she's zipping back up to Eustace's eye level again, and a little closer this time, buzzing around his ears. "She, like her brothers and sisters, were born from my flowers, and sometimes I get lucky in the winter, too."
Tifa tilts her head.]
There are more of them?
["Of course! Except Sprinkles is the only one that lives here. What, did you think I could look after all of them on my own!?"]
[That will get a small elbow nudge from Tifa. That sounds so weird!?
But Mirabelle doesn't seem all that offended by it. In fact, she's laughing about his choice of wording as she taps a finger on her chin.
"Well, when you put it that way... It does sound a little like that, doesn't it?"
Tifa raises a brow.]
There aren't going to be twenty of them come spring, is there...?
[Yes, they are going to be a sanctuary, but suddenly having an influx of fairy kittens would be a bit much.
"No, sillies. Do you really think I'd want to take care of that many all at once!? I decide when I want them. Just a little bit of magic and poof! There they are. For now, it's just me and Sprinkles, but when she grows up and moves out, I'll just grow another. Unless you would like more in the spring? I can certainly make it happen~"]
So you..."grow" them and then just let them loose in the wild? Are they able to take care of themselves?
[Looking at Sprinkles. As he sees the young kitten and can only imagine all of them are like that, he can't help but give the fairy a disapproving look if what he thinks is true. Or are they like Trahearne and are supposed to be "adults" when born??]
[What is she even indeed. She buzzes closer and taps Eustace on the nose with her hand before flitting out of his reach in case he swats at her. "I grow them, raise them, and then when they're old enough, I let them leave if they want. I haven't had a single one of them decide to stay and they go on to be the world's greatest hunters. The cat you call 'Sprinkles' here is just the newest one."
...
A brief pause before she spins in the air.
"Ah, but they really do grow up so fast, don't they!?"
Tifa clears her throat once more. This time, a touch more aggressively.]
Anyway. We can help take care of her. We were planning on turning this place into a sanctuary for animals... ones like her, so I don't think it'll be a problem.
[Mirabelle stops and visibly bristles. "So, you mean there will be more animals roaming around my house? Even... dogs?"
[It did, and even Tifa notices, but she makes zero effort to calm him down. She knows this fairy has whatever ice comes her way for that. Forget the nose boop, did she just shit talk dogs to Eustace's face!?
However, it doesn't seem to have affected Mirabelle at all.
"Brrr!" She shivers, almost mockingly, in Eustace's direction, but she's smirking. "Don't look at me like that or I might melt." She waves a dismissive hand at them both. "But no, not really. Dogs just smell funny. You have to bathe them and take them for walks!"]
Well, I'm sure you'll be glad to know we've got seven of them coming to work for me.
[Tifa wears her sickly sweet smile as she watches Mirabelle go from excessively pompous and proud of herself to unsure, and it's one of the most satisfying things she's witnessed all day. She's not typically one to feel these sorts of things towards anyone, but Mirabelle has earned enough of her ire in such a short time—that nose boop really did her in—that Tifa thinks she kind of has it coming.
She waits for Mirabelle to say something, and it's clear that this has at least taken her down a peg. She stiffens a bit as she brushes her hands over the front of her dress over the yellow petals, and she clears her throat.
"Well, as long as they don't eat my flowers...!" And, as if she couldn't make this any worse... "Unless you are the wolf in question. You aren't stinky at all."
She points to Eustace, and Tifa looks like she's about to snap Mirabelle right out of the air—]
He had wondered very briefly, but now he really has to think this fairy must...like him to some degree. And he's tightening his hold around Tifa's waist to prevent her from doing anything hasty.]
I'll take that as a compliment. [Said flatly.] However I have a question.
What makes you think you can remain on our property?
[His hold on her waist is like a quiet, steady reminder to her. She doesn't get jealous often, but that doesn't mean she likes it when people or fairies touch or look or even talks at her hubby in inappropriate ways!!! So, when she feels his hand tighten, she breathes out a sigh and shrinks back under his arm.
Meanwhile, poor Sprinkles has no idea what's going on and looks between all three of them with interest and mewls quietly.
Even in spite of all of that, Tifa nudges Eustace gently again, but waits for Mirabelle to answer.
"Because I live here? And because I'm the one who will take care of Sprinkles. And the garden when spring comes. Besides, who else is going to grow more of these adorable babies?" More cooing at the kitten.]
I mean, I don't really mind, as long as there's no bothering customers... Or us while we're working. [She turns to Eustace.] What do you think?
[Sprinkles seems to like her, at the very least, and having another set of hands to look after her would be helpful. But none of this is said without a silent warning in her eyes shot at the fairy, because here she is going to bat for her and if she tries anything...
Mirabelle seems to catch it because as soon as she meets Tifa's eyes, she swallows.]
We'll need to form a written contract. This way there is a guarantee on both ends and leaves no room for ambiguity or misunderstandings.
[Contract with a fae... May be dangerous, but—]
And before you get any funny ideas, this is just a standard, written business contract, no magic involved. The property and ownership will not be at stake if it's breached as we will remain the sole owners. Anything to do with ourselves is also off limits. Different forms of compensation can be made instead.
[She waves a dismissive hand, and Tifa can feel her impatience starting to tick again.
"Yes, yes. That's all well and good, but what kind of compensation will I be receiving?"
There's a very, very loud sigh from beside Eustace.]
A roof over your head when it's cold or raining, and food to eat... if that's your thing.
[Do fairies eat human food? Well, regardless, it's there.]
In exchange for your help with Sprinkles, and any other fairy animals that could wind up under our care. And the gardens. But like I said... you'll be staying out of our way. Are we clear?
[There's a drawn-out pause, and Tifa can't tell if she's taking them seriously or thinks this is all fun and games, but after some "deliberation" on her part, which includes some hemming and hawing, she shrugs again.
"Alright, fine. Write up the contract and I'll sign."]
[He eyes the fairy for a moment. Of the fae, from what he remembers back in Camelot, fairies usually have weaker magic compared to the others, but they still shouldn't be underestimated. Even a simple prank magic of filling the building with flowers or mud would be annoying. So as much as...annoying as this fairy is, he doesn't want to necessarily get on her bad side.]
I'll have it prepared by the end of the day. Until then, I'll note down whatever conditions we have as we continue looking over the property.
[Tifa opens her mouth to say something, but she's interrupted.
"Alright, alright. I'll leave you two to it, then. Just drop by whenever you have it ready, and maybe bring some treats for 'Sprinkles' while you're at it."
Said kitten meows loudly, and it'll be hard to say no to that. She rises and hops down to follow Mirabelle who's already heading back inside, leaving Tifa looking disappointed at how empty her arms are now.
She waits and watches the pair, and as soon as they're through the doors and out of earshot, Tifa finally says what she meant to, her hand resting on Eustace's arm.]
Why don't we finish up out here and take a break? We've been at this for a while... Could do the contract up first thing tomorrow morning, too.
[She's in no rush to return to Mirabelle anytime today.]
[Her eyes close, and she leans gratefully into the kiss by standing a little higher on her tiptoes to meet him, and the smell of starflowers returns to fill the gardens again, but his compliment has her blinking them open to peer up at him, genuinely curious and confused.]
[She's not sure why the kiss surprises her so, but it's so tender and sweet and reassuring that as she yields to and returns it, she feels all of her worries leave her. He may not have intended it that way, but for that singular moment, all of the things that she feared or been anxious about with this brand new, big venture together are melted away...
Much like the snow that begins to melt to reveal the many different flowers underneath.]
I still can't believe it. [There are so many things that feel too good to be true for her in this world. This is just one more to add to the list right behind the fact that they are married.] This is... ours, Eustace. This will be ours.
[There's still so much work to be done but it doesn't make it any less so now than it will be later, but they can cross those bridges as they reach them, as they tend to do.
For now...]
... We should celebrate a successful first day. How about... once we finish up here, I crack open a bottle of some nice wine when we get home!?
[Maybe open up some other things too while they're at it--]
[He continues to gaze at her fondly, his hand lightly brushing against her hair and cheek.]
Sure. I suppose that means we shouldn't linger around for much longer, hm?
[Even if right now he doesn't really mind the lingering. But he also wouldn't mind heading home sooner rather than later for that "wine" and other things.]
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flamekthunder) wrote2025-04-07 09:12 pm
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As long as it's not in the way.
[SHOULD HE BE NICER TO THIS FAIRY WHO IS APPARENTLY PART OF THEIR GARDEN NOW maybe, but he's never been one to be polite towards anyone who is giving him attitude or being uppity towards him.]
Do you know where Sprinkles came from?
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"I didn't find her! I'm her mother, silly." One more little coo coo at the cat before she's zipping back up to Eustace's eye level again, and a little closer this time, buzzing around his ears. "She, like her brothers and sisters, were born from my flowers, and sometimes I get lucky in the winter, too."
Tifa tilts her head.]
There are more of them?
["Of course! Except Sprinkles is the only one that lives here. What, did you think I could look after all of them on my own!?"]
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What are you, harvesting flower cats?
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But Mirabelle doesn't seem all that offended by it. In fact, she's laughing about his choice of wording as she taps a finger on her chin.
"Well, when you put it that way... It does sound a little like that, doesn't it?"
Tifa raises a brow.]
There aren't going to be twenty of them come spring, is there...?
[Yes, they are going to be a sanctuary, but suddenly having an influx of fairy kittens would be a bit much.
"No, sillies. Do you really think I'd want to take care of that many all at once!? I decide when I want them. Just a little bit of magic and poof! There they are. For now, it's just me and Sprinkles, but when she grows up and moves out, I'll just grow another. Unless you would like more in the spring? I can certainly make it happen~"]
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So you..."grow" them and then just let them loose in the wild? Are they able to take care of themselves?
[Looking at Sprinkles. As he sees the young kitten and can only imagine all of them are like that, he can't help but give the fairy a disapproving look if what he thinks is true. Or are they like Trahearne and are supposed to be "adults" when born??]
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...
A brief pause before she spins in the air.
"Ah, but they really do grow up so fast, don't they!?"
Tifa clears her throat once more. This time, a touch more aggressively.]
Anyway. We can help take care of her. We were planning on turning this place into a sanctuary for animals... ones like her, so I don't think it'll be a problem.
[Mirabelle stops and visibly bristles. "So, you mean there will be more animals roaming around my house? Even... dogs?"
The horror.]
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Oh he was really ready to swat her, his own expression hardening as he jerks his head back. But oooooooooooh she had to say THAT huh?????]
Got a problem?
[VERY COLD GLARE did this once very warm and comfortable area just get a bit frosty?]
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However, it doesn't seem to have affected Mirabelle at all.
"Brrr!" She shivers, almost mockingly, in Eustace's direction, but she's smirking. "Don't look at me like that or I might melt." She waves a dismissive hand at them both. "But no, not really. Dogs just smell funny. You have to bathe them and take them for walks!"]
Well, I'm sure you'll be glad to know we've got seven of them coming to work for me.
[Mirabelle sputters. "SEVEN!?"]
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With possibly five more and wolf.
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She waits for Mirabelle to say something, and it's clear that this has at least taken her down a peg. She stiffens a bit as she brushes her hands over the front of her dress over the yellow petals, and she clears her throat.
"Well, as long as they don't eat my flowers...!" And, as if she couldn't make this any worse... "Unless you are the wolf in question. You aren't stinky at all."
She points to Eustace, and Tifa looks like she's about to snap Mirabelle right out of the air—]
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Okay.
He had wondered very briefly, but now he really has to think this fairy must...like him to some degree. And he's tightening his hold around Tifa's waist to prevent her from doing anything hasty.]
I'll take that as a compliment. [Said flatly.] However I have a question.
What makes you think you can remain on our property?
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Meanwhile, poor Sprinkles has no idea what's going on and looks between all three of them with interest and mewls quietly.
Even in spite of all of that, Tifa nudges Eustace gently again, but waits for Mirabelle to answer.
"Because I live here? And because I'm the one who will take care of Sprinkles. And the garden when spring comes. Besides, who else is going to grow more of these adorable babies?" More cooing at the kitten.]
I mean, I don't really mind, as long as there's no bothering customers... Or us while we're working. [She turns to Eustace.] What do you think?
[Sprinkles seems to like her, at the very least, and having another set of hands to look after her would be helpful. But none of this is said without a silent warning in her eyes shot at the fairy, because here she is going to bat for her and if she tries anything...
Mirabelle seems to catch it because as soon as she meets Tifa's eyes, she swallows.]
no subject
We'll need to form a written contract. This way there is a guarantee on both ends and leaves no room for ambiguity or misunderstandings.
[Contract with a fae... May be dangerous, but—]
And before you get any funny ideas, this is just a standard, written business contract, no magic involved. The property and ownership will not be at stake if it's breached as we will remain the sole owners. Anything to do with ourselves is also off limits. Different forms of compensation can be made instead.
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"Yes, yes. That's all well and good, but what kind of compensation will I be receiving?"
There's a very, very loud sigh from beside Eustace.]
A roof over your head when it's cold or raining, and food to eat... if that's your thing.
[Do fairies eat human food? Well, regardless, it's there.]
In exchange for your help with Sprinkles, and any other fairy animals that could wind up under our care. And the gardens. But like I said... you'll be staying out of our way. Are we clear?
[There's a drawn-out pause, and Tifa can't tell if she's taking them seriously or thinks this is all fun and games, but after some "deliberation" on her part, which includes some hemming and hawing, she shrugs again.
"Alright, fine. Write up the contract and I'll sign."]
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I'll have it prepared by the end of the day. Until then, I'll note down whatever conditions we have as we continue looking over the property.
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"Alright, alright. I'll leave you two to it, then. Just drop by whenever you have it ready, and maybe bring some treats for 'Sprinkles' while you're at it."
Said kitten meows loudly, and it'll be hard to say no to that. She rises and hops down to follow Mirabelle who's already heading back inside, leaving Tifa looking disappointed at how empty her arms are now.
She waits and watches the pair, and as soon as they're through the doors and out of earshot, Tifa finally says what she meant to, her hand resting on Eustace's arm.]
Why don't we finish up out here and take a break? We've been at this for a while... Could do the contract up first thing tomorrow morning, too.
[She's in no rush to return to Mirabelle anytime today.]
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Sounds good.
[And then he leans down to give her a light kiss on the top of her head.]
And well done.
[Maybe a light smile there.]
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Hm? Well done for what?
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[Smirk.]
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[Tifa drops to her own height and shifts on her feet, her hands fidgeting between them as she very slowly drops her head forehead to his chest.]
Was it that obvious? [And her voice lowers to an almost-whisper.] She's a little annoying... but I'm sure it'll be fine.
[Then, it drops even further until she's muttering incoherently.]
As long as she leaves you alone...
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She's just a little fairy. What—[A light smirk.] Don't want me to use my "charms" to work this in our favor?
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No. [A quick peek up at him as more flowers push their way forth from the snow.] They're only for me... your "charms."
... Right?
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[A soft, quiet, gentle smile before he leans down to kiss her gently and lovingly on the lips, more of those flowers blooming around them.]
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Much like the snow that begins to melt to reveal the many different flowers underneath.]
I still can't believe it. [There are so many things that feel too good to be true for her in this world. This is just one more to add to the list right behind the fact that they are married.] This is... ours, Eustace. This will be ours.
[There's still so much work to be done but it doesn't make it any less so now than it will be later, but they can cross those bridges as they reach them, as they tend to do.
For now...]
... We should celebrate a successful first day. How about... once we finish up here, I crack open a bottle of some nice wine when we get home!?
[Maybe open up some other things too while they're at it--]
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Sure. I suppose that means we shouldn't linger around for much longer, hm?
[Even if right now he doesn't really mind the lingering. But he also wouldn't mind heading home sooner rather than later for that "wine" and other things.]
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🎀