Celes Chere | FFVI (rune_knight) wrote in thedisplaced, @ 2017-11-23 06:19:00 |
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Locke had been thrilled about the prospect of going on a date with Celes. So much so jay when the offer had finally been issued and accepted he almost didn’t know what to do with it or himself. Sure, they’d gone out adventuring, and had traveled all over effectively two worlds together paired with admitting they loved each other and having sex but….. Dating was different. They’d never really had a date date. They’d grabbed bites to eat, gone to a show or two but neither of their lives generally gave either of them much leeway to do what seemed to be classified as traditional dating in this world or theirs. That was why - as soon as he’d gotten over the sheer joy of the notion that Celes has actually agreed to do this - he’d started looking around. Researching what there was to do in Tumbleweed, where they could go, times for places, dates for events, everything and anything he could get his hands on for the next few days he’d dedicated himself to fully. And he’d told her to wear something nice…. Mostly because he thought it’d be fun, and for no real reason otherwise. When was the last time they were able to do anything even remotely close to something like this? Maybe the opera? Yeah… Probably the opera. Regardless, he’d shown up at Celes’ door at 7pm sharp with a grin while being dressed in a button up shirt with a nice - but not overly so - blazer. A sharp rapping of knuckles against her door would be administered as he continued to wait - if a bit impatiently - with a smile. The plans for the night were simple. He’d set them up for dinner, and aside from that had come up with a couple varied options of other events or activities they could do if it was going to the movies, or walking around a local park. The prospect of a date was a little daunting for Celes. It wasn't her normal. It wasn't something she had ever, ever considered because of how she was overall. Romantic relationships were entirely new to her and to be quite honest, it did scare her. As much as she loves Locke, it scared her to give herself to him. It was more of a worry that she wasn't good enough for him, or that he would realize she had too much baggage, too many flaws that came with her. But damned if she wasn't going to try to make things work. The idea of the date itself had made her nervous. It was the fact that he had told her to wear something nice that sent her into a panic. Something nice? I have nothing nice! All I wear are pants and t-shirts! What am I going to do? If it hadn't been for Anya being so helpful Celes might have shown up in jeans and a slightly nicer t-shirt. At least the other woman had been able to point her in the right direction, because Celes was completely lost. She tried to remember the last time she had worn a dress. It had definitely been the opera, and even the it had been forced in order to save lives. Celes had been a distraction while her friends did the dirty work. She hadn't liked it then, and thinking back she still didn't like it. However, she had managed to find a nice, modest dress and a pair of red flats. Celes had decided against heels because there had been mention of women’s heights and mens. She was more concerned Locke might feel strange if she was slightly taller than him. So she had settled on flats. Maybe it wasn't a little black dress as Anya had suggested, which Celes had tried to find, but it was very nice. She hadn't liked any of the black dresses she had tried on. They were either too short, too revealing, or too constricting. Her hair was left down, however. She liked her hair, it was her best feature in her opinion, and she liked it down. Celes’ heart raced when she heard the knock at the door. Normally she didn't feel nervous about seeing Locke, but right now she was questioning this whole date idea. Was this really the best idea? Was it necessary for her to be in a dress? She trucked on through those feelings of anxiety and answered the door with a smile that was only reserved for Locke. “Hi,” she greeted. “Hi.” Locke couldn’t help the bright grin that had locked itself onto his features. “You look great.” And damn did she. Celes looked great in everything she wore really, when you’d spent a lifetime being a soldier the rest tended to take care of itself. Yet, instead of harping on the point, or commenting on anything else he’d lean in, pulling her into a hug and a kiss if allowed. “Good to go?” The grin remained. “We don’t have dinner plans for a while, thought maybe we could go explore. How’s that sound?” Celes smiled a little brighter, even though she did feel a little uncomfortable in a dress. That suddenly didn't matter anymore. “Thank you. So do you.” She let him pull her in and returned his kiss. She even allowed it to linger a moment. Her arms remained on his shoulders as he continued to speak. “Exploring sounds like a fantastic idea,” she said with that smile still plastered to her face. Only Locke could make her smile like this. “Of course I do! Wouldn’t be holding up my side of the deal of you wanting me for my body if I didn’t.” Okay, the joke felt a bit clunky, it had too many words, and honestly probably wasn’t phrased that well, but whatever, he’d take it, and however long Celes wanted to hold the kiss for. “Figured we could make our own map tonight.” The smile hadn’t budged from his mouth the entire time. “Got the supplies and everything.” Reaching into a pocket two aged pieces of paper and pens were produced without breaking the hug to show Celes what he’d easily meant. “That’s right. I have very stringent standards to uphold,” she teased. Celes smirked at his joke. She enjoyed it, even if it was a little clunky. It was their joke and she liked having things that were just between them. In all honesty, she didn’t think she would ever leave him unless someone forced her to. And even in that situation she wouldn’t go without a fight. When the kiss broke Celes smiled fondly. She still didn’t know why they hadn’t been doing this longer. It seemed such a waste. Celes watched him pull out the paper and pens. It was Celes who broke the hug. She reached down and took one of the papers and pens. “That sounds like fun,” she said happily. She had gotten so used to adventuring that she hadn’t realized how much she had missed it since their arrival. “Where to?” she asked, looking back up to him. “And why shouldn’t you?!” Locke teased back easily with the grin remaining on his face the entire time. “A lady of your caliber should have only the most stringent!” Because why not play it up? Why not slip on some passive compliments? What sort of…. Well, whatever he was would he be if he didn’t assure Celes got plenty of sincerely felt compliments, a bad one, that’s what. The care with which she took the items from him brought a definite warmly tender aspect to the grin he’d been donning all along. “Anywhere we want!” His grin widened. For the next words his voice hushed, as if to mock a secretive tone just between the two of them. “It is an adventure after all.” At this point, Locke would shift, sliding one arm around Celes’ waist if allowed in an attempt at getting them both moving. “Figure we can start here, maybe head towards downtown, but mostly just see where the night takes us. Aside from dinner.” And that grin? It was easily the million watt smile that so many others had witnessed before. Celes had gotten used to Locke’s overwhelming amount of compliments over the years. In this instance it might have been more of a game due to their newly kindled inside joke. Celes hadn't thought much about what they were now in regards to their relationship. Neither of them had given it a label, and Celes had never been in a relationship to label. She didn't know the proper order or if only the man confirmed this or that or what Celes’ role was in deciding what to call themselves. She just knew she enjoyed his company and she loved him more than anything else in the world and she had no plans to change that. “So far you've kept your end of the bargain,” she said matter-of-factly. She grinned at the hushed tone. “Then let's get a move on,” she said in the same quiet voice. Celes did indeed let him move her, not minding at all when his arm slid around her waist. In fact, when he did so she felt a little chill run up her spine which resulted in goosebumps creeping up on her skin. “That sounds perfect,” she said with a smile of her own. It wasn't the same caliber as the Treasure Hunter’s, but Celes still had an amazing smile when she showed it. Celes would go anywhere he lead her. If they ended up miles out of town she wouldn't mind one bit. What mattered most to her was making the man she loved happy, because he did such a good job making her happy. “Is dinner planned or will we find something along the way?” she asked curiously. “A treasure hunter always does!” If there had been a symbol akin to the boy scouts where they’d grown up Locke would undoubtedly be flashing that sign now. It would have been all too perfect to backup that grin of his at this point too. However somehow the grin on his face brightened even more when Celes seemed all too willing to move along with him. “Great!” The exclamation perhaps came out a bit louder than intended, and he instantly attempted to pretend secrecy again. They both knew Locke’s horrible acting wasn’t all just an act. It was pretty unfortunate for him really with all those great adventuring skills, and great ability to re-home even the tiniest of items with great care so no one would ever even notice. Yet, all of this made him hunker down into the act even more as he leaned towards Celes before speaking in a low volume again. “I’ve heard there’s this great trail if we head down over the little hill out back of the complex, and we’ll even get the sunset too if we hurry. Bet that will look great on our maps.” And if there was no objection Locke would shift them both to head in just that direction. “Nope! Well, yes. As in more of no on the second part and yes on the first if you catch my drift.” Celes could always count on Locke to keep things interesting. Where she was quiet and more reserved, perhaps even more secretive, Locke was equally outgoing and charismatic and adventurous. Celes could use her own charms when the need struck, but for the most part she was content being the muscle of the duo. She didn’t often let secrets slip. That required trust and Celes trusted very few people. His enthusiasm was appreciated, because Celes needed it for her own nerves that came with this night. It was not only her first date, but their first date. She wanted to go about this correctly, and so far all the signals he was sending told her she was doing well. She grinned when he slipped out of his secretive demeanor, side-eyeing him momentarily. When he caught himself she listened intently. “I’m sure they would,” she confirmed. She easily redirected with him, letting Locke lead the way. “Maybe we could add color when we’re finished,” she suggested. Celes chuckled, “I do.” She wasn’t particularly hungry at the moment, but she suspected they would get hungry by walking all over the town. It was good to have a meal plan. It was easy to keep his arm hooked around her waist as they walked. Perhap it wasn’t the most comfortable way for some to move, but Locke wasn’t going for freedom of movement, he was going for closeness, for a sort of silly game like quality and charm. One that would make this feel more entertaining - and hopefully endearing - that just some idle walk in a park, or passive adventure would have never got. Really, truly, deep down in his heart Locke desperately wanted Celes to be happy. For the woman he led towards the trail to be smiling, giggling and sincerely enjoying the life she’d earned after all her struggles. Even if she felt she needed another million lashes with a whip for her sins. “Oh! Color’s a great idea. I hadn’t even thought of that. What colors would you want to use? And what would they be for? We’ll have to make legends for our maps too.” Maybe - just maybe - Locke was a bit excited about this silly little game he’d come up with for them both. Celes didn’t mind his arm around her waist. It felt natural, like something they should have done much sooner. Like so many things over the last few weeks. Celes allowed him to guide and redirect her whenever he needed to, taking his lead. Because, after all, he was the experienced Treasure Hunter and Celes was his loyal companion. It was very unlikely that Celes would ever giggle. That was not in her nature. It wasn’t the way of someone conditioned to kill. However, Celes was no longer that person and she was finally allowing herself those freedoms she never thought she deserved. Where Locke wanted her to be happy, her own focus was his happiness. “You think?” she asked, glancing at him as they walked. “Blue and brown, of course. For any bodies of water and the landscape. Green for any grass we come across,” she said thoughtfully. Colors and maps weren’t her strong suit, but she would try her best. “Oh yes, legends are always a fantastic idea,” she agreed. “Of course!” Locke couldn’t help but exclaim regarding his thoughts on what a great idea adding colors to the maps would be. Since this was sort of a last minute plan - he’d mulled over a lot of different date ideas but none had really seemed up to snuff - things like colors had evaded his material collection process. “Oooo, we could do yellow for sand, and purple for swamp.” It was easy to see the gears turning in his head as eyes twinkled while debating all the possibilities of their adventure and map creating tonight. As they spoke though Locke continued to lead the way, making it up and around to the small hill which they’d come over the top of to a gorgeous display of sunset and locations spread out over the landscape before them. “See, told you it’s great.” And that grin? There were few that would ever top it. Celes wasn't always the best at remembering all the details, but she did tend to be the one to make the tactical decisions. It was within her expertise and she could come up with some pretty decent plans when necessary. Thankfully, she hadn't needed to use that particular skill since arriving here. “That sounds like a good plan,” she confirmed. After they had walked a little further and had come to the top of the hill Celes stopped momentarily. She tugged on his arm to indicate she wanted to stop, looking out over at the display. It was a sight to behold and Celes didn't always appreciate these moments the way she should. She was always so concerned over trying to make things right that she didn't always have the chance to enjoy these moments. “It's beautiful,” she said as she looked out at the sunset. She even leaned into him as she enjoyed the view. At her indication to stop he would. It would be a stuttered stop where he half stepped forward before having to pause, step back and look up at what she was suggesting he take a gander at. “Wooow.” The drawn out word was filled with wonder and appreciation for the scenery laid out before their very eyes. The person who’d told him this spot had a great view sure wasn’t kidding one bit, and the grin that had temporarily vanished re-emerged on his lips. His eyes would remain taking in the majestic beauty of nature before them as he spoke. “Not as beautiful as you, but it’s a good second.” The adventurer’s tone was cheerful as the look of awe and astonishment faded back to a pleased grin. They had gotten there at just the right time. It was almost perfect. Celes couldn’t remember the last time she had taken a moment to admire a view like this. Had she ever really enjoyed something like this? She honestly couldn’t remember. So much of her life had been about fighting and hiding and hunting down the enemy. She hadn’t had much of a chance to enjoy life's most beautiful treasures between all of that and the end of the world. Celes blushed at his compliment. “I think it’s difficult to top this, Locke,” she said quietly as she wrapped her arms around him. She hadn’t completely dismissed his compliment, but she had also acknowledged it. It was her way of saying thank you without seeming arrogant, because she believed the view they were witnessing was far more beautiful than she could ever dream of being. “But you do.” His assurance at her beauty was all too obvious on the resolve and firmness of his tone. It was anything but unkind in delivery as it was vividly clear that the statement came from a place of pure belief, warmth and honesty for him. Yet, even with such a hard won fact - in his mind - Locke’s eyes would still remain on the horizon for a moment longer before his smile was turned in her once again. “You let me know when you’re ready to continue our adventure tonight. It’s a night about you as much as it’s about me.” Celes didn't respond. She knew that anything she said would be met with an equally optimistic response. She simply watched the sunset, allowing her mind to paint a picture to be remembered. It was such a nice, peaceful moment. These were few and far between for both of them. It was something Celes didn't often appreciate the way she should, if only because she didn't believe she had any right for such moments. “I will,” she said quietly, glancing over to him momentarily. “Just a little longer.” She rested her head on his shoulder, her gaze returning to the sunset, Instead of attempt to harass her more to believe him, to attempt to make it concrete in her head how beautiful, amazing and wonderful she was, Locke would tighten his grip, pulling her closer while he simply smiled and relaxed. It was easy to stand here with Celes wrapped in one of his arms and watch the sun progress downwards over the horizon. When was the last time they’d done this? Had they ever done this? Maybe while working on saving the world…. “As long as you want.” His smile widened just a bit more before pressing a kiss against the top of her head and sighing contentedly while watching the sun go down. |