ciɳɗy (ciɳɗɛʀɛʆʆɑ) ѵɑkɑʀiɑɳ (silvershoes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-06-07 09:26:00 |
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It was a good day, a day where nothing had been going wrong in terms of fires to put out at work or literal Orange County fires - so, in Cindy’s opinion, that meant it was a day to take the pumpkin carriage of war for a spin. Test all the weapons, make sure they were functioning well enough - and assess whether hubby needed to make with the calibrations, because that was his thing. You just never knew, something catastrophic could be on them before they had time to even blink. As for the carriage itself, it was stashed away in an undisclosed location in Trabuco Canyon - she had garage space for her beauty, far from prying eyes. Today the weather was gorgeous, the sun was shining, and it’d give her a chance to appreciate the canyon views and all the shrubs blooming with spring colors, the purple flowers that contrasted with the rich clay dirt. All that dirt, however, would be like a snack for her carriage - white, very pristine-looking, it was always a sight to see it covered in mud and muck (or gremlin carnage, such as it had been when she took the pumpkin out last). And for everything, why not invite a friend? Her very best friend, maid of honor, mama bird, and general fabulous redhead? Cindy was wearing appropriate boots too, don’t fret. The special asskicking kind, good for kicking in doors or stomping on faces. Now she was all set to pull away from the hiding space, coming around to get back into the carriage after shutting the door to the garage. “Ready?” she asked, unable to hide that blazing grin which showed off how proud she was of this tank. Ohhhhh, Leliana loved this thing. So whimsical, yet a tank prepared for literal war - her baby bird very much in a nutshell, no? It wasn’t the first time she’d taken a ride in this vessel of wonder, but each chance to board it was something that made the former mistress of assassinations absolutely giddy. “I want driving lessons next time,” the freckled ginger smiled, mischief in her eyes. “That way you have a chauffeur while you handle the guns.” It was the perfect day off, really - she’d return to work tomorrow to resume the quasi-normalcy of life, but she wanted the afternoon with Cindy. Vacation with Gale and his family went very well; there was such a homey domesticity over in West Virginia, with him and his siblings and mother, and she found herself missing it. But for now, Orange County was home, and the blonde next to her was a crucial part of it. Hence why she’d be the first one to know the news. “You wanna give it a spin?” Cindy really wouldn’t mind; the way she phrased the question was all sweet tea and honeysuckles, that delighted southern drawl - fit right in when it came to guns a-blazin,’ right? “Because we’re out in the middle of nowhere, I can stop and let you have a turn. Sharing is caring.” Especially when it came to the boomsticks. The big ones, calibrated to aim and fire as a part of the pumpkin upgrades. She drove a little ways, picking up speed, wind whistling past them as the carriage bumped over the uneven terrain - the old girl was hardy, she’d been fortified well. But Cindy couldn’t have expected anything less, not with Garrus in charge of those calibrations - even when they first met, she trusted her gut when it came to knowing how much he knew his shit. Must have been the love-of-weapons connection between them. But anyway. “Oh, how was your trip, by the way?” she wanted to know, since Memorial Day weekend had been spent out of town for Leliana. “Maybe on our way back?” Leliana suggested hopefully, lashes fluttering playfully at her ladyfriend. Don’t worry, she wouldn’t break the merchandise either - she knew how important this weaponized pumpkin was. Maybe some other time she could try out the guns; there was always an opportunity for that sort of thing, but she wasn’t going to cross her fingers for it. In due time. “But it was...good, actually. Very good. Peaceful, knowing we would wake up with a little less anxiety about what the day could bring.” Didn’t matter how long one might live here, that inkling of what could come never left, not really. It didn’t consume Nightingale, but for once it was refreshing to temporarily do without it. The ring was visible on her finger, and she slid it up and down her skin. “I met his family face to face, but it was like we knew the other already so it was easy to get used to. His sister went with us to the Bald Knob,” she paused to giggle, for obvious reasons. “And she might have ruined his proposal attempts, in a very adorable way?” Going away for a vacation tended to bring about those sorts of luxurious feelings - Cindy remembered experiencing it on her honeymoon, just the relief that she wouldn’t dream. And it had been so damn welcome, especially when she came back and realized just how much she’d missed the quiet in her head. Dreaming about sugar plums or going to work naked was far better than her own death. But wait, hold on! Hit the brakes! Literally, she did - or at least, slowed down a little. And turning to Leliana to grin at her like a fucking Halloween mask, but eeeee. “Wait, so you met his family and he...really did propose? Or he was planning to? Or...holy shit, that ring! Jesus Christ, why do I suck at observation today?” The glint of the pretty blue stone, in the daytime sun, caught her eye and she took a closer look. “Holy shiiiiiiiiit!” Well, to be fair Leliana was making it obvious now - it wasn’t like she’d given her a reason to look at her ring finger before, but now she was holding it up quite obviously, the aquamarine jewel shimmering. “It was his plan though his sister may have...expedited it in a scenario he didn’t expect,” her nose scrunched as she smiled. It was definitely a memorable moment, and she was glad Posy was there to witness it as it was entirely possible the youngest Hawthorne was the most enthusiastic about the news. “It’ll be awhile, but…” While they were out here, might as well pop the question to her dearest friend, no? Out here in nature, driving something straight out of a fairytale. So romantic. “I wanted to ask you to be my maid of honor this time?” She didn’t know how many people they’d choose in their parties, and she’d prefer to keep it small, but if there was one thing that was for certain? Cindy would be the first one part of it. Well, damn, Cinderella was about to turn on the faucets, all systems go. She sniffled and wiped at her eyes (thank god her mascara was waterproof) and with a grand view of the canyon, all those pretty colors and with the wind in their hair and the sunshine on their faces, she took a moment to properly examine the ring and be in awe over the general cuteness of Leliana’s story. Not to mention she was flattered about being asked to be a part of ‘the big day’ in the not too distant future. “Of course,” she practically blubbered - those emotional moments happened like, maybe a couple times a year for her. Now was one of them. “I would love to. And I’m going to plan you the best bridal shower.” Once they worked out locations and dates and all those important details; but hell, let the couple bask in being engaged for a bit. There was plenty of time for the other stuff. “I’m sure it’s way early, but do you have a preference for time of year for the wedding to happen?” Awww. Cindy’s reaction was arguably more adorable than the proposal itself - were those sapphire for eyes really glassy? Leliana chuckled, leaning back comfortably against the carriage seats. “No preference,” she answered. “We’re still in the process of telling people. You are the first of my friends, and I wanted to make sure you knew before the rest.” Gale had spoken to his, even reached out to the starving artist across the seas with his redheaded dame - the two still shared their fireball whiskey despite the distance. How romantic! “He is a bit hesitant in exposing his family to the oddness of this place, which is understandable. We could always do some kind of destination event, but I suppose we will discuss that once the excitement settles.” They had time to explore their options, no? Maybe if Trevelyan actually discovered Skyhold, she’d ask if that could be used as a venue. “That’s definitely understandable - I was hesitant to bring my own family into it too,” Cindy said - she pressed a few buttons, gadgets here and there, because once she got into a good spot she wanted to sound off a few good blasts in honor of Leliana’s engagement. Why not, hm? There were rocks that would take the brunt, no humans for miles. “But actually, they took it better than I expected. Kind of really ‘go with the flow’ in a sense, which was weird. Nice, but weird. Even Garrus’ dad didn’t really question the Normandy too much, and he’s the hardest of all hard-asses.” They kind of had a frosty relationship, but it had warmed enough to the point where everyone was content enough to enjoy the wedding and really make it all about a celebration of the love, and all that jibber-jabber. So while she could understand the reluctance, sometimes it was best to just bite the bullet. That way you wouldn’t have to be sneaking around when it came to the nuptials - not to mention outright lying about stuff. “I guess it depends on whether or not he thinks they can handle it? My advice would be to involve them - maybe bring them out for a visit, get them used to all this crap first.” She’d even take the Hawthorne fam for a spin in the pumpkin if it would help? Ohhhh, blasts from the guns of the carriage were much more festive than fireworks! Leliana had to peek in closer to inspects those doodads, buttons and technological things galore - some things she couldn’t even recognize but she assumed it had to do with some high-tech futuristic fixings from her alien husband’s stash of things. One day she’d press a button. One day. “It is sound advice,” she agreed, pushing the sunglasses over her head. “I think his fear stemmed from not wanting them to experience things from Panem, specifically.” A nightmarish world where kids were tossed into a controlled arena and forced to fight to the death; they’d had a taste of the arena already, and she’d hoped that was the end of Gale’s dreams turning reality here. “If anything did happen, we do have the means to protect them. But if your stepmother can handle being in a space ship…” A pause, because she really had to snort-giggle about that woman - she had that infamous ‘grumpy cat’ expression in most of the wedding photos, especially the ones where she didn’t know she was being photographed in. “Then I am sure they can handle a relatively normal wedding on land with only a fifty percent chance of dream-induced weather.” Amazing how well Cindy’s stepmother really did fare in the spaceship. The woman could plaster on a fake ‘bless your heart’ smile with the best of them, but when the cameras were sneakier? You saw her true colors. Regardless, these days, Cindy just had to kind of shrug and snicker about it. Life was too short to hold grudges - and she knew the old bag was just never going to be a touchy-feely type of person. Or even anything besides a prickly cactus. “Yeah, exactly,” she laughed too. “And hey, for the OC? Fifty-percent’s not bad at all, in terms of odds.” It was basically like, one-hundred percent chance something fucked up would happen, at any given time, but not everything was related to the weather. Fortunately. Granted, if the skies could not shit out demons for this particular wedding, it’d be most appreciated. “But god, I remember when you first told me about him - how reluctant you were to have all those feels. And I told you to just let it happen?” Targets locked in, switches flipped, barrels ready to fire - she got the carriage going again, careening down (it was like the best off-roading experience possible) and then BOOM. That was a blast of rock debris, scattering everywhere. Red dust also flying up, tasting like clay and smoke. “Now my mama bird’s getting married,” she squeed. Such sentimentality in this excited blonde spy. Theeeere goes more explode-y sort of things, the kind that’d make Gale’s eyes light up in glee. Next time the four of them, including him and Cindy’s beaux, would have to take a romantic stroll in the carriage down these empty roads to shoot inanimate objects. It’d be lovely, wouldn’t it? Leliana was also glad she’d strapped on a seatbelt, as her baby bird’s driving wasn’t quite Isabela-esque but it could get there if she went mad with fire power. “I’d almost forgotten about that conversation,” she hummed in thought, though now that it’d been brought up she could recall the texts with clarity. Probably still in her phone somewhere, but it was true - with her chosen career, relationships were complicated. Life was extra complicated. It was coming to the decision whether or not she could even share the life of spilled blood and secrecy with someone else. And they had for some time, Gale being part of her network, but things spiraled out of control but what else to expect in a trade such as murder? Knives were always involved, and always driven into someone’s back one way or another. An endless cycle of lies and betrayal, and she was content to be out of it. “It is funny how things changed,” she went on, slipping her sunglasses back over her eyes to act like goggles against any debris in the wind. “I came here for you - especially when I heard of the storm brewing over your heads thanks to your husband’s stunt of Batman antics. I never expected to stay, but I think I was overdue for something a little simpler.” Considering that sort of life happened to age you, it was time for a proper retirement. It had been one hell of a storm, too. Nothing that was simple, or easy to clean up - but really, Cindy couldn’t count on anyone to commit murder in a church quite like how she could count on Leliana for such things. They were two for two, and granted, she’d really rather not experience a third time - but you never knew what life would throw your way. “Nothing wrong with simpler. Things fall into place, as they’re meant to. I think what’s happened recently - over the past couple of years, it’s proof for the both of us,” she mused - such deep, philosophical conversations while blowing shit up. There were very few who could appreciate the intricacies of such wonders. “It’ll be a beautiful wedding though, whenever it happens. I trust you to pick tasteful dresses and colors.” Then the carriage was brought to a stop - testing the braking mechanism rather adequately, mind you - and that meant more dust flying. But Cindy turned to look at Leliana, over the top of her own shades. “Your turn, if you really do want to drive on the way back?” Oh, yes. Nightingale would select tasteful things, no concern there - she didn’t do anything gaudy or particularly loud, and her style was simple yet elegant. Neither she or Gale required anything over the top fancy, but they’d discuss the nitty-gritty details of the what, the when, and the where sometime soon. At least the shoes were covered, no? “Move,” was her response to Cindy’s inquiry (and she did her best to sound polite too), and Leliana eagerly swapped spots with the blonde. Sorry for the awkward elbow-in-the-boob, she really wanted to drive this thing. “There - I apologize for any damage I may have caused your nipples?” Now to buckle up again, tight, as she wasn’t sure how smooth her driving would be but she’d do her best. “I plan on flying his mother and sister so they can join us dress shopping; I think they’d enjoy it and - oops.” That ‘oops’ followed a startling jerk at hitting the break abruptly, though then she proceeded to accelerate a little fast. “My nipples are fine, don’t you worry,” Cindy huffed in amusement, but proceeded to jokingly give her tits a cursory check, hand going for the left which was where she’d previously had a sharp elbow, because ow. But the enthusiasm was something she could understand - driving a badass pumpkin carriage was kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity and, really, only in the OC. Of course, doing the crash test dummy jerk forward-and-back maneuver was always fun too; if her brain ended up slightly scrambled during this excursion, she’d just drink a beer at home for relief and to take the edge off. She would never drink liquid bread the way her husband did, but sometimes on a hot summer day a refreshing beer was nice. “If you hit the red button to the left it’s another blaster - “ Just saying, not like it was an invitation but hey. Whatever worked. “Definitely bring the gals dress shopping though, we’ll have lunch and probably pedicures, make a girly day of it.” Awww. Perhaps this wasn’t exactly like driving a teeny tiny Volkswagon Beetle, though Leliana would adjust. Their lives wouldn’t end in a fiery carriage crash on the side of the mountain, she promised. “I think I’ve got it,” she blinked, in reference to the basic maneuvering - see? No more jerky stops or a spiraling descent down a hill. “But of course it’s the red button, let me…” She pressed it, and boom - an eruption from the guns and right into a tree, the bark splintering and the flock of birds that made it their home fled. Oh, dear. Not the trees next time, maybe? “You know, one way to very much break them into what happens here is this this. Maybe not scare the the forest animals next time, however.” Caaaaaaaaaaw went the birds, hurtled off into the bright blue skies. They were probably a little irritated, but uh. Sorry. “Nice shot,” Cindy congratulated the redhead, giving her a thumbs up. “And I was definitely thinking that I’d take them around in the pumpkin if they wanted a ride? We can bring them out here and be one with the glory of nature.” And then explode a few things, because reasons. She also tightened her seatbelt fastenings a little more too - with Leli at the controls, you just had to be prepared for anything (which hopefully didn’t include flying out the front window). “I mean, we can also show them the glass slippers, but those don’t have quite as much of an impact.” Not like an actual pumpkin built for war, no. Woop, over a bump they went! It had them jump off the seats only a little. “Glass slippers can be shown first,” she smirked. Posy would probably roll around in a bundle of excitable screams knowing Cinderella was real, and she looked forward to seeing that little face beam. “Then we can ease them into the glory of your carriage, I think.” It wasn’t all bad, here in Orange County - there were good things to show them, and Leliana was reminded of it at this very moment. No need to mention the awful things that can happen then better things came from it, no? Assuming their environment behaved, anyway. |