dreamcrystals | eight entry ⊗ bauble trip home

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eight entry ⊗ bauble trip home

Sender: Eustace
To: Everyone
Subject: Successful Use of Baubles to Return Home

For those who may not have noticed, recently the baubles used for the Wishing can be used to return to our home worlds and still be able to return. It was a risk, but given the prospect of this for the ongoing research of staying in this world permanently, I tried it myself.

It works.

I departed on the first of the month and according to Tifa, returned after three days here. As before, the time passed in my world was several months and as expected, I still did not retain any memories of my time in Songerein while in my world.

I had the researchers at the Observatory study the dreamotion energy during this process to see if they can learn more about our connection between this world and our world. If there are any who wish to try or plan to return to their home world through the use of the baubles, I would like to request if they could study your trip as well.

It does appear that the more common "random connections" is still occurring. Regardless, I hope this message eases some concerns others might have in wanting to temporarily revisit their world on their own will.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Valo stretches his neck a little to sniff Tifa's hand before his tail wags happily giving her a few licks before looking up at Eustace with a cheerful expression.]

He clearly does.

[With that seal of approval, Tifa gives him a good scratch behind the ears.]

You'll have to tell me all about how you two met, but...

[There's a flush to her cheeks as she motions back to the bar's counter, and the meal that's been waiting for him in front of one of the bar stools. A good, hearty breakfast filled with all sorts of choices for him—eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast, the whole works.]

... I made you breakfast.

I have quite a bit to tell.

[A light smile before he looks over to where she gestures...

...

Wait—]

Did...you already made this before I arrived?

[With a shy smile, she leads him to the bar.]

Every meal since you've been gone.

[Even the corgis are rushing after her, barking at him to come and sit down and eat!!!]

Didn't want you coming home hungry...

...Tifa...

[There's a flux of emotions that he can't quite quell. It's more one filled with heartache, thinking of her diligently preparing these meals in hopes of his return...only to be disappointed when he doesn't come. For someone to do that for him—

Despite the dogs barking, he closes the distance between them in just a few steps, his arms wrapping around her tightly from behind.

He wants to apologize in making her waiting for so long, even if it was just three days. Apologize for making her wonder, question, relive those fears. But he knows she would have none of it, and he doesn't really want to bring that kind of mood either. So instead...]

...Thank you.

[She hadn't been expecting him to come up behind, so when she feels his arms suddenly wrap around her, it earns a little gasp of pleasant surprise, and the air around them bubbles with warmth, and the pure, unfiltered joy that she feels at having him back with her.]

You're welcome...

[Tifa wanted to be sure that when he returned, he would know that he was welcome home... and that this, here, with her and the dogs, is a place he can call home. That she, and they, will always be waiting for him.

Her head tips so that it rests against his shoulder, allowing herself another brief moment to be with him, even as the dogs circle around their ankles and Valo sniffs at her again.]

I hope you're in the mood for some eggs and bacon.

Mm...

[...Really he could say he's in the mood for something else, but he's going to be a good wolf.]

I haven't had anything as good as yours.

[He lightly nuzzles her, his breath tickling her ear as he releases a soft exhale before he finally lets her go.

Really it's... He really hates how much he didn't remember about her. How he had just lived his life without knowing what he was missing. Of course it wasn't all bad and he now had Valo there, but... It still wasn't the right life. His life. The more he thinks about it, the more it feels that his other self is like a stranger. A different version of him that he can no longer really connect with.

With those thoughts in his mind, he gives her one last chaste kiss on the cheek before finally freeing her so they can walk together, hand in hand to the counter.]

That's because I make them just for you.

[She missed this. She missed the little stolen moments that they would often have at the café, or anywhere really. Every day was the same—wake up, get ready, open the café, run it, and then rinse and repeat until the week was over, and it isn't that she minded that... Tifa liked structure. It helped her keep everything else she didn't want to think about at bay... But it was always the little things like the nuzzles and the chaste kisses and the small touches that made every day that much more special than the last.

What little moments they could steal would be what made her remember every day with him.

And for those three days without them, they all started to blur together... Like one long day and night that she spent waiting.

And it's just nice to know that her eggs and bacon were the ones that he still longs for.

So, she returns each kiss with her own, her smile never dimming. And when he's seated at the counter, she'll whip around to the other side and throw on her apron.]

And for Valo?

[Who she motions to hop up onto the other stool.]

[Valo wags his tail and hops up, Eustace greeting him with an affection smile and rub on the head. Of course... The corgis gawk wide-eyed before they bark in indignation. Hey!! That's not fair!! He actually has legs they can't jump that high!!!

The noise, which Eustace hasn't heard like this for several months now, is one that he can only laugh at.]

Let's not spoil him too much. Just give the usual. Have the others eaten?

[Hearing a sad little whimper, he'll see Melody and Bri looking up at him, and he can't resist and half steps down so he can pick them both up and set them on the other stool beside him.]

[Tifa can't help but snicker along at the indignant and jealous barks, and she leans over the counter to give Valo a little boop on the nose.]

They have. You know how impatient they get in the mornings... It was first thing, though I did tell them to wait.

[A pointed glance at the corgis before she's sliding over to Eustace's side of the counter.]

And you? Can I get you anything else?

[Asking as if he were just a handsome customer that walked in.]

[Just a quirk of a brow before he leans his arm against the counter as he looks at her.]

Some coffee would be nice. [His eyes drift to her hair before meeting her back to her eyes.] Black.

[Seeing the two shamelessly flirt....... The rest of the dogs just kind of. Grow a little more listless and shuffle back a back, some going towards Tifa's side, others settling underneath so they don't to witness this.]

[She sees what he's doing, and she bites down on her lip as well as the urge to kiss him over the counter. She can hear the whining and groaning of the dogs, and poor Valo just looks between the two of them innocently, though he no doubt can hear what the corgis are saying about them as they scatter.]

One coffee, black, coming right up. And the usual for the gentleman on the right.

[But first, she gives a wave of her hand over Eustace's plate, heat billowing from her fingertips to warm up his food, crisping the bacon and the eggs again before she's throwing a couple pieces of bread into the toaster and starting up the kettle.]

Does Valo have any favourites?

[She has so much to learn...]

[He smirks a little as he can see her restraint, but there's also a little bit of melancholy. It's a little strange to think how quick he's able to return how he is, as if he never really left. It helps that nothing stressful or life changing happened back home—well except for Valo of course. But it really just brings home the point how much stranger his life back there is now.]

Hm... Well he is a fan of bacon, and carrots. But I'll be curious if he'll pick up any new ones.

Carrots?

[Tifa leans over the counter to stare down at some of the corgis resting near Eustace's feet.]

You hear that? Someone likes carrots.

[She'll get a little groan in response from Melody before she leaves the two of them at the counter, winking at Eustace before she disappears into the back to fetch her special homemade dog food that she typically gives to the dogs. Though, this time, she garnishes it with shaved carrots and bacon bits.

Setting it down in front, she slides a napkin across as if he were just like any other customer.]

This week's special is turkey's thigh and liver, finely grated veggies, coconut and salmon oil, and some supplements to promote healthy pups!

[Valo's ears perk up as he carefully sniffs the food, drool already forming at his mouth as his tail starts to wag. Seeing such a response, Eustace can't help but laugh as he strokes the dog's back.]

That's quite the welcome meal. Don't hold back.

[Valo turns his head and looks at Eustace with slight wonder, a look that he's noticed the dog had given him several times since coming here. And it's only now that he realizes why. With a smile he continues to pet the dog.]

...Yeah. We didn't really need it back there, but I can understand you and you can understand us more, too.

[Melody barks in confirmation, and understanding all this now, Valo wags his tail and rubs his face against Eustace, licking him happily before turning back to the food to dig in.

He'll watch the dog with warm affection before he finally lifts his fork.]

[Tifa can only watch all of this happen in front of her with a smile, tears lining the bottoms of her eyes when she sees Eustace's own warm smile. It's a wonder that he had spent so long away from here, but from what she's seen so far...

He looks so much happier. Lighter. Even more so than before he left.

Across the counter, vines of starflowers begin to bloom, and it's what snaps Tifa out of her longing, proud gaze to try and stop them from spreading too far.]

Not again...!

[But her eyes land on the dog as she takes a fistful of the vines in her hands.]

... Does he like it?

[He just chuckles as he takes that first bite, momentarily savoring the taste. Yes... This is truly the best. Not to say that the cooks on the Grandcypher weren't good, either, but there is nothing that would top Tifa's. Not like this.

And seeing Valo eating quite enthusiastically, he's certain he feels the same.]

I would say so. He acts as if he hasn't had a meal in days.

[And then a fonder smile as he looks over at her.]

But I feel the same.

[If he smiles at her like that...

The starflower vines only begin to grow still, more quickly now, as Tifa struggles to bundle them up in her arms before she simply... gives up, face flushed... and they fall with a loud fwump! to the floor where they crawl along.]

I'm glad...

[It's something she'll never grow tired of hearing—that Eustace enjoys her cooking. It's something that she takes great pride in, and something she wants to continue to do for him for as long as they're together. To be able to share that with him every day... she's so grateful to this world for giving her that.

With the kettle screeching to a boil, Tifa pauses the conversation to pour the hot water over the coffee grinds, waiting for it to drip into the cup before serving it to Eustace.]

... And one coffee.

[Her hand lingers behind, brushing it against his before she pulls back, and nudges the flowers away with her foot.]

Seems I have a lot to catch up on.

[He's trying hard not to laugh at her struggle, not realizing a few flowers were blooming around his side as well. Not that he would mind them as much, of course.

Holding the cup and looking at where they had briefly touched, he'll raise it and blow away some of the heat before taking a cautious sip. Although hot, it's just as he remembers it, and a soft smile forms before he takes another and sets it down.]

Mm... Nothing that exciting, really. Had to help with a few missions and bail a friend out...and of course Valo. Otherwise just the usual conflicts and occasional troubles that follow Gran.

[There's a small frown as he considers some of them, most he wasn't around for but had at least heard later.]

Things are brewing in the skies...

[Tifa's smile fades slightly at those last words, and while the flowers haven't stopped, they do slow significantly when she sees his frown.]

What do you mean? Something like... Diaspora?

[That earns a shiver out of her, goosebumps rising all over her arms as she remembers what she saw up on the moon. When he says something like that, she doesn't quite know what that means, but it can never be anything good. And once again, she wishes that she could do more to help...

More than just a comforting cup of coffee and a homecooked meal...]

...Mm, different.

[His gaze seems distance as he recalls what he knows before he shakes his head.]

I wasn't there so I only know what I heard afterwards. But Gran was able to take care of it.

[She's going to ask the question anyway...]

Something dangerous? [With a gentle tip of her head, she looks at him carefully.] Should I be worried...?

No.

[A light smile as he tries to reassure her.]

So you don't need to worry. Gran and the others are capable of taking care of things.

Good.

[That's all she needs to hear to relax again, her smile returning in full force as she starts a cup of coffee for herself, pouring the coffee grinds carefully into a filter.

Now, for the question that's been burning a hole on the tip of her tongue since she saw him—]

So, how did you end up with Valo?

[A knowing grin as he continues to savor this delicious breakfast. Is it because he can taste her feelings for or him through it? By now Valo had scarfed down his meal and jumped down so he could go around to give Tifa some affectionate licks of appreciation, his tail wagging all the while. Seeing this just makes Eustace's smile widen.]

Mm... Bit of a story, I guess.

[And he gives a brief recount of how he was with Gran and the others on a small vacation at the lake where they forced him to stop training and actually relax for a little while. There was a dog competition and while watching Valo walked up to him and stayed by his side the entire time. During one of the contests, a large eal appears and while Valo helped the current contestants out of the water, he and Gran took care of the eal.

After that, Valo's trainer came up to them, introducing herself and explaining Valo's story. He originally had an owner but unfortunately passed, so the trainer took him back in hopes of finding another. Seeing how Valo was rather attached to Eustace, she suggested he take him. However he had hesitated due to how Valo's loyalty reminded him of Vitty and he was afraid of that loss again. But Valo insisted and so he couldn't refuse.]

...So we've been together ever since. I leave him with Ronan or on the Grandcyhper whenever I'm on missions, but otherwise I take him wherever I go when I can.

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