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.

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[He'd already caught her in his trap, but now she's really caught, caged in by his arms on either side of her and his weight on top... a weight that she presses up against to tease.]

Like we said... it's been three days... A lot to make up for.

[Someone's been a little parched.

But there is a sharp flicker of concern in her eyes as she looks up at him, that burning flame softening just a touch as she reaches up to brush his hair back away from his face.]

... You're not tired, are you?

[He's just been through a lot, and while she would love nothing more than to keep all of this going, she doesn't want him to push himself past his limits. If he wants to rest, then he should.]

[He only looks down at her with an arched brow.]

Do you really think I would be tired just from that?

["That" being their earlier session.]

Looks like three days has made you forget a few things... So let me make this clear.

[He leans down lower, lips brushing against hers as his eyes never break their gaze.]

For you it was three days. For me, it was months. I might not have realized it at the time, but I feel it now.

And I am far from satisfied.

[He's restraining himself now, letting her feel the full weight of him as his words sink in. Let her feel that growing heat as his body craves her now more than ever.]

[Any words that she may have had for him die immediately on her trembling breath as his weight sinks over her. She really had meant it when she asked, her concern for him genuine. She doesn't know what it's like to go and come back, and while for her, it's only been a few days and she's had some time to at least rest peacefully knowing that he would return eventually—it was just a matter of when—she has no idea the specifics of his situation enough to be confident that he's the same.

So, when he cages her like this, entraps her with not just his words, but the fire in his gaze, she's a little surprised... though, she really shouldn't be. If it were her, would she want to rest after being separated for as long as he has been?

No.

Which is why she doesn't protest. Doesn't utter a word besides the very quiet sigh of his name as she stares into his eyes and finds herself caught drowning in the sea of them.]

Then what'll it take?

[She is his wife, and she wants to make sure that he has everything he needs.]

We have all day still.

[He just said he would save the rest for later, but Tifa unknowingly provoked him. And really, they should get up and continue on their day—]

Until you can no longer keep your eyes open.

[Looks like the dogs will have to wait quite a bit longer.]

[They really should, but he started it...? She just wanted her cup of coffee, and he had to go and flip her onto her back like this. He knows full well what that does to her, and where that will likely (always) lead. She could be exhausted, completely spent from him, and still, would she ever say no? Has she ever said no?]

Well, good thing we've got a bed here to sleep on, yeah?

[A flush crawls up into her cheeks and she dips her gaze away, knowing that this is the exact reason that they even put this here.

There's only so much that you can do with a small table and some walls.

With a teasing grin, she leans her head back further into the pillow.]

I'm pretty tired anyway.

Hm.

[A light smirk as he lowers his lips to first brush against hers then to her chin as he travels to her neck.]

I'll just have to keep you up a little longer.

Mm...? [She hums her approval and falls further into the mattress, her whole body yielding quickly to the soft feel of his lips on his neck.] You're gonna have to work pretty hard.

[Not that it will be a problem for him, will it? But she knows what she's asking for, and knows that he will happily oblige.]

It's been a long three days...

[Not all.]

And it'll be a long afternoon.

[Those are his last words before they resume where they left off, lost in each other's love and embrace. The flowers and vines completely cover the room inside and out, causing the cafe tenants to stay clear away from them. The sun will have peaked and already started its descent to late afternoon by the time the two leave, hands held tightly close as if they still can't get enough of each other.

...Which just makes the dogs who greeted them give them such a flat look. In that time, they had taken Valo out for a little tour of the town, showing him all the good places to play and the stores and people who would give them treats. It was a fun wonderful adventure, but they still judged Eustace and Tifa very heavily because REALLY.

In any case... They close up cafe and head back home, the dogs running along beside them. There Valo would meet Clover and Eria, who only makes a face at Eustace because really. Another one??? But Valo just wags his tail and greets Eria happily, making the wolf feel strangely reticent and stay on the bed, as if claiming it as her territory.

All of which Eustace can only sigh and just ruffle Valo's ears as they go to greet Lyria, which was also an emotional reunion in itself. It was a little strange for Eustace since he had just seen Lyria back in his world, but he understand how it's different for her. So some time was spent introducing Valo and playing with the dogs before it was time for dinner, which they all enjoyed heartwarming meal.

Afterwards, the dogs split, some going to join Lyria, others sticking around before they will inevitably have to go down to seek refuge for the night... But for now it's quiet and calm as Eustace sits at the kitchen table, sipping a little on his coffee as he watches Tifa bustle about.

...It really does feel like he's truly home.]

Anything I can do to help?

Nope.

[She's at the sink, the gentle clatter of plates and utensils and the soft rush of water filling in the silence otherwise. Everything has gone back to the way it should be now that even doing the dishes with him at the kitchen table is something that brings her immeasurable joy right now. Today has brought her immeasurable joy.

But as soon as she has her back to him again after flashing him a smile over his shoulder, her thoughts drift back to the place they had been since she started. There was more that she'd wanted to tell him, more news to share... and not the good kind. It was just a matter of finding a way to break it to him without turning their home into an icy cave in the snap of a finger.]

Just finishing up. Think I might make myself a cup, too.

[And she does, drying her hands and wiping down the counters before pouring herself a cup of hot coffee, adding a dash of cream and a sprinkle of sugar to it before moving her chair over so that she can sit directly next to him and tip her head so that it rests on his shoulder.

There's a new weight there now, both in her body and in her voice.]

Feels almost like you never left...

Mm...

[Unaware of her thoughts, Eustace just smiles as he rests his head against hers, the hand nearest automatically reaching over to take her hand to gently rub his thumb against it.]

Would you be the same if this had been a hunting trip in the mountains?

Depends...

[She gives a hum and looks around, and any of the dogs that had remained behind upstairs have moved to the bedroom now, leaving just the two of them in the kitchen, but she still lowers her voice anyway as she watches his thumb trace over her hand, and as she threads their fingers together.]

... Would we be alone?

Would you want to be?

[A knowing gaze as he leans in just a little more.]

[She gives him a light shove when he leans in, his teasing and knowing look giving rise to those fluttery feelings in her belly again. This is dangerous, maybe she should move to the other side.]

It's nice having everyone around, but... maybe just once...

[They did talk about going camping before the summer was over, so add some alone time to the to-do list for them.]

If we were, then... my money's on no.

[A small laugh as he gently nuzzles her.]

We should make it happen, then. Been a while.

Besides, you've earned yourself a vacation.

We both have.

[They've been through a lot... It would be nice to just shut everything down for a few days and escape someplace where no one would ever find them.]

We'll have to close the café while we're gone, but might be worth it... Before it gets colder out again. [... She glances at him.] You think our spot's still there?

Would there be any reason it wouldn't?

[A small arch of the brow.]

If anything moved in I'd be sure to clear it out.

Well then... let's do it.

[How long had it been since they were back there? February? And even then, it had been under... certain circumstances. It would be nice to go back and simply be together for a weekend.]

... Would be a good idea to get away from town for a while anyway.

[And there it is again—that weight in her voice, though heavier this time.]

Maybe even longer than a few days.

[At first he doesn't think much of her answer, but then he notices that strange heaviness in her voice.]

What's wrong?

Well...

[Her hand clutches tighter at the cup before she sets it down, not wanting to accidentally crack it. She'd been trying to say this since he'd come back earlier today, but never found the right time to. Would there ever be a good time to do it? Probably not, but... it's time to simply rip off the bandage and be done with it.

She wishes she knew how he might react to the news, and she ponders how to word it in the lightest way possible... but no, there's no way to do that either.]

While you were gone, I ran into someone...

[~~Because hand wavey timey wimey bullshit.~~]

[Seeing her hesitate and appear troubled only makes him frown in concern.]

Who is it? What happened?

[Another pause, and her shoulders rise and fall with a defeated sigh. There's no easy way to put this, so she just comes right out and says it.]

... Sephiroth.

[But before he can say anything, she sets down her cup and turns to face him.]

Nothing happened, though. Not... really...

[Sephiroth happened, and that's more than enough already.]

[He might not have said anything.

But something in the room definitely cracked, and there might have been a flash of lightning over the house as the room's temperature suddenly chills.]

What do you mean "not really"?

[And his voice is just as frosty, his eyes immediately hardening as he stares hard at Tifa.]

[Oh, she knows. She can feel it in the air—that telltale sign that he's upset without him having to say so. Just as she is, and the temperatures war with one another as they always do—the hot and the cold mingling together to create a strange mix of it in the air that both pricks at and tingles her skin.]

We just talked...

[Mostly. She may have lit a few things on fire in the process, but that's already a given.]

I thought that maybe I'd walked into a dream or something, but... [Her hands fold in her lap.] He's here. In Reverein now.

[There's just another sharp crackle, another jolt of electricity through the air as his fingers clench and unclench the handle of his mug. It's a miracle it doesn't shatter right then and there, but it's already frozen over.

For that bastard to arrive while he's gone... While Tifa is vulnerable... His only solace is it seems the man hasn't done anything yet, but it's a very small one.]

...And? What about Cloud and Zack?

[Tifa shakes her head, her eyes resting carefully on the way he holds his cup, and her shoulders tighten when she feels that static that buzzes in the air, making the room warmer than it already is.]

I haven't talked to either of them yet, but...

[She takes a deep breath.]

I imagine that Sephiroth will find Cloud eventually.

[That was one of her biggest worries. With Cloud's strange mental state right now, she doesn't know what would happen to him if he did, but she's been so busy that she hasn't even had the time to go over there and ask. And she's not even sure if she wants to, given everything he seems to be going through. Ever since their talk after his dream, he has seemed less and less like the Cloud that she knows.]

It was in one of those nightmare pockets from a while back. Guess some of them stuck behind a little longer. I thought it was my own, but turns out it wasn't even mine.

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