in_sidon_we_trust | Outside of Room 221 and Points Beyond; Saturday Morning [02/02].

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Outside of Room 221 and Points Beyond; Saturday Morning [02/02].

A challenge had been issued. And if anyone thought someone like Sidon would do anything but fully rise to meet that challenge with aplomb and gusto....well, then, clearly, they did not know Sidon. He supposed he could have waited a little later in the day, understanding that it was the weekend and some people (very rarely him!) liked to enjoy not having to be up early for classes or jobs or whatever else they had, but it took a great deal of willpower to wait even as long as he had. After all, each second that passed was an opportunity to lose that challenge.

And that simply would not stand.

Which was why there was a very large Zora at the door of Room 221 that morning, giving it a strong and hearty knock. "Vette!" he called out, before delivering another rhymthmic rapping on the door. "Vette! It is I, Sidon! The Zora Prince!"

She could probably hear that sparkling grin through the door, really.

"You must come quickly! We haven't got a moment to spare!"

[[ for that girl he kinda likes, though feel free to grumble. and NFB for distance after they hit that sweet, sweet portal, natch ]]

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"Could even be a bit of both," Vette suggested helpfully, having no idea what the weather was like last year either way. "I mean, you're one smart cookie, I'm sure you've learned plenty about staying warm around here."

Yup. Cuddling right on in as they walked, perhaps a little pointedly. She was great for helping keep warm, wasn't she? She could even twine a lek around his arm, since it was right there and all.

"Don't think this date means I've given up on coming up with a good one for you," she added, grinning up at him. "This just means your plan came together faster, that's all."

Pity they couldn't work out something like this when it came time to head into work on Thursdays; much more pleasant than simply sprinting to the shelter, it might even make Sidon eager to have to leave the relative comfort of the dorms in winter.

"And," he added with a chuckle, "that I've won. Let us not forget that this also means I've won."

He had no intention of letting her come close to forgetting, really.

"And that you've won," Vette laughed, shaking her head. "Fine, you get bragging rights. But only once the date is over; it still has to pass muster, buster."

She had no doubt that it would, but she was still going to tease while she still could.

"But of course," said Sidon, who, with no free hands to place his hand to his heart to express his sincerity, settled for a bow of his head. "Naturally! I would never dream to claim as glorious of a victory as this on a mere technicality! In fact, I shall not even rest on my laurels with the simple exceptional fact that this date will be taking somewhere that is very much..." He paused, for a pointed glance around, "here."

"Here's okay I guess," Vette said, smiling up at him. "I mean, we have this stupid island and its quirks to thank for a lot. It just needs to be less cold and less stupid."

And less with the not letting her get home, but she'd let that topic slide for now.

For now.

"One of these days," she added, "you're going to be so surprised with what I'm going to spring on you. It's gonna happen."

She just had to come up with a thing. One that didn't bank on her knowing specific places on the mainland or having access to her own galaxy.

That complicated things a bit.

"I haven't the slightest doubt in my mind," Sidon assured her, grinning back down at her, "and I look forward to it with the utmost eager anticipation. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it will be the most spectacular surprise, and I am very much looking forward to it."

So...no pressure or anything. Really, though! Vette could take him out to a glorified cardboard box, and he'd still think it was wonderful.

Well, he might be a little disappointed, truthfully, but he would be very dedicated in not showing it and find everything positive about it until he wasn't.

"In the meantime," he said, as their banter finally brought them around to the causeway and he grinned again, "my suprise shall have to suffice! There's our portal now.

"I'll admit," he said with a chuckle, "I'm not sure if this is a situation that calls for me to invite you to go first out of courtesy, one that requires me to embark forward first out of chivalry since it's quite true we don't know exactly what might be awaiting us there, or if it's best we go together, on some count of three. What do you suppose, Vette?"

Although, really, he thought he knew the answer.

"On three," Vette said dutifully. "You'll freeze your headtail off if I stray from you for even a second, after all."

... This was probably not true. But she was comfortable, nestled all up against him as she was.

"But if you still want the satisfaction of the grand reveal, I'll let you cover my eyes for the step through."

Sidon was already missing that warmth at the mere idea of stepping apart, really, so a frozen headtail couldn't be that far off. He chuckled at the suggestion, nodding his head. "That would help maintain a better element of surprise," he admitted, and she had wanted surprise, hadn't she? So he grinned brightly and made up his mind. "An excellent idea! We shall do just that! So," and he turned slightly toward her, leaning in, taking advantage of those long arms and his large hands so that his arm still wrapped around her as the hand that had been near her shoulder now rested lightly over her eyes, and he dropped his voice to a low, intimate level, now that they were so close, "just step forward with me on the count of three. One, two..."

And on the three, they stepped forward, right through the portal, and the first thing Vette might notice was the promised warmth, a temperature just on the edge of being hot, but not quite there, the air slightly humid. Those coats would be getting much too warm for them very quickly, and then Vette might notice the scent of the air, the salty sea and fish frying over an open fire, all carried on an ocean breeze that swept up towards them. The waves and wind mingled with the sounds of a gull crying out as it passed by over head, the constant chirping of insects in the long rustling grass, a cow letting out a planative lowing cry nearby.

And when Sidon removed his hand, Vette would find herself standing at shrine similar in shape to the one that had taken them to Zora's Domain, only in a vastly different area, an open space overlooking the ocean and a small village nestled within the with palm trees. The sky stretches out overhead blue and clear (for now), stretching as endlessly as the vast turquoise sea.

"Welcome to Lurelin Village, Vette," Sidon said, his proud grin perhaps a little softer than usual, but no less eager to see if she might be sufficiently impressed and approving.

After all, it was incredibly small and quaint, but there was a good chance it only still existed to be shown off because of him. So there was always that.

Vette blinked a little into the sudden sunshine, still leaning against Sidon in spite of the warmth, and after a moment made to process what it was they were looking at here, she gasped.

"It's beautiful. How is it all of your world is so beautiful?"

There were beautiful things about her galaxy, true. Breathtaking things, in fact.

She never really got to see those things.

Did...did she forget about the living, gooey mass of pulsating shadow and concentrated evil clinging at the very center of this world, lingering and able to overwhelm it all without even a single moment's notice? Did she fail to notice the war-torn ruins spread across the landscape at nearly every turn? She must have, but, then again, Sidon realized, as he took in the impressive view from the elevated shrine looking over the quaint little village, this area was so far removed from it all that he could even see himself forgetting. Out here, they were so untouched by the Calamity, one could almost forget that it existed at all. And he supposed the same might be said for Zora's Domain and the Rito Village, if one did not know the true meaning behind the looming presence of the Divine Beasts, if one was unaware of the significance of the statue he used to spend every morning, every evening confronting...

...but all he had to do was remember what Vette had said about her own worlds, where she had come from, as well as the multitude of things she always left unsaid, and he could understand better. Hyrule truly was beautiful, in its perseverance as well as its landscapes, even if he could never quite shake the aching heartbreak that came with knowing just how fragile and threatened all this beauty was.

Sidon squeezed Vette a little, kissed the top of her head. "I dare say," he said, "I've been spoiling you with all the highlights. But let's go!" Not wishing to dwell on that when there were so many more enchanting things he could be spending his time on, he moved to take Vette's hand and start leading her toward the steep little path down the mountain, through the grassy pastures where the Hateno cows looked up from their idle chewing to watch them with dull curiousity, toward the well-travelled path leading into the village. "We shall deposite our coats at the inn so we won't have to worry about them and have ourselves some breakfast!"

Leave it to Vette to find beauty in the most unlikely of places. She smiled up at him, already shrugging her way out of her coat so that she could carry it in her arms, and nodded.

"I'm fine with being spoiled," she informed him, taking to that path with enthusiasm (and possibly making a silly face or two at the cows as they passed them by), pausing every now and again to take a better look whenever the path afforded them a good view. "I mean... It's easy to be fond of what you've shown me."

Even the castle, for all of its ominous twisting horror. Even the looming beast. The shadow was adventure, to be experienced as a free Twi'lek, without constant reminders that she hadn't always been, and that those near to her still weren't.

That meant a lot.

"So," she added, grinning. "Are we fishing, then?"

And Sidon laughed at that, grinning back. "We most certainly are," he declared, "and I almost feel as though I should be profusely apologizing for being so predictable when I should be making an emphasis on being surprising, but I shall refuse to do so on this occasion. After all, this coast offers the best fishing that Hyrule has to offer, and it would simply be a grave oversight on my part to simply pass that up. There will be fruit, as well, local to the area, for you while I'm out ensnaring only the best the ocean has to offer. Mighty bananas and palm fruits, mostly."

As he spoke, they'd entered the village proper, which was little more than a slightl oragnized scattering of a few huts, some of them like the one they approached resembling the hull of a ship. There weren't many people around, most of them either out in the boat bobbing along in the sea or simply keeping up with the request that Sidon had passed along to the village elder when planning the trip. After all, he was a living legend to the people here, but, as good as it would be for his ego, it wouldn't be easy to spend time with Vette if he had people fawning over him on the visit. So they mostly kept their distance politely, though they couldn't help a few curious peeks, especially the children who had only heard stories of the Prince who Slew the Fell Octorok before, wide little eyes peering out from behind railings that didn't keep them nearly as concealed as they thought, interrupted only by whispers and giggles.

And then a flailing scattering once Sidon couldn't help himself but to turn his head slightly and acknowledge them with a wink.

Reaching the inn, Sidon gestured for Vette to walk up the stairs through the entrance while he followed, having to duck underneath the low sign overhead to do so, and he greeted the woman inside warmly. "Hello! We won't be staying long, we were simply hoping we might be able to keep some of our travel gear here as we won't be needing it until we leave. Ah! And excellent!" The woman had already set a basket on her counter with a bob of her head and with a smile, offered to take their coats.

"There's the fruit I'd mentioned," he informed Vette, after thanking the woman, who may have not quite expected the enormity of the coat that had been handed to her, and he grinned. "Looks like they were able to bring in some spicy peppers as I'd hoped, as well."

For what it was worth, Vette's coat was much smaller! She smiled a little lopsidedly as she passed it over to the woman, and then peered into the basket curiously.

"Spicy peppers!" And now she was grinning brightly at the woman and up at Sidon. "I promise I won't make you eat any this time around. I'll even eat some fruit and fish before I kiss you silly after I eat them."

Because she valued you and your mouth, Sidon.

And that was one of many, many reasons Sidon appreciated you so much, Vette.

"You didn't make me eat any last time around, either," he pointed out with a laugh. No, he had only his own bravado to thank for that one. "Though, thankfully for my sake, I'm afraid you may find these peppers to be a bit milder than some of the others you've tried. Still, perhaps it might not be a terrible idea to get some of those kisses in beforehand. Just in case."

Like...now, for example. Sidon thought now would be an excellent time to get in a few kisses, grabbing the basket while leaning in for just that.

Vette was absolutely giggling up into that kiss, standing up on her toes as best as she was able to save him even the smallest bit of leaning, reaching a hand up to just kind of fondly run her fingers over one of his headfins.

"Mmmhm," she murmured, once she'd surfaced again for air. "Great idea, get some of that done now. There's a quota we need to hit, you know."

She'd just made it up. But it was important.

Incredibly important!

"A quota?" Sidon remarked with delighted, though mostly feigned, surprise. "Why, I had no idea! But I can assure you, with the utmost confidence, that I shall completely dedicate myself to ensuring that this quote is not only met, but that it is staggeringly exceeded!"

Like...now. He was going to help with staggeringly exceeding that quota bit more...now. Far be it from him to let it even be briefly suggested that he was all words and no action!

Vette would never dare even suggest such a thing! She was going to have to get better at just jumping up so that they could spare their backs and necks the strain eventually, though. Mind, climbing her boyfriend like a tree so that she could kiss him silly in front of the innkeeper was probably not the greatest idea here, she might have to put that thought to use once they were a little more alone...

"See," she laughed, "you're already well on your way to doing your part to satisfy very important kissing needs."

Yeah, that innkeeper was definitely reconsidering her benefit analysis that had her thinking it would be good for business to be able to tout her place as a famed romantic retreat for the Prince who Slew the Fell Octorok right about now...and feeling glad she hadn't had her own breakfast yet, too. She'd had to have lost it.

"Had you any doubt?" Sidon asked, somewhat loftily, because he was clearly far too pleased with himself at the moment. "You should know well by now that kissing is one of my great talents. Much like swimming. And winning date competitions."

So he had to squeeze that one in there, okay? And he had no intention of letting her protest it, either, snagging the basket of fruit and ducking out the door. "But let us go! We did not come all this way just to spend all our time in an inn, lovely and charming though it may be! I have the perfect spot in mind, under a scattering of trees with some of the best fishing and a magnificent view of the ocean!"

Vette's mouth had just been opening for a snappy comeback, too. But then he was back out the door, which mostly just got a, "Hey!" out of her before she laughed and ducked through it behind him.

She was grinning again by the time she fell back into step with him, at least.

"A scattering of trees and a view, hm? Well, I should hope I'm going to have a view if you're planning on fishing."

It was always a breathtaking sight, when he surfaced again.

"But of course," Sidon assured Vette, beaming down at her as they skirted around the little bay with the few small boats bobbing along beside the dock. "Naturally! It would be a truly boorish move on my part if I were to take you out and not ensure that you were sufficiently entertained!"

"Oh, good," Vette laughed. "I love watching you," showing off, "in your element."

It was a pretty, pretty view, and Vette was not above shallowly enjoying the pretty at all.

And Sidon was not above shamelessly basking in her enjoyment of him...in his element.

He'd quite meant it, too, when he said he wanted to ensure she had a good view of the fishing. Just outside the village was a charming, tall hill, rather perfectly placed for this sort of thing if it hadn't been set so far back on the bay, the jagged rocks running along the sand and in the water making it incredibly unsuitable for the style of...fishing Sidon was intending on performing. But just further ahead, as the bay spilled out into the great wide ocean, there was another, smaller little knoll quite as Sidon described, a collection of palm trees set over a patch of grass, to shade them from the warm, bright sun, just a leap (a Sidon-sized leap, but still, not too far) from the shore. A trio of wild horses that were racing along the strand stretching to the east slowed to stop and watch their approach curiously, flicking their tails at dragonflies never too far behind.

It was a true testament to Sidon's dedication to remain at Vette's side, too, that he didn't just take off and leap into that enticing ocean the moment they were near enough for it. Instead, he stopped to look at her, tilting his head, grinning his sharp grin, and gesturing an arm toward the view. "Well, now," he said, "I think this should suffice quite nicely. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I think this is still pretty amazing," Vette replied, smiling around them, looking curiously at the horses, and then grinning back up at him. "Not too bright, not too dark, still a great view... You've planned this whole day out just so, haven't you?"

She was a little awed by that. She could do a plan if her life depended on it, sure, but those were generally not this sort of plan at all.

"And just think," Sidon pointed out, the brightness of his grin giving that sun a good run for its money, "this is only breakfast! Speaking of which..."

And for a moment, he realized that there had been far too much walking and talking and showing off beautiful vista, and not nearly enough keeping up with the mysterious kiss quota, so he paused just enough to sweep in and catch up on it just slightly before continuing.

"...how hungry would you say you are? So that I can have a good idea of exactly how much to catch, and I shall pursue our repast without further ado."

Because those waves were calling his name, and, as much as he absolutely adored you, Vette, he could not ignore them much longer, and it was now he who couldn't help bouncing a little in his anticipation.

A bounce like that was hard to ignore, and was charming as heck, and Vette couldn't help but give a little laugh and wave a hand toward the water.

"I'm definitely hungry," she replied, "for fish and for the show that comes when you catch them, so you had better get to wowing me, huh?"

If she'd been set in front of a tomb that very much needed raiding, she'd probably be bouncing the same way. She understood.

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