Welcome to Gaia! ::

The mid-season festival was one of Vermina's favorites. The seasons had warmed, the early harvests had produced delicious crops, and there was still more to look forward to with the fall harvests to come. A celebration of what they had and was was still to be. Contentment and hope.

Well, mostly content! A radaku had decided to invite itself to the party and had caused a little havoc after helping itself to some of the feast. Vermina had been tasked with guiding the beast away. Quietly relieved to be able to step away from the fuss, she took her time returning the radaku back toward the stables.

On her way, she saw a lone figure sitting a bit away from the festival. Well, it was on her way~ "Danika?" she asked once she was close enough to see in the fading light. Why would she be out here on her own? "Are you well?"

The radaku snorted with pleasure and licked its chops to retrieve any remaining taste from its daring venture.

Seeing that smile only gave Vermina's mood that much more of a boost. She looked back over her shoulder toward the flickering lights and nodded. "It is wonderful to watch everyone," she murmured wistfully.

Gaze shifting the to radaku, she chuckled and shook her head. "Just temporarily. She decided to help herself to part of the feast, so I offered to escort her back to the stalls." She patted the radaku's head and smiled bashfully. "To be honest, I am glad for a reason to step away. The festival is wonderful, but it can be a little chaotic as well. Sometimes, the view from outside is more enjoyable."

That gave Vermina an idea, though she hesitated to say anything. Her gaze shifted between the fires and the mystic before she let out a breath. After all, they were friends. "Sometimes.. the view from above is better, as well. Would you like to join me? I just need to drop her off, and then I can show you another spot to watch the festival from where you will be able to see everything." Her free hand rose to bashfully grip a coiled lock of hair. "It is alright if you prefer to stay here though," she quickly added on.

It took all Vermina had to not flinch away from the sudden denial, immediately thinking it was her offer being turned down; even if the force behind it seemed rather out of character for the mystic. However, the misunderstanding was cleared just as quickly, and she watched Danika curiously. Was it too much to ask the mystic to step away? It probably was. It was silly to suggest. She should- gladly?

Vermina's smile rose brighter with a nod of acceptance. Now, she just had to make sure it wasn't a disappointment! She made sure the radaku was secured away with a light scolding, and then she lead the way through the trees. It was toward the festival again, but the ground split and angled upward rather than down to the beach. Her steps guided by a path that was clearly gently used, the pair eventually broke out to the edge of the woods. "Watch your step," she warned lightly.

It couldn't have been called a cliff, but the hill they had just climbed came to a fairly sudden and steep stop with only a thin clearing of ground between the trees and the drop. From their perch, they could practically see the whole beachline stretching out to either side, and the bright festival was right below them. The large bonfire's light would just barely reach to give their faces a gentle glow as they surveyed the scene, their new view showing the long shadows it cast along the sands. The dancing silhouettes made the clan seem to have double the numbers as the Alks spun and ran! Vermina sat down at the edge with her calves hanging down along the steep ground before looking back up at Danika. "It's quite a different view than from on the beach, is it not?" she asked, hoping to see approval on the other's face.

She had accepted Danika's supportive grip without thinking. Now that she was sitting down though, Vermina noticed their fingers linked together... and found herself leaving them as they were. She impulsively rationed to herself that she was just sharing the moment with her friend. The words of another echoed in her head though, and her gaze lingered on the mystic. Her heart was pulling her in a certain direction, but surely she couldn't...

When she realized she was being watched, she managed to give their joined hands a squeeze before lowering her gaze bashfully back down toward the party below them. "You're welcome. Thank you for coming with me." After a calming breath, Vermina let her conflicted smile warm again. Like the festival taught, she had to let herself be content with what she had; harvest and relationships alike. "I found this spot while foraging last summer. You are, of course, welcome to visit it whenever you wish."

"I-.." Gaze flicking over to Danika, Vermina found herself momentarily speechless. She had to be cautious that she didn't read too far into the other's words, but it was so tempting to do so. The cheerful mood radiated from the festival below, and this peaceful moment between them easily allowed the warmth to weave its way in. "I greatly enjoy your company," she finally assured, giving Danika's fingers a squeeze again. "Perhaps.. we could plan another evening together soon?" Her cheeks flushed hot, but her smile was soft. "Perhaps we could chose rather than leaving it to happenstance?"

Vermina quickly nodded, eyes drifting away. "I would not presume to distract you from your duties, of course." Perhaps it was a silly thing to suggest. Danika's time was precious to everyone on Chibale. Planning to take any of it outside of an incidental run-in was probably too presumptuous... Would it really be so bad, though? Was it really so wrong to want a little time?

"I cannot see there being any way spending time with you would be considered a burden," she assured, fighting off the urge to imagine that Danika's concern was due to the mystic harboring such feelings of being burdened herself. The tone shifted with the warning, and Vermina raised her head a little more again. She was quiet for a moment before letting out a breath. "On the contrary.. I find myself quite content with you." She chuckled bashfully and shook her head. "Perhaps with everyone else around, your focus is naturally on your role to the community. Yet, when we are together alone and you are just being you, I feel very relaxed. More time like that would be nothing but enjoyable."

Her eyes went wide, and she ducked her head to gaze hard at the festival below. "I apologize if that was too forward."

There was little doubt that time with Danika would be worth the wait... It was an intimidating prospect to actually plan to meet up rather than have it be a situational encounter. Could she come up with something entertaining? What if she ended up being boring? Or disappointing?

Before she could get overwhelmed, Vermina's attention was nabbed by seeing Danika leaning in closer. She really was lovely in the soft light... That bashful smile warmed further, that feeling in her chest expanded pleasantly as well. "I am glad to hear that," she replied simply. What Danika was saying was a lot to take in, the young warrior taken back by the realization that their relationship had gotten to such an intimate level. To have someone she could be straightforward with, and to have that feeling reciprocated truly meant so much that she still needed to absorb what it was.

Still, getting herself to consciously voice such depth to that thoughtful face... It probably would have been so easy to do right then. However, that would have to wait. For now, she wanted to be able to continue sharing this moment with Danika without risk, contently watching the festival from their high perch, leaning as well to allow the adjustment to her hair. Such a precious friendship...