A Nice Catch
The soft sound of waves pervaded the air. Like the soothing voice of a mother lulling her baby to sleep, it was accompanied by a gentle swaying and, combined with the warm, salty breeze, made S'eni wish to close her eyes for just...one...moment...
A twitch went through her hands.
As if a Tonberry had just poked her with a knife, her eyes snapped open again, all the thoughts of rest dissipating immediately as they fell upon the fishing rod she was holding. Something bit!
Hand going to the handle, she began to pull and reel at the same time, gritting her teeth when her catch tried its best to get away. Slippery one, aren't you?
Shifting her leg back a little to give herself better leverage, S'eni let out a loud grunt and gave a much stronger pull this time around. A loud splash went through the air when the fish finally broke the surface, and she effortlessly pulled it on board. With a satisfied smile, she took in her catch's blue back and white-bellied appearance. An Indigo Herring, and quite a big one at that.
Sorry about this, little guy, she thought and slammed its head against the railing, making it go limp, then took it off the hook and tossed it into the ice-filled box nearby.
"Another mighty foe vanquished by the Warrior of Light," she heard Y'shtola say. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw her lover lying on a beach lounger they had taken with them, an amused look in her eyes.
"Want to give it a try too, O Master Matoya?" S'eni asked and tossed the line back into the water.
"No, thank you. I believe I shall rather leave that in your very capable hands." With those words, Y'shtola once again closed her eyes and went back on 'working' to regain some of that tan she had lost during her extended stay in Dawn's Respite.
Giggling to herself, S'eni turned her attention back to the water, idly tapping a foot against the wooden floor of their boat and humming a little tune she had heard the other day. She watched the plug lure drift around for a few moments before turning her eyes to Costa del Sol in the distance, where she watched people lying on the beach, taking a nice swim and generally just having a good time. If one didn't know any better, one could almost assume there were no problems in the world at all.
Though she supposed she couldn't judge, since she too was enjoying a nice relaxing day right now. Removing her right hand from the rod, she reached down to pick up the bottle standing right next to the railing, took a swig from it, and released a content little sigh. Nice weather, the woman that she loved at her side and—
The rod twitched once again.
—fish aplenty.
After reeling in another Herring and tossing it to the others, S'eni put the fishing rod aside and took another swig before walking over to Y'shtola and sitting down on the ground next to her. Closing her eyes, she let her head come to rest on the other Miqo'te's lap, a smile forming on her face when a warm hand was placed on her forehead and began to gently caress it.
"Already done?" Y'shtola asked.
"Just having a small break."
"Well, I would offer you a spot next to me, but I'm afraid there's little space for that."
With a chuckle, S'eni grasped her lover's hand and planted a little kiss on its palm. "I believe we made do..." a kiss on the wrist. "...with much less..." another one a little higher. "...less in the past."
After saying that, she turned onto her knees and began to plant a trail of kisses along Y'shtola's arm, eliciting a beautiful laugh from her and dodging a playful swipe as she traveled further up. The laugh turned into a delightful little gasp as she dove into the nape of Y'shtola's neck to rain down further affection on the sensitive skin there. Slowly, her arm slipped around S'eni's neck.
Perfect.
A grin forming on her lips, S'eni slid her arms behind Y'shtola's back and underneath her legs and picked her up, causing her to yelp in surprise and cling to her for a short second before relaxing again...only to stiffen once more when she realized where they were walking to.
"Eni."
She ignored her.
"Eni, don't you—!" She tossed her overboard. The rest of her sentence turned into a cry that was swiftly cut off by a loud splash.
Jumping in after Y'shtola, S'eni was greeted by a silvery-white glare to which she responded with a playful grin before making a grab for her. But she was only greeted by empty space as Y'shtola slipped away and when their eyes met again, the glare had been replaced by a teasing spark. Grin growing, she tried again, with the same result. And the chase was on.
Like a shark hunting its prey, she dove after the other Miqo'te, always coming close enough to grab her, only for her to slip away at the last second. Eventually though, the lack of air forced Y'shtola to make for the surface, leaving her wide open for S'eni to grab her ankle and pull her back down. Before Y'shtola could even try to get away, S'eni circled her arms around her lover's waist and captured her lips in a deep kiss, sharing some of her own air.
Y'shtola struggled for a couple of seconds, but soon relaxed into the kiss and wrapped her arms around S'eni's neck. Breathing underwater really had its perks. They remained like this for a few moments before slowly rising back towards the surface, breaking the kiss only once they had emerged.
"You're impossible," Y'shtola said after a few breaths of fresh air.
"That's what you love about me," S'eni replied with a little smirk.
"Do I now?" Y'shtola mirrored her expression as they slowly drifted towards the boat, receiving an affirmative hum in return. "And what makes you so sure about that?"
Waiting until they were close enough, S'eni spun them around until her lover's back connected with the hull, hands removing themselves from Y'shtola's hips to take hold of her hands instead and push them above her head. She leaned in until their lips were only a hair's breadth away. "This," she whispered and kissed her again.
"Very good," Y'shtola said with a hum after their lips parted. "But I believe I might need a little more—" her breath hitched when S'eni planted a kiss between her breasts. "—convincing."
The corners of S'eni's lips rose. "Let's take this somewhere else then."
They climbed back on board and, no sooner had they had solid surface under their feet again, she circled her arms back around the other Miqo'te and crashed their lips together. Tongues brushing and hands roaming, they managed a few steps before dropping to the ground.
"How about now?" she asked, capturing Y'shtola's lower lip between hers and giving it a few gentle nibbles. She sucked on it, letting it go with a gentle smack.
Y'shtola just gave her a teasing smile as if to say "Better, but not enough."
"Alright, let me help you make up your mind. She loves me..." S'eni kissed her cheek.
"She loves me not..." Her throat.
"She loves me..." Her collarbone.
"She loves me not..." The swell of her breast.
"She..." pushing the fabric of Y'shtola's bikini aside, she leaned down and sucked a waiting nipple into her mouth.
"...Loves you," Y'shtola finished, fingers digging into her hair.
S'eni focused her attention on her nipple for a little bit longer before releasing it with a little 'pop' and looking back up at her lover. With a smile, she placed a little peck on her lips. "Love you too," she said and laid down next to her.
They remained like this for a little bit longer, just enjoying each other's presence, then began to sit back up while adjusting their swimsuits.
"Well then," Y'shtola said, accompanied by a chuckle, and rose to her feet. "I believe your break is over. So I shall let you get back to fishing."
"Sure you don't want to try it?" S'eni asked with a wide grin.
"As I said, I will leave that in your capable hands." Turning around, the other Miqo'te sent her a wink and added, "and they are very capable indeed."
She watched Y'shtola walk over to the lounger, eyes drawn to the sensual sway of her hips before getting back up again as well and returning to her fishing rod. With a final glance towards her lover, she grabbed the bottle, took another swig from it, and cast out the line.
S'eni liked to think she was someone that enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. Like kicking back in the evening after a job well done or waking up from a full night's rest. There was a satisfaction in it that, amidst all she had seen and done with her friends, kept her grounded.
And among all these, there was little that could rival the feeling of eating one's own catch. A wide smile formed on her lips as the rich taste of Herring spread through her mouth and she couldn't help the sigh passing her lips as she swallowed.
"To your liking then?" Y'shtola asked, watching S'eni with a smile of her own, her face resting on her hand.
"Very much so," she replied, taking one of the cut Sun Lemons and squeezing it out over her meal. After putting the spent lemon into a bowl, she reached for her glass of wine. "Dig in, dig in."
Y'shtola chuckled, took her cutlery, and began to eat as well.
After they had returned to Costa del Sol, S'eni had immediately taken her haul and headed over to the Flying Shark, offering to share some of it with Dyrstweitz if he would make sure there would be a table for her and Y'shtola in the evening. He gladly accepted and now they were sitting at one of the best tables he had to offer, usually reserved for guests of Gegeruju, which made her wonder if perhaps the Lalafel entrepreneur had done something to anger the chef. Again.
Well, she wasn't going to complain about it either way.
After taking a sip from her wine, she gave Y'shtola a quick glance. She was dressed in a simple white sundress that revealed just enough to make a few heads turn, with matching shoes of course. Lowering her eyes, her smile grew at the bracelet on her wrist, the wide jade on it almost glowing in the light of the setting sun.
"Yes?" Y'shtola asked without looking at her.
"Just taking in the view." She raised her glass in a little toast. "And what a beautiful one it is."
"My, how long did you take to think of that one?" her lover too took hold of her glass.
"Just thought of it a few seconds ago."
They clinked their glasses together. A moment of comfortable silence followed, draping itself over them as they ate. Out of the corner of her eye, S'eni noticed a ship passing by in the distance and she turned her head to watch it slowly drift across the horizon against the red sky.
"This is nice," she said.
"What is?"
"Being here like this." She idly played with the hem of her skirt. "Having an evening out with just the two of us. Just like a regular couple."
Y'shtola smiled. "This is hardly our first time doing so."
"I know, just...I suppose all that happened on the First made me miss this sort of thing."
"Yes, I know," the other Miqo'te said, her gaze growing warm as their eyes met. "And yes, this is very nice."
After finishing their dinner, it didn't take long for one of the waitresses to come over to pick up their empty dishes, but not before leaving a little treat: a bowl filled with watermelon cubes.
"Ah, we didn't order that," S'eni said.
"I know. It's a small treat from the chef," the waitress replied, nodding over to Dyrstweitz who offered them a friendly wave.
"Huh." She blinked. "Well, don't look a gift Chocobo in the beak and all."
After telling them to just call her if there was anything else they wanted, the woman left. S'eni considered the bowl for a brief second, then plucked up one of the cubes and held it out towards the other Miqo'te. "Say 'aaah'."
Y'shtola let out a little scoff. "Really?"
"Uh-huh. We're no longer keeping it a secret after all, so I think it's about time we start acting like an embarrassing couple," she said with a grin. "Now open wide."
With a roll of her eyes, Y'shtola muttered a barely audible "Honestly..." under her breath but still complied. Moving her hand forward, she placed the cube against her lover's waiting lips before pushing it inside with her finger. Just as she was about to pull back though, Y'shtola's teeth came down, not enough to hurt, but enough to keep her finger in place. A giggle escaped S'eni when she felt the tip of Y'shtola's tongue playfully flick against her skin before releasing her again.
With a little wink, Y'shtola began to chew, drawing out another giggle from her. I guess two can play that game, S'eni thought, taking another cube and popping it into her mouth, smiling at the sweet and refreshing taste. They had made it halfway through the bowl when a familiar voice called out.
"S'eni! What a pleasure to see you here, and with such lovely companionship too!"
Turning their heads, they both saw an Elezen standing, his long, dark brown hair flowing freely over his shoulders and a large grin on his, still, rather boyish features.
"Emmanellain!" she called back and raised her hand in a wave. At his side, as always, was young Honoroit. Both were dressed in swimwear and were wearing stylish shades to match, though they looked rather comically large on the boy's face. Yet, despite that, he wore them with practiced maturity that belied his 14 years and offered her and Y'shtola a courteous bow after coming to a stop near their table.
"Mistress Gata, Mistress Rhul," he greeted them. "It is good to see you again."
"What brings you two here?" S'eni asked, leaning back in her chair.
"Just a diplomatic visit. With my dear brother indisposed, it falls to me to represent House Fortemps," Emmanellain, with a not small measure of pride in his voice.
"So the situation at the front remains unchanged?" Y'shtola asked.
"In as much as we can't let our guard down, at least." He shrugged. "The meeting was over rather quickly so I thought to myself: Emmanellain, my boy, you deserve a day enjoying the sun of La Noscea—" he paused for a moment as two of the pretty Miqo'te ladies working for Gegeruju passed by. "—and all the sights it has to offer. Excuse me."
S'eni shook her with a chuckle. She supposed even with all his sudden maturity in recent days, there were still some habits that were hard to let go of. Her eyes shifted to Honoroit. "How are things going at Camp Dragonhead?"
"Quite well. My lord has been ever diligent since assuming command of it." A small frown formed on the boy's face. "So much in fact that I worry he might have hit his head somewhere."
It didn't take long for Emmanellain to return, glancing over his shoulder. "My, they have eyes as sharp as they are beautiful," he said and looked back at them. "In any case, it is fortunate that we ran into you here."
"Oh?" S'eni tilted her head. "Why's that?"
Emmanellain's grin returned.
Holy crap, hard to believe that this story has now 100 chapters. Maybe I should've celebrated this one with S'eni doing some actual pearl diving here, eh? :D
...
I'll see myself out lol.
Well have a nice weekend ya'll all, and see you next week! o/