2024-03-04: .our marital bliss is only furthered by your reflectioN
- Log: .our marital bliss is only furthered by your reflectioN
- Cast: Elisa Kafim, Yuliana Kafim
- Where: Dlinza Forest, South Africa
- Date: 2024-03-04 (ICly October 0098)
- Summary: Elisa takes Yuliana on a picnic in a secluded forest in the pleasant South African springtime. Elisa reflects on her preoccupation and how it's affected Yuliana, resolving to express her affection better; Yuliana, reassured that the distance didn't mean she'd done wrong, has nothing but love for her wife and all the attention she's getting. They have a lovely romantic date, and Elisa shares her desire to acquire... HOBBIES.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
The scenery is beautiful; a lovely green subtropical forest in the OAC is the site of the Voidwives' picnic today, suggested by Elisa Kafim and catered by--well, obviously, by their personal chefs. Elisa doesn't cook.
But that's not the point! The point is that this place, home to many rare birds and bugs and other natural creatures, is a font of biodiversity. And it is indeed beautiful; tranquil, quiet...
The Dlinza forest, for so it is called, is derived from Zulu meaning 'a gravelike place of meditation', and that's just the sort of place Elisa thinks is nice.
On the grass there is a blanket in green. The blanket keeps the bugs at bay by killing small things that touch it. This is fine.
The basket for their picnic is open, and Elisa at this moment, dressed in green traveling clothes, holds out a sandwich to Yuliana, intending to feed it to her. "Say 'aah'," she suggests.
She is smiling. This is also fine. She has the correct number of teeth.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Yuliana has, obviously, been affected by the battle for the Ptolemy -- she even brought people back with her afterwards! But she's enjoyed her time back home with Elisa, anyway, and naturally she's thrilled when Elisa proposes a date.
(Of course they still go on dates, even though they're married. Romance only dies for other people.)
The blanket is a wonderful invention. It means they can sneak into South Africa and picnic in one of their beautiful forests without all their food being eaten by beetles!
Yuliana is, naturally, also in green, with breezy slacks and a layered blouse. She technically has a scarf, in case someone happens on them, but it's lying on the blanket right now; she has no need to cover up around her wife. Isn't it nice for Elisa to be able to see her tattoo, there at the base of her neck?
Surely just as nice as Elisa offering one of those morsels the chefs prepared for them to her! "Aaaahh~", Yuliana lilts, as she closes her eyes and opens her hungry maw. She's not going to eat the sun today, though. Just the sandwich Elisa is offering her!
She has one too many teeth, but Elisa already knows how to navigate around her fang.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Yes, Elisa is troubled by what happened with the Ptolemy, but she was entirely gracious to her guests from what was Celestial Being. ...It paid the debt she owed that organization, to her estimation, but she would still have preferred that things end better for a group she put her belief in.
But this is not about that. This is about her and Yuliana, and that is what she will focus on for now.
Elisa's outfit is more femme, of course--surprising no one. And it is very nice for Elisa to see that tattoo.
Just the sandwich. "There we are," Elisa says, pleased, and when she finishes, she places a hand on Yuliana's hand.
"I am attempting to try your 'mindful' behaviors," Elisa comments. "...It is well. There is much in this forest to see, that sets off your beauty, my darling."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Nom! Is the sandwich even more delicious because Elisa fed it to Yuliana? Maybe. She's certainly smiling like it is. "Tasty!" She chirps, cheerfully.
And when Elisa's hand falls over her hand, Yuliana's cheeks colour with affection, her smile turning outright foolish as she gazes to her wife. She is, of course, outrageously in love, and clearly nothing delights her more than her wife's affection.
"Ahh... I'm happy!" Yuliana smiles, all but sparkling in the green light cast by the canopy. (Elisa doesn't even have to exert her will to achieve such a pleasant backdrop!) "I knew you could do it, Elyula~," and she lilts her name with saccharine-sweet baby talk, foolish as her smile. "Isn't it nice? If I'm in the moment, I can just appreciate you more and more..."
Her hand is cool, after all, in the warmth of October spring; her eyes are green as the leaves hanging behind her. And of course, Yuliana notes, Elisa's skin is perfect! It always is. Just look at her wife.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Elisa is assured that that is how it works.
"Good," Elisa answers, and while her cheeks have no more or less color than they usually do, her smile is small yet present. She is likewise in love, and it is clear(?) to see the way she is a different kind of dazed, watching Yuliana.
It is a lovely backdrop.
"Yes," she reflects. "It is... Nice."
"I wished... To take you somewhere beautiful. To enjoy this world of which you are so fond as well."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
It's clear to Yuliana, anyway. Other people might call Elisa unsettling or unexpressive, but Yuliana's known the little details of Elisa's face for years now. Even if other people think she doesn't care... how could Yuliana ever believe something like that, when her wife does things like this?
"Oh, Elya," Yuliana sighs, leaning forward to rest a hand by her neck, gazing to her with that same lovestruck expression. (Sitting down, like this, Elisa can't pretend to be taller than her. Take the heels out of the equation, and they're more or less on equal ground!) "I'm touched... I love how thoughtful you are, zhenushka. This forest is so lovely..."
She smiles, all but glowing, because she at least still has the body heat to seem this way. "... almost as lovely as you." Almost. There's nothing that can best out her wife, in Yuliana's eyes.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
More or less! ...It's close enough. Besides, they had spoken of more... equal ground, in some respects.
But Elisa gazes back. How thoughtful she is? Elisa considers that, for a moment. "Not always," she reflects. "For so long it has been you who reaches out."
She smiles. "...And I am glad for that. That you find me so lovely. But I wish..."
"To show that I find you such, as well. That I adore you, my darling. I wish to do more than merely protect you."
She does not glow, but that may be best. The blanket does, a bit.
And Elisa, "I can do... more."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Elisa needn't carry all the burden, strong as she may be.
"Ah...?" Yuliana wonders, as Elisa speaks of how she's reached out. She listens, attentively, fingers smoothing the fabric of those feminine fabrics at Elisa's shoulder.
She adores her, and as Elisa shares her wishes with Yuliana, her expression -- rather impossibly -- brightens further. It isn't... quite the same as the way the blanket shines. "Oh, Elya...!"
Of course she kisses her wife; she is overjoyed to hear such sweet words of love. And she stays close, even after. "Does that mean -- it's really okay?" She asks, searching her eyes. "You'll make me feel special again? Oh, Elya, I'd worried so terribly... you were so distant. I thought surely I must be making some mistake..." And her frills wilt, just slightly, as she admits the fears she's harboured over her wife's preoccupation.
She really did notice... when Elisa chose to reinforce her.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
So she did notice. Yes, of course. But Elisa notices the brightening of Yuliana's expression, and she does admire it. She attempts to say these things--but--ah...
Yes, so she saw.
"It does," Elisa says. "You had done nothing wrong. I was having trouble... remaining in this world. Particularly with my preoccupation with your condition, and what could be done for it..."
"In my wish to solve the problem, I did not do enough to reassure you. But I wish for you to feel special, for you are special."
She leans forward to kiss Yuliana unprompted this time, and for a long few moments, does only that.
"You may tell me, if you notice such distance again. But I hope to ensure you need not."
"This world that you love... I think I must accept it, in order to love you as you deserve to be loved. At least to accept your fondness for it. And so I will try to 'inhabit' this world more."
"You remain my priority, however. ...That will not change."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
And Yuliana is so relieved -- heartbreakingly, backbreakingly, foundationally relieved -- to hear Elisa say she's done no wrong. She cares for her wife, for her struggles; she can imagine how Elisa must have felt, if only for the chorus of wailing orchids backing it.
But she didn't do enough to reassure her, and...
Oh, Elisa kisses her; it is a thing so precious and delightful that at once Yuliana sinks into it entirely, tilting her head with a pleased little hum. Elisa scarcely needs the feathering at her ears to know how blissful Yuliana feels in this moment.
She is loved! Nothing is more important than that!
"Of course," she sighs, happily, all enraptured in her wife's eyes, "of course I shall, Elya. Oh, I'm so happy... I'm so happy you'll accept my home. There is happiness here, too, zhenushka... for we are together, in this place. It can inspire you, if you let it..."
She smiles, as she lifts her hand, to gesture to the greenery. "... like this forest... only makes me appreciate your gorgeous eyes more. Isn't it so lovely and green, Elya...?"
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Yes. Yes, she is, isn't she? The chorus of wailing orchids aside...
Elisa can tell, of course; she can read Yuliana even without such gifts. And it is pleasing, to have such a reaction, amidst all the strangers stealing away Yuliana's time from her to help her.
She is quite loved.
"Yes... I believe it can 'inspire'. I am..."
She considers, but does not share immediately; instead she first says, looking to the greenery, "It is a fine color. And the way the branches twist and grow and split... Yes, there is beauty in this."
"...I think I am going to try a 'hobby', my Yuliana. I am going to do... art. I will show you what I have created, when I have created it. And we shall share with one another the fruits of artifice."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
They can steal her time, but they evidently can't steal her heart. Not after Elisa slid her fingers around it, and grasped it so tenderly.
She is still Elisa's wife, no matter who she visits.
"Isn't there?" Yuliana sighs, happily, as she looks from the vista back to her perfect wife. She listens, as Elisa shares her desires. A 'hobby'...
Yuliana reaches up, with her hand, to press it to Elisa's cheek. "How wonderful," she purrs, with clear enthusiasm. "Oh, Elya, you've always been such an artist -- I'm eager to see what you create in the way of this world!"
Of course Elisa would want to try art, Yuliana thinks, when so much of her is art. It's a natural progression.
"How shall you create, my darling?" She asks, endless eyes shining. "What sparks your desire? Oh, I'm so pleased to hear it. I think it will do very well by you!" All but sparkling, she tilts her head, with a light giggle. "Heheh... maybe you'll even find other artists to share techniques with!" She does wish for Elisa to make 'friends', after all. That's why she sent Kaworu to visit!
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
And that is well.
Elisa keeps a hand stroking Yuliana's arm, and for someone else it might be an idle motion. For her it is not. It is intentional, measured, but no less heartfelt for that--perhaps more.
"Yes," she says, "I believe that... to use the materials of this world will be very interesting." It will probably also be horrific by some standards. That's fine.
"I shall try sculpture first, I think." A pause. "I indeed... spoke of it with our friend Kaworu Nagisa. He suggested a few things, and I settled upon this. I intend to show him, as well. Perhaps I shall..."
"I realized, as well, that while I no longer have limits to test my physicality against in this world... It would still be interesting to watch and encourage others to do so."
"I am considering investing in sporting events."
Stroke, stroke. "Ah, yes, try this one..." She picks up another morsel.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
For someone else, it might be an idle motion -- but for Yuliana, it means the world, because she knows that Elisa moves more deliberately than most. Her smile never fades.
"Mm," she hums, as she nods, urging Elisa's thoughts onward. She is, of course, aware that Elisa's idea of 'interesting' may well be horrific by other people's standards; but isn't that just part of her beauty? She is pleased, as well, to hear Elisa describe Kaworu as their friend -- instead of just hers.
"You should," she encourages her to show him. "How good of him to offer you such a fine suggestion! I'm sure you'll carve beautiful things..."
Perhaps they can take some stone from the forest for her to sculpt with, she thinks. Who would stop them?
"Ah... you are limitless, zhenushka," Yuliana adds, smiling. "But you have much wisdom you could share with those who aren't, don't you think? And so much insight into who might succeed...! Yes, let's start watching, shall we? It would not be too difficult to tune our cinema into broadcasts, I'm sure." It would actually be incredibly difficult, given how they're completely off the grid. That's fine, Parminder is good at what he does.
And Yuliana opens her hungry maw once more, as Elisa lifts a sandwich to her lips. "Ahhhh," she chimes, as her lips close about her fingertips -- but of course she doesn't bite them off. She just devours the snack! "It's delicious," she smiles, warmly. "You really thought of everything, Elya..."
Yuliana sighs, again, quite content. "And, you know... it makes me so happy when you touch me. I know it doesn't come naturally to you... that's why it's always made me feel so special, zhenushka." She's always been a very physical woman; the empathic world denied her so long, all she's had is physical closeness.
Even now she has those flashes of insight, with Elisa...
... it's fair to prefer physical expression, when the truth of their souls is so eldritch.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Does Elisa notice that she describes Kaworu as her friend as well? Probably, yes. She notices many things.
"Indeed. He was quite... helpful. We discussed a number of things. And he accepted tea. I believe that tea is 'friendly'."
She smiles back. "This is true. Yes... A beginning will be watching. We can go from there."
But, there, aaah! Elisa would regrow her fingertips but it would ruin the taste of the snack. "I did what I could."
It makes her feel special... yes. "And when I touch you, and you touch me, I am reminded of the sensations of this body, this world. It is... pleasing. Both to express feeling in this way with you, and to be reminded of such things."
She knows these physical things matter to Yuliana; she tries to express how they might matter to her, as well.
"...Once we eat, let us take in the environment a bit more. It is... pleasing."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Elisa is very attentive! It's one of her many good qualities. Just ask Yuliana.
"It is friendly," Yuliana says, full of praise for her wife. "You did very well to offer it! Really, I'm relieved you had someone else to talk to, Elya..." If Yuliana can run off and spend time with other people, isn't it only fair that Elisa gets to talk to other people, too?
(Half a world away, Parminder finally finishes up closing a security hole in their systems with a day one patch his team cooked up. He has no idea how much more work has instantaneously appeared on his schedule with the simple invocation of 'watching the sports channel'. It would be sad if it happened to someone who didn't deeply, deeply deserve it.)
And, yes: Yuliana doesn't tend to consume human flesh and blood. She's never criticised her wife's tastes, of course. Isn't it just all the more special to have married someone like that and not be a target?
"I'm glad," Yuliana smiles, fingers brushing her wife's neck. "And I'm glad it's not just me, Elya... I'd hate to be demanding, if it didn't bring you joy. But of course, I'll always be happy to remind you..."
She glances aside from her wife, to the teeming beauty of the forest. "I'd love that," she says, smiling as she looks back to Elisa. "It's so nice this time of year... you know, I think there's a river nearby. Why don't we go take a look...?" A romantic walk with her wife... what's better than that?