[ It doesn't take much convincing at all, really. If anything, Clive had seemed all to grateful for the suggestion. While people might have understood what the personal cost had been for him, he's not a man that knows how to handle their concern. His people - their people - are more of a family and Clive knows this. Realizes that the people of the hideaway mean well. Yet their glances... The way that they voice their concern.
So yes. He is more than all right with leaving the Hideaway for a day trip. To get some fresh air. Really there are only two individuals that likely could get him to actually breathe and take his mind off of the weight upon his shoulders. Gav had been helping Edda as of late, all but acting a proud uncle.
Though this is. Preferable, really. At least until the basket is handed to him. ]
Ah, I see. I am to be your pack chocobo, am I?
[ A light tease even as he plucks the basket from Jill's hands without any actual complaint. Clive doesn't actually mind it at all. ]
[She's at least able to smile at that, even laugh just a touch. It's the first time in days that it's been so easy to do so and even then...]
While a pack chocobo would be preferable for carrying our things, I doubt Ambrosia could help me pick out the best berries or meats as well as you could.
[Clever a bird as she is, she is not Clive.
Jill lifts her own basket and wiggles it in his direction, allowing her grin to reach her eyes. Lest he forget that she will be carrying things, too!]
What sorts of pies do you think everyone would like? I find myself torn between the sweeter and more savoury ones.
Hmm. Debatable. Ambrosia most certainly has a more discerning eye should it come to something such as berries.
[ He'll concede on the point about the meats. And really, hearing her laugh just the slightest bit eases some of the ache he has been experiencing the last couple of days. Enough so that his lip quirks into a smaller, barely there smile.
Still, Clive follows along obediently. His strides slow, to match Jill's. A part of him knows that this is for his own well being and he'll allow her this. ]
If a choice must be made between the two, I might be inclined to lean towards sweeter.
[ Since that is something rarer for the Hideaway and the people that live there. Sweets hadn't been a very high priority. ]
... Oh? [She casts him a glance over her shoulder, brows raised and eyes round with pleasant surprise.] My first guess would have been the savoury types. Meat pies and the like.
[Has Clive always been a fan of sweets? She wonders that, in the years they spent apart... Though it's unlikely he was able to indulge in any sort of thing at all, regardless of what it was. For her, it wasn't easy either. Stale breads truly make the magic of food fade after a while...
But she isn't here to think about that, so Jill is quick to shake the thought away.
She's going to keep the conversation moving, lest either one of them allow their thoughts to spiral back into places she's trying to keep them away from.]
I was thinking apple is a safe bet, but we could afford to take a few risks, I'm sure.
If you are asking me for my preference, it would lean towards meat pies. Since you made mention of the Hideaway, I thought more along the lines of what would be more of a treat for them.
[ No, no. Jill is correct in guessing what Clive would prefer. The thing is, Clive rarely thinks in the context of himself. Even when he had been asked about what sort of material he likes, he had stood there. Frozen with indecision.
His eyes follow the people moving about the area. Again, his thoughts stray back to the people he has known for the last five years or less. ]
Apples, hmm? Might be more beneficial to look for a different fruit.
[She only crinkles her brow ever so slightly at him. Here he goes, thinking about everyone else but himself. It is both a trait she is endeared to and one that she finds endlessly frustrating at times. Time and time again, she had told him that he needs to do as much—that his wants and needs matter just as much as everyone else, to her especially, but that would be a futile battle. Once he has made up his mind, it's difficult to change it.
And so, silently, Jill makes up her own instead. That she will make both sweet and savoury, saving the savoury meat pies just for him.
As for the apples—]
You think so? [A pause, and a thoughtful hum as she looks out to the stalls arranged in neat lines before them, and she clutches her basket closer as they approach their first one, Jill smiling at the merchant when they greet her.] Blueberries, then? I find that anything else might be a little too tart. Even for me.
[She laughs gently, a flush colouring her cheeks and waves away the thought.]
Though, I cannot boast to know much about baking pies myself. It's been some time since I've had the opportunity to.
[Since she would run into the kitchens in Rosaria to sneak at the cooks in the kitchens making them, and upon seeing her, they would invite her to learn. How long has it been...]
[ Clive is not trying to be difficult. Nor is he trying to frustrate Jill. In fact, he doesn't even realize that he is doing anything at all. Then again, had Jill come out and said that she wishes to make something for him, he might have flustered and told her that it wasn't really necessary. So just doing it will likely yield the best results. ]
We do have apples, back at the Hideaway. Edible ones this time. Soon I imagine everyone will be rather tired of them.
[ But a good sort of tired, because they've been passed around the Hideaway. Pushed on them all, more like. ]
So yes, I think blueberries will work out just fine. A fine complement to everyone's favorite lemon tarts.
[ Which implies that Clive is rather confident in Jill's ability. It doesn't matter if it has been a while since she's been able to stretch her baking wings. Clive has every confidence that the care she will take in the preparation will serve her well. ]
Hopefully soon we will have many and more opportunities.
[ Clive stands by her side, giving the merchant a nod before going over their wares. ]
[Jill is particular about which fruits she picks, and it isn't just the blueberries that she's after. She picks up several others—strawberries, blackberries, grapes, an assortment of different things to look them over, reconsidering before she begins to set them down in her basket. Why not spoil themselves a little? It's been a time and a half since they have been able to enjoy some indulgent fruits, and perhaps she could convince those in the gardens to find ways to plant more besides the apples now that things have begun to settle.
His words, however, have Jill turning to look up at him, and a brighter smile finds its way to her lips. The relief she feels upon hearing those words... it's immeasurable. Something so small and simple and yet, she can't help it. She'd spent so many days worrying about him, for him, that she is at least happy to hear that he is able still to find some joy in the smaller things.]
I hope so...
[Leaning in slightly, Jill lets her shoulder bump against his.]
You will hope though, yes? When the time comes...? I'm sure it would be fun for you to start learning these yourself. You can't very well spend your days hunting all the time.
[ Seeing Jill select more than just the blueberries brings the faintest of smiles to his features. They don't necessarily need to reserve funds for matters relating to the Mother Crystals. They are well and truly free of it and soon, too, magic altogether will fade. People are going to have to learn to manage on their own.
The Blight will eventually come to an end too and then the Twins will truly be theirs to reclaim. So yes. Let Jill take what she wills. Surely Otto won't mind. ]
There will be.
[ He's sure of it. As sure as the sunrise that had appeared after returning from Origin. Clive has to believe that too, for all that has been lost and sacrificed.
The bump to his shoulder has his gaze shifting down to her. His hand then finds Jill's opposite shoulder. It's something he hasn't thought much about: what happens now? What does he do now? ]
Hmm. I suppose you're not wrong. In this future I speak of, I can't merely get by with the use of my blade and good looks.
[She giggles quietly, a hand coming up to help stifle it a little. She doesn't mean to laugh at him, but she is simply giddy over the fact that he is making jokes with her again. How long has it been since they could so it so freely, and without the guilt or the weight of breaking this world free from its chains on their shoulders?]
I'm sure if you truly set your mind to it, you could brute force your way through anything with your good looks alone.
[ Her laughter does bright life back into his eyes. It has been too long since they've been truly able to think about something other than the next plan, the next mission. Now the weight, the burden isn't entirely gone. It has merely shifted from something desperate to something that is rooted in hope. A fresh breathe of air so to speak.
Clive gives her shoulder a bit of a squeeze. ]
So you would have me learn the art of batting my eyelashes.
[That squeeze only has Jill tucking herself more closely against him, forgetting herself for a moment and that they are, in fact, still standing dead center in front of this poor fruit merchant's stall.]
It wouldn't hurt, would it?
[He could expand his horizons, so to speak. And while she had been joking a little, she's now taking this very seriously (not).]
I have it on good authority that Mid could help you with that.
[A bit of a playful grin before she's going back to selecting some fresh lemons out and placing them into his basket.]
[ Thankfully the fruit vendor doesn't seem to mind overmuch. Perhaps it is because Jill still seems to be putting away fruit and, even in these times, light hearted conversation is a breath of fresh air. Life has already proven that it is going to continue on. ]
No doubt that Mid could. She is awfully talented at getting others to aid her or fetch her items that she needs.
[ Mostly Clive, but she does seem to have connections that span quite the distance. ]
Mmmn. I still have a difficult time seeing myself doing such a thing.
[She looks up from the orange she'd been turning over in her hand to him, a questioning look settling into her blue eyes.]
Batting your lashes for favours?
[She teases once more, but her tone takes a turn into something a touch more serious, but not so serious that it ruins the mood that she has carefully set for them, and she places the orange gently into her basket before fishing for gil.]
... It will take some time still. [She understands that much. Not everything will happen overnight.] I will be there to help you at every step.
[ Which is really the same thing. He knows she's teasing, but there is some truth to it all as well. Without an enemy to pursue, the task of rebuilding their world requires a more delicate hand. A skill that Clive is going to need to learn to develop until the day that the Hideaway and those that he has come to champion no longer have need of him.
Yet he rolls his eyes at her teasing. He's the one that ultimately gets to the gil and hands it over before Jill. Something in his expression softens. Something fond and appreciative. ]
As you always have been for these last five years. I could not ask for a better companion.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
it do it do 👀👀👀
Date: 2023-07-16 01:20 am (UTC)So yes. He is more than all right with leaving the Hideaway for a day trip. To get some fresh air. Really there are only two individuals that likely could get him to actually breathe and take his mind off of the weight upon his shoulders. Gav had been helping Edda as of late, all but acting a proud uncle.
Though this is. Preferable, really. At least until the basket is handed to him. ]
Ah, I see. I am to be your pack chocobo, am I?
[ A light tease even as he plucks the basket from Jill's hands without any actual complaint. Clive doesn't actually mind it at all. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-17 02:03 am (UTC)While a pack chocobo would be preferable for carrying our things, I doubt Ambrosia could help me pick out the best berries or meats as well as you could.
[Clever a bird as she is, she is not Clive.
Jill lifts her own basket and wiggles it in his direction, allowing her grin to reach her eyes. Lest he forget that she will be carrying things, too!]
What sorts of pies do you think everyone would like? I find myself torn between the sweeter and more savoury ones.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-19 02:42 am (UTC)[ He'll concede on the point about the meats. And really, hearing her laugh just the slightest bit eases some of the ache he has been experiencing the last couple of days. Enough so that his lip quirks into a smaller, barely there smile.
Still, Clive follows along obediently. His strides slow, to match Jill's. A part of him knows that this is for his own well being and he'll allow her this. ]
If a choice must be made between the two, I might be inclined to lean towards sweeter.
[ Since that is something rarer for the Hideaway and the people that live there. Sweets hadn't been a very high priority. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-21 03:18 am (UTC)[Has Clive always been a fan of sweets? She wonders that, in the years they spent apart... Though it's unlikely he was able to indulge in any sort of thing at all, regardless of what it was. For her, it wasn't easy either. Stale breads truly make the magic of food fade after a while...
But she isn't here to think about that, so Jill is quick to shake the thought away.
She's going to keep the conversation moving, lest either one of them allow their thoughts to spiral back into places she's trying to keep them away from.]
I was thinking apple is a safe bet, but we could afford to take a few risks, I'm sure.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-23 04:41 am (UTC)[ No, no. Jill is correct in guessing what Clive would prefer. The thing is, Clive rarely thinks in the context of himself. Even when he had been asked about what sort of material he likes, he had stood there. Frozen with indecision.
His eyes follow the people moving about the area. Again, his thoughts stray back to the people he has known for the last five years or less. ]
Apples, hmm? Might be more beneficial to look for a different fruit.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-24 02:14 am (UTC)And so, silently, Jill makes up her own instead. That she will make both sweet and savoury, saving the savoury meat pies just for him.
As for the apples—]
You think so? [A pause, and a thoughtful hum as she looks out to the stalls arranged in neat lines before them, and she clutches her basket closer as they approach their first one, Jill smiling at the merchant when they greet her.] Blueberries, then? I find that anything else might be a little too tart. Even for me.
[She laughs gently, a flush colouring her cheeks and waves away the thought.]
Though, I cannot boast to know much about baking pies myself. It's been some time since I've had the opportunity to.
[Since she would run into the kitchens in Rosaria to sneak at the cooks in the kitchens making them, and upon seeing her, they would invite her to learn. How long has it been...]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-24 02:44 am (UTC)We do have apples, back at the Hideaway. Edible ones this time. Soon I imagine everyone will be rather tired of them.
[ But a good sort of tired, because they've been passed around the Hideaway. Pushed on them all, more like. ]
So yes, I think blueberries will work out just fine. A fine complement to everyone's favorite lemon tarts.
[ Which implies that Clive is rather confident in Jill's ability. It doesn't matter if it has been a while since she's been able to stretch her baking wings. Clive has every confidence that the care she will take in the preparation will serve her well. ]
Hopefully soon we will have many and more opportunities.
[ Clive stands by her side, giving the merchant a nod before going over their wares. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-26 01:45 am (UTC)His words, however, have Jill turning to look up at him, and a brighter smile finds its way to her lips. The relief she feels upon hearing those words... it's immeasurable. Something so small and simple and yet, she can't help it. She'd spent so many days worrying about him, for him, that she is at least happy to hear that he is able still to find some joy in the smaller things.]
I hope so...
[Leaning in slightly, Jill lets her shoulder bump against his.]
You will hope though, yes? When the time comes...? I'm sure it would be fun for you to start learning these yourself. You can't very well spend your days hunting all the time.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-26 09:56 pm (UTC)The Blight will eventually come to an end too and then the Twins will truly be theirs to reclaim. So yes. Let Jill take what she wills. Surely Otto won't mind. ]
There will be.
[ He's sure of it. As sure as the sunrise that had appeared after returning from Origin. Clive has to believe that too, for all that has been lost and sacrificed.
The bump to his shoulder has his gaze shifting down to her. His hand then finds Jill's opposite shoulder. It's something he hasn't thought much about: what happens now? What does he do now? ]
Hmm. I suppose you're not wrong. In this future I speak of, I can't merely get by with the use of my blade and good looks.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-27 01:53 am (UTC)[She giggles quietly, a hand coming up to help stifle it a little. She doesn't mean to laugh at him, but she is simply giddy over the fact that he is making jokes with her again. How long has it been since they could so it so freely, and without the guilt or the weight of breaking this world free from its chains on their shoulders?]
I'm sure if you truly set your mind to it, you could brute force your way through anything with your good looks alone.
Clive, the most objectified person in this game
Date: 2023-07-28 12:28 am (UTC)Clive gives her shoulder a bit of a squeeze. ]
So you would have me learn the art of batting my eyelashes.
he brought it upon himself
Date: 2023-07-28 04:13 pm (UTC)It wouldn't hurt, would it?
[He could expand his horizons, so to speak. And while she had been joking a little, she's now taking this very seriously (not).]
I have it on good authority that Mid could help you with that.
[A bit of a playful grin before she's going back to selecting some fresh lemons out and placing them into his basket.]
did he though? he didn't ask for these looks
Date: 2023-07-28 07:52 pm (UTC)No doubt that Mid could. She is awfully talented at getting others to aid her or fetch her items that she needs.
[ Mostly Clive, but she does seem to have connections that span quite the distance. ]
Mmmn. I still have a difficult time seeing myself doing such a thing.
okay but god did not give him those pecs, he made them himself
Date: 2023-07-31 12:51 am (UTC)[She looks up from the orange she'd been turning over in her hand to him, a questioning look settling into her blue eyes.]
Batting your lashes for favours?
[She teases once more, but her tone takes a turn into something a touch more serious, but not so serious that it ruins the mood that she has carefully set for them, and she places the orange gently into her basket before fishing for gil.]
... It will take some time still. [She understands that much. Not everything will happen overnight.] I will be there to help you at every step.
.....that's somewhat true
Date: 2023-08-08 02:02 am (UTC)[ Which is really the same thing. He knows she's teasing, but there is some truth to it all as well. Without an enemy to pursue, the task of rebuilding their world requires a more delicate hand. A skill that Clive is going to need to learn to develop until the day that the Hideaway and those that he has come to champion no longer have need of him.
Yet he rolls his eyes at her teasing. He's the one that ultimately gets to the gil and hands it over before Jill. Something in his expression softens. Something fond and appreciative. ]
As you always have been for these last five years. I could not ask for a better companion.