For the Future

Cecete came to this island to satisfy her curiosity. If she hadn't located the place during her flight, then she would have never known about Manta Carlos. It was obscure to say the least; something told her that no mere human would be able to spot this without assistance. Her insistence helped her acquire the necessary permission to travel here. Then she worked in a less-than-royal position in order to acquaint herself with the place better while also giving her something familiar; she did not take her many birds with her. To think that all of this would lead to her dating a dragon...

Alex Drakenhardt was no mere dragon of course. He was a handsome, responsible prince with a face that changed little but with actions that spoke many words. She figured out the slight nuances in his facial expression; she could detect the emotions he felt. She grew accustomed to his mannerisms. He taught her how a real man should behave; he was not like the males her mother warned her about. He was her mate; their relationship was one of devotion. They skipped the screwing around phase. It was like a romance about of a fairy tale.

When the princess was informed to keep her holiday schedule clear, her eyebrow raised but she agreed. She knew that he was up to something. There had to be a reason for him to make such a request. Her feelings told her that it was a special date of some sort. She heard it was custom for people to go on dates during the holidays. It was a time for family and lovers; in this case, this would fulfill the lovers' part. Her instructions were to find him in the city; they were going out for dinner.

Being that it was also the season of gift-giving, she decided to get him a gift as well. It was a simple gift; a fuzzy sweater in his favorite color. He shrugged at luxury and could buy anything he wanted. She decided to personalize it with some additions; the gift included handcrafted good luck charms. They were made with special beads and a gem only found within her kingdom's region. She put it together herself and attached a thread to it so he could wear the charm as a necklace.

The princess wore a fine purple kimono dress that hugged her curves. Her coat kept her warm as she stepped down the sidewalk. Her hair trailed down her back in an elegant braid. The woman was not one to keep anyone waiting, so her timing was impeccable. The blonde arrived at the meeting place without trouble. She held the appearance of royalty, complete with a sweet smile that illuminated her beauty. Her aqua eyes shined with excitement. Not a word left her lips as she clutched onto the wrapped present.

After all, what's the point of saying I love you when you could convey it to each other without words?

@Maximum_Fatalis

Alex turned around to face her. He dressed as a royal gentleman tonight. While he may have thought that he was low-key, he actually radiated royalty himself with how handsome he was in his red button-up shirt and family crest jacket. The sign of the Drakenhardt family was one Cecete now recognized thanks to her living with them for some time now. It was a reminder that she was dating the head of the family. She never met his parents and wondered what they would think of her. However, that didn't matter now. What mattered was that they were together.

Her kiss returned the excitement with pure, unadulterated passion. Her eyes closed; her soft lips touched his. She instinctively pushed herself onto the man and clung to his chest. She leaned slightly with her head tilted upward. The woman embraced the man's warmth. Though she was not cold before, something about being in close proximity with Alex was comforting. It helped her realize how much she missed his presence whenever she was at work or he was busy with family matters. Her heart soared when he entered the vicinity. This magical feeling could only be felt.

Their lips separated, and her eyes opened once more. A pleased smile crossed her face. Her green eyes had a certain lovey doveyness to them. They sparkled brightly in the night. Did she even have to say anything more? They could practically hear each other through expressions and touch. No words were necessary. Yet the princess did not know what the king had planned for her. His plans were to make her transition from princess to queen. She was practically queen already with how she kept him going at a healthy pace and assisted with keeping people in line.

The royal couple exchanged kisses. Now it was time to move forward. Not wanting to leave his warm aura, Cecete settled with taking his arm. She gently batted her eyes at him. Her hand stroked his arm. Her thoughts focused on the restaurant. Which one were they going to tonight? It seemed that they would be in for a fancy location due to their attire. She felt mild hunger; it wasn't enough to make her impatient. If anything, she was more excited about spending time with her boyfriend. Plus she felt that he had a few tricks up his sleeve anyway. This can't just be a dinner, but then what could he have planned tonight?

@Maximum_Fatalis

Cecete as a secret fae and a honorary harpy did not understand the concept of unique scents or lingering scents. Harpies were not known for their noses. However, they did have a keen sense of hearing which help further paint a picture beyond their vision. It was probably why they appreciated music and dance the most out of any art forms. Even the rough types knew that fighting and dancing come from similar molds. That wasn't to say there were no fighters in the village that were clunky at dancing, but it certainly informed Cecete's fighting style. Her fighting style was not the focus of this date though.

Her hearing did come into play when they entered the restaurant. At first it was the usual chatter and atmosphere that came from one of these places, but she sensed something was amidst. She couldn't identify it, but Alex's wording tipped her off. He made prior arrangements. The Queen gave him a curious look as they strolled away from the main section. The atmosphere changed entirely when they hit the private area. The place reserved for them held the same vibrant colors she was familiar with. He.....

He found a place similar to home!

The woman beamed brightly as she saw the setup. It wasn't quite the same, but it closely mimicked her home. Even the incredibly soft seating fit. She sat down and immediately soaked in the atmosphere. Her ears instinctively scanned for the sounds of her village. The back-and-forth chatter in both human and bird speak; the subtle humming of the men as they were performing the usual house maintenance; the playful singing of the women as they arrived from outside. She could recall always hearing the voice of that one elder: the storyteller was her title. She frequently went on about different occurrences that happened well before many of the villagers were born. The tales of which she spoke in relation to her mother and father made her giggle and also painted some hidden depths for the two of them.

The lover focused once more on their current setting as she gazed at Alex. This would be his first experience before heading to the village itself. It would be good if he obtained some background information from this. Of course, she knew that this was to comfort her for she had flown away from her home in favor of staying on Manta Carlos Island.

"It is fantastic. You are so thoughtful!"

Of course, she didn't even have to say that second sentence. A cheerful chirp escaped her lips. This wouldn't be complete without traditional harpy dishes, so she was prepared for the upcoming food. The girl then thought about the taste and pondered a bit. It was hard to describe, but she knew the meat dishes especially were filled with spices. Harpy culture in her village and probably many other villages within the kingdom was a result of traditional villages combined with various Asian cultures. Between villages there were variations based on location. Many of them were located within Asia due to the various mountain peaks, but she wouldn't be surprised if there were others elsewhere where mountains existed. However, she wasn't sure what it would be like in those places.

"I hope you do not mind spicy food. Many of the dishes use an array of spices."

The result, if done right, would lead to a bold flavor. She also recalled there were certain magical herbs and fruits specific to her area that were used for certain dishes. She suddenly longed to have anaimalai berries, a specific fruit that had the same taste as snake fruit. It was sweet and tangy with a bit of sass. The closest fruit she ate on the island with a similar taste was pineapple, but that wasn't quite the same. The magical properties enhanced the sweet part and left the same lingering aftertaste as if one ate a packet of sugar. She adored it, but she didn't expect them to acquire it.

@Maximum_Fatalis

Cecete's eyes lit up as she saw the appetizer platter. Unbelievable! They got her favorite fruit! She practically shoved one in her mouth the moment it hit the table. Yes, this was straight from home. It was even more juicy than she remembered! Her taste buds sung as the sweet juices came in contact with her tongue. Her face expressed total bliss. Her mind experienced a flashback. She was a child excitedly running around. She paused to look at some pretty fruit. It was colorful with a scaly design. She hesitantly grabbed one and took a bite. That was her first time trying anaimalai fruit, and she loved it ever since.

She then realized she was spacing out during a date. How rude of her! Her cheeks turned pink as she eyed Alex bashfully. He seemed to moderately enjoy the fruit. At least that's what she assumed he had; that was the only dish on the table at the moment. She shyly took another piece and consumed it. Good heavens, she loved it so much.

"You spoil me, Alex. How did the restaurant manage to acquire this fruit?"

And why was he doing this for her? This seemed like quite the occasion. Was this what Christmas was like? She didn't know much about his dating history, but she never really cared. Her concerns were with the present; as long as he loved her now and only loved her, then she was fine. Of course the romantic kind of love — she had nothing against him loving his family! He should love his family! It was other women that she would not accept. She wasn't the type to condone cheating or harems; she'd sooner cut heads off than give up her Alex.

Cecete was curious but overwhelmed with infatuation. She likely would've questioned him more if it wasn't for the fact she was enjoying herself so much. Chances are they weren't just going to have dinner either. This date was shaping up to be the best one yet!

@Maximum_Fatalis