Dice Our Shenanigans

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

"Just trying to make you smile~" said Moss, cradling Isa in his arms. He kissed his forehead, rubbing his back comfortingly. They stayed that way for a nice moment, enjoying the cool breeze that gently swayed the leaves and the shadows of clouds that lazily crossed the grassy hill.

"Betchu can't guess how old I am~" he smiled at him.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

“Mission accomplished.” Isa smiled rakishly, one corner of his mouth higher than the other. He closed his eyes as Moss kissed his forehead and continued to snuggle him. Occasionally kissing his neck and cheeks in their quiet moment together. It was nice, relaxing even.

“Hm?” The redhead smirked. “Hmmmmmmmmmmmm~ a hundread years old.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

Moss chuckled, surprised. "Wait, do you actually know how long merefolk live for?" Aww, Moss should have known it. This is Isa. He is smart. He reads.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

“Nope!” Isa chuckled. “But I do remember Gramps complaining about someone who is merfolk. Something about -“ He cleared his throat for a moment before straightening up his back. Brows furrowed in agitation. His light tone went deeper, heavier as if he really as an older human man complaining.

“‘Just because he is a few centuries older, he could out-drink me! Ha!’” Then Isa laughed, unable to keep a straight face. “He won a drinking buddy after that day. Hahah! So I guessed that merfolk can live at least a hundred or more.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

"So that's what your gramps sounds like." laughed Moss, eating another piece of cinnamon roll and taking a swig of wine.

"You are correct, we can live a hundred years or more. A thousand in fact if one is blessed by the Heart of Atlantis, on average about eight hundred. There is a ceremony, it is called Ananéosi or The Renewal performed every first full moon of winter when the low tide recedes so far into the ocean, our cities actually appear above the waters. During this ceremony, we celebrate new beginnings and after the queen speaks to the old kings and queens, The Heart of Atlantis renews us, giving us longer lives, sometimes healing wounds that could not be healed. It is the treasure of all merefolk. Without it we would age, I think, like whales."

He looked at the village nostalgically. "I miss that glowing pale blue crystal. It floats in the water above Atlantis, emitting a flaring white aura that holds stone carvings of all the rulers of the past around it. And it's always slowly rotating, as steady and beautiful as though we have a fragment of the blue moon, yes our moon is blue." he grinned.

"But yeah, in Leor years, I am the magical age of two hundred and seventy seven!" He then looked at him a bit worriedly. "Does that bother you that I'm waaaay older than your gramps?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

Isa payed with rapt attention, having a piece of the cinnamon roll. Then he gasped in awe. “Your Queen can speak to the old kings and queens of your culture?! That’s so cool! I can only imagine the stories they will bring, telling to the new generation of rulers. All the possible pranks they’ve endured or played on others or retell about their children’s lives. It also sounds beautiful.”

“No wonder ya miss it.” Then Isa snorted, smiling. “Do ya have an issue that I’m waaaaaaaaaay younger than gramps? He is still kicking in his young age of seventy nine.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

"No, no, I just thought that maybe you would get disgusted by the age gap?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

“Not really. I accept that’s just how it is with merfolk and aging. Now if ya were the same age as Gramps’ drinking buddy, then I’d be concerned.” Isa chuckled, swirling the wine in his cup. “It’s the same if ya are a lot more younger than a teenager for merfolk. I’d be concerned. Plus ya seem like you’re the same mental age as me . . . I could be wrong, of course. I don‘t know much about merfolk.”

”I’m actually more concerned about my aging, should we become more in our relationship after dating. I don’t even know how you’d feel about dating a seemingly older me when ya still look like a human’s early twenties. I still don’t even know if I’m actually fully human or part elf because my ears could be genetic or a weird mutation from hellmist.” Then he peeked at the merman, smiling apologetically.

“Sorry. It’s a heavy topic, right?”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

"I mean, I bought it up." shrugged Moss, confused as to why Isa was apologizing. He hugged him tighter. "It had crossed my mind that you are likely to die before me, but the alternative is to not try to be in a relationship with you and I don't want that." He ate the last piece of cinnamon roll he had cut. "Besides, who's to say for certain that you will die before me? Anything can happen, so . . . I'll just look at what today has to offer. And if we become more after dating and the years age you . . ." He looked at Isa earnestly. " . . . I honestly don't know what to say. I mean, I haven't even decided if you're going to be the one I'm going to marry." he chuckled. " I think I'll just wind back a little and first think about whether we are compatible for a life together first."

He caressed his hair comfortingly. "To me, I think that it's going well, what we have right now."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

“Yea, same here but I still prefer to try to be in a relationship with ya too.” Isa grinned, leaning into the hug and squeezing him tight as he could as he listened. Then his eyes widened as his head steamed red. M-ma-marriage?! That’s big commitment to think about and- oh gosh! Did Moss believe that Isa was talking about that? “I-I didn’t think about marriage. I just meant as spending life together, as friends or something more than dating. Though I suppose marriage counts as the something more . . . I’m overthinking.“

Then he shook his head before snuggling up to Moss’ embrace and gingerly pecking his neck. Enjoying the comforting caresses and relaxed. “I think what we have now is going well too. It’s nice and sweet like blueberries.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

"You just wanted to spend life together as friends??" said Moss looking at him incredulously, and a little bit hurt. " Wh --- I --- I mean, what is more than dating? Isn't it marriage? W-was it just like . . . someone you just go home to have cuddle time with?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

”No, no.“ Isa warmly smiled, cupping his cheeks, and rubbed with his thumbs in hopes to sooth Moss’ hurt. “I meant that I wasn’t thinking about the title of marriage o-or the ring or the ceremony. Not saying that I would not marry ya. If we’re compatible, I’d marry ya in a heartbeat.”

”I was thinking about the possibilities our relationship will grow into —- I’m hoping a romantic side after dating. Heheh. That we’ll support each other. Maybe have more adventures together and celebrate our achievements or settling in a home or traveling together in a caravan slash diner. Or be more passionate in the nights and mornings——and that’s why I’m saying I’m overthinking things!” His face flushed in a deep red.

“I only added the friends part because I don’t know if you’ll find someone better than me when we find each other again. I want ya to be happy and be friends with ya in case ya find someone, that’s all.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

Moss' heart jumped when Isa said he'd marry him in a heartbeat. He relaxed, and became more and more relieved, as he listened, placing his hands over his. "Okay . . . okay." he breathed, reassured. He smiled. "You can be sure when we find each other again and you don't have anyone you love by that time, it will be more on the romantic side. And . . . you're not overthinking, I think about those things too." he blushed. "And I'm happy that you overthink about it a lot."

He kissed both of Isa's hands, and then bumped foreheads with him, closing his eyes, nuzzling the side of his head with his horn. He looked into his indigo blue eyes smiling, then kissed him happily.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

Isa squirmed, obviously joyful with his big happy smile plastered on his extremely red face. He chuckled when Moss kissed his hands and bumped foreheads before taking a deep breathe. Fluttering his eyes half-lidded as he nuzzled back with his forehead and leaving light kisses on his horn whenever it was low enough for his lips to reach. As he stared back into Moss’ rich and clear teal eyes, butterflies fluttering around in his tummy, he lets out a ‘hm’. Kissing back.

Then he melted in his arms, combing through his snow-white hair tenderly with one hand while the other affectionally trailed down his spine with one fingertip. The kiss left him breathless and dazed.

”Moss~” He purred as he playfully traced the middle of the spine, gingerly drawing small circles.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

Moss' happy kiss turned passionate, and he made out with Isa for a good long while, leaving him tingly all over and deeply sated. Their picnic was punctuated by random conversation, jokes shared, and more touches that left Isa pleasantly sensitive in certain places. Their deserts and sandwiches eaten, they lounged on the hill with what was left of the bottle of wine. Sunset came, and Moss just felt so relaxed, watching it go down with Isa in his arms.

"Is there anything else you'd like to do as a belated birthday celebration, Isa?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

“Mossssh~ I feel tingly~” Isa slurred mid-kiss, somehow finding himself sitting on Moss’ lap. “Pleash dun break meh.”

With random conversation and jokes shared, the redhead did his best to have Moss feel good too. Teasing and having his skin sing whenever he playfully massaged his sides or combing through his hair. Even pecking his cheeks when they ate their desserts and sandwiches. As the sun sets, the skies turning orange-y reds and violets, Isa hugged Moss close. Still sitting on his lap and leaning on his chest as they watched the sunset and relaxed.

”Hm?” Isa hummed, blinking bearish as he tried to reconnect wires in his brain again. “Can we go to Sen’s smithy? Later? When I can finally feel my legs again and not shake like a newborn lamb.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

"Uh. Sure." said Moss who was sitting frozen and very red against a tree trunk. "Can . . . uh . . . ", he choked a bit on the wine. " W-would it be alright, Isa if you sat on-on side . . . I mean, sideways, but-but not my lap, um, just side by side next to each other?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

“Eh?” Isa muttered. Leaning back and tilted his head to the left in his dazed confusion. “Why, Moss? Are ya feeling hot?”

Then shuffled himself off of the merman’s lap before clumsily landing on the grassy ground. Right beside Moss. The redhead sleepily fanned his face with a hand, looking worried despite his brain not working. “Do ya need ice? Should I get a bucket of water? I didn’t know I was hot for ya. I’m sorry.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

Moss deadpanned at him, laughing. "Don't pretend," he poked his side, "that you don't know what I'm talking about, you troll. Of course you're hot for me, what do you think?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

Isa snorted when Moss poked his side, resisting the ticklish and still tingling feelings. Smirking devilishly as he leaned on one arm, sitting on a side of his hip. Part of his autumn fringes veiling over one half-lidded indigo eye as he stared at the flustered merman.

“I think I should have let ya feel hotter then, if that’s your reaction.” He purred alluringly, chuckling as he patted the merman’s hand with his remaining free one. “Next time then~”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Picnic~"​

Moss gaped at him in disbelief, laughing, "So you did know!" He pointed an accusing finger. "And here I was thinking, Isa is an innocent flower." He rolled his eyes at him, then offered his hand. "Let's go to Sen's."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Picnic~"​

“I’m learning from the best!” Isa replied, teasingly booping Moss’ nose with a gentle fingertip. “Ya have dyed my innocent flower with passionate colors, Moss~”

Then he looked at his hand, his impish grin turned unsure. “Don’t be surprised if my legs buckle, okay?” With Moss’ help and having a few seconds for his legs to stop shaking like a newborn lamb, the redhead helped clean up. Tucking the plates and cups in the basket that they’ll return to the tavern — he promised to clean the dishes and cups before returning it to the kitchen—- and held onto Moss’ hand as they made their way to Sen’s smithy.

By the Iron Itsumade, Isa knocked on the door and went inside, grinning. “Sen? I came to pick it up.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Iron Itsumade"​

Moss laughed, rolling his eyes again. "Well, I'm glad you seem to be enjoying my passionate colors, Isa. Aaaaaaand, your flower was never that innocent to begin, person who only flirts during daytime. Person who says he hasn't been flirting, but has been all this time. Like now, pretending that I was hot." He looked at him, like ohhh-Isa-I-know-you-now-you-can't-lie-to-me. Still, his smile said that he was pleased all the same.

With a nod, he helped Isa up, hugging his waist to support him, and then said, "No, no, no, let me. Birthday boys don't clean." And took the basket, plates, and cups from him.

In the smithy, Sen welcomed them in, greeting Isa with, "Hey, been a while! Hope your job went okay. I got the goods, come on over. I got yours too, Moss." Sen pushed a package to each of them. Moss looked curiously at the rectangular box Isa had.

"What did you get?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -
"Chickadee tavern “​

Isa stuttered when Moss took away the basket, blushing red as the merman supported him by holding his waist. “A-ah but-!” He pouted. “I promised.”

In the smithy, the redhead grinned, nodding in glee. “Yea, it went wonderfully. The Ciros ruins is safe, so James can go in and out again with guests.” He said, going inside and waited for their packages to come out. When Sen gave Isa the rectangular box, catching Moss’ attention, he simply smiled. “I’ll let ya see it back in our room. Thank you so much, Sen. This means a lot.”

As they went back to the tavern, helping Moss clean the dishes — “I promised!” He explained, defyingly arms deep in the soupy waters.— the redhead held onto Moss’ hand with his gloved one. Reaching their room and locking it behind after they went inside. He gently placed the rectangular box on the table. Then he gestured the merman to the wrapped box, taking a few steps back.

”Go ahead. Open it.” Isa muttered, smiling warm.

Wrapped under the paper is a dark blue metal traveling case, swirling around with lighter blues and flakes of gold whenever the light hits it right. The handle was also dark blue. On one of the corners is Moss’ name, etched and painted in earthy gold cursive. Moss can tell that this traveling case can also be used as a hot plate, chopping board, and a grilling pan enhanced by something. He can feel it in his fingertips, the ragnite that’s powering it is somewhere and if he looked, he’d find a small flat latch on the side. Opening it revealed the ragnite that‘s powering this case.The dark midnight latches popped open and it revealed a set of five knives tucked safely within a fire-proof dark midnight cloth that felt velvety to the touch. A chef’s knife, a filleting knife, a serrated knife, a paring knife, and a honing steel. The knife set had an ocean metal theme. The handles were swirling blues and teals with hints of gold flakes that looked more like scales the more he stared at it. The blades itself are sharpened and etched with waves crashing down as if whatever Moss cuts, the waves of the ocean were crashing into it. There’s a weight to them and it felt good in the hands.

“The case can shrink so ya can fit more stuff in your bag if ya like. Ya just need to change the small piece of ragnite every year or not if ya don’t to.” Isa explained, smiling sheepishly. “Do ya like it? Because this is for you too.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -
"Iron Itsumade"​

Sen waved them good-bye. Moss offered to carry Isa's package, as he pulled them for a moment to the market place to buy some flour, sugar, eggs, nuts, cream, candles, and more.

In the tavern, Moss chuckled, "Alright, alright." And helped him wash the dishes after talking to the tavern's chef about something.

In their room, after Moss put the groceries down, he looked at the box surprised. " Huh? You bought something for me?" He opened it.

Moss' eyes widened in amazement. "Isa . . ." He pulled out each knife, looking them over, testing their weight. It felt good. A tear fell down his face. "You are so nice to meeee." He blubbered happily and put the knife down then hugged him. The crockpot . . . these knives . . . It clicked in his head. Were these because of what Moss told him about his traveling chef dream?

He cupped Isa's cheeks then kissed him full of heart. "Oh, Isa, thank you. Truly, truly, whatever you wish to do for the rest of our time together here, I'll do it with you." He kissed him again, smiling.

Katsuya