Private The Wanting Comes In Waves

[Ishani Dinn]

While Arc’s eyes were closed, his attention fully on his plant, Ishani had casually Surged a swing made out of vines. Granted, she had been going for something much more ambitious—she’d envisioned a hammock, but only managed the little one-person swing. She was just beginning to test its ability to hold her weight when he spoke.

“Yay, you did it!” She clapped her hands. “At this rate we’re gonna turn this place into a regular paradise. The Zannah Gardens ain’t got nothing on ours!”

As she said it, she pulled the swing back and let go. The vines didn’t snap, and though she only went for two swings, not wanting to tempt fate, it seemed functioning. “This is what I get for learning how to braid rope in girl scouts,” she muttered. “Actually, wait—you’re heavier than me, do you want to try this?”

Obviously this was the real ultimate use of Plant Surge: making yourself a place to sit or sleep in a pinch.

Arcturus Dinn​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

It had worked alright. Arcturus beamed a grin, and opened his eyes to look at Ishani as she swung upon a vine of her own creation. She'd gotten good at it in the short time they'd been practicing, good enough at least to start being creative.

"Show off" he muttered, though the grin never left his lips, "Look at you go, girl. Maybe plants will be your thing going forward." Certainly she'd took to it better than he had.

Maybe Arcturus still wanted something to care for at the end of it, though. Working them with his hands was almost meditative for him, there was no end goal, just the moment.

Maybe he was being reluctant on purpose.

Either way, Ishani had a much better grasp on it.

Then she asked him if he wanted to test the vine swing, and he raised one brow. "Uh... Do you want me to try it?" Did he want to try it? Arcturus was a little unnerved by the idea. But it wasn't as though he'd be dangling over some great ravine, so what harm could it do to try?

He rose up and made his way toward her.

 

[Ishani Dinn]

“Sure!” Using her feet, she stopped herself and stood up from the swing as he walked over. “I’ll even push you, if you like.”

Was she surprised by how readily she’d taken to Plant Surge? Oh, definitely. She usually struggled even with basic telekinesis, let alone more specific powers. Maybe something about plants and the way they grew just clicked with her.

She glanced up toward the vines, making sure they remained strong and intact, then turned to him. If he was sitting down, for once height wouldn’t stand in her way. She kissed his forehead, as he had done to her so many times before, and stepped away to give him room. “Go ahead.”

Arcturus Dinn​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Well, she asked for it.

Arcturus approached the haphazard vine swing and carefully lowered himself into something of a seated position. He didn't quite allow his full weight to settle upon it, though the unexpected kiss upon his forehead certainly did wonders toward easing him up.

"And you're sure this is fine?"

Though he asked the question, he didn't wait for the response. Nope. Instead he sat down and allowed his weight to be held by the plant. A true testament to Ishani's quick grasping of the power, because he didn't fall flat on his arse.

Ishani Dinn

 

[Ishani Dinn]

“You’re fine, baby.” She rested her hands on her hips. “Aw, you look so cute.”

He did indeed. Blue eyes, red hair, and greenery all around him. She got behind the swing, resting her hands on the vines, and started to pull them back. “You know how swings work?” she asked. It had occurred to her that he might’ve never been on one, but she pushed those sad thoughts away. “Keep your feet above the ground, swing them to increase your momentum…”

She let go, sending him forward.

Arcturus Dinn​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

"Hey," he grumbled, as she stood there with a hand on her hip, "I'm not a baby." Baby? Psht, he'd show her.

Then she stepped up behind him and set about actually pushing him on the swing, and the question she posed was one he didn't want to admit to. So instead he made a 'psht' sound, and briefly peered over his shoulder at her.

"Of course I know how to swing."

Still she told him how all the same and deep down he was grateful for that. Feet lifted slightly so that he wasn't supporting himself on the ground, nor scuffing up the soles of his shoes.

He swung forward as she pulled him back and released, and though he tried his best not to he squeezed his eyes tightly shut for a moment.

Once the line didn't snap and he didn't go flying off into the distance he let out a relieved sigh and opened his eyes again, swinging languidly back and forth.

Ishani Dinn

 

[Ishani Dinn]

“Must’ve been another one of my slips of the tongue, babe.”

She pushed him a few times to keep him going. Though he tried to hide it, she saw him squeeze his eyes shut, his fists clenching around the ropes. Like he didn’t know what to expect.

As he inevitably started to slow down, she stepped over and stopped him. “Here’s the ultimate test,” she said, before slipping in beside him on the seat.

Nothing happened, but they couldn’t move much together. Their combined weight was too heavy to get any real momentum going. She didn’t say anything to him about it being his first time on a swing, just wrapped an arm around him and laid her head against his shoulder, looking out at the garden they had made.

Arcturus Dinn​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

"Oh? Known for those are you? Slip of the tongue indeed!"

He grinned all the same, before the swinging started. Then he sort of paled some, and was glad she couldn't see his face. Back and forth a couple of times, then he slowed to a halt. Ishani was quick to join him, and though they couldn't really swing the rope still held.

"Impressive"

It was, genuinely, impressive. He'd expected it to snap under his weight, but it hadn't. This went above and beyond what he'd thought possible.

His own arm snaked around her and brought her in close. The feel of her head upon his shoulder was nice. Peaceful. He leaned his head atop hers and watched the oasis for himself. No rush, no desire to run off and do something else.

Just happy to sit and waste the rest of the day away with her.

Ishani Dinn