#8|||

I am an observer...

Just an observer...

...

SWARM EMANATOR PLEASE LOOK UP!!

That would be the only message Caelus would receive on the matter, with the only other evidence of what he might expect upon arrival at her Clocktower being that warm feeling of contentment swimming in their shared connection. A good sign, certainly, and when he did finally greet her in the entrance hall and she led him to her magical laboratory, it would be an unassuming cardboard box that she would lead him to. Reaching into it, Herta would retrieve another box inside — this time IPC tech, intended to help preserve the condition of even the most ancient of relics. With a press of a fingertip to unlock it, she revealed a photo album.

“ You inspired me to start indexing some of my collections, and I started with my parents' old belongings. ” There was something that had stuck with her ever since their first discussion about the prospect of marriage, and the dive into her memories that it had prompted in order to explain her reservations on the idea. Opening the book, the first page revealed two photographs of a happy-go-lucky toddler with familiar ashen hair and sparkling violet eyes. Next to her, clear as day, was her mom. Apart from the particular shade of her hair colour ( which she now knew she got from her dad ), the resemblance between the two was unmistakable. That warmth once again radiated within her heart. “ After my parents' deaths, I had all this stuff packed up and put into storage, not really thinking about it. ” It was a chapter of her life closed, and nothing more. Herta had never imagined that she would wish to reopen it, even if only briefly in order to share it with the man that she wanted to spend the rest of her long life with.

“ But they're both in here. I can finally see what they look like. ” No more fuzzy, blurred faces as they had appeared within her memory. The memories of her childhood, that curiosity and imagination and wonder that had driven her forward for so many years... they were now closer than ever.

Herta shuffled closer to him, a wordless acknowledgement that he was free to flick through its pages as much as he wished, and leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder “ I was thinking... if you are serious about marriage — and this isn't a yes yet, it's a maybe — you could come with me to visit their graves. ” A sigh spilled from her lips. “ Morbid, I know... but you're the only suitor they ever deserve to meet. ” ( herta for caelus ! )

Oftentimes experiences with Herta always intertwined a touch of their playfulness on matters. Assignments ushered forth her firmness, and the more whimsical would have her more pointed statements of wonder, happily diving into a ravine of questions and wonderings upon a lazier day. This on the other hand? A simple request tied with a growing wreath of emotion that blooms warmly? It required no second thoughts, the infinite distance of space and the road of time finds itself captured and swept across in mere moments.

Trailblaze ignited life and limb, and a familiar beacon situated at that remote edge of the universe ensured that through scintillating flourishes of blue, that familiar form of Herta's beloved found himself set upon the starry, misty grounds that soon led to that defiant tower pointing towards the skies.

For Caelus? It was just home, no more and no less.

As the door creaked open, that familiar visage, cocksure and bright awaited her with a twist of a smile. "Not like you to point mysteries out this way, color me interested, Herta." As if he ever needed reason itself to join her upon anything now days, even her selfish whims become the grand torch to champion if it promises this, that torrent of fulfillment that dances between them, reverberating through one of the sweetest hearts he's ever had the honor to meet.

Her Nameless held no hesitation in joining their arms, allowing the genius' paces to take the lead, and for this newest hall to be refamiliarized through eager looks and the restful allure of her voice. "Your folks--" The mention of them sparked genuine surprise, worn well across expression and heart, quieting the more thoughtful waves in his mind as the attention was now honed. It wasn't until he eased up his arm, allowing her full leverage to the aged but well kept photograph book nearly making his heart stall with both anticipation and wonder.

Leaning his head over her shoulder, eyes and facial features canted directly to the pages, a bubbling surge of emotion stirred within at the sight of her beloved family. All while as the crown center of many of the shots, at times snaggletoothed, at other times haughty, confident, visages of an adored smile reflecting themselves at Herta's childhood found itself unfurled between them both. "We can." He affirms, a rush of conviction leading to heat continuing to bring their connection to a resolute simmer. Rather than having the smaller sayings, it's when his dear leaned closer, giving him leverage to actively explore that she'd see his curiosity on the matter.

One arm remained secure around her waist, and the other made use of her holding this memorial to a cherished life. Each flick led to new shades of her life, no shortage of Herta's glamor shots being coupled with her interest, how there was inspiration flowing freely in that little soul. Without even realizing it, it made such a dorky smile bloom upon his face, just picturing from the visage of both her Father and Mother how their days were in movement. Moments she was held high, others were more organized portraits, and not to mention no small shortage her parents just catching clips of each other while trying to highlight their daughter.

"The Blue really is a warm world, isn't it?"

...Then comes something he hadn't anticipated.

"Herta..? You." Thankfully she managed to clip any errant ideas floating about. Despite it all, how could hope not brighten at the very prospect? Caelus was content in tucking it away, of letting it just be a plot of land either rediscovered later or given a more steadfast answer. Despite the warmth, she taught him the difficult thorns of what transpired upon her home as well. No place could be a true paradise, and history always had its dues to pay.

Even then... She truly wanted to embark on playing around with it? Unconsciously his arm tugged her closer, held her tighter as if the very moment could just vanish from his fingertips. What crowned above all else would be the genuine sentiment of not only seeing her family, it would be the offer for a reunion that was long overdue. How in a way, a means of introducing the absolute, forthright knucklehead she fancied and 'Bringing that Chosen Man Home'.

"With or without marriage, Herta, you know about how much I wanted to meet them. I mean, they're like folks, in a way I gotta thank 'em for introducing my favorite person to the universe here. Even if I can't get chased halfway across the yard." Despite the small note of laughter, it was hard to hide how much the emotional aspect thickened his tone. Right now, a desire to never lose sight of those violet eyes ensured that eye contact was fated.

"Let's pack some things before we go. A good meal we can share with them, a favorite drink they always had so I can offer some up at the site too. Gotta show your old man that you've whipped some manners into me here." Each idea in the response held energy, an eagerness and an all too natural sense of boyish nervousness, even if they were in the realms beyond.

"I want it to be a party between us four, and have some stories set too, so they don't have to worry about you being bored out of your mind--" A small huff follows.

"What do you say?"