#zack the apprentice

The woods were filled with the song of birds, the soft breeze through the trees, and even the chattering of squirrels; all the expected noises to surround a person in nature. Well, except for one other soft another soft song joining that of the birds, this one coming from a young woman kneeling on a blanket in one of the many small clearings of the woods outside of Vesuvia. 

“Softly the wind blows, memories to me~ 

Of embers and starlight and songs from the sea~”  

Eva tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she methodically set the little containers from her basket about the blanket, arranging and rearranging the spread till it looked as inviting as she could make it. Thankfully a rather large rock provided a nice flat surface to set everything on, a makeshift low table for the date. 

“ Far gone those days of old~

but love shall stay, or so I am told~- Okay then, I think that should just about do it. What do you think?” the young woman looked over at a large mound of fur and plants, the large tusked feline yawning in response. “Oh thank you for the vote of confidence” Eva rolled her eyes with a chuckle, humming more of her song as she pulled out the plates and utensil rolls. 

Persephatta stretched and reached out her claws, digging into the earth, but froze when the scent of company hit her nose. Rather familiar company at that, that had her chuffing and letting out her small call as she went to meet their guests. The cadrith purred as a strong tanned hand caressed gently over her head, and slid down her back. Once the hand was gone, her attention was on the behemoth that had accompanied the human into the woods. 

“Ah, Zack, you and Yasha are early!” Eva had a feeling her date for the lunch was what lifted her cadrith’s mood, as did his familiar, who was now chuffing back as Persephatta rubbed herself under the beast’s chin. 

“Yasha followed your scent to find this place. Sorry if it is ahead of time,” The tall man said with a soft smile as he walked over to Eva, having to bend down due to their height difference to plant a gentle and chaste kiss on her cheek.

“O-Oh no no, don’t worry i-in fact I am glad you did” Eva’s cheeks pinked at the feel of his warm lips on her face, “I mean, just finished setting up so y-ya know” Awe man, it was always that smile on that freckled face and soft voice that made her this flustered. “H-here we are” she opened up her hands in a tada fashion to the picnic spread. 

“Hn,” Zack nodded with a soft smile as he sat down on one of the pillows offered and looked at the containers with some curiosity, “looks rather nice.” 

Meanwhile the familiars were gently batting at each other in play, well more Eva’s attempting to initiate play and Zack’s mildly entertaining the thought.

“Teehee, thanks” Eva’s face beamed with joy, “We have a salad, some diced fruit and brown bread honey spread...” Eva pointed to the different containers of the spread, “And then we have some barbecue jackfruit stuffed pitas.”  

“Jackfruit” It was not much of a question but more of a tone of realization and appreciation. 

“W-well you are a vegetarian, so I wanted to make sure it would be something we could both enjoy” the redhead nibbled on her bottom lip. 

“It is wonderful,” The cyan eyed man smiled at her, “that is very considerate of you” He took his plate and started putting the various things Eva has laid out on his place, not only to show appreciation but also his own appetite that he had held off sating that morning  for this occasion. 

“And as for dessert,” the redhead pulled out a pie pan, but it was no pie in there, “Strawberry jam cheesecake” 

Zack paused, his mouth full of the bbq pita as he eyed the dessert that seemed to be calling his name as she displayed it. “You,” he said with a growing smile after savoring his bite, “spoil me Eva. Keep feeding me like this and I am going to gain weight.” 

“T-That wouldn’t be horrible would it?” Eva asked as she helped herself to some of the salad and fruit, “I bet you would still look handsome. M-maybe even more so,” she added with a small nervous chuckle. 

“You think so?” He asked with a raised brow, grabbing another one of the pita’s but leaning across the table to give it to her, “Don’t just eat salad, have something more filling.” he said with a stern, yet caring tone, knowing how she tended to be hypocritical about how much food to eat. 

“Oh, o-okay,” She smiled, not arguing for once with his request that she eat. Truly eat, not just pick at things enough to get a taste. 

Time went by, with them eating and talking. Conversation between portions varied from about Asra and the common things he would say to the both of them, some of the changes that Zack had made to his carvings to add extra protection to the carriers, and Eva’s own continued training in the various arts of divination. 

“I actually made you something…” Zack pulled a little wooden carving on a cord from his pocket, handing it to her rather quickly. And.. was that some pink on his cheeks. “For… me?” Eva wasn’t expecting such a sweet gesture. Well, she wasn’t surprised Zack would do such a thing, but it was more she didn’t expect him for this date to have something ready for her so soon. Looking down at the little carving in her hands she smiles, “It’s a badger...and there are little symbols…” her smile grew as her hands gently caressed the craftsmanship. It looked like either it was two different woods used, or perhaps it was the sanding and polishing of the wood that gave such different tones for the white and black parts of the creature. 

“It’s to protect you.” Zack stated, his eyes going back and forth  from her face to the gift, “Do you.. Do you like it?”

“Oh Zack, I adore it,” the redhead beamed, “can you help me put it on? Please?” she handed it back to him before turning around, pulling her hair to the side so it wouldn’t be in the way. 

He smiled and scooted on his knees to be behind her to put the necklace around her and tie a secure knot. “

“I promise, I will never take it off,” Eva hummed as her hand slid up her chest, rubbing the smooth polished wood. 

“It was made to protect you, so I would hope not,” Zack said softly, his arms wrapping tightly around her middle and pulling her close, “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” he mumbled against her skin, his head in the crook of her neck. 

“Z-Zack…” Eva said his name softly, as if it were a special, sacred word, reaching her hand back to caress his head. Shifting her body in his arms, once he loosened enough at least to let her, she wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him back, “You mean a lot to me too…” She dared to confess. His tanned face slid against her neck and cheek till his forehead was pressed against hers, looking her in the eyes with such a tender expression; such worry, yet hope, and happiness, and fear: these were all things that she could see deep in those rare, magical eyes. 

Cupping his cheek in her hand, Eva pressed her lips to his nose, right on the freckles and then proceeded to give soft kisses to his freckle bridge, before planting the last one on his forehead. 

When she drew back, she couldn’t help but smile and hold back a chuckle at the adorable shocked and awe expression her dearest to her had on his face. “I f-feel a bit bad though,” she hummed bashfully, “You got me this and I don't have a gift for you. Well, other than maybe another slice of that cheesecake?” 

The humor in her words and the wink she gave seemed to break Zack out of his stupor, a smile coming across his pinked face, and his own chuckle rumbling in his chest, “I wouldn’t mind that.”

Once they were full on food and words, the two found themselves relaxing against one of the strong pines of the forest. Eva’s back resting against the trunk, with Zack’s head in her lap as she hummed and ran her hands through his hair. Their familiars lay off in their own nap, occasionally giving a small grooming session to the top of the other’s head and ears.  

“I don’t think I have heard that song...’ Zack said, his voice drifting with is subconscious, not bothering to open his eyes as he settled comfortably under her touch. 

“Well, I am writing it actually,” the redhead looked down at the handsome man who seemed to be drifting off to sleep, “I have been looking into song incantation practices, so been fiddling with that a bit.” 

“And what is it for?” One eye did peek open a little, glancing up at her with a calm and tired smile, a hand reaching up to play with one of her locks of hair that curtained around him as she bent down. 

“Well,” Eva nibbled on her bottom lip, “I sort of was thinking of a love song. One that helps protect a soul mate. From what I looked into finding your soulmate would be an extremely difficult spell. B-But maybe…maybe you can at least send them some warmth and protection. And make them feel that you are out there, thinking of them.” 

“Hnnn” Zack let out in understanding and approval, “Perhaps I can help you with that... if you like.” He yawned and rolled himself to his side, facing into her stomach as he nestled in and made himself comfortable with her. 

“I’d like that.” Eva smiled down at him, pressing her fingers to her puckered lips to gently transfer a kiss to his cheek, before resuming her humming and petting his head, her own eyes slowly closing as she felt more at peace in that moment, than any other she could ever recall. 

Besides, I don’t need to find my soul mate…I already feel that has been found