Matters of the Family [Caro]

Fortunately Shiva was preoccupied with her own awe to even realize Caroline had said anything. Lelianna, however, caught what Caroline said and laughed a little. ”Because Arecia is beautiful.” The druid answered simply even if it hadn’t really been directed towards her as a question. It was gorgeous. All of it. Everyday Lelianna got to see that beauty and discover even more of it. When she’d first found this place, her reaction had been the same: awestruck wonder. Despite her familiarity with the forest, it always held surprises even for her.

Some good surprises even, not just pranks.

However her admiring gaze was interrupted when Caroline brought up….hey! She didn’t just go around swallowing up people’s houses with her garden!

…..Ok so she might have done that with Caroline’s, but that didn’t mean she did it to everyones'!

”Hey!” The Hermit protested as her head whipped around to look at Caroline. She puffed up indignantly. ”<I made sure no one was there first!>” With that she pointed towards the rock wall. And indeed, there seemed to be a long line of vegetation that stretched up from the bottom towards the top where the cabin was. An ideal elevator for an earth magi with an affinity for plants. Well, so long as the plants didn’t plan on prank dropping them into the pools below. Which definitely did not happen, no sir.

”<From what the plants up there told me, no one’s been in there for a while now. I checked inside too: a lot of stuff seems to be missing.>” Whether or not that had been because of the original owners taking things out, or animals managing to get in, Lelianna wasn’t too sure. Though it had been in better condition than some of the other cabins she’d found out here.

Fortunately they moved on from Lelianna’s house snatching exploration. Caroline living here, huh? Now there was a thought. Although this place was quite a bit farther away then her tent currently was from Lelianna’s home. ”<Well…Well there are actually a lot of streams that come down from the mountains. A few rivers too. I’ve only found a few of them. But I mean if you really do wanna live here…” She shifted on her feet a bit and thought. “I mean I probably could help fix out that cabin with Arecia’s help. Though this would be farther from where you are now.”

It was Shiva who, after having walked the length of the shoreline, noticed her daughter’s hesitation. A large grin appeared on her face. ”<Ah, but that would mean she’d be further from you, hmm? Not exactly something you’d like, I’m guessing, my little flower?>” The woman asked teasingly.

Lelianna turned slightly red from the comment, but her protest came out in empty stammering. ”I…we-well I…I don’t… you…” Eventually she just stuck her mouth and crossed her arms, looking away from both. But….there was some truth to that. Jeez, now she felt selfish. ”<…..I-I mean it really wouldn’t be too far. I’ve walked much farther in a day. B-But I-I mean, I…..>” A sheepishness entered her as she glanced towards Caroline. ”….I do like having you close. W-Which honestly sounds selfish of me. B-But I…do.” Gods, now she just sounded ridiculous. Was this normal? I mean, Caroline could go wherever she wanted; this place wasn't really that much farther. Not for someone used to walking miles upon miles every morning to reach the edge of her garden. it would barely take her any time at all to reach this place on her own. Yet her initial reaction was just....Caroline wouldn't be as close.

Gods dammit what was she thinking?

Lelianna had turned her head away again, so by the time Caroline got to her for the hug the druid didn’t see it coming. Though it was still nice. A reassuring warmth to go with her words. Not to mention the new- but cute -nickname the cyborg gave her.

I wouldn’t like being further from you either, you know.

Somehow that sentence managed to lift the strange weight off Lelianna’s mind. Though the hermit still wasn’t exactly sure where the feeling had come from. Caroline went off on her own all the time to protect the woods (kind of hard to keep it a secret when the greenery around them was connected with the hermit, and its voice was only getting easier to hear as the days went by). While the redhead worried over her girlfriend, she knew Caroline was capable of protecting herself (did you see her wrestle Skjorn?) But for some reason the idea of her moving away and being further just…..sat wrong with Lelianna. Made her anxious. Sad? Worried, certainly. That was almost always an emotion she felt. Only this time it was with more reluctance to see Caroline be further away from her.

Was this normal?

Whatever the case, her thoughts were temporarily delayed as a warm and (increasingly) familiar sensation made itself known. A flush of crimson flooded into her cheeks as the flowers and crystals in her hair shifted colors. Why did that always break her train of thought? Gosh darn it Caroline. Though the hermit wasn’t honestly complaining. ”<……Ok.>” Was all she could muster with an admittedly pleased little smile as she gave Caroline a kiss on the cheek. ”<Sorry I’m all…>” She gestured with her hand to fill in for a word she couldn’t identify. ”<But I am glad you’re staying. Especially since I put all that work in. You know how hard it is separating the purple flowers from the others?>” The hermit joked lightly. She was…happy, frankly, that the cyborg felt the same despite the fact Lelianna had no idea where this feeling came from.

Shiva, meanwhile, was watching them the whole time. Keen amber eyes flitting between them as a lopsided smile was on her face. The gaze eventually turned away from the two to glance towards the cabin. Which made Lelianna blink and look towards Caroline. Shiva? Actually staying here? Hope suddenly filled her chest.

”<Hmmm….it is a thought. I would love being closer to my little flower, though admittedly I did not bring all my belongings with the intention of moving. So even if I wanted to it would take time.>” The woman chuckled before shaking her head and looking between the two. ”<But after watching you two…I do not think my presence is quite as needed here.>” She smiled warmly. ”<I do believe my little flower is in good hands. Or at least hands that truly care for her. That is not to say I am not interested by the idea of staying, my little Le-Le.>” Shiva assured the druid, who was feeling the hope drop in her chest as her cheeks simultaneously flushed. ”<But only that I do not feel quite as concerned now. You’ve grown so much, my little flower. And I mean that when I speak of you and of your wonderful garden my dear.>”

The woman walked up to Lelianna and gently took her face in her hands. Leaning in she planted a kiss on the redhead’s forehead before hugging her close. ”<I feel the loss as well, Le-Le.>” This was said quietly- with hushed tones meant mostly for just the two of them. Lelianna blinked, but nonetheless hugged Shiva back. Taking the offered support of the last member of her family and holding on tightly. ”<And I miss them very dearly. But I know they would be proud of all you’ve done, and the life you’ve made.>” Shiva pulled back a little and glanced over at Caroline. The smile turned into a bit of a smirk, displacing some of the sadness lingering in her expression. ”<And I have a feeling they’d be proud of who you’ve found for yourself.>”

Lelianna had to look over at that, giving Caroline a shy yet genuine smile. She…really had found someone good. Even if Caroline might still not particularly believe that about herself. Before Lelianna could say anything though, Shiva spoke again.

”<I mean she really is pretty.>”

Lelianna’s flush came back in force. ”<Shi-Shi!>”

”<What? It’s true. And she seems to enjoy teasing you just as much as I do; that’s always a good thing.>”

”<Shi-Shi please!>”

Well when she put it like that, how could any cloud possibly hang over the druid’s head?

Though whatever tender and loving moment there had been to follow was quickly turned around by even more of Shiva’s teasing. And even Caroline was joining in! The druid immediately puffed up, lightly smacking her 2nd “mother” on the arm, but simultaneously burying her now burning face into the woman’s shoulder. ”<You guys are awful.>” The redhead grumbled; the words muffled by Shiva’s chest. Who promptly laughed and kissed the top of the indignant magi’s head (mindful of the crystal spires as she did).

”<See? Far too easy. And far too cute to see for us to resist.>” Lelianna only gave her another smack to the arm in response, setting Shiva to laughing once more. ”<Oh come now, my little flower. You cannot stay mad at us forever. You’ve brought us to such a lovely little spot. Should we not then enjoy it, hmmm?>” The older woman coaxed with a hum. Lelianna stayed as she was for some time but eventually showed her face again. It was set in an unhappy frown- more of a pout really. Though there hardly was any bite to it. Especially when Shiva gave her another small peck on her forehead. ”<Le-Le, come on.>” The woman cooed. ”<Forgive us?>”

Green eyes glanced up towards the tan woman and squinted. But in the face of seeing such a familiar one after so long, one that only brought good memories back….The druid could hardly resist. ”……Hmph.” Lelianna huffed, but the expression on her face was fading. Which in turn set Shiva to grinning wildly and planting a third kiss on the magi’s forehead.

”<You know I love you, my little flower.>”

”<…….I know.>”

”<And so does she.>”

Lelianna’s face turned a little redder at that. She glanced Caroline’s way for a moment, and then back to Shiva. ”<………..I know…..I love you both too.>” She admitted. An answer that seemed to please her mother.

”<Better.>” She responded with a smile, giving Lelianna one last little squeeze before letting go. The grin soon returned to her lips. ”<Now then, we have this lovely pool here with us, yes?>” The woman pointed out. Lelianna blinked at her before a dawning sense of realization began to spread across her features. Shiva recognized this and the grin only grew as she approached the shore. ”<And it won’t be quite as warm for much longer with fall coming in, correct?>”

”<True.>” The druid acknowledged, already working on getting her shoes off. A new sort of emotion was creeping unto her face. One Caroline might have recognized from the night of the festival where the cyborg had won the bracelet currently shining on her wrist in the sunlight. there was a fire in her eyes. A certain type of eagerness. Competitiveness. An emotion that came with a dawning grin of her own as she quickly set about removing her outer clothes.

”<Then I think I need to see if you’ve managed to get any faster, little flower!>” The other woman laughed, a spark in her eyes as she was already practically through all of her own. Once that was done she dashed for the water and jumped right in. ”<First to touch the far wall wins! And no cheating!>” The woman called back as she began swimming. Surprisingly fast too, considering her apparent age.

Lelianna wasn’t far behind; similarly undressed down to just her underwear without giving a damn as she dashed past Caroline with a laugh. ”<You’re on! Come on CC! No cheating!>” The druid yelled back towards her girlfriend as she jumped into the water and began swimming after the other woman who’d managed to get a headstart. With a light in her eyes and energy soaring through her, Lelianna couldn’t help but feel happy.

Gods how she missed this.

Lelianna heard rather than saw the close splash near her as Caroline entered the water. Curse that cyborg and her incredible strength! But fortunately neither Lelianna or Shiva was particularly bothered by the cyborg’s use of her skill or ability to swim without breathing. Mainly because the two of them were so focused on beating each other that it hardly even mattered.

To both of their credits, they were fast. Especially with the full heat of competition getting the best of both of them. Though there was certainly a playfulness to it. Ultimately, it was Shiva who managed to touch the wall first. Just barely beating Lelianna by a second or two. Which made the elder woman laugh heartily and splash some water the druid’s way as they tredded in place (it was surprisingly deep). ”<Ha ha! Almost little flower! Almost!>” The woman teased with a wide and toothy grin. Lelianna just made a face and splashed her back. Though it was hard not to laugh with her (albeit both a little breathless from the swim). Giddiness had settled fully into the druid’s stomach.

”<Yeah but you got a head start! that’s not fair!>”

”<Oh hush. It’s not my fault you weren’t as quick on your feet!>” Shiva retorted with another laugh. Lelianna just stuck out her tongue as Caroline had reached the wall with them and began to stretch. Which…..effectively shut her brain off for a second. Okay I mean what do you expect? Her girlfriend was gorgeous; Shiva was right about that. All toned muscle and curves. Lelianna wasn’t a slouch herself- working in the woods as long as she did tended to develop some muscles. Especially when bear wrestling was involved. But she wasn’t sporting an Olympic athlete body. Hers was made more for endurance than anything. Covered in tiny scratches and imperfections that came from her constant work. It didn’t really feel like much of a comparison.

However, she felt eyes on her as she was unconsciously staring. A quick glance over revealed a very, very amused looking Shiva. With a look that practically said "Gotcha." Which made the druid immediately turn scarlet and turn away to sink beneath the surface for a moment. ”<Oh yes. My little flower got much of it from her parents, though I suspect I am guilty for this as well.>” The woman responded with a chuckle. Mercifully she didn’t say anything about the druid’s staring. For now, at least. ”<Though it is fun when a Varna gets competitive. And you certainly have gotten faster, little Le-Le.>”

”<One of these days Shi-Shi.>” The hermit vowed, glanced back over to her. Her face was still red, but burying it in the water for a moment had helped.

”<I look forward to that day, my little flower. Maybe it will be when you do not have so much hair weighing you down, hmm?>” The older woman teased. For indeed Lelianna’s hair had been a bit hard to swim against with it being completely loose. That and her flowers probably didn’t help much. The druid stuck out her tongue once again (an action that Shiva mirrored back at her) before something dawned on her.

”<Oh! Oh, oh, oh! I do want to show you something! There is at least one more thing I’ve gotten better at.>” The druid said, suddenly energetic once again. Shiva arched a brow, but nodded her head. With that Lelianna motioned for her to stay and swam out towards the middle of the pool. Then she promptly took a huge breath and submerged. Shiva blinked, but then realization dawned on her. She chuckled and glanced at Caroline.

”<If she’s doing what I think she is, I only hope her aim has gotten better.>” The woman said before glancing back towards where Lelianna had been.

Meanwhile, under the water, Lelianna swam deeper and deeper. Her powers reached out, making contact with the aquatic plantlife at the very bottom. She used to do this when she was a kid. Of course, with a lot less finesse or power behind it considering her powers weren’t so good as a child. But now she knew what she was doing. And she was eager to show off the one thing she could probably beat her mother in when it came to anything aquatic. She flipped in the water, feeling the familiar sensation of plants underfoot bunching up. A grin grew on the magi’s face as she crouched and prepared herself.

A few seconds later, the magi was quite literally launched out of the water and up into the air as the plants below forced her back to the surface. And she got pretty damn high up there too. Shiva watched with wide eyes, laughing as the earth magi eventually returned to the water with an enormous splash. A few seconds later and a redhead popped out of the water, moving her hair out of her eyes. ”<How was that?>” She yelled over.

”<Are you sure you aren’t actually a bird, little flower? You got so high this time! So much better since last time!>” Shiva said, clapping at the magi’s display. Though now she glanced over towards Caroline and the smile turned mischievous. ”<What about you though, hmm? Think you can get higher?>”

….OH COME ON! How was that fair?!

Of course when Lelianna went under she had a perfect view of her girlfriend’s abs. Because of course that would be right when she’d be adjusting the tank top for some reason. Even though the water wasn’t completely crystal clear, it was kind of hard not to see that. Green eyes went wide and she froze for a second, something in her stomach knotting. But fortunately her need for air (and the tank top descending back into place) was enough to snap her out of it.

Now she was even more eager to get away from the two for her stunt.

”<Well if there’s one thing I could lord over her mother’s head, it was the fact I was a faster swimmer.>” Shiva explained with a chuckle. ”<Both of them tried beating me. But ah, seems I am still the undefeated champion. But maybe not for long.>” With that she shrugged nonchalantly and watched the show.

Fire huh? Lelianna laughed and shook her head. ”<I’m a deer, not a dragon!>"

”<You’re a goofball, that’s what you are.>” Shiva called back cheekily.

”<Hey! Then what does that make you? You’re basically my mom!>”

”<Regretful of the past decisions I’ve made!>” Lelianna shot her an open-mouthed look of mock offense, which only made Shiva laugh before she looked at Caroline. ”<Ah, but do give it a shot. I’m sure you’ll do fine.>” She encouraged with a pat to Caroline’s arm before motioning Lelianna over. ”<Le-Le! Come back! Your girlfriend is giving it a shot!>”

With only the faintest blushes at that, Lelianna made her way back towards Shiva while Caroline swam out towards the center. However, as the druid got closer to the elder woman and turned to watch Caroline, Shiva arched a brow. ”<My little flower.>” She said with the beginnings of a smirk on her face. Lelianna glanced over, and was immediately suspicious of the expression on her mother’s face. She was fighting laughter. And about to fail from the looks of it.

”<…..Yes?>” She asked suspiciously.

”<Do you feel….like anything is, perhaps, missing, hmm? Something that’s rather important?>” The older woman asked. Lelianna frowned for a moment. Something missing? By this point Caroline had submerged to find her spot to launch off of. It was then that Lelianna looked down and….

Oh shit.

The druid immediately turned bright scarlet all the way from the tips of her ears to her shoulders. The blooms in her hair and crystals followed suit with a red so cherry it might as well have been the fire Caroline called for earlier. Shiva, of course, helpfully burst out laughing hysterically once Lelianna realized what had happened. ”<S-Shi-Shi! Help!>” The redhead hissed, too embarrassed and panicked to be mad at her laughing right now. Shiva started to calm down and was about to say something when Caroline burst out of the water. Both of their eyes snapped towards the figure soaring up into the sky. She did actually come pretty damn close to where Lelianna had been. But it was the miniature tidal wave that followed which broke the magi’s record.

The water washed over the both of them, and even Lelianna in her current state couldn’t help but be impressed. Shiva actually whistled a low sound of approval. ”<Ha! Might not have beaten her height, but you certainly left more of an impact.>” She praised with a grin. Lelianna nodded along until-

Oh no Caroline was swimming back over.

The panic was back. Times two. Oh no oh no oh no- Kept going through the magi’s mind. ”<Shi-Shi help, please.>” The redhead begged in a desperate whisper.

”<What? It’s not the end of the world. She’s your girlfriend anyways. At some point->”

”<SHI-SHI PLEASE.>

”<Oh alright. Just say you lost something and go around her you worry wart.>” The woman said with a purposefully dramatic roll of her eyes. Though she did turn towards Caroline as she kept approaching. Meanwhile Lelianna was doing her best to make a loooooong curve around the other girl to get back to where she was with a lot of distance between the two. ”<That was impressive though! Despite what you said, you got fairly high up there.>” The woman said, sort of providing some cover for the druid to swim back over.

Oh.

Lelianna froze once she spotted the “plant” Caroline held up. Yeah, no, that was no plant. Something Caroline also seemed to realize as the cyborg froze up so completely that Lelianna would have worried she’d broke if she wasn’t already preoccupied with her own horrific embarrassment.

The underwear was quickly take from the purplette’s hands by a very, very red druid. She trying her best to keep…herself from showing too much. Which was a risk with her getting closer to the cyborg. However her girlfriend seemed so completely out of it for the time being so the hippie took that chance and immediately sunk beneath the water once they were retrieved with a faint “thankyou” quickly muttered.

Meanwhile, as Lelianna hastily re-dressed underwater; Shiva? Shiva was nearly drowning she was laughing so hard.

The older woman, upon seeing the situation her “daughter” had gotten herself in and Caroline’s subsequent little discovery, had promptly burst out laughing again. It was fully and hearty and she needed one hand to clutch her now throbbing sides. Fortunately she’d gravitated towards the wall to find something to hold onto, but the woman’s chest was heaving with her mirth. By the time Lelianna finally resurfaced-thankfully with undergarments in place- she was finally starting to calm down.

But there was an undeniably toothy wide grin on the other woman’s face as her laughter began dwindling. With a look from one red faced druid to a similarly red faced cyborg, the woman made a show of rolling her eyes and pushing herself off from the wall to swim over towards them.

”<I swear, you two. It’s like I’m watching two teens deal with their first crush.>” The woman’s tease was enough to pull Lelianna’s gaze back up and somewhat stir the awkward air that now sat between the two in question.

”<H-Hey! W-We’re not->” She protested. And she would have said more, but as Shiva drew closer she lightly splashed her with a chuckle.

”<-Teenagers. Yes yes, I know little Le-Le. But that does not mean you both don’t adorably flounder just as teens would.>” She finished. Which only made the redhead fluster and flounder all the more. However Shiva didn’t stop(for long anyways) to bask in teasing the druid. She kept swimming and headed back towards the shore, unabashedly walking out of the water. While it was true the older woman was higher up in her years than the other two, it was clear she hadn’t spent it lying around and doing nothing. And that Lelianna did not, if it were possible in the first place, inherent any curves from the other woman.

”<Do not take it as a bad thing though, little flower. As I said, it’s awfully cute.>” Shiva called over her shoulder with a grin. She moved to sit down somewhere on land. Whether or not the two followed her, the woman seemed content now to bask on the shore in the sun to dry off. ”<Plus it is quite clear you both are in the same boat, so to speak. Unless I happen to be wrong, hmm?>” Now she looked at Caroline with a smirk.

She waved her little comment off though. ”<Ah, but things will come naturally to you both with time. Though I highly doubt you’ll ever stop turning as red as a rose little Le-Le.>” She added in. Which of course had the druid turning red all over again. And Shiva laugh. ”<See? Ah, but I’m happy for the two of you.>” Now the grin on her face changed into a heartfelt smile. ”<It is truly a good thing you have.>” She nodded her head to them both. ”<May you both keep your happiness for the rest of your days, and remain the obvious goofballs you both are.”>

Though Lelianna huffed at that little addition, she knew it was a genuine statement and couldn’t help but smile despite her reddened face. Yeah… She glanced over towards Caroline. It is a good thing.

Well Lelianna had planned on going onto the shore after Caroline had started for it.

Had.

Then of course time seemed to slow down and she got yet another good look at her girlfriend. Oh. Twice. That was twice now her heart felt like it had skipped one too many beats and her stomach was doing some sort of flip or something inside of her. Looked like her cheeks and ears were just going to stay bright red for a while longer as she found herself staring yet again. Noticing certain…assests that she really hadn’t thought to take notice of before.

Ba-Bump.

However Shiva’s words managed to pull her out of the trance. lelianna shook her head and averted her gaze. What was wrong with her today? It was like something was purposefully trying to draw her gaze towards the purplette today.

So, no, she didn’t get out of the water. Somehow it felt ‘safer” to stay within it. Though even as embarrassed and strangely flustered as she felt, she still managed to smile towards Caroline. Because yes, it was a good thing. What they had between them. Not this….whatever was going on with her right now.

After that revelation though, the hippie laid out on her back in the water and simply floated. To let the blood rush seep out of her cheeks, yes, but also to simply relax. There was something about the feeling of weightlessness she got from the water that she couldn’t help but love. The plants that had assisted her earlier reached upwards from the depth to gently keep her just above the surface without much effort. Otherwise the druid was simply free-floating. Eyes closed and lips softly tugged upwards as she appreciated the hot sun from above and the cool water from below. Hair gently fanning out in the water as she stayed there. Vibrant blooms spreading across the fiery red locks as Lelianna let her body go completely limp. She could stay like this forever.

Peace.
That’s exactly what the girl was feeling right then, and loving every moment of it.

Meanwhile, on the shore, Shiva had not missed the whole situation between the cyborg’s exit and her daughter. However with a secret smile and a roll of her eyes, she hadn’t commented on it. Nor seemed to mind when Caroline joined her in sunbathing. For now, she stayed silent and enjoyed the sun much like the other two were doing.

However, after a while, she cracked open an eye to glance over towards Caroline. Then to the druid in the water. Who seemed completely taken by the small trance-like peaceful state she’d gotten herself into within the water. So with a little smirk, she turned her head back towards the one who’d joined her on the shore. ”<And here I was thinking you’d gone and broke her.”> The woman joked, her voice quieter as to not draw the druid’s attention back to the present. ”<Although I think you’ve nearly come close.>” With a snicker she shook her head.

But then her gaze latched back onto Caroline, and the smirk on her face only grew. ”<But this does present us some time to talk ‘privately,’ hmm? Or as privately as we’re going to get, I suspect.>” Amber eyes glanced towards the figure blissfully enjoying the hidden glade’s pool. Then they went right back. ”<So then, Caroline, tell me with some more detail: how did you meet my little Le-Le? From what I've heard, it was quite interesting.>”