‘It is a sunny day here in Palmfall, the perfect weather for a perfect date’ the radio chirps as Sky hurries by the local newsagent. It was difficult to sleep last night, but even the excitement rising for today isn’t something Sky could fully comprehend.
As Sky blissfully hops down the street to the park, they completely miss a person step out of a nearby shop and hit them head on.
“Ah - oh dear, I’m so sorry -”
“Oh that’s okay, its my fault.”, the person, who Sky eventually realises is Washi, says. “Oh Sky, hi. Um, can I get you coffee or something as an apology?”
Sky’s eyes widen and check their watch - shaking their head, “Ah, I’m in a hurry to meet someone, actually. Perhaps next time? It’s really no problem, though.”
“Oh I see. Well I’ll send you some dates and let me know when you’re free. I’d like to catch up anyway, it's been too long!” Washi kindly replies.
“That sounds nice - see you around!” Sky smiles and continues on their way. Washi watches on and then catches herself and quickly hurries on her own way.
Aero sent Sky the coordinates for the park, and thankfully it is no longer that far off. Sky is thankful for Meowmeow who knew how to translate the coordinates using gargle, otherwise they may have gone who knows where.
Aero’s standing by a big tree at the entry of the park, dressed casually with a book in his hands. For some reason it reminds Sky of all those books Meowmeow has been reading, learning how to do the pro gramming, which Sky still thinks has something to do with precise measurement despite Meowmeow’s protests.
Hushing all thoughts about Meowmeow away, Sky approaches Aero, a smile on their lips. Like the moment Meowmeow deciphered the location to meet and Sky got all giddy at the idea of a romantic picnic. Aero spots them and waves, a blush creeping up onto his cheeks. Like that time Oreo tried creeping up Sky’s wall, treating it as a scratching post.
“Hey,” Sky smiles. “I’m sorry - have you waited for long?”
Hopefully nothing like that time Meowmeow sat by the door all night awaiting their online order of cat food.
“No - I just arrived,” he assured. “Should we get going, then?” Aero offered Sky his hand, unhesitantly. Sky follows Aero, listening to the sounds of nature around. Aero was close to withdrawing his hand again and an apology was about to roll off his tongue when Sky took it, fingers slipping into his.
Aero led the way, along the path until coming to some gaps in the bush and led Sky through. Sky could feel their heart about to jump out of their chest, trying to keep up with Aero’s pace. As the branches were pulled away a spider fell onto Sky’s shoulder, startling them. Sky jumps and Aero’s grip on their hand tightens as he turns to see what’s wrong.
“All good?” Aero asks with an air of concern.
Aero spots the spider, calmly puts his hand on Sky’s shoulder then - letting the spider climbs onto his hand and sending it back to the ground. It reminds Sky of that time Meowmeow ate the cockroach, but then let it out outside… or was it into the neighbour’s house. Sky froze, more from Aero’s hand on their shoulder than from the spider, really. Sky then becomes really flustered over these strange feelings building inside them.
“Ah - I’m sorry,” Aero removes his hand from their shoulder, “are you okay, Sky?”
“Yes yes. Please continue, I just got a little startled” Sky responds, blushing slightly.
Aero smiles, nodding before taking Sky’s hand again. Leading Sky the rest of the way they come out into a small hidden clearing in the bushes. The sunlight is seeping through, softly illuminating the path. It bounces off the soft white flowers scattered among the well tended grass.
“What are we doing here?” Sky asks. Sky’s eyes scan the area again, looking around Aero who blocks the middle of the clearing. Somehow Sky forgets that if they wanted to, they could easily just guess what Aero’s intentions have been all along and what exactly he’s thinking right now. Except that every time Sky tries they get some fuzzy connection and find it hard to focus.
Aero grins, then steps away, revealing what’s behind him. A cute puppy sitting staring up at Sky, it lets out two little woofs and Aero introduces his dog, Woofwoof. Woofwoof jumps around and leads Sky to a blanket on the grass, a basket in the middle of it.
“Surprise? I wanted to introduce you to my dog… who also happens to be named by the sound he makes. And also show you what I do on off days, take my dog on a picnic” Aero is gleeing childishly.
Sky kneels and lets Woofwoof give them friendly licks, then looks up at Aero who’s looking at them with a soft gaze. A squawk is heard from above and Sky looks up to spot a bird circling above. Sky scrunches their eyebrows at the familiarity of the bird, but Aero’s hand on their arm snaps them back into attention.
There was then a crash through the trees and a ball came flying straight towards Sky. Aero, distracted with the basket, realised too late but thankfully Sky’s reflexes acted fast and dodged it, and eventually, Woofwoof caught the ball. Rawon comes through from the same direction and stops short at the edge of the clearing.
Aero remains blissfully unaware, but Sky senses Rawon’s presence –– What in the world are you doing here?
I’m getting my ball? “Hey there Aero, funny bumping into you. I was just getting my ball… which your dog has really taken a liking to…” Rawon looks slightly disgustedly at the dog slobbering all over the ball.
Aero startles at Rawon’s presence, but before he could say anything, Sky has picked up the ball from Woofwoof and hands it to Rawon. Rawon looks at Sky questioningly and says, “I’m okay, it looks like Woofwoof needs it more than me”.
You know I can send you back to the Academy and get them to check your magic license for stalking, right? Now will you take the ball and leave? Sky says in their head with a smile on their face.
Rawon leaves and Sky has a lovely date.
