She watches Ezra from the table, trying to hide a giggle as she watches him try and turn off the microscope. It was honestly cute and one of the sweetest things she had seen when he cursed the technology she used. Her giggle became a bit louder and she tried to wave it off. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she apologized, trying to stop giggling. "You're just...so cute when you act like this. Here." She got up from her seat, her face a bit pink, and walked over to the microscope. "I know it looks daunting, but looks are deceiving. First, you turn off this light here, lens cap back on through the scope, power it down, and it gets covered up with this." She explained everything as she helped him, putting the cover back on. More weight seemed to lift off her shoulders to see it put away at last, and she lets out a relieved sigh. --🎵
Ezra looks over machine and continued his muttering of confusion until her airy giggles broke his focus, he lifted his head slowly and glanced over at her. “Why that’s just about the prettiest sound I’ve heard in ages. Downright music to my ears, no need to apologize.” His cheeks grew warm as he watched her face light up, it felt like the warmth only expanded as it settled in his chest. As she came over to explain how to turn the microscope off, he watched her closely and admire her gentle manner of speech and the way she explained things in an easy to understand way. His attention is snapped back into focus when she starts mentioning buttons to press and how to replace the lens cap, she was right - it was far less daunting than he had assumed. After the scope was packed away, Ezra let out a soft sigh and looked up her again. “You already look more relaxed than when I first found you here.” He reaches up, carefully pulling her to sit next to him. “Thank you for your patience in showing me how to help you, sweet bird.” As he took her in, he couldn’t help reaching up and tucking a piece of hair behind her cry. “What’s your real name, birdie? I feel as though you’ll grow tired do me calling your my sweet bird after while and if you feel like sharing, I’d love to know your real name or even a nickname you prefer.”
She feels as though she could melt into him as he pulls her over to sit next to him. Closing the space between them, there is a comforting warmth that radiates through her. The thought of work slowly leaves her mind to allow her to relax more. She smiles. "I don't mind being called birdie," she says. "It's actually one of my favorite things that you do...But I suppose you should know my name by now. I guess I haven't said anything before because I like a bit of mystery...It's a bit old fashioned...Ella. My name is Ella."
“Ella,” he lets the weight of her name sit heavy on his tongue, savoring the sweetness of it as he looks over her face with a soft smile. “It’s perfect. You say your name is old fashioned but so is mine, if you look at my brother’s name it’s the same. Nothing wrong with being a little old fashioned.” He winks, pressing a kiss to her temple before relaxing into his spot beside her. “What do you say to an afternoon constitutional? It would get us out of this small space and out in the big woods, make help ease your mind more. Then we can come back and perhaps take the evening to read and rest. Or did you have some ideas of what you’d like to do, birdie?”
"I can't remember the last time I went through a walk in the woods," she smiled. "Well, maybe I can't remember a walk that didn't involve taking notes and doing research." She cuddles herself closer to Ezra. "I think it's a wonderful idea. Getting out of this space will do us both good. When we get back, I'll make us something warm to drink. Sound like a plan?"
“Well this walk will be free of work, all you have to do is hold my hand and enjoy the trail. It’s one I go walking in quite frequently,” he returns her smile. “I’ll allow you to document for pleasure only, if you start talking about work I’ll just have to reprimand you.” He chuckles, wrapping his arm around her and drawing her closer before he rest his head against hers. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do. I’ll pack us a few snacks and we can head out.” He brushed his lips against her head and pulls away from her slowly, “and I’ll be able to see you the meadow. I think you’ll love it.” When he moves to stands, he glances back to her and smiles, “I think a warm drink after our walk will be perfect. I think I even have some sweet treats we can pair with it. Now let’s get packed up and we can head out. Hand me anything you’d like to take along.” He props his pack open and holds at a hand to her.
She grins. "I promise I'll be good and try not to talk of work," she said. "Wouldn't want to get in trouble, although I can't imagine anyone sweet as you would reprimand me too harshly for it." She starts looking for things to pack. "I can make either make cider or hot chocolate, depending on our mood. It's getting cooler out these days. Honestly, my favorite time of the year." She hands him a blanket to pack and smiles as she looks for anything else necessary. "A meadow, hmm? Can I know more about it or is it a surprise?"
He returns her smile, “I doubt I could reprimand you too harshly anyway. So, should you want to talk about work, I’ll let it slide. I know how passionate you are about it.” As she looks around, he reaches to tuck a small book in the pack then glances back to her as she speaks again, “hot cider sounds absolutely divine, it’s been some time since I’ve had a good batch. It seems we are alike in our more favorable seasons, I adore the crispness of fall. It’s always been my favorite time of year.” He takes the blanket, packing it away with a soft hum and settling his hands on his hips. “I’m afraid, my sweet birdie, that it is a surprise. I want you to experience it without the misrepresentation of my recall memory. I can assure you that you’ll love the peace of it though.”
Too distracted to pack more things, she just wraps her arms around Ezra, sneaking a kiss on his cheek. "If you say it is a surprise, then it must be beautiful," she remarks. "Maybe during my time off, if it's not too crisp, we can go back there with a picnic. I can make a nice cake for dessert. Get some soup in a thermos, homemade bread..." She plants another kiss on his other cheek. "How does that sound?"
Ezra loops his arm around her and leans into her kiss, looking down at her as she stays close to him. “I find it beautiful all on it’s on but with you there, it will be breathtaking.” He presses a kiss to her temple and keeps her close as he tosses a few ration bar in the pack. “Even if it’s crisp, we’ll bundle up and have your picnic. I can make some of my mama’s soup and bread, we’ll have your cake and make a day of it.” When she presses another kiss to him cheek, he grins and turns in her hold. “I think that is a splendid idea,” he responds, leaning to press a quick kiss to her lips. “Your beautiful mind never fails to amaze me.”
She returns the quick kiss and smiles at him. "If we keep flirting like this, we'll never make it to that beautiful meadow of yours." Winking at him, she turns to finish packing a few more ration bars and a thermos. Then she grabs a jacket, sneaking in a few specimen jars and her journal in the inside pocket. "How far is it?"
“Ah, the thing is I have a splendid talent for walking and flirting. Especially when the company is a beautiful as you,” he winks, smiling as she finally pulls away and tosses a few more items in the pack. Satisfied with the supplies, he closes up the pack and slips it on. When she speaks to him, finishes adjusting his straps and turns to look at her. “I would say it shouldn’t be more than a mile. Maybe a mile and a half perhaps. It’s not too far but we’ll take a light just in case it grows dark while we’re out.” He grabs a light, slipping it into the side of the pack and looking around once more for anything he’d forgotten. Once he’s sure he hasn’t forgotten anything, he offers her his hand and smiles. “Shall we?l
"We shall," she smiled back at him taking his hand. "You know, I used to go on nature walks like this when I was a teenager. I would get up early in the morning, pack a light breakfast and just enjoy the peace and quiet before I would head out for school. I found it a great way to start the day."
As he leads them outside, he gives her hand a gentle squeeze and smiles down at her as he listens to her speak. “My brother and I had a habit of doing the same thing, we’d go on little hikes through the flatlands because back home isn’t very mountainous. Sometimes we’d be gone all day, just the two go in nature.” He gives a soft sigh and pauses to tilt his head to the sun, eyes closed as he savors the warmth. “There’s just something about being out here, surrounded by all this wonder that makes me ache in the best of ways but also makes me feel like I’ve come home. Does that make sense, birdie? I’d hate to sound foolish.”
Ella smiles at him more, giving his hand a gentle squeeze in return, and hugging his arm. "It's not foolish, Ezra," she explains. "I know exactly what that feels like. My mother always said that it's the soul trying to recognize the place where you feel most at peace." At the corner of her eye as they walk, she spots a few flowers along their path. Without breaking the pace, she picks a couple up, just staring at it with a smile on her face. "And I'm definitely starting to feel at peace right now."