#˗ˏˋ ᵍʰᵒˢᵗˢ arra tuined.

[wovetales]

there's   an   ache   in   his   chest   he   can't   ignore   as   he   gathers   up   his   scattered   clothes off the floor   ,   heart   pounding   from   the   adrenaline   from   earlier   activities.   oh   , how   he   wishes   he   could   follow   his   heart   &   lay   back   in   bed   with   his   lover   ,   but   he   has   work   to   do   still   at   home   &   lesson   plans   to   finalize   before   the   new   semester   begins.   milo   does   his   best   not   to   look   arra   in   the   eye as he gathers his things   ,   as   he   knows   he'll   fall   prey   to   her   smoldering   eyes   if   he   ever   dares   to   look.   despite   being   a   usually   responsible   man   ,   he   easily   folds   when   it   comes   to   her.   all   it   takes   is   one   look   from   her   gorgeous   eyes   &   he   can't   seem   to   resist   ,   forever   attracted   to   the   pull   &   hold   she   seems   to   have   on   him   ,   not   that   he   minds.   the linguist   tries   to   tug   on   his   pants   as   quickly   as   he   can   ,   but   he   struggles   to   stick   his   long   leg   into   the   left   pant , his foot sliding across the wooden flooring.   his   clumsiness   almost   causes   him   to   fall   ,   but   he   catches   himself   with   a   hand   to   the   bed.   he's   saved   himself   for   now   ,   but   he's   forced   to   look   at   arra   once   again   as   she   lays   in   bed   ,   watching   him   with   a   loving   admiration   ,   a   look   of   love   he   never   thought   any   woman   would   ever   give   him.   jiminy   christmas   ,   he   thinks   ,   this   woman   will   be   the   death   of   me.

❝   i   wish   you   could   stay   the   night.   ❞   arra's   confession   comes   in   a   sweet   &   yearning   tone   ,   one   that   makes   milo's   heart   ache   grow   more   &   more.   even   without   his   glasses   he   can   clearly   see   the   pain   in   her   eyes   ,   how   their   lack   of   time   for   one   another   only   makes   these   evenings   more   special   &   more   dear   as   time   goes   on.   it   makes   it   harder   to   leave   at   the   end   of   it   all.   ❝   i   wish   i   could   too   ,   ❞   milo   responds   back   with   a   smile   ,   daring   to   reach   out   &   touch   arra   gently   ,   running   his   fingers   gently though   her   now messy hair.   he   squints   a   bit   to   look   around   for   his   glasses   ,   unsure   where   he   left   them   in   the   heat   of   their   passion.   after   a   bit   of   searching   ,   he   finds   them   in   the   oddest   of   places   ,   resting   atop   the   head   of   his   gorgeous   &   now   giggling   lover.   ❝   how   long   were   you   gonna   let   me   play   ❛ where's   waldo ❜   to   find   these   ?   ❞   milo   teases   ,   taking   back   his   glasses   &   gifting   her   with   a   sweet   kiss.   ❝   i   can't   stay   tonight   ,   but   maybe   i   can   stay   tomorrow   ?   i'm   just   swamped   with   work   &   i   know   you   are   too.   once   the   semester   starts   &   we   find   momentum   ,   we   can   have   more   time   together   ,   i   promise.   ❞

˗ˏˋ     ᵈʳᵃᶠᵗ·     milo   thatch   ﹕   normal   people.   featuring  @satellitewar   as   arra   tuined.

[wovetalesbye]

it's   rare   when   anyone   ever   takes   a   true   interest   in   what   the linguist   has   to   say   ,   but   that's   becoming   less   &   less   of a problem   since   starting   this   expedition.   he   knows   a   big   part   of   this sudden interest it   has   to   do   with   the   fact   that   the   shepherd's   journal   is   the   key   to   this   whole   operation   ,   but   it   is   nice   to   have   everyone   listen   to   him   for   once   &   take   time to hear   what   he   has   to   say   &   even   ask   questions   when   things   don't   make   sense.   sitting   by   the   campfire   ,   milo   was   trying   to   tell   arra   about   what   he   had   recently   just   translated   ,   as   well   as   the   map   he   managed   to   create   based   on   what   he   was   able   to   decipher.   what   seemed   easy   &   understandable   to   him   might   not   be   to   others   around   him   ,   so   when   he   went   on   his   grand   spiel   &   waited   for   her   response   ,   he's   met   with   a   confused   expression   &   he   feels   just   a   touch   guilty.   ❝   um   .   .   .   can   you   explain   it   ,   maybe   ?   ❞   arra   asks   gently   &   without   hesitation   ,   milo   nods   in   excitement   ,   ready   to   go   into   further   detail   over   what   he   just   rambled   on   about.   he   waits   for   arra   to   settle   down   beside   him   so   he   can   explain   with   the   book   in   his   hand   ,   but   after   a   few   minutes   of   explanation   ,   he   starts   to   lose   track   ,   his   eyes   wandering   elsewhere.

as   embarrassing   as   it   is   to   admit   ,   milo   never   been   this   close   to   a   woman   before.   he's   always   so   focused   on   his   work   &   passions   that   seeking   out   romantic   partnerships   never   ever   did   come   to   mind   &   being   alone   didn't   bother   him   so   much   .   .   .   until   now.   he   had   friends   ,   he   has   people   he   considers   family   &   he   has   arra   ,   who   he   considered   a   friend   ,   but   in   this   moment   .   .   .   something   changes.   their   arms   are   touching   as   they   sit   close   together   ,   arra   peering   over   to   get   a   better   look   at   the   book   ,   her   hair   falling   over   her   face   a   bit.   despite   all   the   work   they   do   &   all   the   hiking   they   endure   ,   she   still somehow   manages   to   smell   amazing   &   she   looks   actually   interested   in   what   he   has   to   say   &   frankly   .   .   .   she's   just   .   .   .   amazing.   &   beautiful   too.   wow   ,   he   didn't   know   women   could   be   so   .   .   .   DING   DING   DING.   the   dinner   bell   rings   loud   enough   for   everyone   to   hear   ,   followed   by   cookie's   hollering   that   supper   was   ready.   the   thought   of   eating   anything   made   by   that   man   makes   milo   want   to   puke   ,   but   it's   a   good   distraction ,   one   he   takes   as   he   shuts   the   book   closed for   now.   ❝   why   don't   we   uh   .   .   .   take   a   break   &   grab   some   grub   ?   ❞   he's   embarrassed   ,   blushing   furiously   once   again   ,   only   this   time   ?   he   doesn't   try   to   hide   it.   ❝   maybe   later   when   everyone   goes   to   bed   ,   i   can   go   into   further   detail.   y'know   ,   only   if   you   want.   i   can   always   wait   to   tell   you   everything   tomorrow.   ❞

˗ˏˋ     ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ     milo   thatch   ﹕   tick   tick   boom   prompts.   featuring   @satellitewar  as   arra   tuined.

[wovetalesbye]

boy   ,   when   mister   whitmore   said   they   were   gonna   be   traveling   in   style   ,   he   wasn't   kidding !   the   linguist   still   felt   a   little   queasy   from   his   earlier   sickness   , thanks   to   his   weak   constitution   ﹙   the   carrots   in   his   meal   mixed   with   sea   sickness   did   not   help   ﹚   , but   all   that   took   a   back   seat   as   the   ulysses   took   a   dive   deep   into   the   depths of the atlantic ocean   ,   the   view   absolutely   incredible   from   the   sub's   main   deck.   this   kind   of   adventure   was   the   sort   of   thing   milo   has   always   read   &   dreamed   about.   the   kind   of   stories   his   grandfather   would   tell   him   time   &   time   again.   it   felt   all   very   surreal   to   finally   be   apart   of   the   story   instead   of   just   hearing   it from someone else ,   &   he   can   only   hope   he   can   be   successful   in   his   excursion   to   find   the   city   of   atlantis   ,   anxious   to   discover   a   lost   civilization   , but   also   wanting to   make   his   grandfather   proud.   so   many   deemed   thaddaeus   thatch   to   be   a   crackpot   or   insane   for   his   theories   on   the   lost   city   ,   but   this   discovery   will   change   all   that   &   more , & milo is just within reach of making all of that a possibility.

the   linguist   is   so   invested   in   the   view   of   the   deep   waters   that   he   damn   near   jumps   when   he   notices   he   wasn't   on   the   bridge   alone.   mister   whitmore's   personal   guard   ,   arra   tuined   ,   was   assigned   to   him   on   this   trip   to   ensure   his   safety.   he's   not   too   sure   if   he   should   be   grateful   or   a   little   insulted   that   the   eccentric   millionaire   wanted   him   to   be   constantly watched   ,   but   considering   the   amount   of   money   he's   thrown   into   this   expedition   all   for   his   grandfather's   sake   ,   milo   isn't   going   to   start complaining.   ❝   stay   out   of   trouble   ,   ❞   came   the   woman's   clear   tone   ,   speaking   before   milo   can   even   begin   to   explain   himself.   mister   whitmore   sure   does   like   to   employ   strong   women   ,   doesn't   he   ?   ❝   n   -   no   trouble   here ma'am   ,   i   promise   !   i   don't   think   i   really   know   how   to   get   in   trouble   ,   honestly.   things   like   trouble   &   excitement   usually   avoids   me.   ❞   he   laughs   awkwardly   ,   hoping   it   breaks   the   ice   with   the   other   woman   ,   but   when   silence   is   all   he   finds   ,   it's   quick   to   stop   that   laughter   all   together.   ❝   ahem.   i   ,   uh   ━━   i   was   just   about   to   head   to   the   bedroom , er , i mean , quarters.   do   you   .   .   .   do   you   happen   to   know   where   that   is   ?   this   place   is   a   maze   &   i   don't   really   want   to   get   in   people's   way   ,   so   ,   uh   ,   if   you   happen   to   know   where   to   go   ,   i'd   appreciate   your   assistance.   ❞ a pause , then he adds on. ❝ i mean , only if you're willing to . . . uh . . . ❞

˗ˏˋ     ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ     milo   thatch   ﹕   treasure   planet   prompts.   featuring  @satellitewar   as  arra   tuined.

[wovetalesbye]

the   linguist   has   never   felt   this   giddy   before   ,   not   since   that   time   he   found   that   arrowhead   while   camping   with   his   grandfather.   atlantis   is   real   .   .   .   it's   real   &   they   are   literally   being   led   to   the   city   by   whom   he   presumes   is   the atlantean   princess.   how   could   life   get   any   better   ?   it's   a   slow   ride   through   the   rickety   bridge   as   their   crew   &   trucks   ride   through   with   the   atlanteans   leading   onward   ,   leaving   him   &   arra   stuck   on   the   back   of   a   truck   bed   that   rourke   &   helga   were   driving   ,   the   two   lost   in   private conversation   ,   not   that   milo   would   really   pay   attention   to   them.   he's   gushing   &   going   on   to   his   bodyguard   about   how   he's   always   waited   for   this   moment   &   she   listens   with   interest   &   patience   as   she   always   does   ,   but   for   the   first   time   ever   since   their   blossoming   relationship   ,   she   interrupts   him.   a   kiss   ━━ two   kisses.   the   most   innocent   gestures   that   immediately   get   the   linguist   quiet.   moments   earlier   ,   he   &   arra   were   sharing   a   moment   where   he   swears   they   were   close   to   sharing   a   kiss   ,   their   heads   tilting   inward   until   the   fireflies   began   an   attack   on   their   campsite.   milo   had   been   so   distracted   with   the   chaos   &   his   injury   that   followed   not   too   long   after   that   &   he   didn't   have   to   ask   her   if   something   was   going   on   between   them.   well   ,   he   now   has   his   answer.

❝   gosh   ,   ❞   milo   mumbles   ,   rubbing   one   of   his   cheeks   as   he   looks   over   at   arra   with   pure   admiration.   ❝   i   guess   i   wasn't   imagining   things   earlier   when   i   thought   we   were   gonna   .   .   .   you   know   ,   before   the   fireflies   ruined   the   whole   mood.   ❞   shyly   ,   milo   scoots   himself   closer   to   his bodyguard   as   a   newfound   confidence   begins   to   surge   through   him   ,   taking   a   moment   to   look   around   the   beautiful   sights   of   this   new   city   ,   but   he   always   ends   up   looking   at   arra   in   the   end   ,   much   more   interested   in   focusing   on   her   ━━   the   real   treasure   in   all   this   adventure.   ❝   is   it   .   .   .   a   bad   time   for   me   to   make   up   for   earlier   ?   i   ,   uh      .   .   .   kinda   want   to   .   .   .      uh   .   .   .   ❞   he   sighs   ,   all   tongue   tied   &   unable   to   speak   full   sentences   whenever   he's   around   her.   maybe   instead   of   trying   to   explain   things   ,   he   should   allow   himself   to   show   her how   he   feels.   let   his   actions   speak   so   arra   knows   fully   his   intention   ,   so   he   decides right then & there to do   just   that. gently ,   he   cups   her   cheeks   gently & guides   her   closer   until   they   are   nose   to   nose   ,   his   glasses   slightly   clouding   from   his   breath as his nerves make him breathe heavily. milo has never taken charge like this before , but he can't deny his feelings for arra & if she reciprocates , then who is he to be scared of taking the first leap ?

❝   sorry   , arra.   i   think   i'll   just   shut   up   now.   ❞   &   with   that   ,   he   brings   his   woman   in   for   the   kiss   they   meant   to   share   moments   earlier   ,   arms   wrapping   around   her   slender form   as   they   sink   further   into   a   romantic   kiss , uncaring of the world around them.   his   first   kiss   ever   &   in   a   newly   discovered   ancient   civilization.   a   good   way   to   end   the   day   ,   though   clearly   the   kiss   beats   out   everything   else by   a   long   shot.

˗ˏˋ     ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ     milo   thatch   ﹕   sitting   with   milo   in   his   little   jeep   as   they   journey   to   atlantis   ,   arra   steals   a   kiss   or   two   from   his   cheek   :).   featuring  @satellitewar   as  arra   tuined.

[wovetalesbye]

unlike   miss   helga   sinclair   ,   who   was   rather   stoic   &   upfront   upon   their   surprising   introduction   ,   arra   seems   to   be   the   complete   opposite.   she   still   presented   herself   as   a   strong   ,   imposing   figure   whom you   wouldn't   want   to   cross or be on their bad side   ,   but   she   was   kind   &   smiling   as   the   linguist   rambled   on   ,   which   is   not   his   usual   response   from   the   very   few   women   he's   ever   spoken   to.   he   can   see   why   mister   whitmore   employed   her   as   a   bodyguard   &   then   entrusted   her   to   him for this important expedition.   she   seems   like   the   kind   of   woman   who   won't   pick   on   him   for   his   work   &   beliefs ,   &   is   willing   not   only   to   give   the   possibility   of   atlantis   existing   a   chance   ,   but   to   ensure   that   milo   remains   safe   enough   that   he   can   achieve   that   goal   seamlessly.   her   smile   remains   even   as   she   explains   the   location   of   his   quarters   ,   a   sight   that   milo   doesn't   often   see   with   anyone   on   most   days.   he   follows   arra   right   behind   her   ,   purposefully   ensuring   he   was   a   few   steps   behind   if   only   so   she   wouldn't   see   how   red   his   cheeks   were.   he's   a   grown   man   &   the   first   woman   to   talk   to   him   in   a   kind   matter   has   him   blushing.   he   knows   he's   kind   of   pathetic   ,   but   this   ?   this   is   ridiculous.

as   they   reach   the   bottom   floor   of   the   sub   ,   arra   makes   note   of   the   shepherd's   journal   ,   which   remains   tucked   under   milo's   arm.   it's   become   basically   apart   of   him   ,   like   an   extra   limb   ,   that   milo   almost   forgets   that   he   has   it   on   him   ,   always   reading   &   making   mental   notes   as   often   as   he   can   &   then   putting   those   thoughts   to   paper   once   the   day   winds   down.   she's   right   ,   this   notebook   is   crucial   to   the   whole   expedition   &   he's   the   only   one   he   can   even   read   or   make   sense   of   it.   there's   a   lot   of   pressure   that   comes   from   knowing   that   this   whole   adventure   rests   on   his shoulders   ,   but   he's   been   waiting   for   an   opportunity   like   this   happen   for   so   long   ,   that   he's   willing   to   burden   that   stress   ,   especially   if   it   means   clearing   his   grandpa's   name.   ❝   i   really   appreciate   it   ,   miss   tuined.   seriously   ,   you're   so   .   .   .      you've   been   so   nice.   i   ,   uh   .   .   .   why   is   that   ?   i   mean   ,   it's   not   that   i   don't   like   it   ,   i   do   ,   but   uh   .   .   .   what   i'm   trying   to   say   is   .   .   .   ❞   he   struggles   again   ,   his   cheeks   now   an   even   deeper   shade   of   red   now.   ❝   i   guess   ,   i'm   just   not   used   to   it.   you   know   ,   people   being   nice   to   me.   at   least   ,   not   unless   they   want   something   out   of   me   ,   but   i   have   nothing   to   give   you   ,   so.   um   .   .   .   you're   saying   really   nice   ,   complimentary   things   &   i've   only   known   you   for   like   ,   less   than   a   few   minutes.   i   dunno   ,   maybe   i'm   overthinking   this   ,   maybe   i'm   a   little   bit   overwhelmed   by   everything   ,   but   i   just   wanna   know   .   .   .   why   ?   ❞

arra secretly likes him, though she'll never confess as much if anyone were to ask. milo's a brainy, brilliant figure, bespectacled, buoyant, and full of questions — he's exactly as mr. whitmore explained him to be, and even more exciting than any of his descriptions painted. arra's fond of the man's curious mind, his awkward demeanor, and the way he stumbles through their brief chats like he's never spoken to a woman in his life. it's... cute. captivating. she's thrilled to work with him, and even more thrilled to stand in charge of his safety on this expedition.

her little stay out of trouble warning is firm but friendly, as she both wants to endear herself to him and maintain a level of much-needed professionalism along the way. arra wants @wovetales to stay safe. out of danger, out of death's way, safely returned to mr. whitmore with the grand discovery of atlantis in tow. whatever it takes, she tells herself, grinning at his babbling. whatever it takes.

"i believe you're bunking with gaetan moliére," she replies calmly, smirking at his desire for help. "just follow me. don't want you to get lost in here on our first day." side by side with milo now as they head downstairs, she glances at the journal he clutches to his chest and tilts her head, curious. "you're holding onto that like you'll die if you let it go. that's the journal, right? that's... everything to this expedition. all of it." another smile. "mr. whitmore told me about you and your grandfather, milo. i wasn't on the last expedition they all took, so i never got to meet him, but i hear amazing things. he would be so proud of you pursuing his dream. pursuing your dream." her voice is gentle on purpose. despite the echoing halls of this large submersible, arra wishes to keep their dialogue intimate. "for his sake, and for the sake of all on board, i'll keep you safe. i promise."