As much as he found his brother annoying as he badgered Colden about impressing Crystaline further, Dante did have a good idea among many of his terrible ones. It didn’t dawn on the rosenite until he lodged an apple into Dante’s mouth to get him to shut up that he thought about taking her someplace fun. He thought about the small beach near the harbors, since it wasn’t too far from home and also they could be out and about. Colden soon found his way into the kitchen and prepared some food and drink for the trip into a basket before settling out for the Purple Court while his older brother took the liberty of telling Lotus what was going on. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever shut his big mouth, but asking him directly would likely be answered with a smartass remark.
 
Traveling down the well known road by now, he turned up at the house and sought for Crystaline’s room. Colden gave the door a knock and then another within three seconds to signal that it was him. It was a trait that he picked up ever since, among others. “Crystaline, are you in there? I wanted to know if you were up for a little trip. Not too far, I promise but I wanted to get you out today. Though it might get a little hot for you.” He waited until she was ready before he lead her away, keeping quiet about the place they were to go until they reached it. He was sure that she would get it once they reached the sandy beach since she was barefooted. And the crashing of the waves would help to serve as another clue. The sun hung high up the cloudless sky and even some gulls could be heard in the distance. He held her hand tightly as they made their way down closer to the shoreline. “Looks like today was a great day to be out after all.” The heat beat down onto them somewhat and he was grateful that the cold weather no longer existed. He knew not what went through his father’s head, but fortunately he wasn’t caught in the crossfire because of it. Xunatar had so much power, and he didn’t seem to be shy in using it. A part of him questioned what was his endgame by prolonging the coming of Inguis but in the end he was sure he didn’t want to know.
 
Instead, he focused his attention onto Crystaline and smiled tenderly. He was dressed for the occasion; a simple pair of light colored trousers and an opened shirt so that he wouldn’t get overly beaten by the sun. He inched her closer to the water and waited for it to come onto their bare feet and enjoyed the cooling waters.  

There was some stumbling in her room before the door cracked open. Even though she couldn’t see him she could still smile at him through the crack. “Where else would I be Silly?” She chuckled a bit at him. “Let me change into something that is light then… That should help with the heat.” It only took a few minutes of fumbling around for her to change into a light sundress. She would keep her wings tucked away so the heat couldn’t get to her and she moved to him so she could take his arm in hers.

Her toes felt the sand as they got to the beach and for a moment she was jumping around and laughed. “The sun makes the sand so hot,” it was such a silly thing to yell but she couldn’t help it. She pushed her toes into the sand after she got used to it and tilted her head as she heard the waves. “That’s the ocean, right? We’re down by the docks?” She knew about the little beach but she had yet to go visit it.

Crystaline strolled boldly next to Colden but it was more so the water that made her jump. “IT’S SO COLD!” It felt her lips with a tremble before she began to laugh. “I wasn’t expecting that… I thought the ocean would be warm… Is the ocean not warm Colden?” She tilted her head at him again and ran her feel through the water now. It felt good against the heat of the desert sun. “I’ve never been down here before…” She pulled his arm closer to her chest and held onto him as they walked.

“What color is the sand? Mother says that sand has many different colors it can be in… what shade of blue is the ocean?” She tilted her head more. “Is the ocean even a shade of blue? AND the birds? I hear them… They are gulls, right? What do they look like Colden?”

Colden laughed as he let Crystaline figure out the puzzle herself, and she got it rather quickly. His own feet felt the heat too, but he supposed since he was a fire user, it wasn’t as much of a bother. He couldn’t help but to keep up his smile and looked forward. “You got it. I figured you never been down to this part of the Sularia before. I figured that it was a nice day to be out and about, you know?” The weather was certain calm and warm, and not bitter and cold as it had been for a while now.

The rushing waters hit both their feet, and even he had to stumble back a little in surprise as how cold the water was. He laughed a bit after he got used to it a little bit. “It can be, but usually it's cold until you stay in it for a bit and then it seemed to get better.” He hadn’t enjoyed much of the beach as of recent, but he did have some memories of going to one once or twice in his younger years. Back then, he didn’t really appreciate the beauty and the significance behind it all. Back when he was more like a spoiled and selfish brat. It pained him that it too so long for him to realize that he would not go far with that behavior and thoughts and to look at life in a different way.

Crystaline, being the curious creature she was, bombarded him with questions and he answered each and every one of them. “Its tannish red but is also some yellow in it too. Plenty of seashells around, different colors like blue and green and light purple. The sea is a dark blue color right now but I have seen it be like a greenish blue before. Suppose it depends on the day. And the seagulls are white with black wings. Their feet are webbed like ducks, though I think you knew that already.” He moved in deeper to the water where it reached his leg and started to splash some of the water her direction. “How’s that feel?”, he joked. 

“Nope, no one has taken me down to the beach yet since we’ve been home.” She kept his arm close as she ran her toes through the hot sand. “It is a rather nice day out… Even the breeze seems to agree with you.” She could smell the sea salt now that they were so close to the ocean.

She felt him stumble at the water’s temperature just as much as she did. It made her laugh and chuckled a bit. “So it’s not really like a bath but… it would be nice on a hot day like we normally have?” She tilted her head as she tried to get a grasp on the ocean. She had never been able to be there before and certainly never in it.

Crystaline was glad that he was so open with her. She snuggled her head into his side and smiled up at him. “That sounds so very wonderful. I think one of my favorite colors might be the ocean then…” She blushed a bit. “Maybe some of the shells… I like light purple. Can we collect some of them for my room?” She screamed when he splashed her but more out of shock and began to laugh. “That’s so cold Colden!”

She giggled a bit before trying to splash in his direction, missing on pure accident. “Am I getting you, Colden?”

Colden was glad that this was something he could share with Crystaline. She needed to be out and get better acquainted with the rest of the world and he didn’t mind at all in helping with that. In fact, he adored it as much as he did her. Of course, one thing that he didn’t like was the coldness of the water. He had forgotten about how it was right up until it met with him and he succumbed to it. “I wish it was though, but you are right. Being in a place like Arri, we’d need something cold to balance out the heat.”

He felt her getting closer to him and he wrapped an arm around her; not only to help but also to comfort her. She sounded so excited about his description over the beach which made him happy. “Sounds about right. I don’t mind us looking for them. I’ll do my best to find those shells for you. As long as I don’t have any hermit crabs grabbing me for grabbing their homes, everything should be find.” The last thing he wanted was to tango with those creatures, but he was going to do it for her. Of course, first thing’s first which was splashing Crystaline with the cold which sprung the reaction he was looking. The Rosenite chuckled at her as he got closer in front of her. “Maybe…but…” He splashed at her once again and crept closer to her. “Tell me how the water really feels…” At this point, he was being a bit of a smartass but he was having some fun with her.

After a couple of splashes, he sought for her hand and lead her a bit further into the sea. He wasn’t going to go too far, he didn’t want to frighten her. They were about knee deep when he stopped and continued to hold her hand firmly. “What will you do with the shells, Crystaline?” Colden was a tad curious in what she hoped to do with them. He would try to find as many as he could before they’d leave. But for now, he just wanted to enjoy the time with her. It did his mind at ease whenever he was around Crystaline, even if he was teased by his brothers over his “puppy love”. But it was more than just that; they had been through alot in their brief time. 

“Careful, don’t want that dress of yours to get wet.”

Her fingers intertwined with his as she thought about it. She envisioned the colors before her like a giant painting, just like her grandfather had taught her to do. It was beautiful and Colden was her focal point. It made her smile as she turned her attention to him. “Well, I imagine the cold water must feel nice if you are stuck out in the heat all day.” She giggled softly as she teased Colden.

The safest place in the world was being right in Colden’s arm the way she was right in that moment. She put her forehead into his body as they talked but only for a few moments as if she were listening to his heart from that point. “I don’t know… I think you being attacked by a bunch of little crabs sounds funny. Surely Colden Rose would never fall to a silly bunch of little hermit crabs.” She was chucking now but now she was getting wet and she was attempting to splash him back the best she could.

Wild laughs left her lips as he splashed at her again. “It’s so cold!” She sounded distressed but one couldn’t really tell through her laughter. “It’s not fair,” her eyes flash that brilliant blue if only for a moment so she could see where he was. It did make her tired but it was so worth it as she splashed at him as hard as she could. “Take that!” The blue faded and she chuckled a bit. “Tell me how the water really feels…” She mocked back at him.

After their little water fight, she took his hand and held it tightly as they went out into the ocean a bit farther. She could feel the waves against her knees as she held onto Colden’s arm so she wouldn’t get knocked over. “Maybe… Maybe I will decorate something with them…” she thought about it for a moment. “We can put them…” There was a blush against her face. “In our nursery when we have a baby like Eldora and Steele.”

It was, after all, a matter of when and not if with the two of them. For Colden’s life depended on them having a child at some point within the next decade. She gave him a smile though after she thought about it more. “I think it would be pretty. Water is good luck in Sularia after all… Right?”

Crystaline bent over just enough where she could find the edges of her dress. After a moment or two, she shrugged. “I don’t mind if my dress gets wet Colden. It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve completely soaked a dress of mine.” She teased him as she pushed herself up and kissed his cheek the best she could but she ended up getting closer to his nose than where she had originally intended. “The beach was a good idea… I like it here a lot.”

“Yes, see? I think without a doubt that this is a day that will be great for us.” Colden couldn’t help but to smile at her. All he wanted today was to make sure that Crystaline had the time of her life. Her happiness was very important to him, especially after all they been through. Everything seemed perfect and beautiful and he wanted to make it last for as long as possible. The only problem he was dealing with was the water, which was more rigid and cold than he thought. “Nope, a bath is at least nice and warm. Perhaps we should have done that instead”, he chuckled heartedly. “The ocean is vast, like you can’t see anything more than just water over the horizon. Nothing but blue, and but it is nice to spend the day here and not worry about the heat.”

He wrapped his arms around her as she drew closer to him. It nearly made him forget about the water temperature. Colden rolled his eyes at her jest, “Probably not, but crabs can be mean little things. Especially with their claws. Trust me, you don’t want to be pinched by them.” The water hit him and the cold run up his body again. “Hey, knock that off”, he laughed as he brought his hands up to shield himself.

He fought back against her and splashed back.  It seemed like it went back and forth between them, and the two were lost in their own world. The rest of it didn’t seem to matter for him. “It’s cold!” They ceased their play and went to go further into the water. He continued to watch her and smile until she told him what they could do with the shells. It slipped his mind these last few months about the deal his family made in order to redeem themselves. “I’d…like that. I think it would be a great idea.” He blushed a little and his words stumbled as he thought more about it. He also forgotten about his new niece that was recently born. They would have to pay her a visit at some point, though that meant that he would have to go to the Hollow Cradle. “Yea, I think so. It’s what keeps us afloat and not burnt to a crisp by the desert heat.”

“You sure?” He wanted to make sure that she didn’t get sick or anything while wearing wet garments but she seemed like she’s be alright. Again, the Rosenite rolled his eyes at her, this time for the wet dress comment. It hadn’t been his intention to do it for the second time, but once more did he act before thinking. Crystaline came up to him and kissed his nose, which he returned with a kiss of his own to her forehead and hugged her. “I’m glad to see you liking this. I wanted to do something special for you, Crystaline. You deserve it.”   

At the thought of a bath instead of the ocean today she chuckled mischievously. “Should we have Steele and Dante throw you into that one as well?” She played on the memory of the first time he had bathed after they met. Surely he would laugh at her little jest as she held onto him. “It must look weird… I can’t imagine seeing so few color…” That must have sounded weird coming from her but her aura vision showed her such a colorful world.

She snuggled into his chest and put her face into it as she chuckled. She reached behind him. “Oh no, not pinched!” She began to pinch his behind as she chuckled softly. “Oh, that is the worst thing that could happen.” Then they were playing together in the water once more.

“I told you! I don’t think you believed me,” she laughed hard after they got done playing in the water. They spoke about the shells and blushed just as much as he did. They couldn’t forget about the deal that allowed him his life. Something that eventually they would have to complete. “Oh I agree, the desert is truly torturous when left on its own…” She knew its heat well.

Crystaline nodded up to him and smiled. “Should be dry in no time with this heat.” She almost squealed as he kissed her forehead and she hugged him back. “You deserve it too Colden. Please don’t sell yourself short. I love seeing you happy too.” She pulled him out of the water. “I hear something.”

She could hear the whispers of the wind as she stepped through the hot sand and made her way around to a small little cove. It was sheltered with a cliff over top. She moved her feet and she felt that there was a small fire pit there. “Why don’t… we spell time here? We can use the fire pit to dry our clothes… and…” She blushed a bit. “Spend time together.” It was her best wording of it as she reached up and kissed him gently.

“You’re very funny”, Colden spoke sarcastically. “I’ll have to learn to sleep with one eye open for now on. I still haven’t forgotten what those two did.” Though he was grateful that they had helped to pull him out of his funk. Still, he held onto Crystaline since it really didn’t bother him much. She seemed so dainty in his arms and he never really gave it a thought before now. “Actually it looks beautiful, like you do”, he said with a blush. “Sometimes simplicity is a good thing.”

Colden should have seen it coming, but his guard was down whenever he was around her. Just as her words reached him and he knew what it meant, he felt her pinching him and he squirmed for a bit while her attacks kept on going. And then he joined in the fray, pinching her back. Laughter and play filled the air for a long time before they got back onto the shore, freezing cold but were having their fill of fun.  

“Hey, I’m just looking out for you!” He was really worried that they would get to her house and she’d catch a cold and then he would be at the mercy of her sister. Or worse, her mother’s wrath. Those thoughts were terrifying, but he was genuinely concerned for her. Had his lewd brother been there, he would have surely said something smart-mouthed for sure at their appearance. Speaking of which, he cast his eyes low whenever he looked at her direction. He didn’t want to be rude to the one that was kindest to him ever since he came to Sularia.

“Yeah, I guess you're right about the heat. Not sure what I was thinking…” He still kept his eyes off of her for the time being, though temptation was damning upon him. Why did she have to wear that dress and why did it have to get wet? “Right, I know. See? I’ve been listening to you.” He smiled brightly at her as they made their way over to the cove, soaked clothes and refreshments in hand. He set the things down and noticed the fire pit she found. He crafted a fireball and set it onto the fire pit and watched it burn for a bit. Her suggestion made him hesitantly look onto her finally. Colden couldn’t even form words when he saw her and when he actually tried, her kiss left him breathless. His hands rose up to grasp at her as they kissed. He felt like he was on cloud nine as he took her further into his arms. She felt so comfortable to him as they embraced. The young man felt like a wave washed over him as if he could freely be himself around Crystaline. After a bit, he broke it off and was barely inches from her face. “Are you really sure about this…with me, I mean… “   

Crystaline giggled at his compliment and kept it in the back of her mind. Their pinching game was fun and it ended with her kissing him. “You worry way too much. I am a big girl, despite my disability, I can look out for myself.” Her words were soft as she spoke to him. “Maybe not against large armies mind you but I can defend myself a little bit… even if it's just the cold.”

Had she been able to see that he refused to look at her she would have called him an idiot sooner. She chuckled a bit and nodded. “I know you listen to me Silly. I have always known that you listen intently to everything I say even when you were being stubborn in the beginning.”

Then they were kissing in front of the fire. From what she knew of the cove from moving around in it she knew there was a rest area where someone had laid down. Sandy? Maybe but at this rate, Colden would have kept asking her if she was sure. “Sure, I’m sure.” She gently pushed him down where she knew the bedding was and dropped her dress. “If I don’t be dominate here you’re just going to keep asking me if I’m sure,” she chuckled a bit as she came down onto him and kissed him softly. “So… I’m sure, I love you, and… as long as you are ready for this then we might as well get it over with.” It was said in a more teasing way since the last few days had been dancing around the subject.

“I asked Liz what to do and this was what she told me.” Crystaline sounded mighty proud of herself as her fingers clumsy pushed off his shirt laying kisses to his chest. "Because the man I love is way too concerned with my innocence and if I will get hurt. So I need to show him that I am not so easily hurt nor as innocent as he thinks I am." She was teasing him once more as she nuzzled his neck and found his ear to nip at.