[Trade] Moonlit Proposal

The skies over Isla Kela were a deep grey with the thick plumes of clouds lining them in lockstep rows that blotted out all light from the supposedly full moon. Cassia paced nervously as he looked upwards, internally cursing the sky for ruining his plans before they had even begun. Atlantis was a strangely oppressive environment and he was glad he had decided to take Wollemia to the surface for this; he just wished for better timing. As he awkwardly kicked the dirt beneath his feet, he heard the soft sound of grass rustling nearby. It could've just been the wind on this dark night, but something made him look up and see Wollemia approaching him, her head tipped to the side like she was waiting for him to notice her.

"Lemi!" he greeted happily, quashing his irritations now she was here, "I'm glad you could make it."

"It wasn't that hard, there wasn't much to get in my way," she said plainly, not bothering with a greeting in turn. Cassia took it in stride, used to her blunt and straightforward nature. Charmed by it, actually, it was one of the things that endeared him to her over the time they had known each other. 

"Good, that was the idea," he said, still smiling, "I wouldn't want your feathers all ruffled before the night even started," he added with what he hoped was a flirty wink and not a perverted grimace. Wollemia just nodded, clearly waiting for him to reveal where they were going. Cassia straightened himself up and cleared his throat, "I was hoping for more of a moon for our moonlit stroll but I know you shine bright enough to light the way."

"It would be useful if my starred markings actually glowed, though I suppose I would never be able to sneak up on anything ever again," Wollemia mused, looking up to the cloudy sky. Cassia followed her gaze for a moment before gently bumping her shoulder.

"C'mon, let's get going."

Cassia led the way but kept in step with his companion, making idle small talk that Wollemia politely nodded along with. She didn't like speaking all that much, he had learned this from the time they had spent together outside of Atlantis. It seemed even her best friends struggled to pull more than a few words out of her at a time, something that soothed his anxieties that she wouldn't return his affections. Cassia had met a number of other Iguanodons through his life but none had made his breath catch in his throat, his heart skip a beat or his stomach flutter the way Wollemia did. Her fierce loyalty, backed up by a fearless desire to do the right thing had swooned him almost instantly and he had spent their time together since making sure she knew he was an upstanding male worthy of her attention.

Their walk led them to the most romantic location Cassia could think of, the beach. It represented so much about their freedom from Atlantis, the sea stretching infinitely into the horizon the way their futures were laid out before them after the dome was breached. He looked over at Wollemia, her expression relaxed in the cool night air and felt his heart shiver when she noticed and replied with a gentle smile. He nearly cheered out loud when the moon made her first appearance of the night, peering coyly out from behind the clouds. It was minute, but was enough to brighten the path before them and made the beach glass glisten like the stars still hidden by the dark sky. It would have to do, Cassia thought grimly. He turned suddenly, blocking Wollemia's path forward and making her bristle instinctively.

"What's wrong?" she asked, on guard immediately but softening when Cassia raised his forelimb to gently placate her. He took a deep breath, it was now or never. 

"Lemi. I really like you, I'm enchanted by you, you take up space in my head like no one else has ever done," he said fervently, leaning in to emphasise his point. She didn't lean away, emboldening him to continue. "I act differently when I'm with you, haven't you noticed?"

Wollemia's expression didn't change but her gaze darted to the side like she was embarrassed to meet his eyes.

"I thought you were just this nice with everyone," she admitted, still refusing to raise her eyes.

"I mean- yes I'm nice to everyone but it's different with you, it's like- uh, I- I um-," he stammered. Wollemia looked at him this time, her eyes twinkling.

"Maybe you are different with me, you usually don't stutter this much." Cassia was grateful for his heavy feather coverage as it hid the flush of blood that ran to his face in embarrassment.  There was a brief silence between them as they gazed fondly at each other before Wollemia's eyes widened. "Was this a date?" she asked, sounding slightly panicked.

"It was supposed to be, yes," Cassia admitted, tucking his chin down and fussing his feet in the sand. The other Iggy hummed and looked up again at the sky, where the moon greeted her in its full circular glory, having fought through the clouds to have her moment on the stellar stage.

"My first date, how lovely to spend it with someone I care so much about," Wollemia said plainly, like those words hadn't sent a tidal wave of emotion crashing through Cassia's entire body. 

"I know it isn't over yet but would you like to go on another one?" he blurted. Wollemia's crest feathers perked up though her face remained neutral as always.

"I would really like that, Cassia, this whole thing has felt rather... special," she said softly.

"You deserve to feel special," Cassia insisted, back on familiar flattering territory, "I can't think of anyone more special in the world." Wollemia gave him a long and considering look before she replied.

"Hmm, I could think of someone more special." Cassia looked blankly at her as she walked away before his body caught up to his brain and he trotted after her.

"Lemi! What do you mean?" Who are you talking about? C'mon we're courting now you have to tell me."