While Caius wasn’t one for relaxing, especially without Vordun around to make him feel at ease. He was one thing, and that? Was tired. So he was at least able to close his eyes as he listened to the gentle eb and flow of the ocean waves. If he fired his flare, would Vordun be able to fly here? Would Vordun be able to detect its energy from all the way back in Torensten? They were still technically within the Torensten region, so it was possible, but… No. Vordun deserved a break. And not one spent cooped up in Sonora. A break that entailed being able to fly free in its own habitat. As much as Caius missed Vordun’s company and felt vulnerable without them, he knew he should be able to handle himself.

How strange to think that once, he was a lone survivor. Trusting nobody and looking out solely for himself. Now he was like a pack wolf, unable to even close his eyes and feel safe without a pack mate watching over him. Then again, back on Eos. When had he ever felt safe? Everytime he closed his eyes, was a risk that he would never open them again. That just as they had preyed on his family before, brigands - or maybe even daemons, would strike while he was most vulnerable. It had happened a handful of times, having his rest interrupted. And each time he had just gotten out by the skin of his teeth.

Truth was, the only change was that he now had the means to feel safe when closing his eyes — just not today. Even now, as the sloshing tides threatened to rock his tired body to sleep, he couldn’t help but listen for everything else. He remained still, the only sound that came from him was his own breathing. His inability to truly relax proved fruitful however, in that he could hear footsteps rustling against the sand, growing ever closer. He didn’t open his eyes at first, choosing to give his would-be pursuer a chance to turn away.

But they kept coming. His heart began to pulse at rapidly quickening beats. Whoever was coming for him did not speak. Did not announce their presence. Caius chose to feign ignorance to the approaching predator, to seemingly lie unconscious with his back to the skulking behemoth. He slowed his breath…

In-out-in-out… At a calm pace that obscured his intensely pounding heartbeat. Tailoring his body language while he still could from a distance, he pretended he was merely moving in his sleep as he slowly brought his preferred arm to his chest. It would only take two seconds to materialize a weapon if he had to. Two seconds and he would be armed. “Safe” wasn’t quite the word for it, but he could defend himself if he had to, and that was what mattered.

The steps stopped in front of him and he could instead hear rustling as they sat down on the beach lounge chair next to him. Did he dare sneak a peak? Why weren’t they attacking-

What if they were a magic user and planning to attack from point blank? An eye crooked open and quickly scanned the landscape, his hands clenching as he prepared his magic. That rock would be perfect for warping to and gaining the high ground. Caius decided immediately it was best he acted first, so he started to-

"Well call me a rats uncle, fancy seein' you here. Didn't really peg this your kind of scene."

That familiar southern speech shot Caius upright as he immediately found himself sitting up straight and jerking his head to look at Cindy. It was just Cindy. Not an attacker. Not an enemy. Cindy. It was ok, he had to tell himself over and over again, and Caius found himself choking and pounding his chest as saliva caught in his throat from suddenly unloading the breath he didn’t even realize he had started holding in.

Caius cleared his throat as he tried to formulate words, remember what she had just said and make it look like nothing was wrong.

“Lumey wanted to come. But I gave her some space to be with her family” Caius responded in kind. “She being the one I mentioned back in Sonora. The one in trouble.”

It took a few seconds more for him to get a few proper in-and-out breaths to regulate his breathing again. His heart was still beating at a mile a minute and he didn’t know when the adrenaline would start to calm down. So he thought it best to use a subject that would let her talk, and give him some time.

“I could say the same of you. What brings you out here?”

Clearly he had given away his anxiety to Cindy, and worried the mechanic. It was written all over her face. Cindy was understanding, citing that she should have known considering his history. How much had he told her? He couldn't quite remember. But then Cindy brought up Lumey, and the look she gave, Caius somehow knew what the mechanic was thinking. "Aye, Lumina. My... Partner," he answered then, deciding there wasn't really a point in hiding what they were from Cindy. He doubted that he would be any good at hiding it regardless. He could never keep himself from lighting up whenever he spoke of her, and Caius knew it.

Cindy had been granted an invitation it seemed, the same as him. He had figured her like him, completely stuck to her work and unwilling to get away from it unless it was necessary. It seems there was still much he had to learn about Cindy. "I turned down the invitation initially. But Lumina wanted to go, so... Here we are," Caius admitted with a shrug. A cruise wasn't something that Caius had ever known much about, so he had never really dreamed of being on one. But... "She deserves the world, especially with her current struggles. If this is what makes her and her family happy, I can take a day or two off work for that."

Not that Lumina would have had trouble affording this herself, considering she was far more well-off than he was. But he wasn't going to begrudge her wishes either. Then Cindy asked if he'd had fun so far. Caius had to think about that one for a minute. What exactly constituted being fun out here? He wasn't really sure. "I've enjoyed my time here with Lumina and her family, yes. She's been intent on seeing and doing all that she can while she's here, so we've been pretty busy. Though after I gave her space to be with her family, I was partnered with a pyromaniac for parasailing."

Which explained why he was out here, lying down. Caius turned to face Cindy, settling his legs over the side of the chair. He was probably far too casual about that pyromaniac part.

"What about you?"

Caius felt bad for worrying Cindy, but there wasn't much for it. At least she had settled into something calmer, now that they had moved onto the subject of Lumina. And even Caius felt himself lightening up just from talking about her. That was what Lumina did to him, after all. Just having her on the mind lifted his spirits, and he had to keep himself from going on and on about her, with a passion hotter than Ifrit itself. He had never lost that habit of his tongue loosening when the subject came up, though he was still working on trying to pace himself...

"Thank you," he spoke softly. It was strange to be congratulated on finding a relationship, but he supposed that was proper, wasn't it? It was cause to be celebrated, as it meant, on paper at least, happiness for those involved. Friends congratulated each other in these circumstances because they were happy that their friends were happy. That's how it works, right? Speaking of, maybe now that Alex had blurted out Prompto's obvious crush to Cindy, they might have a talk of their own? Though while Caius couldn't quite put his finger on it... It felt sometimes like Prompto's attention was focused more on Noctis. Considering Lunafreya may be alive, however...

Perhaps that wasn't a battlefield Caius should be drawing his sword in. Better to tactically withdraw. On the topic of tactics, apparently she considered Lumina to be lucky. Caius cocked his head, unsure of why when what he was doing felt like what anyone would do, but it was a compliment nonetheless and he didn't want to make her think he was ungrateful. "She's earned it. More than I can possibly describe. This, and more."

As a literal savior of her world, on multiple occasions? Someone looking out for her was paltry in comparison to what she deserved. But he did his best. That was his duty as a partner. Even if she wasn't some world-saving, god-slaying Goddess... He would have done this, all the same. She made him happy. Happier than anything had made him in his life... It was the least he could do.

"I am still figuring out what activities there are, I'm... Not quite used to being out here, like this. I'm usually buried in my work" Caius admitted candidly. "I can admit that I don't quite know what to do with myself in this environment. But I'm glad you're thriving. With how hard you work, you've earned a break."

He'd never admit that about himself, though. No matter how much he worked. Though he scratched his head when she asked about Noctis and Prompto.

"I know they arrived safely. That's a relief. I'm intending to check in on them when I return. Wanted to give them some space first, let them tend to their wounded."

"Stick around long enough, and I'm sure you will" Caius remarked with a slight smirk when Cindy inferred she would like to meet Lumina at some point. "She sticks pretty close. I'm surprised she hasn't grown sick of visiting my workplace at this point." Her visits were always great though, and broke up the hours easily. Otherwise, they were slow and agonizing if he had made plans with her for after he was finished at the Rest. Though Cindy's other remark made him blink a few times and tilt his head as though he were trying to figure out if she were joking.

"I'm not sure about that. The closest settlement to my home was Lestallum. Most of the women there, when my father and I went there, were much like you. Hard-working, dedicated and not afraid to get your hands dirty," Caius pointed out. "That hasn't changed in the people I've met since I've come to Zephon. Celes is a hard-nosed former military general who now leads the Dragonblades with me. Yuna fights tooth and nail to keep people alive at her clinic, even with all that comes with it. Yuffie comes off like a child, but she's fought against world-ending horrors..." Caius trailed off, before making a face as something hit him. "Most of the women I work with have, really. Both of the aforementioned Dragonblades leaders, Serah, Cassandra, Garnet, Yuffie... And Lumina. Most of them have seen as much dirt, mud and blood as I have. You fit in with, essentially, just about everyone I've ever been close with."

He couldn't help a small laugh at that thought. "No wonder Alex says I have a type" Caius remarked, still blissfully unaware of what Alex actually meant. Speaking of meanings he never seemed to get, Cindy brought up that Caius needed a break as well. "Now you're starting to sound like Lumey" came another laugh. "First to advise rest and breaks, but it wouldn't surprise me if you have put in more than a few all-nighters."

Caius was like that too, but he wouldn't admit it. As for the boys... "I hope they recover well, and quickly. Ignis and Gladiolus have spent far too much time locked up. They deserve to experience the freedom their friends fought so hard for them to have."