deathsmajesty | (Reply)

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She pressed a kiss to the back of his hand, and then another to his mouth, but before the lure of kisses, caresses, and a (mostly-)empty backseat could destroy her precious timetable, she started the car, slid it in gear, and made for the open road.

Estrada Nacional 222 was not only a UNESCO World Heritage, it had also been voted the best road in the world, and there was no real confusion why. On one side flowed the Douro River, sunlight sparkling on the water, with picturesque rabelo boats holding wine-drinking tourists and weathered fisherfolk. On the other were the terraced landscapes beset with acres and acres of different vineyards, each with a pedigree and a history older than many of this plane's countries. It was not a straight road, either, with curves and turns and hills that made the drive itself fun, even beyond the gorgeous scenery that Liliana was describing to Ignis with a poet's tongue.

They drove for several hours, sometimes talking, sometimes lapsing into that easy silence that came from a place of not needing to talk to enjoy one another's company. It was about midway through the afternoon when Liliana came upon the viewpoint of São Leonardo da Galafura, one of the most famous viewpoints in the region. Pulling into the turnoff, she said, "I think this will do nicely for lunch, hmm? A truly spectacular view for me, and I suppose the landscape is quite attractive, too." A laugh, another quickly stolen kiss, and then they were making their way to a grassy outcropping, Ignis once again carrying the heavy picnic hamper, and Liliana carrying...something.

At least one of those things turned out to be a comfortable picnic blanket, the same one they'd enjoyed on the beach while stargazing. And inside the basket was a simple, though hearty luncheon of traditional Portuguese cuisine - and several bottles of wine.

"So, meu querido, did you wish to tell me about what it is that had you so contemplative this morning?" Liliana asked, halfway through a bifana - a sandwich made of thinly sliced pork chops marinated in white wine, lemon juice, bay leaf, garlic, and paprika, served in a papo seco, a popular white bread roll. "Or is it a secret that I shall somehow have to seduce out of you - assuming I don't get distracted by said seduction, of course."