✿ THE HOUSE ✿
Adra's house is a cozy stone cottage on the outskirts of Caissa, close enough to the sea that one can hear the breaking waves throughout the day.
This afternoon, there's light, cool rain falling intermittently, tapping in a rhythm at the windows and roof. Fortunately, the kitchen is warm, bright, and welcoming. Its counters and tables are covered with freshly prepared foods of all kinds, and there are plenty of chairs for visitors who might like to sit and relax.
A door from the kitchen leads out into the garden, which is not quite yet fully landscaped, but which boasts a promising array of flowers (orchids, roses, lilies, tulips, etc) and herbs. Adra's also cultivating strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, and so on; the strawberries and cherries in particular are ripe for picking. Adra has strung enchanted, floating fairy lights all over the garden; they cast a soft, ethereal glow over the paths and carefully tended patches of greenery. At the garden's center, there's a clear pond filled with red and pink lotus blossoms.
Back inside, a visitor might like to rest in the den. There's a roaring fire in the hearth, and sitting near it for a short while offers a boost to the weary spirit. Soft, plush chairs and couches fill this room, making it ideal for lounging. The tables are covered with books borrowed somewhat indiscreetly from the library; they deal largely with the magic and history of Enprise.
Adjacent to the den is Adra's study. In here are half-empty bookshelves and antique rolling desk covered with neat stacks of papers, boxes of quills, and numerous pots of ink, each one in different, brilliant colors. His journal is somewhere here, too ...
Finally, down the hall one will find a half bathroom and, across from that, the door to the second bedroom--belonging to one Gilgamesh. The master bedroom, belonging to Adrasteius, is at the end of the hall. There's a full bath in there, but this room is definitively locked.
✿ THE SPREAD ✿
As usual, Adra's gone over the top in his preparations. For drinks, there's a sweet, refreshing punch; delicately pink and decorated with sprigs of flowers. There are pitchers of sparkling ice water, jugs of wine and spiced mead, and plenty of glasses to share.
Though Adra does not eat meat himself, he prepares it ably; there's a honey-glazed, roasted turkey in the center of the table, right beside a carving board heavy with seasoned, hand-carved slices of fresh beef. Red potatoes, bright with paprika and salt and glistening with pats of melting butter, are arranged in wedges around the turkey. There are woven baskets of steaming rolls, flaky and soft; platters of carrots and broccoli and asparagus; enormous bowls of belly-warming soup filled with thick wheat noodles, sliced egg, and shredded cabbage. At one end of the table, there's a plate of burgers, along with small dishes to fix them--bacon, crispy onions, sauteed mushrooms, and all the necessary condiments. He has plates of savory pies, filled with beef or pork or chicken; steamed and fried dumplings stuffed with meat and spring vegetables, plump and perfectly shaped.
The desserts are similarly extravagant: he has a plate of meticulously crafted flower and fruit cakes; some look like ripe, blushing peaches, others, he shaped into red orchids, lotus blossoms, or golden roses. He's made a chocolate tart so dark that its smooth, sugar-dusted surface shimmers reflectively in the overhead light. Cupcakes of all kinds are scattered here and there, as well as an extravagant, multi-tiered confection dripping with fudge sauce, encrusted with sliced strawberries and vibrantly colorful, fondant flower petals. There are loaves of warm banana bread; fruit tarts glittery with rainbow sugar crystals; and, under glass, an assortment of flavorful macarons baked to look like something plucked right from the starry sky.
But the most important thing about Adra's lavish banquet is this: all of the food is enchanted, laced with magic meant to inspire feelings of comfort and security. Eating it may conjure up familiar, welcome sensations or memories--nothing sorrowful or painful, and only as specific as you'd like. It could be something as simple as the feeling of a fuzzy blanket on a cold day, or as complex as a particular soothing memory. In all cases, the intended effect is meant to inspire calm and ease.
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no subject
Hmm. I don't know if earned is right the word. But I feel lucky, in any case. Luckier still that I'm able to share something like this with you.
no subject
A rightly earned house... One's own world. Adra's accomplishments earned him this, a piece of himself in Enprise. Setsuna doesn't explain though, as he's certain the elf would eventually realize what he means. Even if not today, then tomorrow... One day.
But what did catch him off-guard was the latest comment. Enough to make his eyes widen for a moment. ]
You... should be saying that to someone else.
[ He's honored, he really is. But it doesn't feel right. He doesn't feel like he should be part of something like this. ]
no subject
Really?
[ He shrugs. ]
I could say it to a number of people. But if you'd rather not be among that number, it's all right.
no subject
That's why a home will always be special to each and every person, as its value will always differ per person. An old, rundown shack for instance may be trash to someone else, but that isn't necessarily the same to another.
Setsuna is actually relieved that Adra doesn't press him on what he said. He said that it's all right instead. That makes it much easier... And so, he nods one more time. ]
Be happy with them.
no subject
I'm not really a 'happy' sort of person.
no subject
There's nothing that Setsuna can say to make it better, as he too is in the same category. He has never known happiness either, and that is why he's been asking others of what makes them happy. He wants to know it... He wants to recognize it, but not for his own sake.
He wonders what it is that makes Adra continue to be so warm, to smile so openly to others. If he doesn't know happiness, how is he able to give it out to other people? ]
Why do you say so?
[ Setsuna's tone is curious. No different from a youth hearing a concept for the first time. ]
no subject
It was because of Aurelius, and then later because of the greater devastation visited on his race, that Adra came to the philosophy and conclusions he has now. ]
To be honest, I don't really find it important.
[ He taps his fingers against the gate. ]
Life isn't about being happy. It's about being useful.
no subject
He's fighting for a better future. Where people can know happiness. Where they don't have to become someone like him.
But he doesn't want to rub his ideals on someone else. If this is Adra's, then he will respect it. He must surely have his reasons. Reasons that he hopes to realize someday, but he will never press either. Though, there's at least one thing... ]
Would it not be better if we say, "life is about living on?"
[ It doesn't matter what someone becomes. If they're useful or not... To someone else, a particular person may be useless — but like memories, the value changes. Sometimes, there are people out there who are unfortunate from the beginning. But no matter how small, if they live their life to their fullest... Then surely, something precious will come about from them. And that's enough. ]
no subject
For others, perhaps. Not for me.
[ But he can't think that way. ]
For me, life is ... reaching out. Doing what I can. Doing more than I can. The Light teaches that we are all one in the universe, and that we have a responsibility to bring joy. Hope. Optimism. To make the fabric better than it was before.
no subject
Then, what is your reason for purchasing this house?
[ If Adra firmly believes in only being "useful" to others, then why did he buy a house for himself? Isn't that trying to seek a little bit of happiness for himself, too? A house, after all, is not merely a building. It's a home, a place where one or more can feel secure. But this house isn't for anyone else.
It's for Adra himself. ]
no subject
For that. So I'd have a place for the others to come, when they wanted, and feel comfortable. Feel safe, and welcome. A place where I could ...
[ Well, it's getting a little embarrassing, but Adra rarely shies away from naked sentiment. ]
Where I can take care of people, properly.
[ Like a family. ]
no subject
[ Again, Setsuna isn't in a position to say anything. Even though there's clearly visible contradictions, he'll respect in what the elf believes in. Instead, he continues his meal and accept it for what it is.
Especially as Adra accepted him for what he is, too. ]
Still, I am certain they would say the same as I did.
[ "They," being the people that Adra regards as family. Even if Setsuna didn't push further, the others likely would if they were to hear any of this. Adra is so concerned with bringing happiness to them, but he isn't happy himself? They'd probably be mad.
Nah, they'd definitely be mad. Setsuna's eyes aren't sad, as he knows that the others will take care of Adra in his place. They're far more suited to do so than him. ]
no subject
But he's stuck on something else, so he frowns a little, makes a venture. ]
Setsuna. Were you--offended, earlier?
[ Adra is empathic, although not in any supernatural way. It was more a learned skill, a survival mechanism. He's always had to read the room, and fast. But Setsuna is a little difficult. ]
no subject
Adra does so much for a lot of them. He may not necessarily seek it, but that's how true bonds work. If someone learned to care for Adra, then there's no doubt about it. They'll do their best to make him happy in return. It's not out of returning a favor at all. It's because they want to do it for him. This is what Setsuna knows, because he's met the company who will do it no matter what. Adra isn't the only one with the rights of giving happiness.
So when the elf asks the young Meister that particular question, Setsuna already has an idea of why it's being brought up. However, he has no idea of how to explain his situation to anyone... It was always easier if they never asked. But for Adra's sake, he will try. ]
No. It is not you... This is simply what I have vowed from long ago.
no subject
What vow?
[ He pauses, and adds. ]
If you don't mind me asking. It's all right if you do.
no subject
In order to achieve my goals, I swore an oath to secrecy.
[ That alone is enough to tell why Setsuna remains distant no matter the situation. But to anyone knowing that, it doesn't seem enough at the same time. That's because it isn't. Unfortunately, this is why makes it difficult to speak about. The line between secrecy and transparency has always been rather complicated, especially for someone who is still finding his footing among others. And even against himself. ]
I, my comrades... We could not be among others.
no subject
Just one more thing, if he can. ]
And you must maintain that vow here, too? In a different world?
[ His tone is curious; quiet--not judging. ]
no subject
Yes. I have sworn that oath not just because it is required of me. I too have reasons to keep it.
[ Why? Well, maybe the reasons aren't that difficult to see. Setsuna, who had no choice but to be isolated in his home world... He isn't used to being with others. If he gets used to it now, and one day returns to where he belongs...
He's not sure if he'll be able to keep that vow anymore. And what then? He doesn't want to think about what will happen to him. ]
No matter what, I intend to stay as myself.
no subject
Adra listens closely, and he listens carefully. Whenever he's around another person, he fixes his attention on them; he watches for every little detail he can glean, from tone to posture to word choice. Setsuna keeps to his oath because he doesn't want to change ... Adra can't surmise the exact reasons for wanting such a thing, but he can deduce well enough that it must mean Setsunsa's world was a difficult and dangerous place. It had to be, if maintaining such distance from other people was so necessary. It had to be brutal.
A sad look passes over Adra's face to think of it, but he doesn't pursue any more questions. Not about anything personal, anyway. Instead, he has a much gentler and safer question to ask. ]
Well, tell me one more thing, Setsuna. How did you like all that food?
no subject
Simply considering it already drives a slightly suffocating sensation onto him. Setsuna's distant eyes notice the sad look across the elf's face, leading for that sensation to become heavier. For a moment, he lowers his gaze and he tightly grips the plate on his hands. Thankfully, the next question easily surprises him enough.
He lifts his eyes again, looking more curious. Maybe a little shy this time. ]
Um... It is, everything is... delicious. Thank you for the food.
no subject
I'm glad.
[ He looks out over his burgeoning garden, at all the flowers and herbs and so on, already growing and in bloom. The fairy lights cast a shimmering glow over everything, imbuing the atmosphere with a soft, ethereal quality. ]
I hope you approve of my landscaping, too. Do you have a favorite kind of flower?
[ He remembers their excursion to gather herbs; how excited Setsuna was about the drawing Adra gave him. The drawing that Setsuna gave him in return. ]
no subject
Are you all right? You have done much today.
[ Definitely more work than one person could handle. A part of Setsuna wishes that Adra at least asked for assistance, but he also can understand how he feels doing everything by himself. But still...
Thoughts trail off a little though, once the next topic is presented to him. He isn't the type to press either, so he'll go along with the flow politely. To respond to the landscape comment, he nods firmly once. ]
It is beautiful. And I have not really thought of it, but...
[ Setsuna never thought of it, but now that someone asked — the first that naturally comes to mind is: ]
Desert flowers. They remind me of many important things...