✿ 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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There's a little bag first and it's Asuna's first attempt at those dark chocolate truffles with a chili powder. Actually, it took three attempts but she promises this batch is a good one.
Then there's a cooking mitt that isn't quite as big as the ones he had been using but she figured the message embroidered is like the one he taught her.
In any case, Asuna knows better than anyone that Yata is a bit rough around the edges. She's never known Adra to be especially protective of her. She's a bit surprised... and also touched. ]
Don't worry. If he didn't, he would know. [ She clears her throat, and the confident smile fades. ]
Yata-kun is actually very sensitive and nice, but he'll probably get angry if I spread that around. Don't tell anyone and I won't mention anything about the books, either.
What about Gilgamesh-san? Is he treating you properly?
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[ He finally gets the package open, and it's a small miracle that he doesn't tear up right then and there, because he is emotional and soppy and it's too much. ]
... oh, Asuna. These look wonderful.
[ He's so verklempt about the gifts--especially the truffles--that he almost misses her question. He's about to try one of her confections when it hits him, and he pauses, his ears curling. ]
Er. Why ... why do you ask?
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He likes it. She releases a tense breath and then smiles, although it's UNSURE considering the person he decided to live with.
Look, he's not the only one who's protective. ]
You're living together, aren't you? That usually means something. [ Also he stuttered. ]
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He's just my roommate. There's ... nothing between us.
[ Especially not after today. ]
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Asuna can tell from Adra's demeanor that it isn't nothing. Isn't he too good for Gil? How does that king keep winning the favor of people like Setsuna and Adra? And Vietnam, even though she doesn't know that.
He didn't push the subject of her wanting to make pineapple things, so she shouldn't push this. ]
Sensei... [ She starts, looking worried. ] You're not a very good liar.
[ That's all she says though as she gestures to the truffles. ]
Will you try one? I want to know what you think.
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I know. Sometimes I wish it were otherwise.
[ He digs his nail into the truffle, feeling the shell crack. ]
Truthfully, I care for him a great deal, but ...
[ But the feelings are not returned, near as he can presently tell.
The truffle's silky filling touches his fingernail, and he shakes his head. Best to focus. He bites into the crack shell, tastes the infusion of spice and chocolate, and for a moment all sorrow and uncertainty are forgotten. The bittersweet richness of the chocolate mixes with the hot, sharp bite of the chili powder, creating a fusion taste that's nigh overwhelming in its intensity.
Just as he likes.
He sighs deeply, his mouth burning, his lips stung from the heat of the powder. ]
Asuna, these are--exquisite.
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He shouldn't wish he was a good liar. She frowns a bit and it deepens when she's granted a glimpse into how he feels about Gil.
Why? She wonders, not for the first time. While he tastes the truffle, Asuna glances around for the King in question with a sharp eye. If he's doing something she deems will hurt Adra's feelings she'll definitely─
Oh. Exquisite? She flushes. ]
R-really? [ SCRATCHES HER CHEEK. That's a BIG compliment from the Master Chef, himself. ] Thank goodness. I was worried they wouldn't be to your liking.
I really wanted to make something for you, since you're always making food for other people.
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He eats another truffle, and then another, before saying anything more. The roof of his mouth, his tongue, his throat--they're all burning. But his ears are pricked forward, his eyes are bright with contentment. He can't remember the last time he had such a treat. ]
I love them. I could eat ten boxes at once.
[ And he'd like to eat the rest of this batch, too, but he'll restrain himself. Instead, he reaches for Asuna, for her hand. ]
You're a good, kind girl. Thank you.
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Her expression softens a little, a fist raising so she can laugh a little into it.. ]
You shouldn't. You would get a stomachache if you did.
[ She's stunned thereafter, looking at their hands before his face. Then, her hand curls around his a little more tightly before she smiles shyly with a tight, new swelling in her chest.
The last time she felt it was when her grandmother peeled oranges for her while they sat under a kotatsu. Her hazel eyes glimmer at the memory. ]
... If it's alright, could we move cooking lessons to your kitchen from now on?
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It'd be worth it.
[ She's right, though, and he knows it. So, with some reluctance, he sets his treat aside. He'll preserve the rest; try to make them last.
He squeezes her hand, gently. ]
Of course. I insist that we do.
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And maybe he'll get another batch, sometime in the future. You know, when she feels like it...
To keep herself from smiling, she bites the inside of her cheek. Stop spoiling her with praise......
It slips out anyway. ]
Good! I can't wait to use a real kitchen. [ As opposed to what Asuna. Her eyes are almost sparkling as she looks towards it though. What she doesn't know is she's helping Gilgamesh cook a meat pie later ]
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I just can't wait to cook with you again.
[ He smiles, tiredly. ]
Pineapples, right?
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Noticing the weaker quality to his smile, her eyes aren't saucepan shaped anymore. ]
Oh. Yes. [ He remembered. Maybe she could admit they're for Yata now... ]
Or we could make those truffles together.
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But he just keeps on with his tired smile. ]
I'd like that, too. Whatever you want, Asuna.
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Studying him a bit longer, Asuna finally can't stop herself from asking anymore. ]
Would you like to sit down?
[ But she's making space on the couch and tugging on his hand anyway. ]