✿ 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
My brother bests me in that particular arena, I'm afraid. I was never much of an artist beside him.
[Gilgamesh looks hopefully around, then asks of Vietnam:]
Have you seen him about? He hurried ahead of me, as usual. Little imp; I cannot take my eyes off of him for even a second.
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It was when he looks around, trying to search for something, that she realised he was really searching for someone. He was seeing Enkidu.
Vietnam had the comfort food too, but it did not affect her as strongly as it did Gilgamesh. And even with the comforting affects, she feels her own heart shatter into a million pieces, knowing that Gilgamesh was lost in a memory that when he wakes up from--...she'll cross that bridge when they get there.
But she needs to wake him up. Gripping his hand--]
Gilgamesh. Come back.
no subject
But I never left. I am right here with you, Sen.
[She gives her hand a reassuring squeeze back, frowning.]
Where else would I have gone? You speak in strange tongues today.
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You are with me, and I am with you, it seems. [That much is clear. But she doesn't know what else he can see. What of their surroundings? Vietnam doesn't let go of him...or this matter.]
Enkidu is not here. We're in Adrasteius' house.
no subject
So he is not. I am uncertain what happened just now.
[Gilgamesh strives to hide the look of supreme disappointment, borderline depression on his face. In this new world, he would dream like never before, and often he was haunted by visions of Enkidu. He wishes he were alone if only so he would not appear so weak in front of Vietnam.
Alas, he must put up a strong front instead and act like it never happened.]
I thank you for the reminder. On occasion, my mind tends to drift.
no subject
I do not know. [She had been feeling quite pleasant before this. Calm, warm. At home, in a way.
Her hand grips his tighter, before she reaches out to touch his face.]
You have time here, to relax and remember. [Even if that was not the kind of memory she wanted him to endure.] You can allow it to drift. I apologise that I woke you up. You were...really happy.
no subject
It's alright. We'd planned on seeing each other regardless.
[Back to smiling. Nothing's amiss here.]
To seal our little deal, I believe. But a handshake feels somewhat inappropriate for that.
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But still, his changing the topic was relevant to their previous conversation anyway, so she will agree to this change. Even though she still worries that he denied what just happened actually happened.]
We did. Everything during that conversation has begun to take place. The first part, when you find it in this house. [Adra's room was not the only room she broke into. By Gilgamesh's dresser, she has left a flower arragement made of crimson silk, in a red wineglass. The glass itself is flecked with gold. Next to it would be one bottle of the best wine Caissa could provide. And she also straightened his room a bit.]
As for the latter part...yes. I wish to seal our deal. If not a handshake, then what do you have in mind? [Contract? She doesn't actually know how this works.]
no subject
[Because yes, Gilgamesh had found the flower arrangement in question, and helped himself to some of the wine earlier. Or all of the wine. Shockingly, though, for how much he's drunk this evening, he remains otherwise lucid outside that skip in his memory. He's glad for it, too; he wouldn't want to forget this sight before him, sitting alongside Vietnam and enjoying her company.
He holds her hand on his lap, and though she is no delicate thing, he does so as if it is precious.]
Truthfully, I am at a loss. Material items do you no good; I can pledge you my affections, but those too pale in comparison. Perhaps a request...
[But it's so sentimental. Almost too sentimental. He hesitates.]
no subject
And so she shuffles so that she can sit beside him more comfortable, pressing her side to his, her head on his shoulder, and gently strokes his hand with her thumb as it rests on his lap. Sure, someone might catch her like this right now, but there's something about him right now.]
I think you are giving this too much weight. [She promised him she'll be his master because it will save him. Really, she doesn't need anything more.
But...] Well. [She lifts her head to look at him properly.] You can always select the last option: All of the above. [She's kidding.]
no subject
[After all, he'd taken Masters with less thought before. He took Kirei just because he felt like it, just because he tired of Tokiomi, and already Vietnam has seen how easily she'd discard him, too. Gilgamesh was not accustomed to Masters who cared for him in any capacity; it's why both Caren and Vietnam presented a serious adjustment for him. Because Vietnam has shown him compassion, he has grown to want it and expect it over time.
And though it is difficult for him, he is not incapable of returning it. Tonight he means to do just that.]
One kiss. But I would like it to be special.
[Gilgamesh brushes his finger over her lip with a faint grin. He's scheming, alright. As always, as ever.]
We shall kiss as if we love nothing more in all the world. As if only we exist to each other, as if we hold affection for none dearer.
no subject
It is a way of sealing a future contract that she can agree to. Not just the part where she already had agreed to be more openly affectionate with him, but that she does love him. She would willingly kiss him that passionately. She flushes at the idea, when she feels his fingers trace her lip.
But she doesn't fluster more than that.]
Done. [She lift her fingers, trailing it along his jawline, just a flutter of a touch.] Before we start...right here, after you come closer? Elsewhere, where it really will only be just us?
no subject
However, he must pause at the question of relocation. Vietnam had a strange, if convenient habit of keeping him honest, and if he was considering it honestly, he knew exactly what would happen if matters were moved to his bedroom. He's no prude, obviously, but he'd made it very clear that he intended to court her properly before escalating their relationship further.
As tempting as she'd been on the edge of his desk, he had to admit.]
Do you desire what I would offer you in such a place?
[With any luck, she'll catch onto his meaning without him stating outright you know, we're about to do something that isn't exactly family friendly.]
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His honesty is the other part of him that she loves and appreciates. She know he's capable of being a filthy liar, or that he withholds information, but he's always been honest with her. Let her go even after he announced his intentions. It's that level of respect that settles her decision now.
Well, that and she's sure that had this been any other situation, she probably have already said yes. She straightens up, pressing her forehead to his.]
Show me, and I will let desire speak for me.
[Adra's going to kill them if this log reaches non-family friendly levels but what did he expect if Gilgamesh is here?!]
no subject
But already he'd begun to dream, and it was all her fault. He should be angry with her, for getting his hopes up. For, like Setsuna, causing to reveal more of himself than he ever intended. Yet looking upon her now, posed forehead to forehead, he can only find the greatest fondness for her, and the sincerest gratitude he was no longer alone so far from the home that wasn't.
Rather than lift her, Gilgamesh opts for a humbler gesture, standing to his feet and tugging her along by the hand.]
This way.
[He will lead her to his room with a quiet sense of purpose. Knowing it would've come to this eventually.]
no subject
So she will make those hopes and dreams come true. She helped do so for her own home, and she will do so for him. Hard work will always pay off. Even if you bleed for it. She wants to make it clear, that he will not regret believing in her. But that is for another time. For now, she will show him he can love a much more simpler life. Home is where the heart is, as cliche as that saying goes.
Silently she follows, hand in hand, as he leads her to his room. She clasps it warmly, watches as he leads. Surprisingly, she feels calm, even for someone who has loved for...yeah she can't even start counting. Gilgamesh really was the first one to teach her how to open up and just love. He can consider this some strange irony.]