housewarming ✿ open

[hymnals]

Who: Adra and all y'all
When: About a week after the dungeon; in the afternoon and going on until evening
Where: Adra & Gil's house
What: HOUSEWARMING MINGLE come eat the enchanted food
Rating: this is a family log

✿ 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.

Comments

[hymnals]

[ He grinds the heel of his palm against one closed eye. ]

I'm trying to say that I don't mind the thought of you in my room.

[hoasen]

[And so she patiently waits for him to answer.

Well, that was straightforward (Vietnam it's not like that)]

Will you allow me in your room? Perhaps next time I will not need to break in.

[hymnals]

[ This gentle pain is too much. Abort, abort.

He stares at his knees, reddening. ]

... Never mind, Sen. Don't worry about it.

[hoasen]

[Except she can't worry about it, because Adra is beginning to brush off this matter. What is this matter even about? She has a feeling, but she also knows that should he sweep it under the rug, she won't find out.

There was only one thing to do.]

Come with me.

[And with his hand in hers, she starts dragging him off around the house.

...they're going to break into his own room.]

[hymnals]

[ What what ... what is happening right now! Adra's bewildered, but he doesn't let her go. Confusion temporarily shunts aside his awkwardness; temporarily dulls the disappointment already gnawing at his gut. ]

What are you up to all of a sudden?

[hoasen]

[She's off being a good bean, of course!

Maybe.

They're going round his house, where she's trying to find his window. All the while now letting go of his hand so he can't run away!]

We are going to be more adventurous! [A pause.] But in a safe space.

[hymnals]

That sounds comfortably dangerous.

[ He raises an eyebrow. Of course he spots his own window quickly; he can see the silhouette of his bed from out here, and he did pick that himself. He glances at it, and then back to Vietnam, wondering what her game was. Having a little suspicion. ]

[hoasen]

It could be, but let's try not to damage anything.

[She stands in front the window, but looks at him expectantly.]

Without your own key or magic, try opening your window.

[Lord have mercy.]

[hymnals]

[ He gives her a look like 'Honestly?' as he approaches the window. ]

I can't. I'm not strong enough to just pry it open.

[ But he's fiddling with the lock, anyway. Maybe there's a flaw in the mechanism? ]

[hoasen]

[She looks so serious, she's not messing around here!]

Do not worry about prying it open. It the lock is free, I will be able to handle that!

[She'll carefully push it open of course! Seeing Adra actually fiddle with the lock does warm her heart.] I believe you can do this, Adrasteius!

[hymnals]

[ Now things are clear. He stands there for a moment, still uncertain. ]

You want me to climb into my own room?

[ Light, he needs better security. ]

[hoasen]

[Wow, Adra, don't stop!]

Yes. [Not even a pause here.] Hence safe.

[hymnals]

[ Vietnam is lucky that he has such a massive crush on her. Still dubious, but now compliant, Adra grabs onto the ledge and hoists himself up. It's an ungainly scramble--his body was not designed for even minor feats of athletics--but he manages it. And then promptly tumbles onto his own carpet. ]

Oof.

[hoasen]

[She never realises she has this kind of power...look at this good sport though. Still, she's going to support him as he does get himself up, hand on his legs and--

Did he just tumble?!]

Adrasteius!! [This is her already half way scaled.] Are you alright?!

[hymnals]

[ He groans as he gets to his feet. ]

Oh, I'm perfectly well. What's the point of this, Sen?

[hoasen]

[And she climbs through the window as he asks her, landing neatly on her feet. While it makes it look like she does such a thing often, this is all thanks to her usual training.

Typically, she goes over to check to see if he is okay, looking him over.]

Are you sure? [She can give him a cheap heal!] And the point is now I am in your room. And you joined me.

[hymnals]

[ He scowls, making a dismissive gesture with his hand at the heal, as though he were capable of physically brushing it off of him. ]

I'm fine.

[ His ears fold back, and the scarlet color rises up his cheeks again as he goes to sit on his bed. Vietnam had clearly articulated the facts of the situation, and he's nervous again. ]

Yes, well. There you have it.

[hoasen]

[He tries, he tries so hard, so have her heal. Not very impressive like his, so he might as well have made it look like he brushed it off. She follows him so that she can keep making him feel better!

Because now he's all heated again.]

There, it is fine, no? I am here. [She straightens up, before sitting lightly on his bed to join him, although as she wasn't quite invited, she makes sure to take a very small part of it. Just a corner, and her hands folded neatly on her lap. So graceful, you wouldn't have thought she just encouraged him to break into his own room.] I thought doing something strange could make things a little more interesting.

[Make what interesting?!]

[hymnals]

[ He does not think this is fine. He sits awkwardly, his muscles taut with tension, his hands clasped together over his stomach. He cheeks are redder than ever. ]

I really don't know what you mean.

[ It's difficult to look at her just now, because looking at her would directly acknowledge that she is in his room and on his bed, and that just leads down a whole other thorny path, thought-wise. ]

[hoasen]

[Considering how red he keeps getting, now she just wonders if he feels uncomfortable. So she shuffles closer, giving him a better look, and feeling his forehead and face, just in case.

But outside of that--]

You always seem to be holding something back.

[hymnals]

[ He stiffens when she touches him; his skin, of course, is burning hot. His body temperature is naturally higher than average, even discounting his present feelings of embarrassment. But right now, counting those feelings, he's downright feverish. ]

Is that a bad thing?

[ He licks his lips, like a nervous cat. ]

I expose my throat because I don't mind if it's cut. But I'd rather not also get my heart stabbed in the bargain.

[hoasen]

Hot...

[This is surprising, because just before he wasn't burning up like this. She pulls back in surprise, but reaches out again, now she knows what to expect. This conversation is going a rather interesting direction.

Vietnam is gentle with Adrasteius, that is for certain. But there is still that part of her, one that overpowers men. Everything she does is her own choice. Her hand moves before she knows it, reaching to gently touch the front of his neck, fingers then following those tattoos.]

I've had my heart stabbed before. And again. And I fought. And then I won. And they will always be my family. It got better. I think this applies with any situation, at varying degrees.

[She sits herself next to him, shoulders just touching.] But no matter what they do. [Whoever it may be. Even everyone.] It is up to you, in the end.

[hymnals]

[ He catches her wrist. His fingers wrap around the thin bones there, gentle, but firm. The inked skin is more sensitive than the rest of him, more responsive to touch. He shudders a little for it, but holds her fast. ]

I have, too. Many times, over many years. But eventually a person has to learn from their mistakes, don't they?

[ Not that he has, or is. Because he wouldn't even be sitting here with her if that were the case.

He kisses the pads of her fingers. ]

Eventually.

[hoasen]

[Vietnam looks at how he takes her wrist. She doesn't move, only watching what he does, and feeling the warm touch of his lips on her fingers. And then she starts to find it hard to breathe.

Strange. How this happens. By now she's recognising this as a familiar feeling. It's something she needs to think about.

And so she rests her head on his shoulder, just so she can. It's strangely comforting.]

I wonder if they are mistakes.

[hymnals]

[ Just like the rest of him, his shoulder is quite warm. Soft, too, because of his plush coat. ]

Tends to feel that way, in the end.

[ He's thinking of past relationships--of which, admittedly, there have yet been only a few. But there have been plenty of relationships never begun, feelings never spoken aloud. Opportunities missed, perhaps. ]