✿ 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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He smiles at her, but it's a bit weak; a bit sad. ]
He did his best, didn't he? I hope I can do my best for him.
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You'll be fine. I mean, it's obvious you care a lot about him, and that's the first step! Not that I have any kids or anything...
But you're together. Enjoy that, try not to worry so much.
[This place made things complicated, but the dangers of that weren't something Aisha wanted to bring up. And it wasn't too important in the end, weren't there dangers everywhere?
She does hope he isn't too hard on himself, though.]
no subject
Easier said than done.
[ He worries about so many things. Not just his son, but the war itself, the other people around him, the future, the past ... this very moment. ]
You're a bit new here, aren't you? I hope you've been adjusting well enough.
no subject
[She doesn't have kids, and she isn't the type to worry, leaving her at a bit of a loss here. His demeanor sort of reminds her of Jimmy, how he was so damn anxious about everything. Makes her a little protective.]
I've actually enjoyed it here so far. The only thing that bugs me is that I don't... well, it's hard for Aisha to fight at a distance, and I don't know magic.
Not knowing things I want to isn't something I'm used to at all.
[Pretty frustrating, even if she won't give up just because of that.
no subject
[ He once again reflects on Blanc's folly. A world not only steeped in magic, but a world in which fighting meant understanding it was absolutely vital to success--and their 'prayers' constantly brought them people with no prior knowledge or skill. ]
If you need a teacher, I'd be glad to help.
[ Though he still lacks much physical finesse, Adrasteius knows magic. His people sustained themselves on it, wove spellwork into every facet of their lives. Magic is quite literally in his blood--and in his burning, bright, disarmingly green eyes. ]
no subject
[Magic wasn't the realm of Ctarls, and she had no desire for piracy. Which left her at a loss in a world like this, even having grown up as a solider. Her eyes light up at his offer, she hadn't even thought of asking for it.]
Yes, I do. If you'd have me, I'd absolutely do my best to learn everything I can.
[It was actually something she enjoyed, probably contributing to how well she'd done academically.]
Aisha wouldn't let you down.
no subject
Of course I'll have you.
[ He waves his hand dismissively, giving her a lopsided smile. ]
There's no way you'd let me down. All you have to do is make an honest effort.