✿ 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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[Touching up his little crown, Gilgamesh decides they may as well match. He starts working on a nearly identical piece, and indeed, it's true: Gilgamesh goes about it with masterful precision, especially given he's had more than a few drinks, too. Either his tolerance was astronomical, or Gilgamesh had a true talent for making things.
Ironic, given how much time he often spent tearing them down.]
What brings you to visit me? An active youth such as yourself seems as though he'd be kept rather busy.
[That, and between Adrasteius and himself, the elf was the far better host. Even Gilgamesh could admit as much.]
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At the question, his gaze lifts to Gilgamesh's face, completely puzzled by the question. ]
Busy? No, it's not my party. I'm just going around having fun. And you're a nice guy—hey. [ He gives the blonde a friendly nudge. ] Don't get down about yourself, why wouldn't I come sit with you?
[ Chin up!! ]
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I am not the slightest bit nice. Open your eyes a bit more, boy; the world's not nearly so kind a place.
[Cruel words, perhaps, but they're not said with cruel intentions. It simply the truth, hearkening back to how they first met and how he described that dangerous woman, Kuvira. Gilgamesh didn't need to meet her to know she was trouble, yet Bolin... Bolin seemed so eager to grant the benefit of the doubt.
He's run into a few others like that, and they're all fools. Though some of those fools he's rather fond of.]
Anyway, it is good to indulge in the pleasures of life while you can. Never forget that is the highest possible human endeavor.
[And upon Bolin's head Gilgamesh gingerly deposits one flower crown. There you are, you plucky little mongrel.]
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And if someone proves to be cruel, then he'll distance himself, remain wary. ]
Whoa...
[ But for now, he sends an astonished look up at the flower crown on his head. He likes flowers because they're pretty, and he's always been drawn to pretty things. It doesn't really suit him, not the way that they look elegant in Gilgamesh's blonde, but he's not going to complain. ]
This is pretty pleasurable, I'll give you that.
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You look like a total buffoon.
[But his tone might just be mistaken for something like whimsical... if one strains to hear it.]
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Luckily, he doesn't take offense, letting out a quiet laugh and settling with a wide grin. ]
I know. [ His response is empathetic. ] I mean, I'm good looking but I'm not a pretty boy.
[ It's not really a style in the Four Nations, and the "prettiest" boy Bolin knows from home is his brother, and even his brother would look dumb in a flower crown. ]
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Good looking? Mm, I am not so certain... you've a very youthful face, to be sure, but an unforgivably unkempt styling of hair. Your eyes are almost too pure, in a sense; your cheeks are rather doughy, and your brows rather bushy. And I do spy a bit of unsightly fat around the waist.
[Which Gilgamesh pokes at. Without regrets. Though, despite his harsh critique, his own eyes are bright and warm in the fading light. Maybe a side effect of all the drink he's imbued, or maybe Bolin's unflinching earnestness has won him over. And the flower crown might have helped, too. Might.
Either way, he looks relaxed in Bolin's presence. This is a good thing, when keeping company with a self-professed tyrant.]
But I have seen worse, I suppose. I'll give you a pass for now, perhaps... a four out of ten?
[Ouch.]
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[ But he sounds more incredulous than hurt or angry. Luckily, Bolin's never been lacking in confidence and a sense of comfort in his own skin. He's always been happy with his appearance, even if the girls back home generally preferred his brother, it never bothered him too deeply. Different people have different tastes. (And that's Bolin in most cases, never hankering to change other people.)
Similarly, he doesn't protest the abuse to his face, just sending a slightly dismayed look, as if to ask silently, why are you hurting me. It doesn't hurt though, so he lets Gilgamesh do as he likes if it makes him happy. ]
That's harsh. [ He sighs. ] Maybe I should exercise more.
[ He won't, but easy to respond to Gilgamesh, and to ignore his teasing would be boring. ]
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[So he repeats, so nothing changes. However...]
Still, that may fall into the "cute" category.
[...the mood in the air certainly has. Always be mindful keeping company with Gilgamesh, who will never forgo an opportunity to flirt. Dangerously.]
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Instead, he gives the blonde a slightly skeptical look, unable to really get his temper going (both because of personality traits and) because the smell of flowers around them is so soothing and pleasing. ]
Yeah? I'll take cute. [ He draws one leg in, resting an arm on it as he straightens his posture somewhat, staring upward as he thinks. ] Though I'd prefer handsome or something since I'm not a kid anymore.
[ His gaze cants back to Gilgamesh. ]
What about you! What would you pick?
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[Don't worry, Bolin. For as thick-headed as you are, Gilgamesh's advances are about as subtle as a sledgehammer.]
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He reaches over to ruffle the neckline of Gilgamesh's shirt, recalling how the "hunky" men in Republic city had unashamed boob windows. ]
Okay. [ If he has to be fair. ] I guess I could see it.
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I can see you as well. In a similar light. In my bed.
[Was this for real? Was this just fantasy? Was Gilgamesh truly looking at him like that, like he wanted to take a big bite, despite his earlier teasing that he wasn't quite up to his personal standards? It's hard to say... or at least it is until his other hand reaches for his face to stroke along.
Your heterosexuality may soon find itself questioned, Bolin. Gilgamesh tends to do that to people.]
How about it? Care to stay the night with a King?
[He's joking. Maybe. Probably. ...right?]
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But he doesn't jump at the opportunity. Instead, his eyes go wide, trying to parse the sincerity of the question. He doesn't anyone's ever actually propositioned him so readily since the time that Eska tried to force him to marry her.
Eventually, a grin works his way back over his lips and he just smiles cheerily at the other man. ]
Thanks, but I'm not really looking for a relationship right now. [ The ease with which he answers suggests that Gilgamesh is probably joking. ] Especially not with... a guy.
[ And he's not really sure how to say that without appearing rude. Not that there's anything wrong with guys liking guys! ]
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And as it turns out, the casual brushoff works to Bolin's favor; Gilgamesh laughs, too, and indeed confirms that it was just a joke. In any other instance he may have been offended at being turned down, but it seems he really was just having a tease at his expense. However, this does open up the conversation to a trickier venue...]
You must be very invested in this woman of yours to refuse me.
[Gilgamesh pokes at his chest with a smug little sneer.]
Tell me more about her.
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He smiles, small and fond. ]
Well, her name's Opal, and she's sort of my first serious girlfriend. [ His tone isn't as exuberant, more wistful. ] When I first met her, she'd never really lived outside of her family's protection. They own a city back in the Earth Kingdom.
[ Then, his smile grows. ]
But now, she's traveling around the Kingdom on her own [ sort of ] helping towns that are being attacked by bandits. And she's an amazing airbender. I mean, she's always been brave, and caring, and super protective, but now it's... [ He glances back to look the other man in the eyes. ] More, I guess.
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[And after such a thoughtful answer, Gilgamesh has only a single piece of advice to offer.]
Wed her immediately. To pass up on such prime wife material would be a crying shame.
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Bolin's mouth drops open before he just starts sputtering, not having expected a suggestion like that. ]
Marry?! [ He jerks back then, hands up in alarm and the flower crown slipping off his head. ] Whoa, whoa. I don't know if I'm ready for marriage. I mean, I like Opal, and she's great but I don't know if I want to marry her.
[ What a grown up decision!! He needs an adult! ]
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[Eyebrow waggling intensifies. Boy, he is an adult. ...somehow. Unfortunately.]