pawnstorm | housewarming ✿ open

Entry tags:

housewarming ✿ open

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Glancing up at the content expression on Adra's face, Bolin can't help but feel his ego inflate, grinning widely as he rubs his fingers over the skin with a bit more vigour. ]

It's good, huh? Would you recommend me to a friend?

[ Even if he's an easily distracted masseur, finishing up the second leg and tracing a tattoo instead of moving onto the arms like he should. ]

[ He shudders as Bolin traces, feeling a blush creep up his throat. Clearing his throat, he runs a hand through his long blond hair--disturbing one of the orchids still bound up behind his ear, such that it falls to the floor--and nods. ]

Um. Every friend I can think of.

[ Like a child, Bolin's attention wanders at the drop of a hat, and suddenly the flowers caught his eye. It takes him a moment to even register where it's coming from - is it raining flowers? Adra's magic is truly incredible.

But it's not raining, the orchid's fallen from Adra's hair and Bolin picks it up with a small smile, standing up from his crouch to settle on the arm of the couch instead. ]

You dropped this. [ Before he's reaching forward to place it back. It's sloppy because he has no experience, and a little lopsided. ]

I'll do your arms next!

[ Adra doesn't mind. He touches Bolin's hand as the other man places the flower. ]

Thanks for the help.

[ He rolls up his sleeves, revealing--of course--more skin dense with glowing tattoos. As with his legs, there's increasing tone to his muscles. Nothing like Bolin's gunshow, or really any brand of gun at all, but everything is significantly firmer than it was before. ]

All of it.

[ Bolin happily accepts, drawing the right arm toward him to start the press of his hands into the skin. ]

What? If you mean the mess, obviously! [ He's incredibly adamant. ] You work so hard! You should rely on others more.

[ He lists to the side a little as Bolin starts in, his hair falling forward over his shoulders. ]

Yeah, probably. It's a learned skill for me, though.

[ He's always had to rely on himself, ever since he was a child. More to the point, he's always had someone who required his constant attention, and still does. ]

And I don't just mean the mess. I mean ... this. Being here and--looking after me.

[ The earthbender stops when he feels the weight of Adra's words, because he values friendship and trust so much. It might seem cheap when he's so easy to befriend and trust, but it always leaves a mark when someone expresses value for his presence.

Sometimes it feels like he needs that acknowledgement - doesn't ever want to feel alone.

Doesn't want anyone else to feel alone.

Sniffling a little, he leaves the arm to draw Adra into a hug by his shoulders.]

Yeah, we're friends. [ It's almost comical the way he's squeezing the elf's head to his chest, but still sincere. ] And...

[ Crazy things happen, but Bolin won't let his friendship diminish. ]

[ There was a time when Adra would have immediately squirmed free of such a tight hug, but now--with Bolin--it feels just fine. Better than fine: it feels welcoming, and safe. Adra presses his cheek to Bolin's chest, listens to the steady, even pace of his heart. There's a constancy to Bolin that he's admired. Bolin says what he means, and he keeps on meaning it, and to Adra that's a refreshing change from his usual experience.

He laughs again, though it's muffled by the fabric of Bolin's shirt. ]

And ...?

[ Adra pulls back just enough to look up at Bolin, smiling, his eyes soft. Stray locks of hair everywhere. ]

[ And what? He's not sure. He doesn't know if it's because of the circumstances of being in a new place, the loneliness of missing his brother, or just the hardships of being a Hero, but he feels as though he's being more clingy than usual; more desperate to maintain relationships.

He feels full, drunk on happiness and the good company. It's all right, he's going to be all right, and he's got a good friend in front of him. It all makes him feel unstoppable. ]

And you better get used to counting on me.

[ Followed by the earthbender sliding off the armrest to squeeze next to the elf. ]

If you're so tired, why don't you take a nap?

[ Adra rests his head on Bolin's shoulder, his eyes half-lidded. ]

That will take time, but I'm adaptable.

[ He folds his hands in his lap. Outside the study, the party goes on: his sharp ears catch laughter, boisterous conversation, and probably somebody knocking over their drinks. Adra is a social person, and the noise comforts him; makes him feel less alone. He's lived so much of his life by himself. ]

As for a nap ... that's hardly an option right now. This is a nice break, though.

Really? Why not?

[ Probably something about responsibilities. Bolin's more interested in his own ideas though, throwing an arm around the man at his side to rock them both from side to side carefully. ]

What if I rock you to sleep?

[ He remembers that too, from when he was young, the steady presence of his mother, who'd coddled him as a child despite Mako's shows of jealousy; her arms around him with a slow back and forth, even as he'd grown older and heavier. She'd never relented, unending in her care for him. He wants to have that kind of care and kindness; tucks his cheek against the side of Adra's head. ]

Light. Am I toddler to you, now?

[ His tone is without rancor, though, and he easily sways back and forth in the chair. He's slight and thin; the chair itself is a stately leather piece, when he sits in it by himself, the thing nearly swallows him whole. He yawns, shaking his head. ]

I can't just step out of my own party. Besides, who knows what they're doing to my kitchen out there?

[ Terrible things. He can sense it. ]

[ The side effect to this is that Bolin is making himself sleepy, with the disadvantage of not feeling any of the responsibility of the party or the guests. He thinks it's fine if Adra naps for a short while, if he's honest, everyone's an adult out there, and he saw Vietnam at least, and he knows that she's responsible enough to keep from letting things get set on fire.

He frowns, impressed by how tenacious Adra is, but also lamenting that it's difficult to get him to relax. ]

So you just want to babysit them? Nah, I'd rather put you to sleep.

[ The resolve is enough to get him to grin determinedly, one hand reaching out to get his fingers against the elf's chin, tilting his head so that it's easy for Bolin to dip his head, press an easy kiss to the hair covering Adra's forehead. His other arm, the one that had wound around the other man's shoulders presses flat against the shoulder blade instead, drumming a steady beat there. ]

[ Color rises to Adra's cheeks as Bolin takes his chin, and his ears curl slightly as the other man kisses his forehead. Sleep had been tugging at him ever since he sat down, but it's gone now, fled in the wake of the drumbeat on his shoulder. ]

It'll take more than that.

[ The drumbeat is a go to for lulling to sleep! At least, that's what Bolin assumes. It had always worked on him as a child, though he'd never tried it on someone else.

Still, he'll take his victories, grinning at the red on Adra's cheeks. He doesn't wonder about their cause: Adra's such a shy person, it's cute. ]

Oh yeah? But you're admitting it's an option now!

[ Personal victories can be scant for the earthbender, so his eyes light up at the admission, shoulders squaring before he's falling back, resting against the armrest so that Adra is even less upright, instead more cradled against his chest. The drumbeat picks up again, lips brushing the elf's crown again as he hums an old nursery rhyme. ]

Really, Bolin ...

[ His blush deepens; his ears, too, turn scarlet at the tips and along the shell. Is he being cradled like a baby right now? Is this the genetic price of being born short and thin? He sighs against Bolin's chest. ]

I appreciate the effort, but I'm a little too old for this.

Really?

[ Such a short victory, Bolin's voices comes out smaller then, thoughts of his family, of his brother, strange uncertainties uncalled for surfacing in the beginnings of a bizarre mood swing. He'd always been capable of ricocheting through emotions.

His hands drop to his sides so that Adra's free to move as he wishes, though Bolin lowers his head to catch the other man's gaze, looking doubtful. ]

I don't think I'd mind it. I just want to do the right thing.

[ Like Korra, and Asami, and Mako. They always devoted themselves to the right cause. ]

[ Ah, jeez. No ... not with the face.

Even if Bolin weren't so obvious about it, Adra's sensitive to other people's moods. Growing up as he did, he had to learn to read a room (or a single, mercurial person) damn fast, and accurately, too. Not that it ever did him much good then.

But it's been helpful in other areas of his life.

He pulls away slightly, just enough to reach up and set his warm hand against Bolin's cheek. ]

Hey. I meant that. I do appreciate it. I know what you were trying for.

[ He's still red in the face, and he looks away, laughing a little. A little nervous. ]

Honestly, it's more ... [ gentleness ] more than I'm used to. And it's--nice.

[ Unlike Adra, Bolin isn't something that really notices physical contact, though it is important to him. It's so casual and easy for someone like Bolin, that it comes as easily as breathing, and he gives it about as much thought. But he'd had to warp out of his natural state for Adra, who had the aversion, that it had forced him to become more contentious, so the reassuring gesture makes him smile.

Though it only reminds him that not too long ago, Adra would scowl even as they held hands for mana exchange. ]

Sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable. [ There is a stubbornness to him that refuses to see things any other way than the way he wants to see them, and he doesn't really know when he gets that way. ] Even if it's nice! It must be a lot.

[ He clears his throat, murmuring. ]

You're not. You're really not.

[ He rubs his thumb against Bolin's cheek. ]

Trust me, if you were--you'd know.

[ And then he starts noticing for a very different reason, because this isn't like any type of affection that Korra or Asami had ever shown him, and he draped himself on those two on the regular.

Adra has always been so pretty; Bolin would've confused him for a woman if not for his voice. But it doesn't detract from his beauty - there isn't anyone like this that he's met in the Four Nations. It's almost like the other man's sparkling this close up. (He's had Too Much to drink.)

It makes him so happy. That he's got this friend, who's so reliable and strong, who cares so much. Everything that Bolin wishes he was. ]

Thanks.

[ A barely mumbled response, eyes caught on gold and brilliant green, and an innate warmth when he leans his face closer to press his lips to his friend's. ]

[ Adra's so unprepared for what's happening that he's not struck dumb with fear, as would be usual; he can't even conceive of the scene presently unfolding, so it doesn't trigger the typical reaction. Bolin has a girlfriend! A girlfriend with whom he's apparently quarreling, but--still. He'd never suggested any kind of interest in ... this.

Adra's fingers curl tight against Bolin's cheek. He breathes in sharply; exhales hot. His mouth is soft and pliant, his skin unusually warm. He doesn't pull away, or move at all. He holds the kiss, and holds onto Bolin, unsure of anything outside how the curve of Bolin's lip fits against his. ]

[ If it's any consolation to Adra, Bolin isn't exactly prepared either. It's been a long few months since he's kissed anyone, with the distance and tension in his relationship with Opal. And though he's not out of control or anything with a need for intimacy, he's not going to deny that he enjoys it. A lot. He very much doesn't even try to keep his hands off Opal most of the time.

It's nice. And there's something soft and tender and happy that blooms in his chest to be able to share this with someone again.

When time comes to press closer or pull back however, something dark clutches at his stomach, sinking strong enough to tighten his heart.

He doesn't know what he's doing. ]

Wh.

[ It's not exactly "freaking out", but Bolin's eyes do shoot open, cheeks red with something other than alcohol and when he sees Adra, he startles with such grace that his top half just slides off the couch. ]

Oh my god. Oh my god.

[ As Bolin falls, so too does Adra. He grabs for the armrest, and manages to steady himself enough not to tumble right to the floor. His eyes widen in horror as the full weight of the last few moments bears down on him--as he sees it bearing down on Bolin. His grip tightens on the armrest. ]

Bolin, it's --

[ What is it? He swallows hard. His voice is halting. ]

I know you didn't mean anything by it.

[ Because how could he? Because no one ever does. ]

[ He stares at Adra for a moment, unthinking and disbelieving. ]

Is, is that what I'm supposed to say?

[ His heart is beating so fast in his chest, thoughts completely derailed by this totally big thing that just happened. All right, maybe he's freaking out a little bit.

With no smooth action, he eases Adra back onto the couch while sliding the rest of his body off, shifting so that he can kneel by the couch instead, feeling totally lost and wishing that it was easier to make sense of his own actions.

He presses his forehead to the seat of the couch, not wanting to see that horrified expression anymore. ]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't know...

housewarming ✿ open

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)