✿ 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
That is considerate of you. [ Despite how it's said in such a rough way. ]
I imagine the wine is untouched. Perhaps we can have a glass.
[ She will drink with you, child. ]
no subject
Maybe she should get her a dog plushie too.]
I do try to be, in my own way.
[Because if she wasn't, she wouldn't be tolerated, or helped when she needed it. Better to be a weirdo then outright hated. A villain might be created by their actions. A clever villain made sure she was sympathetic, and some of her actions unaccounted for or confusing until needed.]
But I will join you in that wine. I'm sure it will be a fine vintage.
[Gilgamesh wouldn't stand for anything less.]
no subject
[ Can she be the smartest blond from the ones Caren knows...? At least more than Gil, please. So far, the girl has Saber fooled despite how her instincts are telling her there's more to her. Benefit of the doubt is strong though. ]
I imagine it would only be the best. [ Yup. She will go pour them some after she takes one last sip of her water to cleanse her palate. It doesn't take her long to come back and offering the other woman a glass. ]
no subject
Saber is just far too trusting, and Caren has been far more candid to the golden warrior.]
So I assume. My thanks.
[She'll take the glass, pause to take a delicate sniff, before taking a small sip. If nothing else, Caren does know her wines. It's partly because she's Italian, and sometimes...well, it's best that Saber didn't guess the rest.]
Would I be...incorrect if I recall a story of you taking a drink with him and another at one time?
[It's more then a story. She grilled Gilgamesh on it in another world, as well as read documents. Kirei and his father were good for report material.]
no subject
Yes. I imagine you are speaking of the King of Conquerors. [ She tilts her drink in all directions, playing with the wine a bit before she takes another sip. It isn't a happy memory, but she can't say it was horrible, either. It was an honor to be sitting amidst other kings.
She isn't even surprised that Caren knows. What is privacy? ]
He was... Quite cordial. [ In comparison to punk ass bitch, Gilgamesh, at the time. ]
no subject
I believe so.
[She took a small sip. Ah, Gilgamesh could be depended on for a good glass of wine, if nothing else.]
But I can not say that I know much if anything about the King of Conquerors. I heard he was quite...bold. But cordial is good.
[There are worse things to be. Like a creeper.]
no subject
Would you like to hear about him? [ Saber may not have spent a lot of time with the man, but she is keen enough to analyze his aura. It's hard not to when you're a man with that kind of charisma and ambition.
Also, she's not sure of Caren's motives for asking in the first place, so this is her reaching. ]
no subject
I'm curious about him. He was one of the last, and by all reports, he was not as...dull as Caster. Nor was he as predictable as Beserker, and Lancer? Lancer had no luck when it came to cowardly masters.
[She shrugs.]
Lancer's master killed my grandfather, did he not? Things might have been vastly different if my grandfather survived.
[Or not. Hard to say, really. It wasn't as if the old fart came to find her either.]
So, I would like to hear of Rider.
no subject
is gross af. Berserker, of course, pains her heart. Despite all of these feelings she harbors regarding that Grail War, she doesn't let it show on her face. Only her gaze falls to the ground as she takes a couple of more gulps. ]
He was a cheerful man, but one can tell that he has experienced quite a lot in his lifetime. [ She wants to also mention that he doesn't seem to understand lowering the volume. ] Very ambitious.
... It seemed like he was enjoying himself.
[ In a way, she envied that--to keep such a positive outlook. ]
I apologize. I can't say that I'm the best person to ask.
no subject
Fate shake and bake.]
Hm. It's quite all right Saber. I wanted to hear your opinion. I'm not certain what Gilgamesh would have said, if I asked him the same.
[It might have it been rather thoughtful, or dismissive. Basically depending on his mood.]
no subject
Her eyes narrow when Caren mentions Gilgamesh. ]
If one were to view the banquet themselves, they would say that the King of Heroes and the King of Conquerors agreed on a handful of things. I can't imagine he would slander him in any way aside from how he's stronger than the rest of us.
[ It's not like she's a little bitter or anything.
NOT
ONE BIT?
Maybe a teensy bit which is why she huffs and drinks even more wine. This might not be a good thing since she only has average alcohol tolerance. ]
no subject
Look at this dragon heart, look at that bitter.
Caren is going to refill Saber's glass now. And take a slow sip of here. Please Saber, keep being totally bitter, this makes the conversation so much better.]
So the usual arrogance. Strange; it almost sounds as if he respects him.
[....yeah she's not provoking Saber into huffiness at all.]
no subject
[ So the jolly King of Conquerors earns the man's respect, but she doesn't??? Not that she has anything against Iskandar, she respects him herself (and not Gilgamesh), but it all seems...
well
they bullied her.
It's true. She'll just drink her sorrows away, but she isn't too bothered. It all seems hypocritical now that Gilgamesh turned a new leaf? It's funny. Funny. ]
Are you planning to ask him as well?
no subject
[Oh, this is kind of fun. She didn't realize that Arthoia was so bitter about all of this. She really doesn't know that much about Iskandar. Not as much as she knows about the King of Knights. The King of Conquerors didn't leave as much of a striking impression with Kirei's notes.]
I'm planning to ask Gilgamesh many things. He is...he has my interest. He is intelligent, even if he is clearly flawed.
But flaws, I think, are far better then perfection.
no subject
There's one thing that comes to mind, but she's not sure if she should ask--however, since it does deal with a dangerous man, she does feel like she should. ]
Caren... Do you perhaps have feelings for the King of Heroes?
[ Saber doesn't seem disgusted or anything, just curious and perplexed. ]
no subject
Caren spat out her mouthful of wine.
And coughed, until there were tears coming out of her eyes as she tried to wipe them, the look on her face...baffled, to put it kindly.]
I'm...uncertain where you have gotten such an absurd idea.
no subject
Saber only ponders, but decides it is none of her business. ]
That was the impression I was getting from the way you speak of him.
[ Hesitating and speaking all sentimental-like behind professionalism. Here, Caren, a napkin for your tears and wine. ]
no subject
Sorry Adra, she hadn't meant to spray wine everywhere.]
My thanks. As for...that impression, no. I understand him. That is not the same as an emotional attachment.
[She glanced over to Saber.]
I would rather have feelings for the King of Knights instead. It would be simpler, and I know I would certainly be treated with courtesy.
Unless I did not wish for courtesy.
no subject
She'll help clean that up for Adra later. Yeah. It's okay. ]
You wouldn't be the first one to see something different in him, Caren.
[ SHE AIN'T GOING TO DROP IT EASY. However, she doesn't accuse Caren for holding any emotional attachment. Sometimes crushes come with no real strings attached... ]
If what you say is true, then I am glad. He is a difficult man and not many can handle him.
no subject
Not to her. It was illogical; she could have just repeated herself firmly and it would have done a better job. Ugh. She's going to give herself a headache at this rate, and she can't even blame the wine.]
You're giving us too much credit. Like I said, I understand him. I would ask that you not assign emotions that are not there.
[Because she can't, and he can't. At best, she would kill him someday, or vice versa. Even if she was seeking to make him hers again, it was practicality. Not affection.]
no subject
My apologies. [ She'll finish her glass now. While she isn't genuinely sorry, she knows when to stop and what she did has possibly put Caren is an unfavorable position. ]
If there is anything I can do to make amends, then do tell me.
no subject
Caren shakes her head, and takes a slow sip of wine. It startled her. She would have found it funnier if Saber asked if any of the people she had met-Gilbert, Sion, Shinn-if she had feelings for them.
Yeesh Saber you're a shipper king aren't you.]
It's fine.
[She waves it off, dismissing the idea.]
Courteous as you are being, there is nothing that I want of you.
no subject
My offer will still stand for some time. [ An expiration on chivalry? Saber does not know such a thing. However, she doesn't want to bother Caren more, especially when it seems like she has stubbed her toe or something. ]
However, I believe I have overstayed my welcome.
[ She has already greeted the occupants of this house, ate all the food, and shared a nice drink with a strange girl. Today has been a decent day, she thinks. ]
Take care of yourself, Caren. [ Don't crazy stick their dick in you, okay? Maybe Saber is too late for that, actually. ]
no subject
Huh. She has to wonder about that. She'll remember this marker for a later time; she might need it.]
Mayhap. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Saber.
[She turns to leave, even if her glass is half empty.
Also, too late about that dick. It went all sorts of crazy. But it was cool, so.]