✿ 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
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.]