The kids were looking for you the other day. Said they haven't seen you around.
[ and when the kids at the underground notice when someone's missing it's usually pretty worrisome, with all the casual disappearances already happening here and there.
[Aranea. Dear woman that she is, even she's noticed he's been gone. He's so enchanted by her that he can hardly stand it, even now. The pain and anguish is fading slowly, so he'll indulge a response.]
Tell them I've been ill, if they ask.
Did you also miss me, or are you simply playing messenger today?
[ Insufferable... Alexa, play I won't say I'm in love. ]
If you've got allergies let me know now.
Door will be open. Just let yourself in.
[ When he sees her, he'll find her dressed much more simply this time. Black on black, with a loose shirt tucked inside her pants, her hair left to a low ponytail curled around her neck.
A picture of simple comfort that she doesn't dare show most people. ]
She's radiant to him, so much so that his breath catches when he sees her looking so relaxed. He lets himself in, as requested, bringing with him a few slices of elaborate cake from a bakery that was on the way and a bottle of something resembling vodka just in case.
He's dressed in a high-collared jacket with a loose, flowing shirt underneath, untucked for once. He looks an uncoordinated mess compared to his usual, and there are faint, fading bruises and marks on the skin of his neck and the exposed part of his upper chest.]
[ She's just put down plates on the table when he walks in, and her reaction is remarkably different from his, when she sees him. ]
... you look like a hot mess.
[ More emphasis on 'mess', at this point. She approaches him, and it feels as though she's about to approach a hurt animal, attempting to sooth it somehow.
She bites her lip, though, and just goes for it, adjusting his clothes for him, smoothing it all out as she stares. ]
... you actually didn't have to see me right now, if you weren't actually feeling up to it. [ She gives him a sharper look. ] No matter how much you say you missed me.
[He smiles ruefully, putting the cakes and alcohol down as she comes close. If he had it in him right now, he'd sing her praises loudly.
As it is, he lets himself be helped, and when she's done, he takes one of her hands. It's gentle and intimate and not how he usually treats her at all, but he does, squeezing her hand gently before letting it go.]
I haven't slept as much as I probably should, but seeing you is good for me. You're delightful.
[ A tinge of worry slithers through to the forefront of her mind, that she pulls her hand back if only to tangle it in his soft hair, and caressing down to the side of his face, the warmth of his cheek against her palm. ]
Dinner is a cassoulet. [ Is all she says, for now. ] Nothing as fancy as what you're probably used to eating.
Hm, then you've come to the right place. I cook for myself sometimes.
[ She deigns a smile as she lowers her arms. She turns back to the kitchen to lay out the serving bowl of the cassoulet on the small dinner table, enough for the two to of them to share. ]
You're welcome here any time. [ A beat. ] So are your family.
[He brightens slightly at the invitation, at her kindness. She always does little things to surprise him, and he delights in her company for that. If only every woman were like Aranea, maybe he wouldn't have been quite the bachelor back home.
It's a silly thought, but a necessary one. It lifts him slightly out of the fog he's been in.]
The hospitality is appreciated, though I can't help thinking they'll think just as highly of you as I do. Where would that leave me?
[He tries to sound playful, even if he's also dead tired. Nothing can move him from the darkness entirely, but she does shine a light on his worst parts.]
[ Careful not to tell people how kind she really is, Albert. She's got a reputation to uphold. ]
In my house, eating my food, enjoying my company. Why would anything change?
[ She's not frowning, though her voice is the sound of a stern lecture waiting to happen, laced with her natural impatience. She waves at the food, just as she's grabbing the drink he's bought to pop it open and pour for them both in the appropriate glasses. ]
[Screw reputations right now. He doesn't care at all. He does sit, though, and waits a moment for her to join him before he rather awkwardly serves himself. You can take the man out of the nobility, but...]
I won't drop dead. I'm simply tired. You wound me so.
[He smiles though, as he says that.]
Well, not that I would have it any other way. You see, I rather like the way you talk to me.
[ She snorts. And somehow, it is, seeing as she's managed to worm her way into friendships she didn't think was possible — here, and back home.
She digs into her own creation, ingredients only somewhat similar to the ones she typically uses back in Eos — and hope to all gods that they taste the same, anyway. It sure was a ride to find the noctium-equivalent of anak meat. ]
If you can't sleep at your own place, stay here. [ A beat. ] I have a guest room.
[He tries the food now--remarkably good--and gives her an approving look. She really is splendid. He wonders faintly if he'll remember her if he returns home.]
I do appreciate the offer. If need arises, you'll be the first one I come to. [A thoughtful pause.] I found out something unfortunate from my brothers and I'm having a difficult time with it. That's the shortest version of events.
[ She admits, after her own bout of thoughtful silence. It wouldn't have been as intense as his connection with Ignis, but she'd have felt that twinge. The feeling of Albert's feelings intensifying from so far a distance. ]
I won't ask if you don't want to tell me, If you can think you can work through it, then that's fine.
[ She takes a sip of her drink, because otherwise she'll say something like I care about you, and look. Let's not. ]
Just tell me, though: I don't need to break some kneecaps, do I?
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text | un: a.hw
[ and when the kids at the underground notice when someone's missing it's usually pretty worrisome, with all the casual disappearances already happening here and there.
not that aranea's gonna say as much. ]
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Tell them I've been ill, if they ask.
Did you also miss me, or are you simply playing messenger today?
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Do you actually need me to answer that or are you being obtuse on purpose?
[ Yeah she's not gonna say it explicitly... unless he's really that fucked up over something like an illness. ]
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Lovely, brutal Aranea. I missed you dearly.
My brothers arrived. I've been occupied.
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[ That he'd call in sick from his day to day activities. ]
Congratulations.
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I'm terribly sorry if I alarmed you.
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[ Nothing less than a direct attack from her, of course. ]
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You don't have to trouble yourself. The thought alone is precious to me.
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[ ASTRALS, DON'T MAKE HER SAY FEELINGS OUT LOUD. ]
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I'll come. I did miss you, after all.
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If you've got allergies let me know now.
Door will be open. Just let yourself in.
[ When he sees her, he'll find her dressed much more simply this time. Black on black, with a loose shirt tucked inside her pants, her hair left to a low ponytail curled around her neck.
A picture of simple comfort that she doesn't dare show most people. ]
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She's radiant to him, so much so that his breath catches when he sees her looking so relaxed. He lets himself in, as requested, bringing with him a few slices of elaborate cake from a bakery that was on the way and a bottle of something resembling vodka just in case.
He's dressed in a high-collared jacket with a loose, flowing shirt underneath, untucked for once. He looks an uncoordinated mess compared to his usual, and there are faint, fading bruises and marks on the skin of his neck and the exposed part of his upper chest.]
...you look stunning in that.
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... you look like a hot mess.
[ More emphasis on 'mess', at this point. She approaches him, and it feels as though she's about to approach a hurt animal, attempting to sooth it somehow.
She bites her lip, though, and just goes for it, adjusting his clothes for him, smoothing it all out as she stares. ]
... you actually didn't have to see me right now, if you weren't actually feeling up to it. [ She gives him a sharper look. ] No matter how much you say you missed me.
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As it is, he lets himself be helped, and when she's done, he takes one of her hands. It's gentle and intimate and not how he usually treats her at all, but he does, squeezing her hand gently before letting it go.]
I haven't slept as much as I probably should, but seeing you is good for me. You're delightful.
[And her frankness is needed right now.]
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Dinner is a cassoulet. [ Is all she says, for now. ] Nothing as fancy as what you're probably used to eating.
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I've been eating takeout most of the time since I arrived here. Home cooked anything is a godsend.
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[ She deigns a smile as she lowers her arms. She turns back to the kitchen to lay out the serving bowl of the cassoulet on the small dinner table, enough for the two to of them to share. ]
You're welcome here any time. [ A beat. ] So are your family.
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It's a silly thought, but a necessary one. It lifts him slightly out of the fog he's been in.]
The hospitality is appreciated, though I can't help thinking they'll think just as highly of you as I do. Where would that leave me?
[He tries to sound playful, even if he's also dead tired. Nothing can move him from the darkness entirely, but she does shine a light on his worst parts.]
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In my house, eating my food, enjoying my company. Why would anything change?
[ She's not frowning, though her voice is the sound of a stern lecture waiting to happen, laced with her natural impatience. She waves at the food, just as she's grabbing the drink he's bought to pop it open and pour for them both in the appropriate glasses. ]
Eat before you drop dead at my dinner table.
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I won't drop dead. I'm simply tired. You wound me so.
[He smiles though, as he says that.]
Well, not that I would have it any other way. You see, I rather like the way you talk to me.
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[ She snorts. And somehow, it is, seeing as she's managed to worm her way into friendships she didn't think was possible — here, and back home.
She digs into her own creation, ingredients only somewhat similar to the ones she typically uses back in Eos — and hope to all gods that they taste the same, anyway. It sure was a ride to find the noctium-equivalent of anak meat. ]
If you can't sleep at your own place, stay here. [ A beat. ] I have a guest room.
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[He tries the food now--remarkably good--and gives her an approving look. She really is splendid. He wonders faintly if he'll remember her if he returns home.]
I do appreciate the offer. If need arises, you'll be the first one I come to. [A thoughtful pause.] I found out something unfortunate from my brothers and I'm having a difficult time with it. That's the shortest version of events.
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[ She admits, after her own bout of thoughtful silence. It wouldn't have been as intense as his connection with Ignis, but she'd have felt that twinge. The feeling of Albert's feelings intensifying from so far a distance. ]
I won't ask if you don't want to tell me, If you can think you can work through it, then that's fine.
[ She takes a sip of her drink, because otherwise she'll say something like I care about you, and look. Let's not. ]
Just tell me, though: I don't need to break some kneecaps, do I?
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