(no subject)

[indelebilis]

Who: Aera Mirus Fleuret and YOU!
When: Juril 4th (July 4th - today!)
Where: Various locations around the city. From shopping during the day to bar crawling with friends during the evening.
What: It's Aera's 29th birthday and she's like a happy little kid. Basically, an overly excited adult shopping and having all sorts of shenanigans.
Warnings: None at the moment, I'll edit if need be.

A: Party all day

[ Today is a good day. Today is, in fact, a great day. Since arriving, Aera's been trying her hardest to hide a lingering sadness that had honestly felt pretty overwhelming. But as the days go by, that pain and feeling of general upset has been dissipating, and at least for today, it seems to be mostly gone, something she's very grateful for. Why?

Because it is Aera Mirus Fleuret's twenty nineth birthday, that's why! A birthday that she wouldn't be able to be celebrating at home. Which is exactly the reason that she will take advantage of the day herself! To be fair, no one really knows it's her birthday, save for two people, but that will not stop her from going out on her own to celebrate and probably inform E V E R Y O N E who stops to talk to her of what today is!

It's been a month, and she's hardly gone out to get new clothes. She's just been wearing the same dress she arrived in for the most part, but she's realized that she really needs to fix this. What better day to do a little splurging?

Aera can be found in various areas shopping; from dress shops to her favorite flower shops, she won't turn down anyone who wants to join her! If shopping isn't your thing, she can be found a bit later sitting in her favorite cafe, loads of bags full of clothing and flowers and supplies surrounding her, sipping on her new favorite cold beverage: iced coffee. The weather may be a little chilly, but the cold never bothered her anyway. ]

B: Party all night!

[ With shopping and coffee and general day celebrations out of the way, it's time to go out and have a little fun in the evening. Besides, it's a good time to break out one of her new outfits, right? Aera's never been much of a 'party' girl, so to speak; in her time that sort of thing was unacceptable for a lady, especially one with such a coveted title as her own. But this is not Eos and she is not an Oracle... and also, this was fun the last time she'd done this.

She feels a little strange, admittedly, but not in a bad way. This is all so different than things had been at home, and without duty or ties, she's free to just have fun and do what she pleases. It's an odd sensation.

It is with a fruity alcoholic beverage in her hand that she comes to plop down next to the first person she happens upon, a bright smile on her face. Whether or not you're here for her birthday or just on your own, she's going to chat you up... sorry not sorry. ]

Good evening! Are you having fun?

[ Basically, if you bumped into Aera or just know her in general, then obviously you have been invited to come bar hopping with her. Feel free to hit her up for a chat, a dance, or just to tell her to calm down in general. ]

Comments

[quickrecipeh]

[Ignis has had enough drinks that he's no longer just sitting in a corner keeping to himself (or occasionally talking to whoever approaches). He's not drunk, but he's a little loosened up, and that means he can do whatever he'd like. Aera seems to be having a good time! Which is very important considering it's her birthday. But Ignis starts to feel like he hasn't been devoting enough of that birthday party attention to her while he's been in his little corner.

So he goes over to Aera, who's just put her empty drink glass down (he timed this so carefully), and offers her a hand.]

May I have this dance, Aera?

[indelebilis]

[ Aera has been quite the social butterfly tonight. She's been flitting around, talking to whomever will bother with her, and she's been just a happy little camper in general. Especially so now with a few drinks in her, thanks. These fruity little cocktails are deceptive... there's not a whole lot of burn of alcohol when it goes down, and she's been very much not nursing them in the slightest.

Just as her empty glass touches the tabletop, Ignis approaches and she flashes him a bright smile, taking his hand and standing up from the bar stool she'd been seated upon. ]

I would love nothing more, Ignis.

[quickrecipeh]

[He's obviously impressed with her social attitude for the evening, and he's let himself get caught up in it. He's not much of a drinker, nor much of a dancer, but he's sure on his feet despite it all and she's going to be on the receiving end of that reserved enthusiasm.

He leads her politely to the floor.]

That's right, you won't know any of the dances I've been tasked to learn for social functions. Let's see... Can you follow if I lead?

[indelebilis]

[ Poor Ignis. Aera can't help herself —— she's always been incredibly social, and while her personal life had to slow down significantly when she took on the mantle of Oracle, it hadn't completely stopped. Tonight, it is merely amplified by the fact that it's her birthday and she's like a kid in a candy shop, despite the fact that she's o l d.

She beams at him as she follows, but his words ring true. ]

I can, yes! I'm afraid dancing lessons were put on hold when I became Oracle, but I will do my best to keep pace with you, dear.

[quickrecipeh]

[An upbeat tune starts, and Ignis takes Aera's hands in his.]

It's not too fast, not too slow... This one should be fun. Now, let's see if I remember any dances.

[Or maybe they could just dance freely like the others around them, but that wouldn't be as challenging, would it? For two... drunk people.]

[indelebilis]

[ Pleased, she lightly squeezes his hands within her own, her smile growing impossibly bright. She can't be any happier in this moment, honestly, and it shows all over her face. ]

Back in my era, we waltzed. Granted, it was all very stiff and I was only able to do so once with my then fiance. I cannot begin to tell you how many times we stepped on one another before we finally gave up. [ A pause, and she squints. ] Hm, actually, I recall stepping on his brother quite a few times that evening, too.

[ ...her smile widens mischievously suddenly, apparently pleased with the fact that she had, in fact, stomped on someone's feet back in the day. ]

But I digress! That shall not happen to you!

[ Probably. Also, to be fair, everything is going to be a little challenging right now, not that she feels like that. Why, she feels as if she can dance on air! ]

[exterreo]

[Somnus hadn’t been sure what to do in this particular day.

He had, of course realized it was Aera’s birthday. He’s a party kind of man, so of course he took every excuse he could get his hands on to celebrate something. And, yeah, sure, he loves his family and us happy for them, sure, whatever.

But that was back home, that was… well. That was before. Aera had already been angry at him when he’d taken the rather harsh approach to the illness, she hadn’t been a fan of how he’d burned those who had been infected. But now that she knows what she did to her, what he will do to Ardyn… she may have forgiven him, in her own way, but he’s still walking on eggshells around her, just in case. So he’d figured leaving a little happy birthday message of some sorts (this time, with an actual note) would be the safest bet.

And he was already thinking on how to word said message when he spots a particular shade of blonde he’s known for years, that he’s known for most of his life. And she seems to be... shopping? So apparently the decision has been taken out of his hands.

He approaches her, the closest he can get to a friendly smile on his lips.]

Need help carrying that?

[indelebilis]

[ Perhaps walking on eggshells around her is punishment enough. Aera can be a volatile creature when provoked enough, after all. But today is not a day of annoyance or being upset. Today is a wondrous day that no grown woman should be so happy about, probably. But some things never change, and she very much can't help herself.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, for Somnus Aera is in far too good of a mood to even begin to think of the atrocities that he committed at home. As soon as he approaches, she's all genuine smiles as she greets her would-be brother-in-law. ]

Good afternoon, Somnus! Ah, I could not bother you with such things... [ Except she totally could, and probably will if he insists. ]

[exterreo]

[He gives her a one shouldered shrug.]

You will be making me a favor, since I had no money to procure a present good enough for you. So carrying your things is the least I could do. [He will regret saying that later, probably, but for now he just wants to play nice.]

[indelebilis]

You did not have to get me anything to start with, silly. [ Because you know, she's T O T A L L Y not a little kid when it comes to presents. But his offer gets him an excited squeal and an even more excited hug before she just sort of hands a few bags over to him. ] Thank you~ Are you certain, though? I am not done shopping yet.

[exterreo]

Mhmm. [Is his answer, with the tone of someone who knows fully well how much she loves her birthday- and that includes presents. The good thing about wearing sunglasses everywhere: it's much easier to hide his expression. He even gets to roll his eyes with subtlety if he's not too obvious about it.]

I am sure, this way you'll hopefully be able to carry even more. [Aera was raised as an Oracle, she'll probably not care about worldly possessions too much.

Right?]

What was next on your shopping list?

[indelebilis]

[ That answer earns him a fit of delighted giggles. She may be able to hide her joy of gifts from others, but she can't hide it from Somnus. Whoops. ]

That is very sweet of you~! It is a very good thing you are strong, dear Somnus. [ Because you're going to be here for a while. His question about her shopping list has her laughing again, and gently nudging him. ]

You silly man, I've no shopping list. I am merely buying things on a whim... mostly, dresses~

[exterreo]

[That's. Uh. A different answer than what he'd been expecting. Aera had claimed that she didn't even want a fresh start here, that she didn't want a purpose, but maybe she's found it. Maybe her new purpose here is going shopping.]

Dresses it is, then. But I hope you're looking for shoes to go with those dresses, or are you planning on walking around missmatched?

[scourged]

[ Well, Ardyn has always been known as someone to wander when nothing is specifically planned. Information doesn't just leap out at someone, it needs to be sought after. That's Ardyn's excuse and he's sticking with it; he's fully aware of what day of the year it is, a date that's seared into memory even thousands of years after. He even managed to have some presents delivered; a hand drawn basic map of the surroundings and some flowers. No name left of course, such are the perks of being someone who delivers things in this new world as their actual job.

When Ardyn spots Aera he pauses, momentarily stunned and unable to tear his gaze away. Not only is it a new outfit, it's not a white one and it's such a shock that the ex-chancellor of Niflheim forgets to tell himself to walk away from this before it gets messy.]

You look different. [ Apparently logic tends to lose any foothold it has when it comes to bumping in to his ex-fiance. Ardyn just can't help himself and he puts a hand to his chin, head tilted in an expression that says nothing but studying Aera's appearance, tone of voice nothing but the gentle teasing most would recently associate with the man.] Why, did you cut your hair?

[indelebilis]

[ Aera had been pleasantly surprised to be gifted with such thoughtful presents. Of course there hadn't been a note... this was the second time she'd been given something without having a clue to whom was giving her these wonderful gifts. But she'd been grateful and happy and surprised all wrapped up in one. Only two people actually know what today is, and she can only imagine that the aforementioned gifts came from one of the Caelum brothers.

That Ardyn is here has just made this day even better. She's not feeling nearly as awkward as she had earlier, though that may just be the excitement and the fruity drink she's got in hand talking, but she's all smiles as she looks up at Ardyn when he approaches. ]

Different? Is this a good different or a bad different, hm? [ She tilts her head slightly, before doing a little twirl, something she most certainly has done in the past to show off new dresses to the poor man. As she turns to face him again, she hums, but her smile is just as wide as it was mere moments ago. ] No, silly. Care to take another guess~?

[scourged]

I don't believe I'll be taking another guess, not today at least.

[ That would be too easy to fall into old habits, for them to pretend nothing has happened to separate them. It tiptoes the line of couples and the way they act too much for Ardyn to be comfortable with it. He's not here to make friends, he's only here because this place won't show them all the exit.

Instead Ardyn only makes a move to order himself a red wine, pausing for a moment before ordering Aera another of "whatever she's drinking". It looks sweet whatever it is.]

Has this day at least been a pleasant one for you?

[indelebilis]

Of course.

[ She pouts momentarily at his refusal to play along, but it lasts only a few moments. She can't expect things to ever go back to the way they were, and at the very least she's learned to accept that for the most part, even if it stings. But she has also learned that that particular little sting can be greatly dulled by alcohol, and Ardyn is kind enough to order her another one of her fruity little cocktails. ]

Thank you, Ardyn! [ And just like that, the pout is gone, replaced with her previous smile as one glass of wine and one cocktail are procured by the barkeep. She makes sure to thank him, too, as she quickly finishes the drink she's got in hand and takes the new glass. ]

Oh, yes! Very much so. Very pleasant, and very busy.

[scourged]

That certainly is something at least. This place has a knack for taking the joy from some things.

[ Mostly his powers, Ardyn is going to be bitter over that from now until the end of time. How dare someone not only drag him from his plans but send him to some backwater world without an ounce of power. He's so irked by this he could almost sprout feathers over it and it wouldn't be the first time in this place! The indignity of it all!]

At least the wine is somewhat acceptable. [ Thank everything, if Ardyn had been stuck in this place with shit wine it would have been somehow even more worse.] Though I doubt it will do much to lessen the whole monster aspect of it all. I'm quite certain that at some point in the near future we're simply going to start seeing people explode for no reason at all.

[indelebilis]

I feel very lucky today indeed.

[ Aera pauses, taking a glance at his wine, before offering him a sip of her sweet, fruity concoction. ]

One can never go wrong with wine, really. [ She arches a brow at him, and then moves to lightly pat his shoulder. ] No, I doubt it will either. But it can't hurt... w-wait.

[ It is at this point, her expression blanches a bit and she blinks a few times. She's always been slightly gullible and this is no exception to that rule. She is taking his words very seriously, and she turns to face him fully now. ]

...That can happen?

[showsnopiety]

You look rather excited Aera.

[And here was Caren, popping up nearly at her elbow. She'd seen her from time to time after the bar crawl, but mostly in passing-she didn't think Aera had seen her. Mostly due to her height then anything else.

There was a quick glance down to the dress Aera was holding, before glancing back up.]

Did you come into a windfall?

[indelebilis]

I cannot help it. Today is my birthday, you see~.

[ Aera is just happy to see poor Caren. She considers the young woman a friend, after all, and when is she ever going to turn down a chance to talk to a companion?

She beams, hugging the dress to her chest briefly. ]

No... honestly, I should be saving the money. But I need new clothes, so it isn't a complete waste, yes~?

[showsnopiety]

Oh, I see. Congratulations.

[She's rather adorable, all excited like this. More like a girlish figure then someone taking things too seriously. It's good for her, she thinks.]

Maybe you should be, but from what I understand-birthdays are time to indulge and be spoiled. And clothing items are a need, especially since you have...one or two dresses, yes? Clearly that's not enough, especially not for every occasion.

Especially if...well. You feel the need to express yourself.

[indelebilis]

Thank you, dear!

[ Honestly, Aera could best be best described as a kid in a toy shop right now. Her mood is light and airy, despite the fact that she is a year older. It's an age she wouldn't have reached at home, and she's pretty blessed with this opportuity, really. ]

Indeed~ I have one dress, I'm afraid. And you are absolutely correct! I have always loved dresses, but the title I held at home left me little time for shopping and it would have been frowned upon.

[ As devoted to her job and calling as she is... there are no Gods here and no Bahamut to tell her what she can or can't do~. So she's going to let herself have one day of uninhabited shopping. ]

[showsnopiety]

[Caren can understand that too well since...well, she isn't sure how she will live, with how her lifestyle wears her body out.]

You sound as if you've been stifled, and that simply will not do.

Would you allow me to join you? Perhaps together we can find some new styles you've been unable to try until now.

And too it's fun to show off whay clothing looks like to friends.

[So she's heard.]

[indelebilis]

A little bit, yes... but it was all for the greater good.

[ A greater good that isn't here and is pointless to follow their rules at the moment anyways. ]

Yes! I would love that, dear! It is always good to have a friend's opinion on these things~!

[ Especially another female, thanks. Men don't know what they're talking about. ]

Were you also shopping for clothing?