middaeg | [semi-closed] 🔶 the soap opera of his life begins

Who: Ferran Gallagher & CR
When: Deceuer
Where: Karen's Patisserie, the Light/Karin/Rikku house, and around town.
What: Catch-all! Closed threads and a wildcard for any new cr (hit me up below!)
Warnings: nothin

A. 2nd | Closed to Lightning

[Between Rikku's injuries and his own emergent problems, Ferran is certainly having a time of things as he tries to keep himself occupied. Between small jobs, working with his magic, learning about this world, and obsessing over any potential future changes, physical or otherwise... ugh, maybe he should look for some kind of steady employment. It would take out some of the anxiety, at least.

He's not thinking of the place as an option when he steps inside, but the thought occurs to him as he walks up to the counter, intending to order something nice for himself so he can try to relax and stop thinking (and thus worrying) so much. His fur-lined cape is drawn closely enough around him to hide the still-fragile flaps that could technically be called wings, in an attempt to keep them from being touched by the cold. It's only mostly successful.]

B. 4th | Closed to Leanne

When Rikku is finally allowed to go home to rest, Ferran's hovering takes him that way as well—and although he hadn't sought out the naga who was responsible for the situation, he finds himself sharing the space with her more often than he was anticipating. Even though she seems to have their mutual bond's well being in mind, their proximity in relative privacy draws up his defenses significantly.

And, well, the best defense is a good offense.

A day or two after they meet, he pulls her aside for a moment with a light touch on her shoulder, a serious but carefully neutral expression on his face.

"Can we speak outside for a moment?"

Wildcard.

[OOC: Check out Ferran's info over here, and hit me up over pm or at

lumieresdedragon and we can figure something else out! This month, Ferran can be found buying a few art and baking supplies and small Modranicht decorations, as well as studying illusions and enchantments in the Coven library. He could also be roped into the Written in the Stars or Personal Shopping quests!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Lightning's eyes dart immediately to his face, and they narrow as she observes him further, as if suddenly sizing him up. The piece of lemon cake she was prepared to offer is set down, away from his reach.]

You know her?

[And he seems to know her well, judging by the way he talks about her. She really doesn't know the meaning of downtime or taking it easy, much to her housemates' dismay.]

[Ah, there it is.

Ferran is particularly grateful he didn't just say my bonded without thinking a few moments ago. If nothing else, it's bound to help him navigate this conversation a bit more easily, at least for now. He can get to that part later... perhaps much later, if he's lucky.

His expression doesn't change; he'd expected the scrutiny, so he's at least somewhat prepared for it.]

Yeah. She really helped me out when I got here, a couple of months ago. You're Lightning, right?

[The fact that he knows Rikku and she's the friend he's been talking about is one thing, but the fact that he knows who Lightning is... that's something else entirely.]

You know me too then, huh...

[Well, isn't that great. Not that Lightning's strong suit is making great first impressions, but...]

Do I wanna know what Rikku's said about me?

[Ferran lets out a chuckle.]

Karin brought you up, actually.

[If he was a little more manipulative and a little less confident in his ability to talk his way out of a situation, he might try to turn Lightning's attention on any negative things Karin might have said, to keep the topic off himself. Maybe some full moon in the future he'll be more inclined towards that sort of thing, but for now he's not going to attempt any unnecessary strife.]

But I'm sure if I did ask, Rikku would say plenty of nice things, too.

[Oh good.

Karin is the preferred method of indirect introduction if she had to choose one of her housemates to do it. At least the two of them have more things in common with one another, and their personalities and preferences are closer matched than the younger housemate.

Of course, she would have liked to do it herself, but... that comes with being the least social person on the planet. She'll take what she can get, she supposes.

Even still...]

Whatever it was, take it with a grain of salt.

[Karin probably had nothing but good things to say about Lightning, but she also can admit she isn't the most pleasant person to be around, even on her best days.

With that, she holds out the cake once more.]

Just doing my job here. Someone's gotta pay the bills.

[That is to say: she's being nice because that's what she's being paid to do. Not because she wants to be, that would be crazy!!!!]

[Why does he keep meeting tsunderes?]

Heh, alright...

[Ferran takes the offered samples for now, not about to argue with a couple of free treats while he waits for his own order. Before he retreats to a table, though—]

Unless she's allergic to something, maybe I'll just take her one of both. What do you think?

Two cakes? You want her to get out of bed, right?

[She's just going to start feeling sick to her stomach instead!]

I say take one, let her eat it, and if you wanna give another, come back. [Lightning clicks her tongue.] Knowing her, she'll eat 'em both in one go. Then what's she gonna do with herself?

[is she wrong, though]

[Ferran has to laugh. Lightning is right—Rikku probably doesn't know the meaning of restraint when it comes to snacking.]

I was just thinking a small slice...!

[Still, it gives him an idea. He is not above manipulation.]

But maybe I can bribe her to rest like she needs to with the second.

[...

....

Lightning remains silent for a moment, as if mulling over the idea, before she pulls out two small cake slice boxes instead of one.]

You know her pretty well. [As in, she's almost 100% sure that his plan would work.] If I can't threaten her [????] to stay in bed, do it with the promise of cake. Not bad.

[And as she boxes up the two slices she's offered him samples of, she lets her eyes narrow in his direction.]

How'd you say you know her again?

[He gets it, sometimes you have to resort to less gentle methods to get people to take care of themselves... which is absolutely what he needed and never happened, so! Threatening is fine.

Ferran smiles at her assessment, either way. After getting to know so many teenage girls, you start to get the hang of this kind of thing, with or without a bond. A thought occurs to him as he pulls the appropriate amount of cunes out of his wallet, and he holds back a chuckle. If only he hadn't already committed to having his own tea and treat here, he'd be tempted to come out with the full truth and immediately depart... which could have been especially fun to see, and he'd be interested to find out whether Lightning would feel obligated to remain at her bakery post or try to chase him down.

Oh well. Another time. There's still a brighter glint in his eye when he replies, though.]

We met the day I got here. She really helped me get on my feet, so we've been hanging out a lot.

Right.

[It'll take a lot more information than that for her to piece the whole thing together. She's still on the hunt for the people responsible for putting Rikku in that situation in the first place, but she isn't about to jump to conclusions here. He seems like a good guy, and wants to take care of her, so she'll let the questions slide. For now.

And when he holds the cunes out, she lifts a hand and is prepared to give them a gentle shove away from her and the counter.]

Don't worry about it this time.

[She's got this.]

Just keep her company. If you're seeing her a lot, make sure she stays outta trouble.

[There's a clear pause when Lightning gestures for him to keep his money, more than might be from natural surprise. Back home, Ferran would have insisted on paying, although his gratitude for the offer would have been just as sincere. Similarly, there's a part of his mind (Fae, unknown to him) that reels at the thought of owing anyone... but ultimately, it's his practical nature and his manners that win out, and he returns his wallet to his coat.]

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I'll do my best.

[It's only meant with the utmost respect. He was raised to be polite, and it's only fair that he responds properly to both the offer and the request. He'll make sure the cake is used to good effect.]

[semi-closed] 🔶 the soap opera of his life begins

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