Jan catchall

[thejoyrider]

Who: Marie and others!
When: Throughout Ieneuer
Where: mostly in Aefenglom but possibly in Dorchacht too
What: a catchall! message me through any means and i will set up a prompt
Warnings: none for now

Comments

@ Vanitas, early Ieneuer, Marie’s house

[thejoyrider]

[Marie was worried about Vanitas. That in itself was just the usual state of things recently, it seemed.

The conversation she had with Vanitas was definitely not something she could just leave unfinished. The topics also started going in the way where talking over the network no longer seemed appropriate. She considered keeping it that way to give the boy more space and make it more comfortable for him, but no, they needed a face to face meeting. Proper, heartfelt conversation was the only way to make Vanitas believe that her feelings were sincere.

If there even was one, she could have added, but she would not. Marie would keep believing that it was possible to convince the boy that he was allowed to love himself - no matter how long it would take. They will get there, eventually.

So she was waiting for Vanitas to show up at the agreed hour, tea and sweets prepared on the table already.

He will show up, right? No, of course he will]

[darkcharge]

[ And for his part, Vanitas has been struggling a lot. For so long has he denied the very things that Marie and Mira have been trying to get across to him. Things like kindness. Caring. These are not thins that Vanitas has ever had and frankly he doesn't know how to respond to them. People showing him these things is met with caution; Vanitas is defensive and careful. It is as though he is waiting for the shoe to fall or what the price is for being treated in this way.

But no one is asking anything of him. They care and worry. Then, at night, his thoughts begin to stray. Vanitas starts to wonder about whether or not he does deserve everything Marie says he does. Something close to hope begins to take root and it throws Vanitas so wildly that it sets him off, careening straight into a panic attack.

Maybe he shouldn't talk to her anymore. Marie is putting thoughts in his head that have no place there - because he doesn't want to hurt anymore. Physically or emotionally.

Yet here Vanitas is, showing up right when he is supposed to. Marie wants him here though he isn't quite sure why. There are a lot of things that Van doesn't understand about this. About her. About why she thinks to worry and concern herself with him. However Vanitas wants to understand her perspective. Maybe that's why he's here. ]

[thejoyrider]

[Marie hears footsteps outside. Is that Vanitas? A bright smile appears on her face when she opens the door and confirms that it is indeed him. She did not doubt that the boy would show up as agreed, but that does not mean a small part of her was not filled with worry that he would decide against coming. That’s why she feels relief now]

Vanitas! I am so happy to see you! [She really is] Please come in and make yourself at home. Are you cold? There are some hot drinks prepared, please help yourself to them...

[Was he staying with Mira and her friends these days? Hopefully he was, it was no season to be staying outside. But he looked rather well, so someone out there must have been keeping an eye on him]

[darkcharge]

[ He is being taken care of, yes. Between gifts of scarves that he's been given - he's wearing one now - it also appears that Vanitas is wearing something that's not his dark suit nor his Organization coat. Instead he's wearing true clothes and a coat.

No hat or earmuffs, though. So many there's still something that he can be taught about bundling up. ]

I'm not cold, Marie. [ And really, he isn't. Though Vanitas does step inside and wait to be shown where to go. He has no idea how to "make himself at home." ] Why am I here?

[thejoyrider]

[His outfit, more varied than usual does not go unnoticed. It also makes Marie really happy. Was that Mira’s doing?

She will just have to get him a hat and warm gloves next time there’s some kind of special day. Or just give the boy a gift even without an occasion.]

You are visiting a friend’s house to have tea with her, I believe. Or am I mistaken?

[And to have a nice little chat about loving yourself, but Marie does not want to scare him away by saying it out loud]

[darkcharge]

[ Likely a combination of Mira and just Vanitas being observant and picking up on some social cues.

Then Marie speaks and Vanias gives her an odd look. Since when are they friends? He's pretty sure he's made it clear that he, Vanitas, doesn't do friends. Friends make you weak. They are a liability. ]

A friend...

[thejoyrider]

[You are doing amazing, sweetie]

A friend, yes! That’s who you are to me. I shall only hope that your feelings towards me are similar?

[Marie gives him what she can only hope is an encouraging smile? ]

[darkcharge]

[ How can he possibly have similar feelings? He doesn't even know what sort of feelings she is referring to! ]

I don't have friends.

[ Vanitas is far too guarded for that. ]

[thejoyrider]

[Huh. Marie already knew that arguing with Vanitas like this will prove fruitless. Let’s try a different approach then!]

If we are not friends then who are Mira and I to you? Are we your sisters? Mothers? Or maybe... you are courting us?

[She says that in a playful tone, so Vanitas would not take her teasing too seriously]

@ Corrin, early Ieneuer, Marie’s house

[thejoyrider]

[Marie’s flour, butter, sugar, spices and dried fruit that have been left over after her Modranicht baking have all been prepared and laid out on the table in the kitchen of together with some cooking equipment. All was ready to welcome her guest! Almost time for her to arrive, huh.

Well, of course last time she was baking, she had guidance of someone more experienced in cooking than she was. There was no going around the fact that she never had to learn how to cook before her arrival in Aefenglom. Nothing but practice could change that.

Come to think of it, it was the same for Corrin, wasn’t it? She also came from a royal family and because of that, she never had to cook for herself. Even if royal titles did not matter anymore in Aefenglom, they will still be two royals attempting something royals are typically bad at.

But it will be okay! It will be fun! Marie did this before with help, she will be able to manage it without help as well!]

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin was a bit late, as while she hadn't technically gotten lost she had gotten distracted a few times by things she had passed. Because she had the attention span of a mayfly half the time. STILL, She had made it!]

[She hesitated on the doorway for a moment. Knocking on strangers doors was still a bit weird to her, and she kept telling herself it was fine but part of her always thought it wasn't. Still, she'd come all this way and it was fine. Probably.]

[So finally she reached up and rapped her knuckles lightly on the door, leaning up on her bare tiptoes to peer through the window to see if she could see someone approaching.]

[thejoyrider]

[There’s a sound of footsteps, sometimes going quiet - as if someone had wings and was actively using them to speed up getting to the door. No later than in two minutes the door opens with a creaking sound and a familiar face greets Corrin]

Hello! I see you did not have any trouble with finding the place? Please come in!

[Marie opens the door more and makes an inviting gesture]

Would you like something to drink first?

[betweenduskanddawn]

Aside from getting side-tracked a few times, it was pretty easy.

[She agreed with a bright smile even as she moved to follow her inside, red eyes scanning the house as she went.]

Oh, water would be fine.

[Her hands folded behind her back, bare toes curling against the floor as a faint sign of anxiety.]

You have a very nice home.

[That was the right thing to say, right? She was kind of new at...visiting.]

[thejoyrider]

As you wish! [Marie nods and disappears in the kitchen for a second just to reappear with a glass of water in her hand. She smiles and hands it to Corrin]

Thank you! I cannot take credit for everything, since Scathach and Zelda were so nice to invite me to stay with them here when I first arrived in Aefenglom. I have done my part to keep it nice though.

[She smiles. Many of the decorations in the house have been her idea.]

So, have you ever cooked before? Anything counts!

[Corrin has at least... boiled water before, right?]

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin accepted the glass with a little nod of her head, taking a sip just as Marie asked that question. She blushed a bit sipping longer to give herself a moment to collect herself before she lowered the glass.]

Uhm.

[She smiled sheepishly.]

I've made...toast?

[thejoyrider]

[Toast! That’s... more than boiling water!]

That should be enough! Come on, cooking cannot be that hard. It’s just a matter of combining the right ingredients! I managed to make these cookies once, I can do it twice!

[Marie’s misconceptions about cooking were about to be exposed]

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin was also not sure that it was that simple but it was hard to argue with Marie's determination! And her enthusiasm was definitely infectious.]

Hey, the worse thing that can happen is we throw it away, right?

@ Edelgard, second week of Ieneuer, bar in the shopping district

[thejoyrider]

[It has been a while since Modranicht celebrations were over and people of Aefenglom were falling back into their daily routines. It seemed like a good time to catch up with people who might not have had time during holiday celebration.

So Queen Marie made plans to meet up with Emperor Edelgard and have a chat with her over a nice cup of tea. About royal matters? Maybe not this time. Edelgard was a very different kind of monarch than Marie was... the kind she probably should have been. But none of this mattered now and what’s done is done.

This time, Marie wanted to express her gratitude about the lovely Modranicht gift Edelgard sent her and just enjoy spending time with someone she began to consider a friend in Aefenglom. So she waited in the agreed place two cups of hot tea already ordered and brought to their table.]

[unyieldingmarch]

[Edelgard was glad to have the opportunity to actually make friends. To get to know people outside of the toils that were statecraft, school, and warfare was something she had little time or opportunity for before arriving here in Aefenglom. Marie's presence, and her apparent interest in getting to know the Emperor was welcome, because she sensed that they had some things in common, and could likely learn from one another as well.

Arriving on time, precisely so, she makes her way into the tea house and settles across the table from the Queen with a small smile.]

Thank you for meeting up with me, Marie. It's good to see you again.

[thejoyrider]

The pleasure is all mine, Edelgard! It’s always nice to be able to meet up.

[This time she does not say Emperor Edelgard. She did respect the other woman’s position even if this was not land that acknowledged her title, but today Marie wanted to be a bit less formal. They were supposed to enjoy a nice chat with some tea, after all]

Thank you once again for your lovely Modranicht gift, I really appreciate it! How have you been recently? Were your holidays pleasant?

[unyieldingmarch]

[The break in formality is appreciated and reciprocated. Hubert is not around, after all.]

My holidays have been well enough. I'm glad that you liked it.

[She's not saying the world has been sunshine and rainbows, but is it ever?]

Were your other gifts as well received? I should hope so.

[thejoyrider]

From what I have seen and heard, the reactions to presents from me were mixed. Although I should probably have seen that coming...

[Marie gives Edelgard an apologetic smile, not that she is actually sorry for anything]

To som of the people who received gifts from me I am a complete stranger, after all. [Small chuckle] How about your friends and Bonded? Are they also well?

[unyieldingmarch]

Did you really...to...everyone?

[That's bold as fuck, Marie.]

My bonded are well, yes. Corrin is as irrepressibly cheery as ever. Hubert...though. He's well, but he's been a touch moody lately.

[thejoyrider]

I most certainly did! I hope they liked it!

[That’s just how she is]

Oh? If you do not mind telling, did something happen to him?

[Marie knows both Corrin and Hubert, even if she is not particularly close to either of them. She can imagine Hubert feeling on edge though]

[unyieldingmarch]

Ah...he's fine? I just...

[Well, Edelgard blushes, quite honestly. Turning quite a shade of pink.]

Actually that's something I wanted to talk to you about.

[Once they've settled down at a table, she goes on:]

...Were you afflicted by those strange weeds last month?