[aefenglom] ic inbox

[grandspark]

something goes here eventually.

Comments

un: wildcard / private / early July / aka that day when the network post happens

[electrod]

[ Reno isn't surprised that Rude is stalking his network. Quite on the opposite, he'd be surprised if he didn't.

What surprised him was something else, so just to check it, he sends a quick message (instead of banging at the wall as he's inclined to) ]

asshole

answer me

right now

[grandspark]

What?

[If text could be snappish, this would be.]

text > action

[electrod]

[ aslkjdalskdja ]

rude

your username is rude

[ So Reno just makes his way to the room/place where Rude is, and hovers over him (only possible if Rude is sitting down obviously), arm outstretched, palm up, in a clear message 'yo hand me the watch' ]

text > action

[grandspark]

Shit.

[He types it as a response and manages to send it right before Reno burst into his personal space but the redhead probably also heard Rude mutter it under his breath as he walked in, too.

He hesitates for a second but eventually hands his device over to Reno.]

somewhere in September

[electrod]

[ Does it come right after the Full Moon, or a bit later? It's a mystery, it surely does happen before the Dorchacha mess

And it happens past 3am. In the middle of the night there is a series of text. Each line being another message, rather than condensed into one ]

rude

rude you asleep?

give me a sign of life plz

i need you right now. it's an emergency

[ Truly, if this was really 100% emergency he wouldn't hesitate to talk, so the fact that he's just texting is a tell-tale sign of dramatics ]

[grandspark]

[Luckily for Reno, Rude was a light sleeper. The repeated messages woke him and by the time the last one chimed at him, Rude was awake enough to roll over and grab his device, squinting at it to read the messages left for him. He huffed, knowing full well it wasn't an emergency with this sort of messaging.

On the other hand, Reno probably had some sort of reason for texting him like this so late at night. He texted a reply before getting out of bed and starting to get dressed for a late night stroll to find his partner.]

What?

Where?

[electrod]

[ Oh finally ]

i need help getting back to homebase

i returned via the main street in the entertainment district. but. for some reason the only bright point i see now is harbor's lighthouse

so you know, total opposite direction to haven

[ Wouldn't be the first time when he was drunk enough to get lost in a familiar environment, though it was a rare occurrence. The only difference is that he's not really that drunk right now. ]

Modranicht gift

[electrod]

[ Given they live together, the job of sneaking a gift somewhere in Rude's rooms is slightly easier. No need for burglary and lockpicking, imagine!

I one of the drawers, Rude will find a small box, adorned with a dark ribbon and a reddish-brown feather attached to it, to make it pop-out more. Inside there is a silver lapel pin, the attempt was here to catch something with elegant simplicity Rude exercise so well, but upon closer inspection, the pin's design is... based on a mistletoe.

A shout-out to that enchanted sprig that locks people until they kiss, it seams. (Is it actually enchanted tho? Who knows) ]

[grandspark]

[Rude would have noticed the box almost immediately anyway but appreciated the addition to his feather collection. It was impossible for him to miss the extra object in his dresser drawer since he kept everything so nice and neat, and knew where everything was exactly. Made it easier to notice tampering like this.

He took out the box and opened it up without much hesitation, curious what his partner got him. A small smile played on his lips when he saw it.

Hours later. Evening fell.

Rude cornered his partner in the living room when he came home. On his lapel was the pin and Rude was waiting for Reno almost as soon as he walked through the door. His hand slid around Reno's waist immediately and tugged him close as Rude bent down to kiss Reno on the lips. Craftily, he placed something in Reno's hand as they stood there together with locked lips.

He leaned back and stood straight before Reno could attempt anything more than the one kiss. He pointed towards the awkwardly wrapped parcel. It was deceptively lumpy and irregular shaped from padding placed inside. It also had multiple layers of paper wrapped around it so it would take time to unwrap even for someone who liked to rip open presents swiftly. His little game for the evening.]

Open it first.

[Then Reno could comment or do whatever else he wanted with Rude for the unexpected welcome home.]

[electrod]

[ Oh.

Oh

Rude snatching him right after he entered their apartment is a highlight of the day— his response is immediate, lips curving into a smile as he kisses back, feathers just a bit fluffed. And while he's very glad to continue enjoying the welcome something being pushed into his hands immediately distracts him. He moves it in his hand, testing the shape, taking one second longer to give Rude a quizzical smile as he tilts his head coyly ]

That break-in might take a while. [ It's an appreciation of the work put into the packaging— Rude never half-asses anything, doesn't he? This is a puzzle for him to solve.

Or just test his patience. Check how long can he take before just ripping the thing. ] Is there a reward for opening it the proper way?

Modranicht gift

[thejoyrider]

[On the day of the holiday, a plate of homemade cookies and a sample of herbal tea mysteriously appears on his doorstep. The wrapping is decorated with a fresh lily flower (actually a Fae magic product, designed to fade away from existence in a few hours) and a ribbon. The attached handwritten note reads as follows:]

Happy Modranicht! Let’s have another great year here in Aefenglom!

M⚜️

[grandspark]

[This was an unexpected yet pleasant surprise. At first Rude wasn't certain what to make of the cookies and tea on the doorstep. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize the signature so he didn't have a clue where or from whom they came.

His partner/roommate didn't know either but was content enough to taste-test the cookies anyway and Rude let him, all the while watching over him carefully as he studied the packets of tea. Deemed safe, the two enjoyed them together over the next few days.]

...and if you're interested! (if not, no worries!)

[grandspark]

[Rude thought about forgetting the thoughtful present but he was curious and he had some time to kill between odd jobs. Besides, this sort of investigative work was right up his alley. Time to get in a little practice for what he was really made for.

So, with that in mind, Rude set out to find the mysterious gift-giver. He started by asking around the Haven about the decoration and signature. It seemed this had happened before and people recognized it. Eventually he gathered enough information to hunt her down.]

Excuse me.

[Tall, dark, and handsome behind a pair of sunglasses--with a deep voice to match his large frame (made larger as a dragon now) and a dark or mysterious aura surrounding him. Or maybe she could see through that and into the gentler side that was being formal and polite as he spoke to a stranger and a woman no less.]

Are you Miss Marie?

sorry it is late but yess, i am!

[thejoyrider]

[Being noticed by others was not really a rare occurrence for Marie, so she turns to the stranger and smiles.

What could this be about this time? Perhaps social events? Fashion? Or maybe... her recent little Modranicht gifting spree?

It’s not like she really made any effort to stay hidden. Anyone who wouldn’t already have known but wanted to would have been able to find the mysterious gift giver without much trouble]

Yes, that’s me! How can I help you?

[backdated] The Bonding!

[electrod]

[ So after all is said and done, after all, is... decided, the date is set and.

This feels kind of weird, no? Reno keeps looking into the mirrors along the way (shop windows even), making sure his hair looks as he wants them to look— and yet there is always something he finds to fix. Maybe the bangs hang in the wrong direction, maybe there's a strand to tuck behind his ear (turns out, pointy ears can get more strands tucked behind them easily). The clothes are the best he got here. Black and white, with a certain elegance and customized freedom to it, has just become his staple. Look, some people just look good in black. Rude is one of them. And so is he.

The wide sleeves make him a bit... no, not self-conscious, mostly annoyed. They have to be this way to accommodate the way his arm-wings fold. They even got clever buttons that will pop themselves open if he decides to spread them out and attempt flight. Clever, but not form-fitting. Can't have that as a bird, turns out.

One freaking look into the nearest reflective surface and they're nearly at the Coven, nearly at the appointed time. Despite all this preening, he bumps himself close into Rude's personal bubble. ]

Feeling nervous, partner? [ Eyebrow waggle, the lilt of Reno's voice oozes confidence.

He is feeling fucking nervous, yo. ]

[grandspark]

[Rude was dressed nicely as well. It hadn't been his first intention. He would have rather this whole affair be less formal, a private matter, quick and easy. Reno's nervous-excitement made Rude feel nervous and embarrassed as well, but also sparked the desire to not disappoint. So he'd put on something nice and headed off for the ceremony that Reno had arranged for them.

He glanced down at Reno as his partner bumped into him.]

...Only when you point it out.

[He mock-grumpily said. No bite to it, just banter in the form of fake chiding.]

text; end of March

[electrod]

｢ ooc: so this happened ｣

if you have any plans for the weekend you better cancel them. i just reserved a date spot

[grandspark]

Sudden. Where? When?

[electrod]

entertainment district, near the main street. cute little place. fountains. music. good drinks.

it's classy so it makes me think of you

[ since he's more of the 'seedy bar' type himself ]

text | un: lockhart

[somersaulting]

[ How many months has it been now? Avoiding him despite the initial kindness he showed her on her arrival here. And honestly, there's a small part of her that just wants to keep right on doing that. But working together doesn't necessarily have to mean being friends, does it? She's sure that on some level, all of them want the same thing. For once.

Besides, if Aerith is to be believed, neither of the resident Turks are actually really that bad—

Tifa almost cringes thinking of how Barret would react to that train of thought. Still, she sends the message almost immediately after, as if to prevent herself from thinking over it too deeply: ]

I'm not sure if this is the right number... Have I managed to reach Rude?
This is Tifa. Of AVALANCHE.

[grandspark]

[Oh, that user name gave it away immediately without doubt. He knew who this was.

He was surprised to receive a message from her out of the blue like this.]

It's right. This is Rude of the Turks.

[somersaulting]

[ Honestly, she's still kind of surprised that she sent it in the first place... ]

I'm sorry to message you so suddenly.
I've actually been thinking that it might be good for us to get a drink sometime, when you're free.
There's a lot we probably need to talk about, right?

TEXT | un: flowergirl

[bloomly]

Rude~

How many Bonds do you have?

( yes, this comes out of nowhere. )

[grandspark]

[Wow, it sure did. He's not objecting but he is curious why she's asking.]

One.

[bloomly]

It wouldn't hurt to have another, right?