Monday Night at 43 Unicorn

[mylandmyrules]

Nell had decided recently that living on Unicorn Street must have been a sign because the odds of her having such amazing things in her life had been as unlikely as finding a unicorn outside of Fandom.

She had decided to make a large batch of spgahetti for the gathering, one pot of sauce with meat and the other vegan. Surprisingly enough the pasta itself - most of them anyway - were actually vegan.

In any case, the rich smells of the sauce filled the house, welcoming whoever made it over tonight.

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[deathsmajesty]

Liliana would have to agree, if only because she lived on Phoenix way and something about a bird of undying flame resonated with her as well.

She once again arrived bearing nothing but an appetite, which, honestly, was all that anybody really wanted her to bring. And, considering the weather outside, it wasn't entirely ridiculous for her to declare her presence was a present. Even if Nell and Gladio's home was warm, there was still a long, unpleasant trek to and from this side of town to be braved, and yet, here she was.

[mylandmyrules]

"Welcome, Liliana," Nell said. "Hospitality and safety to you while you're here. Come in and get warm! We have the fireplace going in the living room." It was a gas fireplace, but it was warm and pretty.

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana kissed Ignis and then immediately abandoned him for the warmth of the fireplace. Her (un)natural body temperature meant that she almost never sweat, but winter was extra cursed.

"Much appreciated, dear," Liliana said. "Is it likely to warm up any time soon?"

[mylandmyrules]

"Not for a few months, probably, though it usually isn't quite this cold," Nell said, bringing her over her mug filled with hot water and a caddy with a selelction of teas.

[deathsmajesty]

An appreciative look and Liliana set about making herself a nice cup of tea. "Can I make you one, as well, darling?" she asked. "It does feel like forever since we sat around and gossiped over a nice cuppa."

[mylandmyrules]

"Oh, I'd like that," Nell said. "Gladio can manage any kitchen stuff for a while. Hangon, let me just go get my mug and more hot water."

She was back quickly and settled in near Liliana. "Oh, this is nice."

[deathsmajesty]

"We'll shoo the gentlemen off into the kitchen and stay here and gossip outrageously about them in their absence," Liliana decreed, definitely loud enough to be overheard by said gentlemen.

Not that Ignis would need much persuasion, though he also loved a good gossip.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "I think you'll have to start us off since I'm not the best at gossiping."

[deathsmajesty]

"What, not going to regale me with tales of all the plants you've entered into your herbal since I gave it to you?" Liliana teased lightly. "Nor with what new mischief the kittens have been up to now that Gladio has moved in."

[mylandmyrules]

"I'd think my plants would bore you to death," Nell said as she sipped her tea. "But the kittens love Gladio. It's fun to watch them dash for him whenever he comes in. If I didn't totally understand their love for him, I might be jealous."

[deathsmajesty]

"If I had no interest in plants, I wouldn't have had so many to draw into your herbal, now would I?" Liliana pointed out. "That does sound adorable. I don't think Ignis is quite up to cuddling Josu yet, though he's certainly warmed up a great deal. There were even presents for him under the Christmas tree."

Presents that Liliana had not bought, it should be noted. Ignis had purchased them for Josu of his own volition.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell smiled. "True. I was just talking about that beautiful herbal earlier. When Gladio bought me sweatpants. No one ever did anything like that for me before. Well, no man. Women give each other things, like you gave that to me, but a man - back home at least - would never."

[deathsmajesty]

"It truly does sound like the men back in your home need to spend some time with plague rats," Liliana noted idly. "Do let me know if you'd ever like that to happen, dear. It's quite simple."

[sword_chocobro]

"Lils," Gladio greeted, especially since tensions had definitely smoothed out rather nicely, wouldn't you say from last week?, with a nod and a lift of his drink. "How's it going?"

[deathsmajesty]

"Beefslab," Liliana returned with a purely internal sigh for the persistent nickname. "It's far chillier than a civilized place should be - and, yet, I'm unsurprised you remain shirtless for it. And you?"

[sword_chocobro]

Hey, now, he's put on a shirt for company!

But an absolutely shameless grin grow on his face. "Meh," he said, "it's barely even cold. But I'm good." The way that grin seemed to softened and warm like butter on bread fresh from the over, though, suggested that maybe he was underselling it a little. "Thanks. You're teaching this semester, too, right? How's that working out for you so far?"

[deathsmajesty]

Radio suggested this was a rarity. Though she appreciated it, as it saved her eyes the strain of rolling them at the lack.

"I am," she said, with no little satisfaction. "It is, for the most part, quite enjoyable and will only get moreso as I dig deeper into the material." Her lips curled into a small smile. "There is something very validating about teaching a subject that has been your life's work for decades."

[sword_chocobro]

Yeah, no, Gladio was gladio to help with that. It really could wear a person down, after all, basking in that glorious view.

"And," Gladio then ventured, innocently, nevermind the grin, "how are those morning hours been treating ya?"

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana was just going to let herself take a moment and daydream about dragging Gladio outside by the hair and washing his face with snow. She couldn't do it, of course, but maybe if she had enough zombies...

It would be a worthwhile use of mana, to be sure.

"They remain the absolute worst part of the day, however I manage to rise to the occasion," Liliana said, glowering at him. "And manage to make it look good, to nobody's surprise."

She can match you arrogance for arrogance, Amicitia.

[sword_chocobro]

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Gladio assured her. "And it builds character, those early mornings. Maybe by the end of the summer, you'll even be getting up early enough to join us on our runs! Or maybe Nell on hers."

[deathsmajesty]

"Absolutely not," Liliana declared breezily. "Darling, I don't run. I saunter leisurely. Sometimes I stride. Occasionally swan, stroll, and slink. I do not run."

[sword_chocobro]

"Well, no," Gladio agreed, looking down for a moment, grin still firmly in place, "not in those boots, anyway..."

Although, with what he'd seen Aranea Highwind pull off...

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana just laughed at him. "Darling, if you're going to be insulting, pick better targets," she declared. "These boots have seen battle, darling. A little running would be nothing. And considering the shoes I dance in, that makes even less sense. D for effort, darling."

[sword_chocobro]

"Who said anything about being insulting?" Gladio countered, almost aloof, without missing a beat. "They look great. I definitely couldn't pull them off."

[deathsmajesty]

"Well, that's certainly true," Liliana agreed with a sage nod. "However, darling, if you'd like to end up in a pair of thigh-high boots that set off the assets you do have, let me know. I know an excellent cobbler who does wonders."