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.

Comments

[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."

[mylandmyrules]

"I thank you, but I'd be afraid there would be innocent victims there as well," Nell said. "So... how are things going now that Ignis has actually moved in?"

[deathsmajesty]

"I could assure there wouldn't be, but fine, fine, no plague rats." Liliana sighed, clearly Greatly Put Upon^TM that she couldn't bedevil unworthy men.

Much like last week, she was taking a sip of her tea when Nell asked about Ignis, but she managed to swallow quickly and avoid choking, which was a blessing. Though the few moments it took her to get herself situated were also put to work fighting down the instinctive denial that rose up in answer.

"Quite well, thank you," she said, sounding horribly stiff and formal even to her own ears. Which was neither right nor fair, considering how happy she was, but...

Listen, trauma was a hell of a thing, even if (perhaps especially if) one was simply pretending it didn't exist.

"It is...always good," she added softly. "When he is around. Even when it isn't." And then she was quickly drinking more tea, as if to prevent her mouth from saying anything else.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell nodded. "It's always better when Gladio is around," she said quietly. "And even when he isn't, I'm happier."

[deathsmajesty]

"So it would seem," Liliana said, giving Nell a little smile. "Why, one could say there's been a bit of a...happy glow about you for a while now."

[mylandmyrules]

"I am awful happy," Nell said cheerfully. "Happier than I ever let myself dream I might be."