Meeting the fiancé's otherworldly friends

[volurofthehearth]

The invitation was very clear about the nature of the gathering. Or as clear as the upper class get about these things. He had needed to insist upon doing them himself as her eyes had brightened and she'd smiled wide at the mention of making them. Rather than the texts that are often favoured by Nexus residents, these are paper invitations delivered by couriers post-haste. They specify the time and date that each person is invited to come and meet his new fiancé. A simple chat over tea to make introductions.

Isidor, insisting she would only be a distraction, left Viatorus to handle things with Lyall guarding the door as per usual. If Viatorus were the suspicious type he might linger on the notion that she vanished purposefully to put himself and his wife-to-be to the test, but then that wouldn't be very nice of her.

Viatorus' office apartment is... different. The main room which everyone enters into feels warmer, closer, inviting. The chairs and couch face each other a little more, tables positioned perfectly to make sure everyone can see everyone with ease. There are vases of flowers here and there, pale and demure bundles with little bursts of colour. Above each of the doors are smaller bundles of dried plants that twist and intertwine so that once pinned up they appear as decorations that makes the apartment feel more like a natural space. The air smells ever so faintly of vanilla and cinnamon, the last gift Ingirun gives to Viatorus' Nexus home.

It is only because of his company that Viatorus has chosen to wear a relatively untouched blue-grey suit and even a blue tie to match his light blue shirt. Ingirun's impeccably pinned up hair makes her retro ensemble of a loose white silk shirt and long green skirt appear as the perfect combination of smart casual. With cakes, pastries, sandwiches and mini-tarts all prepared, now all they need to do is wait for the first visitor to arrive.

Comments

[westfallcorndog]

Runa speaks, and Harrowheart's blue eyes are fixated on her. He watches and listens in unblinking, unbreathing, motionless silence. The word 'draugr' is the last thing said, but not for long. He smiles very genuinely when she's quiet again. "Everyone likes to have friends, Runa," he says. "Even horrible people. Even monsters."

He glances toward the sink again to be sure that the water is draining, but finds that it's easier to focus on that than Runa, and his neutral gaze lingers on the slow disappearance of the soap suds.

"I'm glad you think I'm not horrible," he says in an even tone. "But even if I was horrible. In secret. And Viatorus didn't know it. It wouldn't matter. Would it? Because he's my friend."

He finds it in himself to return to Runa with another sincere smile. "And you're my friend now, too, Runa. And I like having friends. And I work very hard not to be horrible to them, even by accident. And I hope it stays that way."

Rather than affix her with any more stares he looks toward the door and, very casually, says, "It's probably time for me to go back to my world, isn't it? My watch is starting soon, and I wouldn't want to be late. Will you come back to the sitting room with me for goodbyes?"

[volurofthehearth]

The light hearted guilty expression fades from Runa's face as she listens, and she does listen. Carefully. Her wide eyes watch him staring off into his own thoughts. His choice of words are enough to make her wonder about her own but when he looks to her she smiles warmly again.

"Yes, I will. I must make sure Viatorus gives you back your helmet. He seemed to like it!" Tittering out a small laugh, she removes her apron and sets it aside, opening and holding the door for Harrowheart to return to the main room.

It looks like the mention of reading was a good call, as Viatorus has curled up with a large book while he waited. When they come back in, he scrambles to his feet and sets the book down, hoping they didn't catch sight of his informal lounging. "A-A-All done?"

"Harrowheart is very good at tidying up after himself," Runa tells him with a nod.

[westfallcorndog]

Runa's swift return to positivity, real or feigned, gets a good-natured grin and a laugh from Harrowheart. He lightly rests a hand atop her shoulder as they return to Viatorus. Seeing his friend rush to his feet does nothing to stop his smile, and Runa's friendly compliments get another small laugh.

"A washer's only as good as his dryer," he assures her. After a soft pat to her shoulder his hand floats away to retrieve his helmet.

"And Runa's great," he says loudly and with total confidence. He looks between the two young people and, grinning knowingly, adds, "I like her a lot. I'd steal her away and make her my fiancee instead if I wasn't so sure every one of your cousins, your mom, Isidor, and the Archon would come outta the woodwork to whup my ass from Stranglethorn to Silvermoon."

He snags Runa in for a quick, loose hug against his cold armor before he makes his way to do the same for Viatorus. When he pulls Viatorus in he holds him a while longer and whispers into his ear. "You and I are gonna have a Guy Talk one of these days, okay? 'Til then, try not to be so scared of her, hmm? She's real sweet and understanding, I promise."

When he's through he leans back and holds Viatorus at arm's length to inspect him with proud eyes and a subdued smile. The little man is growing up.

[volurofthehearth]

Runa gives a tittering laugh as she hugs Harrowheart gently back. "The Durant family coming out of the very wood. A terrifying thought!"

Their joking gets a small smile from Viatorus and, as if to demonstrate Harrowheart's earlier words to Runa, is somewhat stiff as he's pulled in for a hug. He only gets more tense as he concentrates on his friend's message, but by the time Harrowheart is pulling back Viatorus takes a deep breath, relaxing. He tries to widen his smile and nods at his friend. "Alright."

"Tell your sister to come over some day. I'll bake her a cake and we can chat over tea," Runa tells him. "Tell all your family they are welcome to visit any time."