deathsmajesty | Fandom to Route 1, Maine, Wednesday Afternoon (Reply)

The problem with surprises was that there were so many finicky little details that one had to handle before the surprise proper could go off. This was, of course, made all the more difficult when the person being surprised was as perceptive as Ignis was. Fortunately, however, Liliana was just as inventive when she needed to be, wheedling the promise of tasty treats from him to reward her for her industrious cleaning up of her office, since she wouldn't be teaching next semester. And with Ignis busy in the kitchen and not offering assistance she absolutely did not want, that left her free to take her scheduled portal to Maine to handle the last of the paperwork that a car rental required (yes, Dean had said California, which meant she had immediately began looking at places on the East Coast) and lugging with her the extra-special surprise Summer had passed along yesterday, placed carefully in a cooler and, once the paperwork was handled, placed carefully behind the driver's seat, well within reaching distance for someone sitting in the passenger seat to grab.

After delivering instructions about exactly where she wished the car to be waiting and at what time, Liliana portaled home (and sent her steward to actually pack up her office, it had been a convenient excuse but actually it needed doing), and announced that she had changed her mind, it was too lovely a day to spend it cooped up inside an office, and that he should pack up his treats and come with her, for there was a lovely open-air market that she'd heard about and she wanted to visit it. Whether he was motivated by the pleasure of her company or the concern that she would buy every single thing that caught her eye, Ignis had readily agreed.

And so once more through a portal and back to Maine, though this time ending up in a small rest area right on the side of Route 1. Any questions Ignis voiced were met with a finger over his lips and a promise that soon, all would be made clear. Less than five minutes later, the first (or second, or even possibly third, considering Ignis, sigh) puzzle piece dropped in the sound of a car approaching them, engine purring softly beneath the hood. The driver pulled to a smooth stop directly in front of where they were standing, shut off the engine, and stepped out, leaving the key in the ignition and walking away without another word.

"My, isn't this convenient!" Liliana said, giving Ignis a bright smile. "Well, I suppose there's nothing to it but for us to continue on our way, hmm?"

Welcome, Ignis, to your perfect day.

[For the dreadfully modded gentleman and NFB for distance]