The Creepy, Currently-Being-Invaded Mansion in the Woods, Saturday

[deathsmajesty]

As was happening all across the island, Liliana was quite happily asleep in bed, still tangled up with Ignis and sleeping the sleep of the pleasantly exhausted. She had no plans to leave the bed until noon at the earliest, and Ignis would have to talk fast if he expected to be let up much before then, either.

And if anybody came trying to drag him out for an early morning run, she was going to blight first, ask questions never.

One could forgive her for not realizing what today would be. Last year, the island had been kind and hadn't sent them any surprises as they were recovering from their battle with Emrakul and Liliana had decided to take that as a sign that it had been a one-time fluke that the universe had hastily made sure would never happen again.

You know what she didn't need? A shouted, "RISE AND SHIIIIIIIIII~IIIIIIIIINE!" from the other side of the bedroom door. You know what she was gonna get?

Just guess.

[Open for kids, guests, and anybody else what wants to wander by!]

Comments

[deathsmajesty]

Ignis would note that her answer was oddly hesitant. "Well, darling, I was thinking...I don't suppose you have the ingredients for a...seafood paella, perhaps?"

Oh look! Her coffee mug! She was just going to take a deep swallow right now, don't mind if she did!

Irrim watched her mother, head tilted, at this unexpected behavior.

[chef_chocobro]

Ignis did note, and it did make him feel slightly worried, but, well, it was this weekend, it always did seem to bring out...interesting things, didn't it?

But the request also spread something in his chest, though his was warm with a slight touch of a good fluttering ache, and how could he not let that warmth spread to his smile, as he leaned in to give her a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Of course, my love," he said. "Always."

...and if not, well, that was something fixed easily enough, really.

[blueblackbrat]

"There's something weirdly mushy going on," Irrim said, now dealing with her own weird feelings--though she'd been jealous of her mother and the seemingly effortless way she could capture everyone's attention for so long that she barely noticed it anymore. "...Though I don't know what paella is."

She was certain somebody would have an opinion on that.

[chef_chocobro]

Someone certainly did.

"Ah, then." Ignis gave one of his soft huffs of a laugh, lifting his hand from Liliana's back so that he could snap his finger. "It seems I've come up with a new recipeh...for you to try! And something for you to look forward to. It's actually one of my favorite dishes."

And there was a brief flash of a moment, where he tried to make a decision, unsure if he should add what was on the edge of his tongue. That he'd made it for their first proper date. That hesitation in Liliana, though, knowing how guarded she preferred to keep, and that likely extended even to thirteen year olds who would be gone after a few days...

"It's a dish," he said, instead, hand back around Liliana to give her a small squeeze as he said it, "that has utterly transformed my entire life."

[deathsmajesty]

Though that hesitation seemed to have lessened when Ignis agreed with her choice of meal, almost as if she'd been uncharacteristically concerned he might disapprove. She relaxed slightly, leaning against him slightly as she continued to sip her coffee.

Though if he were to ask her why she'd suggested that dish, she wouldn't be able to properly say.

"Though I doubt a simple fruit salad would fulfill Irrim's request for a fancy dessert," she said, smiling up at him.

[blueblackbrat]

"Oh, this is some kind of romance thing between you," she said. "Gross."

Though she found she didn't hate it as much as she usually did when her mother and whichever interchangeable lover might be hanging around flirted with one another. But then, she also wasn't feeling the way she usually did, which was jealous and resentful of that someone was there taking her mother's attention away from her when she received so little of it as it was.

...Well, okay, maybe not feeling it as much. And less for Liliana than of her.

[chef_chocobro]

"We can add a flavored whipped cream," that earlier huff of a laugh had elevated in that moment to a laugh more robust, "or perhaps set it alight en flambe."

And even though he couldn't see it on her face, Ignis knew Liliana was smiling, and so of course he smiled back.

"But, yes, Irrim." Because if she was going to lean into it, he might as well say it after all, "it is. I do hope that doesn't put you off your appetite, because, I assure you, you'll be doing yourself a disservice."

[blueblackbrat]

"I dunno, if you guys are spend all dinner flirting, I might not have a choice," Irrim said, rolling her eyes with the disdain that only a teenager could muster. "Ew, gross."

You know, in case they hadn't gotten that memo the first time she said it.

While Liliana could only lean into to kiss Ignis after a laugh like that, though, in deference to their easily nauseated guest, she kept it soft, sweet, and short.

"Hmm, perhaps that's my plan," she said, turning back to Irrim with an expression of impish delight Irrim had never seen before. "Convince Ignis to make it for you, then claim your portion when your stomach turns. More paella for me."

Irrim snorted. "Nice try," she said, rolling her eyes again. "Like Ignis isn't going to make enough for all of us to have plenty. You just want mine because--"

"--food tastes better stolen," mother and daughter said at the same time, which clearly startled them both.

And then, slowly, exchanged a smile.