Glitter & Gold [Finn & Hilana]

[Arvælyn]

"Glitter & Gold"
18 Ash

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Although it was some time before Arry and Finn both had the same evening free, they were ultimately able to find a time to host an acquaintance that happenstance had seem them both meet independently. It was a bit odd to play host in a borrowed home, but Kyrin was never around at all, seeming to prefer his subterranean residence. Arry could hardly blame him, given the easy commute it afforded him to the Prætorium of the Vigilia Argenti.

The cooks had had plenty of time to plan the menu according to the notes Hilana had given him upon their initial encounter, and the rich aromas were already wafting forth from the kitchens as the servi saw to setting the table for the evening meal.

While Arry had the innocent intention of helping Finn pick out something to wear, seeing him in states of undress was still enough to rile the elf toward aspirations of carnal congress, so they were running later than he'd have liked by the time they got washed up and clothed for dinner. Arry, for his part, donned a crimson tunic trimmed with golden accents and soleæ that snaked up his sun bronzed legs to round his ankles.

"Why am I nervous?" Arry inquired of Finn's reflection in the mirror before which he was fussing over his hair. "I know I don't really need to impress anyone, but... I just feel nervous anyway, for some reason." It wasn't as though he was lousy with friends in Solunarium. He had family, sure, and they tended to be perfectly intimidating, but beyond that it was really just Finn. The human seemed to have an easier time making friends than the elf.

"Let's head downstairs. I could use a drink."

[Finn]

It wasn't Finn's fault that the Luxium was too hot for clothes most days. But thankfully, by the time they had sweated against each other and cleaned up, the sun was dipping toward the horizon and the air was cooling off.

"I don't know why you're nervous," he admitted, his hand trying to reach under Arvælyn's tunic. Time had yet to lessen his ardor when it came to the golden half-elf—Sunborn here. But he was not bothered when his hands were shooed away. After all, Hilana was his savior and it would be nice to see her, and he was glad to have a friend that didn't make his lover suspicious and jealous, although the evening was young. It was also a good thing his family was so scary because most of them were quite attractive, as well.

"What are they serving for aperitifs?"

Finn hung back just a moment to admire the way the local attire flattered his lover, then quickly caught up and caught his hand, twining their fingers, bringing it up to kiss his knuckles. While he was doing his best to perform the role that had been chosen for him, he wasn't embarrassed about showering Arvælyn with affection in front of servi or his family at this point. He imagined Cithæra knew her son's favorite positions at this point, which was weird, but when in Solunarium...

[Hilana Chenzira]

Hilana had been thrilled to receive the invitation, and as planned, left work early with something in hand. She made her way home in the afternoon heat to clean up, get changed into some nicer clothes, and make sure she afforded herself time to get there. It would not do to keep them waiting, and she was going on foot rather than bringing Hayima’el for a trip into the Aurecine District.

She wrapped her prize in a square of cloth, tying the corners up with a ribbon to make sure she didn’t damage the exposed contents inside of it. Satisfied, she hurried to get herself washed up so that she could tackle her hair. While the heat and sun had straightened it, water always brought the curls back in, and she settled for working a few smaller braids in at the top and sides before gathering the rest of it into a wild bun and tying it up there before sticking a few pins in to secure it. Hilana applied a little bit of cosmetics, just a touch here and there as usual before retrieving her earrings. She had left them soaking in the cleaner for the day before wiping them down and putting the mix back into her ears.

A clean, one-shouldered white top had been laid out with the colourful five-tiered skirt of blues and yellows with a gold-coloured hem, and her nicer pair of sandals. The blue scarf was folded in a triangle and tied on an angle over her hip, and within the folds of fabric she was able to tuck away her invitation. She had a feeling she would need it within that district, because no matter what type of clothes she wore, she was still a Vastii in a section of the city that was almost strictly the Populus Ex Re’ha, and she was going alone. She left Tiaz in the basket of soaked moss. Her baby was in the middle of a shed, after all, and the heat and humidity of the contents, along with the roughness of the woven reeds, would help get that old skin off.

Even knowing she had time, Hilana gathered her skirts and her gift for her hosts, and hurried down the steps, taking them two at a time. She did have to slow down and walk normally when one of her neighbours was making his way up the stairs with his elderly father, backing off in the landing to make room and wishing them a good day before resuming her fast-paced descent and heading out into the white sands of her neighbourhood. From there, she would cross into the Sorokyne District, where she had delivered Khyan last season, and cut through there to reach the Aurecine.

She was excited to see the two of them again, and that made her cross the sands of the streets and avenues and boulevards all the faster, her bundle in her arms. Passing through the neighbouring district of the Patricians, she did get some looks for her attire, but any remarks were lost in the air as she just kept going. Hilana had known that the Aurecine was going to be the harder nut to crack, but she was quite surprised to find that it was not as guarded as she expected it to be. She had been told enough to avoid it, and as such had stuck to her own neighbourhood, Port Vasta, and occasioned the Sorokyne, but this was not so bad. She could at least enjoy and admire the beauty of the place that she had only seen from the distance.

A look at the sun told her she was right on time as she made her way up the steps to the villa, and knocked on the door, holding the cloth-wrapped plant in its painted clay pot with the matching saucer to go under it. For all the rules of etiquette and propriety that were drilled into those of the Castes of the cities, Hilana had avoided most of them all her life. But she had her own that she had learned in the Sands, and for she knew that you did not come to a fire empty-handed, after all.

[Arvælyn]

Arry shrugged at Finn’s question about the food on offer today.

“When I met Hilana she gave me a list of must try Vastian cuisine. The only thing in the list I recognised was stuffed grape leaves. I told the cooking staff they could augment the menu as they see fit, but it should be an education…” He was fussing with his gold and Ruby plastron necklace as they descended the stairs.

He nodded to a liveried slave and said:

“Volo vitrum vinum.” The human woman bowed and sprung to action, turning to pour and present the rich, dry white that Arvælyn seemed to prefer.

“Dominus?” She looked to Finn, and would pour for him as well if an affirmative was indicated.

Arry moved to a longue in the sitting room and perched himself on its edge.

“I figured we should start down here so she can have a tour of the place and end for dinner in the garden on the roof.” It wasn’t properly their home, but it was very nice and they were playing hosts. It certainly wasn’t inappropriate for the supposed son of the gens to be so bold, and if he came across uncomfortable- At least they’d bound enough truth in the lie. He was still a newcomer and had been estranged from his family in both the truth and the cover story.

As Arry took his first sip of wine, the knock sounded in the adjoining foyer and a slave moved to answer.

“Veni mecum, Domina.” The serva bowed and stepped aside to admit Hilana, before leading her into the room where her hosts waited. Another slave stepped to a serving station to pour her wine as soon as she entered, and stepped over to offer it with a bow.

“Salve!” He rose from his seat and stepped over to offer a one-armed embrace, as the other arm held his goblet out of the way. He switched to Common to add:

“Thank you for making the time!”

[Finn]

"I meant to drink," he murmured, but the servi answered soon enough with a dry white wine and he accepted a glass for himself. He wore no jewelry, not unless Arvælyn insisted. Finn was content to be the stem and let his lover be the flower; certainly, he would rather admire him than draw attention to himself unless he was performing and even then, when they performed together, he let Arvælyn soar.

"Thank you," he said to the slave. It was his way.

And he was smiling—only a touch sheepish—as he followed his lover to greet Hilana, waiting his turn to greet his desert savior. It was strange how they both seemed to run into the same people, despite spending a fair amount of time doing their own things.

"Salve, Hilana. I apologize. He wouldn't let me invite a camel to dinner." His sheepish smile went to rueful, but it was all in good humor. He turned to ask the servus to pour her a glass, but the well-trained woman was already on it as soon as Hilana's hands were free to accept one. "Ah, gratias."

Sometimes he wondered if his collegiate air made the slaves less comfortable, but they seemed to take whatever was given with a degree of equanimity he found impressive.

And, "ah, gratias," again, this time for Hilana's gift, which he held until another servus came to take it from him. Even simple gift-giving was different here, although this was the domus of a royal, and perhaps that would have been strange to him even in Kalzasi. He had floated among the aristos there, but hadn't really been one of them.

"I hope you're hungry," he said, even as his stomach began to growl. It wasn't his fault, though, as Arvælyn had demanded some exercise just before they came downstairs and Finn thought anything worth doing was worth doing right. Arvælyn was worth doing right.

[Hilana Chenzira]

“Gratias,” Hilana nodded to the serva that let her in, heading inside. This was her first time inside a home like this, and she had to say that it was quite stunning. Sure, she had been in Equestrian estates around Tertium, and had had to live in one for almost two years, but this place was breathtaking. She looked admiring, though, and was looking in every direction as she was led in, though her focus was soon back on the half-Elf and his partner once she saw them getting up.

“Salve, Dominus Arvaelyn, Finn, good evening,” the girl was delighted to see them both again, easily slipping back into Common and stepping past the slave that led her in to step into that embrace, leaning into it and returning it with one of her own. When such gestures were an option, Hilana was never shy about taking them. “Your home is incredible. Thank you for having me over. I’ve been looking forward to it,” she was cheerful, and offered Finn the same hug once she let go of the Sunborn. “It is quite alright, Hayima’el’s table manners are not always the best. But he will get over the disappointment, we will just bribe him with something,” she laughed, grinning at Finn’s expression.

“Gratias,” she nodded to the servus, accepting the wine with an incline of her head. “For both of you,” she extended the rounded-shaped bundle wrapped in the gold-dyed linen cloth. When it was eventually unwrapped, the contents were a strange-looking plant that seemed to be mostly translucent, bulbous leaves with green striped markings along the bottom, planted in a painted clay pot that was depicting the sunrise in the desert. There was a little note written in Common on heavier paper, tucked into the matching saucer of the pot.

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Arvaelyn & Finn,

This is called a Glowing Dragon Egg succulent. It is native to Atraxia, growing mostly along the southeast areas of the Expanse. It is a favourite of mine, and I hope that it pleases you both. May Wyrms hatch here again one day!

Yours,
Hilana

When Finn’s stomach growled, the girl laughed. “It smells exactly as it should. Your staff has been busy. How have you both been? You have been well?” She looked from one to the other.

[Arvælyn]

"Oh! Of course you did, luv, I misheard you. I just figured we would start with wine..." Finn's query sent another shockwave of anxiety through Arry's psyche, as he questioned whether he ought to have planned cocktail courses to complement the food items Hilana had recommended.

Stepping back from the hug, he wrinkled his nose and dismissed the compliment to their environs.

"It's my father's, really... Wait until you see the garden upstairs. It's the best part, so that's where we'll be dining. Oh!" He grinned, delighted at the offer of a gift. He placed his glass down on a table to unwrap the cloth.

"How beautiful! Thank you so much for this. That is too thoughtful. We'll have to find a place for it in the garden. Shall we?" With the potted plant in one hand he grabbed his wine with the other and made his way toward the stairs, passing Finn he whispered: "We closed the bedroom door, didn't we? I'm not sure the servi had time to remake the bed..." With that, he cast an innocent smile over his shoulder toward Hilana and made for the stairs heading up.

"Busy, but well enough." He replied, "And yourself?"

If she was interested in a tour, they would show her rooms on the upper two floors. There was a sitting room on the third level that fed out onto a beautifully appointed terrace facing the Blazing Palace. They stepped out onto the terrace, and Arry led the way up a staircase leading to the roof. Situated as it was on the slope of Mount Sorokyn, the domus had a splendid view of the city.

The garden was a feast for the senses, as the scent of food mingled with that floral aromas of the eclectic array of foreign and domestic flora. The volcano loomed overhead on one side, and the greater city sprawled on all other sides. He made his way over to the table, and instructed a slave to replace the centre-piece with their gifted plant as he handed it off.

"Sit wherever you like."

[Finn]

"Well enough, well enough," he said, laughing. With all the various people he had to code-switch around in Solunarium, speaking to Hilana was relaxing. From what he understood, her caste, translated to social standing around Kalzasi, would still put her above him, but she was rational and lacked pretention, and that put him at ease.

Of course, he made small talk through the tour, only smiling wickedly when Arvælyn inquired about the door. If he knew anything, he knew the servi would probably have gone to work immediately upon their departure from the rooms and so all would be well.

Once they made it to the roof, he leaned over the table to get a better look at the succulent. Reaching out, he didn't feel anything threatening in its quiet symphony, and so he let his callused fingertips brush over the strange, ovular leaves. He hummed a light welcome to the plant, knowing they could feel out of sorts when moved. Of course, the servi would likely care for it, but he could do his part. Then he took a moment to take in the spectacular view and waited to see where everyone would sit so he could arrange himself as well.

A thoughtful servus had brought his lute upstairs and set it nearby, so he supposed he could always play for his lover and their guest, whether to entertain or to provide pleasant ambiance for discussion after supper.

"Yes, how have you been?" he asked, seconding Arvælyn's question. At least while she was here, he might find out when would be a good time for more survival lessons, or if she needed him to tame some particularly unruly beast for her.

[Hilana Chenzira]

“You are very welcome,” Hilana smiled at his reaction to the succulent. She had thought they might find that one interesting, especially considering the shared interest with the dragons. “It’s not edible, I should add, but you can use the leaves if you ever get a burn. Not just sunburn, but actual burn from fire. Just pinch one off and puncture it, and drizzle the contents on the burn. It’ll take the heat out and help calm it down so that your skin doesn’t crack and dry out,” she was cheerful. As pretty as it was, it was still a fun plant to the Vastii. While she did love plants that may have just been pretty, if you knew something they were useful for, then why not?

She assured them that she would definitely enjoy a tour, and she clearly did - the Vastii was delighted and appreciative, and she could only wonder what that innocent smile over Arvaelyn’s shoulder meant, but Hilana was not a prude. She could guess what it might have had to do with, but it was funny nevertheless. Her eyes were wide with delight, drinking in the details as they progressed through the floors on the way upstairs to the rooftop gardens. “I have been well. There’s always something new to learn and see and practice with. We got a new shipment of plants from across the sea in... so there’s been a lot of getting them settled. You might know some of them, too. Some are in the greenhouses, others are in the shop... but they’re new, and many I haven’t really had any experience with yet... but that’s good, isn’t it? Study them, use them, grow them, and get to know them.” At least one of the three of them was enjoying the education they were getting here, but Hilana’s was also very different from what Finn and Arry were having to go through.

Best view it may have been, but for someone who was as obsessed with plants as she was... There was a quiet gasp of delight, and both of them could feel the girl’s excited energy levels starting to rise up as her head turned on a swivel, looking around the gardens. “Your home, your father’s home, is spectacular.” She wasn’t trying to be sycophantic, she was genuine in her admiration for it. “But you were right about the gardens,” she couldn’t sit, not just then, as she set her wine glass down and roamed and touched, doing a fairly quick loop to satisfy her delight and curiosity, at least for now. She couldn’t investigate their symphonies, but practiced fingers and bright eyes absorbed details, too.

She finally brought herself back to sit down with them, at least a little apologetic for scouring the beautifully built balcony. The view from here was not something she’d experienced before, not this close, and with the obsessive need to explore the plants satiated for the moment, she could look on at them, too. “I am hoping to get my hands on some new snakes soon, so depending on just how... spicy... they want to act, I may have need of your abilities with Mesmer,” she grinned at them. If she wanted to increase her skill with medicine and poisons, having access to the snakes that could produce such things would be important. "We can return to the sands in a few days, too, if you'd like, for another lesson out there. Vasilei said someone spotted some flowering weeping cacti out there, so this will be something you might find interesting."

[Arvælyn]

"Oh..." Arry pursed his lips, regarding the little bulbs that composed Hilana's gift. It hadn't occurred to him to want to eat them, but he supposed he could see how they sort of resembled something akin to grapes. There was something about their translucence that made them seem less appealing in that regard, but to each their own.

"We shall keep that in mind! I don't really burn, but Finn here looks like Sundown when he flirts with High Noon. Serves him right for flirting with another golden idol." He chuckled at his own joke and nudged Finn's shoulder with his own.

He sat back, sipping his wine and listening as Hilana exposited her recent experiences with the new crop of... crops, it seemed. Up on the roof, the Vastian girl seemed enchanted by the garden which was itself, of course, enchanted.

"And I thank the Founders for the servi who tend them!" Arvælyn noted, "Since we're so close to the volcano the temperatures are a bit wonky. And some of the plants here aren't native to this climate at all, so they need special care the which I would have no earthly clue how to provide. Please..." He gestured to the light appetizers already arrayed on the table before the, "Help yourself. I assume you know what everything is. I relied entirely upon your list and whatever augmentations the cooks wished to make to expand the menu, so you're more familiar with this than I. I recognise..." He scanned the spread, and took a moment to find the tray he was seeking. "Dolmades." He plucked one of the little, dark green bundles up between his thumb and index finger and held it aloft.

"And that's it, for me." He shrugged, and bit it in half with the teeth that were already bared from grinning.