thenearshore | Classy ladies having classy times

Classy ladies having classy times

Who: Luna and Lux
What: Tea and cakes!
When: June 29th
Where: Raphael's Cathedral
Warnings: N/A

[Luna had met the substitute Archangel Michael at the meeting hall before, but she hadn't had the opportunity to introduce herself to his shinki. Reasoning that it's good to make friends, and also for members of the same pantheon and their shinki to be able to cooperate, she decides to invite Lux over to her temple for a little meet and greet. And because it wouldn't do to have company over without offering some snacks, she's made sure to have some tea and cakes ready for the two of them to eat while they talk. All that's left now is to wait for her guest to arrive.]

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[ The invitation came as a pleasant surprise, a much-needed reprieve from what was a very emotionally (Allen showing up at the church blighted nearly beyond recognition; and learning that he had made a Nora of Lavi) and physically (becoming blighted herself in order to help purify him) taxing few nights before. And so, Lux arrived in the mid-afternoon, dressed as she had been when she arrived. Blood red jacket crisp and not a piece out of place, a crown-shaped badge of gold clear on her breast pocket; black ribbon tied in a perfect bow; black pleated skirt sitting just at her knees and white boots polished to near perfection.

Hair left down in subtle waves, she looked like the image of someone who cared perhaps overmuch about how she was viewed. She also looked like she might be a bit warm. But first impressions were just that, and she would be a terrible shinki if she did not reflect well upon not only herself, but upon her partner as well.

Still...

Lunafreya might find the younger blond on the outskirts of her church grounds, her mouth slightly open as she stared up at the cathedral in awe. This was nothing like her church..! ~~Was Michael an archangel of piety, or was that just Allen's influence........~~ ]

Edited 2017-03-28 22:09 (UTC)

[Luna's attire isn't quite as flashy, but it's every bit as elegant, consisting of her usual long white dress and necklace. Against the backdrop of the cathedral as she emerges, and combined with her soft pale complexion, it makes her look every bit the archangel she's supposed to represent here. As she catches sight of Lux standing outside, she smiles gently, calling out to her.]

Lux?

Ah–!

[ Jumping a bit at that, Lux looked around before finally spotting her. Was that... no, it had to be, the other woman simply affected that kind of aura. Quickly righting herself, the shinki hid her surprise behind a bright smile, making her way over. Best not to shout over long distances like that. ]

And you would be Lasy Lunafreya, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

[A light, brief laugh escapes Luna's lips as she brings a hand up to cover it, making her way toward Lux to close the gap between them.]

That's right. Just Lunafreya is fine, though.

[ Smiling somewhat bashfully, Lux shrugs her shoulders up slightly. Hahaha, busted. ]

Not quite, just–

[ Turning her attention again up at the cathedral before them, her expression smooths over. It's not quite the look of awe from before, but something more reverent. Respectful. ]

Your church is quite a bit different from ours, that I couldn't help but marvel at least a little bit.

[ It was like the one in Canterbury... ]

I hope you don't find that odd at all.

[Luna watches Lux's face as she looks up at the temple, eventually following her gaze to regard it herself.]

No, of course not. I was quite impressed with it myself when I first arrived. It's big enough to hold an entire congregation.

[ And while she would never say it aloud, she has to wonder if a place so large and opulent would be quite as warm. Certainly a beacon of hope and light for those who sought it, but it was strange; for how beautiful and breathtaking Raphael's cathedral felt, for how much Lux marveled at it, there was something that still made her own church, small though it may be, feel much more holy to her. ]

I don't doubt! I might like to see that sometime.

[ Ah, was that disrespectful? Don't tell on her please, Luna.

Placing her hands behind her back, the younger shinki faces Luna in full. ]

Still, I was surprised that you would call on me without– [ Should she say "my god"? It felt... sticky, and somehow inaccurate for them both. ] Without Allen to accompany me. I'm thankful of course, but also quite curious.

[In a way, it's a reflection of its current inhabitant. Luna naturally gives off the same sort of aura, and she's always kind and polite, but there's always a part of herself that she's holding back except around those with whom she's truly close. Spending much of your childhood cloistered away in training to serve as the next Oracle will do that to a person.]

Well... I already introduced myself to Allen at the meeting, but I didn't have a chance to meet you. He and I may just be serving as substitutes for the real archangels for the moment, but I'd like it if we could all be friends and work together. I hope he doesn't mind that I've called you away like this.

[ Were Lux capable of remembering her past to any capacity, she might understand this. Understand it far more than she would like to admit at times. But that's neither here nor there. ]

I'm nothing special, really, just a shinki. But becoming friends because the both of you serve as substitutes for Raphael and Michael... Shouldn't you want to be friends because you share the same things in common, not just the same duties and responsibilities.

[ Ahh, that was... ]

...If I could be so bold, of course.

[ So about first impressions. Haha #nailingit......... ]

Mm...

[Luna hums thoughtfully, looking away from Lux for a moment and staring up at the steeple of the cathedral.]

Yes, you're right. But every friendship has to start somewhere. I'm afraid we didn't have enough time to really get to know one another before we left for our respective shrines on the Near Shore.

[And then she looks back at Lux, an almost embarrassed smile on her face.]

I hope it doesn't seem disingenuous of me to have invited you here today, then.

[ Tilting her head gently to one side, she let a hand curl at her lips, thinking about the goddess's words. She wasn't wrong, but...

Although such a severe look didn't much suit the conversation, and instead Lux smiles sheepishly. ]

Oh, no, not at all. And I believe being able to work together is important. But I want to be someone's friend because they are a good person, not just because we may fight alongside one another.

Being able to have something other than our bonds on the battlefield is important, I think.

Well, that's a relief.

[Luna lets out a breath, smiling back at Lux.]

I agree. So I'll let you decide for yourself what kind of person I am.

[Her smile quirks up just a bit as she gestures toward the doors.]

Shall we head inside? I made some tea and cakes for us.

[ Ah, well that could have gone much better. She didn't mean to shoot off like that right from the get-go, but seeing Luna take it in stride, the other blond felt a little better at least. Not too much harm done, hopefully!

But at the mention of tea and cakes, Lux blinked a few times, genuinely surprised. ]

Oh, you didn't have to do something like that.

[ She probably should have brought some kind of gift from their church, but they were still very much just getting established... ]

Thank you, that's very kind of you.

[ Lead the way? ]

[Luna doesn't seem too put out by it, at least. It takes more than that to upset her.]

It's all right. I didn't get much chance to practice my baking at home, so this is actually fun for me too.

[Mercifully, Luna isn't a disaster in the kitchen, so the tea and cakes will actually be quite palatable. Smiling, she leads Lux inside. It looks exactly like you'd expect a grand cathedral to look, with pews and an altar and stained glass windows, but Luna walks past all of that to lead her guest into the back of the building. This is where the living quarters are for the Archangel, along with ample space for several shinki. The architecture, notably, is almost entirely pure white.]

[ ...Let's not talk about Lux in the kitchen.

Walking a few steps behind Luna, Lux couldn't help but feel into a certain cadence, like her body knew what she should be doing even if her mind was not quite up to speed. And while there was something very strangely familiar about the church itself, its pristine white walls untouched and practically glittering, there was something here that... bothered her, even if she couldn't place what. It was beautiful to be sure but...

Sterile maybe? Like the inner mind of someone who was taught to measure her words and accord herself in a certain fashion. Someone who lived with Expectations placed upon her.

...don't ask her how she came to that conclusion. ]

You bake?

[ It was bright, but said as much to fill the quiet, only pierced by the sound of heels clicking. A loud sort of silence. ]

[That would be a wholly accurate guess, were she to voice it out loud. Growing up as the Oracle, Luna's life has been nothing but Expectations from a very young age. She's always been obliged to put on a polite and confident public face no matter what she's feeling inside, with very few exceptions.]

A little. I hope it's all right.

[They'll find out soon, at least, as they make their way into the dining area. There's a tray already set out with a teapot, two cups, and some shortbread tea cakes sitting out.]

Please, have a seat.

[ The two would find themselves very similar in that regard, if Lux could remember much, if any, of her childhood. Which, unfortunately, was not the case. ]

I'm sure it's fine.

[ A quick, almost knee-jerk response. Polite but not dishonest. Reassuring. And looking at the tea and treats on display in the dining area, her face lit up slightly. Ah, how cute!

She did as asked, seating herself quietly, hands placed in her lap and waiting for the lady-archangel to be seated as well. ]

Thank you, this looks wonderful. I hope it wasn't too much trouble.

Edited 2017-04-04 05:13 (UTC)

[Luna seems relieved at Lux's reaction as they reach the dining hall - she seemed a little uneasy walking in. She seats herself, gesturing to the other chair with a smile.]

It's no trouble at all. Please, help yourself.

[ Offering the other woman a smile, Lux made a move to pour tea for both, but stopped herself before going through it, settling in her seat. Manners versus being a good guest, the ultimate conundrum. So she placed her hands in her lap, smiling somewhat cheerfully. This was her home, it seemed a bit impolite to partake first. ]

I believe you wanted to get to know me a bit better, as the partner of another archangel. Please, feel free to ask me anything; I'll try to answer to the best of my ability.

[Luna smiles back, pouring them each a cup of tea and offering the cakes for Lux to take first. She's the hostess, after all.]

Well... I didn't really have anything specific in mind except to get to know you. Why don't you tell me a little about yourself? And if there's anything you'd like to know about me, I'll do the same.

[ Taking the teacup gracious, she set it down before gracefully folding her hands in her lap. ]

About myself..?

[ Letting out a gentle hum, looking upward.

Her usual answer didn't quite fit anymore, did it? ("I'm just a shinki.") What should she say? What would be most accurate? ]

I suppose if I were to describe myself... Someone who can't sit still, perhaps, or who can't stand to let someone suffer alone. Although I don't think that quite answers your question.

[ Looking down again, she offered Luna a somewhat apologetic smile. ]

I'm sorry, I'll admit that I don't know much about myself in that regard.

[Luna gives her all the time she needs to think. She knows she's asking a bit of a hard question for a shinki to answer. But once she does, there's a small smile on her face as she shakes her head.]

No, that tells me a lot about you. I'm the same way, really.

[She pauses for a moment to take a thoughtful sip of her tea.]

In my case, it's partly because I was raised into a role that demanded those qualities, but easing the suffering of others is a genuine conviction of mine as well.

[ Why did that... ]

[ Hiding the way that that seemed to gather her attention, Lux lifted her own cup before bringing it to her lips. Her expression turning almost retrospect, she smiled against the lip before taking a drink. ]

Then I'm glad. I suppose that's something that the three of us have in common. Is it the same for your shinki as well?

Mm...

[Luna frowns thoughtfully for a moment, thinking.]

...I think my shinki would be inclined to agree with whatever I asked. It seems to be in her nature. She's what they refer to here as a soulless shinki.

[ Ah, like Oona when she first met her. Or the shinki she encountered when she first arrived, scared, confused and alone...

Her smile turning more reflective, Lux lowered her cup, looking down at the contents. Was hat why... ]

I imagine that makes things more than a bit lonely here, then. Having company but not quite being able to appreciate it.

[ Speaking like she understood somehow, somewhere in the deep, dark recesses of non-memory. Like it was something almost internally understood even if Lux couldn't explain it in words.

I think I'm beginning to understand the other reason you might have invited me here.

Shoulders shrugged up slightly, Lux smiled warmly, head gently tilted to one side. ]

I know you wanted to learn more about me, but what sorts of things do you like, Lunafreya?

Yes... it's very quiet here with only the two of us.

[Luna smiles, nodding. It's a slightly embarrassed and less guarded smile than before. Lux is reading her like a book right now, but she really doesn't mind. If all goes well, she'll have made a new friend today.]

Me? Well, besides what we've already discussed...

[She brings her cup to her lips, humming thoughtfully as she takes another sip of her tea.]

I love reading, animals... and a slice of cake every now and then.

[There's a playful little smile on her face. It's a fairly big indulgence for her, as she's never really had much time to indulge in simple pleasures like that very often.]

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Classy ladies having classy times

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