Penny Rose [ Serah Farron ] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rememberher) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thenearshore2017-03-30 06:21 am
rememberher) wrote in thenearshore2017-03-30 06:21 am
Entry tags:
[CLOSED] Friendship 101 - Introduction to Friendliness
Who:
When: June 29th
Where: Starting at the library, and from there who knows?
What: Lux attempts to teach Lavi how to not be a terrible friend by carting him around the near shore
Warnings: This will probably be both cute, but putting a Potentially Heartbreaking warning here. Just in case.
[ It didn't take her long to arrive at the library, and after Lavi agreed to meet with her in person, Lux may have been a bit more expedient than usual. Rather than going inside, however (she wanted to give him some space after, well, that happened), she waited outside of the building, scrolling through her phone and developing some kind of agenda.
If he was going to rely on her for something like this, she wanted to make it well worth his wile. That, and it helped defuse the somewhat nervous energy that was starting to hang over her. This would be fine, really... ]
When: June 29th
Where: Starting at the library, and from there who knows?
What: Lux attempts to teach Lavi how to not be a terrible friend by carting him around the near shore
Warnings: This will probably be both cute, but putting a Potentially Heartbreaking warning here. Just in case.
[ It didn't take her long to arrive at the library, and after Lavi agreed to meet with her in person, Lux may have been a bit more expedient than usual. Rather than going inside, however (she wanted to give him some space after, well, that happened), she waited outside of the building, scrolling through her phone and developing some kind of agenda.
If he was going to rely on her for something like this, she wanted to make it well worth his wile. That, and it helped defuse the somewhat nervous energy that was starting to hang over her. This would be fine, really... ]
no subject
Realizing that he had asked for Lux's help, especially that one favor of his to befriend his goddess, Lavi knows he can't back out now.
So, for all he can really do, is finish what he's doing and brace himself.
Lux isn't the one he really has a problem with, so it should be fine. (He ignores the way Lux deserves better than to be dragged into a mess he and Allen had created.)
It doesn't take very long before he goes out to the front of the library, immediately noticing Lux waiting for him. A smile appears on his face.]
Did I make you wait long?
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But then, it was for her as well. But she had to keep her eyes forward. One foot in front of the other; she was bound and determined to make this better, or to help it along.
Seeing him step through the front doors, Lux took a step out, smiling bright as sunlight and throwing her hands behind her back. ]
Not at all.
[ It wasn't a lie, nor was it overly forced. This could be all right. ]
So I had some thoughts on where we could go, but I want to hear about your friend first. That way I can come up with some good suggestions.
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Remembering Cardia after he's told her about becoming a nora for the god Lavi himself isn't quite sure he likes, it's something he's resolved to do.
It takes a split second for Lavi not to jerk at actually seeing her. It's still too raw; there hasn't been enough days for him to properly register what has happened, but that was alright, wasn't it?
Just keep walking forward.]
I can't tell you much without breaking her trust, but I know that she seems to think lowly of herself. She enjoys reading books on various topics and she enjoys sweets. She's--kind.
[How much can he say without needing to divulge too much information about Cardia?]
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Waving a hand somewhat dismissively in the air at him, she continued to smile. ]
No, no, that's all right, I understand. You don't need to go into specifics.
[ Listening to him speak, however, the other shinki blinked a few times. A girl who thought lowly of herself. Someone who was perhaps a bit bookish and kind and, if Lux could be so bold, a person who the man in front of her thought quite highly of. Even if she herself did not.
You're a good person, Lavi.
Her lips curling into something of a warm smile, she brought a hand up to her cheek, as if in thought. ]
I know of a few sweets shops we could look at.
[ Not like scouting them for herself, of course. ]
Oh! I believe there is also a secondhand bookshop somewhere around. They might have some interesting finds there. Those might be a good place to start. Have you noticed her gravitating toward a particular genre? What about desserts you've seen her enjoy, or heard her talk about?
no subject
But there will be no denying on Lavi's part that he does care greatly about Cardia. He's not sure if it's because of their partnership, but she's a valued person in his life right now. She has and always will be his priority.
He studies Lux for a bit, blinking.]
She seems to enjoy reading any book she can get her hands on, especially on history. I'd rather not get her any books concerning alchemy or any type of science novels, though. Otherwise, she seems excited enough to read just about any book she can get her hands on. [A head tilt as he thinks about the last question.]
....I'm honestly not sure about sweets. [Here, he looks a bit sheepish.] But I do know that it's not very often she gets to eat it so it's something of a delicacy to her.
no subject
Don't worry, she would keep that secret for you as well, Lavi~
Balling her hand into a fist, she tapped it once, twice lightly against her jaw in thought, head tilted slightly, and eyes skyward. ]
Books on history... The library would have some, I imagine, but we can't exactly take them out for long periods of time. It's a shame, because there seems to be a lot of interesting things there.
Oh!
[ Looking back down at him, Lux perked up. ]
What about history and stories about this place? I know that there are gods not from this world, and if your friend is interested in reading about a wide variety of topics, that might be a good place to start. Legends and stories are especially interesting, and say a lot about a place and its people.
[ Not to mention she had her own vested interest there, so Lux might have had more knowledge there than she would let on. ]
But why are you reluctant to get her anything on science? That seems a bit odd.
[ Regarding food, however, Lux's hand fell, and she blinked a few times, not quite understanding. ]
She doesn't? Why not?
[ Were prayers hard to come by for them? Lavi, she can teach you the proper technique for
shamelessly advertising your temple like the shrewd businesswoman that she wasgetting business if that was really the problem... ]no subject
Though, it's not really a secret so much as him just not wanting to acknowledge it verbally.]
She'll be interested in those. She was reading on some myths lately so it'd be good.
[A blink and he just. Musters up a smile.]
She's read too many science books. It'd be good for her to branch out. [That'll be the only thing he'll say on the matter.
Lavi blinks once, not sure how he could exactly describe it. How does one explain that food instantly melts the moment it touches Cardia's skin?
He chooses not to properly explain.]
We just haven't chosen to buy a lot of sweets is all. [They get prayers enough. They're fine. But Lavi may or may not begin regretting asking Lux for this kind of thing. A hint of discomfort flickers in his eye, but he just rubs the back of his neck.]
Instead of just standing here, maybe we should go?
no subject
Except he probably already knew that too. Not that she knew that herself.
(Why was she always the last person to know about these things? It was rude!)
Seeing him rub the back of his neck, and the way he almost seemed to prod them forward, she began to wonder if this might be such a good idea. Was he having regrets? Very likely, yes.
And not just regrets about calling her out here...
But that was all right. Pushing through, a smile still clear on her face, she was bound and determined. He wanted to do something nice for his goddess, and she wanted to help. ]
Right, it doesn't do much to just talk about these places, now does it?
[ Sorry.
Throwing her hands behind her back, the shorter shinki led the way, walking in silence for a moment. Then finally looking up, one hand cupped over the other behind her back, she broke her silence. ]
...I was surprised you were willing to meet me like this. I'm glad, actually. I never got a chance to properly thank you.
[ A pause. ]
Does she know?
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Not that Lavi knows about it.
But the redhead knows it's not simply regret keeping him from being direct with Lux. Not with how he can be with other people he's begun to talk to - others that he found a kindred spirit in easier than the other shinki with him.
Even so, he was the one who requested her help; it was only right he didn't attempt to push her away now.]
I just don't like open spaces for this sort of thing.
[For talking about a potentially private matter, he means.
He walks after her, a blink as he listens to her.]
You don't have to thank me. [For helping Allen, for fighting by his side when she couldn't.
Lavi glances off to the side before nodding.]
She does.
no subject
Smiling like she might have been caught doing something unbecoming (she had, just now), the shorter blond craned her head to look at him, trying to disguise that somewhat guilty look.
The one that was just as quickly gone, discarded and replaced with a positively radiant smile. ]
Then I will have to visit some time as say hello. I certainly don't want to give your goddess the wrong impression.
[ A beat as she threw her hands back behind her, still smiling somewhat brightly. ]
I know we're looking for things that she might like, but what about you? And don't just say books, or "this isn't about me," or something like that.
[ Was she plotting something? Surely not. ]
no subject
There's something about tricksters that leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, as if it's a familiar feeling. Even so, he doesn't call her out, lowering his hands.]
She isn't upset with you guys, but I'm sure she'll appreciate getting to meet you. [To finally meet the people who's been giving Lavi a hard time and causing her to get stung or blighted as a result.
Damn it.
Lavi looks a bit surprised.]
I'm...actually not sure.
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But hearing that his goddess held no ill feelings... ah, that was a relief. Judging from the state he was in when he appeared at their church, it was likely she suffered as well. So knowing that was like lifting a weight from her shoulders. She could breathe easier. ]
Then I'll have to add that to my list of things to do.
[ Not today, of course, but soon. With treats and books, apparently. The types that Lavi was holding out on. Broadening her horizons was one thing, but Lavi that was just cruel.
His surprise, however, piqued her interest, and canting her head slightly to peer over at him, she curled a finger at her lips. ]
I suppose we'll just have to figure that out today as well. Although at this rate, we might just have to start a list for later.
[ Okay yes, maybe she was plotting.
Rounding a corner, she took them toward their first stop. Nestled between two larger shops, it was easy to miss; the only indication being a small sandwich board outside, with some kind of poetic message written in fancy calligraphy.
A second-hand bookshop. ]
And here we are, first stop.
no subject
It was definitely an experience for Cardia to see Lavi returning in such a state, though.]
Seems like you have a long list. [Since you always have something to do.
Listen, Lavi isn't good with this sort of thing. It's why he's asked Lux in the first place, or rather, she volunteered and he never said no. If he asked Kairi, it would have been one thing or even Izuku.
He curls his fingers around something in his pocket.]
We can just focus on getting the gifts for her.
[In other words, no. Lavi is fine without getting anything.
Gifts aren't really his thing, so receiving any would leave him puzzled, to say the least.
Lavi does perk up a bit though upon seeing the bookshop.]
Nice little place.
no subject
Oh, do you think so?
[ It's that she can't sit still, even for a moment. She can't stop moving, or else...
Or else she might regret not doing everything she can with this second chance of hers. And because if she could do what she wanted, live the life she believed her past self might have loved, and one that she could truly be satisfied with, it would be that. Something that kept her busy, where she could make people smile and laugh.
A place where those around her could be happy, and live life to the fullest. That was how she decided to "live" her life on the Far Shore, wasn't it?
And she decided before; you were her responsibility now too, Lavi.
(Just don't think she'll only resign herself on getting his goddess a gift.)
Still, she looked positively radiant when he saw him perk up, a sort of "see, I told you I would make this worth your wile," kind of smile curling her lips. Yet shoulders shrugged gently as if she wished to play the whole thing off. ]
I stumbled across it a few days ago, while looking for study materials. From what I understand, they have a number of hard-to-find books. Apparently people come here to sell ones they no longer want to keep.
[ Said in a tone that almost said "but why would you do that..?" Genuinely perplexed, what is a book you don't want to keep? These things exist???
And in something of a playful gesture, she snags his sleeve with her index finger and thumb, pulling at him a bit. In we go! ]
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[The way it seems to him, though, is almost as if Lux can't stop moving. As if she has to keep on walking for something.
Lavi never really knows what to do with his second chance other than the fact he should be grateful he got one at all. There's half a mind to wonder how it'd be like if he was a god instead of a shinki, to wonder how bad it'd be to actually remember everything from his past, but it doesn't matter.
He's made friends, he's found people worth fighting for.
Would Lux eventually be included in that?
A soft sound escapes from him.]
People do that. But it's better than throwing books out, I guess.
[Lavi is surprised when Lux suddenly tugs him in.]