Reclaiming Lost Felicity

[kingkingcxiii]

♥ Who: Regis, Cor, and Cor's closest friends & family
♥ Where: The Lucis Caelum Home: Senior Version ;-P
♥ When: Evening, May/Ealom 5th
♥ What: A celebration of the birth of a man truly worthy of celebration, even if he thinks differently.
♥ Rating: PG/PG-13, please mark if it goes beyond that!

[Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that the first time Regis really seems to come back to himself--or at least the self he was before having returned home and lived those five years--is when it comes time to plan Cor's birthday. Much like Regis himself, Cor would rather his birthday go unremarked on, and much like Cor himself, Regis can't let that happen. It's an even trade really, which is probably why they've never gotten too mad at each other for all those surprise and not-so-surprise birthday celebrations over the years.

About a week before the party, Regis sends out invitations to all of their closest friends and family through his tablet. Cor doesn't do large gatherings when he can avoid it, so it is best to keep this out of the public eye.

Warmest Greetings!

I hope this letter finds you all doing as well as possible. It has been a rough month for our extended family, but this is not something I wish to linger on. Instead, I would rather speak of a much happier topic; one I would like to request your assistance in handling.

For those who don't know, and I suspect this is most of you considering how our dear lion is, May 5th--or Ealom 5th as the natives apparently call this month--is Cor's birthday. He is like me in that he doesn't really feel a celebration is necessary, but as he would not allow my birthday to pass with no celebration, I feel it is my duty to return the favor.

On the evening of the 5th I would like you to join us at the house for a small celebration of Cor and all that makes us love him. I have asked the owners of Affurgato to prepare the food for us, so there is no need to bring food unless you really wish to.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII

P.S: In my personal opinion, he should be showered with gifts, but they are by no means necessary. I know he will appreciate your presence more than any gift.

In the evening on the 5th, Regis will be waiting with a welcoming smile to greet anyone who shows up. Cor will be there, even if it takes a little coaxing on Regis' part. However, Regis cannot guarantee how easy it will be to find the birthday boy at times. Cor is Cor, after all. Fortunately, Regis and Noctis have both had a hand in helping those at Affurgato prepare foods both with an Eosan taste and that Cor really likes.

Using them as bait may just be a valid option...]

(OOC: Mingle for Cor's birthday is a go! Post your top levels and have fun! For reference, the house's layout is here.)

Comments

Birthday Boy~ OTA

[flawed_immortality]

[The evening of the 5th is going to go as unremarkable as any other night, so far as he knows. At least until the first visitor arrives and Cor is left rolling his eyes in exasperation at his King. He is willing to linger in the main area of the house most of the night though. When it's only a few people, people he considers family, it's easier to deal with.

Occasionally he slips out to the back patio under the pretense of checking on his new blooms, just to have a breather away from quite so many people. Mourning the fact that one of his closest friends can not be here. Clarus wouldn't know what to do with so much peace, either, but they could complain in solidarity at least. Still, it is a passing thought, sharp and painful but not something to dwell on.

Mostly he can be found hovering over the platter of sushi or sprawled on the couch beside the fire, idly musing on the fact that it's a shame no one has any playing cards.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ It's during one of the moments that Cor has slipped away for some quiet that Honerva encounters him; perhaps accidentally. She'd needed to get out of doors just for a little mental space for herself from this entire scenario, and there he was.

Though she has not come empty handed, and perhaps it is fitting that he is making a pretense over his flowers, since she also had been wondering where would be best to... present her gift to him, a medium sized gift box with silver and teal wrapping not quite held in her arms but supported by a soft glow just above them.

What ends up happening is that she ends up lingering, watching his back awkwardly for several long minutes while deciding what she might do or if she might wait and seek him out later, while Kova slips out from behind her and brazenly betrays her presense with a questioning Mrow. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[If she thinks he's not keenly aware of her presence she is mistaken. He is a soldier first and foremost, and paranoid to boot. Being unaware of someone entering the room he's in is not something that would ever be tolerated. But he doesn't acknowledge her if she doesn't reach out to him first. He knows well how very uncomfortable public spaces can be for both of them.

He's honestly touched and a little surprised that she came.

And there is the furry little traitor, begging for attention.]

You don't have to stay, you know.

[The words are gentle, spoken over his shoulder, not quite turning to look at her. He doesn't want to make her uncomfortable.]

But I'm glad you came.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Only once the party has begun to wind down--food is being packed away, people are saying their goodbyes--that Regis seeks Cor out. The gift he has to give will likely provoke an emotional response, and he is not going to make Cor deal with that on top of having to deal with people, no matter how close those people may be to him.

There is a slightly guilty smile on his face when he approaches his old friend.]

I hope you managed to enjoy yourself a least a little? Lup and the rest of the staff at Affurgato did an amazing job with the food.

[flawed_immortality]

[He's said his goodbyes for the most part. Half the people here are simply going to retreat back to their individual rooms for the night so it is casual at best.

The look Regis gives him when he approaches earns a sigh, exasperated but affectionate. He takes another step, closing the distance between them, curling his arm around his King.]

You know I did. And yes, Lup is... well, literally magic in the kitchen.

[this_loser]

[Someone has playing cards. And he's poking his head out the door and looking around before the rest of his body follows. He approaches the couch with a toss of the head back toward where he'd come from.]

Hey. Party's inside. Did you get lost?

[flawed_immortality]

[Cor looks up at Prompto and draws in a deep breath. He can't expect to escape for long but he needs a little breathing room sometimes. But he knows better than to argue, as much as he wants to beg off for a few more minutes.]

Not lost... just misplaced.

[There's a wry little quirk of his lips but he stands to meet Prompto, immediately reaching out to grip the blonde's shoulder.]

Sorry.

staggers in late with fantasy starbucks

[necromanswers]

[At some point when he's coming back from one of his garden disappearances, Cor is ambushed by a sudden arm loping through his by the doorway, and there's Lup with a cheeky, victorious grin.]

Aha! Caught you at last.

[flawed_immortality]

[It says a lot about how comfortable he is here and with the people here that he doesn't so much as startle when Lup ambushes him. He just offers her a smile, using the arm looped through his to draw her in for a kiss before heading towards the living room again.]

I didn't know you were trying to capture me.

Honerva | OTA

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Having been invited, Honerva is present, likely having arrived with Lup. While it is not an official Affurgato event beyond the catering assistance, Kova is along as well because... well, he's like that. Granted the cat tends to stay close to Honerva; he's not on the clock here, though he might be tempted away for some pets by others on his terms.

Mostly Honerva seems inclined to take in the atmosphere of the main area of the house, observing quietly; there are a lot of people here for Cor's benefit, so she can wait her turn for that. However, if someone passes close enough by for conversation, she'll indulge them, or offer to help get a plate for them... even if it is probably unnecessary, is she a guest or is she working? Perhaps she's uncertain which, or just isn't used to these sorts of gatherings and trying to distract herself. ]

Re: Honerva | OTA

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis approaches Honerva during one of the times when she is away from the food, a relieved smile on his face.]

Hello, Honerva. I was starting to think I would have to ban you from the food table. You're a guest, after all; you should be relaxing. Have you gotten to speak with Cor yet?

[shroudedsecrets]

[ There it is again; that strange familiarity with which Regis greets her that reminds her so strongly of another. It surprises her, her brows knit together, briefly perplexed, before she shakes her head slightly, in an attempt to free her mind of the association, vague it may have been but so powerful in that moment, before looking back to him, apologetic but refined, some soft humor in her words. ]

... Hello, King Regis. I suppose it can hardly be helped; I find it more relaxing to be working...

[ And it says something, when her work here is not exactly relaxing either, but at least it is something grounding, an excuse to not participate in mingling, to keep her occupied when Lup has moved elsewhere or has asked her to. ]

He and I spoke briefly, but I am certain he will have many wishing for his company... and he will require some respite from the attention.

[ So... no. She hasn't really spoken much to him yet, beyond him catching her eye when he entered or left the room, or even given him her gift, though Regis may have noticed she did arrive with one; a nicely wrapped box of a medium size, though safely tucked away under some chair. ]

[scourgingstars]

...Are you feeling quite well?

[oh it's this guy again, anxiety given human(?) form]

Forgive me for saying so, you merely seem a touch uneasy.

[shroudedsecrets]

...Only a touch?

[ She's been called out enough times today to take to it ruefully and even with some humor, a slight dip of her chin, but it can't be helped. At least he is familiar, with a bearing as cautious as her own. ]

It is... all right. It is only that I am still not accustomed to these types of gatherings, even as private as this one is.

[iustaegis]

[ Did she just offer her to get her food? ]

Hoooonerva.

[ Nope. Nope. That's going to be Pyra's arm slipping about the other woman's in an effort to get her to stay put. ] You're not working here! Come, sit.

[shroudedsecrets]

-- Pyra...

[ Well. She won't... contest that too much. Even if she's been trying to work, to keep herself busy, she acquiesces to Pyra leading them to somewhere to sit instead. ]

Well, if you are certain. I would not want you to have missed getting something.

Re: Honerva | OTA

[this_loser]

[The great thing about a family party is that he knows everyone here. No awkward wallflowering. So eventually he rolls on up to wherever she's stashed herself.]

Hey. How's it going?

[necromanswers]

[Aaaaand here's Lup, sidling up beside Honerva to bump elbows.]

Well? It's been ten minutes. Who did you talk to, and how'd it go?

Ardyn | ota

[scourgingstars]

[A rough month, certainly. Difficult to forget, but easy enough to set aside for now with a second gathering to be had. Gods forbid he fail to turn up for Cor's birthday when the reverse had so readily been done for him.]

[...Besides, he kind of lived here. It would have been far stranger not to make an appearance.]

[If nothing else, he was a bit easier to find than Cor--and trying very hard to be more approachable than the average wallflower. Quiet as he was, he would at least manage to offer a smile to anyone approaching him, usually keeping his hands occupied with a cup of coffee or some variety of snacks. He'd probably learned to do that much just to dissuade anyone concerned about not seeing him eating, but at least he was doing it despite the reasoning.]

Re: Ardyn | ota

[kingkingcxiii]

[To be fair, Regis wouldn't have gone so far as to drag Ardyn out by his ear if he had chosen not to come, but it would have worried him, worrier than he is. Thankfully, that isn't the way things go, so Regis is able to approach his redheaded uncle with a smile instead of a concerned frown.]

How many times have you seen Cor slip away? I've counted three so far. He's doing pretty well, if I do say so myself.

lup | ota

[necromanswers]

[Parties are never that quiet with Lup around; a social creature to the core, she'll float from person to person, making sure they're getting their fill of food, confirming the quality (as if she needs validation! she does not.), or just making sure everyone is having a good, or at least tolerable time. Don't be surprised to find her sidling up next to you, all smiles, with a casual call for attention,]

We having fun yet? Try the smoked tuna before you answer, it's spectacular.

[Or maybe,]

I think this party is crying out for some music. Know if anybody's got a Fantasy iPod?

[Or, for the less-acquainted,]

Hand up! This is the part where you say hello.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Lup may not need validation that the food is good, but she is certainly going to get it if Regis has anything to do with it. He is beyond happy with the service and how well she and the others at the cafe took the many suggests he and Noctis had about making the food more like that from Eos.]

I don't know how to thank you for all of this. It is really beyond what I imagined when I asked for your help. Are you taking a little time to enjoy yourself? Cor will have my head if he thinks you spent the whole night working.

[scourgingstars]

[????]

[Clearly startled, Ardyn raised a hand more defensively than anything else.]

Ah--h-hello?

[iustaegis]

[ She's here because Noctis has brought her along, but she's equally happy to be here just because there are of a number of those she particularly favors in one way or another in the room, Lup being among them. ]

Lup!

[ Time for a hug for a greeting, if she's open to it. ] Ah, did you and your magic provide the catering...?

ota

[iustaegis]

[ She's arrived with Noctis, and she'll remain polite throughout the gathering as a guest. Pyra has brought no playing cards with her, unfortunately, but she does have a smile and many genuine kind words to say. Perhaps you've done your hair differently for the occasion-- she'll remark how nice it looks. Or maybe you're wearing a new satement scarf. That, too, she'll admire! Or maybe you simply look more at peace, happier than usual-- she'll come in with a softly spoken "Enjoying yourself?"

Beyond that, she can be found looking at ease among others, fluttering about to anyone who appears open to having a conversation about this, that, the food, the house, the world, and the beauty of it all.

You might catch her reminiscing, though, when she's alone. The last time she had been here was... New Year's... ]