Take these stars from my crown

[flawed_immortality]

♥ Who: Lucis Family + SOs
♥ Where: The food testing area
♥ When: Late Nov/Malom
♥ What: The Eosians getting together for a family gathering.
♥ Rating: Probably just PG?

Cor made a point of getting to the tower early so he could make some preparations, setting the table for the full family. Even Will is coming and that is so strange. Cor has never once in his life had a +1 for any kind of event. Yet here he is setting a table for nine instead of eight.

The prep work had taken weeks of going over the correct textures and tastes with the research team, something Ignis had taken on the bulk of the work for while the others worked on the wall. Still he was confident that they were close enough to get a solid match on many foods, leaving some of their bet recipes only very slightly off from the originals. Cor had taken over rolling a large selection of sushi as well as a light starter soup. Some of the more robust recipes had been Ignis' purview but, if nothing else, Cor is an efficient prep cook.

All in all there's a pretty spectacular spread when everyone arrives, something for everyone and a familiar Altissian berry cake for dessert.

Comments

[carbungle]

[!!! betrayal? by his trusted retainer!? not a chance. more likely than you think]

I'd notice if there were legs sticking out of it.

[scourgingstars]

Not if they were hidden well enough.

[carbungle]

[.....A SUSPICIOUS LOOK.]

Don't give him any ideas.

[scourgingstars]

My dear nephew, Ignis does not strike me as the sort of man who needs to be given ideas.

[carbungle]

Yeah, try growing up with him always around. He picks up ideas from strange places all the time.

[He sits up a little straighter, taking on a serious, rather thoughtful expression... and a poor imitation of Ignis' accent.]

"I've come up with a new recipeh."

[scourgingstars]

...

. . .

[There was a briefly stifled sound from Ardyn at first, a hand quickly brought to his mouth as he tried to process that. But ultimately there was no fighting it, and after a second or two Ardyn started sincerely laughing for the first time in at least two thousand years.]

[carbungle]

[Noctis may not fully realize the extent of this accomplishment, but he does at least acknowledge that this is the first time he's ever heard Ardyn laugh. Even the strange, altered version of him in the future had never uttered more than a rare, derisive chuckle. Like the man himself, this is quite different, and Noctis finds it oddly satisfying. Thus he lets it run its full course, not wanting to interrupt or distract.]

[scourgingstars]

That--that's absolutely terrible.

[you know, like you're TRYING to sound like you disapprove but you're also laughing too hard to deny it's also hilarious.]

[carbungle]

What're you talking about? It was flawless. It- hang on, I forgot the snap.

[He snaps his fingers melodramatically.]

"That's it!"

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn laughed into his hand, trying to at least somewhat compose himself.]

Do you do this when all your friends aren't watching? Perhaps I should be cautious.

[carbungle]

Not really. ...Not always. It's the price he pays for being a nag my whole life.

[Ignoring the words, there's an unspeakable fondness in his tone, much as he tries to mask it through a dismissive gesture. Signs of a very long friendship and a level of comfort that is difficult to reach without time and familiarity to develop it.

Ignis is a nag, yes, but also in many ways dearest to his heart.]

[scourgingstars]

Truly an awful fate, to have someone who cares for you so. However do you survive?

[carbungle]

Stubbornness, most days. I hear that runs in the family.

[He leans over to give Ardyn a meaningful nudge with his shoulder. Right? Right??]

[scourgingstars]

...Perhaps just a bit. It may be something we should consider working on.

[carbungle]

You know, I actually can't imagine that? Sounds way too boring for our family.

[Which... is a lot less weird to say out loud than it used to be. Huh.]

[scourgingstars]

Hm...you may be on to something. Why be any less than what we are, I suppose.

[carbungle]

Yep. If anyone doesn't like it, they've got bad taste.

[Let some of that brash young ego rub off on you, Ardyn.]