abraxaslogs | maybe i'm a mess

[ Sylvain just casts her a knowing smirk and tugs her ponytail. ] The point is that you can have both those things. Come on, he said he'd leave the door unlocked for us. There's an entrance from the side here.

[ Sylvain leads the way around the side of the warehouse, following the directions the owner had given him and, sure enough, finds a large set of double doors that lead to a sturdy staircase heading up. Another set of doors await them at the top and, pushing these open, they step out into a massive open space that spreads the breadth and width of the warehouse.

Despite Hilda's concerns, the place is clean and airy up here. The rafters are high overhead and a good half of this space has high arching panes of glass in intricate metal domes to let in sunlight from above. Off to their right, it's easy to see the section that was portioned off for use as a kitchen and makeshift office for the owner, and Sylvain gives a low whistle as he goes to inspect what's already here for them to work with. ]

If their construction guys can build us rooms of this quality through the rest of the place, I might just be impressed. [ This might be even nicer than the one at the Inn, he thinks, as he goes to prod at the stove curiously. But after he glances around, he turns back around, gaze going to search for Claude and Hilda's reactions, shifting from one foot to another as he worries his lower lip. ]

Well? Thoughts?

[ Claude, for his part, is doing his best to (unsuccessfully) smother a smile at Hilda's hierarchy of house wishes as if there's a chance she's going to have to choose one out of everything. Sylvain has that handled, so he falls into step behind their leader while still studying the outside of the building and the grounds. Perhaps the inside is more promising than the outer grounds look without the benefit of hard work going on across it.

And as it turns out, the inside is in far better shape. More like rather nice shape, he has to admit when he stops in the middle of the space and turns in place slowly to scan everything in as much depth as possible. It takes more than one leisurely spin, but there's much to appreciate. This room hardly feels like the building they walked up to what with the ceiling stretching up into the rafters and the windows letting in enough light so it barely feels like they're inside at all. There's another smile carefully suppressed when Sylvain's first destination is the kitchen, though Claude himself goes to move to one end of the room by a glass-paned door which looks to lead out to some kind of terrace. He'll investigate that in a minute.

Now it's time to put those visions to work. It takes but a second for him to sketch where the space could be partitioned off into other smaller ones before walls even come into play. ]

This would be a nice sitting area thanks to this, [ with a point up at the ceiling above where a cache of windows all point towards each other to form a polygon of them meant to let as much light or night sky in as possible, and then next to a bank of windows lining the kitchen area in a small alcove, ] considering it comes with a view. And here would be a good spot if you wanted to grow, say, some herbs to put to use in the kitchen. The other side of it might be a good place for cabinets.

[ Claude might've been skeptical at first, but: there's near infinite possibilities here if they're truly allowed to customize it. Maybe that increase in enthusiasm will help Sylvain fidget a little less. A flash of a grin comes next first for the man in question and then their resident jeweler when he gestures to yet another well-lit area further out where a large workbench could fit with plenty of storage for everything to go with it. ]

Here's where your anvil can go, Hilda. Better yet, we won't put any walls around it so everyone can admire your work with a giant hammer.

[ The tug of her ponytail is met with a 'tsk' that is more reactive than annoyed as she swats his hand away before taking up the rear behind them.

With this place being on top of a working warehouse, she half expects to hear the noise from below drift upwards. It isn't as if she expects pure silence when she's in her living quarters; in fact she had become accustomed to some level of it after the Academy and then living above the Sarstina's tavern for months now. But the chatter and laughter of students, and sometime raucous singing in the tavern is entirely different from that of machinery.

Surprisingly whatever noise there is is muffled and they're left with the sounds of only their shoes against the floor along with their voices filling the space. Faintly she wonders if there's enchantments lining the walls to dampen the noise, but that's for a mind much smarter than hers.

Acoustics and earlier reluctance aside, the wheels in Hilda's own mind begin to turn as she surveys the space available to them. Something akin to excitement bubbles in her chest. In her mind's eye she can see Sylvain working away happily in the kitchen, can practically smell the tea, cakes, whatever he felt like making filling the air. She could also see Claude tending to the herbs and plants that would undoubtedly fill the walls - some to eat, some with other questionable and side-eye inducing purposes, but all growing happily under his care regardless. They could probably put those plants elsewhere, preferably far from the kitchen.

The thought prompts the slightest curve of her lips can be seen before she turns to the view that the alcove provides. They could easily turn this into something livable, she thinks. Not only that, they could turn it into something warm, a safe space for any of their friends that might end up here in Abraxas. And by then, if that does come to pass, whatever awful feeling that has taken root in her heart will be a thing of the past.

It doesn't escape her that when she thinks 'theirs', she doesn't see herself as part of the equation, at least not in the long term. But she's already steeled her heart from the trip up earlier. Now isn't the time or place. The hopeful nervousness in Sylvain's voice and Claude's bright grin means she has a role to play here. When she turns around she gives Claude an aggravated look. ]

I'm not getting an anvil! [ Expect maybe she'd get little one. She pauses, dramatically looking between the pair of them before the corner of her lip twitches. ] How big of a space are we thinking for the library? Maybe we could put that over there by the seating room where we could host people? And I'm asking because if we get enough bookshelves, there better not be any more books in someone's bed. Or on the floor. Or on the kitchen tables, or -

[ Really, you can stop her any time because she's probably going to keep going, which is to say that she's clearly coming around to it. ]

[ Sylvain just starts laughing, actually, hands propped on his hips as he wanders back over in the direction that they were both inspecting. Shooting Claude a smirk, he drapes an arm about Hilda's shoulders and leans into her a little, dark eyes bright with laughter. ]

I wouldn't hold your breath. I suspect we're going to have two libraries. The actual one, and whatever room Claude claims as a bedroom. Maybe we should just make sure they're not far apart, so we don't have so far to carry them all back when the shelves start looking empty?

[ His gaze scans the interior of the huge loft, bright and eager, because he can see just as many possibilities in here as they can, and it's even better shape than he hoped, from the owner's description. It was going to take some work, but the fact that they could make it suit their needs... that was the most tempting prospect of it all. ]

Hey, I do know how to put books away!

[ Complaining feels right here even if Claude's never once demonstrated this ability in their apartment aside from placing them into stacks. Stacks which may or may not be on his bed - and several other locations - at some points as very helpfully (and accurately) pointed out, and that much he can't refute. Why not run with it instead? ]

All I'm hearing out of this is that both of you want to give me even more space to fill up with books, and I'm not going to argue that. Sounds like a benefit to me, really, and in that case? [ One sweeping gesture to the longest wall in the room, and then immediately with a wide grin - ] I'm claiming this whole wall for bookshelves so there's plenty of space. That's fair, right?

And just so you don't think it's all for me, that many shelves means everyone gets a few. Some for Hilda's books for the crafting she's doing, of course, and something else important as if I didn't notice the kitchen investigation: the stash of cookbooks Sylvain's about to accumulate that you and I get to benefit from.

[ This last addendum is said while walking back over to where they're standing and with a nudge to Hilda's arm as said benefactors and like Sylvain's not going to protest being assigned as the resident chef. ]

[ She shoots a shocked look up at Sylvain even though the hint of laughter is bright in her own eyes as she leans into him in turn. She knows a gang up on Claude when she sees it - but that doesn't mean that she's willing to accidentally agree to a ~~real~~ hypothetical scenario. ]

Wait, who said anything about we? If they're in his room, I won't be the one responsible for cleaning them up.

[ Said like she was ever responsible for cleaning any of Claude's books up wherever they may have landed. Or like she'll ever be responsible for them even if they might belong to her some day.

Leaning into Sylvain is somewhat short-lived as she shifts her weight back into Claude for the briefest of moments. Mischievous glee sparks in her expression as her lips curl. ]

I do remember someone banning us from the kitchen. It'd be a real shame to let a lovely kitchen like this go to waste. I'd be happy to buy you some books if it means you'll feed us, Sylvain. I might even put one of those books away if I really like the dish.

[ Sylvain just folds his arms over his chest and regards them both with amusement as they try to wheedle their way into "convincing" him of all this.

Joke's on them. He's already feeling possessive of the very nice kitchen. And he's well aware of the alternative if he doesn't claim it as his domain.

Which is what has him poking a finger lightly into Claude's chest with a smirk. ]

I've tasted your attempts at cooking, Your Dukishness. Trust me, never having to repeat that experience will not be a hardship. And Hilda, love, I know very well you'd spend more time trying to delegate every step of it to someone else that we'd probably starve before a meal is ever finished. So I'm not going to argue and you're both lucky I paid such close attention to Mercy and Ashe and Dedue when they had kitchen duty.

[ There's an immediate swat to that finger prodding him and a scowl to go with it over the title. Even if it's not really a title, but it's close enough to activate the frown going with it. He's willing to admit his kitchen skills are all kinds of questionable, but at least he'd never made anyone ill from his cooking shifts. ]

Sheesh, you make it sound like I'm in the same league as Flayn when it comes to cooking. Which I'm not, thank you very much.

[ There's a feigned level of haughtiness in there only for as long as it takes to get those sentences out since it feels appropriate with the title appearance, but that's about all the protest Claude's going to put into not having to cook. Meals have been a nice benefit of living at the inn, so if Sylvain's going to take over that? That certainly works out well for all of them.

Which is why he's immediately going to lean over to Hilda again and speak in a stage whisper as if Sylvain's not right there and able to hear everything. ]

Maybe we'd better spread out the buying of those cookbook to make sure there's a way we can keep bribing him into cooking for both of us. Or maybe we can ask the construction crew to upgrade the kitchen a bit more and add some other features to help out.

[ There's another ulterior motive in there just like when he'd semi-planned out a workshop for Hilda aloud a bit ago: it's making sure both of them get what they want out of the space even if there's parts they might not outright ask for themselves. ]

Edited 2023-05-17 03:02 (UTC)

[ For what it was worth, Hilda did know how to cook. Her dislike lay in the actual preparation of the food and whether or not the person eating it would actually like it. Oh right. And she hated standing over a hot stove. Much like Claude, her thinking was in the same vein. Sylvain's cooking wasn't bad and he paid attention to what they liked eating so she certainly wasn't going to complain if he was going to do most of it.

Her eyes stay delightfully trained on Sylvain even as she stage whispers right back to Claude. ]

I think a cookbook every month should work right? That way he can have time to work through the different recipes.

[ She clears her throat then, returning to a normal volume. ]

Hey Sylvain, if we were going to improve the kitchen, what kind of things would you want to see?

I'm not going through a cookbook a month, even for you two.

[ He rolls his eyes at them, since their play at subtlety wasn't even a little convincing, even if there is still a smile fighting to break free around the corner of his lips. He clearly doesn't mind either way. Luckily for them, he actually really does enjoy cooking. And even the concept of keeping house for family - at least when it's appreciated, anyway. He's so used to keeping his own space tidy that it had been easy to extend that in their Inn quarters. He doesn't see that changing much here.

Then again, he doesn't mind that much, either. He doesn't have a whole lot of other responsibilities on his plate right now, so why not?

But instead of dwelling on that, he lets his hands rest on Hilda's shoulders and gives her a nudge towards the large glass-paned doors he can see from here, intent on distraction before they come up with ridiculous ideas for the kitchen. ]

Let's go take a look at the terrace. I bet we could put a garden in out here. You know, besides the plants we're using for cooking. Or that Claude's plotting people's untimely demises with.

Nice try, but you don't get to avoid Hilda's question so easily by throwing out talking about a garden and plants. Who do you think we are?

[ Claude's including Hilda in this protest because that wasn't even a good sidestep and they are Determined. Plus, not answering the question only makes him more curious about 1) why that's happening and 2) what the answer would be. All the better to prod Sylvain a little bit more in the process while he's at it since he's not letting it go without something more specific for too long.

He's going to trail along with them anyway as Sylvain leads a path to the terrace and Claude's busy eying the walls (or lack thereof) inside for future possibilities of what they could ask for if the owner's willing to cooperate with them. Indoor plans and the number of cookbooks Sylvain's going to get whether he actually wants them can wait, because the outdoor space? ]

Wow.

[ That sums it up, right? It's impressively sized and far bigger than he'd thought it would be, especially because it'll have space for a garden and then... seemingly just about anything they might want to have out here. Claude spends a second turning in place just like he did when they'd arrived, then shoots a grin back at the both of them. ]

I think we just found the biggest selling point of this place considering we wouldn't have to climb onto a roof just to enjoy the outdoors for a bit anymore. [ And with a point towards the end closest to the doors they'd just walked through, ] Here wouldn't be a bad sitting area or to have another dining table set up out here to enjoy it whether Sylvain complains about melting or not.

[ Hilda doesn't have a particular inclination towards gardening. Watering plants? Sure. Easy enough. But the act of getting dirt under her nails or the prospect of finding bugs or bugs crawling on her? No thank you. The beauty and possibilities of the terrace isn't lost on her though. The sun is beginning to peek through the clouds outside and the warmth of the concrete radiates from beneath them.

She stretches her arms up into the air like a cat stretching in the sun. ]

While Sylvain thinks about the answer to my question - what do we think about a setting up a little pergola that you can grow some climbing ivy on. That should take care of some of the sun.

Or [ She smiles sweetly over her shoulder towards the red head. ] I could get Sylvain another sunhat. We want to protect that handsome face of his, don't we? Nothing throws a wrench in romance like a sunburn.

[ They were much easier to distract when they were drunk. Maybe he should have taken them wine tasting before they went apartment hunting.

But instead of answering anything about the kitchen, he gives a quiet, dramatic gasp at that smile Hilda shoots him over her shoulder. Dipping down just enough that he can wrap his arms around her waist from behind, he lifts and spins her without warning, smirk playing at the corner of his lips. ]

Are you telling me you're going to stop loving my face if I turn into a lobster? How cruel, Hilda.

[ But he drops an exaggerated kiss on one of her cheeks before setting her back on her feet, his grin impish as he glances around the terrace area. ]

I like both those ideas. A big pergola here with some sort of ivy or climbing plant - or maybe even grapevines? - growing over it for shade. I bet we could fit a little seating area and a dining corner under one if we stretched it between these two walls.

[ There's a grin on his face as he watches Sylvain spin Hilda around before kissing her cheek; it's an easy sort of affection to both watch and receive as he's learned when it comes to the latter, and seeing it here is no exception to appreciating it. Sylvain's still not answering that question, though, which really is just inviting the opportunity for Claude and Hilda to figure something out without his input.

Not right now, at least, since he's back to appraising the space to see if the area can really fit both of those things. It might be a little on the tight side based on the furniture he's picturing which surely is something easily customized. At the same time it sends his mind down a different path as he looks to the other end of the terrace again and then back to this one - but not exactly at eyesight level like before. ]

A pergola would be nice. Same for the grapevines if someone's offering to make wine out of them. [ A joint hobby for all of them, possibly, though Claude sounds more than a little distracted as he steps forward more into the center of the area. ] What if, and hear me out on this, we keep this end with the dining setup and still have the pergola and grow something on it, flowers or otherwise, and then -

[ Now he holds both hands palms out in front of him towards more empty space before moving his arms out like he's clearing something away to let this picture take its place. ]

What if we asked about them building the sitting area as something lofted with enough room underneath for storage or more garden area? It doesn't have to be like a full other floor, maybe just enough for a small staircase up to it unless we really want it to be higher, but then we could have more of a view of what's around for whatever scenery that might provide. Another pergola can go on that too, but you'd better still get him the hat, Hilda. Wouldn't want to take any chances here.

Hey! [ Being picked up and spun around is a surprise to say the least. Her noise of protest is short-lived, especially because a giggle bursts from her lips seconds later at the kiss to her cheek. ] You're putting words in my mouth. I'm not that shallow. But even you have to admit that an actual lobster would be far more difficult to kiss. I'm sure Claude would agree.

[ Her gaze flits back towards the green-eyed man, no implication there apart from jokingly ganging up on the red-head. Unfortunately it will take more than a kiss and a twirl to make her forget what they've been discussing. Not having a picture in front of her hasn't stopped her from envisioning what Claude is trying to paint for them. ]

So you're basically trying to turn this into a mini version of the courtyards at Garreg Mach, right? [ It's an idea she's certainly open to. Her memories of the courtyard are fond whether it's laying out on the grass on a sunny day lazily dozing, or partaking in tea between classes or during whatever free time they had. ] I could see it. I'm guessing you two will be doing most of the gardening though, right? I can already see the line up of hats I'll get you two.

[ Sylvain just groans at that as he slumps against Hilda's back, forehead thudding lightly against her shoulder. ] That's it, I'm never going outside again.

[ But a moment later, he's picking his head up to shoot them both hopeful smiles, glancing back and forth between the pair of them as he searches their expressions. ]

So? Thoughts? How do you guys feel about this one?

[ Claude just shoots her a grin right back, one that's only encouraged to grow somehow even wider at Sylvain's complaint following it. That's half the fun of doing such things, even if none of them believe any proclamations about never going outside. ]

Now that you say it, the courtyard's a good comparison. Maybe a little less sprawling since we only have so much space here, but I bet we can make sure there's a good spot for you to sit while you watch the two of us toil away around you.

[ Not that he minds, really; Hilda has enough going on with her jewelry ventures and they've already done their fair share of weeding the monastery grounds at Teach's insistence. Why not get to relax with something they'll all enjoy now? Or, well - the gardening part will be relaxing for him, anyway.

Claude's still looking around picturing what all they can put into this empty space just waiting for them until Sylvain speaks up again - not about sunburns - and he glances back over with a smile. ]

I think this is far more promising than basically every other place you've taken us today, if that helps narrow it down. What's the timeline like on when we can move in, or will that depend on what we ask for?

Edited (wrong claude whoops) 2023-05-22 18:46 (UTC)

Funny you say that, because that's exactly the image I had in mind. [ She shoots Claude an easy grin, a rare one these days. ] But can we maybe throw in some fans? And some grapes?

[ She's teasing. Mostly. Clasping her hands behind her back she turns to face them both. ]

It definitely had more promise than what it looked like on the outside. It's nice that it isn't as noisy as I thought it would be too. [ She may as well cut to the chase about her opinion; Claude after all has asked the important questions. ] I'd be happy to stay here as long as you two are.

Yes!

[ Sylvain gives a playful little pump of his fist in victory, because the possibilities of this place had made it by far his favorite option on the list, even before they'd gotten to see it in person. He hadn't been sure they'd think the same, however. ]

And I guess the timeline'll depend on how much they need to build and if we want to live here while parts of it will still be under construction. I think he said at least two weeks before it would be livable, what with the walls and plumbing needed and all that, but he estimated about four to six weeks otherwise.

[ Sylvain's immediate cheer is too endearing, and the direct result of all those careful checks for their opinions throughout everything. Something that'd happened at the others too but less so than here which told Claude all he needed to know about the other man's ranking of this on their list of potential homes. Hilda's own embracing of it is the last puzzle piece needed for it all to fall into place. Of the important things outside of construction, anyway. ]

I guess it can't be any worse than living in the monastery while it was being rebuilt. [ That's an optimistic take on being in the midst of construction - and construction that'd be far closer than a tower being repaired somewhere across expansive grounds - but this will definitely be worth it. ] But we could always delay it a week or so past those two weeks just to make sure more's settled when we move in.

[ And also, just as importantly in his mind, he slings an arm around Hilda's shoulders with a smile and adds purely because there is no other option in his mind despite teasing, ] That means you're stuck with us both at the inn and here for even longer, if you can handle that.

[ Even if the fist pump and his little victory is for show, Hilda thinks it's adorable. Endearing even. It's not often she gets to see that sort of excitement on Sylvain's face and she can't help but think that it suits him far better than the mask of niceness that he had put on for her during their Academy days. To think that they'd come this far is incredible to her. ]

I'd almost rather be at the monastery if there was construction going on than trying to sleep in when the construction workers start their work here.

[ An attempt to say it wryly is dashed with the smile creeping across her face. She gets swept up in it all, the romanticization of a life that could be theirs after some work, time, and a little money. She doesn't even flinch when Claude throws his arm over her shoulder, so enamored with it all. But then he says something that makes that romanticized life come to a grinding halt. She can't help but groan in an attempt to cover up the anxiety beginning to creep across from the place where Claude's hand rests against her shoulder. ]

Oh, great. Maybe I can just go and stay in Aquila while you two stay at the Sarstina? I've got some business there anyway. I'd love to just get one good night's sleep without being woken up by someone snoring.

[ Who the 'someone' is is kept ambiguous however. ]

Edited 2023-05-23 05:26 (UTC)

[ Sylvain's gaze shoots to Hilda a moment later, brow furrowing slightly in focus as he gets slapped with an emotion that doesn't at all match her expression. It pops up so suddenly and strong that it catches him off-guard and he has no idea what caused it.

But he doesn't exactly want to draw attention to it just now - if she's hiding it there's got to be a reason, right? - so he just gives a protesting huff and crosses his arms over his chest. ]

I do not snore.

Hey, we've been over this! I don't snore either, so you must be hearing someone else next door.

[ With a squeeze of Hilda's shoulder in mock reproach as he puts on a frown that's less effective thanks to a laugh threatening to break through it. It's the world's least convincing attempt at looking offended, and Claude doesn't bother trying to hide any of it. ]

That or Sylvain's not aware he snores with that denial since, you know, he's asleep.

[ The act passes as quickly as it began when Claude surveys the area again, still thinking of all the plans for it and the inside just waiting for what they end up asking for to make it just what they want. It's difficult to not smile so he doesn't try to avoid it - and as a result, the smile on his face is more genuine than it's been in days. ]

All the more reason this place will work out even better than the inn since we can't have your sleep disturbed like that.

[ The sound she gives them is one that is completely unconvinced. One of them snored and it certainly wasn't her (her unfortunate sleeping habit was drooling, which she would vehemently deny until the end of time).

She gives Claude a quick poke in the side that is meant more chidingly than anything else. ]

You can't just throw poor Sylvain under the bus like that. [ Don't say she never defends you, Sylvain. ] You're both next door, so one of you is lying.

[ And she's spent more time in Claude's bed over the years than she has in Sylvain's to know that the brunette isn't immune to snoring after a particularly long day. Some level of tension dissolves from her shoulders when her joke that has some partial truth to it goes unnoticed. ]

But I'm glad that someone is being so considerate of my sleep schedule. [ Seemingly satisfied she gives both of them a glance. ] So, what are the next steps then? Do we have to sign some kind of contract?

Edited 2023-05-24 04:44 (UTC)

[ Sylvain lets his gaze wander about the space again before shooting them both a grin. He can't help but feel excited for the possibility of this. As much as he's enjoyed their time at the Inn, having a place that's theirs in this new world...

It feels more real, in a way. More permanent. ]

I'll talk to the owner this afternoon and see what he needs from us. In the meantime, we should probably sit down and figure out what we want. And how we want it to look, I guess? [ He scratches the back of his neck, because that had never been his strong point. ] How bout I let you guys decide that part, actually.

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