abraxaslogs | maybe i'm a mess

[ A very dramatic exhale happens when Hilda prods him as if she's wounded him, an old habit that never gets old (to him), and in 'retaliation' he reaches to lightly tug a lock of her hair he winds around his fingers for that purpose before letting it go. ]

So you're saying we get full control over picking out what else is going to go in the kitchen? That's a bold choice.

[ He's certain that's not at all what Sylvain meant especially with so much actual construction to go on. There's the matter of their rooms, the outside space - cost, probably, depending on what goes into that contract he's found he's already eager to have a chance to look over.

It'll be easy enough to write up their specifications for what they need or want, and it'll be something more than the standard inn rooms. The community there is one he's grateful for - and it's been long enough to branch out further into something they can make their own and he lets go of Hilda to turn now to look back through the doors into the loft. ]

I think I heard something about a clawfoot tub needing to go in here somewhere. Maybe multiple of them, while we're at it?

[ Claude's retaliation is met with a swat of her hand. ]

Bold, but probably the right choice.

[ Not that she would steamroll ahead on any sort of shared living space. Would she have opinions? Absolutely. But this wouldn't just be hers to have.

Her mind drifts to the Aquila markets, recalling that there had been a tile maker in the pottery district she could go back and look at to ask about some options to accent various parts of the loft. She knew there was a limit to what they could spend because they only had a finite amount of money, but a girl could dream. And bargain.

If she wanted to stay busy, this new project had practically been a gift wrapped up with a bow and dropped right into her lap. ]

Well since Sylvain doesn't care about the kitchen, we could just build one right in here right? I was thinking maybe right beside the kitchen island or something. Or maybe across from it.

No putting tubs in my kitchen!

[ He calls it after them with a shake of his head, laughing to himself as he turns to follow. Even then, he's far too excited to even be exasperated about it.

But clearly letting the two of them loose without supervision is a terrible idea so he follows them in to halt anything too outlandish before Hilda decides she wants a sauna placed next to the stove. ]

[ No tubs end up in the kitchen - for now - even if there's still plenty of construction to be done on the loft by the time moving day arrives. The threat's certainly still there since it could happen even if his (joking) suggestion to think of it as an oversized sink to wash in has been (correctly) shot down several times over.

It's somewhat bittersweet to be saying goodbye to the inn which served as all of their first homes here, but that just leaves room for another adventure. Claude's become more aware that the rift between him and Hilda, somewhat one-sided until he stepped back to give her the space she seemed to be requesting, isn't something he'd imagined on a late night. But pretending Everything Is Fine in a strange situation is something he's rather familiar with and more than that, he's determined to not cast any shadows over an exciting day for all three of them if he can avoid it. The box of belongings in his arms he's bringing in is one of hers. He's pretty sure.

The heft of it is rather substantial and he's ready to be rid of it by the time he makes it into the main room where they're organizing things to go into other rooms a bit later. ]

Gods. [ That could be muttered if it wasn't for the fact that he's doing it intentionally dramatically and at a volume meant to be heard for entertainment's sake as he sets the box down. ] What'd you pack in this one, Hilda? Bricks?

[ Claude's just conveniently ignoring that wherever his books are? They're just as weighty. ]

[ Hilda continues to play off the distance between them as her preparing for their move. For someone who had been there six months with substantially less money than she was used to having, Hilda had accumulated a fair amount of stuff. It only made sense that she (Perry) was taking the time to pack things up and sort through her possessions that she no longer wanted or used.

Much in the same way that she hadn't done the majority of her packing, there is little box carrying and moving of things happening right now. She had managed to actually acquire a little trolley from their landlord and Perry was using that to push some of their boxes along. The trolley breezes into the main room with some very obvious boxes marked "BOOKS - CLAUDE" on them and she gives them a pointed look before looking at Claude as the trolly comes to a halt beside him.

As the boxes begin to float (albeit a little lower to the ground because of the heft) one by one to the ground and she begins to unpack them she replies breezily. ]

What good would bricks do, Claude? That one just has a small anvil I got in the flea market. [ She's being serious. ] Sylvain, do you think we need another bookshelf? I feel like we're already hitting our cap.

[ Sylvain just shoots Claude a knowing look with a faint smirk on his lips from where he's unpacking things in the kitchen, boxes stacked up on the counters around him. ]

You know, the anvil was your idea in the first place, so I don't think even you can rightfully complain about that. [ He's totally helping. ] And no, Hilda, I think we're good on bookshelves, considering we have a wall in here, another room full of them, and whatever mountain of books Claude ends up hoarding in his own room.

I still say whatever's in my room doesn't count! It's like they're not even here then, and besides that? It just leaves more space for both of you to use the shelves.

[ This is his One Comeback to the amount of books for which he is not at all apologetic, and especially not when they've enabled him into having all kinds of bookshelves. That Sylvain lists them off is all the more reason it's a triumph in his mind, really.

Except - ]

Wait, are you serious about the anvil?

[ It might've been his suggestion, and it might've just clicked. He looks to the box again and then to the trolley (but not actually at the boxes of books which would prove he doesn't have any room to talk, definitely not) and then finally to Hilda and Sylvain in mock accusation. ]

Hold on. How did I get stuck moving this inside while you guys just move things around in here?

I just don't want to see any books stored on anything that isn't a bookshelf. That means no books on the floor.

[ Since when has she really cared all that much about where things go though? (The answer is truthfully, a fair amount despite how messy she is.) This is mostly about continuing to relentlessly give Claude a hard time and has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she's probably just as bad of an offender as he is. ]

You could just open it up and see for yourself.

[ If he does, it is in fact a small anvil. She gives him a bright grin as she pulls out several books about herbology and desert plants. They're stacked neatly on the small coffee table they're acquired for the purposes of sorting their belongings. ]

I still had things to pack up in my room and Sylvain was already here so by process of elimination that left you. Thanks so much again for volunteering.

Not to mention you both were busy all week so guess who got volunteered to help haul in Hilda’s clawfoot tub up a set of stairs. [ He pauses to give her a playful scowl. ] I think I pulled something, actually. Maybe you two should move the rest of the boxes.

[ He groans and dramatically flops over the countertop, but the display is completely ruined by the grin still lingering on his lips. ]

And we all know we’re never going to see Claude’s floor. Ever. Which is why we’re keeping the door closed and I’m going to pretend that room doesn’t actually exist.

[ There's one scoff first at the idea of volunteering, and then another louder one at the insult to his poor not even unpacked yet room. ]

Is this the thanks I get for hauling all your things around? [ To no one's surprise, he's going to immediately spiral that out into something more Dramatic than before for potential laughs. That's complete with ignoring Sylvain having to drag around a giant tub that's probably (definitely) worse than this supposed anvil he's still partially convinced Hilda is kidding about (he shouldn't be). ] I'll have you know that the floor in my room has always been visible even if both of you have conveniently short memories about it. Especially when both of you have borrowed those books a time or two or five, and that just means they're benefitting everyone.

[ He's going to finally open the box during this last proclamation, and sure enough: an anvil is gleaming back at him. Huh. ]

I think we should just make this thing the centerpiece of our dining table. Better yet, it might look nice on the kitchen counter for a place of honor.

[ Happy to play along, Hilda sweeps over to Sylvain's side - pointedly leaving Claude behind with the trolley full of boxes. Sliding up beside Sylvain, her eyelashes flutter as she puts on the sweetest smile in the world for him. ]

I told you I'd let you use the tub from time to time, didn't I? Think about how nice it'll feel soaking in it with some salts after carrying it all the way up here for me. [ Seemingly remembering the Deer she's left behind Hilda looks back towards him. ] And I guess you can too, Claude even though you're being a little rude and implying that we have short memories.

[ Perching her elbows on the counter, she lazily watches Claude finally unpack the box in question. His statement is met with a roll of her eyes. ]

If you do that, it's going to wind up on top of a stack of your books. Just you wait.

No books in the kitchen unless it's a cookbook. One I'm currently using.

[ He quickly adds that caveat with a sideways glance at Claude, just so his kitchen doesn't suddenly get inundated with every cookbook they own all at once. But he's grinning, amused by the easy banter, relieved that whatever's had them both a little off over the past several days seems to have eased up a little in the midst of the chaos of moving.

Setting aside a stack of plates he'd traded for in the marketplace, he shifts to drape himself over Hilda where she's propped on the edge of the counter, playfully flopping there. ]

Was that you offering to unpack everything else while I go soak for the afternoon? How generous of you, Hilda. Especially because even thinking about the state Claude's room will be in by tomorrow is so stressful, I think I might need a nap.

[ You're not the only one who can be overly Dramatic, Claude. ]

All I'm hearing is that you're not ruling out there being a lot of cookbooks as already established that Hilda and I are going to be buying. Besides, you can't really limit yourself to one at a time, can you? What if you need to reference something in another one?

[ It's equally a possibility just as much as it could be Claude looking for a loophole there. A pointed glance at a shelf in the kitchen that's currently not occupied as of yet that'd be perfect for storing all those cookbooks goes with it since Sylvain's not getting out of the plan to find things for him quite so easily.

Anyway, with complaining temporarily on pause he lifts the anvil out of the box to set near some other miscellaneous crafting tools of Hilda's to make sure it doesn't get lost in the shuffle of everything else going on. After that he looks at the boxes of books yet to be unpacked and decides those can wait in favor of sauntering his way to the kitchen to lean on a different part of the counter. ]

By the end of this I think we're all going to need some kind of spa experience, whether it's the bathtub or an actual spa since there's no replacement for the ones in Nocwich. That'd really be the ideal reward for hauling all of this stuff around, wouldn't it?

[ More importantly: he (probably) also can't get himself banned from there, unlike Hilda's bathroom. ]

[ She's quick to lean into Sylvain's, doe eyes and eyelash batting in full force. At this point she's just playing both sides - not that she thinks either of them really mind if their past banter has been any indication. She didn't mind it either. Well, usually she didn't. ]

Or what if you wanted to combine some of the recipes because one has something you like over the other? The last thing we'd want is for you to feel lost while in the kitchen.

[ At Sylvain's next remark about her taking over the unpacking, her eyes widen for a second before narrowing and she immediately puts some space between them. Betrayal. ]

Claude's idea is a much better one. The clawfoot tub is big but it's definitely not big enough to fit all of us. [ But now that she's spoken it into existence, someone is probably going to try and test that particular statement. Her expression brightens suddenly, eager to move away from this idea that she'll be do any kind of unpacking. ]

Oh, I know! Why don't we go for Sylvain's birthday? That way we have something to look forward to once we're more settled.

[ That's enough to interrupt any comment he'd been about to make, because he just stops and blinks at her in surprise instead. ]

...You know when my birthday is?

[ At least he's assuming so, since she brought it up at all, especially in relation to the timing of their move. But it still catches him completely off-guard. ]

[ He's got plenty of thoughts on agreeing with Hilda about the wonders of mashing two (or more) recipes together to specialize in creating all kinds of brand new ones. That's how cooking's supposed to work, right? Right. Those plans are put on hold temporarily since when Hilda mentions going to the spa for Sylvain's birthday, that replaces his train of thought. That's perfect timing. It's basically around the corner and basically lines up with the weekend the portal's open. They couldn't ask for things aligning better than that right there.

As he's opening his mouth to second that motion and appreciate Hilda for mentioning it, Sylvain speaks up. The confused glance Claude shoots Hilda's way is real before it's turned onto Sylvain next even if it's not lost on him the man in question looks equally baffled, albeit for another reason. Kind of. ]

Uh. Is there a reason we shouldn't know your birthday? If you were hoping to keep it secret, might I remind you of who you live with?

[ Kidding, but also - not really. ]

[ All traces of hopeful wriggling fly out the window at Sylvain's outburst; she had been serious despite her initial not-so-selfless intent. What better way to celebrate a birthday than a paid for trip to the spa?

Her gaze skips over to Claude just in case he knows something she doesn't which at this point, she wouldn't be so shocked to discover that were the case. It seems that he's just as surprised as he is though. Sylvain didn't seem the sort to be embarrassed about people knowing his birthday, but maybe they had misread something. After a beat of blinking back at him in surprise Hilda jokingly asks - ]

Did you get banned from the spa without telling us? Because I guess we could go to a different spa if that's the case. [ There's another beat. ] Unless you had plans already? As in the two of you, I mean.

No, I...

[ He stops, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that they'd know something like that. That they'd still remember it after they hadn't been at the Academy together for over five years now. He's mostly just shocked that they'd ever known what it was in the first place.

It's not that he'd kept it secret - Dimitri and Felix and Ingrid usually got him something for his birthday each year. And the Professor had treated him to an afternoon tea with his favorite treats. But outside those people? He's not sure anyone had ever bothered.

The fact that both Claude and Hilda seemed to know precisely when it was - and seemed more surprised at his surprise over it - was a strange thing to wrap his head around.

But he just shakes his head, pushing his surprise away before they read too deeply into it. Or more deeply, because he recognizes that expression on Claude's face all too well. ]

No, I didn't have any plans. [ He hadn't even intended to bring it up. He adds, with a roll of his eyes at Hilda and briefly sticking out his tongue as he tries to lighten the moment, teasing her. ] And I haven't been banned from the spa. In fact, they like me a lot there, believe it or not. It would be fun, if we all went together.

[ There's still something about Sylvain's reaction which doesn't sit right with him. It's more than surprise about them knowing the date, he's fairly certain - even more so when that sentence starts and stops and Claude can practically see the unseen shift happening. What it means, however, is lost on him; something better left to be thought about later considering he also recognizes the transition back to lighter things. ]

Hey, lucky us. We get a space in Sylvain's busy schedule all to ourselves to make sure the day's as festive as possible.

[ With a grin to Hilda, mostly to make it clear that by plans he means for all of them even if it'd been implied otherwise in what she's said. He's pretty sure, even though he's not sure on why that wouldn't be the case. Maybe mentioning it outright will make it extra clear. ]

I've only been to a couple of the smaller spas, but there's some far fancier ones we can see if Sylvain will be kicked out of, [ with a smirk to Sylvain for good measure, ] though I'd rather you get to enjoy them. At length, too, because why go for just one or two things when we can go for a bunch?

[ Now he's regretting not taking one of the brochures home on the last visit so they could do some more specific planning. But: given how good they are at thinking on their collective feet, he's sure they'll find plenty to do. ]

[ Hilda casts another confused glance at Claude, clearly not understanding what it is about what they've said is causing Sylvain's brain to stutter. Maybe it was a surprise that she remembered given the outward impression she put on for people? That seemed unlikely considering it was Sylvain who knew her better than that by now. The truth is she's always had a penchant for dates, particularly birthdays for the sole reason that she enjoyed showering people with gifts.

Claude had noticed something was off though which was enough to make her think that there was something else there. She's unlikely to forget this happened, but she's also just as likely not to breech the subject when she's already under the impression that there's a wall between them that she can't see. Surely Claude will talk about it with him, right? That's not her place.

She attempts to shake it off, catching Claude's grin in the process which prompts one of her own. ]

I think I know just the place. Someone treated me to a facial there once so that should fit the bill nicely.

[ It's a long, boring story about one of the local werewolves hoping to win her affections - not that interesting in hindsight particularly because nothing had come from it. ]

We can make a whole day out of it! That sounds like fun, right, Sylvain? Especially because Claude is offering to pay for most of it. But I guess I could pitch in a little too.

Did he offer that? [ Sylvain sounds amused at that assumption, tugging on her hair. ] You two aren't going to conveniently forget to bring any money with you again, are you? Because I doubt they'll be as patient with it as that poor cafe worker.

[ He's teasing, a bemused glance cast sideways at Claude, since the other man had been trolling them that night. ] But it does sound like fun. I haven't really tried any of them out, beyond the one I stopped at our first weekend in Nocwich. I'll leave figuring out what we're doing and where to you two. That is really not my area of expertise.

Hey, I don't remember saying that. [ He grins as he reaches out to tug on what strands of Hilda's hair he can reach by stretching across from his corner of the counter, though notably: he's also not saying no to it as an idea. ] Anywhere you've been is somewhere I'm happy to go considering I know that means we'll be in for the best there, as we should be. Especially for a whole day like Hilda said! We'll be as relaxed as ever afterwards.

[ Relatively; there's some things that even spending that much time at the spa can't clear away. That's nothing he wants to bring up, nor is he going to confirm or deny forgetting ("forgetting") a way to pay this time around.

Instead he hums thoughtfully, though Claude pauses to narrow his eyes in mock suspicion at Sylvain next. ]

Wait a minute. All these weekends and you haven't been back since? [ He immediately sends another Look in Hilda's direction, this one implying some possible mischief. ] Well, in that case, and if you're handing over complete control over this experience for you - don't mind if we do.

Hey! [ There's a word of protest as not one, but both of them tug on locks of her hair. Her hands swat playfully at the pair of them and giving Sylvain a gentle hip bump. Claude is just lucky he's on the other side of the counter. A fake pout paints her face. ] I said I'd offer to pay too!

[ The night of the gala is a hazy, soft glow but she fully recalls almost not being able to pay for anything at the bakery because she had left her purse behind. For what it's worth she had gone back the next morning before they left for Cadens to drop off a huge tip so she felt absolved in her behaviour. To say she's determined not to let that happen this time around is an understatement.

At the sight of the Look from Claude, Hilda skitters around to the other side of the counter to his side, looping her arm through his and shooting Sylvain an eerily similar expression to the one on Claude's face. ]

Everyone starts off as a spa beginner. Luckily you've got us! You'll be in good hands, we promise.

[ Sylvain just gives them both a suspicious look, because he doesn't trust those matching expressions at all. ]

Uh-huh. I'm totally reassured right now. I'm not going to have any regrets about this at all, I'm sure.

[ Yes, that sarcasm is thick enough to cut with a knife. Luckily, there's still fond humor in his gaze as he shakes his head at both of them. ]

Okay, okay, I will trust in your spa mastery. But we're not going anywhere until we get the house unpacked. So get out of my kitchen so I can finish. [ And he makes a shooing motion with an impish grin to wave them out of his way. ]

You should be and shouldn't, in that order. We happen to be very adept at plans.

[ Plans of both the good and questionable varieties, of course. Whether some of those lean into what some might consider bad isn't something he's going to confirm, since he tends to think all of their plans are rather genius ones. Claude's quick to wind his arm back through Hilda's since they're a Team. Happy future birthday, Sylvain!

He's still going to scoff that that dismissal to get out of the kitchen like they've been seriously wounded in the process. ]

Hear that, Hilda? Now he's bossing us around. I think that means we just need to really look for something to reassure him in what's to come.

[ He sounds all kinds of offended to go with that, but Claude's also grinning as he steps back from the counter to pull Hilda with him. ]

Let's go find a home for your anvil that's somewhere that won't make Sylvain yell at us about organizing things. [ But, in a whisper that's basically full volume he adds, ] We can just set it back in the kitchen later.

maybe i'm a mess

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