interstellar5555 | This is not a holiday to glorify the gods of Asgard! [Open]

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This is not a holiday to glorify the gods of Asgard! [Open]

Who: Meril and Open, Friends, and Band Only
What: Meril tries to prepare for a holiday
When: 2/10
Where: In town and specified locations
Warnings: None expected

1.

With her sleeping problems diminished and her attentions turned to matters beyond terror, Meril ventured out into the world more frequently these days. Two large, menacing men in suits constantly trailed behind at a respectful distance, but by the keyboardist's request, remained uninvolved outside of preventing altercations. For Meril had a mission, and it was one that she couldn't accomplish in a bubble -- she had to figure out what to do for Valentine's Day.

So in a dress that looked nothing like her usual garb but nonetheless suited her quite well, Meril walked down a commercial street, frowning at the window displays in the various shops. Ought she to buy flowers, for this? To present at a dinner, or to present with her request of accompaniment? Would one of these books offer a clue, or were they simply commercial? Chocolates -- were they overdone?

The girl let out a frustrated sigh. "This is needlessly complicated."

Uncharacteristic as her dress was, Meril couldn't hide her hair, either in color or length, so those who knew what to look for could recognize the Defying Atmosphere keyboardist easily enough.

2.

Those who Meril trusted -- those who, strangely, she considered friends -- received a request by text or email with a simple request: meet with her. Wherever and whenever was convenient, so long as it was soon.

And for those who agreed, then wherever they met her, they found the same Meril --oddly energetic, somewhat agitated, and with both hands slapped onto the counter, table, or what have you to emphasize her point.

"I need your aid. I apologize for the imposition, but I simply must make this an excellent Valentine's Day!"

Defying Atmosphere only.

Any of the band who might be overly sensitive to things that go bump in the night might be alarmed by the noise that came from Meril's room. Just a faint sound, half a ripple and half a low thrum, but all alien.

...And then it didn't take an alarmed person to wonder what the heck was going on when a heavy thud came from behind the door. Apparently near the ceiling, no less.

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The teasing would come later. For now, there are more important manners. Luce clasps her hands together, humming in thought. "Well, Greg isn't the type of guy who seems like he'd be up for super ritzy things... Besides, he gets enough of that living in Virgo. So you'll want to try something opposite- down to earth, personalized. I can't recall, do you cook often?"

"I have no ability in that department. I suppose I could make him a sandwich... and for Greg, that might even do, so perhaps that could be lunch." This was Meril's idea of great romance. This is why she needed HELP, Luce!

Honestly, Luce wishes she could dispute that fact about Greg. He'd adore it, more likely than not. So she doesn't immediately dismiss the thought, giving a slight hum. "There'd have to be more than just the sandwich, I could show you a few things... But anyway. Did you know they still do outdoor movies? Well, for a given of 'outdoors'."

"At this time of year?" Neither she nor Greg had a ton of trouble with cold, and yet that still seemed unlikely. "You must mean something particular by 'outdoors' then."

Leaning forward, Luce beams. "I've heard that there's an outdoor movie set up that takes place now and then beneath one of the overpasses- you know like at the music fest last year? A place a bit like that. Out of most of any bad weather, and it won't matter anyway if you take a car there. Try a van, something with empty space in the back or with movable seats. Then the two of you can sit there, have whatever you've brought for food and snacks, and enjoy the movie."

A pause, and she tilts her head to the side with the innocence laid on maybe a little thick. "And if you ever want privacy for whatever reason, all you would have to do is close the back doors..."

"Luce!" Congratulations: the keyboardist was now red as could be. "Your ideas are excellent up to a point, but must you!"

Poor Meril had no idea how to go about the whole 'physical intimacy' thing.

"Oh, did I say something, Meril?" Pressing her hands together in mock prayer, Luce directs her gaze skyward. "I was to be a nun, you know! I'd never suggest anything indecent."

She knows she was never a nun, now. But it's still too fun an idea to use as teasing bait.

"I suspect that in manners of indecency, you know far more than you let on," Meril murmured. But then, Luce also knew a great deal of decency as well.

"An innocent former nun, my dear," Luce repeats, laughing. "Still, come on now. What do you think of the idea?"

Innocent. Don't make her laugh.

"It has merit," Meril said, after a moment of reflection. "Is it significant, though? Is it grand enough? I want this to be truly special."

"Meril." Luce reaches over to take her hands. "It's Greg. The most significant things will be what you've put work into, showing you care about him. It doesn't have to be grand. It just needs to be the two of you. You can add a few more things to pretty it up if you like- decorate the back of the van you sit and watch the movie in- but there's no need for all the glitz and glamour. Trust me."

"I understand that! You do not need to tell me. We do things like that regularly, is the thing, movies and playing games and such. I want this to be special." And yes, she knew that time together was special no matter what and glitz was not necessary... but this, she wanted to be above and beyond.

"In a place outside the penthouse?" Luce prompts before leaning back with a wry shake of her head. "Listen, you can add something more to the basics that will help make it special. Do you want my help? To make the back of the van a little more romantic, to make the dinner look nice, et cetera. I'd just be teaching you a few tricks."

"I take your point, but some flourishes would be welcome. They would show I had gone to effort." That effort would make Greg happier than the flourishes themselves, which she well knew, but if given her choice she would like to have efforts that went well.

"Alright, then." Tapping the tips of her fingers together, Luce thinks. "He does like space an awful lot... So, first, I'd get some of those throw blankets with galaxy designs on them. Something comfortable to lay and sit on. I'll show you..." She starts to go through her phone, talking as she does so.

"And you should find a way to hook up some small lights- you know, like those used for solstice. Mood lighting."

"Oh, that blanket idea is inspired." Thank goodness for Luce, who could understand this sort of thing and guide her. Already the keyboardist looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Laughing at how relieved Meril looks, Luce offers her the screen where a lovely galaxy blanket is displayed. "He'd love it, don't you think?"

"Oh. Goodness." That was far better than anything Meril had imagined, and she lifted a hand to her mouth to cover her overt surprise. "Yes he would. Where did you find that? I must acquire it."

"The internet, my dear, is a treasure trove." Chuckling, she goes to the online store and shows her. "There's even an option to get it delivered in just a day or two! That works out perfectly, I'd say."

Meril interrupted her delight for a wry smile. "Yes, Luce. I am aware of the internet. I was asking for the specific site."

Noting it, Meril hurriedly brought out her own phone, the better to rush through that order.

As Meril places her order, Luce hums and tucks her phone away. "Can you imagine it? The nice dim lighting of that little space, all those soft colors beneath the two of you, eating something nice and homemade and just being close..."

Hey, she's being encouraging.

"I think I can," Meril said, turning a faint red. "Yes, this is the touch I wanted. Or one of them, anyway. This will be perfect."

"Excellent." Chuckling at the look on her friends face, Luce lets her chin rest on the back of her hands. "And then I can try and make time some day soon for me to teach you a few easy recipes."

"Someday I will discover something you are not good at, and I will faint from shock." Meril turned a small smile on her friend, all gentle amusement.

"Sports are one thing," she says 'helpfully', daring to reach over and tap Meril's forehead. "Now, I have to go back before Angel throws a fit. Think you'll be alright doing a little shopping on your phone?"

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nibelungvalesti - 2016-03-13 01:19 (UTC) - Expand

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