[semi-open]

[windsongs]

WHO: Hibiki and assorted
WHERE: Various places around Stygia and the Shadowlands
WHEN: The first half of November
WHAT: General catch-all post
WARNINGS: Drunkenness and depression, and some really, really bad movies. Will add more warnings as needed

Open starters coming soon! If you would like to plan a thing, feel free to message me over Discord (Pearl#7619), Plurk (impearls) or by PMing this journal!

Comments

@dodgeouttahell

[windsongs]

[ How does the old saying go–be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home? And as someone who hasn’t felt like she’s had that in years, the storage space that she’s renting from one of the marketplace shops… well, it doesn’t feel like that either, but outside of her Door, it’s the only place that feels remotely hers. A former attic storeroom that some enterprising shopkeeper realized they could capitalize on, the flat was one of the few spaces that Hibiki could find that was at least somewhat furnished. She would have to wait until the carpenters finished her bed (but she can cry about how much it cost right away! :D), but at least the mattress was there, sitting in a far-off corner on the floor.

It isn’t much, but it’s at least partially hers. Also, incredibly drafty, but she’ll sort that one out later. She doesn’t plan to stay there much outside of heavy work days anyway, so it’s fine.

She has told a few people about her new abode, with Zagreus being one of the first. There was a reason for that, something that she had been planning while not having a complete crisis of self care of her shadow. A little treat held in one arm, wrapped smartly with brown butcher's paper and fastened with twine. That would be for later, as a thank you for being there for her after the Ritual a few weeks ago. On the table it goes, to be enjoyed once he arrives. Which should be about any time now. ]

[dodgeouttahell]

[Any time is, indeed, now.

Knocking softly on the door, Zagreus looks down at himself to ensure everything is nice and proper for visiting a friend. Not that there's anything different about him, really, but it's the first time he's done so, after all. It's much unlike his close ones back at home, who were lodged in the House's winding and labyrinthic halls and corridors, who he walked past frequently and met in their common rooms, or happening upon a shade residing somewhere in a chamber or space somewhere in Hades.

The closest thing he had ever done to this was visiting his Mother in her evergreen cottage. And even that is different, somehow.

So, with a little bottle of artisanal mead under his arm, he waits for Hibiki to answer the door. A beat, and:]

Oh, Gods, this is the right place, isn't it? [A mutter, suddenly apprehensive. It must be, right? He's usually good at following directions.]

[windsongs]

[ Hearing a voice fretting on the other side of the door, Hibiki smirks. Yeah, this doesn't really seem like it would be somewhere a person would choose to live, but the price is right and she's used to living in small, somewhat drafty places. This is old hat for her.

She doesn't let him wait for long, opening the door and grinning at him brightly. ]

Yep, definitely the right place. [ Don't be a brat, Hibiki.

Moving out of the way so he can make his way in, she notes the bottle under her arm but chooses to say nothing. She'll ask about that in a moment. ]

Can you close that behind you? I wanna keep the warm air in. But make yourself at home!

[dodgeouttahell]

Oh, hello! [Eyebrows shooting up, he smiles straight away at the cheekiness, and makes sure to brush the soles of his feet on the mat before entering with a soft 'excuse me, then'. Zagreus grins, closes the door behind him, and looks around with something on his face close to wonder.] Wow, would you look at this place! This is nice, Hibiki. Thank you for having me. [He doesn't leave her wondering about the bottle for longer, holding it out for her.] Here! This is for you. A housewarming gift, so to speak.

[windsongs]

[ It's not much, but she's proud of what she's been able to do with the space and the resources provides. ]

Thanks! It's still a work in progress, but I'm happy with how it's turning out.

[ Taking the bottle before looking at it, the blonde grins. ]

Wanna crack it open? I picked up some stuff from the bakery a couple doors down that we can have too.

[dodgeouttahell]

That sounds perfect. [He grins, and keeps peering at the flat.

It's nice, and somehow, it feels like Hibiki. Comfortable and warm despite being drafty. He can tell it's a place that hadn't seen a lot of people recently, what with the empty spaces and corners here and there, the emptiness that keeps a place from looking well-lived. He surely knows his room back at the House looked over-lived, mess and all.] Is there anything I can help with? I'm not much of a Chef, but I can help carry stuff out of the kitchen if necessary.

[windsongs]

Nope, not allowed. You're a guest here at Chateau Fujiwara, so I'll take care of everything! So go ahead and take a seat, let me dig out some glasses.

[ Yes, she is actually calling it that from now on. Deal with it.

The kitchen itself is nothing more than a small stove and sink, something that the landlord clearly installed in haste when they realized that they would be renting out the space. Rifling through one of the boxes, she pulls out two glasses, rinsing them out before bringing them, the bottle and the wrapped parcel over.

There isn't much seating to choose from, but there's a small couch near a makeshift coffee table that looks comfortable. ]

Here, go ahead and dig in. They are some hand pies I helped make earlier today. They're cold, but they should still be pretty good. I'll pour us some drinks.

[dodgeouttahell]

Oh, well, if you insist. [He bows his head slightly sheepishly, though not without the lingering quirk on his lips.] If Milady commands it, I have no choice but to abide. [He does a slightly teasing bow as he walks towards the couch.

Peeping at the pies, Zagreus chews at his lower lip out of contained covetousness rather than actual appetite or hunger. Gods don't need their food as much as mortals do, but it doesn't change the fact that eating does replenish some of his energy every now and then.

And it doesn't mean that Shades and their counterparts don't feel gluttony at all.] They look delicious. You're sure you don't mind? Which should I cut a slice for you of?