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Infinite Consortium, Monday

Liliana sat behind the counter and glared. Dean, still a dog, sat on the floor staring back at her, waiting for the least sign that this was a game, whereupon he would immediately dash off as fast as he could into whichever direction seemed best in his miniscule dog brain, paying no attention to what might be in that direction. Which was why, among other things, she was down a crystal vase that had fallen when he'd slammed into a side table, a mirror that didn't survive him skidding into a wall when trying to switch direction mid-dash, and no fewer than three teacups from differing sets.

"I will absolutely be sending you an itemized list for replacements," Liliana informed Dean. "As well as for refinishing my floors - again! - from your claws." Dean barked several times in response. "Ah, yes, thank you for reminding me," she said. "I need to figure out how to charge you for my lost sleep from your ridiculous noise."

Dean whined, settling down on the floor and resting his chin on his front paws, looking sadly up at her.

Liliana eyed him back, vastly unimpressed. "When I let you out to the beach, do me a favor and run away." Not that she had much faith in that. She had kicked him out several times already, but he would just sit on his haunches and howl until the door was opened and he was allowed back inside. Hence the lost sleep charge. She hadn't brought him with her to work today, he had just taken upon himself to follow her.

"Sadist," she growled. "Go sit on the chair."

Dean gave her a look that suggested that, even as a dog, he wasn't that stupid.

"Can't blame a necromancer for trying," she sighed and resolved to ignore him for the rest of the day.

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In addition to his usual offerings of the expected lunchtime treats for Liliana (and, no, he had not yet lost his appreciation and taste for pomegranates after the party), Ignis had also brought with him a big, meaty bone for the d--for Dean. Yes, the entire purpose of it was to distract the mu--the malformed fellow and give Liliana at least a momentary respite while he was there, but he figured it would absolutely have the added benefit for more than earning him a few points of good favor with them both, no doubt.

He was cautious, though, upon entering the shop as usual, in case the promise of treat prove to lead to an immediate assault (from either of them, really), and though he doubted he'd have any trouble in seeking her out, he still called out her name in greeting.

"Liliana?"

"Here, my darling," Liliana called, still from behind her desk. "Words cannot describe how--Dean, don't you dare."

Fortunately, Ignis could already hear the clicking of Dean's nails across the floor, which, to his credit, was not signaling his approach at a run. Whether Dean had taken Liliana's warning to heart, or didn't want to jeopardize his access to the deliciousness that he could smell, or was simply more inclined towards politeness towards Ignis than he was to Liliana, he at least had the sense to not barrel up to him. Instead, he approached sedately, then sat nearby as if he would never dream of engaging in any uncouth behavior.

"Ignis my love, know that we are never, ever getting a dog."

Whatever the impetus for this particular dose of dogged decorum, it was a good move on Dean's part. Ignis measured the pace of the approach, and the shifting that suggested a creature at rest, and nodded his approval. He then extracted the offering from where it had been protectively wrapped in butcher's paper, but did not give it to Dean quite yet, as if to see if such behavior could truly stand the test once the bone was clearly in sight.

"Liliana, my heart, I'm surprised that we even still have this one."

If it were Prompto, perhaps then he'd understand, but, no offense, Dean, you were clearly no Promptopup.

But, with that now said, he did offer the bone out to Dean, although it came with further instructions: "Now go find a nice corner in which to enjoy it and give the poor woman a break."

"Or go play in traffic," Liliana muttered. Dean, however, seemed in no hurry to obey Liliana's suggestion, but had taken his bone over to a different aisle and now was chewing on it with gusto.

"He keeps coming back," Liliana said in obvious frustration, as she turned to give Ignis her full attention, as was right and proper. "I intend to contact Jane today and have;her come fetch him. And if he runs off from her, my plan is to bring him to a shelter for strays on the mainland and let Dean deal with those complications himself later."

And with that, she was pulling him in to give him a particular bitey kind of kiss, one that spoke of her aggravation and her appreciation for his ability to soothe it.

And, well, speaking of Prompto, Ignis was about to suggest a more concentrated effort with regards to the shelter on the island, but, clearly, Liliana decided that distance was a factor that was left out of that equation, and, quite frankly, Ignis had to agree.

"He does seem to be a rather resourceful fellow," he murmured, but it was with a certain distracted obligation tot he conversation and little else. His attention had shifted entirely away from the topic than he now found it very hard to care about anymore in response to a kiss like that. An arm wrapped around Liliana as he kissed her back, and, while he did, he set the other treats on the desk so that his other arm could join the first.

As was right and proper.

Also, there was the delightful mental image of Dean waking up in a cage and having to explain himself to whatever poor attendant had the misfortune of working at that time. And then find some way to make it back to the island.

Liliana was spiteful, everyone knew that.

And if those kisses did not completely fix Liliana's ill-humor, it was not their fault, simply that they were faced with the herculean task that two kisses, no matter how ardent, would have trouble completing. Three, on the other hand...well, it was certainly worth trying, no?

"I actually had something I wished to discuss with you," she murmured in between one breath and the next, "but you're making excellent arguments otherwise. Unimportant."

And if not three, then surely four would sufficiently get them, if not there fully, remarkably close? She had, after all, had a very trying weekend, and...well, just the fact that Dean hadn't been shipped off to some cage on the mainland was a clear indication on how gracefully Liliana had been handling the whole ordeal, and so perhaps a fifth, too, because such civility should always be rewarded...

"Mmmm," there was doubt there, in that hum, a mild sort of speculative skepticism, "were it truly unimportant, you'd have not mentioned it all, darling. But my curiosity is like a sleeping coeurl; leave it be and it will slumber on, but dare to poke at it, and it will awaken with voracious hunger."

The Ignis just effortlessly understood her most times - far more times than she had made it easy for him to understand her - clearly deserved a sixth kiss. If they were still keeping track.

(Liliana was not.)

"Speaking of voracious appetites..." she murmured, kissing him again-- before leaning back to pluck one of the treats from their boxes. "I do find myselfstarved." Her first bite was met with a pleased hum and she couldn't speak again until she'd finished a second. "Have I mentioned, my darling, how much I appreciate the presentation of the treats you bring me?" She knew she did appreciate it, but she didn't think she'd said so aloud. "They're always so neat and cunning."

She certainly sounded less aggravated. One of kisses three through eight had likely done the trick.

And her leaning back just meant more opportunities for Ignis to lean in and offer more kisses on places other than Liliana's lips, because while an improved disposition did seem firmly secure by now, one could never be too cautious, now, could they?

"A good meal," he informed her, "should be a feast for all the senses one has available to them, and I may have noticed you have a particular penchant for..." He shifted up to catch her lips between his teeth, a soft kiss and a faint grin to taste which of the two options she'd chosen first, "nibbling. And you're also stalling, and seemed to have procured a sharper stick."

Ignis would be shocked to discover that Liliana's lips tasted of vanilla and pomegranate, not pumpkin.

"Truly, truly it's not," she laughed, his lips catching a sensitive spot on her neck. "That was something I'd been meaning to say for ages, but usually get distracted before I have a chance."

Because, as delectable as his offerings were, none moreso than himself.

"I wished to know if there was a general idea of a time when you'd like me to Planeswalk to Eos and how all of that were to be handled. But clearly it's not pressing, because if it were, I would have heard already."

Speaking of pressing, Liliana was going to loop one leg around his waist and pull him further into her.

Ah, but if Liliana really were to want to press the issue of how much space still criminally existed between the two of them, then surely she knew just one leg simply would not do. No matter, though, it was an easy enough solution. Ignis vould just slide his hands down from where they already were to help lift her up, so that her other leg could join the other, and then he settled her on the desk so he could lean forward into her just that much more with a deep kiss to further negate that tragic disparity.

"Well," he then murmured, "it can be whenever you're feeling up to it, although I'm sure if we take too much time, Gladio will start feeling...antsy. The conceit is simple enough, though. Gods willing," or island willing, perhaps?, "only filling but an afternoon. You see if you can 'walk to Eos, and then ensure you can also 'walking back. Then we together give the portals a try back and forth, and hopefully, barring the added security of ensuring Summer has the proper coordinates in her portal gun as an extra measure, that should be that. It's if we encounter any issues with any of those pathways where things may take a more problematic turn."

"Simply then say the word, love," Liliana murmured, cupping his face in chill hands to press her lips to his cheeks before catching his mouth again. "I am willing to keep my schedule open for this."

You know, from all the vast number of items that cut into her free time. "I ought to get back and check to make sure everything is going apace in Innistrad, but otherwise my time is yours." A soft laugh as she kissed her way to his throat. "So long as I get to choose the time we leave."

"I did say 'afternoon,'" Ignis pointed out, in a voice Liliana likely felt as much as she heard, the way it seemed to rumble in his throat as his head tilted slightly back, "did I not?"

"Mmmm," Liliana hummed. "But sometimes you mean early afternoon." She licked the hollow of his throat. "I'm thinking the more civilized hour of, say...three." She laughed, just as low in her throat as his voice had been.

That flick of her tongue, her familiar cool touch, that low and rich laugh. All of them worked their magic to pull the rare sound of his own low chuckle out of him. "No doubt," he mused, "mere minutes before rousing yourself from bed. So much for my hopes of departing at twelve-oh-one on the dot."

And it had been far too long before his lips had met hers, and so a hand drift up to find her chin and gently lift it up so that he could rectify that immediately.

Rare sound? For whom? Liliana heard it several times a week. Everyone else should just get good.

Her face upturned to his, though not before she got a nip in at his throat, and her mouth eager for the touch of his. "See?" she murmured. "Unimportant."

What could be important about ensuring Eos remained open? Besides ensuring Ignis' Ebony supply, clearly.

Clearly.

No one wanted to find out what might happen if that supply was cut from him again.

"Important," Ignis countered with a light objection, some of its firmness perhaps a bit compromised by the smile, "but no. Not pressingly," don't mind him trying to find more closeness between them somehow with that word, "so. How about this weekend? We wouldn't want any hiccups interfering too much with class."

Not only a school night!

Could you imagine? On a school night? The very idea!

Liliana's legs were only too happy to assist with that additional pressing, tightening around his waist, heels pushing against. "This weekend sounds excellent," she said, her hands sliding into his hair. Honestly, she was proud of herself for resisting this long. "Though at some point, we'll have to take a longer jaunt and you can introduce me to those places I've only heard about."

Like the ghost she planned to beat up! And also all the ghosts she intended to bully! Regis she was coming for you.

Listen, Liliana. Technically speaking, the Lucii should have killed Ignis for bearing that ring. But he was granted mercy and able to keep his life because he bore it with no intent for personal gain but entirely as a sacrificial act of selfless love. If you came to them, it should be to thank them!

(Except Regis. That was fair, there were legitimate reasons to lodge a few complaints there).

That smile took on a peaceful touch with his sigh that accompanied her fingers in his hair. He was going to linger there in the moment before responding.

"Iris assured us that New Insomnia has been coming along beautifully, and Galdin Quay has found new life now that we're so allied with Altissia. You'll like Altissia, I believe, especially if their recovery efforts have been keeping pace with Insomnia's."

There was, just a bit, some wistful longing there in his voice. For all of his complicated feelings toward Eos, and all he had given to it, all it had taken from him, the great sacrifices made for it to love on, it was still home, and it meant something, knowing that it had not all been in vain.

Oh yes. A thing that Liliana was known for: being grateful when she was told that she should be. Especially for doing the bare minimum.

"How about Tenebrae?" she asked. "Home of the delicious fruit pastries."

The ones that had sparked his love of cooking.

See, Ignis? She remembered.

She remembered. He would have never doubted that she would, but the fact that she had mentioned made something move inside of him that felt impossible to measure for its magnitude.

"Mostly untouched by both the long wars and the Long Night," he reported, a lightness dancing on the edges in a way that made it markedly different from any of his other briefings might be like, "so I can only imagine it's thriving as well. If we get the timing right, you might even be able to see the sylleblossoms in bloom again."

Presuming, of course, that they could, but it was hard to imagine a reborn Eos without them.

"You'll have to take me when they are," Liliana said. "We have a conservatory, I'm sure they will make a lovely addition."

Liliana had some skill with plants, though really, she would be happy to tap Nell for assistance.

"Friday then," she said. "And once it's been ascertained it's safe, you can share with me your favorite places like I do Ravnica and Khaladesh."

Places to visit, not their true home.

And that decided, Liliana leaned back and pulled Ignis down with her

Edited 2024-11-05 04:12 (UTC)

"Hello? Is Dean here? Alive?"

Look, it was a very ominous message she'd sent Jane.

What? Liliana had even said 'please!'

However, the first answer to Jane's question was the sound of scrabbling nails along the floor, followed by a thump, a crash, and an aggrieved, "NOT FOR MUCH LONGER!"

A much more sedate Dean came pawing out from one of the aisles to make his way to Jane's side, looking entirely innocent. Liliana followed him a moment or so later, looking homicidal.

The please honestly made it more concerning!

"One of those weeks?" Jahe said, giving Dean a look like he was doing this on purpose or something to test Liliana's restraint.

Liliana was certain that he was.

"And yet, it's somehow only Monday," Liliana said. "However, I can only assume it's going to be on an upswing as soon as you remove this mangy, flea-bitten mutt from my store before he breaks yet more merchandise."

Now, now, Liliana. There's no need for unfounded accusations. If Dean had fleas, he really would be dead.

"Dean," Jane admonished. "I'm sorry, maybe could help... fix anything he broke?"

She could not.

"These are all magical artifacts ~~and you're not Tony~~," Liliana said tightly. "And as much as t might enjoy watching you swing that magic hammer of yours, taking Dean home with you and keeping him there is the greatest gift you can give me, I assure you."

"That's fair," Jane said with a sigh. Then she scooped Dean up like he was a teacup little poodle or something. Just to keep him for getting into more trouble.

It was adorable.

"Dean." Liliana came over and made direct eye contact with the dog. "At some point, you might be tempted to think that this was all just false protests to cover up that I was secretly having a good time and that this was some kind of bonding experience for us. Let me be very clear: no. If I didn't have reasons to stay on the island, you would have been taxidermied and sold in Harley's shop. Remember that."

And then she stepped back again and gave Jane a much more pleasant smile. "Thank you, darling. What night do you work Caritas again? I really ought to be better about coming out and socializing."

"Saturdays," Jane said once she recovered from that threat. "Hopefully he's back to normal by then."

But knowing this island....

It was one of her tamer threats! She was already regretting she hadn't said, 'you would have been given to an apprentice taxidermist and whatever was left would have been sold.' That was the problem with off-the-cuff threats: no chance to workshop them to reach their maximum potential.

Ah well.

"I'll have to stop by some Saturday," Liliana said, politely eliding over whether or not she thought Dean on two legs was an advantage to Dean on four. "Anyway, darling, thank you for coming over to fetch him. Furnado is right next door if you need anything for his care."

Liliana hadn't gotten anything because she'd spent most of her time trying to remove him from her care.

There was always next time!

"Oh, he's done this before. I have stuff for it." Which was normal to have, right? "He was a sweetheart before. Maybe it's the magic stuff?"

No, no. It was his unique friendship with Liliana.

'Friendship' was a slanderous allegation, how dare.

"I have bat supplies," she agreed with a smile. So, yeah, totally normal, honestly. She didn't respond to the guess that it was magic supplies, just glared at Dean.

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Infinite Consortium, Monday

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