shiningboxofjustice | Open Valentine's Day Post

[As a note, Valentine's Day is the anniversary of his mother's death, so expect him to start off in a sad mood. Fortunately, that mood can be lifted!]

[ ooc: Pretending she's a Gundam pilot transfer to his group for solidarity purposes since her business group is donating them funds or w/e ]

[ Valentine's Day has been a heck of a scramble to watch. Meiya hasn't seen such excitement from seasoned pilots in quite some time, but their dedication to the romantic festivities only makes her smile. It's always a relief to see people unwind, even if it's just over giving each other candy and flowers or other small gifts.

However, there's a face missing from the hustle and bustle that gives her no small amount of concern. And just when she had something to...

Well, perhaps he's just tired and hiding in his room? What kind of comrade would she be if she didn't check in on him? ]

Athrun? [ Her voice sounds uneasy as she buzzes the intercom for his room, but it has nothing to do with her nerves. She's still not used to referring to people on a first name basis even upon their insistence. It's something she's trying to work on to forge better camaraderie with the other pilots. Slowly, though, of course. Habits are hard to break. ] Hmm, has he already gone to bed?

[Ever since the Bloody Valentine tragedy, Valentine's Day has been, at best, a bittersweet day for Athrun. Even when he had reason to celebrate, his mother's death was always in the back of his mind on this particular holiday. And this year, due to the assignment, he wasn't going to be able to visit his mother's grave to lay flowers there, which has left him feeling more bothered than usual.

When he hears the intercom, though, he does his best to snap out of it. His own troubles are no reason to affect the way he treats other people. He takes a deep breath, then turns on the intercom from his end to answer.]

Yes? Do you need something?

[ Perhaps it's the slight distortion from the device, but Meiya can almost swear there's something...off. Athrun is by no means a boisterous, hot-blooded shounen protagonist, but anyone who's interacted with him for even a short while could tell he must be out of sorts today. She can only wonder what happened, and concern furrows her brow. ]

I wanted to talk to you about something, but...are you not feeling well?

[ Is that it? Perhaps he excused himself early due to a health issue. How could she not have thought of that before coming here? ]

Ah...if I've disturbed you, please forgive me.

[Athrun had thought that he had kept his emotions out of his voice when he responded, but clearly he didn't do a good enough job. Not like it's the first time that's happened, though. He takes a deep breath, then rises from his chair and walks over to the door into the corridor, opening it so that he can talk to Meiya face-to-face.]

Does it sound like I am? If so, I'm sorry for making you worry. It's nothing serious -- it's just that, well, this time of year isn't the best for me.

[His uniform jacket is open, exposing a bit of the shirt underneath. However, since he's off-duty, and technically in his quarters, it's not very surprising that he's not fully following the dress code.]

This time of year?

[ There aren't many incidents she can think back to regarding this month in particular as far as Earth is concerned. Space-wise, the most predominant is a specific event she's only heard about. Thinking on it, she shouldn't really be so surprised he's one of many impacted by such a catastrophe as the Bloody Valentine Tragedy. So many people lost their lives, loved ones, everything. ]

Oh...

[ She could kick herself for her callousness sometimes! It was only a few years past that it happened, so of course the wounds would still be fresh on a person's heart. She grips the small box behind her back just that much tighter. ]

N-No, you needn't be sorry. If anything, I should apologize. I should have been more thoughtful.

Edited 2023-06-05 23:04 (UTC)

[Athrun lifts a hand, palm facing outward, in an attempt to reassure her.]

It's fine, really. I haven't told that many people about my, er, personal connection to Bloody Valentine.

[Not that it was much of a secret. Both Athrun and his now-deceased father are famous (or infamous, in his father's case), and the death of Lenore Zala factored heavily into the backstories of both -- Athrun for being the cause of his joining the armed forces in the first place, and Patrick for the moment he began to lose his sanity.]

But, that aside for the moment, is there something I can help you with?

[ It's odd that telling the truth of her purpose here is more daunting than piloting a mech. She'd much rather be in the midst of combat right now. Well, almost. ]

Well...I intended to give you this.

[ She produces the box from behind her back. It's small, yet the packaging looks as professional as the kind an artisan would make with its lacquered wood, his name engraved on a band of red across the top, and a silk ribbon tying it all together. ]

Oh?

[Athrun stares at the box as he accepts it into his hands. He hadn't been expecting any gifts today, even if it was Valentine's Day. He used to get a lot of valentines when he was in school, but that all but stopped when he became a mobile suit pilot. But that was also because that was when his engagement to Lacus was made public, and then, after his father (supposedly) terminated it, he was in a relationship with Cagalli for two years. But even after that separation, nothing.]

Er, thank you. What's in...

[Oh, right, he can open it. At this point, he's too surprised to be embarrassed. He carefully unties the ribbon holding the package together and lifts the lid.]

[ Within the box is an assortment of chocolates that could easily be mistaken for a gourmet brand. Each one bears an intricate design of flowers or leaves that would take a master chocolatier to decorate with the utmost precision.

That is, except one in the corner. The lumpy black square might be dark chocolate for the look of it, but it's so unrefined and uneven that it looks more akin to charcoal than the rest of them. ]

I...attempted to borrow the cafeteria to make chocolates, but they turned me away consistently until Tsukuyomi took over the situation. [ Her head maid is a fine cook even at the worst of times, so for her, making such treats was hardly a big ask. Meiya's pride still has a massive, gaping hole in it from the entire debacle, however. ] I insisted she let me make at least one...but you needn't eat it if you don't want to.

Edited 2023-07-17 02:29 (UTC)

[Athrun's eyes are focused on the chocolates, with a look of surprise on his face. These look expertly done, with the one exception. Then he hears Meiya's explanation.]

Tsukuyomi made these? I never would have guessed.

[He had no idea that she was this skilled at making chocolates.]

Thank you for the gift. I appreciate it.

[He may not be much for celebrating anything today, but a gift is always welcome. Immediately he grabs the lumpy chocolate that Meiya made and pops it into his mouth.]

Ah-!

[ Meiya moves her hand up as if she might stop him, but he's already got the treat in his mouth by the time she can lift her hand halfway.

The flavor is...interesting. There's definitely chocolate in there, buried under a distinctly rubbery texture that's almost like mochi but way, way wrong.

And then, there's the salt. Salt and some kind of spice that might have been paprika once upon a time. No, stronger than that. It has to be a kind of chili but its bite is difficult to discern under the aforementioned salt. The lumps that give the chocolate its shape were probably peanuts. Probably.

Were this some kind of video game, this situation would've prompted a notice to save your game. After all, this is the sort of decision that would take a percentage off your health bar permanently. ]

[No matter how bad it is, he can handle it. He's a Coordinator, after all.

At least, that had been Athrun's train of thought.

At first, he tries to maintain a calm expression so as not to betray how awful the thing tastes. But that doesn't last, as it seems to get worse the longer it's in his mouth. Then the spice kicks in. He starts coughing.

This won't end well.

Athrun holds up one finger to Meiya, then runs into his quarters. The sound of gagging, followed by a flushing toilet can be heard. Then the sound of tap water coming from a faucet.

A few minutes later, Athrun returns. The box can be seen resting on the end of his bed in his quarters.]

S-sorry. I wish you hadn't seen that.

( Perhaps she hadn't expected to become a pawn in Almyra's diplomatic efforts. But from an objective standpoint, it made sense. A noble of mixed Faerghus and Almyrian heritage, with a running knowledge between both kingdoms. As a bride, she would have been more palatable than if they'd simply selected a princess from the kingdom.

She wished she had more of a say in the arrangement, yet, she wasn't totally averse. A friendship since childhood, aided by her father's extensive service before his untimely death. She hardly envisioned herself married, but the thought was... strangely pleasant.

And now, a private tea ceremony on the Day of Devotion. She arrives in a flowing green dress of silk with gold trim, her long pale blonde hair pinned in intricate braids, and bearing an ornate box in her arms, containing a jeweled dagger inside, making to set it delicately upon the table before him. )

Thank you for extending the invitation today.

( Said, as she takes across from Dimitri. It felt like a formality between the two of them. Integra's emotions often felt subdued at the best of times, but she does manage to offer him a light smile. )

Open Valentine's Day Post

Athrun Zala | Gundam SEED | M/F

shows up three months late with Starbucks

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Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | M/F

Some kind of an arranged marriage au, idek.

Bedivere | Fate/Grand Order | M/F

Asemu Asuno | Gundam AGE | M/F