avginian

[avginian]

❝ Alright. Heads it is. ❞ and without too much hesitation, maybe with a few flips between his fingers, does he toss the coin up into the air with a gentle flick of his thumb. before long, it falls, the gambler catching it and putting it onto the back of his hand before he reveals... heads!

❝ Unless my eyes are deceiving me, that looks strikingly like heads. Looks like you've won a free drink on me. ❞ it was fairly easy, when one thought about it, though this particular person had no clue about his 'luckier' attributes.

"Hm, well, it is a 50% chance, isn't it? But I will oblige..."

"Let us choose...Heads. Yes, heads."

[avginian]

❝ Heads or tails? When I flip this coin in my hand, which do you think it'll land on? ❞

[avginian]

NOW THIS WAS A DILEMMA, one he hadn't thought he might encounter in an every day life. before him was the path he was meant to take albeit with one, little problem: a woman blocking the way, looking up at what seems a feline letting out a few cautionary meows. ❝ Well isn't this a wonderful start... ❞ it was a mutter under his breath, more so aimed at himself, as he figures his help would be needed in order to get along to his destination.

so, he steps forward, allowing himself to stand side by side with her as purple eyes glance up in thought at the creature who seemed fairly pleased with itself.

❝ A cat stuck up high, is it. ❞ arms cross over his chest, glancing up at the cat who had, somehow, climbed a little too far up for its liking. ❝ Yours, I take it? ❞

@ofmartritz

[avginian]

❝ Well this is wildly inconvenient. ❞ spoken with a shade of faded black clinging to his body, an arm lifting to inspect himself. ❝ Putting together an outfit in these conditions is going to be far more work than usual. ❞ that's not the actual problem, but he was never one to show the cards held against his chest until the time was right, now, was he?

[avginian]

outfit for the autumn equinox ball

[avginian]

❝ If you're going to get married, why not go all out? Large guest roster, expensive venue, and that cake... it's a big day for a reason, right? Try to live a little. ❞

[avginian]

We all know Aventurine is the favourite child…

Meanwhile Topaz 💀💀💀

[avginian]

SO SHE HADN'T TRIED FULLY, something he feels he should have expected, given the way she's been keeping eyes on it. not that she would have been able to anywhere else, the casino itself careful to keep those too young out for good reason 一 he would prefer it that way, too, given its status.

❝ Well, for starters. It's probably not in the casino so it can lure people of age in who aren't satisfied with a single win, ❞ he starts, a subtle answer to her question, the experience itself specifically. though her assumption of luck... he couldn't deny it, no matter how much he might think to. ❝ This one seems friendlier for the kids, though. Hardly worse than those video games that have you pull for characters nowadays. ❞ and boy, has he pulled many for some of his co-workers and friends alike. ❝ Here. I'll show you how it's done, ❞ he offers, taking the initiative well in noticing her hesitation.

so, he reaches over, tugging down on the lever after tapping his phone to dispense the minimal amount of dust. before long, bright lights begin to blink rapidly, accompanied with the sound of the machine chirping out some sort of victory sound.

❝ Would you look at that? Jackpot. ❞

For a short time, she had been observant of the machine, in debate of attempting the gamble it offered for an advertised prize. She had caught glimpses of similar devices from afar, though never participated herself — and her youthful appearance had made investigating their famed counterparts rather impossible.

Whatever duration the deliberation, it must have lasted enough to catch an eye, as the man's voice broke through unspoken consideration and drew her sights towards him. "Yes, there seems to be purposeful to be positioned out in the open, no malicious intent of preying upon the unlucky emanates about it. though still, curious that it would not be within the casino when modelled with those it has been modelled after. By sounds, you must be experienced, or incredibly lucky yourself".

[avginian]

WAS IT RIGHT TO CALL IT RELIEF? perhaps a de-escalation was better, given he didn't exactly feel threatened. even if she had meant it that way, what less of a risk was it compared to his very life as it was? at least she's softened a bit, allowing hi a chance to also relax a bit more. ❝ I'm truly lucky for you to be so understanding, Miss Navia, ❞ he returns, that easygoing guise once more slipping onto his face as the proper mask it is. brushing off the front of his shirt to smooth it out, taking care not to make it seem to offend her, given her actions were hardly malicious, he tilts his head at her proposal.

he supposes that would be fair, an equivalent exchange and, rightfully, one he can't refuse given this all. and it wasn't as if they were really going anywhere, meaning she would have all the time she needed to return the offer. now, whether she liked the fact he would probably get her a gift immediately after she did with the snap of a finger was another story...

❝ Looks like you've got yourself a deal. And I'll be sure to keep you to your word on it. ❞ one he feels he could hardly come out on the losing end when it was phrased this way. ah, could either of them in this scenario? that was to be seen, he supposed. and without hesitation, the bottle of perfume is already brought out, uncapping it with ease as he gives the top a small tap to prepare it. a few spritzes to her wrist, shifting it closer toward her neck thereafter for an even spread. ❝ Tell me what you think. I thought it was light enough not to be too overpowering, but you never know. Could be no dice for your own tastes. ❞

Receiving gifts could never make her upset, especially not when they're thoughtful. Despite her initial misgivings, it doesn't take Navia long to calm down. Slowly, she lowers her parasol and it hits the ground with a clink. Aventurine, in the short time she'd known him, didn't seem to be harboring ill intentions; he simply had a lot of dust to his name and very little to spend it on.

"Of course it doesn't! You went out of your way to buy me birthday gifts! How could I ever be upset!?" she's still annoyed, though her voice soon gives way to sounding less so. "If it's just the usual to you, then I have no choice but to be okay with that," she softens, but still tries to be stern, "But you must allow me to do the same for you when I can! Friends are supposed to spend money on each other, aren't they? So no more gifts for me until I've also gotten just as many for you!"

"…Though it may take a little bit of time on my part." she wasn't exactly swimming in dust, but he didn't need to know about her current financial situation. "Never mind that, let me try the perfume! No better way to test it than letting you be the one to give it a spritz."

[avginian]

HAVING THE PARASOL AIMED AT HIM, he hadn't expect such a pointed response. it was new to be met with something as this rather than one merely take, and take, and t̷͈̍ḁ̷͒k̸̢͂e̷̬̕ 一 how strange. for the first time, the usual smile falls into something more earnest, at least. ❝ Impressing you wasn't the aim, I assure you. If the cost of Dust is the issue, there's no need to worry on that front. ❞ not exactly flaunting it, but more so a sign it wasn't a lucrative amount to be bothered with on his account when it came to a few gifts to give.

❝ Well, I didn't mean to offend you, Miss, or give the wrong impression. You see, back where I'm from, this is just the usual. ❞ to him, he leaves out, though he supposes the rest of the stonehearts were hardly against the idea of shelling out cash to whatever they wanted, too. ❝ It really doesn't make you that upset receiving them, does it? ❞

Maybe she should have expected him to do that, but she still can't help but be surprised as he holds the two bags up for her to see. She's happy, of course, but frustrated still because of how much money that must have cost him. It wasn't that she didn't like gifts, only that she didn't like to make someone feel obligated to spend so much on her. She closes her parasol, and then pointedly aims it toward him in an accusatory manner and moves it just close enough to where the tip grazes his chest. "I thought I told you that I didn't need to be impressed, monsieur!"

"In Fontaine, when a man gives gifts like these...a woman might get the wrong idea, that he wants to court her."

[avginian]

WELL, IT WAS A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR THAT, given that the dust was already drained from his phone and whatever purchased was bagged, ready to head out the door within the blink of an eye. and just as she says in the message, he could hardly miss the parasol as he arrives at the location he sent, one that matches her all too well. with the surprise in hand, he finally saunters over after acknowledging her call to him, only to then lift a hand with fingers curled around two bag handles for her to take.

❝ Since you couldn't decide, I went with both. Surprise! ❞

SENT TO: Aventurine SENT FROM: Navia

[msg] Okay...if you say so. But again, you don't need to impress me. [msg] A surprise? You're going awfully far for me! Fine, I'll go along with it! [msg] I'll be there! Just look for my parasol. Can't miss it!

He sends his location not too soon afterward, and Navia's out of the door just as quickly with her parasol in hand. She unfurls it just as she's nearing the aforementioned location, both protecting herself from the afternoon sun and serving as a way for him to identify her. She sees him, blond hair made even more golden in the sunlight and she waves as she makes her way closer. "Aventurine, there you are!" hand cupped around her mouth as she called to him. As for his surprise, well, she's looking for it.

[avginian]

TO: NAVIA FROM: AVENTURINE ❇️

[ 1 / 4 ] : Let's put it like this: I'm doing it because we already talk. [ 2 / 4 ] : If that's considered buying your friendship, then guilty as charged. [ 3 / 4 ] : I think I have an idea. I'll leave it up for a surprise! [ 4 / 4 ] : Meet me at Golden in a bit? I'll send you the location.

SENT TO: Aventurine SENT FROM: Navia

[msg] I don't want you to feel you need to buy my friendship. [msg] I do like the dress, but I also have to wonder when I'll ever have the chance to wear it. [msg] But the perfume could also be nice...choices are hard. [msg] What would you pick if you were me? If anything at all?

[avginian]

WELL, THAT WAS ONE RESPONSE. he's sure people have picked up on it, absolutely have taken advantage of it, but he hadn't exactly been called out on it before...

TO: NAVIA FROM: AVENTURINE ❇️

[ 1 / 4 ] : If you can afford it, why not? [ 2 / 4 ] : Besides, can't friends treat each other to something nice? 🥺 [ 3 / 4 ] : That's what friends are for. Especially on days like today. [ 4 / 4 ] : So, why not just take them?

honestly, he doesn't see a problem with it. and, even more, he was just waiting for the go ahead to see which to buy and bring over, though he's also prone to doing things just as this as naturally as breathing when it comes to people.

She's speechless, to say the least. All of these items look very expensive!

SENT TO: Aventurine SENT FROM: Navia

[msg] Is...gift giving your love language, by chance? [msg] I'm not even sure what to say. If you're offering any of these as gifts, how am I supposed to accept them!?

She's also unsure how she feels about the implication if she does accept them.

[avginian]

TO: NAVIA FROM: AVENTURINE ❇️

[ img sent ] : an elegant perfume bottle with bright gold liquid inside. [ img sent ] : an elaborate white and gold trimmed handbag with a marble design. [ img sent ] : a beautiful long dress trimmed with black and with yellow silks. [ 1 / 2 ] : Thoughts on these? [ 2 / 2 ] : The perfume has a floral scent to it. Not too overpowering, but enough to get the point across.

[avginian]

❝ Look at that. I pulled you four whole five star units for your game account. Hope you have the funds to level them all. ❞

[avginian]

THAT WAS A SOUND LOGIC, one he had let cross his mind, too. had he not seen those fluttering, pesky wings, he may have allowed himself a little more thought on the matter. and yet to see how it ended, well... he can say he's glad he wasn't the tester of that entire theory, let alone of his own curiosity of what might be awaiting them down there. ❝ Given our 'company,' it's par for the course. If those stains don't get out of such a lovely dress, we can swing by a store as a celebration spree to replace it, ❞ he offers, the least he can do, given he was the one who got out of it unscathed, nor was it like dust was an issue to him in any particular way.

still, to observe her in the moment was a small treat. nothing demeaning of his observation, but rather taking note of her mannerisms 一 she was someone who carried herself upright with a strong conviction for more than just coasting by in life. for him, it was a rarity to see, possessed only by someone who might truly have a trailblazing spirit. and when compared to him, seeing someone with it as her was as if one were trying to equate the brilliance of the sun hanging in the sky to a distant, dying star in a hollow void.

only when the pixie speaks up does his mind draw from those thoughts, arms crossing as a brow quirks at the prospect of a riddle.

❝ That's a new one. Pretty straight forward, too. I've heard a few of them, but I don't think this one quite hits any marks for me. ❞ while he would have preferred a more personal touch, it shouldn't be too hard to decipher, especially with the lady in company seeming keen on it. ❝ I'll leave it to you since you seem confident on it, ❞ he defers, not wanting to take her spotlight this time. instead, he lifts a hand to cup his chin in thought, acting more as a supporter were she to not, the gleam the multitude of rings present on his finger shining beneath pixie light as if they were gentle beacons.

❝ Say, we aren't going to get punished if we throw out wrong answers to guess, are we... ? ❞ might as well ask just in case.

As they stand in front of their next gamble, he seems much more keen to decide than the last. "You do have a point…" when it comes to the arrow, that is. But just as she stops to wonder if they ought to reconsider, the quiet murmuring of voices up ahead on the path decorated with the arrow can be heard. And it's through this that she can garner that he had been right, that it was an obvious trap. "Not that I doubted you, but I do think that sometimes the most obvious safe path can often be seen as traps!"

The corner path, while not as obvious as the left, does warrant attention. Navia slowly inches toward its entrance and takes a few steps in just to peek around the corner, only to be met with a face full of pixie dust, but not a disqualification. "Pfft--feh!" An obvious prank from the pixies, of course. And poor Navia had to fervently dust the layers of her dress and hat. It's a wonder how she's made a fool of herself this early on, but she opts to not waste anymore of his time, "Not a dead end, but worse. A path full of pranks! Ugh. My dress…"

But still, they continue. Navia keeps an even pace with him, careful not to fall behind. He seemed much more relaxed than she did, without much worry about whether or not the path they had chosen was wrong. Blue eyes watch him carefully, or as carefully as one could in their current dim lighting. He seemed so…carefree. Unbothered, might be a more appropriate word, walking with such grace as if to silently declare that he already knew how this would end.

After a bit of a walk (and a little stumbling on her part) they reach yet another clearing, but this time they aren't alone. A pixie lingers about, sitting atop one of the hedges before flitting down to greet them. Navia coils back, obviously still wary from her last encounter, but it only laughs in response before beginning its speech. 'If you wanna know the right way to go, all you have to do is solve my riddle!' An easy task once said, but still, the lady remains apprehensive. "…Right then. Let's hear it."

At Navia's agreeance, it floats closer to either of them, flitting back and forth between them. 'It connects two people, yet touches only one. What is it?'

"Oh, I know this! Give me a moment to think..."

[avginian]

TILTING HIS HEAD TO ONE SIDE, it isn't exactly hidden that he's observing the young blonde in, for whatever reason, what seems a bit of confusion. while these machines were not as elaborate as the ones in casinos, it was still a marketing ploy to pull money from the consumer, all in hopes they might win the grand prize of a free meal 一 the exact thing this target must be weighing in her mind. so, he steps forward, eyeing up each device, before turning to her to speak.

❝ Never tried it before... ? ❞ that's what he can only assume, unless it was nerves which keep her at bay. he could relate to some gambles... but when would anyone ever be allowed to see that part? ❝ It's simple really. And maybe you'll be lucky if you give it a shot. Who knows? ❞

@sanctummilitis