avginian

[avginian]

HOPEFULLY IT WOULDN'T TAKE TOO MUCH TIME, especially since he had somewhere to be. not to mention this woman probably didn't realize the reason why he was about to be so helpful, though he also supposes it helps garner more rapport with those on the island. in the end, he was stuck here alone without any of the other ipc 一 something he's grateful for, though still knows can spell out ill for him were any of them to show up.

❝ A stray? Surely it would know how to take care of itself then. ❞ and not get stuck in trees, yet he supposes that isn't the case for all outside felines. ❝ No dice in calling it's name either? Let's see... if it's food motivated, there's a high chance it will listen enough. Buuut that means you would need a little on you for that particular plan to work. ❞

"Oh, kitty...!"

After yet another fruitless stretch, Mercedes' arms drop heavily back down to her sides, and she sighs. It feels like she's been at this for hours, with nothing to show but her frustrated expression and a cat still stuck on a ledge out of reach.

She doesn't expect anyone to stop and help her, which is why she jolts in surprise when the other joins her -- Though she's quick to recover with a sheepish smile.

"Well, not really..." She begins. "It's a stray that I take care of. Which is probably why he's not listening to me!"

[avginian]

❝ You should sit and enjoy yourself while you can. It is the holidays soon, isn't it? And it's just a drink or two. Hardly anything to fret over. ❞ spoken to the random passerby who caught his eye, the smile on his face as enticing as ever.

[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. ❞