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#or buy a bar of gold and earn how to make gold jewelry and make a bunch and bury it in a chest on the beach just for funsies
artemistorm · 7 months
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Would /you/ ever?
/maybe/
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soumen2123 · 3 months
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5 Most Effective Investment Strategies for 2024
The current economic status calls for everyone to make good financial and investment decisions. It’s always a good idea to start making financial investments as early as possible. That is why it’s also very important to have good investment strategies in place. In this blog, we’ll discuss about the 6 most effective investment strategies in India that are relevant to the current financial year. We cannot forecast the financial future to a definitive understanding, but we can try to examine the important trends and investment strategies to help navigate the best investment plans in India. Anticipations for 2024 indicate ongoing uncertainty and market fluctuations due to factors such as geopolitical tensions, potential Federal Reserve rate hikes, and worries about global economic growth.
1) Get Educated On Personal Finance: To begin with any kind of investment, it’s always a good idea to differentiate between your short-term goals, medium-term goals, and then long-term goals. This approach gives clarity and order to your financial goals. The more you delve into personal finance, the better understanding you can have while devising your financial strategies. It would be foolish and risky to put your money into investment schemes without having a thorough awareness of personal finance.
2) Gold Investment Plan: Investing in gold is considered one of the best investment plans in India, because of its high liquidity and the fact that gold can withstand inflation. The question that arises next is how to invest in gold.
• Buying physical gold is one of the ways to do it. For instance, you can buy jewelry, gold bars, and coins.
• Investing in Gold ETFs
• Gold mutual funds
• Sovereign Gold Bonds
• Buying digital gold Indians prefer investing in gold for the obvious reasons stated above and the above list can be quite helpful if you’re wondering how to invest in gold for a long-term financial goal.
3) Mutual Funds Investment Plan: Investing in mutual funds is another of the best investment plans in India. The mutual funds investment plans offer flexibility and diversification to its investors. It is a very effective investment strategy if you want to reduce the risk of loss. The fact that mutual funds are handled by experts, so they do all the research and analysis before making any decision. For long-term investments and good returns, mutual funds investment plans are one of the best investing strategies in India.
4) Stock Market Investment: When we talk about investing in the stock market, it’s not meant for someone just starting to invest as it’s quite a risky affair that requires more expertise and a keen eye for market dynamics before someone can adopt one of these investment strategies. This is important to note if you’re wondering how to invest in stock is therefore quite an important one. Stock market investment is a good long-term investment strategy.
5) Public Provident Funds: The Public Provident Fund (PPF) scheme is a long-term investment option that offers an attractive rate of interest and returns on the amount invested. The interest earned and the returns are not taxable under income tax. To open a PPF account under this scheme, one must deposit an amount during a year, which will be claimed under section 80C deductions. This investment plan is only meant for Indian residents. The current interest rate for Q1(April-June) FY 2024-25 for PPF accounts has been fixed at 7.1%. The above-discussed investment strategies are some of the best investment strategies in India to look out for before making any kind of financial investment.
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pavithra08 · 5 months
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SELL GOLD FOR CASH IN CHENNAI: BEST WAYS TO INVEST IN GOLD FOR BEGINNERS
When it comes to investing or Sell Gold for Cash in Chennai, there are many options to consider, especially if you are based in Chennai. Gold is a precious metal that has been a reliable investment choice for centuries due to its ability to preserve wealth and act as a hedge against inflation. Whether you are a seasoned investor or a beginner looking to get started, this guide will provide you with valuable insights on how to invest in gold effectively and where to sell gold for cash in Chennai when the time is right.
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Best Way to Invest In Gold For Beginners in Chennai
WHY INVEST IN GOLD?
Gold is known for its stability and resilience during economic downturns. As a tangible asset, it holds its value over time and can serve as a safe haven during market volatility. For beginners in Chennai, investing in gold can be a smart way to diversify your portfolio and protect your wealth from inflation and currency fluctuations.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO INVEST IN GOLD
There are several ways to invest in gold, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here are some of the most popular methods for investing in gold:
Physical Gold: This includes gold coins, bars, and jewelry. Physical gold offers the advantage of direct ownership, allowing you to hold the gold in your possession. When you decide to sell gold for cash in Chennai, physical gold can be easily traded for immediate payment.
Gold ETFs: Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a convenient way to invest in gold without the need to store physical gold. ETFs track the price of gold and can be traded on the stock exchange, making them a liquid and flexible investment option.
Gold Mutual Funds: Gold mutual funds invest in companies involved in the gold industry, such as gold mining companies. These funds offer exposure to the gold market while providing diversification across different companies.
Gold Sovereign Bonds: Issued by the government, gold sovereign bonds offer an interest rate and are a low-risk investment option. They are a great choice for beginners who want exposure to gold while earning a steady income.
Digital Gold: Digital gold allows you to buy and sell gold online in small quantities. It is a convenient way to invest in gold without the hassle of storing physical gold.
BEST PLACE TO SELL GOLD IN CHENNAI
When the time comes to sell your gold, you want to ensure you get the best value for your investment. Here are some tips for finding the best place to sell gold in Chennai:
Research Dealers: Look for reputable gold dealers in Chennai who offer fair prices for your gold. Check their reviews and ratings online to ensure they have a good reputation.
Compare Offers: Before you sell gold for cash in Chennai, get quotes from multiple dealers to compare offers and choose the one that offers the best price.
Check for Certification: Ensure that the dealer is certified and follows ethical practices in buying and selling gold.
Negotiate the Price: Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price with the dealer. Many dealers are open to negotiation, especially if you have high-quality gold to sell.
Verify the Weight and Purity: When you sell gold for cash in Chennai, make sure to verify the weight and purity of your gold. This will help you get an accurate quote for your gold.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS TO SELL GOLD FOR CASH IN CHENNAI
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind as a beginner investor in gold:
Start Small: Begin with a small investment in gold to familiarize yourself with the market. As you gain experience and confidence, you can gradually increase your investment.
Diversify Your Portfolio: While gold is a great investment, it’s important to diversify your portfolio across different asset classes to minimize risk.
Stay Informed: Keep track of gold prices and market trends. This will help you make informed decisions about when to buy or sell gold.
Secure Your Investment: If you invest in physical gold, ensure it is stored securely in a safe or bank locker to prevent theft.
CONCLUSION
Investing in gold can be a rewarding experience for beginners in Chennai. With the right knowledge and approach, you can make smart investment decisions and protect your wealth. Remember to research the best place to sell gold in Chennai, and take your time to find the most reputable dealer to ensure you get the best value for your gold.
By considering the different ways to invest in gold and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate the world of gold investing and make the most of your investment journey. When the time comes to sell gold for cash in Chennai, you’ll be well-prepared to find the best place and get the best price for your gold. Happy investing!
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factsandupdates · 8 months
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A Beginner's Guide: How to Start Investing in RBI Gold Schemes
Introduction
Investing in gold has been a time-tested strategy for wealth preservation and diversification. Recognizing the significance of gold in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced various gold schemes to make it easier for individuals to invest in this precious metal. In this article, we will explore the basics of how to start investing in RBI gold schemes, providing you with a comprehensive guide to make informed investment decisions.
Understanding RBI Gold Schemes
The RBI offers several gold investment schemes, with each catering to different investor preferences and objectives. The two main schemes are the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) and the Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS).
Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB):
The SGB is a government security denominated in grams of gold.
Investors can buy these bonds from authorized banks and financial institutions during specific subscription periods announced by the RBI.
The tenor of the Sovereign Gold Bod Scheme is usually eight years, with an exit option available from the fifth year onwards.
Interest is paid at fixed rates (currently 2.5% per annum) on the initial investment amount, and the maturity amount is linked to the prevailing market price of gold.
Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS):
GMS allows individuals to deposit their idle gold in the form of coins, bars, or jewelry with authorized banks.
The deposited gold is then converted into tradable gold deposits, earning interest over the tenure of the deposit.
Investors have the flexibility to choose short, medium, or long-term deposit options, typically ranging from 1 to 15 years.
At the end of the deposit period, investors receive the principal amount along with accumulated interest in the form of cash or gold, depending on the scheme's terms.
Steps to Start Investing in RBI Gold Schemes:
Educate Yourself:
Before investing, take the time to understand the features, risks, and benefits of the RBI gold schemes. Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of each scheme to make informed decisions.
Choose the Right Scheme:
Assess your investment goals and choose the RBI gold scheme that aligns with your objectives. Whether you seek capital appreciation or regular interest income, select the scheme that best suits your financial needs.
Identify Authorized Banks:
Only select banks and financial institutions are authorized to facilitate investments in RBI gold schemes. Check the RBI's official website or contact your local bank to confirm their eligibility to offer these schemes.
KYC Documentation:
Complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation required by the authorized bank. This typically includes proof of identity, address, and passport-sized photographs.
Application Process:
Submit the application form provided by the authorized bank during the subscription period. Ensure that you provide accurate details, including the amount of gold you wish to invest and the mode of payment.
Payment and Confirmation:
Make the payment for the subscribed amount using the specified payment modes. Once the payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation of your investment.
Hold and Monitor:
Hold on to your investment until maturity or until you decide to exit, as per the terms of the chosen RBI gold scheme. Monitor the performance of your investment and stay informed about any updates or changes announced by the RBI.
Conclusion
Investing in RBI gold schemes can be a prudent way to diversify your investment portfolio and benefit from the long-term potential of gold. By understanding the features of each scheme, conducting thorough research, and following the outlined steps, you can confidently embark on your journey to invest in RBI gold schemes and secure your financial future.
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irishmacguirefucker · 4 years
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Arthur Morgan Ranch AU Headcanons - Part 1
Barely proofread, absolutely more to come! (also this happy Arthur gif makes me wanna cry look at him. this is how he is in my au, he laughs more.)
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He liked the idea from the beginning but felt like voicing that would be betraying Dutch. But like a true father, Hosea could tell that Arthur wanted it, and as much as he wished he could deny it, Dutch could see it too.
When Hosea first revealed the idea to Arthur and Dutch, the first thing Arthur did was scan the camp. It was mostly a habit, to see if anyone else had heard Hosea’s words.
The first person he saw was Jack, building a castle out of sticks and leaves in front of Lenny who was reading him a story. The scene was one he had seen before, but now just looking at the boy made it impossible to decline the idea of a better life for them.
He took a while to think of the others in camp. The younger of the adults, Lenny, Tilly Sean, Mary Beth, all so deserving of a chance at safety and stability. Grimshaw, who he has the utmost respect for, she deserved a warm bed and a room to herself. So many members who had been running their whole lives and had found a home in the gang, all deserving of a real home with four walls and a roof.
This plan would be so good for his family, he didn’t care much how he lived, he just wanted to build these people a home.
Arthur did the majority of the legwork to get the bounty funds. He managed to find the Jack Hall treasures, the gold bars stashed among ruined towns, jewelry left behind in abandoned houses, anything he could. He would also take odd jobs for people (i.e the guy stealing money from the foreman, the rats in the bar, etc.) to earn money. And even though they were all desperately trying to avoid higher bounties, he would still earn money in the less lawful ways. Whatever it took for them to get there.
He would never say it out loud, he wouldn’t want to break Hosea’s heart (or receive the slap to the face he would get for saying something so stupid.), but there’s a page in his journal where he admits that if him hanging is the only way for the rest of his family to make it, he would do it happily.
Arthur hardly took his share when they did jobs. He would take a small amount for emergencies but most of his share went into the box. Even the small bit he took he felt bad for, and would rarely even buy necessities, relying on hunting and foraging for what he really needs.
Arthur was honestly amazed when he saw the Ranch for the first time. It's a huge property and a huger house, and it made him worry that maybe they couldn’t handle it. Nobody really had the first-hand experience of running a ranch besides Sadie, and her ranch was far smaller.
Before they had the money and resources to build the extra cabins, the house was a little cramped. Fortunately, they were used to it, and it was almost more space than usual anyway, and this one had bathrooms. everyone was more than happy to share the house.
Arthur chose to sleep on the sofa in the living room, despite its size. Only in his journal would he admit that it was so he could see both entrances to the house, and protect the others should someone break in.
In the first few weeks of staying in the house, Arthur was very adamant that everyone locks their windows and draws their curtains, and would walk around the main floor checking every door and window lock.
For a while, they still had a rotation of guards, but they would just sit on one of the upper balconies with rifles. Eventually, they lowered it to just one guard, then just nighttime guards, and it remained that way for a long while before anyone felt safe enough to have nobody guarding at all.
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thecladavid · 3 years
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How to invest in precious metals
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One of the best ways of diversifying your savings is investing in precious metals. For centuries, precious metals, like gold, have been an essential part of humanity. They’ve been present in a wide selection of items, including jewelry, currencies, and even dental products.
Most people now keep their savings in the stock market or bank accounts since the world has already moved towards paper currencies and digital credit. However, gold, silver, and other precious metals remain a vital component of a balanced portfolio as it helps keep a person’s wealth safe.
In this article, you’ll learn what precious metals exactly are, and how to invest your hard-earned money in them.
Getting To Know Your Precious Metals
The precious metal market has three leading players, which are discussed below. Note that each of them has a different edge in investment.
Gold, silver, and platinum can help you reach your unique goals that may lead to profit. Anyone who plans to start putting money into precious metals like gold will benefit from useful basic knowledge.
Gold
Gold is the king in the precious metals market. In any asset an individual can invest in, gold is one of the most, if not the most, secure store of value.
Supply and demand don’t impact the gold market the same way as many other assets. It’s the primary reason why gold is a safe haven during economic conflicts. It’s also essential to note that this precious metal has many practical applications within different industries. However, the existing mined supply of gold significantly exceeds the new gold supply being mined. It allows economic uncertainty to send the gold price higher because those holding the asset can have great control over the price.
When the general market return isn’t high on other assets and interest rates are low, there will be a strong move towards gold.
Silver
Silver is both an industrial and precious metal, which is why people place value on it. Because there will be times of digital upsurge, investing in silver is wise.
Silver is an excellent metal to store because of its industrial application. Silver’s effective conductivity is essential in electronics and hardware applications. Investing in a hefty amount of this precious metal may give you significant returns. The returns may become higher when technological innovations and developments come up.
Investments in silver can be highly profitable when done correctly, even though silver’s value per weight is lesser than that of gold and the trading of this metal can be cheaper.
Platinum
This metal is often overlooked by many people when they think of investing in precious metals. However, the prices of trading platinum have previously been higher than the other two precious metals discussed here. Platinum’s rarity has been part of the reason why.
Platinum is an essential component present in catalytic converters and it’s widely utilized in the auto industry. However, the element of exposure that the precious metal has to the automotive industry has seen contrasting fortunes as there’s a soar in gold and silver’s prices at the moment. A quick reversal of fortunes, though, is still possible when an industry bounce back happens.
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How To Get Started With Precious Metals Investing
Individuals who are planning to invest in precious metals should remember that gold, silver, and/or platinum should only take a portion of their investments rather than the entirety.
Here are several ways on how you can start investing in precious metals:
Physical Metals
One way of investing in precious metals is to buy precious metal bullion. The bullion or precious physical metals can be in the form of bars, rounds, and coins. Note that investing in physical metals should follow a process that ensures safety, so it’s best to check resources on how to buy gold coins and other precious metal bullions before jumping into it.
However, there’s no doubt that physical metals will provide investors with a tangible wealth protection asset as long as there’s a safe storage method in place. For people who wish to accumulate wealth over the years incrementally, physical metals are a favorable option.
Precious Metals IRA (Individual Retirement Accounts)
Purchasing and storing precious metals inside a secure facility is allowed in certain individual retirement accounts. This option is useful if your investment in precious metals is massive. In this case, having pallets of silver and gold bars or coins situated around your home’s garage wouldn’t be practical.
Facilities for precious metals IRA are very secure, heavily guarded, and insured. However, they usually have storage fees.
Precious Metal ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a scheme where investors can deposit their money to a company, and that funds will be used to acquire physical gold. Precious metal ETFs highly depend on the trading institution’s expertise since they’re asset-backed investments.
For people looking to profit from investing in precious metals, exchange-traded funds can be a liquid and convenient method. Investing money in precious metals ETFs is like putting your money on an online brokerage. However, an investor doesn’t have physical access to precious metals with ETFs.
Stocks, Futures, And Mining Companies
Picking certain publicly-traded mining companies to buy into is another popular way of investing in the future of precious metals. What happens here is that you’re investing in a mining company’s active mining futures and contracts instead of exactly investing in the precious metals directly.
Stock Certificates
Is it possible for investors to own precious metals without actually keeping them? With stock certificates, it is.
When you invest in stock certificates, you’ll only receive a document saying that you own a piece of gold. Certificates remove the hassle that physical ownership of precious metals brings.
How do I start?
• firstly sign up on the website
The company’s extension has a base link of over 200 precious metal and natural minerals companies around the world
Which offer's available shares for interested individuals to buy. Now, the platform works by choosing the best company to trade with.
In that case, if you are to invest $1,000 in multi-investment the platform uses your deposit to buy shares from different ETFs.
The platform is all about investing your capital on shares from over 200 companies with great interest rates and profits just in 3 months.
Let’s say you invest $1,000 as a minimum, you make a minimum of about $3,000 weekly plus additional bonuses and you can withdraw in 1 months from your investment as a beginner on the mining platform.
You have sole access to your trading account and can request a withdrawal of your profits once due as well reinvest if you deem it fit
All you need is your start up capital and your mobile phone to the internet to monitor and access your trading account.
• Create an Ewallet
Investing in these precious metals doesn’t mean you have to send money to anyone, you download your personal Investment dollar wallet and create a profile and you buy dollar through your wallet, and you use that wallet to fund your trading account.
Final Thoughts
People should start investing in precious metals soon because gold, silver, and platinum increase in value over time. The digital world provides ease of owning bullion that has never been experienced before, and it should be enough for people to begin their precious metal investment journey.
Gold, silver, and other precious metals protect investors against inflation. Indeed, they’re safe storage for your money that can also secure your retirement.
Contact me on WhatsApp guidance and to make the journey towards investing in precious metals/ digital assets clearer to you.
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moathemp3 · 4 years
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Get The Most On Your Pursuit Of Gold Information
The buying and selling of precious metal is definitely the marketplace that many men and women choose in instances when often the economic climate is doubtful. Because precious metal costs tend to be a little more stable it is usually regarded a safe location to commit your hard earned money. If you want more details about buying the particular rare metal industry then keep on for several exceptional suggestions. Before going ahead and buying a bit of golden jewellery, shop around. More expensive precious jewelry retailers will charge a fee an arm and lower body. Nonetheless, exactly the same bit of expensive jewelry can occasionally be discovered somewhere else to get a lower selling price. You can even explain to a jewelry sales person that you just saw the bit for less costly and you may be able to discuss along with them. Think about commodities investing for those who have an interest in golden making an investment, but few cash. You can go to a nearby commodity trading business and open up a fresh accounts. The beauty of commodities is that you may control sums that significantly exceed everything you actually have on hand in terms of cash. Comparison retail outlet when promoting aged rare metal expensive jewelry. However the industry inches spot " gold prices are the countrywide regular, not all the merchants will pay it. Independent precious metal sellers with lower over head, as an illustration, can be in a position to provide you far better phrases when compared with high end jewellery shops. Produce a resolve for yourself to get informed on rare metal. Know moving in: only you happen to be working for you. The buyers, regardless how trustworthy, want for top level bargain by themselves as possible. Should you can't articulate the vocabulary, there's an excellent possibility that you'll get rid of throughout any type of negotiation. Understand that the precious metal precious jewelry you get on-line may be diverse from you feel it is really. If you are unable to carry something and check it above personally, you might be disappointed when investing in the piece. The reason being there's virtually no telling exactly what the good quality will likely be as with simply the snapshot. Golden can be a lucrative yet unstable investment. When you have very low threat endurance, avoid this kind of market place. If you can to deal with it, then you could nevertheless restriction the down-side danger involved. Due to erratic market place, simply a tiny amount of the portfolio ought to be invested in typically the precious metal market. Five percent is normally touted as being an advised limit. Be aware of golden marketplace well before marketing or perhaps acquiring gold. Very much like buying and selling inventory, you should always acquire lower and then sell on higher. keluaran sdy may differ daily similar to the stock trading, consequently it is essential to stick to the developments then sell your rare metal after it is from its maximum income price. Obtain a official document of credibility when buying golden expensive jewelry. This really is your confirmation how the bit you possess bought is real, consists of a certain karat count and possesses a unique value. This kind of certificate could be used to authenticate your own item to get resale or maybe insurance policy purposes, should you want it. Before purchasing precious metal, you must create a handful of goals. Golden is a good off-set towards financial instability and even rising prices, nonetheless it could be a erratic purchase. Once you have your threats decreased, you are able to attain the goals. A lot of cheap deals can be located in public for rare metal getting. However you need to know that there may be threat engaged when selecting this way. Therefore, grab yourself evaluations of all the gold and silver coins. If you believe particular the gold coin being offered at the affordable price will be reputable, an individual may decide to take a chance. A good way to begin accumulating golden is purchasing United States gold coins produced prior to 1933. Gold money were actually frequently minted and circulated through the US treasury just before the fact that time, if FDR were recalled the coins. Many individuals continue to kept them and you will nonetheless find them today. While ETFs are a fantastic way to trade in gold, nothing is like buying true golden. You can find disadvantages in this, obviously, such as the issues you may deal with if you need to promote the gold quickly, along with the price in advance is normally sizeable. Once half a dozen several years possess passed, though, it ultimately ends up being less than an ETF. When you tend to be not completely ready for precious metal, you could always start purchasing the cheaper choice of sterling silver. After you get a feel for the industry, it is possible to change your earnings from silver into a good investment straight inside gold. This precious metal market is far more secure than sterling silver and will give you greater revenue. Golden is commonly a well known purchase option regardless of what the stock markets are going to do. Regardless of the condition of your market, you can create a income with gold. You need to simply realize how to manage the particular conditions. The ideal strategy for getting precious metal with regards to shelling out is called buck charge averaging. This means that you get a good predetermined dollar level of precious metal every month despite its existing price level. Carrying this out reduces your own personal chance with time and uses out the highs and levels of gold's market price. If you are buying golden bullion pubs, it is crucial you are aware of the numerous sizes offered. For instance, in most cases you can buy rare metal in 1 ounce, 10 ounce and a hundred ounce bars pubs. Metallic is generally available in 100 ounce and 1,000 oz sized bullion bars for acquire. Be sure to check out any precious metal dealership with the established I actually. D. in hand. This can be a should since there are Federal rules around it. This really is to shield the particular dealership just in case you can find troubles down the road stolen products or any other dishonest rare metal offering techniques. Also, in the event the car dealership isn't going to demand the I. N., you may want to seem elsewhere to accomplish business. It can be an indication that will something isn't very correct. Now that you study a good article upon why committing funds in golden is a risk-free guess you may have all the instruments required to explore this market place. Getting well-informed on precious metal truly can help you in this particular market place, it can be finest which you study the guidelines that have been made available to anyone on this page. Make investments sensibly and become safe within the gold market!
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littleladymab · 5 years
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what's a fancy party without a little waltzing?
Day 4 of @rqgfemslashweek: AU. Featuring Sasha (in a dress) and Azu (in her armor) and a giant diamond (on a plinth). 
Then the woman does an incredibly graceful twirl that looks more like a dueler disengaging than one of the dancers around the room. The woman smiles, and her painted ruby lips make her look far more dangerous than they have any right to. "It's just so incredibly pretty!"
Azu moves to block her view and hopes that Grizzop is doing his job covering her blind spots as she fends off this overly curious guest. "I understand, ma'am--"
"Call me Sasha, please." She reaches out again, but instead of for the diamond, lays her hand flirtatiously on Azu's forearm. "Can you tell me about it?"
AO3 Mirror
Sasha lets out the breath between gritted teeth and a false smile. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."
Hamid's smile is, naturally, a lot more comfortable -- though Sasha is about 97% certain a part of the way his lips curl in amusement is at her expense. He pats her hand reassuringly, and she has to resist the urge to mess up his hair in retaliation. "A job is a job."
"A job is a job," she mocks, which is hard to do while forcing a smile, but somehow she manages.
Hamid hands their invitation to the herald and loops his arm through Sasha's as best he can. "Don't tell me you're nervous?" he asks, and that at least is an honest question of concern.
"Of course not. A job is a job," she repeats. "I just… Forgot how much I hate these types of jobs."
He gives her his best reassuring smile. "We're the best, and that's why we got sent. You were trained for this."
It's probably not as reassuring as he means it to be, but she accepts the comfort.
And then the doors swing open, and the herald steps forward to announce them to the crowds below.
"Introducing: Hamid Saleh Haroun al Tehan, on behalf of the Tehan family, and guest -- Sasha Rackett."
The two of them bow at the top of the stairs, as the guests turn to stare at the fashionably late pair, and Sasha uses that brief moment to cast her gaze around the entire ballroom. She could steal virtually anything in this room and she and Hamid could be on the next ship out of here if they really wanted to.
Hell, one more job in a place like this and she could just buy a ship and crew.
But what they came for is on display in the center of the room.
A Paladin stands on guard -- a tall Orcish woman in garishly pink armor. Shouldn't be a problem to take care of. There's supposed to be two guards, but Sasha can't spot the second by the time Hamid starts down the elaborate staircase.
"I was just sort of wishing that like… Zolf's people could have been on guard duty instead, you know?" she murmurs as they hit the ballroom floor. She sends a silent but begrudging thanks to Eldarion when her ankle doesn't twist in the unfamiliar heels on the tiled floor.
"We're here on a job because of Zolf's people," Hamid returns wryly.
"I meant the Poseidon lot."
"I know, I know." He sighs, though the troubled expression doesn't last long as he greets someone across the way. "He's strictly part of the Harlequins now, though, not Poseidon." Hamid pulls her to a stop and grips both her hands. To anyone giving them a glance, it will look casual enough, and his expression remains light.
But it is also Sasha's signal that it's time to start studying.
"I see some investors that I need to speak to," he says, business mode firmly in place. "Will you be alright on your own?"
"I'm sure I can find something to entertain me," Sasha replies with a wink, and she has to tamp down the grin as Hamid resists the urge to roll his eyes.
He gives her an amused grin instead and a squeeze to her hands before peeling away to speak to the cluster of guests who called out to him.
Sasha adjusts her skirts, feeling the secreted away hilts of her daggers. Then, smoothing down the waist of her dress to check the lock picks, she dons the bored expression that comes so naturally in parties such as these and sets off to wander 'aimlessly' through the crowds.
Azu is… Well, she's not bored. That would be unprofessional. On edge, perhaps? Delighted, a bit. A strange cocktail of emotions. This is her first solo job, and she's practically vibrating with energy and wishing that there was something she could do to keep her from running through scenarios where Things Go Wrong.
"Hey, focus up, Pink!" barks a reedy voice, and Azu winces.
Alright, almost solo mission.
Grizzop glares up at her, booted foot tapping impatiently against the floor. He looks ridiculously out of place, being a Goblin besides. For not the first time that evening, she wants to demand why he didn't at least wear something nicer to the party.
Then again, the Church of Artemis always was a bit more on the earthy side.
"My apologies," Azu says in return, straightening her posture on instinct, though it only earns a strained sigh from her partner.
He looks at her, really keeps looking at her, like he's trying to figure out a puzzle. But before she can find a polite way to ask if he shouldn't also focus up, his head whips around and his eyes narrow. "I'm going back to my post," he declares. "Don't get distracted."
"I--" she starts, but then he's gone -- disappearing between the knees of everyone with far more grace than really necessary.
A woman in a well-tailored black dress seems to melt from the crowd on the other side of the plinth, stepping over the unspoken boundary that most other guests had been maintaining (a boundary that's about as wide as Azu's armored shoulders are as she makes her laps). The woman even gets as far as a hand extended towards the diamond before Azu even realizes what is happening.
Azu's hand snaps out, and her gauntleted fist knocks the delicate fingers aside. "There is a strict no-touching rule on the display, ma'am."
"Oh, I apologize, I hadn't realized--" the woman coos, her accent extremely Posh and British, and her eyes are wide and innocent. But there's something in her gaze that puts Azu immediately on edge, though she does her best to remain casual and professional.
"Of course. Now, if you would please…" She tries to urge the woman back, and for a moment she thinks she succeeds.
Then the woman does an incredibly graceful twirl that looks more like a dueler disengaging than one of the dancers around the room. The woman smiles, and her painted ruby lips make her look far more dangerous than they have any right to. "It's just so incredibly pretty!"
Azu moves to block her view and hopes that Grizzop is doing his job covering her blind spots as she fends off this overly curious guest.  "I understand, ma'am--"
"Call me Sasha, please." She reaches out again, but instead of for the diamond, lays her hand flirtatiously on Azu's forearm. "Can you tell me about it?"
If this is supposed to be a distraction for an actual thief, then she's being incredibly obvious about it. "There is a display in one of the antechambers with more information on its discovery--"
The woman -- Sasha -- presses her lips into a dainty moue. "I was hoping for something a little more personal…"
Azu, despite herself, blushes. "Miss Sasha, I'm sure you understand that--…" Her brain fails to come up with something suitably professional, so she ends it with, "No, I can't."
Sasha takes a breath, clearly prepared to lay on another layer of coy flirtation, so Azu cuts her off by holding up a hand and saying, "If you continue this line of pursuit, ma'am, I will be forced to have you escorted from the property."
This catches Sasha off-guard, and the image of the young society woman is superimposed with that calculating gaze once more.
Then she steps back, a smile in place that could match any of the women spinning around the room in their finery. Sasha wears no jewelry, and wears the only black dress -- which offsets the paleness of her skin. For one dizzying second, Azu thinks of a fairytale, and wonders if this stranger standing before her is supposed to be the evil witch or the princess.
And then Sasha bows, smooth and perfect. "I'm sorry to have troubled you!" she says in that very Posh and very British accent before turning to smile at someone in the crowd and melding back in between the bodies.
Azu stands there for several long seconds and tries to figure out what just happened.
A canapé strikes her in the side of her head, and she frowns down at the offending item of food before trying, uselessly, to find Grizzop -- who undoubtedly was the one who threw it at her. Hopefully he'll wait until after the party to scold her, so she instead channels the flustered energy into frustration and resumes her perimeter of the plinth.
Hamid jumps onto the bar stool alongside her, patting her lightly on the shoulder as he does so. "So? Appraisal successful?"
"It's not the real thing," Sasha confirms, her tone casual, if not a little resigned. "It's somewhere else in the manor."
"I was getting a heavy magical aura from the plinth, but with everyone enchanted up to their eyeballs it was hard to pick out exactly it was. Transmutation, definitely, but my original thought was just disguising the traps." Hamid gestures to the bartender and orders a drink with the ease of a man who knows exactly what to do in these situations. He glances at Sasha from the corner of his eye, noticing that there's nothing in front of her. "Not even a wine?"
She makes a face, and for a moment, there's just the girl who was dropped on the doorstep of the finishing school with a thick Cockney accent and a permanent scowl. "There were too many choices, and half of them were Italian."
Hamid bumps his shoulder against hers and orders a drink for her as well. "We'll just do another few laps and see if there's anything else we can pick up. Would you care for a dance after our drinks?"
"Of course, what's a fancy party without a little waltzing?" Sasha reaches up and fishes out a gold chain from beneath the high collar of her dress. Her expression shifts to something along the lines of the cat that ate the canary. "But I might have a date later tonight, do don't wait up."
Hamid's eyes go wide as he spots the golden heart dangling from the chain. He looks behind them, at the Paladin of Aphrodite standing guard at the plinth. "Sasha, you didn't..."
"Old habits!" she protests, though nothing about her tone indicates she's even remotely sorry. "She made it so easy to nick!"
He laughs despite himself and shakes his head. Then he takes his drink and holds it up to her. "Here's to a little fun."
Sasha accepts the glass of sparkling wine from the bartender and clinks it against Hamid's. "I'll drink to that."
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Text
Come Into the Water (14/15)
Waking up mid-morning scorches what’s left of her heart. Still alone, still herself, she leaves the sheets be and decides a walk into the city center will make her feel more alive, if only for a moment. While she’s there, she’ll get some breakfast. Maybe talk to people other than her neighbors or Ava. It’s the sort of thing her therapist would probably recommend. That’s what she thinks about as her feet carry her across pavement and to a little bakery whose morning crowd has waned by the time weekday hits further than the start of work for most. No line bars her way when she orders a croissant and a coffee, and no one crowds around her when she sits at a small table by herself. Solitude, of a different sort than she experiences at the beach, washes over her as she eats and wonders.
Her mind pulls her in a thousand different directions, fights for her attention at each corner in spite of how she can scarcely concentrate on one. The aggressive pod which seeks to cause nothing but harm. Ava and her injuries. Noah and his mothers who love him the way mothers are supposed to love. All things need her consideration, and instead of offering it, Sarah merely takes bites of her croissant until there’s nothing but crumbs dusting the paper bag it came in and a greasy film clinging to her fingertips. Then, with nothing left to do, she wonders around the shops properly for the first time since her initial exploration on the day she saw her local therapist for the very first time.
There aren’t really any chain stores. Everything is locally owned. There’s a couple clothing shops, a grocery store, and then mostly specialty wares that draw her eye. A glass craftsman, a candle maker, a seamstress, a woodcarver. People who’ve dedicated their lives to one skill, just one, and have perfected it in a way Sarah has never been able to perfect anything.
She wanders into the local book shop, a secondhand store which is rife with old oak shelves and books with cracked spines from being loved very much. For lack of something better to do, she looks through the maze of titles, organized by genre, and winds up in the nonfiction section. Fingertips trace hardcovers, glance embossed names, until she reaches a book which does not seem to have been officially published. Curiosity has her taking it from its place and flipping it open. Everything is hand written in swirling black ink, accompanied by sketches Sarah recognizes easily. Mermaids. Makos, more specifically with their stiff fins and sharp teeth and dark eyes. There are paragraphs upon paragraphs about them alongside bullet points and questions. It’s too much to read all at once right now, but it’s a book which might be worth buying. She flips it over and finds no price, but begins searching for the checkout counter just in case. She has so many questions that perhaps she’ll earn answers to.
When Sarah finally finds the counter, manned by a woman with grey-streaked curls and a resting smile on her face even before noticing Sarah there with a book tucked under one of her arms. She doesn’t say a word, but she does straighten up and gesture toward the book with a smile.
“I’d like to buy it,” Sarah says, setting it on the counter. “Please.”
The woman still doesn’t say anything, but points to the cash register and mocks a question mark with one of her fingertips. When Sarah hesitates, the woman points to her own ears and shakes her head. It strikes her, then. Deaf. She nods and pushes the book closer before grabbing her wallet and reaching for her plastic. 
After a moment of examination, the woman gives Sarah a sympathetic look and puts the book beneath her counter. She hits her two flat palms against each other in an x and then points at the register. Not for sale. Frustrated, Sarah has no choice but to nod and find her way out. She should have taken a closer look at what was in there before trying to buy it, since she was unsure whether or not it was for sale in the first place. Too late now, though, and she finds her way out of the store in favor of continuing to explore downtown. There’s a jewelry store she goes into which specializes in that which comes from the sea. Shells polished into beads and pearls strung together hang in the window alongside blown up photographs of diamond inlays. Truly, it is a store designed for pretty things. Sarah doesn’t know why she goes inside, but feels she has no choice otherwise. 
There seems to be no one at the front counter, but everything is behind locked glass cases. Some rings, some necklaces. Shells and diamonds and rubies and shark teeth. Everything is so pretty, and Sarah has to make a conscious effort not to put her fingers on the glass and leave behind prints.
Everything is beautiful, but her eyes land on a particular necklace in a case of its own, elevated with a plaque beneath it. The chain is gold, mostly polished, and beaded with mussel shells like Ava gave her and small teeth like the makos have. It almost unsettles her, but it’s so pretty. Her eyes wander down to the plaque.
In 1945, the Rhodes family extended this necklace as a peace offering for the local mermaid pod. However, it was rejected by the increasingly isolationist pod, found among the tidepools. Shortly thereafter, a body washed up on the shore. Her teeth were added to the necklace and it has been preserved as a peace offering on hold ever since. Since this initial offering, any contact with the mermaids have been isolated incidents. In more recent years, mermaids have been seen watching local environmental teams and playing in the water.
“I don’t recognize you, are you new in town?”
The voice startles her and Sarah looks around for the source, finding it in a petite woman with a sleek bob standing by one of the other counter. Something about her face is familiar, but she can’t put her finger on it as she steps away from the display.
“I am, I’ve uh-” she clears her throat, “I’ve been here a few months. I’m Sarah. Reese.”
“Claire Rhodes.”
Sarah nods thoughtfully. “Your family made this?”
“My grandfather,” Claire corrects. Sarah studies the shape of her nose. “He had an affair with one of the maids, and made this to try and appease them after. But it didn’t work. The maid he slept with, she- he found her dead not long after. My grandmother took her teeth out and added them.”
That’s awful. But Sarah doesn’t say so, and instead looks back at the necklace carefully, The beautiful peace offering which now has bloodshed on teeth from a carcass. It makes Sarah think, for some reason, about the office and the photos and the way she bled a little onto the carpet. 
“Did you want to buy anything?”
“No, but thank you.”
Still, she thinks about the necklace as she leaves and goes back home. The makos didn’t used to be so angry, it seems. Maybe it was a byproduct of one of them procreating with a human. Then, suddenly, it hits her why Claire Rhodes’ face looked familiar. She has the same nose, the same jaw as one of the mermaids she saw yesterday. One of the men. And he reminds her of the little one who bit her too.
She thinks about it the whole way home, and then down to the water again, and as she rejoins the waning tidepools. Water rushes, and Sarah stares into the foam until she catches movement out of the corner of her eye. Hope bubbles up and, in answer, she sees a flash of blonde hair and then it’s Ava, watching her as she rises from the waves. 
“Ava,” Sarah starts, and doesn’t finish.
She doesn’t finish because Ava comes close and pulls her even closer to kiss her, kiss her like she did in the beginning and Sarah is finally given the opportunity to lose herself in it. Eyes shut, hands falling to Ava’s waist before skin turns to scales. Her hands fit neat, and for a long moment, she buries herself in the feeling. But too soon, Ava pulls back and Sarah can’t help following her for a split second.
“I’m sorry,” she says softly. “For interfering with Liv and Maggie.”
Ava shakes her head and smiles, and she’s just so beautiful it hurts. “No, I’m glad you did. Thank you. I just reacted because of the pod. They’re angry.”
“Because of us?”
Although the answer comes hesitantly, it still comes and rings in the air. Yes, it’s because of them. Because they lit their candles on the top of the dunes, because they wanted to bring even a little light to someone who they all love, if not the same way.
Sarah realizes, then, that she truly does love Ava. She loves her, and if possible, would bring her entire life into the ocean just to see her all the time, even more than she already does because she can’t stay away.
“Can we go swimming today?”
Eyes cast down. Fingertips twitch against her face. “We can’t. They’re angry.”
Angry, and yet Ava is still here instead of the sheltered hollow in the cliffside Sarah saw when she was new, and she kisses her again like Sarah is her oxygen. The opposite is, at the very least, unbearably true. Nowhere does Sarah feel more alive and more like a human being than when she sits here with the water eating away at the warmth in her body. There she resides as she is kissed like a dying woman, and as Ava makes her whole.
For these handfuls of moments, she feels safe and secure in Ava’s grasp and the taste of her lips. The ocean breathes life into her, and Sarah takes the chance to keep touching the way she’s considered once or twice. Touching a body that is like her own but different. Not just in imagination, but in reality. Sarah finds it easy to drown in. And then Ava kisses her neck too, and allows hands under her jacket and it just feels like being wanted. Not like her teacher wanted her. No, this feels like being wanted as a person and not an object and she is in love and is loved. And it tastes like freedom.
“Ava,” she breathes, and it warms the air around them.
“Ava,” and the wind blows harder.
“Ava,” and the waves crash louder.
“Ava,” and the sun shines brighter.
“Ava,” and Sarah is alive again.
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writtingfiction · 5 years
Note
Alright!! I hope this is satisfactory! I enjoyed writing it, a little change of pace. Writing the 1920s. I highly welcome anyone who has any other AU ideas to send them in!!
pairing: Chrom x Robin
words: 1.8k
Lissa held onto Chrom’s forearm as he lead them through the streets. The sun had set a few hours ago, letting them slip into the building without too much trouble. A whisper here and there before the large door opened letting them in.
As Lissa and Chrom maneuvered their way through the halls with ease, Lissa mumbles under her breath. Her brother being the only one to hear her.
“Does the speakeasy always have to be so far away from home?” Lissa grumbles as Chrom just shakes his head.
“You know the laws now, Lissa.” Chrom whispered, leaning down just a bit. “Besides, it’s probably a good idea with how loud everyone gets...”
Chrom’s voice trailed off as they got closer. Entering through a doorway; the smell of booze and cigarettes strong as they manage to catch sight of their friends.
A straight arrow towards where Vaike, Stahl, and Sully were, but, loud shouts on the other side of the bar erupt; catching his attention. His eyes watch where the noise came from to see a young woman, hair as white as snow, tied back into a ponytail, with a wide smirk on her face. Brown eyes sparkling in the dim light as she holds a pair of cards in her hands. The men around her table obviously are crying out in disbelief.
There’s a sharp impact on his chest, and he grunts. Placing a hand on his chest at the sting of the hit as he looks back towards Lissa who’s glaring at him.
“Pay attention, would you? You almost walked into a man with drinks in hand!” Lissa shakes her head as she pulls him along. “Honestly...”
“Hey! You made it, was starting to worry if you were going to make it or not!!” Vaike shouts, smile as wide as possible.
“Don’t know how you two ever escape Fredrick’s close eye on you.” Stahl says, pushing a plate of fries towards them.
“Well, Frederick, may be hard to avoid but he’s predictable.” Lissa said confidently. Then, going off to tell her story proudly how her and her brother fled the house in secret from the terror that their butler was.
However, Chrom’s attention wavered. Trying to spot the mystery white haired woman. He wonders if she grew up here, or if she grew up somewhere else. The white hair was rare in Ylisse, but he knew in Plegia it was more common. With the threat of war, it wasn’t a surprise to see Plegians in Ylisse anymore.
Chrom finally spots her, stuffing something in her shirt pocket as she bids the men goodbye. His heart leaps, was she leaving already? But his nerves were calmed, seeing her walk towards the bar. He had a chance, he spins his head towards this own table.
“Who wants drinks?” Chrom says, interrupting Lissa’s story. Vaike and Sully immediate nod their heads, Stahl after a moment of hesitation nods as well. Lissa waves her hand, before continuing her story.
Chrom raises from his seat, making his way towards the bar, right where the young woman had come up too. He sneaks in right beside her, ordering the drinks for his table. Head turning towards her, only to see that she’s already looking at him. His eyes widen and he fumbles out a greeting. The young woman smiles brightly.
“Pleasure to meet you.” She starts, reaching her hand out to him. “The name’s Robin.”
“Chrom.” Takes her hand, shaking it firmly.
“What brings a man like yourself here? The booze?” Robin starts.
“My friends.” Chrom responds, and he can see just how charming she is up close.
“Oh, really?” Robin is clearly surprised by his response. “Who would have thought.”
“And you? What brings you here?” Chrom asks.
“Money.” A light smirk plays on her lips. Chrom can’t help but scoff. Robin only laughs happily at his reaction. “Play a game with me, sometime.”
“I think I’ll pass, I don’t know how to play.” Chrom says truthfully. A sparkle appears in her eye.
“Well, I could always teach you!”
“So you can rob me blind? I don’t think so.” Robin only laughs and Chrom can’t help but smile. Her laugh makes him feel fuzzy inside. “I’ll buy you a drink instead.” He sees Robin, look at him for a moment before she nods her head.
“How about a meal and a drink?” She says, hand reaching out again.
“Deal.”
“Perfect. Then I’ll see you in front of ol’ Henry’s Dine and Crows, tomorrow at noon.” Robin says just loud enough for him to hear as they shake on the deal. Chrom blinks for a moment, and he goes to speak but his drinks are placed down in front of him before he could say anything.
Robin waves him goodbye as he grabs the drinks and walks back to the table. Drinks handed out and he takes his seat. But his thoughts are clouded, he doesn’t take part in the conversation as much as he usually does.
“Hey, Chrom, you alright?” Sully asks. A confused look on her face. Chrom looks up from his glass and towards his friends and sister. A troubled look on his face.
“Where is Ol’ Henry’s Dine and Crows?” And the second Chrom says it, there’s that special twinkle in Lissa’s eyes when something catches her attention.
“Are you talking about The Ol’ Henry’s Dine and Crows?!” Lissa says and that’s when it clicks in for Stahl.
“Wait, were you invited to the diner?! Aww man, I’m so jealous.” Stahl whined. Sully has a confused look on her face.
“What in the ever living hell are yah talking about?” Sully interjects. Vaike, holds a hand up.
“The Ol’ Henry’s Dine and Crows is the single most delicious place for a hot plate of food.” Vaike explains but it’s not good enough, cause Lissa explains everything.
“Ol’ Henry’s Dine and Crows, is a diner on the other side of town, closer to the Plegian border. They serve the best food and it’s all Plegian based food!!!” Lissa says excitedly. “However, it’s hard to get a table because everyone is clamouring for a seat. I would gladly take your spot, Chrom.”
“Well, that’s very nice of you, Lissa. Wait, by the Plegian border? How did you get over there, Lissa?! Frederick has a constant eye on the both of us!!” Chrom accuses Lissa, to which she just makes the obvious observation to which Vaike’s glass is empty.
“If you want someone to take you there, I can!” Stahl speaks up. “I know where the dinner is. Mind you, I’ve never been in, but just the smell of the food will make you hungry.”
Chrom thanked Stahl, his mind now wondering if Robin knew what they were getting up too.
— — -
The next morning, Stahl arrived. A snack bag in hand, already knowing he won’t get in. However, they chatted the entire way to the diner, arriving just a couple minutes before noon. The diner looked quite nice, a mix of purple and yellow. It was odd, but the colours were nice.
“Man, I still can’t believe you were invited.” Stahl sighed. Looking longingly at the diner. Chrom can only chuckle at his friends behaviour.
“I feel quite lucky, I didn’t know of the place until last night—“
“Chrom!! Over here!” A voice called out to him, cutting him off. Both, Chrom and Stahl, looked over towards the diner, where Robin was holding the door open waving him towards her.
A shy smile appears on his lips. Waving Stahl goodbye as he quickly makes his way towards her. Robin’s smile widens considerably.
“I wasn’t sure if you were gonna be able to make it.” Robin said, closing the door behind him. Guiding him through the busy restaurant.
“Well, I can’t miss out on the chance to meet with you again.” Chrom said oddly smooth. Robin blushes slightly at the comment, pushing him towards a table available for the both of them.
The two sat down, and enjoyed themselves. Chrom blushing considerably at points due to Robin’s words. Although, he was able to learn a lot about her. He learned that the restaurant actual belongs to a friend of hers, saying that the both of them were from Plegia. But he wasn’t able to get more info about why they came here. It didn’t really matter, after all, here she was, making his heart flutter with her giggle.
“Y’know, I think you’re the only person from Ylisse that hasn’t threatened me.” Robin comments, getting Chrom to give her an inquisitive look.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, last night for example. I won a bunch of money because everyone else does a terrible job at playing poker. I was threatened that if I cheated again, they would throw me out.” Robin said, taking a sip of her drink before continuing. “So, I obviously beat them again. Thus the uproar when you came in.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Chrom shook his head. “Maybe you should think of another way of earning money.”
“Like actually getting a job?” Robin said. “Absolutely not, why do that when I can crush someone’s pride?” Chrom was astonished by Robin. Intriguing but so complicated at the same time. “But what about you? What do you do?”
“Oh, well, my family owns a chain of banks. I’ll be in charge of them soon, due to my Father’s passing and since apparently my older sister is a woman, she can’t handle the business.” Chrom’s voice take a sour turn. He knows his sister would be a much better at the job than he would be.
“What?! Wait a minute!!” Robin exclaims. “You’re the Exalt family?!” Chrom blinks, nodding slowly. Robin looks at him in disbelief, giving him a once over before he cried out.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?!” Chrom could see the gears trying to turn in that brain of hers.
“You look, nothing like someone from a rich family. I thought you were another factory worker!!” Robin exclaimed.
“What do looks have to do with any thing?!” Chrom counters.
“The fine clothing! The jewelry, the gold watches!” Robin says. “It tells everyone that you have riches! And why wouldn’t you want to let everyone know that?”
“Maybe, the riches aren’t what you think it is, Robin.” At this, Robin calms. Chrom watches Robin carefully. He wonders, if this will spoil their afternoon, and he hopes it doesn’t.
“You are right, forgive me for stepping out of line.” Robin says, sighing heavily. “Although, you should definitely learn how to play a game. It might make you look more classy.” Chrom laughs.
The two joke and enjoy each other’s company for a little longer until, Chrom notices the time. He tells her, that he’ll see her again. And there’s something in him, deep inside his soul telling him that he will. Especially when he went to leave, Robin caught him by the hand, placing a quick peck on the side of his cheek.
“See yah around!” Robin says before she disappears around the corner.
Chrom can’t help but raise a hand and place it against his cheek. A blush rising to his cheeks, mumbling underneath his breath as he walks home. Heart pounding in his chest as he hopes he’ll see her sooner rather than later.
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jayyyykayyyyyy · 6 years
Text
Enigmatic Concurrence | Ten AU
Genre: Rich Kid AU
Warnings: Cursing and alcohol
3.9k Words
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The life of wealth had been thrusted upon you by sheer dumb luck. It was something that you did not work actively towards but was still bestowed upon you. This was the beauty of being born with a silver spoon. Every single day since then had been a testimony of the amount of money that had your name on it.
But despite all that, the virtues of a good heart, humbleness and kindness was drilled into your head. And this was the reason which had caused you to snort at every single movie containing the trope of the asshole rich kid; there are always exceptions amongst those who feel self entitled to everything.
Your life of such luxury and comfort hardly gave you any room for complaint but on the contrary, you quite enjoyed the social endeavors that came with it. The parties, polo games, fashion shows, galas and whatnot kept your life ever so interesting. And that's precisely what was happening this instant.
Your mother had come bustling into your room back in the estate in Seoul informing you about how a friend of hers was hosting the grand opening of her art gallery in Bangkok, Thailand. She had asked if you wished to accompany her. It was an easy yes since it was taking place over the weekend which allowed you to go and be back in time for university.
So now here you were, surrounded by familiar faces of your mother's friends and acquaintances alongside with friends of your own. The art gallery was very vast, with more hallways than you could count, each with its own unique set of paintings and showpieces. A smile was plastered on your lips as you listened to one your friends talk about their recent trip to Europe, a champagne flute clutched in one hand and a pamphlet regarding the exhibitions in this gallery in the other hand.
As the clutter of people around you was prompted to move forward to continue the tour, you felt yourself slip away from the crowd and move backwards deeper into the maze. Your suspicions were confirmed about most of the rooms being empty as you walked around, the sound of your heels clicking against the hardwood floor echoing across the large expanse.
You gazed lazily at the art pieces, taking a sip of the bubbly drink, nothing piquing your interest. However during your leisurely walk, you came across one canvas which caught your attention. It was depicting a scene; hoards of gold coins and jewelry were arranged in a mountain. On top of the mountain was a disgruntled creature sitting, looking far from human with the expression of utmost misery across its face.
"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it," a voice came from your side. "The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one."
You turned your head to the side and were genuinely surprised to find a young man standing there. His grayish green hair was styled with care, forehead exposed to the world. His long neck was adorned with a black thread which was wound around a ring, sitting like a showpiece on his collarbones which was visible due to the unbuttoned top of the white dress shirt. The ends were neatly tucked into a black dress pant, with a velvety red blazer around his shoulders. His soft features had a hint of mischief sprayed on them. The delicate neck of one of the champagne glass was pinched in between his fingers while his other hand rested behind his back, the aura surrounding him evident with wealth and prestige. Noticing your stare, he gave you a side glance with a smile tugging on the corners of his lips.
"And what fortune cookie might that be?" You inquired, swirling around the contents of your glass.
"The everlasting words of Benjamin Franklin. Which were ironically studded onto the walls on the entrance of the gallery," he said, amusement tracing his words.
"Ah yes, the never-ending cycle of 'you can't buy happiness with money'. Such bullshit. People love saying that, it's almost like I can't even enjoy life for being born in a well off family." You sighed, tipping the contents of the glass into your mouth.
The mysterious boy raised his eyebrow at the long swig of the drink you just took. "Well then I would strongly advice to not look at the other various depictions in this gallery if that was your reaction to this one." He turned his attention back towards the painting and jerked his chin towards it. "So, thoughts?"
You looked at the canvas carefully, scrunching your nose. "Wouldn't spare it a second glance. Such a shitty and overused cliché. While that may be the case at times, I doubt a miserable poor person would ever reject a wadful of cash. It may not bring them instant happiness but they can use that to get there bit by bit."
He hummed in agreement, sipping at his drink again.
"Well," you continued ,"unless they decide to waste that money on drugs, that's just gonna make things worse for them. Or I don't know, maybe that will nudge happiness into overdrive. Whatever gets them off."
This caused the boy to choke on his drink, pressing a fist against his lips to control his coughing. "That's not something I expected to hear in a million years."
"Then it seems you're hanging out with the wrong company." You shrugged, fanning your face lightly with the pamphlet.
Taking notice of the momentary silence, you directed your eyes at him. A wave of energy crashed across in his eyes, as he started to extend his free hand towards the canvas. Anticipating his next move, you sprung into action and slapped his hand with the pamphlet you were holding, playfully glaring at him.
"What in the world was that for?" He complained, wringing his hand as if you had hit him with a metal bat.
Wordlessly, you waved the pamphlet across the little metal plate drilled into the wall beside the showpieces which read 'Do not touch the art' in clear bold words. "I hope you can read."
He squinted his eyes at the sign and scoffed, puffing his chest up. "Well tell that to all the ladies who insisted on grabbing me by the shoulders and planting a kiss on both of my cheeks."
"Oh my my," you chastised, "You? Equating yourself with art? God you're so full of yourself." You turned on your heels and began to survey the other exhibitions.
"What hey!" He exclaimed, falling into step beside you. "On a numbered scale I am a full Ten. And it's not being full of oneself, it's called self confidence." He shot you a dazzling smile, causing you to let out a laugh.
"Sure it is pretty boy. If you look it up, you may come across a word called arrogance," you suggested.
"And you don't possess that quality?" He bemused.
"I would like to think so. Attitude and arrogance are to be left on the doorstep of my house when entering, a lesson very firmly emphasized upon by my parents when growing up." You finished the last bit of your drink and pursed your lips.
"Sounds refreshing," he chuckled. "If I could have a dollar every time I met an arrogant soul, I'd be even more rich."
"Don't flaunt your money too much. People may think that is all you have to offer. Who would you be when stripped away of your wealth?" You glanced at him to find a sparkling pair of eyes on you.
"What do you think I have to offer?"
You shrugged. "I hardly know you. I don't even know your name."
A smirk formed on his lips, "Truly a tragedy. Can't get everything, princess-" he turned around on his heels and began to walk towards one of the exits "-somethings cannot be bought but must be earned."
You silently watched as the mysterious boy's figure disappeared into the shadows; wondering slightly if the whole interaction was a very vivid dream or not. Curiosity took over you as you pondered over the possibility of who that was.
__
It had now been two weeks since the launch of the art gallery in Thailand and you had managed to successfully push the thought of the strange man in the far backside of your brain. While it was true that curiosity had eaten it's way through your head to get to know his name, you decided against it and chose to keep that experience enigmatic.
And so life went on along as you now found yourself in Berkshire, England at the infamous Ascot Racecourse. Your parents, especially your father, loved horses and attended horse race events with zeal and zest. As it happened every year, you were now at the Village Enclouser adorned by a beautiful dress with a matching decorative hat secured in your hair.
A Bellini glass was clutched in your hand as you were out on the balcony surrounded by your classmates sharing stories of latest adventures. Laughing at one of your friends story, you noticed a familiar face pass by inside the enclosure. Deciding your next move quickly, you excused yourself from the group and slid past them in hopes of catching up with the familiar someone.
You finally spotted him at the bar at the far end, looking at the board with the name of the contestants. He was dressed sharply in a grass green suit with tie, matching well with his hair.
"Planning on placing a bet? I'd highly recommend going with Achilles Kiwi. It's made quite a name for it's itself. Steer clear off of Brag a Tear because it will literally bring tears in your eyes," you greeted, slipping into a seat next to him.
He turned his face to yours, a grin breaking out. "Well you seem to be very knowledgeable about this subject. Bet around much?"
"Oh haha," you faked. "My parents love horses and talk about them very much. I'm just passing on the useful information."
"Benevolence is noted," he bowed a little at you. "So how have you been for the past two weeks?"
You hummed in disregard, taking a sip of your drink. "Took a lovely trip to Milan and just roamed around the city for a while. And since I can't always afford to take time off, most of my week was spent in university behind a desk. And yourself?"
"Went to Australia for a little business trip with my mom," he shared, now rotating his drink glass on the counter. "And like you said, can't avoid university forever."
"Huh pretty boy studies, never would have thought," you smirked getting a noise of complaint from him. "What do you study?"
"I'm majoring in Visual and Performing arts," he beamed. "Its something I've always wanted to do and I'm really glad I'm getting to do it."
"Oh," you said, surprised. "The creative side, that's awesome. Most of the people I know are mostly pursuing the business side."
"What about you? What are you planning to do with your life?" He asked, interested.
You blushed a little, looking down at your hands. "I'm getting a degree in accounting and finance."
He leaned his head down a little, forcing you to make eye contact with him. "That's very very awesome so why are you so embarrassed telling me that?"
You brushed your hair aside and hastily took a sip of your drink. "When I usually tell people that, they get a little offended and then continue to laugh at my efforts while questioning my motives for that degree. They assume that I'll never follow in my dad's footsteps but I will rather be married off to a wealthy family and be a happy housewife."
"Oof," he winced. "Presumptuous assholes. They're probably scared of your intellect. Screw them, you do you. Prove them wrong."
You smiled at him, a warm feeling blossoming in your chest. "Thanks. So, am I keeping away from someone?"
He shook his head, signalling the bartender to refill your glass. "Not so much actually. I got bored with the people I was with so I decided to roam around. If I knew you were too, I would have ditched them sooner to come find you."
"Hmm," you smiled at him from the top of your glass. "Smooth talking I see. Well it is working." From the top of his head you saw your mom signalling you, telling you that the race was about to begin and that you had to go to your seat. You got up from your seat and leaned close enough to whisper in his ear. "Although you have to make a bit more of an effort if you want me to stick around."
You dropped a wink at him and swayed away as the nameless boy watched you walk away, shaking his head and chuckling at the leaving statement you had given.
Unsurprisingly the word of the interactions you had with the grey haired boy spread like wildfire amongst your social circle. People you had never conversed with before or even barely talked to had begun the practice of cornering you whilst rapidly firing away questions. Who was he? What family did he come from? What do his parents do? Was he your boyfriend or fiance?
To say that these inquiries irked you was an understatement. What was it to them? You'd be lying if you had not thought of snapping back at them to mind their own business. The day to day bombardment at university, small parties at home, polo matches caused for you to retire in your estate, now going out only when deemed necessary. So when you found out an associate of your father was hosting a celebratory dinner at his yacht in Oia, Greece you shot right up at the opportunity to leave behind the familiar faces in Seoul and surround yourself with people you had never come across.
As expected, the coastal town of Oia was breathtaking. The entire town consisted of beautiful whitewashed buildings with blue capped churches which stood out clearly from it's surroundings. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the town offered serenity and a peace of mind which you had been desperately searching for the past three weeks.
After saying hello to your parent's various friends, you had detached yourself from them and found sanctuary at the bar located at the far end of the top deck of the magnificent yacht. The view you were provided with was absolutely stunning, the lights of the city sparkling in the distance, the blue water of the sea reflecting said lights which gave the impression of an endless galaxy filled with stars.
The lovely breeze would come and go, ruffling your sundress and sending a cool sensation on your exposed shoulders. You let out a sigh of relief as no here approached you with the topic of the mysterious male in your life. Here you were free and quite frankly a nobody, and never before had you been so glad at the lack of attention being given you. The bartender placed your choice of drink, lemon-thyme vodka lemonade, in front you from which you immediately took a gigantic swig from.
"Drinking your troubles away?" A very familiar voice came from your side.
You turned to your left and recognized exactly who it was. There he was again, looking ethereal as per usual. His skin looked a shade darker than the last time you had seen him. The black thread you had seen him with when you first talked to him was sitting at its usual spot. His chest was now adorned with a white velvety Hawaiian shirt decorated with palm trees paired together with light blue ripped jeans and sneakers. His hair now looked soft and fell into his eyes, evidently free of any styling product. With a beer bottle clutched in his hand, you realized that this was the most casual you had seen him.
You took a deep breath and propped your head on the palm of your hand as you looked him in the eye. "If that statement were true, then instead of appearing out of nowhere you would disappear instead."
He looked at you quizically, pulling out a seat for himself. "Have I done something wrong to you that I'm not aware of, princess?"
"Well not you." You scrunched up your nose. "Your bare minimum presence in my life has been causing some people to raise their eyebrows. Suddenly they all have turned into expert agents who must collect Intel no matter the circumstances."
"Ahh," he said knowingly, sipping from his bottle. "I know very well what you're going through. I've been getting questions from people I've never even seen in my life. How hard is it even to mind your own goddamn business?"
The two of you sighed simultaneously, lapsing into a comfortable silence. The two of you continued to sip your drinks as the air soon filled itself with the beautiful slow melody of violins and cellos. Various pairs had pulled themselves onto the floor, latching themselves together and dancing to the rythym. So you and him turned yourself around in your chairs and merely watched them.
Soon after, he put down his drink and got up, standing directly in front of you with his hand outstretched. "A dance?"
You looked at his hand and quickly glanced behind him to see if anyone was looking at the two of you. Realizing that no one was sparing a glance to the two of you, you gladly took his hand and allowed him to take you to the dance floor. He took one of your hands in his, placing his other at your waist tentatively and held you at a comfortable length as you two swayed to the music.
"So the princess can dance," he smiled. "Never would have thought. Where did you learn?"
"I had to take a crash course when I had to have dinner with the Royals from the House of Spencer." You let out a laugh at his confused face. "Don't give me that look. I had to dance with a prince for 'diplomacy' and whatnot."
"And how was the experience?"
"The dance? Exceptional." You inched a bit closer to him. "The prince? A dickhead."
He started to laugh and you noticed that the glee reached his eyes as they shut. "My goodness. You are something, aren't you?"
You merely shrugged before steering the conversation back to the topic you had been discussing. "So what have the people been asking about?"
"The usual. Who is she? Who are her parents? Where does she live? Are the two of you together?"
"How pesky. And what have you been telling them about me?"
"I don't know," he said thoughtfully. "I don't even know your name."
"Truly a tragedy. Can't have everything, pretty boy-" you smiled at him playfully "-somethings cannot be bought but must be earned."
He scoffed, rolling his eyes at you. "Touchè, princess, touchè."
You smiled at him once again as the music drowned out any chance of conversation, resuming dancing once again being content with each other's presence.
And just as easily as the night had transformed into something, it dissolved ever so quickly. After a few more dances, he had excused himself away and that was the last you had seen him that night. Each and every single encounter with him would always leave you with a strange feeling; always on the good spectrum. You were very unsure as to how to quantify your relationship with him, were you acquaintances? Friends? Or maybe something more? But such thoughts were far fetched since you didn't even know his name. Which was perhaps the most elusive thing about this whole situation.
But as usual, life went on and although you did not admit it, you were a bit frustrated about the strange boy in your life. He was certainly a bearing weight on your mind and once again, you found your thoughts to be preoccupied by his blinding smile. Slipping on your earrings absentmindedly, you heard a knock on your bedroom door with a voice asking you to come down as the guests had started to trickle in. You were no stranger to galas, especially those which were held in your own abode.
Finally gathering the lapels of your red velvet dress, you came out from your sanctuary and descended the stairs which led into the pool of people. You gladly lost yourself in greeting and making small talk with the faces that you recognized and the faces that recognized you. Much to your dismay, most of your friends were unable to make it to the gala since they had most of their schedules to attend to.
After all the catching up, you had made a straight beeline towards the door which led outside towards the glistening pool. The sound of music and chatter lessened, as you took one last swig from the glass of champagne abandoning it on one of the decorative tables. The clicking of your heels became more prominent and finally you could breath in the fresh cool air. Gazing up towards the starry sky, you walked around the edge of the pool which you soon realized to be a bad idea as the skirts of your dress caught up in your heels, throwing you off your balance causing you to nearly plummet into the pool if it were not for the hand that had appeared at your waist which secured you tightly.
"Going somewhere princess?"
Blinking away the surprise, you recognized the face, "Are you following me around that it even led you to my house?"
He looked at you, perplexed. "This your house?"
"Well yes," you shot him a confused look, "If it isn't then we've been living at the wrong place for a whole lot of time."
His hands still lay secure on your waist holding you close to him comfortably. "Do you wanna keep on standing here dangerously close to the pool or move somewhere secure?"
You hooked your hand in his arm as he guided you to the nearby bench, settling down beside him. "Do you live here as well or did you fly in from somewhere?"
"I've moved here quite recently from Thailand. When I met you for the first time in Bangkok, it was my first time back from moving here in Seoul."
"Oof," you smiled. "So that was a sentimental trip that I managed to ruin?"
"What? Ruin?" He waved his hand in front of your face. "That was actually one of my better decisions to come say hi to you."
“Technically speaking you also never introduced yourself," he chided. He got up from his seat and positioned himself in front of you, slightly bowing to you. "Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul. Although I do prefer to go by Ten because in a room full of people I am always a ten." He flashed you a smile.
You laughed, shaking your head at him. "Okay that's so ridiculous. Anyways, I'm Y/N L/N. I prefer to go by Y/N because I have no false knowledge about myself."
Ten clutched at his heart and flailed his arm around. "Now that's just cold. I am so hurt by those words."
"Oh hush," you rolled your eyes at him. "No wonder you're perusing a performing arts degree."
Ten grinned at you and sat back down in his seat. “Well you better get used to me quick.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you’re gonna be seeing a whole lot of me.” He bumped his shoulder against yours. “I have a tendency to be very annoying.”
You smiled at him, leaning forward, “Oh we’ll see about that.”
-Charlie
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Text
Happy Christmas, this two paragraph ficlet turned into an actual one shot. Have some fluff.
“It’s enough for me that it’s a nice day out, and we can go for a walk when I get home from work.”
That was what she had said. But this was her birthday. Technically, given how many deep-space missions she’s carried out, she was closer to thirtieth than she was to her phsyical twenty-fifth. Time, space...of all the things that have ceased to make any kind of logical sense in their little pocket universe, age is the least of concern. She’s lived so many years longer than he has, and yet he’s the one that looks older than her; enough so that they sometimes get strange looks even in places where no one would ever guess he was a synthetic.
Perhaps he could have taken her to dinner again. True, once a week or so he’d insist on taking her out, sometimes to a dive bar that she’d been familiar with when she had been living on her own, sometimes someplace nicer and she’d grumble about having to dress up. There had to be something better than just taking a walk with her. She goes for a run every morning, and for as advanced as he is, anything more than a light jog is...clumsy at best, and he stays home. So it’d be nice, to see her trail with her, come home to a pot of tea, maybe a nice hot bath...
Still, he already spent two hours making a cake for her, and was rather proud of just how machine-made-perfect it looked. There were some nice perks to being a soulless, mobile computer.
Yet it wasn’t enough. She deserves the world and a half, and she’s so practical she never buys herself anything that isn’t a necessity. Or broken; she buys antique electronics and mechanical toys to repair or remake as a hobby, but it doesn’t cost much. And was he supposed to pick out for a person that had very little in common with him, and showed very little interest in anything gift-worthy?
 She liked to read, he’d seen her with old paperbacks, and even a couple newer titles, but it was only at the end of the day or early in the morning.
Ripley sits at the kitchen bar, back from her run, hair damp despite the cool morning, and she sips at the tea he had made for her while she was out...convincing her to ease up on the coffee wasn’t easy, but pu’erh had enough caffeine to sustain her, and she didn’t put sugar in it so...small victories.... Her book is open and leaning against the potted cactus she brought home for him after he killed their violets. She’s at peace, finally, and if he’s honest with himself, and if he listens to her and believes her, he has a lot to do with that fact.
Maybe he could go out and get champagne. Put it on ice, light some candles around their bath and get her roses, maybe he could...It isn’t as if it’s something we don’t do normally, he thought. Ripley’s interest in him lessened some in the last couple of months, but he had a strong suspicion that their high-frequency rendezvous was more of a coping mechanism for her than about affection. An hour, give or take, of getting to forget who they were, or to only think of them and not of anything that has happened before or after that moment. He couldn’t blame her for it, but it did make romance less...novel of a thing to do on her birthday. 
Christopher didn’t poke through her belongings so much as curiously examine them. Her workroom had every small tool she could ever want or need. In the bathroom vanity none of her items were low, and she did indulge in scented bath salts now that WY was picking up their bills. There was even a small vial of perfume in the dresser drawer, and a single black nightgown she swore she only had because it was soft and cool to wear in the summer, but as he had witnessed, if it was too warm out she’d just go to bed in her underwear and a loose cami....she did like wearing it, he learned quickly, on nights he had to spend hours working on his programming, or on physical circuitry with his skin opened on his core. He didn’t like her seeing him like that, and usually locked himself into the office until whatever needed done was done. He’d walk out to see her, in the black night dress in the dark on their couch, with her hair down and smiling up at him “Want to sit with me?” And yet clothing of that variety didn’t seem to appeal much to her when he asked her about it.
She had graph paper and lined paper, a compass, drawing tools, everything she needed for mechanical design and work. She had a plush animal of some kind that had been either so loved or so abused that it’s repairs didn’t allow for species recognition; and she had a plush bear in a space suit he bought her on one of their earlier ‘dates.’ The hideous art print in the living room; a few old posters and post cards. They had bedding, and a spare set of sheets. Ripley always said that there was nothing else they needed. 
He thinks over the other clothing she has; work clothes, one gaudy red dress she got becuase she thought he’d like to see her in something nicer on a date, and nicer (less oil stained) jeans and shirts. A small makeup kit, though he rarely sees her in more than eyeliner (she wears concealer under her eyes, he can see it, but she denies it and he’s wise enough of human socialization at this point to not call her out on her lie). She even had a cheap pair of stud earrings she would wear once in---
That was the only jewelry she had. 
Maybe...
-----------------------
The jewelry shop in the city center would have been his first choice to find something for her at; but even the cheapest items there were more than she would ever allow him to spend on her. The display of engagement rings in it’s window was also...tempting wasn’t quite the word, ‘taunting’ might have a better connotation of the situation. It hasn’t been four months you’ve been with her... Then again, they were living together, and functioned, for all he was aware of, like a human partnership. If that was even what she considered them. 
There was another place, closer to the tourist traps, that sold....well, it was still nice things but it was the kind of nice that was sold alongside postcards and guidebooks to Luna. Amanda called the shops on that side of the city a ‘kitschy boardwalk.’ And yet, half her antiques and a few posters, and some of her records came from this part of the colony. She’d appreciate it.
An array of charms and earrings and rings shaped like the original moon lander, no. The little vintage space shuttle designs were sweet, and getting closer... But not really her either. The silver plated Weyland-Yutani logo charm was absolutely out of the question. 
Samuels remembers her humming once, he’d woken up her up from a nightmare, she had been shaking. He held her tightly and she quietly hummed the lines of a lullaby, of Lucky Star. That was months ago now and though she didn’t care much for pet names, privately that was what he thought of her: a lucky star, a unique one-in-billions event that everything orbited around.
A gold star in the back of the case of necklace pendants glittered; hardly half an inch tall, and on a plain black cord, it matched her personality--at least to his understanding of it.
---------------------------
“I told you not to do anything,” she said, looking the lowered lights and the cake sitting on their counter bar.
“Hello to you too,” he tried to cross the room to kiss her cheek, but she had already made it to the cake in three long strides.
“I’m sorry--but I meant it you didn’t have to...”
“It’s nothing, really. Normally I try to have dinner ready for you anyway so--”
“I wish you wouldn’t.”
“Didn’t we agree, luv,” he tested just how upset she was by reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear--she didn’t stop him, so she couldn’t be too annoyed, “That if you were going to back to work, I could take care of household duties?”
“I know but... You’re not my housekeeper.”
“All I did was make the cake--” Amanda froze entirely and turned to face him again.
“Whoa, no wait, wait. You made that?”
“Yes?”
“You can do that? Chris how, this is--”
“It wasn’t hard.” 
Amanda inspected the perfect flowers and flawless icing on it, the exact lettering ‘happy birthday Amy’ in curling script. “You’re full of little surprises aren’t you?”
“If you say so. I forgot about dinner I’m afraid,”
“Oh so you aren’t perfect,” she smiled at him, loving the expression on his face that told her if he could blush he would be. You, she thought to herself, are absolutely getting lucky tonight.
“Far from it, dear.” It earned him a light kiss before she went for the phone on the wall, “If you’re going to order in, I already called.”
“That vegetarian place you see fit to call ‘take out’ or--”
“The pizza place that you see fit to refer to as food. That one.”
“Okay, so you are perfect,” she said, only half joking as she reached for the silverware drawer; he knew that she would try to cut a slice of cake before dinner arrived. “Chris?”
“Yes?”
“Why is there a present where the big knife should be?”
“Becuase it’s your birthday?”
“I told you--”
“When’s the last time someone did something for you on this day? The last time you actually...enjoyed it? You said yourself that the last few you either forgot or spent at a bar. And,” she looked increasingly bothered at his words and he considered stopping, but he put thought into this, “If it’s within my power to do something for you that could make you happy then I have to do it.”
“Then we have to find a birthday for you too.”
“That isn’t necessary--”
“Yes it is. If mine is, then so is yours.” he didn’t try to argue anymore. “So you want me to open this?”
“If you want,”
“Really if this is--oh...”
“Do you like it?” he asked as she held it up to examine. She turned the star over in her hand, it was barely the size of a fingernail, and engraved on the back in impossibly tiny script.
“It’s perfect...thank you--I can’t see the letters on the back--Sorry, I need my glasses for...” she liked that he chose a black cord too, instead of a gold one.
“They couldn’t personalize something that small, maybe I should have gone with a larger one but I was able to use one of your laser tools. I didn’t think it was that small, just how bad are your eyes?”
“Not that bad but--What’s it say?”
“‘Lucky Star’“
“...What?”
“I--you were humming it one night until you fell back asleep so I thought--I’m sorry if I got it wrong or if--”
“No it’s...” she was trying hard not to cry at this point, unable to hold back the tears despite avoiding a complete breakdown. “My mom--she used to sing it to me and--When I heard her recording she... That’s the  last thing--she sang it for me and...”
“Amy I’m so sorry--I-I didn’t know.”  
Amanda had changed, through what she’d survived, through half a year of accepting (usually) the help he offered, or perhaps she had only grown a little in that instead of doing what she might have done as recently as three months ago and hiding on her own until she had no trace of tears left and then never mention it again.
Instead, she looked over to Christopher’s open arms and took his silent offer.
“I didn’t know...I can fix it, or fix it and then return the whole thing--it doesn’t matter to me, love. You can pick something out inst--”
“No you got it for me!” she sniffled slightly her tight hold on him easing up a little. “You chose it and made it special and put thought into it and..”
“I did mean the sentiment. Beyond your luck at the obvious you are a lucky star to me... If that isn’t too melodramatic or saccharine for you.”
“It is...But you really are the sweetest person I’ve ever met.” She held up the necklace, “Could you put it on me?”she asked; he obliged happily as she thought he would, glad to perform the cliche romantic gesture. 
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