[PT-PP-F04] HOME AND HEART

[Mari 1]

HOME
 

 

Spoiler

To: Lancaster
From: Mari
Subject:
Come home for a surprise. You have keys.
Please.

The last word sent with a sense of urgency and desperation. 

Where once stood a shabby cottage barely fit for one, now stood a larger home - made primarily out of various cut stone and mortar. Two stories loomed over a frozen lake. Nestled in the forests of the 4th floor. Hidden by a steep and looming mountainside the house would be near impossible to find if you were not specifically looking for it. And yet, here, in the middle of nowhere - in a freezing tundra - was home. A cherished home of brick and mortar glowing amid seas of white. Glass windows frosted to protect privacy of those within - and large oak door with a chemical sheen that in just the right angle would dance with an almost translucent rainbow.

 

A larger home, far more accommodating for two people. A roaring fire - two reclining chairs A chilled glass of straight whiskey sat on a side table, next to a decanter with more of the precious liquid Sullivans Cove - Mari had to traverse the 29th floor to get that. Condensation clung to the side of the glass, and dripped down. Another item on the table, a welcome home present. Exactly 29 rolled cigarettes. Each one slightly different - each one containing tobacco from every floor that had been cleared. Mari had started working on it since before the concert - and it had taken a very long time. Most of them were rolled haphazardly, but one could tell she got better at it the further through the pile she had gotten. The living and dining room combination - the first thing you see when you enter has a sense of serenity and comfort. So many things familiar, and yet so many small changes. An uncovered Mirror, larger tables. Notes and bottles of chemicals on the dining table. It wasn’t just a shack. It wasn’t just a building. It was lived in.

 

Mari wore thick black tights - and a pair of slippers that did not make sense. They were bright green and covered in fluff, shaped like two frog faces. Every step she took and the frogs face would open up as though it was silently chattering away. Normally, she’d have worn an oversized sweater but today it was an oversized white t-shirt. Freckled arms, shoulders, and shoulder bones laid bare to the warm air of the abode. Several sizes too large for the woman. She didn’t seem to care. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun that had quite literally just been scrunched together haphazardly and tied up. 

 

In the corner of the kitchen sat a pot of coffee - freshly brewed. The scents of freshly made bread wafted through the air as Mari opened up the oven and pulled out two loaves. She didn’t know how to make much, but bread - she fucking loved bread. Two loaves of Ciabatta. These came out perfectly. The last batch had been rock hard and unceremoniously thrown out of the window to sit in the yard.

 

Trout

That was almost ready - on a grill that sat on top of the oven…

Another thing she had made - hand caught herself. Now, all she had to do, was wait for the man she loved.

Oh, and perhaps…the strangest thing of all - in the dead center of the room sat a little black bird with a white head. On its side. Each eye blinking slowly and independently of each other. It gave a little “coo” as it tried to stand, take a few steps in a circle, then promptly fell back onto its side.

Mari had been through hell and back. Learning who the faceless lord was. Raidou's involvement with the Laughing Coffin.

An offer to save Lancaster from everything. But how?

She needed to see him. To fall into his arms and breathe deep of everything that he was.

[Lancaster 1]

The soft crunch of snow, the chill causing his breath to escape in thick waves of white heat. Lancaster still wasn't exactly comfortable on this floor, but the trek was more then worth it. A simple message drew his attention, and the burning little village counted its blessings when the man cut his tyranny short to respond to them in kind. Under his arm, a bouquet of flowers in all its cheesy glory. The man reaches for his jacket pocket and removes a comb to slide through his hair, mainly to get some of the rabbit fuzz out and remove some of the soot. Returned, he'd orchestrate a couple of times and slide his fingers on the label of some bottle of wine he'd stolen. A fine cabernet primed and swindled through threat from one of the lower trade cities.

Up the side he couldn't help but whistle as he'd approach, spotting a stack of bread sitting wistfully crooked halfway out of the snow like throwing stars in a target. The home had clearly undergone a face lift, as if someone had air lifted a whole second cabin and dropped it on top. The man couldn't help but run his hand against the side as he'd walk, now smooth stone and likely worth a pretty penny. Up onto the refurnished porch, he'd glance about admiring the clean cut woodwork and taking a second glance at the tinted glass. A key into the tumbler and door gently opens. The interior was completely redone, and Lancaster slowly trails from left to right, eventually his eyes settle on the only movement outside the fire.

"Coo."

The mans eyes narrow, finding it odd that some strange rat had found its way in here. It manages to stand, waddle over to him and flop onto its side. "infestamento?" The man worms, trying to shoo the thing out the open door. When that doesn't work, he leans over and places the flowers and wine bottle down. Picking it up in both hands, this bird was unlike any he'd ever seen. Not that he was much of a bird person. Holding it in both hands, it was bound probably because it was a nuisance. Falling back on more grim instincts, the man shores up squaring with the doorway. Two steps and he punts the bird out the door to a spray of little feathers that fall limply like leaves. To the larger table, the man wanders and sets down his gifts beyond the set utensils. Into the kitchen, he'd size Mari up in her black tights and makeshift nightgown. The little ribbits as she'd walk. He'd move in for the kill and bury his face into her neck. "Cute slippers mi fiamma." Pecking her neck as he'd wrap her stomach from the back. "Oh, and I dealt with some....pest. Is outside."

Lancaster | HP: 440/440 | EN: 62/62 | DMG: 1
 

Spoiler

 

Name: Lancaster, The Consuming Tyrant
True Tier: 3
Level: 22
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 440/440
EN: 62/62

Stats:
Damage: 1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 

Combat Mastery:
  - 

Combat Shift:
  - 

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

 

 

[Mari 1]

"Vincent!" 

Mari turned to wrap her arms around his waist as he buried his face in her neck, claiming to have gotten rid of a pest. A glance over his shoulder and she could see the strange bird was gone. "Ah ....yeh no that thing is...." Mari tilted her head. "I tried throwing it off the edge of Aincrad and when I got home it was sitting on my kitchen table."  Mari snorted. "Next time try roasting it." She offered, giving his cheek a kiss. "Hopefully it'll stay that way.

Mari's hands rose from his waist to wrap around his shoulders so she could bury her face in his neck. Offering it several kisses. Breathing in deep she couldn't help but cough as she got a mouthful of ash. Mari pulled away to wipe it from her face before burying it back into his neck. She missed this. She didn't care that he was covered in soot, she didn't care that it was a telltale sign of insidious exploits. She only cared about him. "These last few days have been fucking wild..." Mari muttered. She was exhausted, and had dealt with turning into a literal monster - and she couldn't even share that with him. Then there was the dark Shinsengumi...her gemini...The crazy Magician - and the people snooping around Ronbaru. There was so much to talk to him about but right now, she just wanted this moment. Mari grabbed Lancasters cheeks and offered him a long drawn out kiss - a moment she didn't want to break away from, and almost regretted doing so as she took a step back to catch her breath.

"That fucking bird...I picked it up from that strange magician man. Yanno, the one with the strange smiley mask?" Mari waved off the thought, she had a feeling Lancaster knew who it was - considering his very quick and dire warnign to have her 'laugh at every one of his jokes'

Her eyes shifted to the table. "Flowers? You always surprise me, Mi Amore." Mari padded over to the chair by the fireplace, bending down to collect the pile of cigarettes, and the chilled glass of whiskey. "Once again, I feel as though I can't seem to match you." With each step back the frog slippers would silently bark at Lancaster.

"Cute slippers mi fiamma."

"Ah." Mari looked down as she first passed him the glass of whiskey. "They're kinda stupid looking, huh? But I dunno. Kinda like them. Now..." Mari splayed out her hands to the man, the hand rolled cigarettes shifting in her palms. "Each one of these has tabacco from each floor, so 29 in total. I don't smoke, don't know if they'll be good. But I been working on this since before your concert, la mia stella." Now that she was explaining it....it seemed almost silly now. Her eyes shifted to the blazing fire. "So many farmers, up in fireworks...." She muttered. A testament to the sheer amount of effort that went into them.

"Oh...did you want a small tour? I'd love to show you the basement? Or food first?" Mari asked. Then with a small grin and a tilt of her head. "Or you can just have me?"

 

[Lancaster 1]

He'd smile so readily once the woman called his name, a quick snap to a dream that made reality fall away. Right to paradise. "I am sure that can be arranged, if it is this much of an annoyance." Lancaster offered in regard to the B&E Pidgeon. "Sorry about the ash, Is a little...busy today." Removing his jacket and finding a new coat rack sitting there. It was at this moment it clicked, that the shirt Mari was parading around in might have been one he left during one of their romps. "Oh? Lot of little things going on..." He'd offer curious speculation but would not dig any deeper, it was work talk and in this house he kept it to a minimum. Given that normally it just soured the mood, although the venting was nice it ruined a perfect evening with such gossip. Reciprocating the longer drawn kiss, finding the space in her lower back and leaning down to make it more comfortable.

Lancaster's own escapades had him running time and time again into a village of rabbits, robbing them of medicines that would serve the guild more then well enough. Half of there little nature magic crap just got scorched to a crisp, cutting them down in droves with little real resistance. He had to be wearing a good quarter of the forest by now. "Tybalt." The man offered off the cuff in almost a gasp, as Mari fanned her face after almost suffocating them both under a lip lock. "Easy to manage, but batshit. Is effective in his own right." A small acknowledgement and sense of pride in Mari for easily navigating a potentially hazardous scenario.

"You're one to talk, mi amore. I always am so spoiled by you." Flicking a bit of ash from underneath his right finger nail, looking up to see a shapely backside in a nylon black tint. The fireplace surges slightly hotter, springing to life as his blood does.

*ribbit*
     *ribbit*
          *squeee*

Her little slippers continue to gently taunt him as little faces spring up and fall, as if an accurate depiction. "From every floor?" Swallowing his own imposed stupidity and trying to find some fraction of his currently brutalized train of thought. "I wasn't aware that some floors had any. Grazi la mia anima gemella." He'd take the most disheveled among the pile, flick his thumb and spark it up. "Farmers? Ah! You figured out you're device~" The man squirreled recalling her prototype clutching just beneath her shoulders, one that he'd offered his own thoughts into help it along. It spoke entirely to Mari's ingenuity given it hadn't been that long and the man was ecstatic clearly. "Color me impressed and yet fulfilled. I knew you'd crack it, piromane."

Leaning toward a new and improved end table, the upside down cup still rested there. A flip of it up right side, the man taps a small inch of ash in. "Dessert first, I am tempted." He'd adjust his pant leg and belt buckle to release some pressure. "But I am curious. Give me the rundown, allow me to taste your passions as an appetizer." The man moves for her ear and whispers gently "We can save our passions for dessert" Adjusting the F1 cigarette in his mouth half way through, he'd murmur with a slight tinge of regret. "Else all your magnificent cooking will be wasted."

[Mari 1]

"Oh? Lot of little things going on..." 

“You could say that.” Mari mused as she kissed the underside of his chin. “We got all night, if your business allows.” Of course Mari wanted him to stay, she wanted to fall sleep under the sheets wrapped up in his arms. But Mari wouldn’t pry him away from his work.

A forehead rested on his chest as she closed her eyes. Raidou…wanted her to convince him to leave the Laughing Coffin..just how close had he been to everyone there? How should she even broach such a subject? Their conversations usually didn't delve into work related things. Mari had little desire to talk about or even participate in frontline politics and Lancaster was working for a notorious player killer guild.

"Tybalt." 

“Hmmm?” Mari lifted her head at the name, followed by the explanation he gave. “Ah. I figured you knew him given the message you sent. Yeh he’s… odd. Seemed to like my laughing gas - I think? I’m not entirely sure.” There were no follow up questions. She didn’t need nor care to know. She had a name to call him now, and that alone was probably too much information for Lancaster to give.

"From every floor?" 

“Mmhmm. Floor 9 and 29 were possibly the hardest. Not much grows amidst volcanoes - but the soil is quite fertile apparently. Then….” Mari sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. “Mi Amore, I almost got accosted by a tentacled beast getting that last one.”

"Farmers? Ah! You figured out you're device~" 

“Almost!” Mari said as her face lit up. She’d pull off the glove from her right hand - and in doing so revealed a scar around her wrist - fractured - as though something had carved it clean off and clumsily put it back together. “See…” She leaned into him, voice excited. “I got the length right - and even managed a small part here, where I can snap off the wire if I need to, I just need to figure out how to store more length in it so I can snap it off a few times before refilling it - oh and the recoil is still a bitch.”

"We can save our passions for dessert" 

Mari faltered, she placed the glove on the table and turned to face him. A palm against his chest as she pushed him back against the table, forcing him to arch his back uncomfortably. “Oh, anima gemella….you’ll be having more than that, I assure you.” A tilt of her head, hot breath on his neck as her hand trailed down lower, a press of her form against his - then - it all went away as she turned to actually serve the meal she promised.

 "Sorry about the ash, Is a little...busy today." 

“Yeh, no shit.” Mari commented as she pulled a particularly large hunk of ash from his eyebrow. “Speaking of your work…” Mari didn’t want to sour their mood. The two didn’t exactly run in the same circles, although - recently Mari found that she had been far more intimately entwined in the Laughing Coffin affairs than she’d ever realised. “Ronbaru.” Mari began, shifting to the kitchen to start plating up their food. “There are these three men. Andrew - tall bald man with a handlebar moustache. Ben, a mousey guy with brown hair, and Atticus a tall very thin man with blonde hair down to his waist. He has half of it up in a …man bun.” She spoke as she pulled the trout from the grill, and lathered a healthy serving of butter garlic sauce with it, then four thin and grilled lemon slices. “They wear matching armour with chainmail and a insignia with a fucking star - and a sword at its center. Think themselves to be knights or something…”  Mari padded back over to the table, giving him the serving of fish, alongside freshly baked ciabatta, and rich butter on the side. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

“They kept asking about the recent fires, I threw them off a little but they’ll be an issue in the future if they keep up. Last I heard from a woman named Khione - they were investigating a series of thefts on the lower floors.”

Mari turned to grab two clean glasses; unfortunately, she had no wine glasses - so the small ones she’d use for whiskey would have to do. Mari set them down on the table and kissed Lancaster on his forehead. Should he be telling him all this? She was practically signing their death warrants. But, if they listen to her - and leave well enough alone. They’d probably be fine.

“Right.” Mari moved her chair so she could cozy right up next to him. “I caught this yesterday.” She said as she nudged him with her elbow, a hand landing on his thigh to gently run up and down it. An act of comfort.

[Lancaster 1]

Lancaster couldn't help but swallow being leaned against, twisting his face in the top of her head as she'd seek out the spot beneath his chin. "Schedules clear... for the night." He'd offer pulling in the scent of chemical, a faint natural sweetness and cooking that mixed into the premier smell of Mari. "Just pleased, mi amore that you weren't strapped to one of his little wheels." Taking a drag of that cigarette really finished it off. Flicking his finger across the top snuffs out the cherry and he tosses the butt it into the cup for his ashes. "Is a lot of walking, for me." He'd thank her gently tracing her jawline and folding a finger under her chin. A soft tap of lips, the stink of cigarette on them but it was his only real way to show his appreciation. "Can only imagine the trouble, grazie mille amore mio. Best avoid those....Japanese..." he'd wave his fingers as if conveying their weird fetishes in a flippant expression.

The man would focus on her wrist, with all manner of conclusions to jump to as to why it existed. It was no secret that their lives were filled with mortal danger, yet even still it boiled into a sickened churn of his stomach. Taking the backside of her hand, he couldn't help but trace her wrist with his index finger. "I won't ask, but knowing you... the other fellow looked a lot worse. Busy in your own way..." He'd swallow hard and scan it down, it was a rare sight. "Is not much issue." His posture changed as he'd take to a seat and unfurl a white cloth on his lap, showing sets of manners that he'd hardly ever show most. A slight swig of the whiskey burned so valiantly down his throat, sparking the engine in his chest to life like coals. "Andrew, Ben, Atticus, Khione? These their usernames?" The man returned with a follow up question, being the first he's heard of this specific gaggle. It wasn't that often that he was in the main know to investigative sorts. They would likely be passed down the chain to the hunter type fingers with a little more tact, where he excelled in wanton destruction. As her chair would greet his, he'd open a cloth of her own and even stand to push in her chair. His inventory would flash open, and he'd place down a pair of long necked wine glasses. "Ironically I planned on smashing the bottle on your house, la celebrazione. But given the meal, is good use. If we have any left." The cups down he'd pour her a glass and himself one, playing the part of sommelier to a finely dressed woman in a plain white T shirt.

[Mari 1]

Mari ate with one hand, the other was delicately held in his - calloused fingers lovingly tracing her wound. Mari had almost forgotten about it. She heard the hitch in his breath - the way his words came out a little stilted. She couldnt help but smile. Swallowing the fish she turned to kiss his temple. "Not a person Mia Amore, twas my Gemini. That's...." She shifted her eyes to the side. "A long story - that involves a close friend - let's just say it was more difficult than I thought."

Mari leaned in, watching as he unfurled the cloth. Proper glasses. Good. "I must admit, I've never really had wine before, not expensive like this." Mari traced the rim of her cup as he would pour her a glass. "My ex would drink it regularly, but I wasn't allowed. Tch. Asshole. If we ever get out of here I'd eviscerate him."

Mari picked up the wine and sniffed it.

 "Andrew, Ben, Atticus, Khione? These their usernames?"
 

"Mmhmm...well, Khione is but she usually goes by Emilia. Atticus is, Ben, yes. Andrew? Not sure. I doubt it, meaning he's smart enough to keep his username close to his heart, or its something incredibly stupid."

The taste of wine was....interesting. Mari wasn't sure she had the kind of sophisticated palette for it. Full rounded. Oaky, notes of tannins. All different flavours and if Mari would swirl it in her mouth she'd be hit with other layers of complexity. Definitely something she was not used to. Mari took another long and slow slip.

Best avoid those....Japanese..."

Ah, Mari gave Lancaster a sly grin as she lowered her hand back down to his thigh, shifting it higher, letting it dance over areas that would make him squirm. "You don't want that?" She asked, leaning closer now - lips tickling his skin. "You don't want to see me writhing like that? This game is from Japan, I am sure there are ways if you are so inclined, my piromane.Because I sure would writhe alll manner of ways for you." Mari pulled away and shrugged, "Besides.."

"Little late for that...." Mari said as she swirled the rich liquid before taking a small sip.  “This might…sound odd.” Mari began. “But do you know someone in your ah. Group. That’s like…this tall.” Mari would stand from her chair to accentuate Brans height. “Wears an outfit that I can only really say reminds me of a dark Shinsengumi. Jumps around - uses aftershadows to attack?” The look on Lancasters face said it all. Mari reached out a hand to cup his cheek as she sat back down.

“Do me a favor. Tell him I’m doing what he aske- oh..wait..” Her brow furrowed as she shoved her fork into another section of the fish she had cooked. “No. You can’t do that. Then he’d know we’re connected…huh? Then again..” Mari lifted up her hand - turning it to and fro as she watched the glint of the red inset gem. His first gift to her…before they had really even known each other.

“I think he saw this, and connected some dots. Is…” She didn’t want to say it. She didn’t want to remove the first thing she had ever gotten from him. “Is it a good idea for me to wear this?”

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

The man breathed against the wine glass, even raking his fingers over the top to pull the scent to his nose. "Allow me the pleasure of hiding the body." The man spoke without an ounce of tact but all the honesty possible, like a simple agreement in their shared interest. "A wine is only as good as those it is shared and paired with. Like a good meal, good company." He'd lean an tap her glass with his own, locking eyes in a heavy intensity and tinge of a sly grin. "Alla nostra." A turn of a fork proved the man had some table etiquette and wasn't a total fucking heathen, despite prior appearances. It just proved that in most cases he simply didn't give a fuck about them save tonight. "This... gemini, long buried? Mine was a little more agreeable, I must admit so I cannot relate. Of course minus the black hair" He'd visibly shutter at the thought, as if his body rejected the vanilla look.

A light spit of wine causing him to cough once as a thin freckled set of fingertips traced his thigh, as softly as a feather duster before gaining more moxie. "Is an interesting notion, although I admit my jealousy would see the better of me. But I am willing to try and maintain control. You're a strong woman and know what you desire. I will not deny them." A longing and density as she'd pull back into a shrug, leaving him pent up and loaded like a shook up bottle of soda. "I am aware of the man you speak, keep our ring mia fiamma. The rules stand and this one is more adhered to them then most. Is not an issue, and I will alert you if it were." Tapping the rag on his lips in a light dab, he'd respect the white flakes of a finely cook fish with a turn of a fork. "Never fail to impress...Not for one second."

[Mari 1]

Mari laughed as he coughed. "Vincent...Vincent..." She chided, having finished most of her meal - Mari was far more focused on the man beside her now. "You wound me so. Jealousy?" She pushed strands of crimson hair away from his face. "You'd be the one making me writhe, Mia Amore - make no mistake. There'd be no other." His eyes shifted to her and he swallowed. Mari enjoyed watching his reactions. They were so human, so amusing. She loved him. 

Allow me the pleasure of hiding the body."

And Mari knew he was serious. Not a simple fact of people bursting into crystalized fractals in the digital facade of Aincrad but a real body of flesh and bone. Mari took another few sips of wine from her glass, emptying it before placing it on the table. She stood and pulled back on Lancasters chair, dragging him away from his practically finished meal. "The pleasure is all yours." It felt more real, far more intense than anything within the confines of the game. It made Mari's heart twist in an odd way. But her ex was an egregious person who orchestrated her downfall, and even the eventual death of their daughter. "But I ask you make him suffer first." A kiss on his cheek, then his lips. "Main course is over...I have something to show you."

Mari pulled on his hands to get him to stand and Lancaster followed, not before taking a step forward and falling into her, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other under her chin - tilting her head up to capture her in another long drawn out kiss. Passions ablaze the floor beneath them would scorch - but not burn. Mari pulled away, breathless. "Good thing I paid extra." She said as she pointed to the floor. "If you look around, most of the home should be fireproof. Most..."  With a tug on his wrist Mari led him toward the basement.

As they headed down the stairs there was a hint of gasoline in the air, further down and you could hear the small whirr and hiss of gears and steam. “Look.” Mari pointed to the left, a wooden table with an array of half built machinations, glass vials, and scattered notes. “It’s not quite as fancy as mine, but it is your own workshop. Already fitted with all manner of glass, and flammable chemicals. So….do be careful with that.” Mari said as she tapped the lit embers of his cigarette. “I wrote a bunch of instructions on how to use the burners, and the release valves. Try not to let the pressure build up too much, else things may go boom.” Mari pulled Lancaster toward the table, running a hand along it, fingers tracing the small inset stones - the table too, fireproofed. It was why she was so incredibly broke. Not that she cared. Mari never had a use for col till now.

“When we first met…” Mari began quietly as she hefted herself up onto the table, allowing Lancaster time to look around. “You whisked me away, on some kind of teleportation device, set up in different areas. I understand that’s - how you all get around but…” She gestured to the large space in the middle of the room. “If you so choose, you can place one here so you can come anytime, and avoid the snow. Honestly…if my workshop wasn’t on this floor, I probably would have moved my home completely but - it's less suspicious to have me wandering around when my home is close by.”
 

Mari would swing her legs, allowing the froggy slippers to almost fall off before bringing her leg up and letting it fall back onto her foot once more.

“The system wouldn’t allow me to assign you a bedroom without being married - archaic really…but this, this is yours, after all, Sei il mio tutto. ” She had slightly mispronounced the last part, but the intention was still there. The words were still heard, and felt. This man had quickly become such an integral part in her life. Mari didn’t know how long their little childish fantasies would last - but whilst they were living in them….she would give him the world.

“This is your space - to do with as you please, Vincent.”