Out with the old....

[sundead]

Who: Everyone
What: New Year's.
When: Dec. 31st, New Year's Eve, to Jan 1st, New Year's Day.
Where: Everywhere
Summary: It's New Year's, and the people of Luceti have a lot to reflect upon, and to look forward to. And on a more meta level, new journal names.
Rating: We'll see...

New Year's brings images of crowds, and songs, and fireworks; staying up til midnight and watching balls or bells being rung. But Luceti is a different time and place. Whether you're partying with friends or watching the sunrise, what are you doing today?

Comments

[ex_affability656]

[He laughs softly as they head into the hall. He keeps his voice quiet as the pass Elicia's room--it was hard enough getting her to sleep as it is. The last thing he wants is for her to wake up now.

Besides, it's rarely this quiet in the house. And it's very nice.]

What, when I can have a cup of yours? Never. I don't have to try everyone else's to know yours is the best around.

[contentedly]

[Gracia laughs quietly. She wonders if it's her skill or his confidence that makes this seem... actually true for him. She gives him a warm glance, but refrains from squeezing his hand.] Well, what kind would you like, Mr. Hughes?

[ex_affability656]

[He considers this thoughtfully, but ultimately decides to put the ball back in her court, as they turn into the kitchen.]

Surprise me, Mrs. Hughes.

[contentedly]

[Smiling a little at their mutual sillyness and enjoying the warm feeling it creates, Gracia does her best to ignore any guilt or fear for now and goes to let go of his hand and make tea.]

I'll see what I can do.

[ex_affability656]

[He takes a seat at the table while she works her magic, ever conscious of looking for an opportunity to bring up that surprise. It's a good one! At least, he thinks so.]

I don't doubt you'll come with something amazing. [He leans back.] Quiet night for New Year's, isn't it?

[contentedly]

Mmm. I think a lot of people are at the party in town. [Just getting the tea ready here, oblivious of any such surprises.] I heard there might be fireworks tonight.

[ex_affability656]

Fireworks, huh? [There's that obvious lilt in his voice.] I'd like to see that. If it's not snowing, maybe we should take a peek outside when they start shooting off.

[contentedly]

[...something with caffeine then. At least for her. She takes the tea out and goes to sit across from him.]

That sounds nice. It's a funny year to be celebrating - year four.

[Kind of amazing that the residents celebrate it at all, actually.]

[ex_affability656]

[He nods.] It is. Thinking that this place has only been around for four years...well, it raises a lot of questions.

[...But he isn't to trudge this conversation down my asking unnecessary questions. So instead he smiles.] Still--I'm glad we get to celebrate it.

[contentedly]

Mmm. [A smile.] I think it speaks well of everyone, that they're willing to celebrate in a place where they're being held against their will.

It reminds all of us for hope for tomorrow, I suppose.

[ex_affability656]

Exactly. A brand new year and a brand new day. What's more promising than hoping for that?

[Even if there's no telling when the person dearest to you might up and vanish. That's exactly why they have to hold onto hope.]

[contentedly]

[She reaches over to take his hand.]

Nothing.

[She's trying. She's trying so hard.]

[ex_affability656]

[You have no idea how much that means to him. He squeezes her hand.]

And a chance to make new memories, right?

[Yes, he's leading into something here...]

[contentedly]

[She's starting to get that feeling, yes.]

For as long as we can keep them, yes.

[...he doesn't have a new camera, does he?]

[ex_affability656]

[Nope, but you're not too far off!]

Right. Well, I thought of a way that can help us remember. ...In case we ever forget.

[He's hoping it doesn't even have to come to that, though.]

[contentedly]

[She leans forward a little, almost scared to hope.]

Really? What is it?

[ex_affability656]

I'll go grab it. It's in the other room.

[He gets up, regretfully letting go of her hand to duck into the living room. IT'S HIDDEN IN A VERY SECRET SPOT. But when he appears again, he's carrying something behind his back with a grin on his face.]

[contentedly]

[She twists around to follow him.]

What is it?

[ex_affability656]

Well...

[He whips out the surprise from behind his back--a large, hardbound book with a picture of the three of them slipped into the window on the cover.]

At first I thought just a photo album would be a good idea. But then I thought, why stop with just pictures? If...if we really weren't able to remember something--[Just like he couldn't, even with all the pictures he'd seen]--words could help, too.

[He leafs through the pages--all of them blank. Blank slates for new a hundred new memories they'd never have to lose as long as they had this.]

...I thought it'd be something we could work on. Together.

[contentedly]

Oh. Oh, Maes.

[He should be be proud. He got an immediate reaction. She rises to walk over by him and take the book.]

What a good idea.

[ex_affability656]

[He is proud. And his goofy smile only grows as he sees her excitement in turn.]

Really? I'm glad you think so! Even Elicia can help us with it. That way it will have a piece of all of us.

[In case we can't be together.]

1/2

[contentedly]

I think she would like that very much. [Warm. Loving glance.]

[contentedly]

[...at which point the tea kettle whistles.]

Oh. I should get that.

[Gonna let her go or make a move, sir?]

[ex_affability656]

[Not before he leans in to catch her on the cheek with a kiss as she goes. He just can't help it after how happy she looked about his idea.]

[contentedly]

[Direct hit! She smiles at him and moves away to get the tea, her heart beating a little bit faster.

Careful, Gracia. Careful.]

I thought some Assam would be nice. [...but she can't help herself.] Did you already start taking pictures for the book?