RP:Officially Living Together

Part of the Of Contracts and Families Arc

Summary: After a week of mishaps where Lanara mysteriously ends up at Elioyahazer's home in Cenril, his butler starts to put the hints together, and decides to meddle in their affairs. Fondly referred to as 'Toothpick' the male sends Lana a letter, inviting her over to bake cookies at the crack of dawn, and the witch can't help but run over, thinking that Eli is away on business. The butler and the witch have a food fight in the kitchen, which is interrupted by the grumpy assassin, who is in dire need of coffee. Feeling that her cover has been blown and that she's going to receive a tongue lashing, or worse, Lana is instantly apologetic, however things turn in her favor. Not always picking up on relationship cues, the assassin and his butler discuss the woman, and it's decided that Eli wants Lana to move into his home. The happy couple spends the remainder of their morning backing festive treats.

It’s late morning, the scent of cookies permeates through the massive mansion, and raucous laughter emits from the kitchen. A baby honey badger sits on a kitchen stool, chittering animatedly, as she observes the food fight between her new mistress and the elderly butler. Lanara is in rare form this morning, donning oversized sweat pants, a tank top, and has her long locks tied in a messy bun atop her head. She’s covered up to her elbows in batter, and even the tip of her nose had a dot of the gooey goodness! A few flakes of flour mar those gray pants, which hang low on her waist, and as she lifts her hand to tuck an errant strand behind her tapered ear, a veil of white lines her brow. “Catch!” She squeals and hurls an egg through the air, the projectile spiraling as it picks up speed, before it hits Toothpick, smack dab in the center of his chest. Not to be outdone, the butler lifts a few burnt cookies from the cooling rack, which are hard as rocks, and he tosses them as though they are frisbees at the petite elf. Lana manages to dodge two, before the third bounces off of her arm, and she yelps, “It’s still scalding! That burns, TP!” They continue their morning assault on each other, looking for more objects to throw, though their laughter never quite dies down. Lana had arrived at the crack of dawn, after Toothpick sent a letter to her cottage, stating that Eli would be out that day and they could spend the day baking and preparing for their Yule celebration. Unbeknownst to the elf, and to the assassin, it was all part of the butler’s plan to bring them closer and to have Lana show up at the house more. As of yet, she still hadn’t used her key, and she had ‘accidentally’ shown up three times this week. The first time, her bear cub broke in, the second time she happened to be strolling past and sprained her ankle, and the third time, she had received a letter that was addressed to Eli and sent to her by mistake. Truth be told, she deliberately walked Aspen, her ankle was fine, and she had stolen the letter from the gated house’s mailbox out front. It seems that it’s not only Toothpick that has been plotting to get Eli’s attention!

Elioyahazer || Lanara’s fun day was about to be ruined. Destroyed by the ex assassin who naturally moves down those stairs without any noise - not a single creak or heartbeat would betray him. The old training pays off in moments such as these, when such boisterous laughter and noise wakes him up after a late night of planning and plotting. He had to figure out how to trap Jez, and thusly found himself buried in work during the wee hours of the night. Elioyahazer enters the battle zone without any word, having only a pair of comfortable shorts on. His half naked frame otherwise, is displayed for all. The desert born grabs an empty tea kettle, fills it with water and begins to boil it, watching the maddening food fight. He was tired beyond belief and as much is visible - still wearing the grogginess of the morning in his eyes. “Morning,” he finally chimes in to perhaps ruin the fight and alert them to his presence. It’s suddenly clear, that Eli had -no- errands to run. Simply because he’s dressed so lazily and staring at the duo with a quizzical look. What exactly is happening here? “I don’t mean to interrupt, but why are we hosting a food fight? With Lanara of all people?” He gives them both a look that says, why are you here hanging out with Toothpick? In fact, she seems to have been growing rather close to the man. Perhaps it was just his early morning grumpiness or it was the twinge of jealousy lacing his tone. Either way, the kettle begins to whistle and Eli pulls it off the heat, filling a cold press machine with the hot fluids. He then pours coffee grounds into the concoction and waits the appropriate time before straining it and drinking the hot fluids, by slurping.

Lanara and Toothpick halt, mid-throw, a stick of butter in the butler’s hand, and a fistful of flour in hers, though both look like the cat that killed the canary. Shame lines Toothpick’s features, though he rapidly backtracks, as he lowers the butter to the counter. “Sir! I-I… You returned so early! Have you completed all of your, ahem, work?” Lana uses this to her advantage and tosses the flour at the butler, “You lied to me!” They have a full moment of intense glaring at each other, while the assassin peacefully tries to drink his coffee, his grumpiness replacing the light hearted banter that the kitchen once held. The witch feels terrible that she was set up, and looks like a hot mess in her baking get-up, so she clears her throat and drops her gaze to the floor. “Sorry, Sandman. We were just working on some things before our Yule celebration. I’ll clean up, and then, um, I have to head home. I have some things I have to work on…” She had –nothing- planned for today, though she couldn’t admit to Eli that she only turned up because she thought he wasn’t home! Immediately after issuing the apology, she sets off to find a broom and dustpan, mumbling beneath her breath about how she’s going to kick TP’s arse should he try something like this again. The butler and his employer are left in the kitchen, as she tracks flour throughout the house searching for cleaning supplies. The badger hangs her head low, wanting to jump down from the stool and follow after Lana, but she’s too little and doesn’t want to break her legs. Her incessant whining fills the silence, as her tongue flicks out to lap up the batter atop the counter, a small comfort. Meanwhile, Lana winds up in the powder room, having given up the search for a broom or mop. “Let TP clean up the kitchen. He gets paid to do it! That sneaky little shi- AH! I look like death!” Groaning, she fills the wash basin and rinses her arms until they are free of any batter. “Ugh… I hate that Sandman is seeing me like this… So unfair. Stupid butler bastard! That’s it… I’m going to fill his liquor bottles with a pooping potion. We’ll see how he runs his little schemes as he’s running to find a toilet! I’ll show him!” A mischievous grin replaces her scowl, as she works on finger combing her hair, and making herself presentable.

Elioyahazer watches that fistful of flour smack TP square in the face, which draws a smug smile to his features, but otherwise he makes no comment. “No need to apologize, I just didn’t sleep well and I don’t mean to be grumpy.” He takes another sip of his coffee, straining to not burn his tongue over the hot fluids within the container. He half wonders why she runs away to look for a broom, for it was neatly tucked next to the ice box where he had left it earlier. When she runs out of the room, TP wipes the flour from his face and speaks. “You know sir, the past few days have been a lie.” He eyes his boss without a shred of emotion. “Each day she’s been here, it’s been a lie to spend time with you. So I called her over here, because you haven’t invited her yet.” Their discussion might be heard as the washroom isn’t actually all that far. “What are you talking about?” Eli quips in response. “Sir, no offense, but you’re dense. She misses seeing you or just being around you. I mean you two did live together, right?” Elioyahazer sets his mug down trying to piece it all together, and can’t help eyeing the mess created by the two. “She has a key TP, and chooses to not use it.” TP throws his hands up in the air, irritated over the ex-assassins response. “You’re an idiot Eli. Worse than a man who falls for the songs of a siren and is led to his death. Gods give this man some insight.” He huffs and calms himself. “Don’t you want her around more?” Eli picks his coffee up once more after his butler’s words. “Yeah,” his response should have been obvious. “So why not invite her to move in?” Suddenly a light bulb visibly goes off in his head. He understood. “I see.” After a few moments of silence Elioyahazer calls out for his witch. “Hey Lana, can we talk for a moment?” Oh lords, those ominous words could spell trouble, but that’s definitely not what he had planned.

Lanara is angrily scrubbing her hands until they are crimson, her cheeks flushed. She had been bested, yet again, by a geriatric butler. She was convinced that Eli was buying all of her recent reasons to appear at his home, but clearly, she had become transparent to Toothpick. Would he tattle? Sighing, she looks into the mirror, seeing her expression of shame, and she bites her lower lip, vowing not to break down or belittle herself any further. If her assassin didn’t want her around, well, she’d stop playing games. Maybe in time, he’d grow to miss her always by his side, or they would grow distant. He had inherited a mansion and moved out, without a parting glance. Sure, she was given a key from Michael, but she still felt awkward just showing up, unannounced. The loneliness crept into her cottage more and more each day, with each meal, and each evening that she curled beneath the covers by herself. Winter was nearing, and she didn’t even have his body to cling to for warmth and snuggles. When had she become emotionally dependent on another? Lost in her thoughts, she picks up on a few words coming from the kitchen, and she goes pale. Toothpick was –definitely- telling Eli that she had lied to him, numerous times this week! “That bastard! I’m going to kill him. Sure, Sandman may pay him, but I thought we were pals!” Tossing the bar of soap onto the counter, she dries her hands, and inhales sharply. Wait… Did she just hear TP say that Eli was an ‘idiot’ and that he should want Lana around more?! He was… Defending her need to be around? Confused, she slips from the powder room and finds that she’s trembling, her shaking magnified as she’s called into the next room. He wanted to talk. A break up was coming; she could just feel it in her bones. Eli didn’t want her around anymore. She had made a mess of his new home, several times. She had driven his butler to drink, heavily, after he fought addiction for years. Aspen and Rude-Off had done damage of their own. Michael tolerated her, but was upset that she went through his late wife’s belongings and interrupted that room. The perfume. The food fight. Constantly showing up, uninvited. Her assassin had a new life, a new home, a new city… And perhaps he thought it was time to find a new girlfriend. Lana swallows, fearing the worst, though she maintains a poker face and prays that her chocolate pool won’t betray her emotions. Rounding the corner she avoids looking at Toothpick, and lifts her head to set her gaze on Elioyahazer. He looked so damn handsome in his trunks, sipping his coffee. Would it be the last morning she laid eyes on that muscular form? “Sure. What’s up?” Damn. Her singsong voice sounded higher pitched than she intended.

Elioyahazer is taken back by that singsong tone of voice belting from Lanara’s lips. He surely wasn’t expecting that, but TP flashes Lanara a sly grin, and a thumbs up - hidden behind the countertop and obstructing Elioyahazer’s view of such things. It’s true, TP had been advocating for her, by luring her into these traps. All these silly excuses that he called her out on. They were both being stupid, and finally he realized that their happiness would depend on Eli. Hence the conversation. “Would you like some coffee?” Elioyahazer eyes Lanara’s disheveled form with a smirk which said everything he thought about her. If she agreed, she would find a cup of it poured for her without second thought. “We’ve not been seeing each other a lot recently.” Oh dear gods, why start the conversation this way? Really, Eli? Even the look upon TP’s face drains; going whiter than his features usually are, and he snatches a bottle of wine and pours himself a very tall glass. “And that’s been bothering me. And from what TP just told me, I’ve been an idiot, thinking that you would just use the key to be here whenever.” He sips the coffee once more and continues. “So, I don’t know how to say this, but I’m sorry.” Which way is this conversation going Eli, seriously? “I’m sorry I didn’t realize what was going on with you. That these past few days have just been excuses to come and see me. You don’t need those, not anymore.” Dammit Eli, TP wants to scream at him. “Because I’d like you to move in. I miss seeing you in the mornings. Having adult cereal with you. Besides we can both harass TP together.” At this comment the butler rolls his eyes, but he’s grinning because Eli finally got to the point. “So I guess I’m asking you, will you move into this house and live here with me?”

Lanara gives a slow nod, knowing she could definitely use a cup of coffee. She was exhausted, having been baking for endless hours, and she needed something to grasp, rather than stand there ringing her hands. Plus, if she got dumped, she could hurl the scalding liquid in TP’s face, for ratting her out. “Uh huh. Coffee. Is. Good. I mean, yes, I’d love a cup, please.” She feigns a smile, accepts the mug, and takes a slow sip. At least she’d be wide awake for whatever he had to talk to her about. On second thought, maybe being alert was a bad idea! Lana freezes as the first few words are spoken, echoing in her mind. They haven’t been seeing each other that often… So, he wanted to see even less of her? He’s truly breaking up with her, in front of his butler and her badger?! The morning had taken a cruel turn on the little witch, and tears begin to well in her eyes, threatening to spill at any given moment. Yup. The butler told her that she’s been lying, and Eli is angry and told her to stop making excuses… That it won’t be necessary from this point forward. How dare Toothpick give her a thumbs up! Her heart was visibly breaking before his eyes, and he’s amused by this?! Lana lowers her mug to the counter with a clang, blinking back tears, as she picks up Freya in her arms and hugs her tightly to her chest. “I-I understand… I’m sorry that I deceived you. It wasn’t meant to hurt you in any way… I just missed you so much.” She sniffles, and turns to leave the kitchen, feeling beyond rejected, an ache in her chest, as a rogue tear falls from her eye. Her assassin isn’t yet finished, and he continues with his speech, which takes –another- turn, and he states that he misses her, their adult cereal, and he invites her to move in with him. “Wh-What? Truly?” Freya is nearly dropped, as she’s rested on the floor, and Lana turns, studying Eli’s face, to see if he was serious, or merely jesting. “You want me to move in with you? You’re… Certain?” Their relationship hadn’t been downgraded. If anything, he was solidifying the seriousness he felt for her, by asking her to take up residence at his home. She’d borrow his clothes, annoy the hell out of his butler, move in a few animals, and they’d spend every waking moment together. It would be heavenly. Lana’s mood shifts from broken to blessed and happy tears spill onto her cheeks, as she closes the distance and launches herself into Eli’s chest, forcing the man to lower his mug and wrap her up in an embrace. “Yes. I would love to move in!” She had never been so certain of anything in her life, as she was in this moment. Toothpick takes a long pull from his glass, and glances up at the ceiling, as if his own prayers had been answered.

Elioyahazer tries to read the emotions upon Lanara’s features, doing his best to study her reaction; surely he could learn to word things better, but at least he finally came out with it. “Yes Lana, I want you to move in.” When Lanara dives into his arms, he does everything he can to not spill the contents of his coffee all over the counter. Despite his best efforts that still happens, but at least none sloshes onto himself or her. “Bout time,” TP chimes in and takes another pull from his glass. During this hug, Elioyahazer reaffirms his feelings for her, whispering into her ear softly. When the excitement dies down, and she’s settled back from that hug he dons a grin. “Now, I think you were baking cookies, right?” He looks to the mess she’s created and then back to her. “Why don’t you keep working on that? I’ll finish my coffee and then go get dressed, and join you. It’s been a while since I’ve made any cookies, and it looks like you two were having a bit of fun.” He gives TP another glance, and further drinks more of his coffee. “Actually, I was up really late last night, I think I’m going to have two cups before I brave this adventure.” He looks to Lanara’s honey badger assuming that it as well would be going nuts right now - devouring Lanara’s emotions like a sponge does to water. “Well sir, why don’t you go get ready, and I’ll brew you something a tad bit stronger?” A tad bit would be an understatement. TP’s coffee is like battery acid, not the most flavorful of items, but man, the energy it gives off can vault someone into near euphoria. “I think I might need that today T-ster.” And now, even Eli had a nickname for his butler. “I’ll be back down to help you both in just a bit,” Eli uses a single hand to raise Lanara’s chin to meet his gaze for a few breathless moments; breaking such intimacy with a kiss that is far from chaste. When that breaks, he moves from her form to head upstairs, with a small comment. “I do have to go to headquarters later, there’s a few maintenance issues with some of the armor I’ve acquired for the guild.” Without any further word, he’s escaped from sight.

Elioyahazer whispered to Lanara, "I love you, don't forget that. Even when I'm being slow."

Lanara whispered to Elioyahazer, "I love you, don't forget that... Even when you're being slow."