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Tweak says, "To Infinity ... and BEYOND!!"

ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇss ᴏғ ᴘʀᴇsᴛɪᴅɪɢɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (cigam) wrote in valarlogs,
@ 2016-12-03 07:47:00

Entry tags:

!complete, leliana, zatanna zatara

Who: Leliana & Zatanna
What: Tea, a nug and bunny date, and a tarot reading to assure Leliana that dragons won't eat her wedding
When: A bit before it started snowing!
Where: Zee's house
Rating/Warnings: Mostly low, some gossip but of course~
Status: Complete

Leliana should already be familiar with the rabbit hutch that was in Zee’s backyard, since her very tall and hunky fiance was the one who built it - he’d even drawn out the plans first, to everything from the red shingled roof to the red-painted sides, to the door, lid, interior and the automatic poop collector feature (very smart of him). He’d also helped with a hutch converted from a wooden entertainment center that she found relatively cheap, and kept inside in case it got cold (and it would get cold here). The last thing she wanted was for her beloved rescue rabbits to be uncomfortable. As for her doves, they lived in comfort too - the heart-shaped cages on her porch were huge, tall and wide enough for spacious flight.

Same situation with the indoor aviary too - a white dresser had been re-purposed for the cause, a quaint sort of look because metal cages were just not fitting the theme of her cottage, and she was eager to show everything off. It was already something of a zoo in Zee’s house anyway, so inviting Leliana and telling her to bring the nugs really wouldn’t make much difference. Her Moroccan-inspired abode was small and intimate, yet she made room for her furry and feathered friends. She did not wish for them to feel cramped, or trapped. They needed space.

The doves seemed to like it in their new aviary too, preening away on their perches. “It’ll start snowing soon, no doubt,” she spoke from the kitchen, where she was preparing tea for the humans and looking for snacks for the pig-bunnies. “I figured I’d get them all used to being inside as soon as possible. Though perhaps the county will surprise me - “

No. Doubtful. Already a turn of the cards her foretold more than a significant chill on the horizon.

Gale was so blessed with his hands, wasn’t he? He created a personal utopia for the nugs outside in their yard (they were dirt-dwellers, so time with nature was important to their daily lives), even for the ravens when they were around - her own aviary, of course, continued to remain although the messenger birds spent most of their time at the rookery in Skyhold. Leliana was also simply ecstatic to see someone else receive their own personal zoo of four-legged companions and birds; she could not imagine life without her own and they helped make home feel like home.

By now the nugs were more acclimated with their social skills, with their mistress having trained them to handle a leash for outdoor excursions and some travel. They also weren’t as shy, so when she arrived and hooked the leashes from their colored collars (not like nugs had fur or anything extremely distinguishing markings to differentiate them from one another) they were happy to explore and even snuffsnuff towards Zatanna, with nuzzles and curious whiffs before their attentions were ensnared with the close cousins actual rabbits were.

“Before the snow, I hope?” replied the Spy Master, legs crossed as she sat on the couch. Cooling weather meant it was acceptable to wear a light sweater dress, charcoal-grey in color with suede boots from none other than Shoegasm - that way when strangers stopped and asked where the shoes came from, well, there came the shameless self-promotion. “I’m looking forward to it, really, aside from the nice touch it’d give the wedding. A different season other than spring and summer would be lovely.”

“It should be nice - extensive snow in what’s meant to be a beachy climate likely has disastrous environmental effects but it certainly is pretty,” Zatanna chuckled, bringing over a silver tea tray adorned with a selection of goodies. Cups of something hot and soothing with steam still wafting up, additions like cream, honey, sugar, lemon - she even had a rather complex tea set up at Constantine’s house (that he knew better than to disturb, or toss out), so it was something Zee took seriously.

She settled on the sofa, gladly scratching behind Schmooples’ floppy ears when he/she came over to say hello - and put those odd little human-like hands up on Zatanna’s knees. Snuffsnuff. The pig-bunny still got plenty of affection, like any pet would. She just loved animals of all breeds. “Your wedding is so soon though! Getting nervous yet? Or at all?”

Snow sometimes did happen in the SoCall region outside of Orange County - perhaps not often but it wasn’t entirely unheard of. Though it certainly didn’t happen in the month-long frequency that it tended to do when it came over their twisted, cozy little home of swirling energies. “What around here doesn’t cause a disastrous environmental effect,” she smirked, fixing her tea. Plenty of cream, some honey, a bitsy dash of lemon. “But no, not nervous. I’ve enjoyed the planning process. It is not something I wanted to rush with his family looking so forward to it, too.”

And of course, she was as well. Never in a million lifetimes did Leliana think preparing for that special day would happen, not with her chosen career of secrecy. In Thedas she had the Warden, and there was a slice of happiness between them here and there but her position as the Divine meant a lot of responsibility, and a lot of self-sacrifice. Not many had the luxury to truly live for themselves. Here, she was relieved of that burden. Of a lot of burdens, even if their existence in another life would haunt her on occasion.

While Zee spoiled one of her hairless little (but chubby) earth-dwellers, Leliana would happily capture a snow white rabbit in her arms to pet and coo over as the tea cooled. Such soft fur. “I never had the chance to actually marry in the dreams. It is not something I ever thought I would get to do in this life, so I suppose there’s no harm in treating it as if this is the only life I get to, no?”

Hence her very meticulous planning. It was meant to be elegant yet personable, with touches from each of their worlds.

That particular bunny Leliana was cuddling was named Captain Carrot - then there was also Jack (a variation of John, since she had in fact turned Constantine into a bunny in her latest dream set) and Tibbar, cleverly ‘rabbit’ spelled backward. And Zatanna did have an affinity for her backward-speak. Or ‘mnemonic incantations,’ as it was officially called. She smiled at the sight, stirring her tea with its accompanying tiny silver spoon.

“It is healthy to look at your wedding like that. Plenty of people are afraid of such things.” Herself included, a little, though she knew her scouser lover was even more so. With John, it was all about baby steps. She wasn’t certain if they’d ever get to marriage, but if not, that was fine. “I always advocate looking at this life as a chance for many do-overs, and to have things we might not get in our other lives. It’s going to be beautiful too, you’ve planned so well.”

And she’d been glad to help wherever she could. Maybe Zee wasn’t so sure a beautiful wedding was in the cards for her, but she loved getting to assist her friends. And let’s see! “How about a turn of the cards?” she asked, setting her teacup down. “To get a better idea of how the day will go?”

Captain Carrot - what a name! It was no secret that she approved of the names as well. Leliana brought the bunny up to her face for a nuzzle, cheek against soft pelt. If only hers had this kind of softness, but the nugs definitely had their own peculiar charm. “Marriage can be a terrifying concept; even I was not so sure of it myself once,” she added, and oh, fine, she’d put the squirmy mammal onto her lap since he clearly had enough of her affections. By now the tea had cooled and she lifted it from the tray carefully. “It sounds a little...cliche, I suppose, but I would say there’s truth to it all falling to place when you find the right person. Thank you, though, I would not mind some reassurance?”

A peek of it wouldn’t hurt, would it? It’d ease Gale’s fretting mind too - his family’s safety was important, and there was always a risk of bringing outsiders into the fray of their lives when their home was none other than Orange County. “I would personally like to know if dragons have the intention of swooping in and setting Skyhold on fire during our vows ahead of time.”

Dark spawn was also a potential threat. They’d dealt with demons from the sky, why not the Blight? Leliana would be far from surprised.

“A good thing to know,” Zatanna laughed lightly, as she removed her precious tarot cards from their velvet drawstring bag and shuffled them carefully. First though, she’d knelt near the coffee table and covered it with her silken cloth - it was bright red and decorated with flowers, also vintage, and she supposed you could use it as a shawl too. But it was meant for laying her cards out on, when she did her readings. Especially in a place with questionable surfaces - always beneficial to respect your cards, when you had them.

The spread she chose was in kind of a pyramid shape - not the traditional Celtic Cross, nor the quick and dirty three-card spread of past, present, future. No, this one was more ideal for gauging the outcome of specific events. “This card represents your feelings going into the event - Two of Swords, which is associated with a state of harmony between two people. You both will be trying to reconcile new ideas, realizing the rules have changed. The Nine of Cups here - “ She turned the card over, brow furrowing; Zee always took on such a pensive look when she did a reading. “It represents your feelings after. But I like that it’s appeared - it is an indication that your heart’s desires, even ones buried deeply, will be granted.”

Ohhh, how interesting. Leliana knew the art in the cards was important in the interpretations - she kept a keen eye on that, for one, but doubted she could really decipher what the cards were trying to tell. Best to leave that to the professional, hm?

“Well, that seems rather optimistic,” she mused, taking another sip of her sweetened tea. “That look on your face almost had be a little concerned, but I think that is just you concentrating.” As long as it wasn’t signifying some sort of bad omen, the spymaster would insist it was quite the adorable look on Zatanna. Captain Carrot remained on her lap and once the cup was set back down, her fingers went to stroke through the snow white fluff. “Nothing disastrous then, I take it?”

Zatanna’s expression smoothed into a smile, a somewhat sheepish one. “I tend to concentrate pretty hard when I do a reading,” she admitted. Yes, she got rather into it, and she knew that. “But no, nothing disastrous. This next card represents the outcome and, happily, it’s the Four of Wands.”

A couple sharing a dance beneath a wreath and, appropriately for this situation, in front of a castle and a group of people - the castle itself as adorned in flowers too. But it appeared a party was being depicted here, and the card upright did in fact mean good things. “It’s a celebration, and seeing this card is a reminder that most important things in life do not come easy - but when you achieve the milestone, you should be proud of yourself. Seeing it also represents a stable and peaceful home life.”

The last card was one she had encountered before when she did readings for people - saw it quite often, actually. “This represents an obstacle, and it’s the Tower.” It could be daunting to see in a spread, considering the art depicted people basically jumping from a tall, burning structure - hmmmm. But Zatanna wasn’t too concerned. “Seeing the Tower means there will be some sort of...revelation. Struggling with the truth, deciding what to do with it. I take it to mean that his family might need some convincing of the oddities here in our happy home.”

At least the card had not shown up in reverse position. That would have surely signaled disaster.

That card - the Tower - had a brow of Leliana’s sharply rise. It didn’t look pleasant at all with the elements portraying their more destructive nature, the figure falling. If there was any card that could signify that something with flaming breath would attack Skyhold and all of the guests attending the wedding had to jump ship? It’d be that one.

Though she was quite pleased to know that wasn’t the case. Maker’s breath! “I don’t think keeping them in the dark about this place is feasible,” she murmured. “Gale is very protective, but I think they could come to terms with it - as long as they do not get a glimpse of Panem.” Not exactly in the form of ‘dreaming’ but who was to say Orange County wouldn’t become another one of the Hunger Games arenas?

Surely, however, Hazelle would have some questions about certain things. It was hard to shield them completely from it all when otherworldly creatures like nugs were roaming around the house, and the structure of Skyhold itself might raise some curiosity.

There was going to be a lot about the upcoming nuptials that sort of...defied conventionalities. No doubt more than a few questions would be raised, along with eyebrows. It would be beautiful though, and completely perfect and personal for the happy couple - of that Zatanna was certain.

“I don’t know them so it’s unfair to make assumptions, but I think they could come to terms with it too,” she nodded, scooping up her cards and wrapping the stack in their silky cloth once more. All nice and snug. “It just might take some...immersion? And patience, of course. At the very least, the younger ones might be more appreciative.”

Orange County. The ultimate funhouse for kids, no?

“But no dragons, at least,” the Mistress of Magic winked. “You’re safe.”

No doubt the younger ones would take it with stride due to their innocence - and there was part of Leliana that wanted to preserve that, too. It was easy to paint the gifts they’ve received and the skills they’ve learned through the dreams with a romantic brush. Unless, of course, you were the one waking up flogged or half-dead on Christmas morning.

“I think it will work out - though I assume we will be visiting them more than they will be visiting us, just out of precaution,” the redhead chuckled. “But thank you. It is good to have some concerns eased for the big day. I trust you will be bringing your plus one from the Wisdom wedding, hmmm?”

“Which may be nice anyway, because sometimes it’s just pleasant to have a little break from our rather enriched lives,” Zee huffed, and she certainly wouldn’t blame anyone for needing a vacation here or there. Sometimes the magic of the OC got to be stifling, and then sometimes it was so incredible - she couldn’t imagine living in a more extraordinary place, at least not right now.

Her rabbits were hopping about, and all of a sudden Jack appeared in her arms then - pull one from a hat, pull one from thin air, you just never could tell what would happen with her. She cooed at him, stroking and massaging his head and white furry cheeks - in fact, she gave her rabbits some TLC everyday; they loved to be massaged around the base of the ears, and have the fur between their eyes plucked a little. It was like rabbit grooming. “I’ll be bringing John, yes,” she grinned a bit. “The last wedding was breaking him in - I think he was a little nervous but go to enough of these, he’ll finally relax.” Maybe one day the thought of accompanying her to an event like that wouldn’t make him twitch.

If only Leliana had that ability - she’d lay on the sofa, forever, piled with the furballs and nakedballs (how else to describe the nugs, really) and she’d never have to get up and follow them should they escape. Cuddling seemed to be on their minds, though, especially with how Schmooples - the first nug, very attached to his mistress - climbed onto the empty spot next to the former bard, nuzzling his head against her almost invasively for attention.

Meanwhile Boulette insisted on being a cute little pot roast with Zatanna, curled on her feet to keep the magician’s toes warm and toasty.

“Is it crowds that bother him, or the idea of commitment?” Leliana asked, amused words dipped in that light French accent. “I hope he did not break out in hives.”

Aww, Boulette. What a sweet little naked pig-bunny. Zatanna cooed at the darling too, using her toes to pet at her adorable hairless friend. She’d gladly cuddle these nugs for hours and not tire of it. “Both?” she grinned wryly, in response to Leliana’s question. “He’s not really a people person, at least, not in parties - teaching’s a different story. Commitment has also been a concept that is daunting - or rather, getting serious. I’m sure he’s still afraid something terrible will happen to tear us apart.”

Which, well, you never could tell in Orange County. But Zee wasn’t going to let that dictate her relationships - she made her own way, Fate was simply one other path. “We had a fight about it after someone unfortunately died during an exorcism he was involved in here. But it smoothed over eventually. He’s trying, is the thing. We’re working on everything together.”

Well, Leliana would not be surprised if there was something in the horizon that’d test the bond. Perhaps it was a jaded way of looking at things, but one wouldn’t be called foolish to have their guard up in case - she’d been through the ringer with Gale, from secrecies to assassination attempts, the final straw being one on his very life due to a vengeful plot on slow-burn.

Working on it together was the only way they were able to get through it, so Zatanna and her exorcist had the right idea.

“Arguments can be relatively healthy,” she commented, tilting her head to the side. “Much better than keeping it the issues bottled and letting it fester, but you do seem to have experience handling him in the dreams. I hope he’s…” A click of her tongue. “Not quite as stubborn? Either way, I have a difficult time believing someone could resist you with those fishnets, dearest Zee.”

And, really, she thought it was beautiful that they found each other in this life too. Whatever happened, good or bad, it would be worth it for the both of them.

“I tend to think they can be healthy too, depending on how they’re handled,” Zatanna concurred. “Arguing is inevitable anyway - I was expecting it, regarding this issue.” No turn of the cards needed. They’d gone through the same thing in their dreamworld, only she liked to think that she had learned a few important lessons since then. She was a different person - in equally important ways. And so was John, for that matter.

Oh, alright, finally she just picked up Boulette and gave her snuggles. What an ugly-precious baby. How could anyone be morose while nugs were around? “He can’t resist the fishnets either,” the slender arches of her eyebrows went up suggestively - oh, ho, ho. “Everything’s healthy in the....not resisting department.”

But with them, that was also inevitable. It was a carnal connection that went both ways, and she had no problems with that.

Leliana had to stifle her school-girl giggle with a sip of her tea - the sex was also important, and a fantastic way to unleash some frustration. Stress-relieving naked snuggles with some penetration and tongue and all that. “Well, it also typically ends somewhere in that healthy not-resisting department. Making up without clothes after heated disagreements are the best part of those arguments.”

Her and Gale didn’t argue much, not after they both stepped back from her network of intel and kills - but they did happen, it was normal for all couples (especially in a cohabitation situation), and they worked through it. It’d be just the same with the official tying of the knot between her and the soldier.

“It seems as though a lot of us have hit the point in our lives where milestones are being reached, so I’m sure your amour will eventually thaw some of those reservations and grow a little more accustomed.” After living such exciting lives it didn’t hurt to crave the more mundane things in life - especially when it seemed so scarce sometimes.

Making up was indeed the best part of the Stages of Argumentation. In fact, Zatanna recalled that her and John had quite a makeup session after the fight where she’d shown up and confronted him about his tendency to handle things by himself. But he was getting better with it, he’d promised he’d try - and so that was enough for her.

“Yes, it’s important to reach those milestones - to grow and change,” she said thoughtfully. “I could not picture either of us remaining stagnant. And you, too - I am so happy for you, that you’re entering this new chapter so to speak.”

Well! With all this serious talk of commitment and the future (and sexy times), Zee was getting kind of hungry. It took a lot out of you. “Now, what do you say I find something sweet for us to nosh on and have with our tea? I may have some baklava that needs to be consumed.”

“If I did not have a personal sense of health my entire diet would consist of all things sweet,” Leliana remarked, raising a brow - because of course! Would she ever say no? Zatanna’s desserts were always deliciously exotic, too. “I would love to follow you to the kitchen, but…”

Well, you see, she was currently trapped by the fluffy and hairless and clearly could not move.

What a shame.

It was a Turkish baklava, with pistachio, and something straight from what used to be the Ottoman Empire. All that delicious phyllo dough and honey, and Zatanna would gladly share. She always tended to whip up something sweet when company came by, anyway. It was just in her nature, and she enjoyed playing host - not something she got to do much of growing up in a traveling circus.

“Just relax in your pile of nugs and bunnies,” she laughed, setting Boulette into the hairless-and-furry pile of love as well. “I will take good care of you.” She’d put on the kettle for another round of tea too - they might be here for awhile, especially if their animal family was feeling particularly clingy.