[open] somnus & YOU

[luciing]

WHO: somnus and OPEN
️ WHAT: he be shopping for the gf, but he needs help/suggesting buying stuff to spoil her
WHEN: early july
WHERE: around town
WARNINGS: nothing

A for Armani

[ Any merchant might say that shopping should not be a strained situation, but here among the stalls is none other than Somnus Lucis Caelum, standing with all of his stony gloom as he looks upon the wares. Indeed, he appears less stoic and more serious as he hovers over a set of silks laid out before him, brow lowered and frown prominent upon his expression. His shadow casts a bleak grey on the fabric, veiling its finer, gossamer features.  As an added effect, his disgruntled expression, unfortunately, scares off the vendor herself, leaving him with no assistance in choosing a product.

Any other time in the market wouldn't be so... stressful, but this day, it is different. He is not shopping for himself, but for someone else. One thing remains clear above the torrent of choices and second-guessing and backtracking: this gift must be absolutely perfect. ]

Tell me, which of these colors would suit a maiden of blue hair?

[ Step one to buying a dress means first purchasing the fabric. The more difficult parts to it-- determining the cut and style-- come later. For that, too, he will be helpless. ]

B for Balenciaga

[ For better or worse, it seems that Somnus can not come to a definite conclusion on exactly which color, fit, or item to buy-- so he buys all of it. All the things.

Yes, that's right: all of the gifts he's happened to purchase are currently being packed neatly into a medium-sized wagon. In addition to the variety of silks, furs, hats, and books. There are, of course, more than a dozen bouquets of flowers, none of which he knows their meaning, for included are arrays of daffodils, roses, orchids, lilies, birds of paradise, an actual fowl of paradise in a birdcage, and a few flowering cacti. Perhaps someone should tell him that less is more? Or just to not try so hard... or that one of the cacti is actually a carnivorous plant, currently snapping at the hem of whatever cloak, skirt, or sleeve you are wearing. ]

C for Chanel

[ Having sent off a variety of gifts, he is now free to spend more time browsing some of the stalls. However, for those who think he may now be penniless: rest assured, he is not. In fact, it appears he has more gold to spare, seeing as how he just so happens to be stalled at the edge of a jewelry vendor.  

One can also be assured that Somnus knows next to nothing of women's jewelry and fashion, and so when he peers curiously at one of the displays showcasing bracelets and rings, he may happen to be looking at the most hideous of arrangements. ] Does this stone symbolize anything?

[ Moreover, does it matter? Do women pay attention to what a stone might mean? And would the woman he is currently planning a gift for care for a particular meaning? Oh no, would she like it, maybe he should just buy the whole lot just in case-- ]

Wildcard

[ Have an idea? PM this account, drinksteapots, or Jade294#6977! Find Somnus in the market, run into him, try to steal one of the gifts from him, etc. Feel free to incorporate any of the quests/TDM prompts, too! ]

Comments

A

[tantailizing]

A maiden of... Did you get a girlfriend?

[Of all the people Somnus could happen to be asking, maybe he didn't want Zidane to be them. Still, too late! He heard the question and might as well have teleported himself closer. He looks eager to hear the answer to his question before any helping might happen.]

[luciing]

[ For someone like Somnus, who has zero (0) suave or experience charming anyone, can certainly use the help from a local thespian. For that, it is useful that the youth is here. Somnus can at least see the merit in that.

As for the question, Somnus turns his head to give Zidane a look, inhaling through his nose. "Girlfriend"... That's what the modern kids say. ] You ask if I am courting someone. [ There's no denying it, however.

Stiffly, he replies: ] Yes.

[tantailizing]

[Some merit which he might regret looking at later.]

'Courting someone', yeah, too fancy for me. [So he's going to keep using more modern terms.] Is she cute? I bet she's cute... [He says that while looking over Somnus and nodding.]

Yeah, I can see that. So, the color, you thinking about complimenting her hair with the shade? Is her hair a lighter or darker blue?

[luciing]

[ "Is she cute" is not a question he may have entertained any other time during his long, dead existence, and it is very unlikely that, in any other circumstance, he would have given it a second thought other than dismissal.

But what comes out of his mouth is this, unfettered and spoken in a tone that is guilded with absoluteness: ] She is stunning.

[ A pause.

....Then Somnus abruptly turns his head, suddenly quiet, and refocuses his attention on the cloth. ] ...The hue is like the sky during winter.

[tantailizing]

[Now now, nothing wrong with thinking a girl is cute because the correct answer is all girls are. Girlfriends and wives just have more special compliments and praise given on the daily. And Zidane smiles because Somnus admits those are definitely more unique feelings towards this girl.]

Hm... so a quieter blue. I can see you complimenting the more wintery aspect with the greys, lighter blues, and white, or emphasizing it against darker colors. Or hey, go unexpected and pick based on her favorite color. Though, what color are her eyes?

[luciing]

[ Somnus brings a hand up from beneath his cloak to his chin before he answers. ] Like sapphires.

[ For what it's worth, it appears Somnus is making note of what Zidane suggests, for he turns his attention from one set of fabrics to another-- the muted blues and off-whites. ]

Do you suggest pastels, then?

[ Blues are something she appears to favor in her wardrobe, but... oh. This pale, matte yellow would look lovely against her skin, too...

Decisions. ]

[tantailizing]

So blue also, alright.

[Then blue would be a little much. Blue on blue and everything begins to just be one. Looking at what Somnus is now considering, he nods.]

Yeah! Just avoid anything bright. You wanna make her stand out, not the clothes stand out before her.

[luciing]

[ He’s (metaphorically) taking notes…!

Somnus picks up a tile of the pale blue cloth and the matte yellow, which are samples to give to the vendor to later cut into the desired stretch of fabric. ]

I have noticed that women layer their skirts with other fabrics… I would hear your recommendation on which colors would complement these.

b adjacent(???) (but let me know if this doesn't work for you!)

[tsumtsuki]

[ One of the things Tsumugi's grown to appreciate even more these past few months, as the owner of a flower shop, is helping others pick bouquets. There's always some incredibly sweet reason behind someone buying one for another person, from it being a simple "thank you" to a grand gesture of love, and it fills his heart with warmth every time. He's not sure what out of all the pre-made and customized options Somnus will end up choosing, but-

... wait. What? ] A- are you sure? [ ALL? THAT'S SO MANY FLOWERS???? ]

[tantailizing]

[Raising his hand to his chin, Zidane tilts his head.]

When you say 'layered', are you talking about the skirts that are ruffled, frilled, or more like a petticoat?

C

[over_the_sea]

[This is all a little more pricey than Floyd can really afford right now, or really would bother with buying. His tastes change so often and suddenly that his accessories just pile up in his room until either he comes back around to them or Jade throws them out. But it's also good to keep an eye on the fancier stuff, either for actually wearing or for ingredients for alchemy or similar.

He however has no clue what any of this stuff means.] Eeeh~? [He asks as Somnus directs that question his way.] What makes you think they would have the same meaning across different worlds?

Re: b adjacent(???) (but let me know if this doesn't work for you!)

[luciing]

Is aught amiss?

[ And for all of the other's hesitance over seeing the flowers, Somnus replies as if everything is perfect as it should be.

(Possibly because he's clueless.) ]

[luciing]

You have made a point. Nevertheless, I would hear your answer.

[ It seems that he believes there is some merit to asking a stranger for what meaning the gem may hold. ]

[tsumtsuki]

No! Everything's fine. Just, uh... [ ... how does he put this. Because the part of him that has to consider paying his employees is overjoyed at the potentially large sale. And the intended recipient of these flowers is one lucky person, to have someone wanting to spoil them to this degree!

But still. ] I'm just not used to seeing someone buy so much at once.

[over_the_sea]

Wouldn't it be better to work out what ya want it to mean rather than looking at all of them and wanting to know their meanings? [Seriously, the other way was stupid. Stupid and slow. It's ok to browse for ideas, but to go off meanings without knowing the meaning you want was such a waste of time.]

What ya want it to say? That way you can narrow down which ones to look for.

[prismatically]

[ With the summer concert coming up, Stella's been busy prepping. She doesn't need to buy fabric to make her outfit (thank you, light magic!) but having a good reference for the colour, the drape, the texture is always helpful. She's so intent in her search that she completely overlooks Somnus a few times – or rather, she spots him and then immediately dismisses it with a fond shake of her head because why the hell would Somnus be here. So forgive her for looking a little dumbfounded when he addresses her and she realizes– ]

Ohmigod, it is you! I kept thinking I was seeing things!

[ great vote of confidence there, Stella. ]

Is this for like, a quest or something?

[luciing]

[ ...He knows that voice, shrill and peppy at the same time. Somnus turns his head, refocusing his attention from the fabric to her. ]

Hail, maiden Stella.

[ The sample of cloth he is holding-- a deep, royal purple-- shimmers in the daylight. As for Somnus himself, perhaps for how long it has been since they've interacted, she may notice that his posture isn't as stiff and statuesque as it once was. ]

No. This is a gift for the Lady Rinea.

[luciing]

[ A pause.

Then: ]

It is the safest course of action when one does not know if a single type of flower will delight a woman.

[ This is his ~logic~. ]

[luciing]

[ He turns his head away from the stranger, looking at one of the pale, yellow lilies. ]

I would wish them to compliment the woman for whom these are all for. Her kindness is second to none; however, [ He reaches for one of the flowers, plucking it out of its bouquet with one hand. With his other, Somnus presses a petal between his index finger and thumb, as if feeling its texture and then withdraws his touch. The petal falls. ]

Such fragility is an undesirable trait of flora.

[ Ideally these gotta last more than a week! At the very least!! ]

[luciing]

Ruffled and frilled.

[ Women's clothing is complicated-- What tf is a petticoat But in his humble opinion, Rinea looks good in everything, so. ] She will need more than one type of fabric for such styles, no?

POV you are somnus' gf

[silvergarden]

[Rinea isn't entirely sure what she expected dating Somnus to be like, but "looking out her workshed window to see a wagon pull up with him" was DEFINITLEY not on the list.

She exits the shed in a hurry, neatening her ponytail and patting debris from her pants with worried hands. Waaaaugh, if she knew he was coming she would have dressed more nicely!!!!]

Lord Somnus!

[Still, all the panic doesn't override how nice it is to be visited, and she slows her rushed gait as she reaches him, unable to help a smile. She's curious about the wagon, but it can wait.]

How lovely to see you! [Rinea offers her hand, wanting to hold his. She can do that now, right?]

pov ur rinea's helpless bf

[luciing]

[ Dismounting from his horse, he passes the reins to the wagon's attendant before meeting her halfway. When she outstretches her hand, he takes it in his gloved one, bringing it up to his lips to place a kiss upon her knuckles in greeting. His voice is smooth, perhaps reflecting his confidence (or boldness) in making this spontaneous visit. ] Fair Rinea....

[ For indeed, she is fair even while in her working clothes.

Then he pivots, gesturing with his other hand towards the wagon. ]

For you.

[silvergarden]

[By the Father, but his mannerisms are so romantic! Like a storybook prince. She can't help but blush, fingers curling in his grip.

But even Rinea-- despite being used to royalty-- is going to be shocked by an entire wagonload of gifts. She blinks owlishly at it as she takes in the scene. He's joking, right?]

A-- all of it? [As she peers past the wagon's cover into the interior, it begins to dawn on her just how much stuff is in there. Rinea presses her free hand to her mouth, reeling. Even putting aside the sheer abundance of it, the implications of the gesture are making her short-circuit.] You prepared all of this? For me?

[prismatically]

[ She folds her arms across her chest with a surprised little ] Huh!

I guess even you must have people you'd wanna give gifts to...

[ F–for what it's worth, her tone of voice makes it clear she's not intentionally picking on him...

She leans in a little to peer at the fabric he's holding. ]

Rinea's that super pretty lady with blue hair, right? Are you looking for something that'd match her?

[luciing]

Indeed.

[ Her fingers curling into his hand make her touch warmer. It is by instinct that his thumb brushes over the side of her hand.

Somnus turns his head away from her, then begins to guide her to the wagon as the attendant takes down the tarp. While most items remain in neatly tied packages, the bouquets of flowers are packed so tightly together along the side of the cart that they appear like mural honoring the sunset.

…Which is appropriate, given that it is evening. A full day of shopping for all of these items, and all the thought he’d put into it (for he simply did not pick each gift at random), it’s been quite the day.

But a busy day doesn’t mean he isn’t mindful of her or how she may react. This is probably the closest he is to be eager to please another. ]

Come, you may see them yourself.