[ 2nd blessing - a special guest! ]

[luxoraculi]

Who: Lunafreya Nox Fleuret and you!
Broadcast: None.
Action: Yes, if aboard the SS Blameless. Which clearly means everyone should come to visit her because there is a very special guest aboard the ship now.
When: Early evening.

A - Kitchens.

[ Lunafreya is uncharacteristically excited, and for good reason. Not only does she have her beloved Prince here now along with Ignis, but she's got yet another familiar face from home. If you are aboard the Blameless, crew members or visitors alike will notice the young woman walking around with an extremely friendly looking black dog trotting at her side, looking just as pleased as she is.

She's walking all over the ship, talking to the dog in question, showing him various locations, and he seems to understand her completely. Her next stop is the kitchen, and as she pauses, her faithful companion sits down and barks. She smiles apologetically and crouches down, reaching to pet him, clearly completely unaware that there is, in fact, someone else in the kitchen as well. ]

Forgive me, Umbra, but I'm not so sure you're going to like the food they serve here...

B - The Bridge.

[ What kind of tour would it be for her beloved companion if she were not to show him the bridge of all places? Umbra looks pretty interested -- as interested as a dog can look at least, and as she explains the various functions he tips his head to the side slightly, looking at everything she's pointing out.

But he's not just paying attention to her, oh no. He's paying attention to everything. Umbra's ears twitch, and suddenly his tail is wagging as footsteps approach. As if to signal to Luna that someone is coming, he whines and barks, his front feet prancing in place excitedly because new friends! ]

--Ah, pardon us. I hope we are not in your way.

C - Various areas of the Blameless.

[ While the Blameless isn't the biggest ship in the world, she's been very careful to mention each and every detail that she can think of and show Umbra, who has been keeping a casual pace at her side this entire time. From the kitchens, to the bridge, to the various bedrooms (that she has been respectful enough to NOT go in other than her own, thank you very much), the pup is quite literally getting toted everywhere.

Come and say hello! ]

Comments

[luxoraculi]

Thank you. [ She... still needs to talk to Noctis about this whole engagement situation, but for now she can take the congratulations. It's nice. ] Even still, that's wonderful.

[ Part of her really, really wants to tease Kate a little but she doesn't know the woman well enough yet. Later, perhaps. ]

Do you two spend a lot of time together, then? It's good to know that you have a friend from home here as well.

[ladybro]

Not as much as you might think. [ her and clint's working relationship is a tricky one -- rife with disagreement and bitterness, at times. she loves him without question but it's love like she might have for an older brother; an uncle; (dare she think it?) father. ] I spend way more time with my friends here on the Blameless or the Tourist.

[ and, indeed, might never have mentioned clint were it not for lucky. ]

He used to be my mentor, I guess. And that means something.

[luxoraculi]

[ Luna's smile softens, because she knows how that is as well. She doesn't have anyone here like that, but she's got a few people at home that she can think of. Noctis has Ignis now, and the role he plays is both mentor and friend to the Prince. ]

Indeed, that most certainly means something. A mentor is a very nice thing to have around.

[ladybro]

[ so. lunafreya's just a little bit pollyanna. not a terrible thing, she thinks. but it makes for a kind of conversation she's less accustomed to having -- even while being friends with kara.

so: ] How'd your fella pop the question?

[ maybe it'll be better to just ask rather than talk about herself. ]

[luxoraculi]

[ She's about to say something else, when that question comes up. Oh... ]

He... actually didn't. Our marriage was to be an olive branch for peace for our warring nations. [ A pause, and then: ] We have been close friends for the last twelve years, though.

[ladybro]

An olive branch. [ her brow furrows. ] And you're okay with that?

[luxoraculi]

That was the plan, yes. [ Granted. That's not what happened... ] So long as Noctis approves, then so do I. I just... have no idea how he really feels on the matter.

[ladybro]

I'm thinking that's probably something you really gotta talk to him about. Pronto. Arranged marriages can be kind of -- well, awkward. [ ... ] At least that's what I hear.

[luxoraculi]

Yes, that is probably a wise idea. [ An extremely wise idea that Luna's not sure how to go about. It isn't as though she doesn't love Noctis -- because she does. She just doesn't know how to spit it out to him. ] Perhaps the next time he comes to visit. Since his arrival, he has been at my side nearly non stop... which has been nice. I've missed him terribly.

[ladybro]

[ all the power to you, lady. kate thinks that might feel a little...cloying. ]

Sounds like you should ask him to transfer ships.

[luxoraculi]

[ This is what she's afraid of for Noctis, Kate. This is why she's hesitant to say anything. ]

I have thought about that, but recently one of his dearest childhood friends from home arrived. I'd think he would much rather spend his time over there... rather, that his friend would come to him. Besides, we have never lived together before... separate rooms or not, I don't know how he would really react to such a question. He's a very sweet man, but I just don't want to burden him...

[ladybro]

[ okay, wow. ]

Look, I know it's none of my business but -- are you sure you want to kickstart the rest of your lives together by fussing and fretting over whether you're burdening him? Marriage is supposed to be a partnership, isn't it? I always figured sharing the burdens was part of the whole deal.

[ a shrug. ] Not that I'm an expert. I mean, I've never been married. Long term commitment isn't really my speed at the moment.

[luxoraculi]

[ Look she can talk to the masses about doom and death and destruction, she can inspire kings and queens, heck she can even face off with the Gods without flinching... but talking to the one guy she loves is going to be the end of her she swears it. ]

Yes, marriage is indeed a partnership. You are absolutely correct. I just... things are extremely complicated at home, and he has so much pressure. I don't want to add to that by bringing anything up here...

[ She sighs, because Kate is right and she's being a weenie about this. ]

I can't say as I blame you. It can be a somewhat frightening thought. I never dreamed that I would be getting married, especially to Noctis. But despite the situation, I'm glad. I want nothing more than to stand at his side.

[ladybro]

Oh -- don't get me wrong. [ kate smiles. ] I'm not afraid. I just don't wanna do it. Things are too busy to start thinking about dating and relationships and God forbid marriage.

[luxoraculi]

I don't blame you at all. It can certainly add more stress. But sometimes it can be nice, don't you think? To have someone to talk to who understands you?

[ ...Probably. But she can't really vouch for that. ]

[ladybro]

That's what my friends are for.

[ friends. teammates. even clint, on a good day. kate tilts her head. ] Besides, I don't think I'm all that tough to understand. If I tried to put a ring on anyone who did get me? Well, let's just say I'd be in trouble with some state laws.

[luxoraculi]

You have a very good point. Marriage is not needed for companionship.

[ She smiles, wide and warm and knowing. Luna's never been lucky enough to have friends other than Noctis because of her own personal situation, but she knows that normal people who have friends typically rely on them. ]

You are still young, and you have plenty of time to make such a big decision regardless. Besides, you would make a beautiful bride.

[ladybro]

Damn straight, I would.

[ no modesty needed. kate knows she's hot shit; begging otherwise would just come off as obnoxious. but, she's not without some manners. ] Thanks, though. Even if I am pretty sure marriage isn't gonna be in the cards for a long time coming. I wanna get my career on track. That's my first priority.

[luxoraculi]

A career should indeed come before marriage. A strong, empowered woman is never a bad thing. The more knowledge you gain, the better off you will be.

[ Luna has always believed that knowledge and duty always, ALWAYS come first. She's a firm believer that putting career, duty, whatever it may be ahead of anything and everything is the most important thing anyone, man or woman, can possibly do. ]

I'm glad that you have settled on that, and I fully support this decision. What sort of career, though, if I might ask?

[ladybro]

[ if kate looks at her odd -- well, it's only because she's less and less accustomed to someone talking like a self-help book. all this i'm glad for you and i support you. it's odd, coming from someone who's as good as a stranger. it makes her nose crinkle just a little. ]

I, uh, investigate. I'm a private investigator. [ among other things. ]

[luxoraculi]

[ Sorry, Kate, but it's kinda her thing. ]

That's a nice career indeed. I'm afraid I have only ever read of private investigators in books, I have never had the pleasure of meeting one until now.

[ladybro]

[ technically, she didn't even pay for her license yet. but she's got a sign! and an office! and cases! it counts, right? ]

No? Maybe that's a good thing. Or maybe you've met all sorts, but the were -- [ she smiles ] -- under cover.

[luxoraculi]

[ That definitely counts. Who needs a license anyways?! ]

Undercover, hm? [ ...She actually looks thoughtful. She's had a ton of people coming in and out of her home, especially as of late... ] You know, I never thought about it like that. Perhaps you are right. But to be fair, you are the first I am aware of.

[ladybro]

Well. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of PI work to be done in the fleet. So I can't say knowing I'm one will do you a lot of good. But, hey, at least I get a lot done as cook?

[luxoraculi]

For now. But things are bound to change, and you may very well get to put your PI skills to work. But you definitely get a lot done as our cook. You always manage to make something that tastes wonderful, even with what limited resources you have been given.