Voicemail.

[chef_chocobro]

"You have reached the voicemail of Ingis Scientia. I am unavailable to take your call at this moment, but if you would please leave a message, I will assuredly get back to you as soon as possible."

**BEEEEEEP**

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Comments

[deathsmajesty]

Oh good, he was learning.

"Of course not my darling," Liliana declared. "I'm assuming you put some on ice already to celebrate that I have now, two weeks in a row, gone to my shop on an off-day to work."

A far more noteworthy feat, considering how little she actually cared for the shop or the dragon who owned it.

"You wouldn't happen to be alone, my darling, would you?"

[chef_chocobro]

There was a moment, for the mun to decide exactly what he was actually doing at that moment for Ignis to lower his coffee and listen for any sign of the steward about, and now he was uncertain as to whether or not it was dread or something else entirely he should now be feeling.

"Quite," he reported, and then, his tone now reflecting the curiosity that tilted his head, "Why do you ask?"

[deathsmajesty]

Bit of both, really. It all depended upon his reaction to certain questions.

"Because inventory is fairly tedious and requires remarkably little attention so long as you are capable of multitasking," Liliana said with a sigh. "Which gave me plenty of time to think. And that thinking gave me plenty of questions."

Which might be a good indication for dread? Who knew?

"So, I've been assuming that our conversation about unfortunate nicknames means that you have enjoyed the intimate company of gentlemen," she continued glibly. Which, she'd assumed, because why limit yourself when pretty was hardly confined to gender, but it was always nice to have confirmation. "While I do not naturally have certain aspects of anatomy that many gentlemen come equipped with, there is plenty of equipment that can circumvent that lack. Would you at all be interested in me obtaining some?"

Her voice lowered, took on a sultry drawl as she added, "I assure you, 'Nys, I'm quite skilled."

[chef_chocobro]

Ah. Well. Liliana's bid for discretion certainly became all the more evident now, and it was greatly appreciated. He feared he might just inflict a heatwave on the entire eastern seaboard with that rush of blood to his face, a threat that only continued to increase in severity the more consideration given to the question.

But that lowered, sultry reassurance, paired with the softness of his nickname, brought up a grin to cut through it all, and a soft breath of a laugh, and the ability to cloak his answer in all its usual, comfortable trapping.

"Oh," he said, responding in kind with his own lowered drawl, "there isn't a single doubt in my mind about that, 'iana. But there's really only one way to find out for certain, isn't there?"

[deathsmajesty]

She might not have been entirely sure of his reaction to her question, but she certainly knew him well enough to know that discretion was key. Liliana's own concern for such things was lower - sometimes even non-existent - but that just means that his mattered all the more.

"Mmm, I hoped you'd say something like that," she said, with a dark chuckle rich in promise. "You see, I've spent awhile already picturing it. Laying you down...kissing my way long your neck...your back...keeping you balanced between relaxed and on edge...hearing you groan...watching you arch...whispering in your ear how simply gorgeous you are, my 'Nys, how much I love to watch you respond..." She shivered a little, not unaffected by her own words.

"Do you have...preferences, my darling? That I should keep in mind? Unless, of course, you would prefer to go looking together."

[chef_chocobro]

The threat of inclement weather was back on in full force.

And it was a good testament to the effectiveness of this line of questioning that Ignis' immediate response wasn't some smart-ass comment pointing out that going to go look together would, unfortunately, become a task that would be terribly unbalanced toward her doing all the work.

Instead, it was a low, guttural sound of approval. "My, but you have had an awful lot of time to let your mind wander, haven't you?" he asked, and he wasn't entirely certain what he was finding more of a thrill just then: the vibrant picture Lliana's description was painting for him, or merely the fact that, when left to wander, those thoughts found him.

"No strong preferences," he then added. "Or, rather, I wouldn't want to narrow down the vast field of opportunity in one particular direction or another. Besides...you clearly have plenty of ideas all your own."

Ideas that he hoped the faintly growling timber of his voice made clear a certain anticipation of what those idea might entail.

"Pity," he then added, almost like an afterthought, "Dite's is so inconveniently placed for the both of us, at the current moment."

Although if there was anything to remind Ignis of just how little of a jaunt a trip to the shop would be right now...

"I remember them having an...exceptional selection."

[deathsmajesty]

Had Liliana ever given the idea that she enjoyed winter? A heatwave sounded lovely.

And here, she'd used 'looking' quite deliberately, assuming he'd call her out on it--she'd had a follow up prepared about her providing descriptions while watching his hands work over each option.

She did so adore watching him use his hands.

But that was good data, too. What kinds of language could get him to ignore others.

"But," she said, and how that growl had her already shifting with anticipation of her own, "if we decided we wished to go, you could come meet me at the store and we could head over together..."

You know. Assuming she didn't just drag him in here first for a brief ("brief") interlude.

"We can decide on the way whether we want our shopping jaunt to be, hmm, a quick in-and-out, too impatient to wait long...Or if we'd rather linger over the experience. Slow. Thorough. Exploratory."

[chef_chocobro]

And so it would seem, for his own sake, skipping the pedantry for once did have its benefits after all, as unfortunate as it was for those details to not have had their chance to grace the world.

It was a bit funny, as well, that Ignis' mind seemed to also have leaped immediately to thoughts of interlude and perhaps back rooms or storage closets and with all that inventory she'd been doing, surely there had to be something that could be utilized to a....creative effect, if not quite for their exact current intentions.

"Well, then," he said, already moving from his chair, coffee...well, not forgotten, he wasn't going to let excellent coffee go to waste, but he had quickly chugged down the last of on his way out of his chair to go fetch his coat, "I believe I shall be on my way. Unless, of course, you still have more work at hand?"

[deathsmajesty]

"Oh, I do believe I've got the most pressing needs well in hand, indeed," Liliana replied, and he could certainly hear her diligently moving things around.

Finishing up the last of the inventory, no doubt.

"Just come right in when you arrive, you can help me finish."

Still absolutely talking about inventory, yup.

"Oh and, 'Nys, darling?" She smiled, slow and curling. "Do hurry."

[deathsmajesty]

At some point in the day, Liliana found Ignis, curling around him and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "My darling, you know Wednesday is your birthday, yes? Let's have a party, hmmm? To celebrate."

[chef_chocobro]

Ignis' first thought was to feign surprise at this clearly very unexpected revelation regarding his date of birth. His second thought was to give a somewhat only half joking commiseration wondering if they really had to. But what he ultimately said, once those first two thoughts had passed and dismissed and he comfortably wrapped an arm around Liliana as she settled was, "I suppose that would be the thing, wouldn't it? Did you have anything in particular in mind?"

[deathsmajesty]

"I have a few ideas, yes," Liliana said, giving him another kiss. "Leave it all to me. I'll throw you something spectacular."

[chef_chocobro]

That impulse to protest had risen up in Ignis' throat again; it even managed to make it to the tip of his tongue, mouth opening to let it out, but he stopped it before it made it quite that far. And when his lips closed around that near-start, they were smiling softly and giving her a soft kiss back. "I would expect nothing less from you, darling. I'm sure it will be nothing short of exceptional."

Even if he did feel the reason for such a thing was fairly unremarkable. Although, perhaps, rather convenient, as something for Liliana to pour some of that residual elation from her hard-won victory into. Who was he to deny her that, just because he felt that celebrating his birthday felt....mostly superfluous?

(Especially when he quite suspected the would have more than a few choice words to express about that particular notion....)

[deathsmajesty]

She would, in fact, have a serious issue with Ignis declaring his birthday was superfluous. To be clear, there were many people who she would agree that was true for, but Ignis was one of the few who was not.

She grinned at him and nipped his ear. "I do suppose I should check with you if there are any restaurants or catering establishments that meet your standards? Unless you want me to leave refreshments to Prompto. I believe he's been practicing recently."

She was the absolute worst and yet he [content not found] her.

[chef_chocobro]

And the fact that he did, in fact, undeniably [word choice file currently unavailable] her was the only reason he would allow her to get away ywith it, too.

...the nip on the ear certainly helped, too, though, and it lead to his next kiss being much less soft and a good deal longer. His own nip back, though, on her lower lip, was entirely for that last comment.

"I swear," he murmured, "if that apartment were to burn down, they would no doubt have a hell of a time determining if whether it was caused by Liz having a bad day, Noctra finally coming around to powers of her own, or just Prompto in the kitchen..."

To be fair, though, Prompto had improved significantly, and he tried, which went a long way, in Ignis' opinion. He just got....easily distracted, and seemed to think that measurements and cooking time were less instructions and more...suggestions....

"And it certainly doesn't need to be anything extravagant, anyway. Yes, I realize who I'm talking to, but really...there's a certain art in simplicity, as well."

[deathsmajesty]

"I shall take that under advisement," she purred, coming around in front of him to curl her arms around his neck. And a leg around one of his. "But refreshments...?"

[chef_chocobro]

"Mmmm." This was, of course, a merely thoughtful hum, certainly nothing to do with an expressed appreciation of Liliana's new position, or the way Ignis' hands drifted in approval, with one in particular giving that leg a little assistance. "Well...drinks, of course. If anything should be exceptional, it should be the wines. Maybe an excellent bourbon, or meet in the middle with a cognac. And just little, uncomplicated bites for food to compliment it... hors d'oeuvres, maybe a nice charcuterie....so long as it's tastefully presented."

Which he truly did not feel he needed to worry about, with Liliana at the helm, but it was said in a way that seemed to hint that it was being mentioned in the same fashion that ridiculous warning labels were put on products: it was there because someone had actually needed it in the past.

[deathsmajesty]

"I'm terrified to know why you need to specify that," Liliana says with a small chuckle, leaning in to nip at his throat. "One last thing. I think I might need to spoil your gift early, since it does take some logistics. Will you be terribly disappointed to hear about it now, rather than on your birthday proper?"

[chef_chocobro]

"Terrifying," said Ignis, deep in his throat that he hoped she could feel, especially as his head tilted back like an invitation, "is precisely the word for it, as well..."

One might accuse him of exaggeration, but this birthday charcuterie had left such a lasting impact for so long that Ignis almost wished he had already been blind back then...

"And this may shock you to hear, my darling," he said, as his hand brushed slowly up her thing, "but when given the option between knowledge and a surprise, I will almost always prefer the former."

It might give him the opportunity, after all, to construct a convincing argument if whatever she was planning was altogether too much, if anything.

[deathsmajesty]

Well, he could try. It would be adorable.

"How do you feel about a trip to Argentina? And before you start protesting the cost, here are some of the amenities." She grinned, truly proud of herself for this. Phones were genuinely useful. In fact, she pulled out her phone to read off what had caught her notice. "Internationally acclaimed chef Francis Mallmann creates inspired regional dishes, showcasing Argentina's famous beef. From our gardens and the surrounding land, we proudly bring you a natural bounty of local, seasonal ingredients paired with exceptional Argentine wines. It's part of a working vineyard, and we can 'work side-by-side with world-renowned consulting winemaker Santiago Achaval and our expert team to make your custom small-batch wine.' And, of course, that's not counting the early morning coffee bar we can request to have brought to our private villa every day. Oh, and there are various activities like vineyard tours, fly-fishing, yoga, and horseback riding."

Said various activities were clearly an afterthought, but you know. They'd been included.

"What do you think, my darling? It feels worthwhile to me. And..." She lowered her voice to a sultry drawl. "I thought it might be efficient if we had the contractors start their work while we're gone."

[chef_chocobro]

There were a few points of interest there that Ignis could have latched onto: a wry remark about how he was surprised, that the words 'early' and 'morning' in such close proximity hadn't scared her off of the premise entirely; a staunch refusal for anything involving fishing, just to ensure that was crystal-clear; a simple admission that he did rather enjoy a good Argentine wine, and to be able to experience some straight from the source...

But that last part quieted all of them, and he had to grin.

"Ah," he said, "there's the hook."

And now both of his hands had found their way to Liliana's back, making it all the easier to draw her in closer and kiss her, a kiss to compliment her on weaving together such an excellent rebuttal to the arguments he didn't even voice, a kiss that became deeper and more complex the more he actually thought about just how good it actually was.

[deathsmajesty]

Scared her off? It was entirely possibly that it was a sign of her own possible [404 words not found] for him that she had requested it specifically. Because Ignis liked early mornings and loved coffee possibly more than anything else in life, and therefore, for his birthday, she could make it happen.

But mmm, it didn't seem like he was about to protest her idea, and they could discuss the actual logistics later. But the conversation seemed to be shifting in another, delightful direction, and...what had he said so long ago, that first morning in his kitchen?

I'd much rather devote my attention fully to one task at hand done to the full capacity of my ability.

"What do you say about taking this conversation upstairs, hmmm?" she murmured to him once the kiss broke - though it would be difficult for him to answer with her kissing him deeply back. But she had faith he could figure it out.

[deathsmajesty]

Towards the end of his shift, Ignis got a call from an unexpected number: the phone Liliana's steward had been given in case he needed to reach Liliana when she was off-plane, or Ignis when he was out of the house.

"Good afternoon, might I trouble Sir to stop by the grocer and purchase more eggs, milk, and flour?"

Totally normal request if one ignored both the fact that Ignis had never been asked by the steward to go grocery shopping and that Ignis had picked up some staples quite recently and certainly hadn't gone through them so quickly as to require more.

[chef_chocobro]

The pause that followed this incredibly strange request was substantial, as Ignis continually tried and subsequently failed to parse out the reasoning behind it.

Oddities, curiosities, and questions abounded, indeed. His brow knitted with his deep, thoughtful frown at the puzzle. But, ultimately, when it doubt, simply ask.

"Are you sure? We should have plenty already. And I should hardly imagine we'll need more with a several-days trip ahead of us on the horizon..."

[deathsmajesty]

"If Sir would just get enough for today and tomorrow, that would be fine," the steward said. "I do know Sir's opinion on the importance of breakfast."

And he certainly didn't think the just because it was his birthday tomorrow, that Ignis would skip making breakfast for Liliana. Or that leaving for a trip in the afternoon be seen as a reason to not prepare Liliana for her first period class.