The Most Wonderful Party of the Year

[lastfonmasterguardian]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
Where: Cuppa Kupo
When: December 23rd
Summary: It's time for Cuppa Kupo's first annual Christmas Party! The party details are in an OOC post here and an IC post .
Warnings: None! (At the moment, anyway).





[It's the 23rd of December, and, as promised, Kuppa Cupo has opened its doors for the first (and hopefully not last) Christmas/Starlight party!]

[The entire restaurant is decorated for the season, complete with a large tree near the entrance. The ceiling is covered in lights, and the tables all have matching red and green tablecloths. Near the wall, the catering table is packed with food.]

[Even the helper moogles are taking part in the festivities, with many of them wearing elf or santa costumes. Whether you came early to help set up, or arrived fashionably late, enjoy!]

Comments

xD

[shinrasfinest]

[It's the warm scent of that steaming mug that catches Sephiroth's attention before Selphie has even offered it to him. It's not only a familiar smell, but it's comforting. Terra had started experimenting with teas almost as soon as she'd opened the flower shop; as a result his palette regarding all sorts of teas has been expanded in a way that it wouldn't have otherwise.

Sephiroth blinks away from his current glance around, is caught with a light smile on his face before he meets with the brunette's expression. Then schools his own smile a little harder so he doesn't seem as if he might have been daydreaming a moment just then.]

Oh...thanks.

[Honestly he'd been a heartbeat away from asking how she knew he might be partial to a hot tea. Slowly he takes the mug from Selphie but doesn't do much else with it just yet, just cups it in his hands appreciating the warmth.]

...warms up before heading back out.

[boomchucka]

Thus the appeal! Plus... this one is my new favourite. It goes really well those minced fruit tarts they sell at the bakery in the market.

[Selphie didn't know much about Sephiroth's relationship with Terra and wasn't about to start asking about it now. It didn't seem all that appropriate to talk about people who come out of Crystal Stasis at a moment's notice.]

You should try them some time if you're into sweets.

[shinrasfinest]

That's right, they do.

[He flashes a knowing grin at Selphie before raising the mug to take a long sip. Something of an appreciative sigh following and a pause before Sephiroth opens his eyes to look at her again.]

Shouldn't overdo it. Starlight or not, I have my nutrition to think of.

[boomchucka]

It's like they say.

[She gives him a knowing smile as she points into the air with an index finger.]

All good things in moderation!

[She looks up at him shortly afterwards with an eager look.]

So? How's the tea? I'm gonna make another run to Esdham before things get too hair to get some more teas for the shop. Maybe some more chocolate ones and a couple of those fancy fruit teas too. I wanna hear what you think!

[shinrasfinest]

That's very true.

[Wasn't quite expecting something so...profound from Selphie of all people but it's a pleasant surprise. It's not there for long, though, before she swings back into her sometimes-too eager norm.

Unknowingly tripping all over those triggers too, apparently. Sephiroth snatches his eye contact from where he'd been casually engaging with her face as most would in conversation and those shining green eyes quickly close as he looks to the floor. Immediately thoughts back to Terra and one of her hobbies that he'd likely never given her enough credit for.]

It's not bad. Festive and therefore perfect for the season.

[Undoubtedly they have to have been selling well in the shop throughout December.]

...Terra used to make teas.

[It's muttered towards the floor more than at Selphie but she's certainly close enough to hear that as it essentially fell from thoughts out into the real world with no filter to stop it.]

[boomchucka]

[Selphie is certainly close enough to hear the muttered phrase which has her shutting down her train of thought for the time being. She can only the pain of losing someone that you care about that much. Instead, she moves forward and places a hand on Sephiroth's forearm.

She doesn't understand the pain but knows that it's hurtful. She gives him an apologetic look.]

I'm sorry. I didn't know.

[shinrasfinest]

[There is a fleeting moment of tension that's not quite physical as Selphie places her hand on his forearm. Sephiroth's never been keen on others giving any sort of physical comfort, but at least it's not a out-and-out flinch away. An acceptance, in it's own way.]

Of course. How were you to know after all...[His tone is deflated of all bitterness though, it's more of a matter of fact statement than a retort. It's clear that he's not quite completely numb to the sadness that had been so hot before. He takes a deep, long breath in and forces the corners of his mouth to turn up a little at the edges.]

...I suppose I should be celebrating those small memories she left before she went away. She did make interesting, often colorful, home-blends of tea.

[boomchucka]

[Selphie knows a forced smile when she sees one. Even if it may be for her sake, she knows that crossed a line that she shouldn't have. Her face fell downward as she didn't bother to hide the regret she felt at her words. She said she'd be more honest with herself and with others and this was as good a place to start as any other.

She keeps her voice soft and loud enough for only him to hear.]

Sephiroth? I didn't know Terra very well and I don't know you very well either but I know that I've crossed a line that I didn't mean to. I'm hoping you'll forgive me but lemme say something about Terra.

[Selphie placed her left hand on her heart and looked up at the taller man with a somber look on her face.]

She's not really gone. As long as you don't forget about her or what she meant to you then she'll always be in your heart, okay?

[shinrasfinest]

[At the same time, Sephiroth has already spent way too much time having his thoughts linger over the loss of one who had become unprecedentedly integral to his life on Crystallis. To begin with he'd taken on anything to keep himself distracted but complete desensitization to that particular pain takes time.

In reaction to Selphie's comments, Sephiroth finds the sides of his face softening despite his every attempt to maintain his hardened facade. It stirs sadness, but moreover the kind words are more of a salve than they had been months ago.

He smiles smally, then nods shallowly to her.]

I don't think I'll ever forget, so long as I remain of myself here. She was...

[He covers a break to his voice with a small sip of the steaming tea.]

...I don't think I'll ever meet anyone quite like her.

[boomchucka]

Maybe not but...

[She stretches her arms out wide and waves them in the direction of all of the people who had come out to the party.]

It doesn't mean that you can't meet other people. A strong sense of duty is good and all but you've gotta remember to have a little fun every now again.

[She points up at him with a cheeky grin.]

Holding up the wall can't be all that fun so it doesn't count.

[shinrasfinest]

I make fun sometimes, in my own way-

[He answers with a quick flash of a smile. Sephiroth is getting better at lifting that once-engulfing mist of sadness these days, even if the festive period doesn't help. It just draws him back to last year...when they'd-

A lot of the reasons why Sephiroth goes out of his way to remain distracted. Between work and his personal 'fun' in his extensive fitness regime and near-constant weapons training even at this time of year.

He does seem to straighten his posture some, almost as if to make a point he hadn't been holding up, or leaning against any wall. Though half a beat later his expression betrays another meaning to that expression that Selphie may or may not have intended.]

-though definitions of fun do differ.