this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
[attr="class","a1icon"]
[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"] Things hadn’t exactly been the best for a couple of months. Sleep hadn’t come easily, his workload had tripled thanks to his own obsessions, and now he was delving deeper and deeper into that Sad Phase where he spent the holidays away form people he was actually meant to spend them with. Saturnalia was an event all about celebrations, especially with other people and he was spending it alone. Well, not alone. At work. Yeah. He’d pulled the Work Card on his friends and family and avoided not only the Emersons and the Cunninghams but even an invitation to visit the Petrov’s own Saturnalia gathering for tonight. He was still more or less clueless on how to speak with his friend other than sending him well meaning letters attached to Christmas presents…
[break][break]
So, there he was, on duty. Again. At the Saturnalia Lin Family gathering. Well, he had been for a little bit before his employer, some business connection to his grandparents had decided to retire early. Good. Aiden wasn’t in the partying mood either, much less with stiffs he didn’t recognize. The carriage carrying his boss and himself slowed to a halt and the young witch wordless made a move for the door. With a gently kick to help propel the door open, he slid out and landed on the ground with ease. The redhead then grabbed the door and held it open. “We’ve arrived, sir.” He stated, voice level as tilted his head towards the extravagant home. No parties here, thankfully.
[break][break]
He was still hanging out with a stiff though. He didn’t exactly know the man very well, except that his family was old and powerful. The job hadn’t been exactly something he’d applied for but more or less something his grandmother had set up. He’d been open to taking on more work from her and she’d just managed to slide in a recommendation from him and poof! His official title was ‘assistant’ but he more or less felt like a handyman, or a babysitter. He couldn’t do much for the guy since he was really only a university student, but he could certainly talk very loudly for him sometimes and silence a room for him at others. Bodyguard? He felt like he owed it to him for employing him, but it wasn’t an official title either. He was just kind of here, for money and prestige. Thus, he didn’t exactly know how to talk to Jia except hope he suggested something that tickled his fancy and run with it. “Will you be having a snack or…something to drink?” he doubted anyone was awake, so he’d probably have to make it himself. Then again, he wouldn’t mind some hot chocolate. Though it was up in the air if the kitchen had marshmallows stashed. “I didn’t see you eat much, sir.” He added.
[attr="class","j1white"]he is quiet, his head bowed, a shadow cast over his features. light seeps in through partly-drawn carriage windows, and every once in a while, he turns his gaze outwards, dark eyes sharp, as though searching the scenery for blame. there is a natural severeness to his features, a coldness present even when he does not wish it so, and the formality of his dressing for the gathering does him little favours. lin jiayi seems more cut from marble than flesh, and particularly so in his stony silence.[break][break]
the second day of saturnalia is a day for family, and duty bleeds from that one simple word like blood from an old wound, rubbed raw in the wake of meifon’s disappearance. he knows it was his fault — he knows, as surely as he is a lin and he is heir — but all that knowledge helps him little. it makes the weight upon his shoulders a little heavier, sprouting thorns bitter at the edges, but ultimately, it does nothing except make him yearn to leave the gathering, where he ought to be.[break][break]
but he’s had enough of blood and duty for one night. [break][break]
the carriage slows to a halt, just as aiden moves to open the door. for the briefest of moments, jiayi lingers at the door, staring out at the estate. it stretches out larger than life, silent and expansive in its dim-lit grandeur. he takes a breath; expels it as a sigh.[break][break]
“thank you, aiden,” he says, his tone already lighter than it had been as compared to any words he may have exchanged with his assistant at the function. he steps off the carriage, inclines his head gratefully to the carriage-driver, and gives them a cursory glance as they begin guiding the carriage towards the stables at the back. jiayi turns back to aiden at his question, considering briefly.[break][break]
“i will,” he replies, beginning to move towards the front door. “gatherings such as those do little for my appetite, i’m afraid.” [break][break]
he rests his hand on the door, watching as the handle glows gently with an enchantment as it unlocks. “have you any favourite sweet treats, yourself? desserts?” jiayi is pretty certain the kitchen will have something. at least he’s fairly sure they still have a stash of chocolates and marshmallows somewhere — he literally bought some just a few days ago, anyway.
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
[attr="class","a1icon"]
[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"] The witch gave a wave to the carriage driver and called out a quick ‘thank you’ as they left before following his boss up to the front door. Lights turn on as Jiayi unlocks the door, and Aiden notes that the flurry of activity sometimes present in the home was absent. Most, if not all servants had gone home. Lucky for them. Still, the looming emptiness meant he’d have to make their drinks himself which was fine. Though he wondered if he would have to follow up Jiayi like a pseudo butler before retreating back downstairs. Could he dress down? Was that allowed?? He wanted to pull off his bowtie and jacket already. The coattails had almost gotten stuck in doors twice tonight, and he was tired of the whole thing.
[break][break]
The redhead gave a nod at the older man, waiting for him to step through the threshold before tapping his shoes clean and stepping after him. He’s eager to close the door to cut off the suctions of cold air into the foyer. “I sympathize, sir.” He returned, before looking up at the other witch. His professional demeanor, and by that just a lack of expression in general, is interrupted by Jiayi’s question. He opened his mouth, blinking in surprise for a moment because one simply didn’t just ask Aiden Emerson what his favorite dessert was. There was lists to sort through, criteria to meet. The question was laughable, but he holds it back, though his eyes are brimming with excitement at the mere thought of desserts. One of his few, very exploitable weaknesses. “Yes.” He said, voice controlled to keep an overflow of dessert-related trivia to flow out of him and drown the conversation.
[break][break]
“I’d say it depends on the season though. It’s cold now though, so I think things like fruit pies, or lava cakes are good.” He explained, careful not to start gushing about food. “It also pairs well with drinks of the season like peppermint teas, ciders, or hot cocoa.” He added, resting his hands behind his back. “What about you, sir? If it’s simple enough I can see if I can prepare something for you.” After all, he hadn’t eaten and who was Aiden to tell a man he should eat dinner before dessert when they were also an adult.
[attr="class","j1white"]he steps through the door, waits for aiden to close it, and promptly removes his coat and leaves it on a rack by the door. the house is empty, save for himself and aiden, which grants him the rare opportunity to just be jiayi — a creature currently summed up in few words : tired, sleep-deprived, and hungry.[break][break]
jiayi has sharp eyes, watchful and piercing, accustomed to scanning features for the slightest of tells. there is an undeniable excitement in aiden’s eyes despite the control of his voice, something youthful and refreshing after an evening such as this. unbidden, there is the ghost of a smile, faint and fleeting, though amusement lingers in his tone. “i see,” he says, gesturing for aiden to also feel free to leave his jacket by the door. “lava cake does sound good, though i’m afraid you might have to wait a little for me to make a fresh one. i doubt any bakeries are still open at this hour, but we do have all the ingredients, the last time i checked.”[break][break]
logic and propriety and everything that constitutes the backbone of a lin protests against the thought of having dessert before dinner ( or, alternatively, forgoing dinner altogether ), but jiayi cannot bring himself to think of something genuinely nutritious to eat. lava cake has been mentioned, and thus, lava cake it will be.[break][break]
“don’t worry about me,” jiayi says, waving away aiden’s offer to make something. he appreciates his assistant’s dedication, he really does, but the poor kid looks tired. besides, there aren’t any servants here to chase him away from the kitchens this time, and he is certain that any important matters can wait until tomorrow. “make yourself comfortable. there are tea leaves in that cabinet,” he points out as they enter the kitchen, “cups in that one, and some snacks in there.”
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
[attr="class","a1icon"]
[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"] Aiden doesn’t hesitate with removing his outer layers when allowed to, shrugging off the heavy, tan coat he’d been given to keep warm. He hung it up before going for his tuxedo jacket, and vest unwilling to carry either around or get them dirty. His eyes slide to the ground as he began to mess with his bow tie, ready to pull that off and stuff it in his winter coat when he perks up, alerted by Jiayi’s reply. There’s a lot to unpack here. He was immediately elated at the prospect of having freshly made lava cakes, that much was clear, but then there’s lingering concern when he realized his boss was about to bake some for them. As opposed to, you know, trying to find someone willing to deliver. Fat Chance.
[break][break]
His eyebrows furrowed together as the man assured him he didn’t need to put himself out, but he doesn’t protest, continuing to dress down by taking the liberty of stuffing one silk bow tie into his coat pocket, and putting away silver cuff links so that he can roll up his sleeves. He was sure it was in his job description to protest having his boss bake, much less bake something for the both of them, but he was new at this. No skin off his back if his employer was good and willing. What. Was the house butler gonna glare at him from now on if they found out he’d let Jiayi cook? Please. Aiden followed closely, interest piqued at the notion of such a stern, business man about to put on an apron and bake. He didn’t really…seem like the type. Then again, he didn’t know anything about him other than he signed his checks.
[break][break]
“Alright but I can pour you a cup of tea too, you know.” He returned. He’d heat up a kettle. Aiden bent down, popping open the tea cabinet with ease only to get a fresh whiff of Tea. A good selection of tea, but aromatic nevertheless. It was like the air inside had been marinating with the various blends inside it. He glanced over the packages before pulling out something that smelled sweet and floral, not wanting to fall asleep on his boss. After a bit of rummaging he snagged some cups and a small iron kettle He set some water to boil in the corner of the stove to keep clear of Jiayi’s way. His stomach rumbled and he doubled back to rummaging for snacks. He’d never had a chance to dig through the stores of the Lin household, having had a servant to assist him. And by assisting, really it was them retrieving it while he waited around.
[break][break]
He pulled out a can of pretzel sticks and stuck one in his mouth to silence the immediate growling in his gut. “So when’d you learn how to bake, boss?” tone shifting slightly as he had been told to ‘get comfortable’. He leaned on the counter watching the kettle heat up.
[attr="class","j1white"]now, where was everything? jiayi does admit, it has been some time since he’s been able to take a moment to himself, much less bake something without having to worry about being chased out of the kitchen before it is done. there was always something more important to do, some matter more pressing, some papers that needed his signing or some meetings that demanded his attendance. but now, with the vast majority of the family and its associates occupied by the dinner gathering, it is quiet. he quite likes it.[break][break]
“i’ll have a cup of whatever you’re having, then.” he thinks briefly of the alcohol stashed at the back of the cabinet, or the impressive display of wines in the foyer. and just as quickly, he dismisses the thought, turning his attention to gathering the necessary ingredients instead. the kitchen is a space for mass meal preparation, with generous amounts of work space and seemingly limitless storage, all neatly kept and labelled. [break][break]
first, the oven. jiayi reaches back to preheat it, watching the runes flicker to life and a small flame spark. then, the ingredients. he begins laying these out neatly, measuring them in little white bowls. “a while ago,” he answers aiden vaguely, a shoulder lifted in a half-shrug. “i read a lot. my mother has recipe books in her study, and i chanced upon them one day.” [break][break]
“i don’t have the opportunity to bake too much these days, though,” he admits wryly. “there are always so many things to do instead.”
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
[attr="class","a1icon"]
[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"] “It says it’s a ginseng pomegranate blend?? Some kind of flower in it for good measure.” He explained as he prepared a tea ball, unscrewing the top to dump a sizable amount of loose leaf into it before closing it back up. “How long do you steep your tea?” he asked casually as he peeked into the borrowed kettle to see if the water was even reacting yet. He spotted some bubbles but not much else. It’d take a minute, even with runic magic.
[break][break]
Aiden gnawed on another pretzel stick, task completed. As Jiayi moved around his kitchen he looked around for some chairs or stools for the both. After a night of standing around, it’d be good for them to rest their soles for a bit. He settled for dragging, quite loudly, a pair of chairs and sets them near the kitchen’s island. Its close enough to hold conversation, but far enough away from the action that Jiayi wouldn’t trip on the chairs. His eyebrows raised upwards at the man. “You just…read a lot?” he repeated feeling a glimmer of doubt at the man’s baking skills but not one to voice concern just yet. Free food was free food after all.
[break][break]
At Jiayi’s lament he nodded in agreement. “Your schedule is too full some days. It’s like you don’t need to eat.” A side effect of the job that he quite despised. Work, he liked. Work was good. Work kept him occupied, on his toes, and from regressing into a self-pitying mess of a teenager. It was his backbone. But he fucking wanted to eat sometimes, and he wasn’t always trying to sneak macarons into his breast pockets for a 2-hour meeting. You could stuff maybe TWO at most, and that wasn’t enough for a meal. That wasn’t even a respectable snack. Then again, he didn’t tend to eat a lot but that was expected of a child. “Should I try optimizing your work schedule?” It wouldn’t happen anytime soon, as Jiayi had many appointments booked ages in advance, but eventually he could find a point where it was available. He hadn’t looked that far ahead but he could try. He had access to that kind of information after all.
[break][break]
“I can try scheduling a baking lesson. Probably not here but…” he trailed off, hoping he hadn’t said too much. He tried not to meddle in his boss’ schedule, simply piping up while he worked when kit was time to go this or that. You know, like a good assistant. “I mean- Sir, you said you read a lot. It’d be a shame not to test out what you’ve learned.” He added, clearing his throat as he bite down on another pretzel stick.
[attr="class","j1white"]“five to ten minutes,” jiayi responds promptly, “it depends on how strong you want it.” there is a clock hanging on the kitchen wall, and as he says this, his eyes dart up to make a note of the time before his attention turns back to the mixing bowl in his hands. [break][break]
“i read, then i apply,” he amends his earlier statement, offering aiden some further clarification. his assistant isn’t entirely wrong in his assumption, though; much of jiayi’s knowledge is theory-based. he is an academic at heart, and it extends to most, if not all, parts of his life. baking ( or cooking, in general ) is thankfully one of the areas where he actually has had the chance to actually practice as well. “you’re not about to be poisoned, i assure you.”[break][break]
it’s not about to be top bakery-standard, of course, but jiayi isn’t about to strive for perfection at this time of night. “i eat when i can,” jiayi points out mildly. on a typical day barring mandatory family dinners, that refers to whatever he can grab in the early morning before his first meeting, a miscellaneous array of snacks between appointments, and something self-indulgent and completely unhealthy at the end of the day. it really isn’t a particularly great diet. [break][break]
the mention of it does make him feel a little sorry for aiden, though. “you can, if you wish,” he says, though his hopes are slim. there is little reprieve from duty. “if you want to schedule in more frequent breaks for yourself to get food, you can,” he adds. “i would rather you not starve while listening to old men bicker about budget spendings.”[break][break]
a pause, thoughtful, as he begins to add the dry and wet ingredients together, carefully stirring as he does so. “perhaps. i wouldn’t mind." he offers aiden a grateful nod. “if you could find a time, i would certainly appreciate it.”
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
[attr="class","a1icon"]
[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"] Aiden gave a quick nod deciding 7 minutes was probably a good amount of time for this to steep. It seemed like a strong tea. Pomegranate was always a powerful choice, in his little experience with tea. He was more of a chocolate and coffee boy, but he didn’t avoid tea. He thought he saw a little bit of heat emanating from the kettle. Ooh, they were getting close, excellent. He was thirsty. The pretzel salt only worsening his craving for something to drink. He’d wanted cocoa originally but something a little lighter would be better to balance out the lava cakes. Yess. He couldn’t wait.
[break][break]
“I see.” He wasn’t going to argue or poke around too much Jiayi’s cumulative cooking experience, but he was glad he was being assured. He’d trust this until Jiayi gave him a reason to suspect him. Besides, he shouldn’t really worry. The man was kind of a know it all, and pretty good at it. If he could handle a mixing bowl like he handled a meeting they’d be fine. “I hope not. I don’t want to be a scandal that gets covered up from the Sunday News.” The redhead stated wit ha snort.
[break][break]
Aiden shrugged at his boss. “I suppose.” He agreed, holding back a protest. He’d seen the schedule. It wasn’t very good. It was one of the reasons why he considered this more of a babysitting job than an assistantship, age notwithstanding. He’d rather schedule shorter meetings for Jiayi than sneak away to eat quickly. Maybe it would push old men for more efficiency. Then again, he shouldn’t get involved too seriously. This wasn’t the most permanent of positions. “I’ll consider it.” He returned, eyeing his boss and tying not to snicker at the freedom he was getting when it came to his own personal schedule. He’s slightly concerned for the man, hearing Rosario’s own exasperated voice in her head.
[break][break]
“I’ll get on it, so the changes can be implemented as soon as possible.” Aiden said with a nod, mentally already flashing forward to a couple of important dates. “Of course. You like cooking, right? We’ll call it the scheduled ‘Health and Welfare Appointment’. Something pretentious so it sounds more important than it actually is.” Aiden replied with a shrug before looking over as the kettle began to hiss a bit. Oh good. He set down the pretzels before darting over to carefully pull the kettle off the hot stove and onto something cooler. With care, he popped off the lid, dropped the tea ball in, and looked over at the clock beginning to count down the minutes.
[attr="class","j1white"]the mixing continues, jiayi ever diligent in his work. a deliciously chocolatey smell begins to waft through the air, and he genuinely has to tell himself not to stick a finger in the mixture to taste it -- raw eggs, he reminds himself. getting sick over something like that would be an inconvenience not worth the payoff. lin jiayi is raised to hold patience infinitesimal in his bones, and so, he shall wait.[break][break]
“health and welfare appointment,” he muses, a glimmer in his eyes that, in anyone else, could possibly be taken as playfulness. the name offers at least a vague semblance of self-care, as elusive as it is. perhaps it won’t be so bad, to have a little part of his week dedicated to ignoring responsibilities. perhaps it is prudent to pencil in one’s downtime -- here, says his weekly planner, here is a pocket of time where you can have your weekly dose of existential dread, complemented by a side of sugary treats instead of dangerous amounts of alcohol! “i like it. keep the name, please.”[break][break]
he makes quick work of the recipe, and before long, the cake sits pretty within the oven ; he makes a mental note of the time and to check back in a while. satisfied with the current state of the cake, jiayi begins the process of tidying up the kitchen, scooping up empty bowls and depositing them neatly into the sink. “what does tomorrow's schedule look like?”
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
[attr="class","a1icon"]
[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"]
The smell of pomegranate seems to spurt out along with the steam mixing with the delicate chocolatiness in the air. Dutifully, Aiden sets his eyes to grab their cups, refraining from reaching for a pair of saucers. They wouldn’t need it right? “Will you need sugar for your tea?” he offered, hesitating at the cabinet before closing it anyway. Lava cakes would be sweet enough. As much as he loved a good sugary beverage and cakes, it was too late for that much indulgence. A tea and some cake and then off to his room in the coven to unwind from family matters. Aiden offered a smile to his companion, nodding in understanding as he set the cups down next to the steaming kettle. “I’ll get right on it, sir.” He assured feeling a light sense of relief for the man as he reached into his coat pocket to fish out a small leather-bound notebook and pencil. He flipped it open, eyes narrowing with focus as he jotted down a sketch of week before jotting down a couple of words. [break][break]
Before he knew it the oven was closed and the redhead’s eyes were drawn to it as he suppressed bubbling excitement at the handmade desserts. Close…so close. But no- Focus. He turned his attention to the kettle that had been steeping for long enough now, and carefully removed the tea ball before beginning to pour himself and Jiayi a cup. “Ah. Tomorrow is day three of Saturnalia so I have barred all meetings with exception of family, however, Sir Harrington will be a little cross next week.” He didn’t seem apologetic, or even perturbed by this. He was not the best at providing…customer service, but he liked to think Jiayi was ok with his stalwart way of weaving together his appointments. Particularly cutting down on travel between locations by moving things around every so often. “He’s still on about that risky business venture the uh- medicinal herb production.” The knight added waving vaguely, not because he didn’t remember but because he really didn’t care. [break][break]
“Mr. Lin, your father, expressly told me of a Lin family appearance at the shrine to pay respects to the tradition and particularly strike conversation with one of the higher-ranking priests. He will most likely tell you more as he explained very little to me.” Aiden sighed through his nose as he paused to pick up the tea and deliver one to Jiayi. He then set his cup down on the counter, letting it cool a bit before checking his notebook once more. After quickly flipping a few pages he tapped on the page triumphantly. “Ah, here we are, all of this should occur starting at 9 tomorrow, which means someone will be waking you around 7:30. By noon we should be at the shrine already with the rest of the Lins that deign appear,-” he glossed over it quickly, very much not enjoying anytime he had to deal with any of the man’s family members. He didn’t quite know them, but he could feel the tension and he did his best to avoid being present. “After lunch with the Meng & Cao associates, it’s scheduled around four hours of free mingling and festivities.” [break][break]
“As you asked, I have made sure that all of the ‘gifts’ you wished to give out are wrapped, and ready to be delivered tomorrow morning to your colleagues. However, some wrapping was leftover if you would like some help wrapping something more…personal.” He added as he set down his papers and blew lightly on the teacup.
[attr="class","j1white"]"no sugar, thank you," he murmurs, breezing over the countertops, gathering dishes and measuring receptacles in his arms to deposit into the sink. if he has additional sugar now, he doubts he'll be getting even the slightest wink of sleep tonight. the tap begins running, a distant background noise that eases the gaps between the oven's steady ticking. there's another sound behind him, occasionally interrupted by the quiet clink of dishes being washed, of tea being poured.[break][break]
he doesn't do all the dishes, of course; doesn't want to bore aiden with staring at his back while he meticulously scrubs chocolate from a mixing bowl. instead, he turns to take a sip of the tea, listening carefully as aiden rattles off his upcoming responsibilities. nods, with begrudging understanding, at the explanation of sir harrington: he has never been a fan of that man. too idealistic and too proud to admit his shortcomings. in his experience, it is however a common trait, unfortunately.[break][break]
the program stretches on and on, though it is, thankfully, only a day of mingling and celebration. no stuffy meeting rooms and over-rehearsed speeches. "thank you," he says finally, quiet and sincere, filing away the itinerary for the next day in the back of his mind. "i may wrap some of those gifts before bed, then," he muses, fingers drumming lightly against the edge of the teacup.[break][break]
"what of yourself? have you any plans of note tomorrow, or are you burdened with my company once more?" the question is almost absently asked, with a lightness that hints towards mild amusement, as he momentarily sets the tea down in favour of searching for a pair of oven mitts.
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
[attr="class","a1icon"]
[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"]
Aiden felt a small prick of satisfaction at having predicted his employer’s needs accurately, but aside from sipping carefully form his cup, only listened. The tea is hot, practically scalding and even the gentlest of touch with the tip of his tongue makes him recoil a bit. With narrowed eyes, he lifted his hand wiggling is fingers, pouring a bit of mana into the cup and watching the liquid swirl. He had a spoon, but it was a more an exercise of he could, so he would. It felt like stretching something important. After all, most of the day had gone to his on preparations for festivities he would rather avoid. [break][break]
Lately, most of his attention was on mending his tentative relationship with Charani Petrov . He hadn’t spoken to him much about that night, to his own fault, but he still couldn’t really form the thoughts on the whole matter, and so he had relied on Charani to speak to him once more. It just so happened the push he got was from suffering a life-threatening injury, but you know. Life finds a way. He huffs into his tea, looking up at Jiayi. His expression relaxed and the sudden tension that had crawled back into his shoulders seemed to ease, only slightly, as he gave the man a nod. “Of course. I’ll get the wrapping paper before to you before I leave.” He stated, making no move to get them now. There was tea after all, and cakes in waiting. [break][break]
The redhead snorted loudly. “I’m burdened? Isn’t it the other way around?” he asked, half willing to accept how irritating he could be. Though, this was a job and he tried to keep it professional sometimes it slipped. Sometimes Sir Harrington of hopeful, Ms. Lepour got on his last nerve and some would say he took almost too much liberty with managing his boss’ time. His decorum still wasn’t up to par with his cousins. “Well, after overseeing no one barges into the Lin family reunion, I will be, meeting up with-” His mind goes blank when he reaches for the word friend, and something doesn’t feel quite right. But that was his title wasn’t it? That’s what they were. He’d done quite a bit to fuck that up, but it still held up. [break][break]
He clears his throat, pretending it’s just dust that chokes him and not doubts. “I’ll be meeting with my friend’s mentor. She wants to…meet me, and I’m hoping I won’t completely mess up my first impression.” Though he is already dreading meeting eyes with someone so close to Charani. “It’s like I’m meeting his family again, but like, in a worse mood because of the festival and me.” He was ready, and at the same time not. It made the mouth of his stomach feel fuzzy, but he didn’t want to vomit. He was just stuck in uncomfortable limbo.
[attr="class","j1white"]"i stand by my words," jiayi says, unswayed. aiden is a refreshing break from the types of people he regularly encounters by way of business; the stifling professionalism that he himself is so guilty of using as a crutch has a looser hold on his assistant, and for that, he is grateful. it is intriguing, too, to see someone who speaks their mind clearly -- it is a rarity, in his experience. ( he doesn't mind the way aiden arranges his schedule; it would be a lie to deny the tiny spark of vindication he sometimes gets when making a particularly unpleasant partner wait their turn. )[break][break]
he is patient, too, as aiden struggles for words. "if it is worth anything," he begins cautiously, "i am certain that it will not go too badly." he knows precious little of aiden, much less so any personal affairs, and does not know if he particularly cares to. but he is, nonetheless, a polite and decent person, and his concern extends as such. he supposes, though, he could perhaps offer a word or two of advice, though his experience in the field is sparse: an heir, his parents are quick to remind, has little need for friends. allies, yes, but there is little sentiment held there.[break][break]
"do not work yourself up too much over it," he ends up saying, the advice rolling awkwardly off his tongue. "if she already wants to meet you, then you must be doing something right." there's a well-timed ding! of the oven, and jiayi turns his attention to the cake within. [break][break]
hands protected by the oven mitts, he retrieves the cake -- it looks absolutely delightful -- and sets it on the countertop. as an afterthought, he offers absently, "though, if you need to escape, i am certain i can come up with a work-related excuse, if you need one."
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
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[attr="class","a1scroll"] All things considered, Jiayi Lin was an ok boss. No micromanaging or nagging. He’d explained his needs once or twice and seemed open to questioning but for the most part he let him do his job. Aiden had worked a couple other jobs before this, most of them pretty menial in the grand scheme of things with far worse supervisors. He couldn’t say with certainty any had taken to him, so when Jiayi revealed he had just a little Aiden smiled appreciatively. It was nice to be appreciated, and he took pride in his work with the Lin family. Madame Marjorie may have handed this to him, but he had sustained himself with the task on his own efforts. “Thank you.” He returned. The Lin family was weird, to put it lightly, but at least Jiayi was alright.
[break][break]
He scrunched up his face at Jiayi’s reasoning. He was right, partially, but that was before he’d tanked his own friendship during the holidays only to come back to it because he’d been hospitalized. Not the BEST way to resolve your unspoken issues, but you know. Of course, he had to assume Charani had told her. Even if he hadn’t there was still the guilt of being thought of as a generally good person, when he couldn’t say he had been one. Regardless, he was working on it, and he needed to work harder. But anxiety still crept up in his more tired moments. He tilted his head at his boss before nodding slowly. Even the promise of cakes doesn’t soothe him, not that he couldn’t eat them. He wasn’t that depressed.
[break][break]
He snorted at the offer. “I’ll keep that in mind if things go really badly.” He sipped his tea, finding it a little more bearable. After his drink, he set his cup down and went to retrieve some platers and cutlery for their cakes. The silverware clinked against china loudly as a reminder that the mansion they stood in was pretty silent, and desolate. Aiden often found himself mumbling lists of reminders or humming to himself in his own home to combat the vastness the space had. If he had to move through it anyway. He had a habit of locking himself in the library or his own room. “I’ll try to make the best of it. I have a lot to make up for…” he said after mulling over the advice for a bit. “Regardless, I hope you can manage having no business meeting for an afternoon without me. I won’t be around to guide you through, but I think you would like making a lantern or visiting the food stalls.” He added, giving one last suggestion to his boss. He wasn’t his babysitter by any means, Jiayi was older than him, but he really did hope the man would relax for a little bit without Aiden having to ask him to.
