Taika toddles happily over to the tree, fascinated by the decor. Coincidentally enough, the fairy lights twinkled in the little fairy's eyes as she touches tree branches and tinsel gently, giggling a soft little "Togepi!" with every new sensation. Sitting cross-legged on the floor a few feet away, Matilda smiles at the little one. She'd missed holidays like this.[break][break]

The sound of rustling down the hall got her attention, and she boops Taika away to go check on things. Following the noise, she finds herself in a seemingly self-sufficient kitchen, a tired Remiel sitting at the counter. When she spots the floating Sinistea she realizes exactly who was taking care of breakfast and she smiles.[break][break]

Walking over to the host, she takes a seat next to him. She isn't trying to hide her footsteps, but she doesn't consider the fact that her fluffy winter socks muffle most, if not all, of the sound of her footfalls. "I see now who took the brunt of hosting this magnificent party," she says teasingly to Remiel, flashing Earl Grey a conspiratorial wink.


[break][break]

Remiel Calcifet

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Mid-sip, Remiel certainly doesn't notice Matilda until she's sitting right beside him. He nearly sputters in his coffee before composing himself and setting the cup down with a slightly abashed, sleepy smile.

"Is it that obvious?"

A stranger in his home— who'd slept over, no less— was not a usual thing, and he'd admittedly forgotten about the party he'd hosted last night for a split-second. But there was nothing alarming or threatening about her kind expression, and it allowed his mind to recover the memory of their introduction amidst talk of Dreepy.

"Matilda, is that right? Would you like some breakfast?" The royal politely inquires, prompting the possessed floating teacup to usher itself towards them without having to be told. "Earl makes a splendid Unovan omelet." He adds, resuming his sip from before.

ANTEMERIDIES + Matilda Greenlaw

☉

"Ooo, I would love an Unovan omelette!" Mattie speaks directly to Earl, adding a polite, "If it's not too much work, of course." Taking into account how much he was already doing, Matilda didn't want to overwhelm the Sinistea. [break][break]

Reaching into her pocket she pulls out a Pokeball and releases Dziban. The little Dreepy floats over to the Sinistea and follows him around the kitchen, watching him work. "I've never been to Unova. I'd love to visit there sometime though, all the stories I've heard have been pretty great." [break][break]

Mattie turns back to the official host of last night's party. Taking in his sleepy demeanor, she can't help but smile sympathetically. "How often do you hold parties like this? Your place is large enough and gorgeous enough, but it's gotta be exhausting."


[break][break]

Remiel Calcifet

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Earl Grey lived to serve, and certainly wasn't inconvenienced by Matilda's order. In fact, it made the possessed teacup chime with cheer as he summoned another ghostly hand to open the fridge and fetch the ingredients required. But such a capacity for multitasking didn't come naturally, of course. He had his training in Calcifet Palace to thank for that!

"The region is a melting pot of different cultures and landscapes. It's quite worth the visit, if you ask me," Remiel says between coffee sips. Reaching forward with his free hand, he pulls a napkin from the holder at the center of the table before grabbing an almond croissant off the platter there as well. He takes a bite out of it afterwards, chewing then setting it down on the napkin as Matilda asks how often he played host to engagements such as this.

"Not often... I'm not exactly what you'd call a people-person, except when it comes to business." He admits, returning her smile with a small one of his own. "To be quite honest, I hardly even live here. Most of my time is spent working at the embassy in Rustboro, so I stay in a small abode I own there. I come here when I have guests to entertain... or when I'm visiting my draciary for an extended stay."

ANTEMERIDIES + Matilda Greenlaw

☉

As Remiel talks about Rustboro, Matilda's expression clearly spells out that she wants to ask him more about his business and his home, but as soon as he says Draciary her eyes light up. "Oh right, you have an entire Draciary here!" She claps her hands together in excitement drawing the attention of her own little dragon. [break][break]

Dziban pauses in his shadowing of the other ghost and is at Matilda's shoulder in the blink of an eye. He isn't entirely sure what the two were talking about but he remembers the word Draciary from the party the night prior, which piques his interest.[break][break]




[break][break]

Remiel Calcifet

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Remiel smiles. "That's right. Would you like to go see it, Matilda?" He offers, amused by her excitement.

Nearby, a few eggs are cracked open by ghostly hands before their innards splat on the heated pan below and sizzle. Earl Grey continues to cook breakfast as the two talk. Though the sound of his master's offer prompts the butler to cook a little faster than before!

ANTEMERIDIES + Matilda Greenlaw

☉

Nodding furiously, Matilda leaps to her feet with an "Oh yes please!" A glance over at Earl Grey's hard work gives her pause, and she sits back down slowly. "I mean, I would love to visit the draciary after breakfast, thank you so much Master Calcifett." She clasps her hands together and sets them on the table politely. Under the counter however her feet swing back and forth, too short to touch the ground and an easy way to get out the energy she's nearly vibrating with. [break][break]




[break][break]

Remiel Calcifet

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Remiel laughs, and the sound is as exquisite and elegant as the décor surrounding them. "Very well, then. As soon as we're done with breakfast." He responds, lifting his cup of coffee— but pausing from a sip when his eyes shift towards the staircase across the way. He smiles warmly at the sight of sleepy luka chêne as she pads towards them.

"Just in time for breakfast, darling," He calls out, quick to shift his attention back to Matilda and introduce them. "I'm not certain if you two met earlier, but: Matilda Greenlaw , this is my... girlfriend, luka chêne ." A development that had only just been made official last night— hence the pause and the warm look on his expression shortly thereafter.

After quickly recomposing himself, however, he continues. "Luka, Matilda and I are planning to visit the draciary after breakfast. Care to come along?"

ANTEMERIDIES + Matilda Greenlaw

☉

With the introduction out of the way, there was nothing else to do but enjoy a pleasant post-Christmas dinner before heading out. Though, of course, Remiel spares a moment to chuckle and tease his new girlfriend with a CRYSTALBLOOM bright smile. Her cheeks are so adorably red that he simply can't help it. They practically ILLUMINATED the room.

Regardless, when Luka returns more dressed than before, the three of them finally depart to enjoy a morning stroll through his estate's garden. Pleasant conversation is had, and Matilda remains none the wiser to the fact that this was Remiel and Luka's first outing as a couple ever.

FIN

ANTEMERIDIES + luka chêne

☉