19000/Packing for an Adventure

Packing for an Adventure
Date of Scene:	04 September 2024
Location:	The Crowe's Nest
Synopsis:	Packing for their Antarctic cruise, Aria admits to being nervous about the trip.
Cast of Characters:	Aria Seraphine, Joshua Foley

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Aria Seraphine has posed:
"Elizabeth, _why_ must you lay on the most important pile?!" Sera whines good-naturedly. She's holding a blouse on a hanger in one hand, having just fished it out of the closet, and she was about to add it to the 'definitely bringing it' pile (everything was being sorted into definitely, probably, and maybe piles on her side of the bed). However, _that_ plan is thwarted by the mechanical cat currently making the 'definitely' pile her most comfortable bed _ever_.

At least Sera's clothes aren't covered in cat hair and there's no litter box smell. That's something, right?!

Elizabeth, meanwhile, just rests there, staring up at the fallen angel, entirely unphased by this whole process.

Sera and Josh have known this trip was coming for a few weeks, ever since the cruise line reached out to her and she confirmed the booking. Apparently someone who saw one of her shows at the Hellfire Club was important (go figure) and decided they had to have her on one of their one-in-a-lifetime Antarctic cruises. Small ships, only about 200 people, but incredibly exclusive and expensive. Lots of money and important people aboard and only a couple of shows a night to do for two weeks. The pay was phenomenal, the rest of the time aboard was hers to do with as she pleased, she could bring Joshua for free, _and_ they go to go to Antarctica together!

What's not to be excited about?!

Packing. Packing is what _not_ to be excited about.

What Sera's quickly realizing is that... she's never had to pack before. For anything other than moving from her old apartment in with Joshua. Beyond that, she'd never been on a trip that required her to figure out more than an overnight bag (and even that was just the trip to Colorado).

This is going to be a full two weeks. The flight to Ushulia in the Tierra del Fuego Province of Argentina is _tomorrow_, and she's been procrastinating about packing.

At least she remembered to bring a few dresses home from the club. She didn't own any of the stuff she wore on stage at Lily Anne's. She just got it out of costuming. One day, maybe she'd buy her own gowns. But, for now, she's just taking ones she knows fit her.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Josh leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and affection. The sight of Sera trying to navigate the chaos of packing is both endearing and entertaining. He quirks an eyebrow at Elizabeth who seems to have made her claim on the "definitely" pile as her throne.

"Sometimes I worry about the woman that programmed her for mom. She had a huge crush on her, but mom felt she was way too young. But it looks like Elizabeth's got a good eye for quality," he quips, a small smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. His gaze shifts to Sera, and there's a softness in his eyes, a quiet admiration for her, even in moments like this. "Don't worry, we'll get it all sorted. If Elizabeth doesn't approve, we can always blame her for any fashion mishaps," he adds, trying to lighten the mood.

He moves closer, gently taking the blouse from Sera's hand and placing it on a different pile, one that Elizabeth hasn't claimed. "You know," he starts, his voice calm and steady, "we'll make this work. It's not about what you bring; it's about the fact that we're doing this together. Antarctica, with you. That's what matters."

There's a pause as he looks at her, his tone turning a bit more serious but still warm. "And hey, if packing's the worst part of this adventure, then I think we're in for a pretty incredible time. We'll figure it out. We always do."

"Plus, you know I'm looking for the pile when we're alone." he teases her with a kiss on her cheek. "I should start on my own packing as well."

Aria Seraphine has posed:
The sound of Josh's voice brings Sera's eyes up from trying to figure out what to do with the hangar she's holding, clearly trying to decide whether it's worth starting _another_ 'definitely' pile that doesn't have a cat (albeit an electronic one) lying on it.

The affect he has on her is... dramatic. All at once, it's like someone punctured the balloon that was holding her shoulders up around her ears, releasing the tension and allowing them to sag into something that's reminiscent of defeat.

"Is it that obvious?"

That she's struggling. That she's stressed. That she's worried she's going to screw it up. That she's going to get to Antarctica and have nothing to wear but shorts and bras because for some reason she was unwilling to disturb the freaking robot cat that, despite its lack of 'life,' is still part of the family she's joined.

She gives up the blouse with very little reluctance when he takes it from her, her smile softening as she looks up at him, the stress still in her eyes even if not in her shoulders.

"_That_ pile is a surprise," she whispers about the 'alone' pile, a playful little smile curling her lips despite herself, even if her nerves are still frayed. She lifts her chin to receive that peck on the cheek, but at the mention of him needing to start packing, she reaches out to take his hands, pulling them around behind her and stepping into the circle they make.

Her own come up to his shoulders, fingers lightly brushing over his golden cheeks.

"I love you," she says.

And saying those words seems to relax her even more. There was no mistaking that Joshua's presence, his love, his affection all contribute to her sense of calm, even when she feels out of control and inexperienced.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua smiled softly as Sera relaxed in his presence, the tension in her body unwinding like a coiled spring finally released. He watched the way her shoulders dropped, the weight of uncertainty slipping from her frame, even if it didn't disappear entirely. When she handed him the blouse, there was no hesitation, a small gesture that mirrored her trust in him.

As she pulled his arms around her and stepped closer, her fingers brushed lightly across his golden cheeks, grounding him in that intimate, shared moment. He could feel the warmth of her body, the way her closeness seemed to quiet the noise in his mind, and for a second, he simply breathed her in. The words she spoke I love you hung between them, soft and sincere, yet carrying a weight that made his heart swell.

Joshua rested his forehead against hers, his arms tightening gently around her, cradling her in a protective yet tender embrace. His own voice was a quiet murmur when he finally responded, "I love you, too." The words were simple, but the depth behind them said everything he felt.

His hands moved slowly up her back in a soothing, reassuring touch, his presence meant to ease the lingering tension still clinging to her. "And you've got this," he added softly, his voice filled with warmth and quiet confidence. "Antarctica doesn't stand a chance." There was a playful note in his tone, meant to coax a smile from her, to lift her just a little further away from the worries she had been carrying.

Joshua's eyes flicked to the Alone pile, and a slow, teasing grin spread across his face. The blush on his golden cheeks deepened just a shade as he let out a low chuckle.

"So, that's what the 'surprise' pile is for," he murmured, his voice dipping into something warmer, more intimate. His gaze lingered on the selection of clothes, then back to her with a smoldering glint in his eyes.

He let his fingers brush along her waist as he pulled her closer, the soft heat between them undeniable.He leaned in, lips brushing just against her ear as he whispered, "Might have to make sure there's enough room in the suitcase for all of that... but I'm not sure we'll be needing those clothes for long."

Aria Seraphine has posed:
Antarctica doesn't stand a chance.

Sera's eyes widen comically, an intentional over-reaction to his words. "You think I'm going to break it?!"

An octave higher than usual, her voice is playfully helpless and very poorly acted, even at trying to sound 'hurt.' Besides, barely a couple of heartbeats later, her lips are tugging into a sheepish smile.

"Ah-ah," she chides, using the fingers on his cheek to guide his eyes from the piles back to her own, her smile blossoming to match the playfulness of his. "Eyes on the prize, mister. No peeking and spoiling what I have planned. Maybe I _should_ be letting you pack instead of snooping around my piles..."

Just a moment ago, she was so stressed it was radiating from her, but now she's relaxed into his arms like nothing at all is wrong.

"Are you sure? I've heard it's _cold_ in Antarctica. I need need like... 5 or 6 layers just to stay warm. You might not even be able to find me under all of the sweater and jackets..."

Then she's stretching up, pressing her lips against his gently, eyes twinkling.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua couldn't help but laugh, a deep, warm sound that vibrated through his chest as Sera's mock-horrified expression played out before him. Her exaggerated reaction had him shaking his head, a smirk curling his lips as he wrapped his arms more firmly around her. "Break it? Nah, but you might just melt it with how hot you look." His voice was low, teasing, matching the playful energy between them.

When her fingers guided his eyes back to her, he let out a soft, amused hum. "Eyes on the prize, huh?" he murmured, his gaze now locked on hers, and the rest of the world-the packing, the piles-faded into the background. He tilted his head, smirking down at her. "Fine, I'll leave your little surprises alone. But I can't promise I won't be snooping later."

At the mention of Antarctica and the cold, Joshua grinned, leaning in closer as she stretched up to meet him. "Five or six layers, huh? Guess I'll just have to dig through all those sweaters to find you," he teased, his breath warm against her lips just before she kissed him. He returned the kiss gently, letting it linger, his fingers tracing the small of her back.

When they finally pulled apart, his eyes gleamed with mischief. "You know, Sera, I'm not worried. If you do get lost under all those layers, I'll keep you warm." His smile deepened, the affection in his voice unmistakable. "Besides, I don't think there's anywhere you could go that I wouldn't find you."

Aria Seraphine has posed:
Laughter. Warm, sincere, and rich laughter bubble up past Sera's lips at his mention of her melting one of the poles, those too-bright, too-blue eyes alight with affection for the man she loves most in the world.

"You're biased," she muses softly, but it's just a passing tease accompanied by a nuzzle. She's had a lot of experience with the way men view her since she's been stranded on Earth. It's not a self-confidence thing. But she also knows that Josh _is_ biased. He'd say that even if she somehow lost all that physical, mortal beauty.

The corner of her smile takes on a wicked little edge at the mention of his snooping, but she shakes her head. "You can snoop every inch of them.. every strap and hook.. once I'm _in_ them," she croons, clearly amused.

The kiss is... everything. It's comfort and familiarity. It's home.

More and more, the store had become her home, but she was leaving her home to go to the other side of the world... and somehow that made her realize even more that her home was wherever Josh was.

"I know."

Her hand slides up to brush her fingers through his hair.

"And as long as you're out there somewhere, I'll always know everything's going to be okay. I'm very, very happily yours... forever."

Her eyes roll up and to the side.

"Well..."

Her lips tug to one side, barely hiding a smile.

"Unless you get tired of the whole _angel_ thing." A tiny little roll of her shoulders. "I mean, who knows.. maybe you get bored..."

Of course, any lingering sincerity is quickly wiped away when her gaze can't seem to help swiveling back to him to see if she's getting a reaction.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua grinned as he tucked the last of Aria's things into the suitcase, the warmth of her words still hanging in the air like the faint scent of her perfume. He paused for a moment, catching the teasing gleam in her eyes, and with that smile-the one reserved only for her; he met her gaze.

"Biased?" he repeated, pretending to be offended as he stepped closer, his hands resting on her shoulders before pulling her gently into his arms. "Well, maybe I am. But if loving an angel with that much sass makes me biased, then I'll wear that title proudly."

Her soft nuzzle brought a low chuckle from him. Joshua's eyes sparkled at her next remark, the playful challenge in her voice stoking that familiar fire between them.

"Oh, I will," he murmured, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper as he leaned in close, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "I'll be inspecting every strap and hook very carefully once you're in them."

The kiss that followed was everything; comfort and home, wrapped in the warmth of their shared moment. The half-packed bags and the uncertainty of their upcoming journey faded away as he held her in his arms. It was as if nothing else mattered but the two of them, standing there in the messy room, ready to face the world together.

Her words filled him with the kind of certainty only Aria could give him. As her fingers threaded through his hair, he rested his forehead against hers, the corners of his mouth curling into a soft smile.

"Forever," he whispered in return, a promise he had no doubt he'd keep.

But then, just as quickly as the moment had turned serious, she rolled her eyes, mischief returning to her expression. Joshua crossed his arms over his chest, trying to look serious but failing miserably as she teased him about getting tired of the angel thing.

"Aria," he began slowly, his voice full of mock gravity, "I'm already dealing with the fact that my girlfriend is stunningly beautiful and far too good for me, and you think I'd get bored?"

He let the tension build for a second, his lips twitching upward as if holding back a grin. Then he let out a long, exaggerated sigh.

"Well, I guess if you really want to keep me interested? you'll just have to keep things exciting. But, lucky for you," he added, leaning in close, his voice a playful murmur, "I'm not the kind of guy who gets bored easily."

Aria Seraphine has posed:
..stunningly beautiful and far too good for me...

Aria laughs. She genuinely laughs -- just a short bark of laughter that her hand comes up to cover, her blue eyes softening into apology (though they still hold that mirth) as she listens to the rest of what he has to say.

"Joshua Foley-Crowe," she murmurs back to him after that threat of not getting bored easily, leaning in to whisper her own words into his ear, "_I_ will be the judge of who is good enough for me."

She touches his tummy with her hands, slips them around his sides so she can tug herself a little closer -- pulling herself right up against him.

"And I will _not_ tolerate anyone talking bad about the man I love... do you understand me?"

But even with her lips against his ear, it's easy to hear the smile in her voice. The warmth in her tone. The way her body molds a little more than it has to against him.

...all in the name of that playful flirtation. Though, there is some heat to those words. Some truth. Some protective quality to them. She didn't like being put above him. Above others in his life? Certainly. But not above _him_.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua felt the warmth of Aria's laughter and the gentle touch of her hands as she slipped them around his sides, pulling herself closer. Her soft, teasing words and the protectiveness in her tone made his heart swell.

"Aria," he whispered, his voice a playful murmur as he leaned in to meet her gaze, "if you're the judge, then I'm more than happy to be found worthy."

He chuckles softly, resting his forehead against hers. "And I'd never dream of speaking ill of anyone you care about. You've always had a way of making sure I remember that. But know this"- he lifted his hand to gently cup her cheek - "I'm only here because you've chosen me, and I'm incredibly grateful for that."

Joshua's eyes twinkled with affection as he continued, "You've got this beautiful mix of strength and tenderness that keeps me on my toes. It's one of the many things I adore about you. So don't worry, I'm more than happy to keep things exciting if it means making you smile."

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before pulling back just enough to see her reaction. "And as for anyone else-well, they'd better be prepared for a very protective angel." His smile widened, the teasing glint in his eyes clear as he added, "Because I'm quite sure you're not the only one who's going to be keeping an eye on things."

Aria Seraphine has posed:
Aria smiles, tilting her head a little into the cant of his, to press her forehead against his. A soft sigh blows past her lips when he touches her cheek.

A soft laugh escapes her lips at this offer to keep things exciting, but it's little more than a breath. It's the warmth of that laughter that's the meaningful part, her heart full to bursting after his words. There was no one else she could ever imagine her life with. No one else that could possibly make her feel this way.

"You're not just worthy, Josh, you... you fit.. with me. Does that make sense? It's like a puzzle piece. You wouldn't call it worthy because it's in the right spot."

She gives a little roll of one shoulder.

"It's just... the right piece. _You_ are the right one for me. I know it. I _feel_ it."

Her grin twists a little, and she puts up her hands, balling her fingers into little fists. She's a trained warrior, but she shows none of that in her little feigned play-acting of being willing to fight.

"Oh, let them say something. Have they never heard of the Wrath of God? Who do they think does that?"

But it's all humor in her eyes and the curl of her lips. All love in her expression as she looks up at him.

"I love you," she repeats.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua's heart swelled at Aria's words, her warmth and the gentle touch of her forehead against his sending a profound sense of belonging through him. Her analogy of the puzzle piece struck a deep chord, and he couldn't help but smile, touched by her heartfelt confession.

"You're right, Aria," he murmured softly, his voice rich with emotion. "We fit together perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle that were always meant to be joined. It's not about being worthy; it's about being right for each other."

He cupped her face gently in his hands, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that matched the depth of his feelings. "I promise you this-my heart is yours, completely and without reservation. I've found my place with you, and there's no one else who could ever take that spot."

As she playfully threatened anyone who might dare speak ill of him, Joshua chuckled softly, the affection and admiration in his gaze unmistakable. "The Wrath of God, indeed," he teased, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "But I think I'd be far more afraid of the wrath of Aria."

He pulled back slightly, his eyes full of love and unwavering commitment. "I love you too," he said earnestly. "More than words can ever fully express. You are my heart, my home, and the one person I want to share my life with."