New Year's Eve Date

[infinitejustice]

Who: Athrun Zala and Super Sonico
What: New Year's Eve date at Athrun's apartment
Where: Heaven's Court Apartments, Nova City, apt. #2002
When: December 31st, New Year's Eve
Warnings: n/a

[Finally, New Year's Eve had come. The weather in Genessia and Attleton may be getting worse, but Nova City is experiencing absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

Athrun has been busy in his apartment all day, cleaning it and making it presentable for a guest. He had pretty much given up on tidying his home office, so he just shut the door on it and focused on the living room and the kitchen. And he happens to be cooking for once! Thanks to his cookbook, Athrun was able to whip up a honey-glazed ham and sweet potatoes for dinner. He's also got the dinner table covered in a white tablecloth with cloth napkins. And for snacks, he has cheese and crackers sitting out on the coffee table in the living room, along with a bottle of white champagne sitting in the refrigerator for midnight.

Eventually, he finishes all of his preparations. The meal goes into the oven, where it will stay for a while. Everything is wrapped up about three minutes before the designated meeting time, so Athrun has time to put away his apron and relax on the couch briefly. He isn't dressed too fancy -- simply a polo shirt and khakis.]

Comments

[sonicosuper]

*Knowing what to wear was quite a difficult part of Sonico's evening, however. For New Year, she would wear a kimono, but that won't work for her date, so instead she wears a floral kimono style dress. She wants to look good, but is trying to make it seem she hasn't tried too hard.

Finally, Sonico turns up at Athrun's door, a large gift bag in her hand - full of his Christmas gifts, some snacks and champagne, since it was New Year. Smiling, Sonico knocks on his door. The apartment building itself is so impressive that Sonico is slightly anxious. It's really quite dazzling, so very different to her own tiny and comfortable place. She just has to do her best to look positive and happy, which she mostly is*

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun thinks he knows who's knocking, but just the same, he uses the one-way view panel in his door to check who's there. When he sees it's Sonico, and he sees what she's wearing, he smiles and presses the button next to the door. It slides open.]

Welcome. Come on in and make yourself at home.

[The inside of Athrun's unit looks as classy as one might expect. The living room is large and contains a luxurious couch, a couple of easy chairs, and a large TV hanging from the wall. The kitchen is on the opposite end of the living room from the door, with a counter separating it from the living room. The oven is clearly on with something inside, and the table is visible.]

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico sees Athrun and smiles as she enters, but her attention is quickly caught again by his apartment. She gazes round at the place again and nods slowly*

Wow, Athrun, this place is lovely...

*It's definitely more grand than what she had expected. Sonico takes another step inside, but stops a moment to close her eyes*

And it smells amazing in here.

*Her eyes open and she looks directly at him with a big smile*

Athrun, do you cook?

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun smiles confidently as Sonico takes in her new surroundings. He isn't much of an interior decorator, so a lot of things are arranged for practicality rather than aesthetic. But he at least knows how to go for luxury with what he does want to have.

When Sonico asks him if he can cook, his confidence wavers, making him appear more sheepish.]

I...well, I guess I dabble. I got a cookbook for Christmas last year so I've been working with that every now than then.

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico continues to smile, even while he seems sheepish, or perhaps more so because of that*

Really? Wow, that's a great hobby to have. It definitely smells like you know what you're doing.

*Because it did smell very good. She glances down at the large gift bag in her hand and holds it out towards him*

I brought some snacks and some champagne.

*Then she pauses, a little more embarrassed by announcing the next part*

Your Christmas gifts are in there too...

*There was just a few of them, but they were rather well wrapped in shiny red paper, complete with gold ribbon and bows*

[infinitejustice]

Ah...

[Athrun pauses while he gathers his thoughts on what to say.]

Ah, you didn't need to go to that much trouble. I have things for us to eat.

[He didn't mean the presents, though. He has gifts for Sonico, too.]

So, anything you want to do while the meal cooks?

[sonicosuper]

It's no trouble. Besides, it's only fair since you invited me.

*Sonico smiles and shakes her head - she was only doing her best to be polite, after all. She didn't want him to regret his choice in guest*

I don't mind. I can do my best to help you in the kitchen. Or you could open your gifts. Is there anything that you want to do?

[infinitejustice]

There's no help needed in the kitchen at this point, so I guess that leaves gifts, huh? Hold on a second.

[Athrun retreats further back into his apartment. When he emerges, he does so carrying a bag. Inside are some gifts for Sonico, all wrapped in seasonal gift wrap.]

Here are yours.

[sonicosuper]

Oh! Thank you!

*Sonico smiles in slight surprise - she had been thinking so much of giving him his gifts that she forgot to think that he might give some in return. She exchanges the bag of gifts with the one he had, then glances round the room to look for somewhere to sit - she wasn't going to do so unless invited*

[infinitejustice]

Please, have a seat.

[Athrun is able to figure it out quickly enough, and motions to the couch. He then lifts up his bag of gifts for her, looking to perhaps exchange bags. Seems easier than exchanging individual presents.]

[sonicosuper]

Thank you.

*Sonico takes a seat and gently takes the gifts out of the bag. She holds the first one, but her eyes are anxiously watching Athrun instead.

Her presents for him include a warm woollen scarf, pretty luxury. It's a deep blue colour that she thought would go well with his hair and his eyes. She's also put in a little sleep kit for him - those oils she was telling him about and some bath salts. She has also included some different herbal teas that are for helping sleep and ridding of bad dreams. To go with it, she has got him a large mug with a picture of a large red mecha on the side - she doesn't know if it's anything like what he has at home, but it made her think of him. There is also a box of her favourite macarons. Little gifts, but she has put quite a bit of thought into them, so she really hopes he likes them*

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun's gifts for Sonico include a fair few things. First is a set of a matching scarf, gloves, and earmuffs. All three are the same beautiful shade of lavender, and all are very warm. Another present contains a brand new set of computer speakers and a voucher to download a sound editing program. That way, if she wants to record her own songs, she can do it right out of her own apartment and listen back to them after she does so. Or just better sound for her computer.

One gift is in an envelope. It's a letter, complete with Athrun's signature, that guarantees her access to Onogoro Island -- Athrun's subarchway -- at will. It also states that she is to be allowed to study the local marine life there. Lastly, he throws in a gift card. It isn't for any particular store in general -- more of the Genessian equivalent of a Visa gift card than anything. So she can buy something she wants or perhaps use it for meals.

In the meantime, Athrun opens his gifts. He can't help but smile at the wrapping paper first, though.]

Did I ever tell you that I've always been associated with the color red back home? I can't remember if I brought that up or not.

[Both of the times that Athrun served in ZAFT he had been bequeathed a red uniform, which denoted him as an elite soldier. In addition, all four of the Gundams he has piloted have been different shades of red. And to top it all off, he had been dubbed "The Red Knight" by the media.

It doesn't take him very long to open his gifts. As he does, he sets each one down on the table, though he takes a closer look at the oils out of sheer curiosity. He's grateful, though -- now the next time he has a nightmare and can't get back to sleep, he has something he can try.]

Thank you very much. These are all great gifts.

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico smiles as she unwraps the warm accessories and thanks him gratefully. That would have been more than enough for her. When she opens the speakers and the sound program, she blushes at just how brilliant and thoughtful that is. She pauses when he makes his comment about the colour red and looks at him directly*

I think it suits you.

*Now she's thinking that a red scarf would maybe have suited him better. Oh well... Then she opens the envelope, and as she reads the letter her throat dries up and she just stares at it as she puts a hand on her chest*

Oh...Oh, Athrun. This is - so -

*She's too overwhelmed by how deeply thoughtful he's been, how wonderful his gifts have been, especially in comparison to her own measly offerings for him. Sonico puts the letter on the table, but still can't manage to look at him, afraid he'd noticed that her eyes have got teary*

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun's face turns to concern when he looks into Sonico's eyes after she reads the letter. He's really hoping those are tears of happiness, but he's not sure.]

I...didn't do anything wrong, did I? I hope I didn't overstep my boundaries.

[sonicosuper]

No, oh no. It's not that at all. It's just...

*Sonico bites her lip to look back up at him. Then she leans forward to place the letter down on the table in front of her*

It's so very generous, and so very thoughtful. I've never been given gifts like these before...

[infinitejustice]

Well, I am in a unique position. I wanted to use it for someone else's sake. And who better than you?

[Athrun feels a bit more relieved now, and he manages to smile.]

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico sits a little more comfortably now and smoothes out her dress over knees. Then she bows her head in gratitude for a moment*

Then thank you. Really. I hope I can make it up to you somehow.

[infinitejustice]

You don't need to make anything up to me. Just the satisfaction of doing something good for a person I like is enough.

[sonicosuper]

Still...I might try to find a way anyway.

*She smiles as she holds his gaze*

You're a good person, Athrun.

[infinitejustice]

[He can't help but smile at that.]

I'm glad that you think so. It's easy to be good to you, too, since you've been good to me.

[sonicosuper]

Me? Oh, I haven't done anything at all. You're the one whose helped me when I needed it.

*Sonico looks at him for a long moment before sitting back slightly and gazing round the room, taking it all in. It really was very different to her own place, and quite impressive*

[infinitejustice]

Haven't done anything? I'd say you're selling yourself short, but I think that would be an understatement.

[He reaches out to place a hand on hers.]

You've kept me company when I've needed it. You've given me a good time nearly every time we've gotten together. You've listened to my problems and offered feedback. That kind of support is invaluable, and you're excellent at providing it. And I hope you'll continue to do so in the future.

[sonicosuper]

Hmm? Really?

*Sonico looks surprised at the hand on hers, turning quickly to look down at it with a small blush on her cheeks*

Then..I'm glad I have been able to help. And of course I'll continue to. Why wouldn't I?

[infinitejustice]

I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it.

As for why not...I don't know. I guess that's ultimately up to you.

[He does have a fair few things to tell her, and he doesn't know how they'll go down.]

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico looks at him for moment, at the way he is sitting, and his expression, wondering if he's okay*

I'm not going to suddenly stop being your friend for no reason. You don't need to worry.