[open]Delirium Trigger

[Eddy]

The male viera stood tall, the male viera stands with pride.He faces the challenge that twists his stomach and brings bile of nervoucism down his throat. But he stood, composed and unflinching in the wall of his feelings and displaying his best personal behavior.

These were the battles that were won on the grounds of heart and soul, he realized, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he would've rather bring his sword. His opponent is his greatest rival, the one that he couldn't even touch to spill blood no matter how much he tried.

He walked through the intricately carved mahogany wood door to be greeted by the scent of the orchids, ferns, and other tropical flora the sweetend the mood ever so slightly. He felt at ease. It was no wonder Figaro was regarded as the capital of the viera, all the vegetation placed his kind at ease.

"Marbel, Maximilian. I had a reservation for two." Money was no objective, not anymore. His name was both feared and praised now. Feared as the demonic assassin and praised as the first non-moogle airship engineering magnate. He honestly didn't like the attention. He just wanted to make sure his daughter had a good life in the (actually) modest home in the outskirts of Balamb.

He sat down. Even though topless, the man was dressed in the finest viera regalia, wearing tribal-yet-fancyful necklaces and body jewelry, the stilletos everyone in his kind were known to wear, and the tight black pants that revealed the contorts of his well-tamed body yet left plenty of room for imagination. He carried a silk jacket neatly folded on the chair next to him, in case his.... opponent... date....aw, **** it... felt uncomfortable with his appearance.

He took a deep breath and sat to wait

[Zaxton Books]

"Ah, Madam Coultier. Welcome back."
"Good evening, Francois. Is Mister Marbel already here."
"He is. I take it you are his other half?"
"Of his party, at any rate."

The maitre d'hotel lead Alexis further into the room, to Maximillian's table. She was looking lovely tonight; the late seating had allowed her to return to her home from work, and to change and dress up. She wore an elegant, flowing cerulean evening-gown with matching heels and elegant pearls at her neck.. her auburn done up in a braid to show off her graceful neck.
"Madam."
"Thank you. Good evening, Maximillian."

[Eddy]

He became rigid as she saw her coming. In truth, he could even hear her conversation with the host pretty clearly, so he knew she was there before he could even gaze upon her.

As soon as she was close, he was already up, pulling one of the seats for her.

"Ma'am. Might I say, you look absolutely beautiful."

[Zaxton Books]

Alexis smiled a slightly plastic smile as she sank into her seat. "Thank you, Maxi."

Her smile softened, somewhat, at the sight of his shoes, though she held her tongue and waited for him to sit. "Local traditions aside, perhaps you should order for us."

[Eddy]

Maxi noticed her eyeing his footwear, blushing slightly from embarrasment as he sat.

"My meeting got extended and I didn't have time to change. I don't understand why the viera insists on dressing like this."

When the waiter came, he ordered their food. Greek meze salad for apetizers, paidakia and aginares a la polita for the main course, and conditium paradoxum as their drink. The waitor took their menues and left.

"So, I take it you come here often"

[Zaxton Books]

"As often as I can, for the lunch service. Of course, usually I'm working through my lunch break, so even when I'm here, it's not like I'm relaxing."

[Eddy]

"I don't think I've seen you relaxed since we were younger."

Maxi slowly sipped his wine. Then he thought out loud, softly enough that he might not be heard "Then again, I don't think I ever will...."

"Who would've guessed that we would both settle down to a least dangerous lifestyle, eh?"

[Zaxton Books]

Alexis indeed didn't hear it. While her brain had survived the Great Shadow War rather handily, despite many blows to the head, her hearing was passable at best, most days.

"Well, to be honest, I only got into the fighting to try and keep Edward out of it. I mean, I liked the tournaments well enough... but I like having all my fingers and toes."

[Eddy]

Maxi softly brushed his ears away from his face.

"I still would've liked you even if you were missing both arms and both legs... Though you have to admit, some of the things we did back then were fun"

With that, the apetizer course arrived. The spinach, leeks, chives, lettuce and fetta cheese with dressing all neatly present in their plates.

[Zaxton Books]

Alexis smiled softly, as she picked up her fork. "Yes, they were. That was a while ago. I'm not even sure my armour would fit me anymore."

She had put on a little weight... or, more accurately, a hardened body and gone somewhat softer. It suited her quite nicely.

[Eddy]

Maxi looked down on his plate, to be honest, he just looked at the food to stop him from saying anything about how he always stood the same.

"Why wear that tin suit again when you can win battles by showing up dressed like that?"