ding dong, the bells are gonna chime

[priorcommitment]

Ishiah waits until there's finally a day on Semele's schedule that shows Robin doesn't plan on stopping by before he takes on the task of asking his colleagues for feedback. He has most of the official proposal planned out already — plenty of flowers, plenty of drink and song, and the birds he wants to borrow are his own personal touch. Even the outfit is easy enough to plan knowing what Robin generally prefers to see Ishiah wear, greens that draw out the blue of his eyes and give it a little more depth. Most of these are things that they've spoken about any number of times, even if not in this context, and the space is familiar for Ishiah to work with.

All but one: he still has no idea how to choose Robin's wedding ring.

Jewelry, on the whole, is not something that Ishiah cares much for. Its value is purely material, meant to symbolize a lasting love with lasting materials that have been so far removed from the earth. But there's enough value in both the happiness that Robin would get from the gesture and the clear declaration of love that would be ever present on their hands that Ishiah decides to take a chance.

He just won't be going alone.

"Lucy," he says that day as they're cleaning up, ready to end their shifts. "May I have a moment? I have a rather personal favor to ask."

Comments

[radicalize]

Just about ready to head out, Lucy really isn't expecting the question, one that leaves her nothing but curious as she looks up at Ishiah. It's not like she would do anything but agree, having no reason to be in a hurry and certain that whatever this favor could be is something she'd be willing to do, but that doesn't keep her thoughts from racing, as if she might somehow be able to discern what it is herself. That she can't only makes her all the more interested.

"Sure, of course," she replies with a nod, one corner of her mouth lifting in a faint smile. "What is it?"

[priorcommitment]

Although there's no real repercussion to someone potentially overhearing, given that Robin's already agreed to his hand in marriage, still Ishiah waves for Lucy to join him as they both make their way to the back of the restaurant, not quite stepping into Robin's office. (Ishiah has long harbored the suspicion that Robin's bugged the room somehow, so as to make sure that no one enters and touches his precious possessions.)

"I won't keep you long if you're busy," he says, unable to keep a soft quirk from his lips. "I was wondering if you had any expertise in picking out wedding rings. Or, engagement bands. I've heard that some people wear both and like the addition; I just want to pick what is fashionable."

[radicalize]

"Wait, you guys are —" Lucy starts, then cuts herself off, grinning broadly. "Oh, my God, congratulations." If, deep down, it stings just a little, thinking about her own wedding that will never happen — and more specifically, the afternoon that Ishiah had found her on the island, taking her dress to pieces — then she's at least far enough removed to set that aside, not at all weighed down by it. There are few people here she cares about nearly as much as Ishiah and Robin. She doesn't think it would be possible to be anything other than thrilled, hearing news like this. "I, uh — I don't know about expertise, but I'd be glad to help you pick something, if you want another set of eyes."

[priorcommitment]

"We managed to put our disputes aside in light of some new perspective," Ishiah says, looking as amused as he ever does, eyes bright as he slips his hands into his pockets, gaze dropping to the ground. "It was childish for us to bring our arguments into the workplace, although we have done so for hundreds of years, so it shouldn't be surprising. But in light of all the things that we could be arguing over, arguing about employee dress codes seems to be a fairly small concern."

He tilts his head, expression just bordering on smug. "I fully expected him to say no, but he agreed. Now I just want to make sure to give him the show I imagine that he wants. The way I proposed was very... understated."

[radicalize]

"And he's gonna want the works," Lucy says like it's a continuation of Ishiah's last statement, nodding knowingly, still unable to help her smile. While she can't say she knows that much about Robin, she thinks she's picked up some things in the time she's worked here, and as far as she can tell, giving him that show will definitely be a good idea. Ishiah would know best, anyway.

While she can't say she's entirely surprised that they managed to work everything out, she can't pretend that's not a relief, too. People fight, she knows that as well as anyone, but such battles don't have to be made too consequential. "Wow. I'm... really, really happy for you guys. And I'll definitely do whatever I can to help you put something together."

[priorcommitment]

"Exactly," Ishiah agrees, pleased to no end to have Lucy understand. Robin did have a tendency to pick his employees well, always those with a fair amount of tolerance for an acerbic wit and a devilish want of play to the degree that Robin had, and even though Ishiah doesn't push people's patience in precisely the same way, a person capable of dealing with extremes tends to be a person Ishiah can at least come to an understanding with.

Lucy is better still than that, kind but strong, a firm steel in her that Ishiah appreciates even having only seen what he does in the restaurant.

"I was thinking of transforming this place a little on the day that I propose. Plenty of plants, roses and fruit, and birds. I do love having birds around, and I'm good at training them," Ishiah explains, eyes briefly closing at the thought. "Have you ever seen a proposal that you were especially fond of? It's not something I have done very much looking into."

[radicalize]

"I can't think of any that I've seen," Lucy replies with a shake of her head, though one corner of her mouth hitches up a little higher before she continues, a look that's almost teasing. "Mine was at a ball thrown by a character from a Jane Austen novel, if you can believe it." It's a flippant way of mentioning it, she knows that. Only more recently has she found herself able to talk about it with any sort of levity at all, though, and it seems preferable to any alternatives. An offhand mention is better than how heavy everything felt for so long, especially at a time like this, when she really is thrilled. "Somehow I feel like flowers and birds are going to be more Robin's style."

[priorcommitment]

His eyes widen only a touch, surprised to hear Lucy talk about a proposal of her own when Ishiah's never gotten the impression of her having a significant other in Darrow. Maybe she left one behind, though, he thinks, and suddenly he feels very foolish for not having asked more about her personal life, especially when his own is constantly so much on display.

"I didn't realize that you were engaged to be married," he says quietly, eyes narrowing in sympathy. "I suppose that person isn't here? Or if they are, I would like to be able to meet them. I care a great deal about the people who work here. You are like my family."

[radicalize]

Though Lucy's expression softens at that, the words striking more of a chord than she'd care to admit or than she can hide, she's quick to shake her head. The last thing she wants is to make this somehow about her, especially when her own romantic ventures have never ended well. It would actually be pretty fucking funny, she thinks, if it hadn't made her so miserable for so long, and if she hadn't been alone now for longer than any of those relationships lasted. At least she's not so bitter that she can't celebrate on someone else's behalf. Reluctant as she might be to let people too close these days, she would never want to wind up like that.

"It was a long time ago," she says lightly, "and in another world. He, uh, disappeared before we could get married." And Ishiah had been there to help her get past it, something she's never been able to forget, even if he doesn't know it here. Just like he's said to her, though, she's never been able to stop seeing him as family. "But, I mean, that's the risk you take when you get engaged in a place where people vanish without warning. It's fine."

[priorcommitment]

Impulsively, Ishiah reaches out to squeeze Lucy's shoulder, and his expression makes it clear that he thinks that her situation is anything but fine. It is, admittedly, one of the things that humans must grow accustomed to, as well as anyone who engages thoroughly with them. Loss is a frequent thing among humankind, and the fact that they can continue so well and strongly in spite of it is nothing to be coughed at. It is, in fact, the sole reason Ishiah assumes is responsible for mankind still being thoroughly in control. They adapt.

"I really am sorry to hear that," Ishiah says quietly, his expression even and hard. "Loss is a risk that everyone has to endure at some point or another, but for it to happen in that space of time in particular is a harder burden, and I'm sorry that you've had to bear it. I hope that you have been able to find plenty of happiness since then, however. You deserve it."

[radicalize]

"I'm working on it," Lucy replies with a slight shrug, what seems like the best way of answering. She really is a lot better off than she was, time having dulled the initial sting of it, as it always does, and she's gotten a lot since then, too. Back on the island, she hadn't thought she would ever see her brother again. That in itself would make all the other losses she's faced since then just about worth it. She's not sure she could honestly call herself happy, but that's been the case for a long time, and she's willing to take what she can get. "This was almost two years ago now, so I've... learned how to deal with it pretty well."

[priorcommitment]

"Sometimes I'm of the opinion that loss is something better learned sooner as opposed to later, if one indeed has to learn it at all, which most people do," reasons Ishiah, gaze growing distant as he thinks about all of the losses that get reported day by day, most often suffered by humans than any other species. Humans, who were so great in number, and used that to get by rather than a strong individual defense. "It makes one stronger, and it leaves more of one's life for living in full. When you recognize that so much can slip away in a moment, it makes one bolder. I consider you very strong, Lucy. I can understand why Robin extended an offer of work to you."

[radicalize]

Head ducking, Lucy's smile grows a little sheepish at that, though it's clear that it's something she likes hearing. It hasn't exactly been an easy few years, even before she was pulled away from home, even if the time that's followed has only intensified how true that's been. "Yeah, well... I've kind of had to be," she says, not so self-deprecating that she'll disagree with him just for the sake of it. She might have had her moments of weakness, but she likes to think that she's come out better for it, having gone through more than most people should have. "You're right, though. I mean, if it's going to have to happen, and it always does, then you might as well start getting used to it earlier. Might not soften the blow, but at least you know how to deal with it."