I Will Follow You Into the Dark

Lulu wasn't entirely unaware as to the week's goings-on; it was hard to miss the mist, for one, and there'd been the Cheese Grater's ill-advised attempt, after he'd taken a step outside to take out the trash, to go for her... chest. With a fork. (Not one of the Forks, thankfully.)

A Hi-Potion had cured the Cheese Grater's burns quite quickly.

As it was, Lulu had taken it upon herself to go out and check out the fog. Because clearly that was the smart thing to do, rather than try to contact anyone and see what they knew.


[For the one she's running into!]

So.

There had been a handwavy invitation issued and accepted. Lulu was just pulling the pan of spicy roast potatoes out of the oven, one eye on the clock as the agreed-upon time approached.

Two minutes before her date was scheduled to arrive, she was giving the curry-lime chicken one last stir before pouring in some coconut milk, leaving it to simmer until it was time to serve.

[For one, please!]

Lulu was baking.

This likely didn't come as a surprise to anyone who knew her, really; what was most interesting was the fact that this was her first time baking in her new kitchen. She'd finally gotten everything moved over from her room at the Arms and was settling in. By making cupcakes.

There was a batch -- vanilla -- already cooling on the countertop, underneath the window, a second batch -- red velvet -- in the oven, and a third -- cinnamon spice -- currently being mixed. Although if someone cared to stop by, she'd be more than happy to entertain from her favorite room in the flat.

(When you got to set up the kitchen yourself, and were fairly rich thanks to the gil-to-dollars-conversion (and fiend-fighting being awesome stress-relief during peace talks that seem to go nowhere)? You got to set up the kitchen exactly how you wanted.)

[This is totally art-imitating-life, as I have cupcakes currently cooling so I can practice piping designs. :D Open if anyone cares to stop by! There's a sign in the Fina window downstairs directing them to the outside entrance (up a flight of stairs to a deck) if there's anyone looking for housing.]

On her way through town to the Carnival, Lulu had decided to wander a bit, explore the town, see any changes. One particular thing caught her eye: in the corner of the Cafe Fina window was a small, "For Sale!" sign.

On a whim, Lulu went in.

Half an hour later, she found herself walking out of the restaurant, having spoken with the Cheese Grater and the Pepper Mill; she had some documents to sign, and some Gil to convert to American dollars, but for all intents and purposes -- and much to her surprise -- Lulu now found herself the owner of a restaurant.

"Huh," she said, smiling softly and looking down at the folder of papers. "That was... unexpected."

Lulu stood, waiting, at the end of the Skybridge, wishing for the eighteen-thousandth time since she came back to Spira that she had a wristwatch, preferably one that operated on local time. She wasn't certain at this point whether the portal was late, or if she was early, or if she'd missed it, or if something had happened, or...

"Going somewhere?" The voice came out of the shadows, but the figure didn't stay hidden long. "I'd have thought you wouldn't want to leave so close to the next round of talks."

Lulu shook her head. "I have obligations elsewhere, O'aka," she explained. "But only for a few days."

"Cid coming by, then?" asked the merchant. "I didn't think he was due back in Bevelle until next week at the earliest."

"No, actually," Lulu told him. "In fact, if you stick around a few minutes more--" A halfway familiar sound arose from behind her. "Ah," she said, turning to face the portal. "That would be my method of transport."

O'aka stared in awe at the portal. "What is it?" he asked. "What does it do?"

"You step through, and moments later you're elsewhere." Lulu hefted her travel pack and smiled at O'aka, giving him a sweeping bow that showed off her... talents. "I'll see you in a few days." She stepped into the portal, and was off.

A moment later, a letter fluttered down from where the portal had been. O'aka picked it up and read it.

We apologise for the inconvenience, it read, but portal service from Bevelle-Spira to Fandom-Earth has been unavoidably delayed. Please expect termination of transit to complete no earlier than May 2nd, 6AM terminus local time. Thank you for choosing Portalocity.

O'aka scratched his head, then tossed the paper aside. "She's an odd one," he muttered to himself, as he walked away.

[Lulu's on her way to graduation, but life's in the way until Saturday so she's arriving a bit late for graduation! She'll see everyone on Saturday. :D ]

Lulu sat down at her desk, going once again over a letter she'd received on Friday, trying to make a decision.

( Dearest Lulu, )

"I suppose I must," Lulu mused aloud, before going to the telephone to make a call, and then another.

[Expecting two, but open for anyone who cares to stop by! Lulu is leaving the island -- going on expat status, so she'll be around some, at least -- so I guess this is a farewell post, if anyone wants to say goodbye.]

The kitchen, as per usual, was filled with the scents of glorious baked goods. But this time, the baked goods were not what they seemed.

Lulu had her plans, after all: this world was in possession of such glorious technologies, technologies that could be used to rule Spira the way it should be ruled.

By her.

First baked goods. THEN THE WORLD.

[Establishy!]

Lulu... wasn't quite certain what class it was she was supposed to be teaching, after having glanced at the schedule. It certainly wasn't what she'd thought she'd be teaching.

She left a quick handwavy message, and then settled down to do some work. Like starting a whole new class syllabus. Maybe Juli would know what's going on?

{Expecting one, but definitely open for all your Lulu needs! I'm off today, so except for a brief run out later to enjoy the GORGEOUS sunshine for an hour or so, I'm around all day and all night. :D ]

Lulu was finishing up some notes for her class tomorrow, sipping at a cup of tea and nibbling at a sandwich. The door to her office was open, and the usual tea and cookies were on her side table.

[Around for a couple of hours, then off to work. Should be back afterwards, though, around 10PM Eastern.]

Lulu set the racks of clothing from her class against one wall, set a kettle on to boil water for tea, and set out a plate of cookies for anyone who might come by.

Then she sat down to browse the internet. One could find wonderful clothes online.

[Around for a little bit, then around for daytime tomorrow hopefully, and then busy after about 2PM Eastern tomorrow for work meeting and date.]