[ Why should he be happy to do it? Why is Dimitri so strange? Is this the Tempest King?
Different timelines, yes, but how can he be so far from what she expected to come face-to-face with?
She's about say that that she didn't ask if there was a need to repay him because she is making it clear here and now that she sees one... but then he gives her an answer. For a moment she's so still that she's unblinking, and then for a fraction of a moment after that she looks as though she may let out a small laugh.
Ultimately she keeps her composure, but there is a hint of an upturn at a corner of her mouth. ]
[ Why is he so strange, indeed. The answer to that is something he'll be keeping to himself for a while longer.
At present, all that matters is that they seem to finally have come to a compromise, and even though he knows this is in no way a confirmation Edelgard will, in fact, take him up on his offer, a smile graces his features almost as easily as it would if he had gotten a straight "yes" out of her. ]
I am not particularly selective, and all the less so in a place such as this. But I am rather fond of chamomile.
[ He would be even more fond of having company to enjoy said tea with, but that much, he knows for sure would be too bold to say out loud. ]
I will think about it. If I choose to accept this offer I will make sure you are well-stocked with chamomile tea until the lessons are over.
[ It will meet with his approval, she's sure. If he would be willing to teach her to swim free of charge, he must also be willing to do it for his favorite tea.
And with that out of the way perhaps she should wind this visit down before he finds a way to complicate anything further. ]
But our other arrangement stands. Shall we pick a day, time, and two squares for our next meeting before I leave?
[ He acknowledges her first assessment with a nod and a smile, and, look. He didn't mean to make this complicated, but he's been giving this some thought for a while now, and it's not like he has ample opportunity to just talk to her, so a man must take his chances as they come.
The fact she swiftly redirects the flow of conversation back to their original topic is just another reminder of that: that they'll be doing very little talking during their next meetings. A reminder he doesn't need, because he knows exactly what he signed up for. ]
If you would like. Although I believe starting out with one that we share might be easier... How about sensation play, as we discussed?
[ Starting with a square they have in common, that is, just as they discussed in vaguer terms before. The sensation play itself will... probably be fine. He has proven to be a capable partner.
Ugh, and she thought she was done with blushing. Cheeks just a bit pink, she nods and begins to rise from her chair. ]
If you pick the day-- [ It seems fair since he is the host. ] --I will pick the time.
[ The color of her cheeks isn't lost on him-- hasn't been, for even a second of their entire conversation, and honestly, he doesn't understand why his own don't feel as warm. Perhaps a part of him is getting used to it.
(Perhaps a part of him is looking forward to it. An alarming possibility.) ]
You may pick the day, as well. [ Said as he follows suit and begins to rise. ] This should be our safest window of time for privacy, and I am hardly ever busy with matters so important I cannot make myself available.
[ Far be it from him to risk sounding eager for their meetings! ]
She... would not have told him the same thing, if only out of a desire to be more formal about it. As though she can compartmentalize her time here better than surprise aphrodisiacs usually allow for. ]
[ Well, what else was he supposed to say? That he's often busy with urgent state matters he absolutely must see to? Is that we're calling clearing some rubble and napping with his cat, now? There isn't a war to fight or a kingdom to rule; if anything, he's been finding trouble keeping himself busy.
But, three days, hmm? That is... shorter than he anticipated. Could it be that she fears her resolve will waver should they wait too long? ]
In three days, then. Should any unexpected matters keep you from attending, or in case I find myself with company, we can message each other and re-schedule. I should hope you find that acceptable?
[ Not that he expects to have any visits staying well into the night, but, well. Sometimes Hugo likes to entertain guests. When he's in the right mood. But right now, he seems primed for naptime, though he'll still scamper off to Dimitri's side to meow for Edelgard's attention; don't leave without saying goodbye to your host, that's rude! ]
[ The vague awkwardness she feels creeping in again suggests that she is indeed choosing the right time to depart. Weak to Hugo's plaintive meow, however, she takes a moment to stoop and scratch beneath the cat's chin. It's true that she does not want to feel any more at home in this place than she does, but she is just a bit envious of the pleasant rumbling of an affectionate cat.
(Dimitri nearly purred for her while he had a feline's ears and tails but she tries to think on that as little as possible.)]
It was a pleasure to see you again, Hugo.
[ While she has the brief distraction of petting to occupy her, she takes the opportunity to thank her less feline host without turning her attention to him again. ]
And thank you for volunteering the use of your space, Dimitri.
[ As she rises to her full height again, formality falling back into place, she heads for the door. ]
[ If she's weak to Hugo's feline charms, then Dimitri is just as weak for, well, just about anyone treating his little friend with kindness, though Edelgard is a special case. It's always reassuring, always a reminder that she truly has not lost her heart.
With any luck, the added fondness in his features only lingers while Edelgard has her back to him, and once he reaches for the handle to pull the door open for her, his smile will have returned to more politely neutral standards. ]
Think nothing of it. We will be keeping in touch.
[ And if that sounds like a double-entendre, realization will not strike until much later, once his embarrassment is safe from her scrutiny and judgement. ]
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no subject
Different timelines, yes, but how can he be so far from what she expected to come face-to-face with?
She's about say that that she didn't ask if there was a need to repay him because she is making it clear here and now that she sees one... but then he gives her an answer. For a moment she's so still that she's unblinking, and then for a fraction of a moment after that she looks as though she may let out a small laugh.
Ultimately she keeps her composure, but there is a hint of an upturn at a corner of her mouth. ]
And what kind do you prefer?
no subject
At present, all that matters is that they seem to finally have come to a compromise, and even though he knows this is in no way a confirmation Edelgard will, in fact, take him up on his offer, a smile graces his features almost as easily as it would if he had gotten a straight "yes" out of her. ]
I am not particularly selective, and all the less so in a place such as this. But I am rather fond of chamomile.
[ He would be even more fond of having company to enjoy said tea with, but that much, he knows for sure would be too bold to say out loud. ]
no subject
[ It will meet with his approval, she's sure. If he would be willing to teach her to swim free of charge, he must also be willing to do it for his favorite tea.
And with that out of the way perhaps she should wind this visit down before he finds a way to complicate anything further. ]
But our other arrangement stands. Shall we pick a day, time, and two squares for our next meeting before I leave?
no subject
The fact she swiftly redirects the flow of conversation back to their original topic is just another reminder of that: that they'll be doing very little talking during their next meetings. A reminder he doesn't need, because he knows exactly what he signed up for. ]
If you would like. Although I believe starting out with one that we share might be easier... How about sensation play, as we discussed?
no subject
That sounds ideal.
[ Starting with a square they have in common, that is, just as they discussed in vaguer terms before. The sensation play itself will... probably be fine. He has proven to be a capable partner.
Ugh, and she thought she was done with blushing. Cheeks just a bit pink, she nods and begins to rise from her chair. ]
If you pick the day-- [ It seems fair since he is the host. ] --I will pick the time.
no subject
(Perhaps a part of him is looking forward to it. An alarming possibility.) ]
You may pick the day, as well. [ Said as he follows suit and begins to rise. ] This should be our safest window of time for privacy, and I am hardly ever busy with matters so important I cannot make myself available.
[ Far be it from him to risk sounding eager for their meetings! ]
no subject
She... would not have told him the same thing, if only out of a desire to be more formal about it. As though she can compartmentalize her time here better than surprise aphrodisiacs usually allow for. ]
Then perhaps the same time, three days from now?
no subject
But, three days, hmm? That is... shorter than he anticipated. Could it be that she fears her resolve will waver should they wait too long? ]
In three days, then. Should any unexpected matters keep you from attending, or in case I find myself with company, we can message each other and re-schedule. I should hope you find that acceptable?
[ Not that he expects to have any visits staying well into the night, but, well. Sometimes Hugo likes to entertain guests. When he's in the right mood. But right now, he seems primed for naptime, though he'll still scamper off to Dimitri's side to meow for Edelgard's attention; don't leave without saying goodbye to your host, that's rude! ]
no subject
[ The vague awkwardness she feels creeping in again suggests that she is indeed choosing the right time to depart. Weak to Hugo's plaintive meow, however, she takes a moment to stoop and scratch beneath the cat's chin. It's true that she does not want to feel any more at home in this place than she does, but she is just a bit envious of the pleasant rumbling of an affectionate cat.
(Dimitri nearly purred for her while he had a feline's ears and tails but she tries to think on that as little as possible.)]
It was a pleasure to see you again, Hugo.
[ While she has the brief distraction of petting to occupy her, she takes the opportunity to thank her less feline host without turning her attention to him again. ]
And thank you for volunteering the use of your space, Dimitri.
[ As she rises to her full height again, formality falling back into place, she heads for the door. ]
Good night.
no subject
With any luck, the added fondness in his features only lingers while Edelgard has her back to him, and once he reaches for the handle to pull the door open for her, his smile will have returned to more politely neutral standards. ]
Think nothing of it. We will be keeping in touch.
[ And if that sounds like a double-entendre, realization will not strike until much later, once his embarrassment is safe from her scrutiny and judgement. ]
Have a safe return home. Good night, Edelgard.