[ She wasn't entirely certain that it would be too unfeeling of her to ask for his assistance with swimming now. Their lessons had evolved to a level of casual intimacy that...
That she has never really reached with anyone else. Whether or not he can say precisely the same thing, she can only imagine a great difference in tone now. And that is fine, of course; this is something that probably always should have stayed more businesslike between them.
Yet it is surprisingly difficult to regret that it didn't. ]
Yes, I did. There was no real intermediate step between your private bath and a large body of water. I asked for a nice pool so I might learn to truly enjoy my time in the water.
I see. I am glad to know you are taking the chance.
[ Granted, it's something they had already discussed and that she had seemed favorable to, but it's also a step closer to adapting to the present, isn't it? For her sake more than his own, he hopes that is the case. ]
When would you like our next lesson to be?
[ And if this all sounds formal and impersonal, it's because he's making a conscious effort to. ]
I must admit that I am eager to put the pool to good use.
[ She has the ability to practice on her own time now and would like to start. Regardless of how and if their lessons continue beyond their next meeting, it's imperative that she gets a better sense of how to handle herself when there is more danger of drowning than there was in his bath. ]
[ Tomorrow. Right. He'd almost forgotten about how Edelgard really doesn't dawdle-- she gave him three days to prepare before their first formal exchange of squares, and this is even sooner. It barely gives him time to try and work out the worst of his sexual urges before they are inevitably too close and too nude again, but... ]
Yes, that should be easy to arrange. Let us hope tomorrow will be sunny so the water will be warmer.
[ Mostly for her sake; if she gets cold, there's no way they can share body heat this time. ]
[ If he minds, he doesn't let on. She takes him at his word. ]
I am certain I can survive a few hours of swimming even if the sun hides behind clouds. What time of day will work best for you? The pool has underwater lighting so even night-time swimming is convenient.
And if you do not wish to stay for tea you will still be sent home with chamomile.
[ Those were the terms of that arrangement and she is happy to continue living up to them. ]
The tea was never necessary. I only ever invited you to share because I enjoyed your company.
[ Which is his own way of saying he doesn't get why she thinks he would suddenly not wish to have tea with her? He made it clear he valued her friendship first and foremost, but is that too strange for her? Is she uncertain about that much? ]
As for the time, perhaps it should be best for you to decide. I know not of your roommates' schedules, and I imagine you do not wish to be seen in my company.
[ Not for their lessons, and maybe for nothing else. ]
[ She would still prefer not to have the entire island aware of what she does with whom, of course, but they have come a long way from the torrid secrecy of their first sexual encounters. She calls him friend.
Once she even had the thought that he would make a fine partner for someone. She had not imagined he would want to be hers. Did he love her then? He was so open with her that day, so genuine and understanding and interested in her personal hopes for the future. ]
However, I would think it ideal to have some privacy while I learn to swim. With that in mind, perhaps earlier in the morning or later in the evening would work best.
I did not mean to imply you would be embarrassed. Just that you would have some reservations about it.
[ Whether for the sake of her own privacy or some other reason, he could not tell. But what she says does give him some relief.
As for the rest.... hmmm. Meeting early in the morning means he would have even less time to prepare, but late at night would just invite temptation more easily, wouldn't it? Quite the tough call. ]
Regardless, I can come over in the morning. I am a bit of an early riser, as you know.
[ As you know. Hah. Another implication he didn't mean to make, but one he only notices after hitting send. ]
[ She has discovered that he is an early riser. And that sometimes specific parts of him rise early as well.
The last time they spent the night together she was a bit self-conscious in the morning, aware of how she had been the night before. Nuzzlingly affectionate, just wanting to enjoy their time together. He must have had feelings for her then, she realizes, and she would have behaved differently if she had known.
Every realization makes her feel more foolish, but she has no experience with this. No one has ever claimed to have romantic feelings for her before. Romance seemed little more than a fairy tale. ]
[ Well. At least she's kind enough not to make any comments on that blunder, but it is hard to refrain from that casual intimacy that already felt so natural to them. Or... to him, he supposes. ]
It will be my pleasure. I will see you tomorrow, El.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
That she has never really reached with anyone else. Whether or not he can say precisely the same thing, she can only imagine a great difference in tone now. And that is fine, of course; this is something that probably always should have stayed more businesslike between them.
Yet it is surprisingly difficult to regret that it didn't. ]
Yes, I did. There was no real intermediate step between your private bath and a large body of water. I asked for a nice pool so I might learn to truly enjoy my time in the water.
I will be grateful for your help.
no subject
[ Granted, it's something they had already discussed and that she had seemed favorable to, but it's also a step closer to adapting to the present, isn't it? For her sake more than his own, he hopes that is the case. ]
When would you like our next lesson to be?
[ And if this all sounds formal and impersonal, it's because he's making a conscious effort to. ]
no subject
[ She has the ability to practice on her own time now and would like to start. Regardless of how and if their lessons continue beyond their next meeting, it's imperative that she gets a better sense of how to handle herself when there is more danger of drowning than there was in his bath. ]
Would you be able to make time tomorrow?
no subject
Yes, that should be easy to arrange. Let us hope tomorrow will be sunny so the water will be warmer.
[ Mostly for her sake; if she gets cold, there's no way they can share body heat this time. ]
no subject
I am certain I can survive a few hours of swimming even if the sun hides behind clouds. What time of day will work best for you? The pool has underwater lighting so even night-time swimming is convenient.
And if you do not wish to stay for tea you will still be sent home with chamomile.
[ Those were the terms of that arrangement and she is happy to continue living up to them. ]
no subject
[ Which is his own way of saying he doesn't get why she thinks he would suddenly not wish to have tea with her? He made it clear he valued her friendship first and foremost, but is that too strange for her? Is she uncertain about that much? ]
As for the time, perhaps it should be best for you to decide. I know not of your roommates' schedules, and I imagine you do not wish to be seen in my company.
[ Not for their lessons, and maybe for nothing else. ]
no subject
I would not be embarrassed to be seen with you.
[ She would still prefer not to have the entire island aware of what she does with whom, of course, but they have come a long way from the torrid secrecy of their first sexual encounters. She calls him friend.
Once she even had the thought that he would make a fine partner for someone. She had not imagined he would want to be hers. Did he love her then? He was so open with her that day, so genuine and understanding and interested in her personal hopes for the future. ]
However, I would think it ideal to have some privacy while I learn to swim. With that in mind, perhaps earlier in the morning or later in the evening would work best.
no subject
[ Whether for the sake of her own privacy or some other reason, he could not tell. But what she says does give him some relief.
As for the rest.... hmmm. Meeting early in the morning means he would have even less time to prepare, but late at night would just invite temptation more easily, wouldn't it? Quite the tough call. ]
Regardless, I can come over in the morning. I am a bit of an early riser, as you know.
[ As you know. Hah. Another implication he didn't mean to make, but one he only notices after hitting send. ]
no subject
[ She has discovered that he is an early riser. And that sometimes specific parts of him rise early as well.
The last time they spent the night together she was a bit self-conscious in the morning, aware of how she had been the night before. Nuzzlingly affectionate, just wanting to enjoy their time together. He must have had feelings for her then, she realizes, and she would have behaved differently if she had known.
Every realization makes her feel more foolish, but she has no experience with this. No one has ever claimed to have romantic feelings for her before. Romance seemed little more than a fairy tale. ]
That sounds perfect. Thank you, Dimitri.
no subject
It will be my pleasure. I will see you tomorrow, El.