[ ...while there wasn't much in the way to do down in the fortress, he could at least wile his days away doing what he wanted once he'd taken the throne of Duke. Mostly, he found the best entertainment in the Pankration Arena, but...
Imagine having to play some role and never being allowed to do that? Perish the thought. He shudders. Visibly. ]
Well. At the very least, you can have your days the way you want them, here. Long as it lasts. [ and with that, he he's going to slide out next to her--he's definitely far less practiced than her, but at the very least he's figured out some of how this worked.
You know. The not falling on your ass part. ]
I'm upright. So that counts for something, doesn't it?
I can do whatever I please, and spend my days with whomever I please. Yes, it is all much better here.
[ she watches him as she slides out next to her, lips pressed together in a smile as he makes it far enough for furina to reach out and take his hand. he doesn't necessarily need her to keep him up, he has enough knowledge to prevent himself from falling flat on his ass, but she reaches out anyway. ]
It does! [ very good wriothesley. ] How confident are you about moving?
[ while he's definitely not a practiced skater, he's got enough strength in his legs to try to keep balance, at least--even if it's different than just standing on ice--standing on a blade you're not used to being underfoot is definitely a challenge.
But what is the duke but not someone who meets everything head-on? No, he steels his jaw, gives a grin, and tries to mimic the movements of the others he'd seen on the ice. A set of strides, letting momentum take over as he starts to glide--
And it's clean. Really it is, one might assume he knows what he's doing.
Until, that is, he just. Keeps going. ]
I've encountered an issue.
Well, this is fine. [ he just keeps drifting forward and forward... hello fence... ]
honestly she is impressed when he started to move, doing his best to mimic the way others are moving about the ice, but then he just keeps going forward... and the realization hits that maybe duke wriothesley doesn't know how to stop─ or turn.
laughter bubbles up her throat as furina moves swiftly to try and grab him, pulling him away from drifting directly into the fence. (2) well... she tries to do just that, however there is only so much strength in her arms and he is larger than her, thus does the momentum carry them both directly into the fence. ]
[ he's going to try. he's really going to try to stop--furina wrapped around his waist would be a boon, you'd think, some extra weight to help you figure out how you shift your weight, but...
...
Wriothesley is a champion boxer and furina is about half his size, if not less. It does nothing. They're both gonna hit the fence with a gentle 'thump', and all Wriothesley can do is reach down to grab furina, so when he falls, he's the one who ends up going straight down on his ass.
[ you would think that any weight might help you prevent the fate that befalls them, but alas furina weights very little in comparison to wriothesley and well... the momentum that comes from someone of his size.
thankfully wriothesley's reflexes spare her from falling ass first onto the ice, instead when she goes down she finds herself landing neatly on top of him instead. it takes a moment for her mind to catch up with reality, mismatched eyes blinking rapidly as he starts to laugh.
oh she's...
oh...
she fallen on top of him.
red dusts her cheeks immediately and she opens her mouth to say something, only for laughter to bubble up and join with his own. ]
I thought you said you could keep up, my dear Duke.
[ honestly things could have ended up far worse. he could have landed on top of her, and with losing his balance like this, he could have hurt her. nope, this was--embarrassing, yes,--but probably the safest outcome.
even if it meant he was in an embarrassing position underneath Furina, with more than a few people laughing at them for the clown act they'd just preformed, crashing into the fence...
All he can do is chuckle, reaching a hand up to push the hair out of his eyes. ]
Well. You know how it is. Sometimes you go in fully confident and then fall on your butt.
[ in retrospect yes, it could have ended up far worse. if they were fated to fall no matter what they did then this is the best result for certain. despite the red dusting her cheeks she doesn't entire mind it at all, nor does she appear to mind the eyes that have fallen on them for their performance. ]
Hmm, [ distantly she thinks she should get up, she should allow him to get back up to his feet. but something about the way that he looks up at hair and pushes some of her hair from her eyes keeps her from moving. ] No, I think we will keep this from your record.
But you should be rewarded for you valiant save.
[ with a hand resting gently against his cheek she leans down and presses a kiss to his lips, a sudden impulsive move the lasts a mere heartbeat before she pulls away, her blush deepening to a much darker red.
oh, she sure did just do that.
okay maybe it is time to get up. ]
A-ahem! We should... stand back up, haha.
[ it's only now that she becomes keenly aware of the eyes on them, of the position they ended up in, and she pushes herself up off wriothesley and onto her feet. ]
[ 'Rewarded'? the word is on the tip of his tongue. He'd even opened his mouth to say it, moments before her hand settles on his cheek.
Wriothesley is by no means a stupid man; and as he gazes up at Furina in muted silence he... realises, exactly what is happening. By which that means he doesn't at all stop it. He goes very still, as if to pause the moment as it lasts. An unfamiliar sensation of the warmth of another pressed against him, the feeling of her breath on his cheek--
Touch starved as the Duke is, he sort of stares dumbly up at her once she pulls away.
A moment later, he grins. Wide, and warm. ]
Were we. Not in the middle of a pretty ice rink, I'd say I'd be fine with this a little while longer.
[ yeah no he might be new to this, but just as new as he is, the Duke isn't a shy man. Never has been.
Once she's off him, he'll shift to get up, settling up on his ice skates with a little more ease this time. ]
...I think I need to practice a little on 'breaks'.
she breathes in sharply eyes widening as she watches him get back up onto his feet. maybe it is because furina herself is just as touch starved, or maybe it is because of the storm of emotion that has been slowly building up over the past months, or maybe it is that impulse that has not fully left her system─ regardless, furina finds herself wanting to leave the rink and the crowd and just kiss him again.
gods above, what is wrong with her?
shifting her weight furina tears her gaze from wriothesley and fidgets. ]
That... yes, perhaps later or next time we can work on that.
[ next time? they only just got into the rink, surely she cannot be considering leaving? but she wants to, gods she very much wants to. ]
I'm feeling a little parched, I think a drink is in order!
[ he could be cheeky. He could stop in his tracks and claim, 'hey, what are we leaving the rink for so early, we only just started.'
However, the Duke, while not being a romantic man, is at the very least a smart one, and he puts 2 and 5 together and the number 7 becomes pretty clear in his head.
He instead decides to chuckle deep in his chest and follows behind her, moving to curl an arm around her, and start to sweep her towards the little entry platform they'd come in on. Going slow this time so they won't crash when they reach it. ]
There's plenty of places we can grab a nice hot tea or cocoa from and find a quiet spot to enjoy the gentle winterlights to enjoy it.
The park is pretty big, after all. So let's get that drink.
[ is she truly so obvious? she doesn't know whether to curse him or praise him for reading her so easily. at least he didn't choose to tease her with the fact they only just got into the rink. it is simply that... she can't see the focus on skating anymore! not with his words bouncing around her head like a rubber ball, or the warmth of his body against hers that is slowly fading from her limbs, or the fact he curls an arm around her to guide them both back to the entry.
he is warm and gentle and gods she did not realize how desperately she had wanted that sort of contact until she begun to experience it. she had not realized how desperately she had wanted someone to look at her the way wriothesley and neuvilette looked at her until they did.
unconsciously she leans into him as they move slowly to the entry platform, silently praying for her pulse to stop thundering so violently in her veins. ]
That sounds wonderful, Wriothesley. I tire of crowds easily these days, so a quiet spot out of the way sounds wonderful.
[ maybe she's a little obvious, but it's also just who wriothesley is. he's able to see the lines in the sand moments after they're drawn, reading people on their expressions and tone of voice alone. Maybe one day he'll talk about himself enough to explain why he's so keen-eyed on everything, and so very suspicious on everything else.
But not right now.
Now is time for him to spend some time with the once-archon of water, turned ordinary woman; experiencing what life was like in a place where neither of them are chained to their different fates.
...It's nice. Getting their skates off is far easier than putting them on was, at least--and soon he and his white-haired companion find themselves a quiet corner of the fairgrounds. A little bench under an awning that's decorated with winter lights; and he takes a seat next to her. Having gone to get her and himself some warm drinks.
Though he already doubts he's going to get to drink much of it. ]
Wasn't sure if you'd want tea like me--or some hot chocolate. I got both--you can pick.
[ her relief is palpable the moment they part from the rink and the crowd, the tension that had been present in her shoulders since the moment they collided finally dispersing once they find a quiet corner of the grounds. Furina can't help but exhale loudly the moment she sits down, watching as he departs to get them some warm drinks.
he isn't gone long but it's enough to give her a moment to breathe, to try and calm herself down a little more. she looks up when he returns, drinks in hand, and settles beside her. Furina shifts a little closer to him, unable to stop the smile that finds her. ]
I shall take the hot chocolate, thank you.
[ hesitantly she brings to her mouth, exhaling a couple of short breaths in order to cool it down a little, but she doesn't drink. instead, Furina glances at him from the corner of her gaze once, twice, then as the moment silence suddenly becomes too much decides to speak: ]
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... [ done that. despite how much i have wanted to. ]
[ yep, sorry, the Duke isn't at all shy about the topic of conversation. Handing her the cup of cocoa as he settles in with his own tea, already taking a sip from it, despite how hot it is. He's got years of practice under his belt and tea is best drank while burning hot. It warms his already warm core, and he slides a sidelong glance over to Furina. ]
You never struck me as someone who did things without first thinking about the outcomes. After all, you danced such a thin line with that for years.
[ he sips his tea again. His gaze on her is intent--but after a moment, he closes his eyes gently. ]
...But then again, maybe it was a spark of spontaneity, because you are allowed to have those now that you're free here.
It wasn't! It was─ [ what was it? Furina curls in a little on herself and bites her bottom lip. where does she even begin? how does she even begin? after years of holdings all of her true thoughts and feelings in she finds it difficult to express them freely.
she stares at the hot chocolate for a moment, brow furrowing as she gathers up the right words to say. ]
I... [ Furina dares herself to look at him. ] I enjoy your company, Wriothesley. You are kind and been nothing but supportive as we navigate our lives in this world. I won't deny that I have long found you to be quite handsome and often seek out your company.
[ gods where is she going with this? ]
That is to say it... It wasn't a spark of spontaneity and it was. [ inhale, exhale. ] I have wanted to kiss you for some time now. [ she laughs awkwardly. ] M-Maybe that wasn't the best moment but... haha.
[ a laugh might be insensitive here. While Wriothesley isn't the best at getting to know people--he is at least good at reading them. While he is amused, laughing while Furina struggles through her emotions is definitely not the nicest thing he could do, here. As a result he merely shifts a little to bump his arm against her shoulder--it's meant to be a shoulder bump but. even sitting next to her, he's a full head over her. ]
I'm not the most social animal in the world. Before I got to this world, I enjoyed most of my own company. Getting used to being around others is a new thing for me and it really is taking some getting used to. [ he turns his head, pulling the styrofoam cup of tea away from his face so he can really look at Furina. ]
I think there's no choosing timing on things like that. You know, you and Mr. Neuvillette are the same like that. For all the years you've lived and you're both so uncertain about the things you want in life.
[ he puts his teacup down. He moves to crouch in front of Furina. His arms crossed over and resting on one of his knees. ]
Look me in the eye, Furina du Fontaine. [ he had to do this to the other dragon too--and he's doubly unafraid to do it to her. A girl who'd never been allowed to want anything in her life, out of her obligation. ] Look at me, and tell me what it is you want, more than anything. Words you're struggling with, just lay them out.
You'll feel ten times better when you hear them. And if you don't believe me, I can say it first.
[ he is right in that, for all her long years she rarely considered what she wanted. her wants were unimportant, impossible, in the grander scheme of things. her wants would have put everything in jeopardy and alerted the Heavenly Principles to the plan. now free of those chains, of that duty, she is free to desire things for herself but struggles to allow herself to do it.
Furina chews her bottom lip as he puts down his cup and comes to crouch in front of her, mismatched eyes flick up to his icy blue ones immediately and hold her there. 'Look at me, and tell me what it is you want, more than anything.' she almost laughs but her breath catches in her throat, fingers curling tightly around her cup.
just say it. just lay them out plain and true. what is the worst that could happen? ]
You. [ is that her own voice? she barely recognize it when she speaks, putting her own drink down beside herself. ] I want you and Neuvillette in ways I've never wanted anyone else. I want you beside me for as long as possible.
[ did she even ever have time to think about herself? A constant scramble to keep herself known as a Goddess On High, the Hydro Archon who played the part of Jury and Prosecution in Fontaine, she only ever had time to think of the people the Real Focalors was trying to save.
Which is why as it stands, Wriothesley has made it one of his few goals here in this... weird city, weird planet, to make sure she remembers she's her own person, now.
He can see her hesitation, and he can see how she struggles, but.
When she speaks it, when she finally lets the words come loose, his hands move to reach up to take her now freed ones. Still a lingering warmth there from the cocoa cup. They're small and delicate, nearly opposite of his own. His thumb brushes over her knuckles. ]
Well.
There we have it. That's not such a bad thing to want, is it? [ ...and maybe, that's exactly what he wanted to hear, too. ] I'm not sure how long I'll be in this world, but. You have my vow that I won't leave your side, Furina.
...We'll work on the Iudex together, too. He definitely needs proper socialization. [ he's gonna wink up at her. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Imagine having to play some role and never being allowed to do that?
Perish the thought. He shudders. Visibly. ]
Well. At the very least, you can have your days the way you want them, here. Long as it lasts. [ and with that, he he's going to slide out next to her--he's definitely far less practiced than her, but at the very least he's figured out some of how this worked.
You know. The not falling on your ass part. ]
I'm upright. So that counts for something, doesn't it?
no subject
[ she watches him as she slides out next to her, lips pressed together in a smile as he makes it far enough for furina to reach out and take his hand. he doesn't necessarily need her to keep him up, he has enough knowledge to prevent himself from falling flat on his ass, but she reaches out anyway. ]
It does! [ very good wriothesley. ] How confident are you about moving?
no subject
But what is the duke but not someone who meets everything head-on? No, he steels his jaw, gives a grin, and tries to mimic the movements of the others he'd seen on the ice. A set of strides, letting momentum take over as he starts to glide--
And it's clean. Really it is, one might assume he knows what he's doing.
Until, that is, he just. Keeps going. ]
I've encountered an issue.
Well, this is fine. [ he just keeps drifting forward and forward... hello fence... ]
no subject
honestly she is impressed when he started to move, doing his best to mimic the way others are moving about the ice, but then he just keeps going forward... and the realization hits that maybe duke wriothesley doesn't know how to stop─ or turn.
laughter bubbles up her throat as furina moves swiftly to try and grab him, pulling him away from drifting directly into the fence. (2) well... she tries to do just that, however there is only so much strength in her arms and he is larger than her, thus does the momentum carry them both directly into the fence. ]
Ah!
rolls a 4
...
Wriothesley is a champion boxer and furina is about half his size, if not less. It does nothing. They're both gonna hit the fence with a gentle 'thump', and all Wriothesley can do is reach down to grab furina, so when he falls, he's the one who ends up going straight down on his ass.
With Furina neatly landing on top of him.
This is fine.
Slowly.
Wriothesley is just going to start to laugh. ]
no subject
thankfully wriothesley's reflexes spare her from falling ass first onto the ice, instead when she goes down she finds herself landing neatly on top of him instead. it takes a moment for her mind to catch up with reality, mismatched eyes blinking rapidly as he starts to laugh.
oh she's...
oh...
she fallen on top of him.
red dusts her cheeks immediately and she opens her mouth to say something, only for laughter to bubble up and join with his own. ]
I thought you said you could keep up, my dear Duke.
no subject
even if it meant he was in an embarrassing position underneath Furina, with more than a few people laughing at them for the clown act they'd just preformed, crashing into the fence...
All he can do is chuckle, reaching a hand up to push the hair out of his eyes. ]
Well.
You know how it is. Sometimes you go in fully confident and then fall on your butt.
This won't go on my permanent record, will it?
no subject
Hmm, [ distantly she thinks she should get up, she should allow him to get back up to his feet. but something about the way that he looks up at hair and pushes some of her hair from her eyes keeps her from moving. ] No, I think we will keep this from your record.
But you should be rewarded for you valiant save.
[ with a hand resting gently against his cheek she leans down and presses a kiss to his lips, a sudden impulsive move the lasts a mere heartbeat before she pulls away, her blush deepening to a much darker red.
oh, she sure did just do that.
okay maybe it is time to get up. ]
A-ahem! We should... stand back up, haha.
[ it's only now that she becomes keenly aware of the eyes on them, of the position they ended up in, and she pushes herself up off wriothesley and onto her feet. ]
no subject
Wriothesley is by no means a stupid man; and as he gazes up at Furina in muted silence he... realises, exactly what is happening. By which that means he doesn't at all stop it.
He goes very still, as if to pause the moment as it lasts. An unfamiliar sensation of the warmth of another pressed against him, the feeling of her breath on his cheek--
Touch starved as the Duke is, he sort of stares dumbly up at her once she pulls away.
A moment later, he grins. Wide, and warm. ]
Were we. Not in the middle of a pretty ice rink, I'd say I'd be fine with this a little while longer.
[ yeah no
he might be new to this, but just as new as he is, the Duke isn't a shy man. Never has been.
Once she's off him, he'll shift to get up, settling up on his ice skates with a little more ease this time. ]
...I think I need to practice a little on 'breaks'.
no subject
she breathes in sharply eyes widening as she watches him get back up onto his feet. maybe it is because furina herself is just as touch starved, or maybe it is because of the storm of emotion that has been slowly building up over the past months, or maybe it is that impulse that has not fully left her system─ regardless, furina finds herself wanting to leave the rink and the crowd and just kiss him again.
gods above, what is wrong with her?
shifting her weight furina tears her gaze from wriothesley and fidgets. ]
That... yes, perhaps later or next time we can work on that.
[ next time? they only just got into the rink, surely she cannot be considering leaving? but she wants to, gods she very much wants to. ]
I'm feeling a little parched, I think a drink is in order!
no subject
However, the Duke, while not being a romantic man, is at the very least a smart one, and he puts 2 and 5 together and the number 7 becomes pretty clear in his head.
He instead decides to chuckle deep in his chest and follows behind her, moving to curl an arm around her, and start to sweep her towards the little entry platform they'd come in on. Going slow this time so they won't crash when they reach it. ]
There's plenty of places we can grab a nice hot tea or cocoa from and find a quiet spot to enjoy the gentle winterlights to enjoy it.
The park is pretty big, after all. So let's get that drink.
no subject
he is warm and gentle and gods she did not realize how desperately she had wanted that sort of contact until she begun to experience it. she had not realized how desperately she had wanted someone to look at her the way wriothesley and neuvilette looked at her until they did.
unconsciously she leans into him as they move slowly to the entry platform, silently praying for her pulse to stop thundering so violently in her veins. ]
That sounds wonderful, Wriothesley. I tire of crowds easily these days, so a quiet spot out of the way sounds wonderful.
no subject
Maybe one day he'll talk about himself enough to explain why he's so keen-eyed on everything, and so very suspicious on everything else.
But not right now.
Now is time for him to spend some time with the once-archon of water, turned ordinary woman; experiencing what life was like in a place where neither of them are chained to their different fates.
...It's nice.
Getting their skates off is far easier than putting them on was, at least--and soon he and his white-haired companion find themselves a quiet corner of the fairgrounds. A little bench under an awning that's decorated with winter lights; and he takes a seat next to her. Having gone to get her and himself some warm drinks.
Though he already doubts he's going to get to drink much of it. ]
Wasn't sure if you'd want tea like me--or some hot chocolate. I got both--you can pick.
no subject
he isn't gone long but it's enough to give her a moment to breathe, to try and calm herself down a little more. she looks up when he returns, drinks in hand, and settles beside her. Furina shifts a little closer to him, unable to stop the smile that finds her. ]
I shall take the hot chocolate, thank you.
[ hesitantly she brings to her mouth, exhaling a couple of short breaths in order to cool it down a little, but she doesn't drink. instead, Furina glances at him from the corner of her gaze once, twice, then as the moment silence suddenly becomes too much decides to speak: ]
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... [ done that. despite how much i have wanted to. ]
no subject
[ yep, sorry, the Duke isn't at all shy about the topic of conversation. Handing her the cup of cocoa as he settles in with his own tea, already taking a sip from it, despite how hot it is. He's got years of practice under his belt and tea is best drank while burning hot. It warms his already warm core, and he slides a sidelong glance over to Furina. ]
You never struck me as someone who did things without first thinking about the outcomes. After all, you danced such a thin line with that for years.
[ he sips his tea again. His gaze on her is intent--but after a moment, he closes his eyes gently. ]
...But then again, maybe it was a spark of spontaneity, because you are allowed to have those now that you're free here.
Whichever it was.
I'm not upset about it.
no subject
she stares at the hot chocolate for a moment, brow furrowing as she gathers up the right words to say. ]
I... [ Furina dares herself to look at him. ] I enjoy your company, Wriothesley. You are kind and been nothing but supportive as we navigate our lives in this world. I won't deny that I have long found you to be quite handsome and often seek out your company.
[ gods where is she going with this? ]
That is to say it... It wasn't a spark of spontaneity and it was. [ inhale, exhale. ] I have wanted to kiss you for some time now. [ she laughs awkwardly. ] M-Maybe that wasn't the best moment but... haha.
no subject
I'm not the most social animal in the world. Before I got to this world, I enjoyed most of my own company. Getting used to being around others is a new thing for me and it really is taking some getting used to. [ he turns his head, pulling the styrofoam cup of tea away from his face so he can really look at Furina. ]
I think there's no choosing timing on things like that.
You know, you and Mr. Neuvillette are the same like that. For all the years you've lived and you're both so uncertain about the things you want in life.
[ he puts his teacup down. He moves to crouch in front of Furina. His arms crossed over and resting on one of his knees. ]
Look me in the eye, Furina du Fontaine. [ he had to do this to the other dragon too--and he's doubly unafraid to do it to her. A girl who'd never been allowed to want anything in her life, out of her obligation. ] Look at me, and tell me what it is you want, more than anything. Words you're struggling with, just lay them out.
You'll feel ten times better when you hear them. And if you don't believe me, I can say it first.
no subject
Furina chews her bottom lip as he puts down his cup and comes to crouch in front of her, mismatched eyes flick up to his icy blue ones immediately and hold her there. 'Look at me, and tell me what it is you want, more than anything.' she almost laughs but her breath catches in her throat, fingers curling tightly around her cup.
just say it. just lay them out plain and true. what is the worst that could happen? ]
You. [ is that her own voice? she barely recognize it when she speaks, putting her own drink down beside herself. ] I want you and Neuvillette in ways I've never wanted anyone else. I want you beside me for as long as possible.
no subject
Which is why as it stands, Wriothesley has made it one of his few goals here in this... weird city, weird planet, to make sure she remembers she's her own person, now.
He can see her hesitation, and he can see how she struggles, but.
When she speaks it, when she finally lets the words come loose, his hands move to reach up to take her now freed ones. Still a lingering warmth there from the cocoa cup. They're small and delicate, nearly opposite of his own. His thumb brushes over her knuckles. ]
Well.
There we have it. That's not such a bad thing to want, is it? [ ...and maybe, that's exactly what he wanted to hear, too. ] I'm not sure how long I'll be in this world, but. You have my vow that I won't leave your side, Furina.
...We'll work on the Iudex together, too. He definitely needs proper socialization. [ he's gonna wink up at her. ]