[Video] U/N: teacupprincess

[porcelainandblood]

[Perne is situated at a cosy-looking table in the Azure cafe. Chin in the palm of her hand, she tucks dark hair behind the shell of an ear.

Last time, she asked about a cathedral and couldn't recall getting a direct answer. She has, since then, assumed such a thing doesn't exist. But it did beckon some very interesting religious theory conversation.

This time, she has something different she is hunting for.]

I have found mineself with an alarming amount of free time and wish to invest it somewhere other than excessive and possibly unnecessary thought. I thought I had once heard rumour of a theatre house here in Lunatia. Is that true? I am aware we have other exhibitions of art, but mayhaps something musically or stagecraft inclined could be of benefit to many of us with such interests.

I acted as patron and worked within an opera house back where I hail from. I should like to reprise the role.

Comments

[ishgards]

I agree, it certainly should be.

[ But unfortunately, their experience in Ishgard makes that more difficult. He's working on it little by little. ]

[porcelainandblood]

[Perne contemplates as she eyes him. She knows very well how difficult it is for them. For people like them. It isn't something he should feel guilty about. After a breath's hesitance, she reaches over with a hand and settles it atop his.]

You can take your time.

[He does not need to hear her say it, but she says it anyroad. He has a good support network. There is no reason for him to feel hurried to make such adaptation. Everyone must do things in their own time. She is not exempt from that either.]

[ishgards]

[ Aymeric is surprised that she reaches out to touch him. He looks down at their joined hands, quiet for a moment. The soft feeling of moonlacing is certainly nice, on top of the sentiment. ]

I know.

[porcelainandblood]

[When his gaze shifts, she wonders for just a moment if that's too forward of her. It does not matter to her how much of him is dragon. How much is man. Aymeric is Aymeric, no matter how he looks. It's a very easy conclusion for her to make. Lunatia has made this a possibility. She isn't sure she'd be so open-minded otherwise.

A momentary squeeze and she... decides to simply relish in the contact. It's a lie if she says she doesn't like it, after all. Her smile grows.]

What kind of tea is this, by the way? I realise I did not ask before. I have no complaints. Simply curious.

[ishgards]

[ It's certainly not too forward. It is just his fear of being like this, and fear of not being accepted. It's illogical, he knows that well. But he can't undo his upbringing or his time as a soldier no matter how much he'd like to. ]

Oh, it's earl grey. It has bergamot in it, that's what's behind the taste..

[porcelainandblood]

[She indulges in a long drink and after consideration, she nods in what appears to be approval. And she uses the moment to twine her fingers between his. Because she rather likes that. And it seems... like he might need it a little.]

It is rich. Vibrant. Potent. [Her head tips before she continues.] I like it a great deal. I am accustomed to floral teas back home. They are a bit delicate in comparison. Something a little more powerful... It is a refreshing change of pace. Thank you for sharing it with me.

[ishgards]

You're welcome.

[ Aymeric smiles. ]

I've very much enjoyed getting to try new things, here.

[porcelainandblood]

I have, as well.

[As much as she acts otherwise.]

The food. The drinks. All things considered, it really is quite a collection of discovery. Of course I shall be a bit biased and say that such enjoyment is only amplified with proper company.

[...She's flirting. A little.]

[ishgards]

Indeed. The company helps quite a lot.

[ especially when said company is holding hands, and the moonlacing feeling gives it that extra bit of pleasure. ]

[porcelainandblood]

Are you so stunned by mine beauty that you can only agree with me, Aymeric?

[She chortles softly, finding no shortage of delight in teasing him for one reason or another. He's a good sport.]

Not that I am complaining, of course.

[ishgards]

And if I were?

[ Just gotta turn that teasing right back around. ]

[porcelainandblood]

[Perne cocks an eyebrow. Yes, all right. She'll play along. Courtly games are something of a ritual, are they not? Inconspicuous flirting and some such. She's not above tongue-in-cheek humour.]

I would say if you wanted mine attention, you did not need to compliment me to have it. I confess I have been rather... enamoured with you this entire time. You have mine full and undivided attention.

[ishgards]

And the teasing? Do you always treat those you are enamored with so?

[ She's like a little kid pulling pigtails on the playground smh ]

[porcelainandblood]

I am not one for teasing, usually.

[A tip of her head and the flush in her cheeks darkens.]

If I tease, then I do so because I especially am fond of someone. I do so because I feel comfortable enough to do so. However...

[She gently moves her teacup aside in favour of eyeing him, as difficult as that may be for her from time to time.]

If it bothers you or causes you discomfort, I will not do it.

[ishgards]

It does not cause me discomfort. I was merely curious.

[ After all, it's like she said before, sometimes it's not just teasing. Sometimes it seems like she's looking for a fight. He finds that it is hard to square all of her layers, sometimes. ]

[porcelainandblood]

I would not consider—

[Biting remarks to be teasing, is what she means to finish that up with, but... For a fleeting moment, she frowns. Those are two very different things. Perne's... sometimes unwelcoming demeanour...]

Hrm. You will know when I am teasing. I would only do so with affection. If it is not affectionate, it is not teasing.

[At that point, it's just mean. And she can't claim she hasn't ever been mean or sharp of tongue.]

[ishgards]

I see.

[ She has been, but she's apologized already, and he wouldn't look for another one besides. ]

Affectionate teasing I can accept, then.

[porcelainandblood]

I was unaware there was any... Well. Nay. I suppose teasing can lack affection as well. I seem to recall being teased quite a bit when I was younger.

[She taps the tip of her nose with her free hand for just a moment, and then she places it over the other she's left within his.]

Sans affection, I mean. I would not wish to do the same with you. So... Well. Mayhaps I ought to keep teasing to bedroom antics, so I do not cause you befuddlement.

[ishgards]

Bedroom antics, hm?

[ He shouldn't ask, not when he's so nervous about being this much bigger than her. But it's sanguis, and her hands are touching his. And maybe a little conversation wouldn't hurt. ]

Tell me how you might accomplish that.

[porcelainandblood]

H...

[Perne almost immediately starts laughing. She's not laughing at him, either.]

Hm... [She suspects this is getting into... risque territory. He is in Sanguis. He would naturally be interested in such things.]

Well... I have discovered that denial of sorts appears to be arousing. [And ridiculously effective.] So I suppose... denying you something you might like is a form of teasing. [But would that not depend on tastes...?]

[ishgards]

[ Aymeric has no idea that she's not laughing at him. He blanches, afraid he's said something terribly rude and uncalled for. It strikes him as a little unfair, when she brought it up. Twice today she has done this -- led a conversation and then acted surprised when he followed its thread. Except now it's even worse because she's laughing.

But then she stops and she talks about it, so maybe.... ]

I ... [ He can't deny that it does sound good, what she suggests. ] Yes, I suppose it would be.

[porcelainandblood]

I-I mean that may not be suitable for you.

[She smiles a bit apologetically, but it's more like she's trying to keep herself from smiling too much.]

I wonder what else constitutes teasing. I suppose. Well. You know. When you would— [...How does she even say that?] When you were close, that is. Preventing you from doing so. Simply making you endure. That is, I can see the appeal in it. Although mayhaps a bit tormenting for you. But good boys get treats.

[ishgards]

[ Aymeric swallows thickly. She's definitely got his attention, now. ]

That would be.... [ this conversation was definitely a mistake, during sanguis and everything ] good.

[porcelainandblood]

[Perne squeezes his hand, as if to offer some solace. All she's doing is speaking. He's... surprisingly easy to work up. But then the subject matter. It's not like she really thinks about stuff like this often.

...Maybe when she's alone. Aymeric's the first one she's spoken to like so.]

Too much?

[Her eyebrows lift in slight and teeth scrape over her lower lip.] I suppose I seem to like scolding. And praising. And I have found it rather effective to simply be upfront. Simple things, even such as an appropriately worded I want you is... rather empowering.

[ishgards]

No, it isn't too much.

[ Aymeric shakes his head, listening to her as she speaks. ]

I could see the appeal.