text, un: rosaceae

[roseblooms]

Well, well. It seems it's true, then, that the potential exists for every monthly moon cycle to elicit a different set of changes in an individual. It's not exactly what I'd call reassuring, I suppose, but it's some consolation nevertheless. There are worse things to contend with than bioluminescence — which is proving to be a nuisance, but a tolerable one.

Of slightly more concern to me is the matter of moonlacing. While I recall that it's possible to get by on brief and simplistic methods of contact, it's also my understanding that a minimalist approach leaves a person exposed to a certain level of risk, should an unexpected drain on their chroma abruptly leave them overdrawn, as it were.

With that in mind, I'd be interested in negotiating terms for a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Let me stress that this is not a solicitation. Bold-faced overtures seeking sex will be denied without response. Consider this more an...attempt to establish certain contingencies, to afford everyone involved a little more peace of mind.

I'm willing to talk terms. If something of this nature is of interest to you, feel free to inquire within.

Comments

[roseblooms]

Ah, that's not far from where I am at present. Will you need any time to get ready? I can delay my arrival by any length of time if that would better suit you.

text -> action

[noatic]

No need. I am used to being ready at a moment's notice.

[Spontaneous battles tended to speed up one's routine, after all. In total, the only thing she has to do is strap her bracelet to her wrist, after sending one final message:]

I'll see you at the gates. Blonde hair, pink dress.

[It's a uniform, really, but she can't expect the people here to realise that...anyway. Constance arrives at the Grove entrance quite quickly; she'd selected her building due to its proximity with the gates, as she had to ensure she could look after her pegasus and it made sense to be near. The greenery of the area was also...calming. It was nice to have somewhere peaceful in which to disappear.

She'll stand almost to attention (leaning on the gates would be uncouth), as she waits for her mysterious potential business partner. Her arms are crossed, to allow her to conceal the ice magic swirling at her fingertips; should this be some manner of trap, this individual will learn the hard way that only a fool would attempt to make a victim out of Constance von Nuvelle.]

[roseblooms]

[...Oh. It's that girl — the one with the melon. She's grown some, and she's changed her hair, but it's unmistakably that girl. It's not her face that does it (though she is still pretty) and it's not the ice magic that he remembers seeing her utilize (though he does take stock of that as well). Rather, it's just —

...Well. She smells the same. And clearly that sort of thing is helpful, in moments like this, for precisely this reason.

He's neatly dressed as he approaches: a crisp white collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow, a pair of tan pants, sensible shoes. Ordinarily he might wear a sweater vest with all of it, but it's awfully hot out these days, so he foregoes it for staying breezy. He's tied his hair back in a low ponytail, besides, and if his shirt had just a few more buttons left open than it actually does, he might well look like he belongs on the cover of some bodice ripper or another.

Just don't point that out to him. Yikes.]

Well, well. Hello, princess. Have you changed any men into melons lately?

[noatic]

[It takes her a moment to get over the surprise, but Constance promptly breaks into an amused (and still characteristically haughty) laugh as she realises who she's been communicating with.]

Well, if it isn't my mighty saviour, slayer of beetles! I'm so pleased to see that you're still here.

[No comment, in terms of how many men she's turned into melons lately.

Although...if he's still here, looking the same as how she remembers, perhaps the other people she knew in Lunatia haven't left either. Had time not passed here whatsoever, while she experienced five more years of life, back home in Fódlan? Hmm. It's a theory worth thorough investigation, but the thought is shelved for now; she's got other things to focus on, at present, encapsulated by this (still rather) mysterious friend of hers.]

What a pleasant coincidence. I assume that you have no issue with me taking up your offer?

[She's making it look more like idle play than anything defensive, but there's still ice sparkling around her fingers; fond as she is of this gentleman, trust is a privilege reserved for few.]

[roseblooms]

None whatsoever. Actually, it'll be a pleasure to assist you in your endeavors; as I recall from our previous meeting, they were really quite fascinating.

[As he speaks, a small shrub a short distance from Constance begins to grow, a single branch stretching up and up before beginning to curve in her direction like a well-cultivated bonsai; once it's just out of arm's reach, the tip of it begins to blossom, sprouting and flowering into a full pink bloom.]

A token of my appreciation. If you'd care for it.

[noatic]

[Oh, well...that's something, isn't it? How charming...she'll have to watch this one. It would be impossible for her to deny that that little display hasn't sparked her interest, however. Constance hasn't delved too deeply into plant-based magic (attempts to make man-melons aside), so this...hmm. A potential learning opportunity? She does love roses.....

Regardless of her thoughts, she'll laugh and neatly snap that flower free of the shrub, tucking it into one of the straps near her shoulders.]

Trying to sweeten the deal, are we? I'm sure you'll garner plenty of interest, with those methods.

[Time to put this to the test (especially since her chroma stores are still rather low, having only recently returned...not that she intends to share that....); holding out a hand, Constance nods towards the path leading through the gates.]

Shall we take a walk? The Groves are lovely this time of year.

[roseblooms]

Trying to ensure that the deal stays favorable to you, actually.

[He takes her hand, but rather than simply holding it, he guides her arm to link through his — more of an overt show of gallantry, for one thing, and more of a definitive contact for chroma purposes for another.]

I'm not out to patronize you, or to be deceptive about my motives. But it would make things easier if we enjoyed being around each other in conjunction with these transactions, wouldn't it? So I see no reason not to be friendly.

[noatic]

I can appreciate your logic.

[There's a brief moment of hesitation, but Constance does link her arm through Kurama's proffered one, placing her free hand just below his shoulder. If they're going to walk like this, they might as well do it properly. Besides...she could use all the chroma she can get. Not just to avoid those dreadful crystals, but to charge up her magic! There are experiments to be done, and time that is not to be wasted. So she'll nod towards the gates and gently encourage him to head through them with her.

It seems this contact was wise - she's already feeling warm. It does wonders for her mood.]

Tell me; have you gotten any other expressions of interest, or do I get the pleasure of monopolising your time?

[roseblooms]

I've received a number of offers, actually. But you're welcome to seek to distinguish yourself as primary among them.

[It's light and easy — clearly more facetious than not, teasing at notions of jealousy when the understanding seems clear that this is, at heart, nothing but a mutually beneficial transaction. It's pleasant to make a girl laugh, he's learned through experience. And the mannerisms of humanity are always a little easier in situations like this, because social understanding is so saturated with examples of how they're supposed to be conducted.

Sometimes he needs Yusuke to be a roadmap to his humanity. He can usually manage well enough on his own, when it comes to girls.]

You've changed, since last we met. Would you care to tell me of it?

[noatic]

[Well, Constance von Nuvelle will never turn down a chance to talk about herself! Even if some parts of the subject are...not all that pleasant. She'd been considering how to fill in the gaps with people she knew previously, and hasn't yet been able to find an explanation that suits all her purposes. For now...]

Five years have passed, back home, since I left this place. Almost six, really. Obviously, I've grown those five years older.

[There had been many other changes - war during one's formative years, particularly when you're an active commander, does tend to mutate the growth - but those could...wait. No need to mention all of that nonsense and ruin the mood!]

I prefer things this way, really. If I can be honest, I spent a good deal of my time last visit being afraid of everything. You know, all the moonlacing nonsense. It all feels so pedestrian, now that I've got some life experience to compare it to.

[roseblooms]

[Five years' difference. If she'd been somewhere in the ballpark of seventeen or eighteen then, as she'd appeared, that would put her now in her early twenties. About Shizuru's age, he muses, and all of a sudden that insight lends an entirely new quality to his perception of her.

She would probably like Shizuru, he muses, as the notion makes him relax his strict correct formality somewhat. Shizuru would have no patience for the arrogance, certainly, but somehow he can't help but feel they'd be two of a kind anyway.]

I'm glad to hear it no longer frightens you. And while I'm hardly one to make comparisons, particularly about a lady, you do seem more...comfortable, now, than you did when last we met.

[noatic]

I appreciate the observation.

[And she does, if the rather self-satisfied expression on her face has anything to say about it.]

I'm also quite capable of killing my own beetles now, you know. You'll have to find another way to impress me.

[It's light, airy; flirting if you squint, but nothing overly forward. Just playful banter, as a lady does when walking through a garden with a gentleman of whom she's fond.

...hmm. Speaking of which, she'll have to find some method of acquiring said gentleman's age. While his features are youthful - she wouldn't put him older than 20, if she had to guess - there's an air to him that seems...more mature. It's hard to put her finger on, so she notes it at the back of her mind for later consideration. For now, however, he's providing her with chroma, which is all she can ask.]

[roseblooms]

You were never incapable, I'm sure. Neither then nor now.

[He flashes her a smile — the kind that seems to acknowledge that he knows what she's doing, and is willingly going along with it.]

But that's no reason not to extend you the gallantry, just the same.

[noatic]

[Oh, she doesn't mind if he knows - as long as he's going along with it. The game is no fun if both people aren't playing.]

You are rather forthcoming with the gallantry, aren't you? Not that I have any argument with that, mind.

[...look, it's been a long five years. This is nice. However...]

I would like to know a bit more about that magic of yours, though.

[...any opportunity to study interesting magic must be taken!]