backstreetbard | a lion among ladies

[ Dorothea doesn't exactly love spending time in the cathedral of Garreg Mach's campus, as stunning as the stained glass windows and flying buttresses are to behold. She hasn't put stock in the Seirosi faith since she was six years old.

In spite of that, she can still be seen there often in the days following the mission to quell the Western Church's rebellion in Gaspard territory, her hand rubbing circles in Ashe's back. She understands what it feels like to lose a parent, though she doesn't speak of it; instead, she only listens as he very gradually works his way through the shock and pain. Sometimes the only comfort is commiseration.

It's draining, though. She has to step back eventually, to try and shake off the old familiar feelings that watching another orphan in mourning dredges up in her.

Standing on the bridge that leads to the cathedral, she inhales the fresh mountain air and releases a sigh as she looks out over the scenery. A flash of blue in her peripheral vision catches her attention, though, and she's back on stage, turning to face her new house leader. ]

On your way to pray?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

backstreetbard

[ Now even her cheeks are beginning to grow warm. How is he this charming? Why is a legitimate prince even being so receptive to her flirtation? She's tempted to scoot closer, but she doesn't want to spook him and spoil the moment. ]

Not much to you? You don't give yourself enough credit. You're sweet, and you care about your classmates regardless of their social standing. That makes you leagues better than just about every noble I've ever met. I think it's safe to say you've got my interest as long as you want it.

From:

hauntedking

[ Well, he's not about to get into the whole nobility thing. She's a commoner and that - that means something to some people, but right now he just feels like he's glowing from the inside out. He laughs again - a touch nervous - and works his courage up. ]

Well... in that case - ah. Would you like to join me for tea sometime? I've been told that socializing would be good for me, you see.

[ He's screaming internally. What is he doing? ]

From:

backstreetbard

Tea?

[ Is he...? He's asking her out, isn't he? Or she's completely misreading the situation, but she doesn't think she is. He's asking her out. ]

I would be delighted.

[ Whoa, girl, rein it in. He's the house leader--getting to know his classmates is part of his job description, right? That doesn't not make it a date, though, right? Right. ]

What time is best for you? I'm sure you have a lot of responsibilities as house leader, and I have choir practice a few times a week, but outside of that, I'm all yours.

From:

hauntedking

[ Oh Goddess, she said yes and now he's trying to think of what the proper way to do this whole thing is. How does he approach this, how does he not be insulting, a dozen other questions. Does this mean she's interested in him? Or is it just a friendly cup of tea? A date? Or not?

He can't think straight. ]

I can always find times in the late afternoon. My responsibilities aren't so heavy that I cannot find time for myself.

[ He smiles, broad and friendly. ]

So as long as it doesn't conflict with choir... what do you say about tomorrow?

From:

backstreetbard

[ Not that she would tell him as much, but Dorothea would gladly skip choral practice in a heartbeat to have tea with someone as cute and charming as he is. That's the reason she came to Garreg Mach in the first place--not to sing uninspired hymns to a goddess that probably didn't even exist, but to secure a partner for her future. The thought of a prince taking interest in her had only been entertained in her most fanciful dreams, and the fact that she's sitting together with him here being asked to join him for tea is so thrilling that it makes her heart race.

She beams at him, biting her lip to try and contain the giddy laughter she can feel bubbling in her chest. ]

Tomorrow is perfect. Maybe... four o'clock? There's a lovely little corner among the rose hedges with a table that would be perfect for an afternoon tea. It's one of my favorite spots on campus.

From:

hauntedking

I'm not sure I know that spot... but I would be happy to have you introduce me to it.

[ This? This he can do. He enjoys being helpful, being kind, pleasant conversation. It's just that most of his life is eaten up by other things. And the idea that he's been so bold as to ask out a girl on a date of some sort - well. Wouldn't Sylvain be surprised? He's practically glowing by now, his smile almost too wide for his face. ]

I'll look forward to tomorrow afternoon, then.

From:

backstreetbard

I can show you if you meet me in the courtyard by the dormitories. It isn't hard to find once you know where to look.

[ Dimitri's happy smile is infectious, and Dorothea's certain her cheeks are bright pink by now, too. In a nearby tower, the bells begin to ring, signaling the start of the dinner service. She touches his arm just once more before standing. ]

Tomorrow afternoon. I'll be waiting.

[ The rest of the evening, and indeed, most of the next day pass by in that paradoxical way where the time seems both to crawl and to fly by.

After classes and the Professor's rigorous training exercises, Dorothea washes up and runs back to her room to get ready--to make sure her uniform is clean and crisp, that her hair is curled just so, to dab a rosy red balm on her lips and cheeks, and a little extra perfume on her pulse points. It's a few minutes before the four o'clock bell when she steps out into the courtyard and glances around for that familiar blue that would signal Dimitri's arrival. ]

From:

hauntedking

Tomorrow afternoon.

[ Dimitri agrees, feeling a strange surge of giddiness, as if he could walk on air. That feeling lasts through most of the evening and into the next day, although by the afternoon it's accompanied by a sense of butterflies in his stomach. Nervousness. He trains and goes to class, but he's a little distracted - he accidentally breaks a training lance at least once. But then he has a chance to clean up and go out. He makes sure his hair is neat and his uniform is just so before he steps out into the courtyard. Fortunately, it looks like they're both on time (or early, rather) and he walks over with a smile and a slight bow. ]

Dorothea. It's lovely to see you.

From:

backstreetbard

[ His courtly bow is met with an elegant little curtsy. She might not be nobility but she is a performer, and she's played enough princesses on the stage to know how to act like one. ]

Dima. I'm so pleased--I've been looking forward to this all day.

[ Without further preamble, she steps to his side and slides her arm through the crook of his elbow. There are enough students standing around to notice, but she doesn't care. Nothing could sour her mood today. ]

Shall we?

From:

hauntedking

I'm glad to hear that, because I have as well.

[ He wasn't expecting her taking his arm, though. He looks flustered and for a moment he can't find words. But - no - he can do this. He finally clears his throat, looking both pleased and nervous in equal measures and then gestures. ]

By all means - please lead on. I'm interested to see this quiet little spot you've picked out...

From:

backstreetbard

All right, let's go.

[ They swing by the kitchens first to pick up the things they'll need for their tea service: a kettle full of water and a few sachets of tea (chamomile and sweet apple blend), cups and saucers and a tiered tray of finger foods with a handle at the top to make it easy to cart out to the designated spot. Everything else is loaded into a basket with little containers for milk and sugar and jam.

Once they've procured their snacks, Dorothea leads them into the monastery's gardens, to a slightly less kempt corner where a small table sits under an arched trellis covered in blooming roses. ]

See? Isn't it beautiful?

From:

hauntedking

Oh, this is beautiful.

[ Dimitri sounds absolutely delighted with the spot. He's been helpfully lugging the heavier items since he can manage it (and he doubts Dorothea minds). He sets the tray and kettle down and then starts to lay out cups and plates for their finger foods. The afternoon is perfectly warm and everything feels wonderful. He's never been happier. ]

What kind of tea would you like?

[ He's working on preparing himself a cup of chamomile. ]

From:

backstreetbard

Now, I can't promise you that nobody else has discovered this spot, but it's been empty every time I've used it. It's a wonderful study spot, too--so peaceful and quiet.

[ She can imagine other uses for it, too, including sharing kisses with a special someone where they aren't likely to be disturbed. There's something undeniably romantic about the slightly overgrown foliage.

Her thoughts are brought back to the present at Dimitri's question. Dorothea grins at him from across the table and gestures to the apple tea. ]

The apple, please. It's my favorite.

[ And while he's busying himself with the tea, she'll prepare plates for them, selecting a sampling of little sandwiches and tiny tarts and arranging them on their plates. ]

Here you go.

From:

hauntedking

It looks delightful.

[ Dimitri agrees as he goes about pouring the hot water into their cups and letting the tea begin to steep. He slides her cup across the table to her and then settles into his seat with a nod of thanks. ]

Thank you. And - thank you for agreeing to this. I wasn't sure if you would, honestly. But... I'm glad I asked.

From:

backstreetbard

I'm glad you asked, too. You caught me by surprise, but... a pleasant surprise. You've been nothing but kind to me since we met, and I thought that it would be nice to get to know you better. I hope you enjoy getting to know me better, too. So... tell me a little about yourself?

[ She adds a few cubes of sugar to her tea, stirring it in gently as they chat. ]

Do you like music? Or the theater? What's it like in Fhirdiad?

From:

hauntedking

[ Dimitri doesn't add sugar to his. He does take a deep inhale of it before he sips at it though, looking thoughtful. ]

Fhirdiad? It's much cooler than it is here, but it's also beautiful - especially in the autumn and even in the winter. As for me - well. I do enjoy music, but I can't say it's a passion of mine, unfortunately. I've been so focused on... well, training that I don't have as much time as I would like to do other things.

[ He shakes his head. ]

I train, I clean up my weapons and... well, the day is almost over at that point. [ He brightens a little. ]

I do enjoy riding and horses. Lovely creatures.

From:

backstreetbard

I've heard the architecture is lovely, if very different from what's prevalent in Enbarr. The winters there must be freezing, though.

[ The cold is always miserable when you don't have a roof over your head, she does not say, but it rarely got as frigid in Enbarr as she's sure it does in Fhirdiad. Shaking her head once, she smiles, not letting the unpleasant turn of her thoughts through into her expression. ]

I suppose it makes sense that training would be so important for you, but I insist on you going to see a show sometime. The arts are important too, you know. Actually, I've convinced a few of the others from the choir to put on a little operetta with me. We're working on it in our spare time, but it should be ready in about two moons. I would love it if you came to see me perform.

From:

hauntedking

Oh, they're not so bad when you get used to them.

[ Well, they're usually very cold - but he's used to them. He grew up with them. Someone from outside might find it very chilly indeed! He perks up a little at the mention of her practicing something with some people from the choir. ]

I've... never seen much opera, I have to admit. But I'd love to see what you're working on. What's it about?

From:

backstreetbard

Well, I don't want to spoil too much of it for you, but it's a romantic story of two young lovers and what they do to stay with each other when one of them is betrothed to someone else. It's a shortened rendition of a show that I performed a few years ago, actually, but I've edited it to be more appropriate for a school audience.

[ Not to mention for the church. Dorothea doesn't think much of the puritanical dogma of the church and how often it conflicts with the expression of the arts, but that's a topic for another time. ]

It sounds serious when I put it like that, but it's quite a charming show--very witty, and very funny in some parts. I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

From:

hauntedking

It sounds like a great deal of fun. Let me know when you'll be putting it on - I'll come and see it and hear you sing first-hand.

[ He seems rather delighted by the prospect. ]

I have to admit, I don't often attend performances of any kind, so it will be something new for me.

From:

backstreetbard

[ She seems pretty delighted, too, if the blush on her cheeks is any indication. ]

Of course! You'll be my special guest. I'll turn you into a theater aficionado in no time at all, you'll see. If the first show goes well, we might be able to do a second one before the school year ends.

[ Dorothea knows she could talk about the opera for hours on end, however, and she doesn't want to monopolize the conversation. ]

You mentioned you enjoy horseback riding earlier. Do you have a horse of your own? I'm afraid I have no skill for riding, but in my defense, I'd never ridden a horse before I came here. It was always walking, before, or taking carriages.

From:

hauntedking

I do have my own horse, but she's back in Faerghus right now. There are a few here in the stables at the Academy that are wonderful creatures, though - I'll have to introduce you to them.

[ He seems entirely in love with them, just from the way his tone changes a little. ]

If you'd like, I can give you some lessons on riding. It's a wonderful experience - nothing better for clearing the head, I think.

From:

backstreetbard

Would you? I'd hate to impose, but it does seem like a useful skill. [ And a perfect excuse for them to spend more time together, to boot. ] Horses have always frightened me just a tiny bit--they're so large and powerful--but I know people love them, so they can't be that bad.

[ Dorothea sips on her tea and sighs contently, adding cream and jam to a scone on her plate and taking a dainty bite. ]

As far as animals go, I've always loved cats and dogs. The ones here on campus don't seem to belong to anyone in particular, but they're all so tame. Actually, there's one cat that I think is pregnant. She looks so round, and she's waddling about in this adorable way. We'll have to be on the lookout for the kittens when they arrive.

From:

hauntedking

Well, join me at the stables one day. You can meet the one I ride here. She's a sweetheart.

[ Anyway - on to other things. He takes a little bite of one of his finger foods and chews reflectively. ]

...I like the cats, honestly. I try to give them a bit of attention when I can, but there's so many of them! But - kittens. That sounds adorable.

From:

backstreetbard

Kittens are adorable. They're so tiny--when they're born they fit in the palm of your hand. When I was young, I made friends with a few stray cats, but I feel like they were more welcome than I was in most cases. Restaurateurs rely on them to keep their pantries free of vermin.

[ No comment is necessary about how those same restaurateurs treated the little starving girls they found digging through their garbage bins for scraps. Dorothea had learned early on that you waited until the kitchen staff was truly gone for the night before trying to procure her meals. ]

And what about the dogs? Isn't there a breed of hound named for your family? The... Blaiddyd Rex? Ferdie loves to go on and on about the Aegir hounds and how they're the noblest of all dogs, but he thinks anything associated with the Aegir name is the noblest in any category.

[ Which does earn a little scoff. Such silliness. ]