That sounds lovely. [tea!!!! tea..... before she becomes a recluse for a few days, yes she thinks she can deserve this. and she nods in acknowledgement] Thank you for taking the time to heed my request.
[he did look tired - maybe the tea would be good for him too, at least]
You're welcome, but... it really is my pleasure. [He doesn't seem to be lying, either, though he's also not talking about being tired in the least. But hey, this will be nice.
His tea-making skills at home still leave something to be desired so it doesn't hurt to go out for a cup now and then either.]
[She just looks faintly amused at that, reflecting on their conversation before-]
Then for what it's worth, I do still consider you as kind as when we first met. I shall see you soon then, Elza.
[And with that, she ends the call!!
And when Elza does make it to the cafe, Natalia is waiting properly outside.... though she managed to find a scarf and has now proceeded to wrap it around her neck and partially over the bottom half of her face as if it'll keep people from recognizing her as the troublemaker from days past-
[She leaves Elza surprised and definitely flattered, and he makes his way to the cafe with all haste. He even leaves his armour at home, dressed in plainclothes that are thankfully not a fashion disaster.
Plain but hey you don't need to stick out when you have lion ears and a tail. He slows his pace when he spies a suspicious-looking woman milling outsi oh no it's just Natalia.
[It is indeed just Natalia and she doesn't seem all too embarrassed when he comes up to her, instead rather proud.... of her apparently ingenious disguise??
So she pulls down the scarf to beneath her chin - you know, like a proper scarf - and answers perhaps a little too honestly.]
You didn't recognize me for a moment, yes? Then it served its purpose.
[Well. Only for an instant. He figures that, on a second glance, anyone would immediately know it were her. But, somehow, telling her this feels like taking air out of her sails...]
I hope you don't have to wear it inside. It'll make it awfully hard to drink tea.
But she smiles graciously when he pulls out her chair and she moves to sit. Manners!! Listen, she can really appreciate manners.
As for the flattery-]
Well, I can at least promise I'll be better company today than I was yesterday. [ . . . . ] Though after the madness, I do admit the cup of tea is very nice.
[Elza sits as well, his ears lightly flicking forward, all the world a good, attentive lion.]
I still thought you were good company then. [But, hm. So she was affected after all. While he thought some of her behaviour unusual, he couldn't say for certain since they'd only just met.]
Maybe something to have with the tea as well. [He doesn't have too much of a sweet tooth, but something mild and light...]
[Shameless flirt.... At least she continues to just be amused. Well, he's harmless.
So she nods in agreement to that and when someone comes to take her order, she points out which biscuits she would like and also orders some tea. Excellent.
Then she turns back to Elza and well-]
I suppose I really ought to explain to you why I contacted you again in the first place...
[That much she appreciates and so she nods her head in gratitude. Then, once she's certain that there aren't any servers or patrons walking too close to their table, she explains rather easily and all at once:]
I introduced myself to you as Princess Natalia.
Now, much as I hate to shed an integral part of my identity.... I was hoping you would be willing to understand if I ask you to keep my heritage a secret.
I couldn't refuse a request made with such seriousness.
[That Elza doesn't hesitate to say, not a whit.] It should be up to ourselves whether or not to disclose our ranks or heritage, right? [But that being said.]
Can I ask why you want to keep it a secret? Maa, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, though.
[ . . . . . hm. She takes a moment to consider her words seriously, though in the end they just come out in a sigh.]
Well, it's a bit too late for me to avoid being kidnapped. [She says it with a smile.] But such things have happened before - and I would rather err on the side of caution than be used to bargain against my country again.
[Though it seems she has more to say. She hesitates for a fraction of a second before she just continues on-]
.... and people treat me differently. I know they probably don't mean to, but... it's nice being treated as Natalia for once and judged on my own merit than my birth.
[Hmm. Well, that answers why she only wants him to call her by her name. He's more comfortable being polite to young ladies, but...]
I understand.
You can count on me to not say anything.
Though, aaah, what to do. Here I'd say that I'm used to treating most ladies like princesses... [But after his melodramatic sigh, he peeks her way, his tail swishing next to his chair.]
[Oh.... if anything, the mention of her country manages to get her to cheer up even more, a light returning to her eyes.
Conveniently, with splendid timing, their tea and biscuits arrive just as their serious conversation finishes. How neat. Natalia nods her gratitude to the server before turning her attention back to Elza.]
You will find it difficult to locate a day when I am not willing to talk about Kimlasca. Is there anything specific that you'd like to know?
Hmm-- not specifically, I'd be happy hearing about any of it.
[He reaches out a hand to his teacup, twisting it lightly to face him before picking it up by the handle. You'd think a guy with long, claw-like nails might have trouble but he doesn't at all...]
[ . . . . well, she is mildly impressed by that. Though she plays it off as a moment of thought ass he tries to recall-]
It spans half of the current global geography. There are only two prominent kingdoms within my world and Kimlasca is the largest - likely due to the fact that it was conjoined between two nations, Kimlasca and Lanvaldear. According to the recent census, I believe our numbers average to approximately 900,000.
[She takes a moment to sip her tea. Rattling off facts about her country is easy. As for the people....]
That said, my people are wonderful. They span all walks of life - plenty of mechanics, craftsmen, knights, and working class folk. I spend most of my days in the Upper Quarter, however I still try to venture to the lower sectors to see what my people need. Their requests are simple, mostly jobs and good health, so opening up a port and hospital were my projects up until recently.
[ . . . . and then she pauses, frowning faintly.] Goodness, am I talking too much?
[Elza hums with wonder. Half the geography... He sips from his cup, his ears twitching lightly. He isn't certain how large the population of Weblin is off-hand, but he's quite certain it isn't as large as that.]
Not at all.
[He grins, leans forward slightly.] It's interesting. My home, Weblin, isn't as large as your kingdom is. Is it peaceful there? [It sounds it, if there were times for projects like hers.]
[ . . . hm. She's thoughtful, trying to figure out how to answer that.]
Both... yes and no.
With only two kingdoms, it's rather unsurprising that there would be rising tensions in hopes that the defeat of one would result in being able to rule the entire globe.
Yet it's only especially clear at the border lines. My people otherwise go about their daily jobs and enjoy life as anyone else would. They're truly amazing.
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Date: 2015-02-06 03:26 pm (UTC)That sounds lovely. [tea!!!! tea..... before she becomes a recluse for a few days, yes she thinks she can deserve this. and she nods in acknowledgement] Thank you for taking the time to heed my request.
[he did look tired - maybe the tea would be good for him too, at least]
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Date: 2015-02-08 03:53 pm (UTC)His tea-making skills at home still leave something to be desired so it doesn't hurt to go out for a cup now and then either.]
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Date: 2015-02-08 10:38 pm (UTC)Then for what it's worth, I do still consider you as kind as when we first met. I shall see you soon then, Elza.
[And with that, she ends the call!!
And when Elza does make it to the cafe, Natalia is waiting properly outside.... though she managed to find a scarf and has now proceeded to wrap it around her neck and partially over the bottom half of her face as if it'll keep people from recognizing her as the troublemaker from days past-
Listen, there was a distinct effort made here.]
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Date: 2015-02-09 10:21 pm (UTC)Plain but hey you don't need to stick out when you have lion ears and a tail. He slows his pace when he spies a suspicious-looking woman milling outsi oh no it's just Natalia.
Stopping in front of her, he grins.]
Cold? [And, teasing...]
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Date: 2015-02-10 03:22 pm (UTC)So she pulls down the scarf to beneath her chin - you know, like a proper scarf - and answers perhaps a little too honestly.]
You didn't recognize me for a moment, yes? Then it served its purpose.
[ok, natalia]
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Date: 2015-02-10 07:52 pm (UTC)I hope you don't have to wear it inside. It'll make it awfully hard to drink tea.
[He moves to open up the door for her.]
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Date: 2015-02-11 04:07 pm (UTC)So she happily walks through the door even as she unbundles herself from the scarf, humming thoughtfully.]
Ideally I won't have to. After all, we're here for tea and good company, are we not?
[and also the Thing she still has to tell him
but whatever that can wait until they're sitting down at least]
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Date: 2015-02-12 04:25 pm (UTC)That's right.
[Even though he knows she has something she wants to Discuss...
Also don't mind him he'll step forward and pull out her chair for her.]
Even if there weren't any tea, I think I'd be happy just with the company alone.
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Date: 2015-02-12 04:45 pm (UTC)But she smiles graciously when he pulls out her chair and she moves to sit. Manners!! Listen, she can really appreciate manners.
As for the flattery-]
Well, I can at least promise I'll be better company today than I was yesterday. [ . . . . ] Though after the madness, I do admit the cup of tea is very nice.
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Date: 2015-02-12 05:03 pm (UTC)I still thought you were good company then. [But, hm. So she was affected after all. While he thought some of her behaviour unusual, he couldn't say for certain since they'd only just met.]
Maybe something to have with the tea as well. [He doesn't have too much of a sweet tooth, but something mild and light...]
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Date: 2015-02-12 05:24 pm (UTC)So Elza likes people who are overly complimentary and physical. Ah. So that's how it is.
. . . . anyway.
She merely smiles softly after, vaguely amused as she now surveys the menu.]
Biscuits perhaps?
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Date: 2015-02-14 05:52 pm (UTC)He's only being honest! (And he is, in a way.)]
Certainly. I'm all right with any kind, so I'll leave choosing up to you.
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Date: 2015-02-16 07:00 pm (UTC)So she nods in agreement to that and when someone comes to take her order, she points out which biscuits she would like and also orders some tea. Excellent.
Then she turns back to Elza and well-]
I suppose I really ought to explain to you why I contacted you again in the first place...
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Date: 2015-02-18 02:44 pm (UTC)I am curious about that.
[But he hasn't been pressing, letting her get to it on her own time and lightening up the atmosphere.]
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Date: 2015-02-20 03:28 pm (UTC)I introduced myself to you as Princess Natalia.
Now, much as I hate to shed an integral part of my identity.... I was hoping you would be willing to understand if I ask you to keep my heritage a secret.
[undercover princess trope activated]
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Date: 2015-02-20 07:20 pm (UTC)[That Elza doesn't hesitate to say, not a whit.] It should be up to ourselves whether or not to disclose our ranks or heritage, right? [But that being said.]
Can I ask why you want to keep it a secret? Maa, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, though.
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Date: 2015-02-21 03:39 am (UTC)Well, it's a bit too late for me to avoid being kidnapped. [She says it with a smile.] But such things have happened before - and I would rather err on the side of caution than be used to bargain against my country again.
[Though it seems she has more to say. She hesitates for a fraction of a second before she just continues on-]
.... and people treat me differently. I know they probably don't mean to, but... it's nice being treated as Natalia for once and judged on my own merit than my birth.
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Date: 2015-02-21 05:44 pm (UTC)I understand.
You can count on me to not say anything.
Though, aaah, what to do. Here I'd say that I'm used to treating most ladies like princesses... [But after his melodramatic sigh, he peeks her way, his tail swishing next to his chair.]
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Date: 2015-02-22 04:50 am (UTC)If nothing else, it manages to get her to laugh. It's.... It's so cheesy to the point that she's a little past the point of being charmed.
At the very least, she's still endeared.]
I believe part of the point is that I do hope you'd treat me like anyone else, Elza.... though I suppose I could just as well do without the flattery.
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Date: 2015-02-22 04:31 pm (UTC)Then... I'll try to tone down the flattery, Natalia. Try.
Will you still tell me some more about your country? I'm interested in hearing more about it from you.
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Date: 2015-02-22 04:36 pm (UTC)Conveniently, with splendid timing, their tea and biscuits arrive just as their serious conversation finishes. How neat. Natalia nods her gratitude to the server before turning her attention back to Elza.]
You will find it difficult to locate a day when I am not willing to talk about Kimlasca. Is there anything specific that you'd like to know?
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Date: 2015-02-22 04:45 pm (UTC)[He reaches out a hand to his teacup, twisting it lightly to face him before picking it up by the handle. You'd think a guy with long, claw-like nails might have trouble but he doesn't at all...]
What are the people like? How large is it?
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Date: 2015-02-22 04:55 pm (UTC)It spans half of the current global geography. There are only two prominent kingdoms within my world and Kimlasca is the largest - likely due to the fact that it was conjoined between two nations, Kimlasca and Lanvaldear. According to the recent census, I believe our numbers average to approximately 900,000.
[She takes a moment to sip her tea. Rattling off facts about her country is easy. As for the people....]
That said, my people are wonderful. They span all walks of life - plenty of mechanics, craftsmen, knights, and working class folk. I spend most of my days in the Upper Quarter, however I still try to venture to the lower sectors to see what my people need. Their requests are simple, mostly jobs and good health, so opening up a port and hospital were my projects up until recently.
[ . . . . and then she pauses, frowning faintly.] Goodness, am I talking too much?
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Date: 2015-02-22 05:18 pm (UTC)Not at all.
[He grins, leans forward slightly.] It's interesting. My home, Weblin, isn't as large as your kingdom is. Is it peaceful there? [It sounds it, if there were times for projects like hers.]
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Date: 2015-02-22 05:20 pm (UTC)Both... yes and no.
With only two kingdoms, it's rather unsurprising that there would be rising tensions in hopes that the defeat of one would result in being able to rule the entire globe.
Yet it's only especially clear at the border lines. My people otherwise go about their daily jobs and enjoy life as anyone else would. They're truly amazing.
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