CLOSED ♔ CHOCOLATE CAKE

[socialgraces]

♬ Chasing Pavements - Adele

WHO || Francesca, Christos La Krail [Closed]
WHAT || Late night surprises (and it's not even dirty)
WHERE || The Kitchen
WHEN || Late Tuesday Night
HOW || Actionspam

[A tentative late night text:]    Are you busy?

Comments

[socialgraces]

Precisely. Some are just more skilled than others. [She smiles, a wistful look on her face. She wets her lips before looking down at her own half-eaten piece of cake. She picks her fork up to take another bite, pushing her hair back from her face with her other hand.] And I take comfort in the fact that if he did ever threaten me, you're usually not too far away. [She glances back up at him with a subtle doe-eyed expression. She'll just keep using that charm check.]

[everyredcent]

[While he tends to eat up flattery when it's sincere, he doesn't seem to know what to do with all this. Maybe it's the way she's looking at him.]

He'd certainly come to regret it.

[socialgraces]

[That was by far the hottest thing he has ever said to her. Really, she's all melt-y now, as if she wasn't already. But with a Will save of 17 she manages to stay in control. She can't, however, hold back the grateful smile that spreads across her lips.]

You really are such a good friend, Christos. I've been bragging about you all week, to anyone who will listen. You never let me down. [And she's still smiling.]

[everyredcent]

Have you now? [Not that he cares. Not that he cares at all.






Really.] To whom?

[socialgraces]

Just some of the new squires, most especially yours. I wanted to make sure she knew how privileged she was to have you as a mentor. After all, you did squire me, and look how well I turned out.

[everyredcent]

[He snorts, but more at the privileged part than the... latter]

I think she'd have a more difficult time if she'd wound up with certain other Knights. Might have given them quite a headache.

[socialgraces]

[She just figures her compliments might have gone a little over-the-top and he caught on, so she'll tone it down.

She raises an eyebrow to his assessment of his squire.] Yes, she does seem quite resistant to authority. And I'm sure Wynn had many sound reasons for putting her with you.

[She seems thoughtful for a moment, her gaze lowering.] I am still curious why he choose to squire Ethan to me.

[everyredcent]

I'm certain he has his reasons. [And he can't help from asking] What do you make him, thus far?

[socialgraces]

[She contemplates her answer for a minute, trying to think of the right way to put it, before realizing she doesn't have to do all this -- it's just Christos, after all.] He's polite enough, I suppose. But he needs to get over himself. He's so touchy about everything. It's a tad bit much, even for me.

I already had to put him in his place a couple times, though I doubt he was actually listening to me.

[everyredcent]

Touchy?

About what? [If it's stretching YOUR patience...]

[socialgraces]

Well, I don't care that he doesn't want to talk about his past. I find it a bit strange that he won't mention anything about it, but I'm not really that curious. What gets to me is that he's constantly dropping little hints about it, and then he gets angry at me for questioning him. Like I'm the one fishing. [She shakes her head.] And apparently he can be offended by me pointing out that he has Elven heritage, but I can't be offended by him acting like it's an insult to even be related to Shadowkind.

[She heaves a big sigh.] And then he just gives up and says "No, ma'am" or "Yes, ma'am" and I'm supposed to just let it all go.

Although part of me does enjoy his subordination, I do wish he wouldn't call me ma'am. [Miss seems a little more appropriate, she thinks with an eye roll.

She breathing a little heavier now, and in retrospect, she realizes venting might be a good idea, lest she actually take her frustrations out on Ethan.]

[everyredcent]

[He considers all this, not even seeing it as a rant really, because you didn't even throw in any good insults.]

He sounds as if he needs to be put in his place. Apparently that's a skill Wynn wishes you to acquire.

[socialgraces]

[Her frustration dissolves almost completely as he finishes his remark, the corner of her mouth curling up.]

You really think so? [Perhaps that could be Wynn's reasoning, or something similar but more logical. But the more she thinks about putting Ethan in his place, the more she wants to do just that. If only she could, she muses, her anger sparking up again.] Well, I don't know if I have it in me.

[She jabs her fork into her cake] People just aren't intimidated by me. It's not that I'm particularly nice, I'm just not the best at confrontation . [And shoves a bite into her mouth, chewing the over-sized portion slowly.]

[everyredcent]

And yet somehow you rather excel at getting your way, despite. [He waggles his fork the slightest bit over his cake, making it obvious that he's including this whole... making him eat chocolate cake with her thing under that umbrella.] I'm certain you can find your own way to teach him a lesson.

[socialgraces]

[Oh yes, she's so sorry she made him eat this delicious chocolate cake with her. But she knows he's being nice, and encouraging, and she appreciates it.] Yes, well, now that you put it that way, perhaps I see the lesson to be learned. [She chews on her bottom lip.] I just hope he pays attention. He doesn't really come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer. I'm hoping it's just for show.

[everyredcent]

Ah yes, the idiot. Disguise of choice for those with no sense of pride.

[socialgraces]

[She chuckles and her face softens.] A lack of pride on his part would make my job a little easier. But if that is the case, I know I would just end of feeling guilty for exploiting his self-deprecation.

[She sighs and shrugs.] I'll figure it out. We'll be doing field-work soon enough. That'll be a better way to judge his true nature and intents.

[everyredcent]

The surest way to discover what he's made of, I would think.

[socialgraces]

[She makes a noise in agreement.] And what did you discover about my character after my first mission? [She ask curiously, focusing her attention on her plate in case it's an awkward question to ask, but keeping a smile to lighten the mood.]

[everyredcent]

That you were willing to put up with a great deal.

[socialgraces]

[She looks back up at him with a wide smile.] I usually find it's very much worth the effort, in the long run.

[Yes, she's talking about you, Christos, even if you weren't 8)]

[everyredcent]

... And, of course, that you possessed incredible foresight. [He seems to be amused, at least, and finishes off the cake.]

[socialgraces]

[Her smile turns very tender at his comment, as she vividly recalls their heart-to-heart discussion after her first mission.] Even so, I think I may have greatly underestimated certain aspects of my future. [And her smile brightens as she meets his eyes for a moment before pushing her chair back from the table.]

I can take care of that for you. [She motions to his now empty plate.]

[everyredcent]

Appreciated. [Only the barest hint of a smile remains on his lips as he watches her]

I'll be meeting with Katniss in the morning. I imagine I should get some work done before then.

[socialgraces]

[She nods as she places their plates in the sink.] What would you like me to do with the rest of your cake? I'm afraid if you leave it here the scavengers are likely to pick it over.