[ surprise. maybe. a little. but also not really because rondo seems like the kind of person to devote his entire life to his Purpose. he deserves something nice. she leans in just a little bit. ]
Well. Should I do it again? And let you prepare yourself for it this time?
[ dear aelfric who art in heaven i'm about to perish
you would think alpha week would make this more effective on his end but he's so flustered. his mouth is tingling. he still has two fingers resting on his lips. ]
I... um. Hhah. [ /////// ] ....Can... I ask why...?
Very good, you're quite clever. As always - I expect no less from you.
[ still walking - there is rhyme and reason to the shelves so she will find precisely the section she is looking for, a little bounce in her step, though she turns to walk backwards, skirt swaying a bit as she does so. ]
Of course, love is hard-earned. It begins as "like" one would say, but should it endure, it grows like a bloom through hardship.
[ sifting sifting through a shelf now: ]
Granted, there are also those who simply regard kisses and kisses, nothing more nothing less, solely a surface-based endeavor, a display of brief affection.
[ rondo follows her like a puppy, his heart pounding very hard in his chest, kind of half paying attention to the shelves but mostly just paying attention to marina. her praising him does not help with this.
rondo also absolutely does not look at her leg even though it is visible because he is a gentleman.... sheer... shocking..... ]
... Right. [ right, yeah. ] And... [ a beat. it's alpha week, right? ] When it comes to that kind of thing, what kind of person are you...?
[ alpha week is so real right now, but even marina feels the tips of her ears go a little pink. thankfully she has so much hair, even if 3/4s of it is up, the rest of it hanging down in delicate curls. she hums. ]
I'm a very complex girl... I don't give myself over so easily. I have secrets... things that someone I would engage with romantically should perhaps know a thing or two about.
[ pulling some books carefully and turning them around before tucking them into the crook of her arm. ]
There's nothing delicate about me, but I'd hardly want someone to break my heart if they're not ready for it.
this makes sense to him, because of course it does. rondo believes in things like true love and romance, and to love someone would mean to trust them no matter what, wouldn't it? he nods a little, coming over to hold the ladder steady if she needs to climb, and respectfully looking away. ]
Of course. [ what does that mean that she kissed him then.. hmm... mystery.... his mouth is still all tingly. ] A heart is something that has to be carefully treasured. At least... that's what I think.
[ he's seen love in lots of ways in his life, in his travels. from his parents to people like rinyuu and velnorte, who loved selflessly, desperately, to the many souls of hell, some even reunited and purified because of it. and then... of course, then there's rondo's own heart, soft and fragile, and already broken once before. ]
Though... I find it hard to think that anyone could not love you because of any secret you might hold, Mis... Marina.
[ she does look down briefly and there's a little twinge in her chest when she sees him very politely looking away. she smiles behind one of the books she's pulling and slowly climbs down the ladder when she's through. she pauses one step before getting off, and then doesn't, remaining at eye-level from where she's balanced on the ladder. ]
That's... very kind of you to say. Unfortunately, that's just the way some things are.
[ she will hand him a book entitled the little king. it is just an expy for the little prince (oocly for your info). ]
Here. For you. It's a book from where I'm from... a story about a young king who travels the wide and vast expanse of the universe in search of its wisdom. He encounters many strange beings and people along the way, learning all sorts of things about them and himself as well.
[ a tall miss marina. once her voice sounds a little closer he looks up again, grip steady on the ladder. she really is very pretty... these aren't the kinds of things that always strike rondo's attention, but it certainly has this moment. his heart is still going about a mile a minute, ears still very pink, as he catches her eyes. ]
They'd be wrong if they didn't. [ whatever kind of secret it could be. clearly this is something he feels passionate about - or at least certainly very sincere.
as the book is offered, he takes it, expression going curious and interested as he scans over the cover. ] ... It sounds wonderful. When I finish, can I come talk with you about it...?
Some people just don't quite understand... hm. What it is to be something other than you were perhaps "supposed" to be. I was always meant to be the way I am... that's how I feel.
[ she leans a little against the rung, kind of reveling in being taller. heh. ]
Yes of course. I would actually love that. [ an easy smile. ] And I can always read it to you as well if you'd prefer. Whatever is the best way you think to enjoy it.
and, look, he's enjoying this a little, too, looking up at her. it's a rare day that rondo gets to do this - his expression is very warm and gentle, attentive as ever. the kiss (!!) made him completely forget about her reading to him, so when marina brings it back up, he brightens a little further, and offers her his hand to help her down the last rungs, if she'd like. ]
I almost forgot! [ hehe. ] I get to enjoy it with you either way, so... they both sound pretty good. But I would really like it, if you read to me.
[ and this is why she adores him. the smile on her face grows and she will gladly take his hand and hop down the rest of the rungs with a little laugh. briefly, she will squeeze his hand and doesn't actually let go of his hand when she gets down completely. ]
[ cute!! good! okay! look he likes holding hands. rondo misses affection week, so he happily returns the squeeze and lets her keep his hand, still just the teeniest bit pink in the ears but clearly pretty happy, too. ]
I think there are some seating areas around here somewhere... let's get looking.
[ well yeeeee she will find a nice little short couch (it's not the most comfortable, but it's better than wooden chairs) and will pluck the book from his hand before pointing at the seat with it. ]
he looks around to the couch!! and then nods. just listening to orders like a good boy, he trots right over and plops down, giving her a winning smile. ]
no subject
[ surprise. maybe. a little. but also not really because rondo seems like the kind of person to devote his entire life to his Purpose. he deserves something nice. she leans in just a little bit. ]
Well. Should I do it again? And let you prepare yourself for it this time?
no subject
you would think alpha week would make this more effective on his end but he's so flustered. his mouth is tingling. he still has two fingers resting on his lips. ]
I... um. Hhah. [ /////// ] ....Can... I ask why...?
no subject
Good question. Why do people kiss other people, Rondo?
no subject
are you ready for the most shoujo princess answer in the entire world ]
...because they're in love?
no subject
[ still walking - there is rhyme and reason to the shelves so she will find precisely the section she is looking for, a little bounce in her step, though she turns to walk backwards, skirt swaying a bit as she does so. ]
Of course, love is hard-earned. It begins as "like" one would say, but should it endure, it grows like a bloom through hardship.
[ sifting sifting through a shelf now: ]
Granted, there are also those who simply regard kisses and kisses, nothing more nothing less, solely a surface-based endeavor, a display of brief affection.
no subject
rondo also absolutely does not look at her leg even though it is visible because he is a gentleman.... sheer... shocking..... ]
... Right. [ right, yeah. ] And... [ a beat. it's alpha week, right? ] When it comes to that kind of thing, what kind of person are you...?
no subject
[ alpha week is so real right now, but even marina feels the tips of her ears go a little pink. thankfully she has so much hair, even if 3/4s of it is up, the rest of it hanging down in delicate curls. she hums. ]
I'm a very complex girl... I don't give myself over so easily. I have secrets... things that someone I would engage with romantically should perhaps know a thing or two about.
[ pulling some books carefully and turning them around before tucking them into the crook of her arm. ]
There's nothing delicate about me, but I'd hardly want someone to break my heart if they're not ready for it.
no subject
this makes sense to him, because of course it does. rondo believes in things like true love and romance, and to love someone would mean to trust them no matter what, wouldn't it? he nods a little, coming over to hold the ladder steady if she needs to climb, and respectfully looking away. ]
Of course. [ what does that mean that she kissed him then.. hmm... mystery.... his mouth is still all tingly. ] A heart is something that has to be carefully treasured. At least... that's what I think.
[ he's seen love in lots of ways in his life, in his travels. from his parents to people like rinyuu and velnorte, who loved selflessly, desperately, to the many souls of hell, some even reunited and purified because of it. and then... of course, then there's rondo's own heart, soft and fragile, and already broken once before. ]
Though... I find it hard to think that anyone could not love you because of any secret you might hold, Mis... Marina.
no subject
That's... very kind of you to say. Unfortunately, that's just the way some things are.
[ she will hand him a book entitled the little king. it is just an expy for the little prince (oocly for your info). ]
Here. For you. It's a book from where I'm from... a story about a young king who travels the wide and vast expanse of the universe in search of its wisdom. He encounters many strange beings and people along the way, learning all sorts of things about them and himself as well.
no subject
They'd be wrong if they didn't. [ whatever kind of secret it could be. clearly this is something he feels passionate about - or at least certainly very sincere.
as the book is offered, he takes it, expression going curious and interested as he scans over the cover. ] ... It sounds wonderful. When I finish, can I come talk with you about it...?
no subject
[ she leans a little against the rung, kind of reveling in being taller. heh. ]
Yes of course. I would actually love that. [ an easy smile. ] And I can always read it to you as well if you'd prefer. Whatever is the best way you think to enjoy it.
no subject
[ seems silly to rondo tbh!!!!!!
and, look, he's enjoying this a little, too, looking up at her. it's a rare day that rondo gets to do this - his expression is very warm and gentle, attentive as ever. the kiss (!!) made him completely forget about her reading to him, so when marina brings it back up, he brightens a little further, and offers her his hand to help her down the last rungs, if she'd like. ]
I almost forgot! [ hehe. ] I get to enjoy it with you either way, so... they both sound pretty good. But I would really like it, if you read to me.
no subject
Then should we find somewhere cozy to settle in?
no subject
I think there are some seating areas around here somewhere... let's get looking.
no subject
Go on.
[ alpha. ]
no subject
he looks around to the couch!! and then nods. just listening to orders like a good boy, he trots right over and plops down, giving her a winning smile. ]