[Action]

[halgitamilf]

[Things have been tense at the Liberation Lodge lately. As such, Svala is making herself extremely available for talks, knowing it was better to make an invitation than a mandatory RSVP.

Plus her garden needed weeding something fierce.So she's on her knees in the dirt around House 32, the knees of her (only pair of) pants already dirty and grass-

Comments

[fortunefail]

[Despite how long Yuan's known about Svala's relationship with Kratos, he's never actually had a conversation with this woman. It might be time for that right about now. He's not that good at casual talks, but for Kratos' sake he's willing to put in some effort.]

Miss Svala?

[halgitamilf]

[Svala pauses and sits back on her heels; her dirty hands fold atop her knees delicately, as if she hadn't just been rummaging around in the mud with them. She greets Yuan with a faint upturned smile.]

I am. May I help you?

[fortunefail]

[She's certainly polite. Seems smart enough, too. Kratos sure knows how to pick 'm.]

My name is Yuan. ... Kratos' oldest companion. [He has no clue just how much Kratos has told Svala, but so he'll just play it safe for now and leave his remarks a bit indistinct.]

[halgitamilf]

A pleasure to finally meet you, Sir Yuan. [Svala bows her head a bit, but not so much that the gesture could be seen as humble. Just polite.]

Kratos has spoken of you occasionally. I am glad I finally have a face to match the name.

[fortunefail]

[At that, he smiles lightly. Now, did Kratos spread positive stories about him, or was it just gossip? Let's assume it's the former.]

Likewise. [Well, that's not entirely true. He's seen Svala's face around on the journal network. That's not an appropriate thing to say, though.]

[halgitamilf]

[Those pictures are tiny anyway. She smiles again, a little more knowingly this time, and stands up to brush dirt and grass from her clothes.]

I imagine the conversation we shall have would be better held behind closed doors. Would you care to join me for tea?

[fortunefail]

[Fair enough. Yuan gives a curt nod of his head, still smiling. He likes this woman already.]

Lead the way.

[halgitamilf]

[She does so, pausing to remove her shoes at the door. Leading him into the kitchen and inviting him to have a seat, she washes her hands and busies herself preparing tea and assembling the tea service.]

I apologize if this seems a bit forward, but did you have anything particular in mind you wished to ask or was your intention merely to meet me?

[fortunefail]

[When he enters, he glances around vaguely, taking in the house's layout. Interesting how buildings that were standardly provided by the Malnosso can seem so different once you enter them. He sits down at the table as Svala indicated, watching her prepare the tea.]

I wanted to meet the woman Kratos holds so dear. There's no ulterior motive.

[halgitamilf]

I am flattered to hear that he speaks so well of me. [She's not really so surprised that he speaks well as she is that he speaks at all. They don't talk much about their lives, after all.

She sets a plate of cakes on the table and sits across from Yuan as they wait for the water to boil.]

I must admit, I am relieved. It does me well to know he has a dear friend from home with whom he can relate. He doesn't speak much of his troubles.

[fortunefail]

[Cakes? Nice try, but Yuan doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. Unless Svala eats them, the cakes will remain untouched for their entire conversation.]

That's not uncommon. Kratos never discussed his troubles, not even with his closest companions. [In fact, he's willing to bet even Anna didn't know the full extent of Kratos' problems.]

[halgitamilf]

[Don't worry they're plastic. They'll make nice decorations then. Katie can scarf 'em down when she comes back home.]

This does not surprise me.

Though I suppose I should speak no further on the matter; it is not proper to discuss a gentleman's secrets behind his back.

[fortunefail]

[Kratos? A gentleman? Hah, he may have been a noble at some point in his life, but something about calling Kratos a gentleman is nothing short of amusing.]

Fair enough. How about anecdotes instead? [It's up to Svala to decide whether he's kidding.]

[halgitamilf]

I am not certain you would wish to hear some of the anecdotes I have to share, Sir Yuan. [Half of them involve bedroom hilarity, since that's where Kratos gets the most flustered.]

[fortunefail]

[Oh god what. Other way around, woman. Yuan would rather pierce his eardrums than listen to those sort of anecdotes.]

That's fine. I have plenty of them coming to mind, myself. [Things that didn't involve bedroom hilarity.]

[halgitamilf]

I suppose it would be rude of me to refuse.