the most wonderful time of the year

[goldilocked]

Who: goldilocked and beatrolliche
When: December 22
Where: ALL OVER SECTOR 4
Summary: Jack takes Beato out on a date. AT LEAST HE PLANS TO aaahhhh
Warnings: None yet oh god

Comments

[beatrolliche]

It hadn't exactly been an easy past few days. She'd run into Battler when she'd been questing for ice cream and that hadn't exactly gone extremely well. It had been upsetting, infuriating and a whole other bunch of 'ings' she didn't feel like listing. Needless to say, Jack Vessalius' call had been a breath of fresh air. Beatrice wasn't going to lie to herself - she'd been bored, even though the mistletoe mayhem had been priceless and also a little lonely too. She was happy Battler was back. She wouldn't deny that either

[goldilocked]

"Ah, my lady - "

Jack swept down into a bow, feeling a little nervous that the magnolias - or the day, even - would be lacking for such a woman as Beatrice. Would he bore her? Would he be able to impress her? Would he be able to stop being so nervous?

" - these flowers cannot hold a candle to your beauty."

A smile, holding out those flowers to her before she could even step outside her cottage.

[beatrolliche]

See, here's the thing. One would think it'd be hard to impress Beatrice, especially with the facade she parades around with. However, the one thing practically everyone is unaware of is that despite how wonderful she is, Beatrice is a simple lady. Far simpler than many realize.

The bow does a number for her ego and she stares dumbly at him for a moment before taking the flowers, eyes going a little wide. She'd received flowers before, but those had simply been a rose or two from Alois, a sweet, darling child she was ever so fond of - her precious apprentice. She'd never received flowers from someone who looked as if he'd stepped out of a fairytale book.

She's never really been given many things, if she thinks about it.

A simple gesture goes a long way with Beatrice and she's smiling, maybe even a little pink in the cheeks. Even the cheesy line is appealing.

"Perhaps that's a good thing - flowers holding candles can only end in disaster. They're lovely though, thank you."

[goldilocked]

He laughs, flushing a little as well, relieved at her reception. Score one for Jack! He'd been fairly popular with the ladies that he actually didn't flirt with, because he was possibly one of the sweetest nobles back home.

He found no use in façades, because he wasn't involved in politics enough - and Glen protected him anyway.

"You're welcome." He bowed again. "Are you ready, Lady Beatrice?"

[beatrolliche]

"I am, just a moment." A little snap of her fingers and the flowers disappeared in a burst of gold, all except for one. "I needed to put them in a vase inside, that's all." The one she still had left however she held close to her chest as she nodded.

"I'm ready now, Sir Jack." Another light chuckle. Really, all this bowing and respect - she'd been longing for it.

[goldilocked]

Jack stared at the blatant display of magic - not too long, but whoa he hadn't seen such use since...well, forever - before offering her his arm.

"Well, I'd be taking you to the theatre, first. The locals are putting a play on - the Ballerina and the Nutcracker. Is that all right?"

[beatrolliche]

Offered arm? Taken with a grin. "Of course. It sounds like fun~" And it did. She...hadn't really seen many plays, if any at all either. But no one needed to know that. No one would even guess, with the way she presented herself, cultured and all.

"It's been awhile since I've seen a play. I'm sure it'll be enjoyable."

[goldilocked]

"We got good seats, at least."

And off they go, Jack keeping to the side nearer to the road like the gentleman that he is. Truth is, he's just as excited as Beatrice, because, well - she was really pretty, and seemed very helpful to boot. Not that he thinks this is going to go anywhere because ohgod what if she doesn't like him after this but...

Well, maybe he should stop thinking, it helped a lot.

"How are you doing, though? Have you been keeping warm?"

[beatrolliche]

There was a little bit of a pause at that, but she quickly found her answer, leaning into him slightly as they walked. "I've been fine." A half truth. She'd been bored and upset thanks to Battler returning. But no, there was no need to think of him right now. It was useless to think of such things.

"I've been warm. Quite warm, really. It's hard to get cold unless I wish to be." A cock of her head, gaze thrown to her side toward him. "And you? You've been keeping warm then, yes? I'd hope so. I wouldn't want to have to de-thaw you, that'd be terribly unfortunate!"

[goldilocked]

He lifted his other hand to lightly squeeze the hers, the one holding onto his arm, before dropping it to his side again. The phrasing was terribly suspicious, but Jack wouldn't pry - not until they were somewhere warm, at least.

"I'm glad. And, well, I'm used to winters like these, so I'll be all right. Hopefully." He laughed sheepishly. "Do I even dare to ask how you know how to de-thaw a person?"

[beatrolliche]

Oh. A hand. How nice...too bad it hadn't lasted very long. "You probably wouldn't want to know." Beatrice was either wonderful or terrible when it came to first impressions. If he truly wanted an answer, she'd tell it to him in detail, but as for now it seemed unnecessary.

As for how she knew, why, it was simply an experience that came with trying to find a cure to boredom, perhaps not in the most constructive of ways.

"You're not to be bit by frost now - it turns skin black, you know, and you're rather handsome the way you are. You don't need to lose a finger or two!"

No one ever said she was good at reassuring others, and her compliments always came out twisted, but at least she tried in her own way.

[goldilocked]

"...ah, well, I'd rather like to keep my fingers, thank you."

He leant back against her, nudging a little as he laughed. It was...a bit adorable, her brand of humour and reassurances, and Jack was always up for the quirky ones.

Soon enough, the pavement underneath their feet look more worn; they're in the busy streets of Sector 4. Jack still walked close to her, looking at street signs here and there.

"It must be nice, having temperatures bend to your whim. You're amazing, really."

[beatrolliche]

More praise, she liked it. Although... "It lost its charm awhile ago, I'm afraid." In fact, things that wouldn't bend to her will made things interesting, which was why she was so taken with Battler in the first place.

"I get bored quite easily, so this is nice, you see? Even a bit of a chill is pleasant."

[goldilocked]

Jack smiled mischievously before blowing in her ear, watching her hair fly out and fall back into place.

"Well, I do hope I won't be boring."

[1/2]

[beatrolliche]

[beatrolliche]

Now then, this was something new, wasn't it? A different sort of innocent teasing she wasn't exactly familiar with. After all, her experience with men had been...lackluster and abusive at best, and Battler was in a category all of his own.

A giggle after she blinked away the surprise, sliding her arm out of his to daringly grip his hand in hers, swinging them slightly.

"No need to worry about that, Sir Jack. You've already proven yourself interesting. Now all that's left is to see just how interesting you really are~"