Give A Scone, Get A Scone

Victorian Coax

Her bashfulness reminded him, ever so slightly, of his sister. But where Flo would have found a way to laugh it off and twist it into an awkward quip, Manon seemed to... hmm... how did he explain it? She seemed warm despite her shyness. Even as she concealed her mouth with her paw, her eyes seemed amused by her own silliness. It made him chuckle as well. Partially because her laugh was infectious, and partially because she was... hrm... cute?

The moment the adjective popped up in his brain, he felt almost as if his brain had tripped over it. His heart lurched and, internally, he tried to scramble to find some sense of stability and decorum.

In an effort to try and smooth over his thoughts (which to him blared a bright red but were probably difficult to see), he tried to change the subject. Thankfully she allowed him to, though she did refuse his help. His question spurred another one, however, and he managed to banish thoughts of cuteness... if only for the moment.

"But how can you study herbology if you're not outside?" And he was genuinely curious. Golden eyes resembled an owl's gaze if only for a moment.

... "Though maybe it sounds as though you've studied outside before," Victorian laughed. "How many books have you wounded, Miss Manon?" He chuckled while asking his question, mostly teasing.

@Manon

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Victorian poses a thoughtful question, the sincere curiosity in his voice further stimulating the warmth in her belly. It is always so delightful when people show genuine interest in her study. Her ears twitch in anticipation as she prepares her answer, eager to regale him with her passion. "Well, yes, you're right about needing to be outside," she says, nodding in agreement. "It does come with the job description. But we're quite fortunate though—" She pauses to gesture towards the College before continuing, "—we already have a large catalogue of previously gathered specimens in the Arboretum, and a large number of them still need to be studied. There are only a few of us in the faculty, so recently we haven't been venturing out as much."

"How many books have you wounded, Miss Manon?" he asks in a similar breath as before.

"How many books I've—" Taking it at face value, she cuts off, mouth falling open at the question. There's a split second of silence as an unseen flush burns up her cheeks, a sudden wave of embarrassment washing over her. Why would he—!

"Victorian!" She exclaims softly as she begins to catch onto the humour of the question. It takes perhaps a second for the realisation to settle, and she feels yet again embarrassed for not recognising the joke immediately. Gosh, Manon! The faint worry disappears from the lines of her face almost instantly to be replaced by a small, shy grin. Stamping her paws softly against the dirt, she gives a small pout. "How rude!" She says with a giggle, inwardly hoping that Victorian wouldn't notice her blunder. "I'll have you know I take very good care of my books, sir."

It is not a false statement really. Any book in her possession is looked after with the utmost care— well, almost all of them, considering the one on the ground right now. Although she had turned Victorian's offer down, she intends to mend the page at a later time on her own— but he doesn't need to know that. Losing the theatrical flair and returning to her more introverted state, her voice lowers to a shyer murmur. She leans in, a little sheepish as she says, "You caught me on a bad day, so... promise you won't tell anyone?"

Victorian Coax

Dark ears twitched as he listened, amber eyes meeting that of emerald. What he saw was the glow of passion and, in answer, his expression softened somewhat. The hearth warmed, not with his own passion but with the soft warmth of a crackling fire in autumn. He had no hobbies that consumed him, no special talent that he could gesture to and prattle on about. Victorian stored no rocks, knew very little about plants, could not say much about stars, and had almost no knowledge about fermented berries and their purposes. What he did love, however, was the love that others had for their passions. It made his heart full to know that there was so much specific information packed into one brain, and that soul was so excited to share.

His gaze moved to the arboretum as she gestured and he hummed a note of acknowledgment. What he appreciated most were the trees. The Imperial Barracks was snuggled within a forest, something that made the drills and physical exhaustion worth the strain.

As she gasped his name, Victorian couldn't help but laugh. His eyes closed and he leaned back, paw lifting to partially conceal his lips. And in that moment, she felt like an old friend, one that he could tease without fear of losing. Her stamping feet and amused reproach only solidified this fact and he laughed a little more. "I see a casualty that begs to differ," he taunted a little more, motioning to the book beneath her paw.

But perhaps that reference hit a little too close to home.

Lowering his paw, Victorian leaned and looked down on it. "Tell anyone about what? A book? What book?" His head cants to the side as he looks left and right, eyes combing over the ground and seemingly unable to find the book beneath her paw. Then, the moment of mock confusion passes and a gentle smile find his face.

Ah -- but he had to find Flo!

Glancing back at the spot where he knew his sister would soon be emerging, he found his paws and offered his farewells. "I must be off, Florence should be finishing her class soon. It was great to meet you Manon." And he meant it. Waiting would have been far more boring without her.

He took several steps then stopped to look over his shoulder. "Oh and best of luck studying." His tail flicked as if to wave and he departed with a smile far more bright than before.

- exit victorian -

@Manon

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She's confident now that he's caught onto her ruse, her tease. The uncertainty from before dissipates, relief displacing the concern in her chest. Thank goodness, she thinks as she releases an assured breath. She smiles shyly, her eyes fluttering downwards in sheepishness and feeling her heartbeat slow to a regular pulse. It's a success on her behalf that she hasn't driven him away because of her own social ineptitude.

He barks out a laugh, the sound so youthful and genuine that she cannot help but return him a giggle of her own. Her gaze roves over his face and she feels her blush return once more, warmth heating her cheeks. Amusement softens his stern features into something charming, and she finds herself staring. Wow... she thinks in a stupor. She's awoken from her reverie when he speaks again, and it takes all of her willpower to contain her surprise, eyes widening ever so slightly.

His feigning ignorance causes her to snort, a louder laugh burbling out of her. The theatrics of it all feels so silly and yet she finds herself enjoying it immensely. She doesn't remember the last time she had laughed so much— there aren't many people to be so free with at the College. She can't say that she had many friends, to begin with.

He soon says that he must go find his sister, and for the briefest moment, she feels disappointed. Disappointed that he must go, that their little encounter must end so soon. She understands, however, knowing that they both had things to attend to. "Of course," she says with a grin. "It was lovely to meet you too, Victorian."

She waves him goodbye, thanking him. She lingers a little while, staring as he walks away. A tiny, private smile curls upon her lips, good feelings swirling within her. What a good day, she thinks.

- exit manon -