[Henry doesn’t reply immediately, taking stock of how to proceed. The weight of everyone’s judgment and criticisms will be heavier for her than they are for him, and this kind of burden manifests itself so clearly in moments like these.
He could suggest making themselves unseen to the world at large with his powers, which would be a simple enough solution, if not a bit premature. But he’s not sure of that, either — for as much as they’ve experimented in the past, as much as he’s encouraged her beyond initial uncertainty, he thinks he loves her too much to force her into something she’s truly uncomfortable with.
So instead, he just straightens and takes her hand.]
[ the relief presses down on her like a great weight. thank Mammon. thank Mammon she doesn't have to do this. for a moment, she'd thought he would press again, luring her on like he always does: stepping out into the water and waiting for her to follow, then stepping further, and again, until they're miles away from the waterline.
[He has learned not to expect apologies from Sprezzatura Vaux.]
Come on.
[Leading her out from the veranda and back onto the path they had trodden before. For what it's worth, Henry's disappointment doesn't hinge precisely on the act itself not taking place, and what does exist is always smoothed over by his mannerly demeanor.]
[ she wonders if there is disappointment—perhaps not so much for the denial of intimacy, but because she shied away from his persuasion at all. if there is, he will never let her see. ]
I would like to know. Yes.
[ the snow crunches underfoot. it's coming down faster now. ]
[He won’t! But there are other things to draw their focus towards: it’s been a long time since he’s seen snow quite like this — coming down thick, yet not oppressively. Not since he was a young teen, and even then, the memory is very fuzzy. Many of them are.]
Christmas isn’t celebrated here, but I consider it one for you, anyway.
[Arms linked! Nothing will detach him from her just yet, not even the way they kick up puffs of snow in their hurried pace, circumventing piles of it here and there. Watching for icy spots.]
[ this man who was so good with children... until he wasn't. her arm has to lift high to do this, but she lets him guide it. it's charming in its way that he would rather this than go around. ]
"Cute" is infantile. Girls with pigtails and frocks are cute.
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vecna) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
finalflight2024-12-26 07:22 pm
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He could suggest making themselves unseen to the world at large with his powers, which would be a simple enough solution, if not a bit premature. But he’s not sure of that, either — for as much as they’ve experimented in the past, as much as he’s encouraged her beyond initial uncertainty, he thinks he loves her too much to force her into something she’s truly uncomfortable with.
So instead, he just straightens and takes her hand.]
…It’s okay, Sprezzatura. We can just go home.
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her hand is a little clammy. ]
...Good.
[ no apology. ]
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Come on.
[Leading her out from the veranda and back onto the path they had trodden before. For what it's worth, Henry's disappointment doesn't hinge precisely on the act itself not taking place, and what does exist is always smoothed over by his mannerly demeanor.]
I bet you're curious about what I got you.
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I would like to know. Yes.
[ the snow crunches underfoot. it's coming down faster now. ]
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Christmas isn’t celebrated here, but I consider it one for you, anyway.
[A Christmas present, he means.]
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[ subtle anxiety: should she have gotten him something, too? ]
You did not spend money on this, did you?
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No. Just did a few favors for people, that’s all.
[henry creel getting into dnd shenanigans off screen]
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[ surely her family and detractors know who he is— ]
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Just some people who needed help here and there. It seems like even in this world, the aid of a telepath is worth something.
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Of course it is. Divination is well regarded.
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I wouldn’t call myself a diviner except in very special circumstances, though. Like now.
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[Has Henry told Sprezzatura about the Void in this verse yet?]
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Exchanging for...?
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Very well.
[ starts to trot. their arms remain linked. the embarrassment clings to her; better to get away and open a gift. ]
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Someone’s excited. [Embarrassed, excited. Potato, potahto.]
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[His Sprezzatura can be very cute, even when she’s not trying trying to be.]
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You’re even cuter when you try to deny it.
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Like what? Like I think you’re cute?
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"Cute" is infantile. Girls with pigtails and frocks are cute.
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Their arms swing again once they've cleared the snowy obstacle.]
Then what would you prefer? [He's always going to think she's cute, regardless.] How about... winsome?
[WINSOME WIZARD]
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