[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/prk3HXKL/Amaris-Mallory.png [/img][/CENTER] [hr] [color=gray] Truth be told, watching Mirielle's composure being shattered upon the mention of friendship and the many shades of red she was turning as she struggled to regain it was incredibly amusing for Amaris. Even the way she sat down made it clear that she was still recovering from the shock... Which only encouraged Amaris to further poke fun at Mirielle. [color=silver]"I couldn't help but to notice that this is the second time you referred to me by my name... I wonder if behind all those tough words you are secretly coming to enjoy my company..."[/color] Amaris said, with a teasing smirk as she looked to Mirielle, before addressing the more valid concerns Mirielle had. [color=silver]"No need to worry though. I never had any problem with alcohol and I seldom drink more than a single cup."[/color] Amaris said in a more serious note, reassuring Mirielle that she wouldn't have to worry about her getting drunk. Ironically enough, the moment Ludvig himself began to speak, it quickly became Amaris' turn to get shocked and embarrassed. As she heard his confession, Amaris couldn't help but stay as still as a statue in her chair, covering her mouth with her hands as she tried processing what she had just heard. While she already heard a few times about her beauty back in Dargolad, nobody had ever been this forward with their feelings about her before and honestly, Amaris herself didn't know how to react. Too stunned to react, Amaris simply stood still as Ludvig held her hand, something which would normally have earned him quite a scolding before. [color=silver]"Oh- I-I see... Sorry for... misunderstanding you..."[/color] Amaris said, stumbling on her words as she gently pulled her hand back, not really sure on how to take Ludvig having used her earlier... or if that was indeed the entire truth about how he was acting. [color=silver]"I am very flattered... You are... quite good looking yourself and you're very sweet, but... Maybe you are going too fast don't you think? As you said, there are more... pressing matters to solve at the moment, for both of us. Besides, we both know ourselves too little to speak of love, Ludvig. Attraction might be the word you are looking for."[/color] Amaris began saying. It was her first time dealing with a confession like that and Ludvig's had completely overwhelmed her due to how suddenly it came and how 'intense' it was. Finding a way to delicately let him know that such advances were a bit too fast for her without wounding his pride was a... new experience for Amaris. [color=silver]"Most importantly... There are still a side of me you are not aware of... Regarding what happened in that slaver settlement... I did say I am not guilty of killing innocent people. I never said I wasn't responsible for the slaughter that happened in that town."[/color] Amaris said, both her expression and her tone growing darker for a brief moment. [color=silver]"Still, I was worried. Especially given how you left the room after what happened and how you distanced yourself from the rest of the group. I am glad to know you are fine. Regarding your confession... I.. I am not saying no, I'm just saying... Let's give it some time and a bit more thought. Should your feelings remain the same after all this is over... Then... who knows..."[/color] Amaris finished with a smile, even if a bit awkward, followed by an even more awkward silence. Fortunately for Amaris, on the exact moment she finished, the food was served, including her quite generous meal. A good mug of dark beer, sausage roll and the main dish, Knodel and Schweinshaxe. A big bite of the sausage roll, together with a rather generous gulp of dark beer seemed to be quite helpful in taking Amaris' mind off the sudden confession and the awkwardness that followed, which seemed to be almost the complete opposite of what Mirielle meant by avoiding overindulgence. [color=silver]"Anyways! You really weren't lying when you mentioned your sausage rolls are ones of the best, were you?"[/color] Amaris said surprised as she glanced towards the barkeep, who was talking with Rezello as she tried to disperse the awkward atmosphere that was in the air after Ludvig's confession. [color=silver]"I could share some of mine with my dear friend, should you change your mind!"[/color] Amaris said, with a teasing smile towards Mirielle after she heard Carnatia's reply to her. [color=silver]"Sure, there is nothing wrong in appreciating life, but Mirielle is also correct. Moderation and balance are the key, should you really want to live life to the fullest."[/color] Amaris said, giving a playful wink to Amanita and extending her fork towards her, offering a piece of her sausage roll, making the same offer she jokingly did to Mirielle. [/color]