Carantathraiel

Wanderers

"Well, we'll go there then. I'm now incredibly curious, and eager to see about this famous cheese." He pondered, thinking about waterfalls. "I can look into that. All the seas and cliffs here, there's bound to be something."

It was incredible how nervous he was about sitting with her, getting worse when he shifted to wrap his arm around her. It was nothing when he'd helped her back to his house from the beach last night. And he had a vague recollection of her arm wrapped around him, and his around hers, when he half-slept in the hotsprings. What made now so unnerving?

The sun vanished, painting the sky a series of colours, the clouds reflecting the light in farewell.
After a few minutes enjoying the silence and the view, Ruli cleared his throat. "You can borrow some of my clothes if you need. I don't know about sleeping in dresses, but it may not end well."

Wanderers

Ruli flashed a toothy grin at her. "I'm not as into drinking wine as you may think I am, but I'd be happy to see. And, you had me intrigued at the mention of cheese. Amrian cheese, I'm sure I can find quite a few recipes for that to make this place more like home when you need it." The orchards sounded lovely, of course. He could wait until the scar of war lifted and the trees went back to life as usual.
"It would be nice to see a beach or two. A desert. Anything but the snow." Ruli insisted, shaking his head slightly. "What about you? We've seen quite a few places in the hunt for a home. Any type of landscape you'd like to see?"

Wanderers

He failed to suppress that flush in his cheeks when he realized he'd not been subtle about eyeing her. At least she hadn't scolded him, so she couldn't have minded. "Well, it did its job. Between the dresses, the scar on your face, and the expression you wear that says 'try me', you're hard to approach." Ruli reached for the wine bottle to take a sip before handing it back. "Will you show me parts of Amria next time I wander your way?"

Wanderers

Ruli grinned. While entirely unaware of how fast she normally did chores, he was sure she was hurrying. When they finished and went down to the shore, he walked along beside her, unable to resist stealing glances at her in the dress. It was far more attractive than the frivolous things she wore previously. It was subtle. But feminine. At least far more so than the armour he was used to seeing her dressed in.
When she withdrew from the water and wrapped the blanket around herself, Ruli gestured to the sand, moving to find a dry place to sit as the sun went down. He tugged the blanket, letting himself in to share it with her. "So is that how you normally dress as an empress?" Ruli asked, staring toward the water. "I like it better than what you wore yesterday."

Wanderers

Ruli grinned softly and nodded, bending slightly to assist with the dishes. "Good. And it shouldn't spoil." He informed, scrubbing at a pan. "I know we jumped the gun already, but I'm not expecting anything. But, I did sleep well last night. Wouldn't mind that again." He said, hoping to any deity that his cheeks weren't red. "Once this place is clean, we can wander the shore. Take the bottle. Whatever you'd like."

Wanderers

Ruli nodded, remaining in his seat as she rose and cleaned, looking over the bottle of wine. he couldn't read the label, but trying to make sense out of the alphabet made for some amusement.
After a few minutes, he rose, gathering dirty dishware from his cooking, as well as setting aside the few squash portions left. They'd be devoured by someone; Rab, Gavin, Envy.

"So," Ruli felt that wave of anxiety again as he helped tidy. "When you take the cake to the girls, ...will you be coming back?"

Wanderers

Ruli studied her face, watching her expression as she spoke. He nodded when she said she was trying not to fuck up. "I got that. Especially in your reaction when I told you what I am. Er, was." He stated. Then he sighed. "I got so upset at our last dinner attempt because I, at least I think, I didn't like that you'd just drop me and go back to being empress once you'd won. Fine job I did at staying out of it, but," Ruli shrugged. "Despite my best efforts, you grew on me."

Wanderers

He raised his eyebrows and lowered his head in acceptance. "So far, we're good." he said, though that contemplative expression returned. "So." He began, glancing down at the husk of his cake, as he'd eaten only the cake part and left the frosted edge. He offered it to Kire, figuring she'd devour it. "You ... well. You're not afraid of me. Which I find I like. My scars, my blood, my abilities. Mostly you seem enthralled by my cooking skills, which I sort of like. And, no, I don't think you're like the other nobles. Even if I have to admit my pool of knowledge is skewed. You've met them."

Ruli lifted his glass of wine, sipping the last bit of it. "I feel as though, naturally, this is going to progress, and I'm still nervous, but not as much as I thought I'd be."

Wanderers

Whatever his train of thought had been, he lost it at the sight of the excitement on her face. He smiled back at her, not used to seeing such raw glee on anyone's face. "Imagine it." He began. "You could travel with Narda and Myka for weeks without that guilt. Stay here and learn to kick Ysaryn's ass. Or cook. Bring your cousins here for a beachside vacation. Tell Ed or Jan or whomever to stuff it when they bring up empire business." He chuckled at her.

"You might even pick up a hobby that doesn't include a weapon."

Wanderers

Ruli chuckled, holding up his hand to gesture about a small slice with his thumb and index finger. "Don't want to ruin it for myself." He said, waiting patiently and with amusement as she cut a sizeable slice for herself. When she'd served him, the thanked her and started to eat. He was far slower about it, picking along the insides of the cake to avoid the frosted edged.

The noises that came out of her made him pause again, eyeing her with raised eyebrows before he told himself to ignore her. "Best stop eating it, then." He teased, resuming his own nibbling. "I'll send you to Ysaryn after each cake for a workout. She'll make you sweat it out."

But that brought up the conversation again. Ruli studied her as she ate, enjoying the delight in her eyes. "Do you have the freedom now? I know ... or guess, that your options are men like Ulrich's sons, but. Do you get to choose?"