Carantathraiel

Wanderers

Ruli chuckled. "I'm sure it was a test. But how, I haven't figured out yet." He mentioned, continuing on. When she mentioend spiced wine, he grinned at her. "The drink that started it all. Or, at least gave you the spine to start it." He teased, shutting the door and moving into the kitchen to continue his work. On the table was another small cake, simple in design and smelling of vanilla and cinnamon.

"She might. Not sure. And I don't know. I do know its about her wanting to go see Ed, so maybe she'll just wander back with you tonight. Or tomorrow." He added, aware she didn't have to rush back.
Busying himself with dinner, which was a pork cutlet with gravy, mushrooms, and lemons, Ruli gestured to the glasses he'd set out. "I'll take a glass, please. The cake should go well with it after dinner. What kind of cake do they like?" Ruli asked suddenly, turning around to ask about the younger cousins.

Wanderers

Ruli looked mildly amused at her reaction upon seeing the Kartaian; as though she'd been caught with her hand in the cake bin. As Envy asked his question however, Ruli looked around to him. "You mean all this harassment was to ask if she'd bring Narda?"
Envy squared his shoulders. "It is surprisingly hard to find pleasant company. Kire has to travel to the next world over for a good cook."
"Oh, you're mad. Go on."
Envy flashed a grin, then shook his head. "No, I won't join you. Ruli's insisted I leave you both alone anyway. But I wouldn't mind having you over for a group event, one day. With Narda, as well as Ed to keep Ysaryn's claws out of us."
"By the way she's likely going to corner you tonight." Ruli warned, extending his arm to invite her forward. His eyes swept over her dress again, but he held back any reaction. "Come on, its already in the oven, I can't let it burn.:

Envy stepped aside, inhaling as Kire walked by, his face pointed in her direction. "Mind yourselves." Envy said with a bit more of an authoritative tone.
Ruli shook his head as they emerged onto the winding steps outside, headed for Kire's house. "He's been like that all week."

Wanderers

When she returned the next week, stepping through the gate, it wasn't Ysaryn who met her, but Ruli, who stood near Envy. Ruli's eyes immediately went upward in a slow roll, while Envy raised his head when he felt the wards trigger. "Welcome back." The elf said.
Hilariously, Ruli looked very much like the young man on a date, with his father here to supervise.

The conversation had not entirely gone the way Ruli hoped. He'd sat down the day Kire left a week ago to go over lesson plans now that Gavin had made so many leaps ahead, only to have Envy question him about the night of the beach, and Kire's return the night prior. Ruli had not allowed himself to share Kire's plans to abdicate, mostly to see if he could get Envy to stop frowning at the idea without that tidbit. And despite his repeated assurances that he and Kire weren't rushing into anything recklessly, and that they were in fact grown adults, the Kartaian had insisted on greeting Kire tonight.

Sorry. Ruli mouthed to Kire before shifting his weight to face Envy, who gave Ruli an expression that could have said 'i hear that'.
"So. Ruli tells me you and he have come to an agreement about dinner once a week?"
Ruli struggled to refrain from rolling his eyes again. "Even empresses need a break."
"I've dealt with you half your life, you're no 'break'." Envy said indifferently, but he smiled for Kire. "I want to know how often it will be just the two of you secluded away, or if you'll include the rest of us or your friends in the night, now and then."

Wanderers

He chuckled, remaining on his bed as she got up and moved across the room. When she reached for the dress, Ruli reclined again, folding his arm over his face to shield her from view. "I do." Ruli answered. "But not for the reason you think."

When she dressed, he uncovered his eyes and got up. "I may not be a fan of fancy clothes, but I do enjoy comfortable ones." He informed her, opening the door. "Can't have been comfortable in the earrings though. But I have little experience in jewelry."

They stepped out, the air chilly, the ground damp from a cloud of mist that had wandered through earlier. Ruli grumbled and shocked his hands in his pockets. "So, if we don't see you before then, a week. For a pork dinner."

Wanderers

"Like an animal." Ruli smirked at her. "Surprised the roof didn't cave in."
When she sat up and stretched, he remained laying as he was, watching her. "Too often?" He asked. "The way you scarf down dinner, I expected every day to be your demand. Every week is fine."

At last, he sat up and leaned against the wall on the far side. "Not next week, but the next, I want to see this cheese wheel. In the meantime I'll find you some waterfalls."

Wanderers

Her movement woke him, though unwillingly. Ruli squinted and opened his eyes just slightly, enough to peer at her. "Morning." He greeted. Ruli stiffened into a stretch, straightening his back and legs briefly. He he relaxed, he closed his eyes again, drawing her closer. "Can we pretend its not, though, and just sleep longer?" he asked, shifting enough to take the arm from around her middle and rub at his face.

Wanderers

He thought of all the possibilities for proof; the crumbs on her face, the sugar rush, that Ysaryn wouldn't sneak in here for cake without teasing them, but he kept it to himself, feeling her wiggle against his side and touch his arm. "Goodnight, Kire " he answered her.

But it still took him a whole to sleep. The nervousness still didn't retreat, and every time she moved, breathed more deeply, he held his breath. He forced himself to focus on the lullaby of the waves, falling asleep at last nearly an hour later.

Wanderers

At least she felt the same. Ruli exhaled, watching her shift to allow him room. Putting his knee on the bed, he turned and lay himself down across it, pulling his blanket up to cover them. "Get in here." He beckoned, adjusting so his head lay on the pillow. "No expectations tonight. I think we need that."
When she lay beside him, he lowered his arm and drew the blanket over them, draping his arm over her middle to rest comfortably.
"If I wake up and the cake is gone, you're in trouble."

Wanderers

Respectfully, Ruli turned away, unsure if, even now, he was allowed to looked. Truthfully, seeing the dress wind up on his dress was a let down, as it was nice on her. But seeing her in his clothing. He wasn't sure why that stirred such a reaction in him, but he stared for a few seconds before he shook his thoughts free.

"Go ahead. I'm going to grab the cake. Hungry elves." He said, slipping out. Once outside, he exhaled. Ruli didn't understand why he felt so strange. Maybe because this was the first time they were planning anything. Everything before had just fallen into their laps. Opportunities offered and claimed.

When he returned not ten minutes later, Ruli set the cake away from the hearth and cleared his throat. "Does this feel strange to you? Not bad, just. Weird?"

Wanderers

Ruli hummed in response, groaning softly as he rose to his feet, offering Kire his hand to help her up just the same. He let her have the blanket, walking up toward the cliffs again, then up the stairs. He could have sworn, on the way, he saw a glint of fuchsia as they neared his house, but no sign of the elf they belonged to.
Opening the door to his house, he let her in, the low heat from his little hearth kept the house warm. Ruli set the wine bottle on his chest of drawers and rifled through, withdrawing a pair of trousers and a shirt for her.