[ Navia drops two cubes of sugar into Wriothesley's tea at his request, then two into hers as well, and looks up at him with equal surprise at his reaction, although perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that he would want to understand her reasoning. ]
Please don't misunderstand. You've never been unkind to me, but our interactions have always been rather limited, and while you've never hesitated to contract with the Spina, you rarely ever deign to deal with me personally, even when it would make sense to do so. It's left me with the impression that you would prefer to avoid interacting with me in particular, and so I've wondered for some time if I had caused some kind of offense.
[ Because, of course, she doesn't know about the standing agreement between her father and Wriothesley. Callas had been a difficult man in so many ways--it seems that while he was paving the way for her future success, he was simultaneously setting up pitfalls for her to encounter along the way, whether intentionally or not. The situation with Colter was a perfect example of that; none of the blame that he laid at her feet had rightfully been hers to carry, and yet she inherited those troubles all the same.
The same seems to be true here, though there's no way she could know it. ]
I'm not sure if I really deserve your praise, but I appreciate it all the same. I hate to admit how insecure I feel at times, but... [ She just shakes her head, chuckling softly in a self-deprecating kind of way. ] It seems I have a habit of overthinking things.
[ She returns to her breakfast then, listening to Wriothesley's explanation of his view of sex. He's right in that their opinions are a little different, but they align in the most fundamental ways. ]
It's not a disappointment, I assure you. I think it should be something both parties consent to and enjoy. And while I would hope for fondness and affection, it isn't like I've never slipped away with someone for a spur-of-the-moment encounter with someone when the chemistry was just right. [ She says that like it's happened more than once... ] It should be fun, you know? That's what I think.
[ Her cheeks feel like they must be on fire now. This is definitely the longest conversation she's ever held with the Duke of Meropide, and one of the most frank she's ever held with anyone. Even Clorinde, before their estrangement, would rarely talk with her about these sorts of things.
The rest of the meal is mercifully uneventful, but the closer her plate gets to being empty, the more restless she gets. She's able to identify the feeling as arousal rather quickly, but that's a little embarrassing too, isn't it? Should the mere prospect of a sexual encounter leave someone feeling a little worked up? ]
no subject
Please don't misunderstand. You've never been unkind to me, but our interactions have always been rather limited, and while you've never hesitated to contract with the Spina, you rarely ever deign to deal with me personally, even when it would make sense to do so. It's left me with the impression that you would prefer to avoid interacting with me in particular, and so I've wondered for some time if I had caused some kind of offense.
[ Because, of course, she doesn't know about the standing agreement between her father and Wriothesley. Callas had been a difficult man in so many ways--it seems that while he was paving the way for her future success, he was simultaneously setting up pitfalls for her to encounter along the way, whether intentionally or not. The situation with Colter was a perfect example of that; none of the blame that he laid at her feet had rightfully been hers to carry, and yet she inherited those troubles all the same.
The same seems to be true here, though there's no way she could know it. ]
I'm not sure if I really deserve your praise, but I appreciate it all the same. I hate to admit how insecure I feel at times, but... [ She just shakes her head, chuckling softly in a self-deprecating kind of way. ] It seems I have a habit of overthinking things.
[ She returns to her breakfast then, listening to Wriothesley's explanation of his view of sex. He's right in that their opinions are a little different, but they align in the most fundamental ways. ]
It's not a disappointment, I assure you. I think it should be something both parties consent to and enjoy. And while I would hope for fondness and affection, it isn't like I've never slipped away with someone for a spur-of-the-moment encounter with someone when the chemistry was just right. [ She says that like it's happened more than once... ] It should be fun, you know? That's what I think.
[ Her cheeks feel like they must be on fire now. This is definitely the longest conversation she's ever held with the Duke of Meropide, and one of the most frank she's ever held with anyone. Even Clorinde, before their estrangement, would rarely talk with her about these sorts of things.
The rest of the meal is mercifully uneventful, but the closer her plate gets to being empty, the more restless she gets. She's able to identify the feeling as arousal rather quickly, but that's a little embarrassing too, isn't it? Should the mere prospect of a sexual encounter leave someone feeling a little worked up? ]