[Chloe breaks into a smile herself at the joke, but that expression turns apologetic.]
Oh... She's somewhat... old-fashioned, I suppose -- it's usually the wife-- [Here comes that flush again] --that is -- the lady of the house -- who assists in the kitchen if it's necessary and everything. [Not that Chloe's had much spare time for that, so her maid's passive-aggressive complaints have gone ignored on her end.] But I do appreciate your efforts, Senel.
[First name, use his first name. Even before this arrangement, Chloe was getting into the habit of utilizing it more often, but habit and moments of irritation can still cause slips -- like the third night into this charade, when the stress and pressure hit its peak amid a nerve-wracking morning, afternoon, and early evening of just about everthing going wrong in the preparation stages for that first dinner party she was obligated to hold. Fortunately, none of the guests were there yet, but all the same snapping Yes, it's fine! Coolidge, give me a hand with this! loud enough to silence the room and startle her staff was not a good impression to make.
She's mostly used to the familiarity now, although going on a first name basis is arguably the least problematic adjustment.
And she can't quite look at him when he mentions enjoying it, as well, although she may deflate just slightly when he gives the reason -- no, no, surely not, that's just a trick of the light, because a second later she shakes her head and looks neutral again.]
It isn't... forbidden, as such, but it's frowned upon. [Which, in her humble opinion, is completely idiotic. As long and hard as she's trained, she shouldn't be pressured to feel ashamed of her skill or her choices -- and she's not, but she knows how this society works, and if she were caught breaking an un-ladylike sweat, that would just make the remainder of this time harder to bear.] It's... strange, though. I'm used to training every day, so I feel like I've barely moved in the last few weeks.
[...If this time away affects her skill at all when they get back she is really going to be irritated.
So, with a smile, she adds,]
...I may request your assistance in resuming my usual agenda, once this is over. [Sparring with him, she can handle fine. Domestic cohabitation is much harder.]
ew that is the worst land
Oh... She's somewhat... old-fashioned, I suppose -- it's usually the wife-- [Here comes that flush again] --that is -- the lady of the house -- who assists in the kitchen if it's necessary and everything. [Not that Chloe's had much spare time for that, so her maid's passive-aggressive complaints have gone ignored on her end.] But I do appreciate your efforts, Senel.
[First name, use his first name. Even before this arrangement, Chloe was getting into the habit of utilizing it more often, but habit and moments of irritation can still cause slips -- like the third night into this charade, when the stress and pressure hit its peak amid a nerve-wracking morning, afternoon, and early evening of just about everthing going wrong in the preparation stages for that first dinner party she was obligated to hold. Fortunately, none of the guests were there yet, but all the same snapping Yes, it's fine! Coolidge, give me a hand with this! loud enough to silence the room and startle her staff was not a good impression to make.
She's mostly used to the familiarity now, although going on a first name basis is arguably the least problematic adjustment.
And she can't quite look at him when he mentions enjoying it, as well, although she may deflate just slightly when he gives the reason -- no, no, surely not, that's just a trick of the light, because a second later she shakes her head and looks neutral again.]
It isn't... forbidden, as such, but it's frowned upon. [Which, in her humble opinion, is completely idiotic. As long and hard as she's trained, she shouldn't be pressured to feel ashamed of her skill or her choices -- and she's not, but she knows how this society works, and if she were caught breaking an un-ladylike sweat, that would just make the remainder of this time harder to bear.] It's... strange, though. I'm used to training every day, so I feel like I've barely moved in the last few weeks.
[...If this time away affects her skill at all when they get back she is really going to be irritated.
So, with a smile, she adds,]
...I may request your assistance in resuming my usual agenda, once this is over. [Sparring with him, she can handle fine. Domestic cohabitation is much harder.]