aubergines | ( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

[The military never prepared him for this. Scratch that, nothing in life had prepared him for this - the idle smalltalk, the burning questions about his past, and even the suits that had become his everyday wardrobe. All good lies were rooted in the truth (or so Senel had heard), so he stuck to the truth wherever possible: he was still an Alliance Marine; he and Chloe had been close friends before he proposed to her; and he made the best melon bread in town. Tonight, he just hopes that he can smile and nod long enough to please their visitors, because he doesn't want their hard work to be in vain.

As she wanders over, he gazes down at her hands and attempts to memorize her careful motions. He's almost certain the heat's rising to his cheeks, mostly from her touch, and yet, he can't bring himself to protest. Technically, she's doing him a favor this time.] Th-thanks.

[Boring? The talks weren't... okay, the neighbors led boring lives. Senel's annoyance must've been more obvious than he let on, but he couldn't help it. At least with baking, the different types of flour had texture that made all the difference!]

I'm okay. Seriously, I can listen to your neighbor whine about gardenias if it means you'll still be a knight.

[Chloe notices that he's watching, and she's considerate enough to undo the tie again and start over at a slower pace, hopefully so he can learn it himself. It's amazing, the things you're taught growing up in nobility.

His reassurance earns a small smile.]

Your kindness is appreciated -- I'm grateful.

[Catching herself, she colors slightly as well. Defaulting back to "proper speech" hasn't been without effect, clearly.]

I mean -- thank you. It means a lot to me.

[With the tie done and straightened to her liking (after a momentary fumble thanks to those self-conscious few seconds), she steps back and nods.]

All set. You look good. [...] It -- It looks good, I mean. All together. On you.

[She glances aside, clearing her throat and ignoring the color in her face that won't go away. She's made it this far, Nerifes help her, she is not going to make a fool of herself by tripping over her words like this.]

That aside, um-- [no ums, it's not ladylike] --it's only dinner tonight. The Count invited us to the theater to see the symphony, but I respectfully declined, so... it should only be a couple of hours.

[Which, really, isn't long at all to her. She knows how long social gatherings can drag on in the upper class, but fortunately this is a small dinner rather than a full party.]

[Her language doesn't bother him. If anything, it reassures him too - because no matter how much he screws it up, she has his back. (He's almost amazed the neighbors haven't commented on his rough speech.) His face grows slightly redder at the compliment, pretending to ignore her (equally) red face.]

Thanks. You look good too. [Wait, was that the right compliment? Her dress is gorgeous, and for a minute, he almost wishes she'd dress like this on the Legacy. Almost, because she looks gorgeous in anything she wears.] Uh, you look beautiful?

[Nevermind. If he tries to find the right adjective, they're going to stand around all day - and he's certain that the Count would put them on his blacklist.]

Only? [Social functions still aren't his forte, no matter how many of them he's been dragged to. Senel's convinced that he's never going to flourish in them, even if he tries his darndest.] I guess... I guess that's not so bad, if we're skipping out on the symphony. What excuse did you give him? ["So I don't screw up (again) and give him a faulty answer."]

[This is a blushing contest, clearly, because the heat in her face doubles.]

Th-Thank you. [Whatever word he uses, it's still a compliment, and one from him, and Chloe's not well-adjusted to either.

She smooths the skirt of her dress down (unnecessary, but she suddenly feels the need to do something with her hands, and it gives her an excuse to look away) as she focuses on the less awkward part of the conversation.]

Oh -- I, um -- I told him we have family visiting tonight. Your family, obviously. [Which should be a safe lie. For Senel's benefit, she adds,] Family is typically the only acceptable excuse for turning down such an offer, particularly from someone in a position of authority. I assumed that if they press you for details, you could talk about Shirley. I didn't name any of your relatives in particular.

[She left him some freedom, basically. She figures it beats giving him a script to memorize.]

[Thank Nerifes. Senel releases a breath he hadn't entirely realized he was holding - that freedom would be a lifesaver. He could ramble about Shirley for hours, leaving out details like her Ferines heritage if necessary. He nearly runs a hand through his slicked back hair, hastily pulling his hand down at the last minute.

He stares a little longer at the silver wedding ring around his finger than he intended. No matter how often he sees it, some small part of him's in awe every time he remembers that to the outside world, he's married, if only to maintain Chloe's reputation. After Stella, he hadn't considered this. Married life was (supposedly) a long-distant dream that he'd never fulfill. Sure, Shirley had expressed interest in a relationship with him, but she was his baby sister. Marrying her was far beyond his comfort level now, and he wasn't certain if he'd ever fully reciprocate those feelings.

This, though? When he wasn't trying to pretend that he adored gardenias or trying to wrestle cooking duties from the maids? It was... well, it was nice.]

I can work with that. [He gives her a small smile, the embarrassment temporarily forgotten, as he glances towards the door.] Thanks, again. I know... I know I haven't been the best to work with these past couple of weeks.

[Chloe can't help a genuine look of surprise. Senel's actually been doing rather well, despite a slightly shaky start for the both of them; he's a quick learner, and he's dealt with the circumstances rather gracefully despite his usual hot-headed temper. All things considered, she has no complaints -- although there may be some bias skewing her positive opinion just so.

Or maybe she was so fearful of screwing it up herself somehow that all the little rough spots are easy to overlook in comparison.]

N-Not at all. I've been away so long -- I'm aware that I was rather unpracticed myself at first, so... [You know, if you nitpick.

Her words speed up a little next, a self-conscious sign.] But I've -- I've enjoyed this time, actually. That is -- the more stressful instances aside -- this has been...

[H o w is it so much easier to speak before a crowded room of people than it is to say this straight in private?

Keeping that in mind, Chloe regains most of her composure before continuing.]

Rather... I think I've learned a few things. [She smiles slightly after a moment, to herself.] I've known that there's more to you than just the soldier, but... I never stopped to imagine you in this kind of setting -- a domestic setting, that is. It's been... I think it's been telling. About the kind of person you are, and the qualities I may have overlooked before now.

[...Which... again, is not helping with those confused feelings.]

[She's really cute when she's talking fast. The thought hits him like a speeding train - like Will's hammer, if he had to pinpoint the exact sensation - and for a moment, he'd gotten sidetracked by the little gestures, rather than the importance of the words she's saying. Still, he can't help snorting a little at the thought of him being 'just a soldier.' A few years ago, before he'd arrived on the Legacy, that might've been true.]

Gee, thanks. [He rolls his eyes, but his smile betrays his feigned annoyance. See what happens the next time he refuses to bake bread for everyone, okay??]

I've... I've kinda enjoyed this too. I mean, yeah, your maid's super... uh... vocal about my baking ability [read: Senel steals the kitchen too often] but otherwise, it's been cool to see what your life would've been like, if you weren't fighting alongside me. Um, us. Fighting alongside us.

[It's the first time in a long time that he's unconsciously acknowledged something deeper - and honestly, that slip baffled him. Romance had been taken completely off his plate after Stella's death (and Shirley admitting her love had not helped that one bit, no sir), and yet...

And yet he's entirely okay with this weird pseudo-life that he's got with Chloe.] Hey, now that I think about it, are you allowed to train? Or are we just managing the estate 'til we go back?

[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.]

Hey, I don't mind. Technically, we did hire her for this kind of stuff.

[He doesn't mind NOW. The first couple of nights, right up until the snapping incident, were rough. He could still remember the incessant ringing in his ears, all because he dared to defy gender roles and insist that a man's place could be in the kitchen too - or something like that, the details were lost on him once he had (nearly) dropped the china plates onto the floor.

Sure, the plates were ultimately unharmed! But in hindsight, that might've been why she was so frustrated with him. Still, at the mention of his first name, he can't quite hide the smile tugging on his face. It feels more special, coming from her.

He sees that deflated expression, but doesn't know what to make of it - was she disappointed because he mentioned everyone? Should he have mentioned something else? In the end, he doesn't know how to address it, so he lets it slide for now.]

That's stupid. You're way better than all those other guys, so it sucks that you can't practice, even for just a little bit. [He should know: he's seen them practicing - and he might've defeated one in a practice match without a sword. What could he say? He wasn't ~~your typical Tales protagonist~~ much for swordfighting. If his girl wanted to fight, why couldn't she? She was managing this estate just fine - but then again, Senel supposed, that was the whole point of this charade. Prove that she was capable of running it and that she had married someone who could uphold the name, and then this would be the end of that.

So he returns the smile as he holds out his arm for her.] Of course. But we can keep the breakfast-thing going, right?

[Because he actually likes waking up and having breakfast with her. He's not even a morning person. He'll kick off the covers and moan and groan but a filling breakfast with someone like her? He'd do almost anything to keep that routine going.]

[Her expression definitely turns a shade of pleased at the compliment ~~even if she's already aware that yeah, she would totally school those other guys~~ and the absent gestures return, this time as she brushes her hair behind her ear.]

Th-Thank you. I'll... be all right -- I can handle a few idle weeks. [Especially when she's gained some other things in its place... including that mess of confusion and flustered feelings, but most of the time the more positive emotions win out, making this whole game of sorts rather enjoyable, as she said.

It's such a habit at this point that Chloe doesn't hesitate as she links her arm with his -- even if there is a smothered part of her that's still very conscious of the touch and what it symbolizes to the outside world -- and she falls into step beside him, just as practiced.

She can't help a look of surprise at his question, however.]

O-Oh -- if you'd like to, then...

[Assertive, she can do this--]

...I'd enjoy that, yes. But if you go back to sleeping in like before, it would be more of a lunch-thing.

[Not that she (usually) minded having to go over to his place and wake him up at noon, but all the same, as a morning person herself she might be a tad disappointed if he immediately reverts to old ways after this.]

[He tilts his head to the side. Why wouldn't he like to keep it going? They'd fallen into that habit, of waking up early and enjoying a nice meal - and okay, Senel needed a cup of coffee to function because he slept like a rock, but he enjoyed it!

He wasn't naturally a morning person. He knows that almost better than anyone else. So he hangs his head, letting his disgruntlement get the best of him.]

I don't think I'll sleep in like I used to....

[He doesn't really know who he's fooling at this point. So he gestures towards the door, holding it open for her like the proper gentleman he's supposed to be.] I mean, I hope I won't? Just in case, I'll set an alarm and everything.

[An alarm he'll inevitably break. It might be best to just assume he's up for lunch dates.]

[Well, they'll see about that once this is all over. Not that she reserves the right to do the bickering-wife thing afterwards, but... old habits are what they are.

So Chloe says nothing on that point, other than a smile of thanks as she passes through the door and then turns to wait for him.]

Well, I... would be fine with lunch, as well.

[And then, more seriously she adds,] But we -- we have a while before we need to think of that, so... let us proceed.

[But despite that attempted business attitude, Chloe looks happy enough on their way over to the Count's estate -- and her forced-but-convincing cheer and and attitude might not be quite as forced tonight.]

( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

I can roll with that ❤

<3!

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/re-emerges from the land of no wifi

ew that is the worst land

a gorgeous but terrifying place, lbr

indeed. I hope it was enjoyable tho

it was, definitely c:

excellent. my land of wifi-lessness was a little less so, sadly