sweethymns | Mι∂ηιgнт Ɠяιη∂

[ Her use of that phrase makes Claude huff a brief laugh, under his breath and into the rim of his now-lukewarm drink. ]

Normal will always elude you, I'm afraid.

[ She's a real firecracker, isn't she? ]

Tourism will have to wait. There's work to be done, cities to save. [ Fronts to preserve, people to fend off. ] God, I haven't done so much legwork in ages.

I could help with that! Oren here, in the meanwhile can rest. ♥

[AKA it's a good reason for her to go out and about without Oren hovering over her.]

And if we're doing legwork, that means I can technically be a tourist at the same time. Multi-tasking at it's best, don't you agree?

[ Ah. Well, he supposes that it can't be helped— Iona's sure to get bored if she's cooped up in this apartment while Oren is temporarily out of commission. And this mess is technically his family's fault, since it's happening in Aubert territory.

So he smiles wanly, tipping his head to the side. ]

Well, if you don't mind ill-tempered company [ gestures to himself ] and a trip to our library, I'm sure you'll have a stellar time.

You, ill-tempered? I can't imagine.

[Iona straightens herself and grins at Claude.]

And if anyone tries to pull a gun on you, I'll be there to shake them down! It's a good trade off.

[ A slight huff in return, and he gets up to start cleaning up after their breakfast. Yes, he definitely brought too much bread, but you know what!!!!!!! This is fine. ]

I assure you, any assassin who's caught pulling out a gun in our library will have worse people than me to deal with.

[ Those 1st editions are priceless, and bibliophiles are terrifying.

(The library itself is quite pretty anyway, with shelves that stretch high like a spire; it's one of the few places in the city where people actively avoid incidents.) ]

[Iona stands up, gathering the dishes and cups, shaking her head in amusement.]

Thanks for breakfast by the way! And for eating with me. I think it's been a while since we shared a meal with each other.

[ Must she do this to him. Every time she spares a moment to level a kind word about absolutely nothing at all, Claude feels that inherently wary part of him start to ring the warning bells: "what does she want from me, what does she need me to say?" There has to be an ulterior motive— people aren't tolerant of him without a reason.

Meals have always been tiresome, diplomatic affairs where people are trapped around a table and forced to converse without telling the truth. And she's thanking him for it?

Preposterous. How trite.

(How dare she make him enjoy these things, the nerve.) ]

...Of course. I don't often let my guests starve.

[ The reply comes after a beat, as if she's caught him off-guard. And despite how snide the words are, his expression borders on semi-sincere.

Ugh. ] I don't expect it was as good as Oren's cooking, but I appreciate your flattery.

No, it's good, but in a different way! I like trying things other people make.

[She's always so positive, seemingly optimistic about everything; honest to a fault, and only now just aware of the extent that it affects Claude. Iona pauses, just remembering how their last conversation at the Grind went. With the dishes in her arms, she adds on:]

Ah... Claude? [It's a rare moment where she sounds unsure, but she figures she should go ahead and ask anyways. Iona goes to place down the dishware, tapping them with a finger so they can magically be cleaned of stains and crumbs.]

Am I being too much?

Edited 2017-06-01 03:02 (UTC)

[ He's wiping down the table when she asks, making him stop midmotion with his fingers splayed and gripping over lacquer.

He knows exactly which words to use to hurt her, because he's used them before: "are you asking for your sake, or mine?" Dismissive, sarcastic, and off-putting. "Don't patronize me, I've suffered worse."

Ultimately, he can't bring himself to say them. His hand relaxes along the wooden tabletop, and he straightens to full height. ]

...Maybe so. [ And ugh, that's honest. The words are like hot coals in his throat. ] I was never raised to be as optimistic as you are, you understand.

Still, that's a poor reflection on my character, not yours. [ He hums, as if to dismiss his own statement. ] You—

—you're quite perfect the way you are. Unfortunately.

[And for once, she's at a loss for words.

Her back is turned to Claude and her body freezes when he answers her. It's as if they're the only ones in the room and for a split second, Iona could have sworn her heartbeat could be heard, the sound bouncing out of her rib cage and then off of the walls and...

Her hair bounces as her head snaps up from just staring at the dishes in front of her.]

... Oh!

... That so?

[Stupid, stupid, stupid!! She's yelling inwardly at herself, for having such a dumb reply after asking such a tentative question. The witch brings both palms to her cheeks, rubbing them, and then giving them two light slaps as if prepping herself to turn around to look at Claude.

And when she does, her expression is sheepish, cheeks feeling warm with the faintest flush to show it.]

I mean, I get that. About you growing up differently and all! [Gus's story about the past is not lost on her after all, so she tries not to mess up her next few words.]

What I meant to say was, I know I get ahead of myself a lot and it's a lot to take in, so you know you can just... Just let me know. I think I need to hear it from others and not just Oren.

[I don't mind if I heard it from you, is what she wants to say, but there's a wisp of fear there, that he'd retreat if she said something that makes him feel like he owes her something and that's not what she wanted at all.

What DOES she want from him? Iona shuffles her feet trying not to let the question overcome her in that moment and then puts her hands on her hips, smiling at Claude.]

Anyways! I'm gonna change into something else, so you can see me outside in about, 15 minutes? Give or take?

[ He doesn't quite know what to say about this, and that's a first. Always armed to the nines with his words, Claude usually has a quip for every situation, even if he doesn't employ them— right here, though? Right now?

It's humbling to him, that she wants his honesty to better herself. So they can both improve, going forward.

"Forward".

Where is that, though? They both occupy such different spheres in literally different worlds. But that's something he can digest on his own time, when he has more space. ]

...If you're afraid of me handling you with children's gloves on [ he says, his mouth moving before he can stop himself ], I assure you, I won't.

[ Ah. ]

—I'll be waiting outside.

[ HIGHTAILING IT OUT OF THERE ]

[As soon as the door closes behind him, Iona, collapses into a chair, hands covering her face, fully blushing, no longer able to rein in control of her emotions now that Claude wasn't there to read her expressions. She groans through her fingers.]

God... What am I doing?

[You'd think that Oren would respond (and he could hear everything that just went down), but he doesn't. The golem stays silent in his spot as if he was actually sleeping for once, not able to offer any words of advice, consolation, or of scolding. Iona stands up, sighing heavily before nodding to herself and going to her mirror to decide on what to wear while going out to explore with Claude. They can worry about this later. This issue is not forefront, there are other things that take priority.

(It's just a delay, there's no telling what will actually happen next).

♦ ♦ ♦

Iona meets Claude outside of the building, invisible to all, but him. Her outfit of choice is decidedly quite conservative. Well, conservative in the modern sense, and a touch odd for the 1800s, but since no one else would see her, she feels free to wear what she wants. Although for Iona, it's a quiet outfit that's easy to walk around in and she won't have to rip off any skirts if a rough and tumble situation occurs. With her hair still down, instead of being tied back, she waves to Claude and then stretches out her arms.]

I'm all ready to go! We're heading to the library first right?

[All chipper, all normal.]

Edited 2017-06-05 06:08 (UTC)

[ Funny, how he did largely the same thing in his own time: a quick dip back into his own room, where he'd deposited all of his extra luggage and then pressed a cold compress to his face.

(No, he didn't scream.)

He's composed by the time Iona changes and steps out, all crisp corners and ironed cuffs again. When he smiles, he does so seamlessly. Not a feather out of place.

Maybe just a tad warmer in his eyes than usual. ]

Off to the library first, yes. After that, I suppose you could name a place you'd like to see— I've no other pressing patients to tend to.

[In all honesty, there's something off about this scenario; mainly, that Oren isn't there to accompany Iona wherever and with whomever she goes with. The witch and her golem are an ubiquitous duo and with him being absent, it's as if there's a new aspect to Iona that couldn't be put into words.

She puts her hands behind her back, eager to follow and already starting off in one direction although she'll change gears depending on Claude.]

Lead the way! I can't wait to see what it looks like.

Does it use the technology of this world as an organization system? You know for checking books in and out? Or is it good ol' timestamped cards and pen?

[ He matches stride with Iona easily, remarking on the comfortable distance he's set up between himself and the witch. Despite the physical buffer, he realizes that he doesn't have any sort of pretense to delineate their current arrangement: he doesn't have Gus or Oren as a go-between, and he can't hide behind his role as 'customer' the way he can at the Grind.

It's strange, but he doesn't want to dwell on it for too long. He keeps walking. ]

It would help if I had more familiarity with the customs of your world. We do have a system in place, though, of course.

[ He speaks to her so casually that no one bats an eye that he seems to be talking to himself; a turn of the corner, and he guides Iona gently by the hip to keep her from tripping into a canal. ]

Our recordskeepers are quite efficient at what they do, but we do have a mechanism in place to alert us if anything goes missing. You'll see.

Well, I guess organization differs depending where a library is located. Some districts have an efficient and easy to use system while other places aren't as up to date and the books are in poor condition.

[It's nice, being able to chat with him about mundane things such as this.

There's a small, "Whoops; thank you!" as Claude guides her away from the canal, before she remarks on the last part.]

An alert, huh? That sounds like having an overdue book is more dire around these parts.

Edited 2017-06-09 07:23 (UTC)

Mm, you could say that. In this city, we value the importance of credibility. Trust and responsibility is worth its weight in gold.

[ Even for something as mundane as loaning books, the people of this city judge someone's capacity to follow through on due dates and written rules. That's the sentiment that's implicit here, as Claude strides down the main road towards a thin building that resembles a spire more than a library. ]

And, besides— intelligence and wisdom is power.

Probably hard to get trust when you're fighting over territories, I'd imagine.

[Trust must be a precious thing in this world of theirs, indeed; Iona idly wonders if that's why Claude seems stand offish whenever she freely gives him and Gus all of her friendliness and her plentiful good will. He wasn't used to the lack of conditions that came with her nature.

But that thought is quickly pushed in the back of her mind; she perks up when she sees the spire and points at it excitedly with that childlike energy of hers.]

There, right? I think I'm in love with it already! Let's go inside already!

[And before Claude can say another word, she's jogging towards it, trying to look for the entrance. God, she needs to slow down.]

Edited 2017-06-13 08:22 (UTC)

[ He's about to affirm Iona's first sentiment when she sees fit to speed off, trotting at a pace that somehow still surprises Claude. It's not as if he hasn't seen women running around with their skirts hiked up, but still. For a second he almost forgets that Iona is invisible to everyone else and calls after her, but dials it back as a passerby looks at him with vague suspicion: What the heck is up with this guy???

Clearing his throat, Claude takes measured steps to the library. The entrance is a cozy wooden door, worn with age but sturdy, and it swings outwards to reveal the vertical tower of shelves and books, interspersed with planetary models and paintings donated by locals. Spiral stairs intersperse the area, and alcoves just out from the walls like balconies for visitors to nap and read in. ]

Do try not to break anything. [ He warns, as he steps inside. ]

[Thank god for jeans because it's helping Iona maneuver her way past people as she makes her way inside with Claude. Stepping inside, her eyes gaze in awe at the lovely interior and she makes a circle in order to give herself a 360 degree view of the area.

At Claude's warning, she rolls her eyes and lowers her voice into a quiet, but witty reply of a whisper.]

The only thing I'm gonna break open are the books, Claude.

[A beat. Then she covers her mouth with one hand, whispering even lower to Claude so that her voice doesn't reverberate.

Maybe in a corner where no one will notice a floating book, right?

Got any story on phantoms?

[ Note to self: take lessons in ventriloquism and master the art of talking without moving one's lips. Claude conveniently steps to a nearby shelf and angles his chin down, casting his face in shadow so he can speak under his breath without anyone looking too suspicious. ]

I'll look for the books, and you find an alcove to sit in.

I'll cover you.

[ lewd... ]

[Are you trying to tell her to sit still Claude, really?? Although she is one to protest and it shows on her face with the way she purses her lips and crosses her arms, and taps her foot... But surprisingly, she lets it go without a fight.]

Okay, okay. I'll try not to make too much noise.

[wow incredibly lewd]

Next time, you can pose as my date.

[ THIS IS A JOKE... TRULY.......... BELIEVE HIM. He says it as snidely as he can manage, which isn't as snidely as he would have, even a few days ago. What a disaster.

He breathes though his teeth, and moves to put his jacket on one of the nearest cozy corners so someone doesn't mistakenly move to sit on Iona on her perch. Not on his watch, Satan. ] Be good, now.

[Again, date?? Twice in a day?? Iona just stares at him...]

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