schwarzen | inbox for prismatica

[ Congrats, Siegfried has been roped into acting as Rosetta's packmule for the day as she wanders from stall to stall. There's a lot to eat and even more to buy, and it's only her lack of Chroma that keeps her from aiding every business owner in their quest to stay afloat.

Still, that doesn't stop her from trying as much as she can, and right now, she's very tickled by the chocolate lip gloss on offer. ]

Have you ever worn make-up before, Siegfried?

[ Not that he needs to wear anything with such a good base already, but there's nothing that says he can't elevate his good looks even further. ]

Edited (i can't believe i didn't even finish my own tag) 2019-03-24 13:46 (UTC)

[ Siegfried doesn't mind one bit, actually. He certainly doesn't mind doing a favor for a friend, and besides, this is a good reason to wander around the festival and check out the various stalls. There are many things that pique his curiosity, such as all the octopus-themed food around coated in questionable sauces, but he diverts his attention from that to look Rosetta's way at her question.

What is that? Is that some sort of oil or perfume? She looks like she knows what it's for, at least. ]

No, I can't say I have. Percival is always getting onto me about not using any sort of grooming products, but I wouldn't even know where to start. Why do you ask?

[ A good man, that Percival. She'll have to call him up some time. For now, she has her hands full with another dragon knight, though judging from the looks of things, he's the one that has his hands full with her.

More specifically, her purchases, trinkets and samples that she's picked up here and there and that Siegfried's so gallantly offered to carry. ]

Percival has a point, you know; you should take care of the good looks you've been given. They won't last forever.

[ And also, she wants to stare at them longer too, thanks.

Picking up a tube of lip gloss - "For truly kissable lips!" - she turns to face him. ]

Have you ever considered anything for your lips? It's so easy for them to dry out if you spend too much time outdoors.

I suppose... appearances have never been a high priority in my line of work.

[ That's not entirely true. Knights are supposed to be a symbol of elegant chivalry, he's just... always preferred to leave that sort of thing to people who are better at it than himself. Yes, he knows courtly etiquette and dances and such, but only as much as was expected from him.

But oh, she complimented him? That makes him smile a little. ]

Oh, like a balm of some kind? That's easy enough for me to implement, I think. Would you recommend something like this, then?

[ There's something charming in his naivete of beauty products and her smile turns a touch mischievous. ]

Something like this.

[ It only takes a few exchanged words with the vendor before there's a small sample jar in her hands, thoroughly cleaned and ready for its next unwitting victim. Stepping closer to Siegfried, she uncaps the jar and holds it up to him. A light chocolate scent wafts out. ]

Would you like to try it on? I can show you how, if you'd like.

[ Please be her Barbie doll, in addition to pack mule. ]

Oh... certainly. If you don't mind lending me your expertise.

[ He doesn't know why on Earth anyone would try to help him when he's evidently so hopeless, but he appreciates it.

He leans down, not quite sure how to make this the easiest for her. ]

It's scented. Chocolate?

You'll have to tell me if it tastes like chocolate too.

[ The words are coupled with a wink, though she wastes no time once she's done speaking before getting to work, her previously playful expression smoothing into something gentler. Gentle too are her fingers as she dips her fingers into the lip gloss and studiously applies it across his lips.

It's over in a matter of a seconds, and she's quick to take one step back to admire her handiwork. ]

How do you feel?

[ Something about the gesture makes him feel a little more awkward than he had previously— she's close, and her fingers are gentle. It's something of an intimate gesture, and perhaps the Siegfried from a few months ago would think nothing of it. This Siegfried, however, can't help marveling at how long her lashes are, and how soft the fingertips gliding across his lips are.

He may have been holding his breath without realizing it. But he speaks after a brief pause. ]

It's.

[ he lifts his own finger to test the center of his lip. ]

It's very moisturizing. I'm not sure how long something like this would last on the battlefield, though...

[ And because he's curious, he licks at the lower edge of his bottom lip; just enough for a quick taste test. ]

Ah, who would have thought? It tastes exactly like chocolate.

[ She has an answer for him, right at the tip of her tongue, but something about the way his tongue glides over his lips, slow and sensual, has her putting those words on pause as her gaze lingers on his mouth a second too long.

Hmm, maybe the advertisement was right. Those lips are looking delectably kissable right about now.

So she does what her mind considers to be the most logical thing to do at the moment, which to get right back into his personal space, one hand reaching up around his neck so she can pull his head down for a kiss. A chaste kiss to be sure, with no tongue involved, but still slow and languid. There's no hint of shame on her face when she finally does pull away, only pleasure and a hint of merriment. ]

You're right; it does taste like chocolate.

[ Siegfried has never been particularly close to Rosetta, but from what Captain has told him and from the times they've worked together, he knows enough to realize that she is a bold, charismatic creature. What follows— the feel of her mouth pressed against his, the fluid motion of her hand pulling him down to meet her— shouldn't surprise him too much.

But it does, despite all the signs, and he is stunned enough to freeze in place for a brief moment before collecting himself.

By the time he relaxes somewhat, attempting to return the gesture somewhat and brush his fingers along her wrist, she's pulled away.

And she's successfully made a grown man blush. ]

You... you weren't satisfied with just taking my word for it.

[ he still looks pretty stunned, actually. ]

[ The dazed look on his face is just as rewarding as the kiss she's managed to steal, and she laughs briefly in delight before turning away. ]

I wanted to be sure.

[ Were there easier ways of confirming that hypothesis? Certainly, but none of them would have been half so fun. And after so long spent mindlessly following orders, it's freeing to do as she chooses, when she chooses. Right now, she chooses to buy some of the lip gloss, pocking the container - and the warm memory from earlier - away from later.

When she finally turns back, her smile's settled into something far more mellow. ]

But I'll keep my hands to myself for the rest of the afternoon.

[ She can still teach from a distance. ]

[ There's a lot of uncertainty that crosses his mind before he furrows his brow, hesitates, and continues following her.

Perhaps he should just let things lie, but he is nothing if not direct. ]

Because you wish to, or because you think it best for my sake?

[ She’s already on the move as he starts talking, but she doesn’t make it more than a few steps before she’s stopping again, twisting her head to peer at him over one shoulder, eyebrows raised. ]

You looked hesitant just now. I didn’t want to push too far.

[ Because they are still acquaintances more than friends and she’s not willing to alienate him right from the get-go, not when she’s come to enjoy the company of everyone on the Grandcyper – Siegfried included – so much. ]

That's awfully considerate for someone who doesn't mind apparently stealing kisses.

[ He doesn't sound angry about it though, more amused if anything. He takes a few steps forward and walks by her side again, slinging the bag of merchandise over his shoulder once more as they continue.

The conclusion he reaches as to why Rosetta must have done such a thing, however, confirms that he is the worst most dense character ever and I hate him. He smiles. ]

I'm aware that the currency here is generated through physical contact, so you needn't worry. You'd like to buy a few more things, wouldn't you?

[ If she's at all offended by his words she doesn't show it, a comfortable smile still firmly on her face as they saunter down the streets side by side and her attention swings from one stall to the next.

He has a point about the Chroma, but also—she sighs, almost chagrined by his continued ignorance. ]

Do you really think that's the only reason I act as I do?

[ Look, she likes shopping as much as the next girl but she wouldn't saunter up to any old man and plant a big fat one on his lips. ]

[ That actually does surprise him, drawing his attention away from a strange octopus statue in one of the stalls. ]

Oh, was I wrong? I didn't want to presume anything.

[ That blush? it might be creeping back in. ]

Not entirely - I do like shopping.

[ While they're on the subject of things she likes, let her just take a quick moment to peer up at him coyly. ]

I also like seeing you blush prettily like that.

[ One day she'll stop teasing him but today is not that day. Hopefully he takes it as well as he's taken everything else so far. ]

Surely I'm not the first woman to have showered attention on you?

[ All of the training and every battle victory he's experienced couldn't have prepared him for someone like Rosetta.

He clears his throat, though that doesn't help, because his face merely burns warmer. At least he's the type to keep his composure together, for the most part. ]

You are the first to do so so... boldly.

It leaves me uncertain as to how to respond. I don't typically take such gestures lightly, but...

[ For once, he's having some difficulty figuring out how to finish his thought. But he doesn't mind? But he's become more comfortable with the idea of showing such affection more casually? All of the above?

All of it sounds so...

Help. ]

[ She'll take that as a compliment.

But this isn't about her and the various habits she's adopted over the past several years, both good and bad. There's clearly something else on his mind that he isn't ready to articulate. As curious as she is, she doesn't push him on the subject, having maybe finally decided that she's pushed him around enough for the next half hour. ]

But...? [ She leaves it hanging there briefly, an invitation extended and left open should he find the right words. ] Is it something you want to become more comfortable with?

...

[ And now he's becoming a person more likely to share personal information with an acquaintance. Things really have changed so much. ]

I was in a different world before this one, a strange land that wasn't in any of the Skydoms. I was there against my will, similar to how we were brought here.

[ It's a lot to throw at a person at once, and maybe she doesn't see where he's going with this, but he continues. ]

To make a long story short, the culture of their society was particularly focused on sexuality. [ Actually the contract stuff was a lot more bothersome, but he leaves that part out for now. ]

So, in a sense, I suppose I was forced to become more comfortable with the idea of being closer to others. For better or for worse.

[ She turns fully as he speaks, head canting ever so slightly to the right as he tells her of his time in an even stranger place than this one. Her smile's gone by the time he finishes, replaced by something more bittersweet. ]

I'm sorry, Siegfried. I think it's wonderful if you can be physically comfortable with those who are dear to you&mddash;but not at the expense of your own comfort and choice.

[ And choice is something that's become so important to her, now that she has it.

Rosetta thinks on it a little, then waves a hand to the hubbub that surrounds them. ]

Now that we're here, what are you comfortable with?

Heh. That was hardly the worst offense this world committed. But it's fine. Here's to hoping this one is more hospitable to temporarily reside in.

[ Besides, if there's one thing he hates, it's someone else feeling worry or sympathy for him. So he's quite eager to change the subject, even though it did feel quite freeing to confide in someone else what he and others had been through.

The irony of her asking now, after she'd helped herself to his personal space, makes him smile. ]

No need to worry. If something makes me uncomfortable, I'll let you know.

[ He offers her his hand, proposing a different way of strolling through the market rather than simply walking side by side. ]

[ Better late than never, she's learned that much at least over the course of her lifetime.

If nothing else she's thankful he's taking things so well now and she takes the metaphorical olive branch of his outstretched hand and entwines her fingers with his. Sorry if he wanted something more platonic, this is the life he signed up for willingly hanging out with her. ]

It certainly is quite lively here. [ Her glance slides to him sidelong. ] Is it true that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?

[ AKA is it time to try the weird market stall food on display. ]

[ He doesn't mind, not only because he initiated, but because he's reminded that company like this is nice. The envious stares he receives (and he does notice them, for once), remind him that he's quite lucky.

Besides, they are literally making chroma as they walk. The only way this can be ruined is if Rosetta packs so many things onto him that his hand becomes unavailable. ]

That sounds like a valid route regardless of gender, don't you think?

[ He looks around, zeroing in on a crepe stall. ]

You wouldn't happen to have a sweet tooth, would you?

[ She follows his gaze to the crepe stall, eyes brightening at the delicious crepes being handed out. ]

How did you guess?

[ Not that Primals technically need to eat, but she's always been happy to partake of the social custom of eating with friends. And there's no denying it - skyfarer food can be quite delicious sometimes. ]

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