shroudedinsecrecy | INBOX (IC)

Well at least he remembers important dates like that. [ Unlike Arthur smh ] And that's pretty romantic, isn't it? [ Sorry, Iris, but his mouth is twitching up now, unable to stop smiling. ]

But no, really... is there anything you want? We can go now. Or I can treat you to lunch?

[That's pretty romantic, isn't it?]

[She blushed, of course, but...couldn't help feeling a small twinge of irony, given a particular conversation she'd had with Athena not that long ago. It's not about romance. Because, for her, it wasn't. It was nice, yes, but...that wasn't all she looked for in a relationship.]

Ah...s-sure. We can. I mean-- [Focus on the lunch instead. Admittedly, she was hungry after her busy day.] You don't have to treat me. But we can go somewhere...if you're not too busy.

There is this lovely place that makes sandwiches with freshly baked bread. It's not far from here.

[ Of course she did, one day they'll both stop doing stuff like this. For now though, let's concentrate on how things can have more than one meaning at a time. Honestly, he was courting Athena before he was officially courting her with the effort he'd put in, but at the same time it wasn't much different than what he'd do with other friends. ]

No, it's on me. [ He gives her a smile. ] It won't be that much anyway, as long as you're happy with where it is.

[ Freshly baked bread definitely sounds nice at least! ]

A...alright. If you insist.

[She wouldn't protest such a generous offer too much. But she would be sure to repay his kindness at a later meal.]

This way. Come on.

[A subtle turn of her head indicated the pathway they needed to take, and she slowly began walking.]

I insist. [ Though it doesn't work as a birthday present of sorts if she pays him back?! Iris, no. ]

Coming. [ He makes sure to take note of the route she takes, easily keeping in step with her, even with all the bags he has. ]

Do you go to this place often, then?

[She would offer to take them from him if she wasn't certain he'd protest the offer. Compared to some of the physically demanding chores she was accustomed to, a few cumbersome bags were nothing.]

Not...often. I usually prepare most of my meals myself.

But if I'm out for the day and lose track of time, then I inevitably find myself here.

I've... been banned from a lot of the electrical appliances now so. [ You know...... ] I probably eat out more than I should.

It's a nice change to what I grew up with, too.

[Granted, Iris' experiences eating out were limited. Mostly little cafes and sandwich shops that served healthy dishes, albeit at a higher price than if she'd bought the raw ingredients and prepared them herself at home.]

[But she also thought back to a previous conversation with another boy. One who seemed...less than pleased with the quality of food such a habit offered him.]

I'd be happy to prepare some healthier meals for you, if you're that in need. it would be no trouble at all.

[ He looks at like she's crazy then though, because alas, Iris... he is still under 20 and classified as a teenager even if it's late teens. ]

Why would I want them to be healthier?

[And, here, it was her turn to give him a strange look. Because really, Merlin?]

Because...it's better for you? More nutrients and other things to help you build up strength and energy.

[ Yes, really Merlin. ]

I still have fruit and stuff, it's not as though everything I eat is bad. [ But moooooom!!! ] Really it's just nice to not be stuck starving or eating rat honestly.

[ r a t ]

[. . .]

Alright. If you insist.

[She certainly couldn't force him to accept a home cooked meal any more than she could apparently convince him otherwise regarding his own diet. Besides that--]

Ah, this is it. That little shop up ahead.

[It was a quaint building with even quainter decor. A small awning covered the entrance and a little bell ran each time someone opened the door. Inside were only a handful of small tables, but most were vacant.]

Well I'm not turning it down either, but it... wouldn't be the only thing I'd eat? A mix of everything is better right?

[ Though he does make a beeline for the small cafe now, pushing all his bags into one hand so the other can reach for her hand to lead her along until they make it to the door. Once inside, he looks around in awe for a moment, before smiling towards her. ]

Do you have a favourite seat?

[As a matter of fact...]

I've been enjoying sitting by the window. The light from outside is always so much nicer than the ones inside.

[Even up at the temple, with the occasional artificial lighting, priorities were always given to either natural sunlight or else fire as a source.]

Really? That sounds perfect. That one, then? [ He points with his hand that's full of bags, almost knocking over a chair but it's fine. It's fine. ]

It looks really peaceful. Do you people watch or just look at the sky?

[They're fine! ...once Iris reflexively reaches out to steady said chair, placing it back in its proper place.]

The sky, mostly.

It's not quite as clear as I remember up in the mountains, but the clouds are so calming. I could watch them for hours, letting my mind wander about...things.

Well it isn't real from what I know. So that would make sense. [ Though he does look at her once he takes a seat, tucking his bags under the table to his left. ]

What things would those be, exactly? [ Suspicious....... ]

[Why so suspicious, Merlin?]

Oh, nothing in particular. I suppose...whatever comes to mind at the time. Thoughts of home...or the job they gave me here...the people I've since met...or...the ones I've been able to reconnect with.

[ Because he's expecting the last thing she says, of course. ]

Those are all pretty good things to think about. Though... what do you do here?

You mean, for work?

I was...very fortunate. They assigned me to the local gym, as a meditation instructor. It's something very familiar to me, thanks to my years of training back home.

For work, yes. That does seem lucky though. They're pretty good at offering jobs that suit people, aren't they? It's... a little worrying actually.

[ He glances out of the window then, looking towards the "sky" before finally turning his attention back to her. ]

At least it's something you're comfortable doing though. There are some really... weird jobs here.

[She...hadn't really thought of it as worrying. Even if it meant such a placement without consulting her first meant that...perhaps their abductors knew a little more about her than desirable....]

Yes, so I've heard.

May I ask...which job you accepted?

Me? [ He leans back then, tapping the table before he reaches for the small menu that's in a holder to the side. ]

I work at a magic shop and as a magician for hire. I... [ He laughs then, giving her a smile. ] I ended up working up at the cosplay cafe because of Athena as well.

[ And he's a shady poker dealer that cheats for extra $$ but Iris doesn't need to know about that. ]

[He and Phoenix should definitely get together for shady poker matches that they both cheat at. Because that would go oh-so-well.]

That's nice that you two get to work together.

But...um...what's...'cos-play'?

[ They truly should, though his cheating involves magically changing the cards so ... it's a little meaner. Sorry, Phoenix. ]

Yeah. [ He... clears his throat. Mostly because. ] Costume play. It's a cafe where... the people that work there dress up and pretend to be someone else. I mean honestly it isn't that bad but--

--you've really never gone to visit her before?

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