[ He's supposed to keep looking at the bead, probably, given that he's the one holding it up for her to look at in the light. But he's seen it before, and while it's certainly stunning his gaze drifts to Hilda as she takes it in and he watches with a smile. It's a small delight, a private one of sorts even as they stand in the middle of a busy market with crowds around them and sellers doing their best to draw in customers.
This is familiar too; in all those trips through Derdriu's markets he'd always found himself looking for things to show her when she could visit. It was a reprieve from meetings, debates, and endless paperwork every time - something far better to focus on since it meant finding all kinds of treasures or trinkets to keep on hand to surprise her with even if he'd offered them up as casually as ever.
Like the beads at home, and the ones here. The expression on her face is worth more than anything he could ever hope to purchase. It's priceless. When she turns to look up to him he doesn't bother pretending like he was doing anything other than looking at her with the smile still on his face, though it's quickly replaced with a laugh. ]
I didn't win that second best title for nothing! All those skills have to come in handy for something, and what better way than this?
[ They've certainly lost a bit of bargaining power when it comes to price given that they've both marveled over it. Not that it'll stop Claude from reaching for his money after offering to hand off the bead to Hilda if she wants to inspect it up close for herself but before he can ask about paying, the merchant who owns this particular stand offers up another tray for them to browse. This one must have been hidden somewhere - possibly waiting for enthusiastic customers as they're proving to be - because these beads don't resemble ones he's looked over here before.
That also means he's going to pick up a very yellow one with wisps of some iridescent material running through it and look to Hilda with a grin. ]
I think you need these too since this one looks like Waffle's eyes. Maybe for charms or something like it? I've heard you can imbue magic into different creations around here.
[ That's possibly also some subtle prodding in there. ]
no subject
This is familiar too; in all those trips through Derdriu's markets he'd always found himself looking for things to show her when she could visit. It was a reprieve from meetings, debates, and endless paperwork every time - something far better to focus on since it meant finding all kinds of treasures or trinkets to keep on hand to surprise her with even if he'd offered them up as casually as ever.
Like the beads at home, and the ones here. The expression on her face is worth more than anything he could ever hope to purchase. It's priceless. When she turns to look up to him he doesn't bother pretending like he was doing anything other than looking at her with the smile still on his face, though it's quickly replaced with a laugh. ]
I didn't win that second best title for nothing! All those skills have to come in handy for something, and what better way than this?
[ They've certainly lost a bit of bargaining power when it comes to price given that they've both marveled over it. Not that it'll stop Claude from reaching for his money after offering to hand off the bead to Hilda if she wants to inspect it up close for herself but before he can ask about paying, the merchant who owns this particular stand offers up another tray for them to browse. This one must have been hidden somewhere - possibly waiting for enthusiastic customers as they're proving to be - because these beads don't resemble ones he's looked over here before.
That also means he's going to pick up a very yellow one with wisps of some iridescent material running through it and look to Hilda with a grin. ]
I think you need these too since this one looks like Waffle's eyes. Maybe for charms or something like it? I've heard you can imbue magic into different creations around here.
[ That's possibly also some subtle prodding in there. ]