abraxaslogs | open | some closed top levels

[ It takes everything in Hilda's power not to just outright squeal. Clive still might very well be able to sense the desire to from the way her eyes widen slightly and the way she has to stifle any noise with a cough. Once again she has to remind herself, she can't jump to conclusions. A ring didn't necessarily indicate marriage. But then the hopeless romantic in her, the one that was absolutely rabid for other's love stories was like a creature straining at a leash.

Something else occurs to her though as he describes her. Looks best in blue, a land of almost constant snow and ice. Her hand stills and another question rises to her lips that is no less important than the one she actually wants to ask. ]

Is it for Jill by any chance?

How did you—?

[ He looks up at her, shocked, but shakes his head free of it almost as quick. No, it didn't matter. He'd hoped to be subtle about it, but Hilda seems to have him read like a book and there's no point in denying it. ]

It is. Please, don't tell her. I— I want it to be a surprise.

[ He might. Be blushing. A little bit. ]

Oh, it was just a broad guess.

[ It's her best attempt to reassure him that it wasn't so obvious that it was Jill. And had Hilda not met Jill in her domain, she might never have guessed it at all. It's not like she knew every single Summoned that was in Abraxas. ]

My lips are sealed, I promise.

[ There's an earnest shine to her gaze - especially when she sees the flush that colours his own cheeks. It's the last confirmation she needs to know that her assumption about this being more than just a ring is correct. But she'll keep it to herself for now. ]

That just means that we'll have to make sure that this ring is perfect. Talk about pressure! The bad news is that I don't think there's anything you're looking for in the markets. The good news is that I can help you make it.

[ As long as her lips are sealed, it's fine, he supposes, relaxing just a little, though the color takes a bit longer to leave his face. It's an even bigger relief when he realizes she's taking this as seriously as him— and his eyebrows shoot up, just a bit, when she offers her help. ]

You can? [ He pauses. ]

Alright. Tell me what you'll need and I'll find a way to get it.

[ It's clear by his countenance that no request will be too much. Not if he's doing it for her. ]

[ Why wouldn't he trust a woman he's just met in the marketplace to keep a potential proposal secret? She's perfectly trustworthy! There's no reason to doubt her, not with her big doe eyes and small stature. In fact, if Clive looked it up in a dictionary, he'd see a picture of Hilda right beside it.

...Which isn't entirely true depending on the person or the secret. But that's neither here nor there. Not when it's a proposal.

Clive's conviction would just about have her swooning. Everything Jill had told her in the Horizon tumbles through her brain, demolishing everything else in its path. Ah, but right. The ring itself. There's suddenly a buzz about Hilda, like the slight crackle of static in the air as she begins to fire off questions for him. ]

Do you have a preference for stones? Carats? Her hands are rather dainty, so I'm guessing nothing too large that would look cumbersome on her. By the way, do you know her ring size? If not I can ask her I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem if you think it's too obvious.

[ Sorry, Clive. ]

[ There's no need for her to be sorry; he's less fazed by it than maybe he should be. She reminds him of Mid, in this moment, rapid fire questions and conclusions at the speed of thought, the same sort his all but adopted sister liked to throw around when she was in the midst of designing. He waits, patiently, for her to finish, and then answers each one by one, crossing his arms, fond of this woman in front of him. ]

I'm not familiar with many names of stones, so something blue. And diamonds, like ice. I don't know what a carat is. I don't know her ring size—[ and at this he does look guilty ] I've never thought to ask. Something like this has never really been a priority until now. If you don't think it would be too suspicious for you to ask...

Edited (formatting error) 2024-01-13 14:05 (UTC)

[ Too sucked into her vortex of designing, she doesn't notice any hint of fondness. Which is probably a good thing for her; she'd be too taken aback, possibly a little confused and potentially flustered by it to proceed with this quest that she's stumbled upon and decided to take up the mantle for.

All of Clive's answers are diligently written into her little notebook alongside the rough sketch of the design she's made in their time speaking here. ]

I'll see if Glen has any sapphires that he's come across that could work. Maybe something light blue so it's not too much of a contrast from the diamonds. And we'll use platinum or silver if I can get my hands on it. I'll make sure they're all proportionate to her hand so that it doesn't seem too overwhelming. She doesn't strike me as the loud, bright type.

[ And she does mean that as a compliment. As much as she's going about this informal consultation as professionally as possible, she still pauses, giving him a little bit of a ribbing for not knowing Jill's ring size though. ]

It's okay, most people don't. But I'll come up with a way to ask that won't give away your secret. [ She grins holding out her little notebook towards him. ] What do you think about this so far, by the way? We can adjust the design as much as you'd like beforehand.

[ He's watching as she sketches, still listening intently. He nods at light blue, and again at silver — gold wouldn't feel right, for Jill, he thinks. At her assertion that she's not the loud, bright, type, he looks up at Hilda, ready to protest, but it only takes him a second to realize what she means. Jill may be the brightest thing in his life, but she isn't flashy or ostentatious.

He's a little in awe that Hilda understands her so well already.

When she offers the sketchbook he looks at it, eyebrows raising. ]

No. It's perfect. A single snowflake, as unique as her. In silver, with the diamonds. And the light blue.

[ He hesitates for a moment, unsure. ]

You'll really be able to ask without her suspecting anything?

[ Hilda doesn't expect her quick sketch to hit the mark right off the bat and it shows. Being lazy and being a perfectionist shouldn't technically belong together, but they're somehow traits that co-exist in her tiny pink frame; even when outfits or jewelry were executed well, she was quietly never fully satisfied with her own work.

She's about to question that. Ask him if he's entirely sure that it's "perfect" because she can already tell that there are things she'd like to change - but then he asks her a different question in turn. Her own hesitation folds under an inquisitive look as she cocks her hip out slightly. ]

Are you doubting me?

[ Said like they had known each other far longer than this brief interaction in the market. ]

Well—no.

[ And he isn't, not really. But... ]

I'm doubting myself.

[ He tries to lie, he does. Lying by omission is hard enough but outright trying to keep from ruining a surprise by pretending to have no idea what's going on? That's not going to happen and he knows it, especially if the guilty look on his face is any indication. ]

It's difficult for me to... pretend something isn't happening.

[ he's an incredibly bad liar, hilda!!! ]

You're a bad liar, aren't you?

[ Despite how sympathetically sweet she says it, there's a bluntness to it. A little force meant to apply just the tiniest bit of teasing pressure to a man so large. He might get the impression that this is a past time of hers that she's come to enjoy in her time beside Claude's side - but she'd rather die than admit that. ]

That's okay! Lying is bad anyway. But you don't have to do any pretending because I will. And it's not really lying if I just sort of admit the truth.

[ She tries to give him a reassuring pat on the arm. ]

Here, to ease your nerves why don't we do a little practice here? Pretend you're Jill and we'll run through a little scenario of how I might ask her. You start.

Edited 2024-01-24 05:00 (UTC)

[ This is going to end poorly, and he looks around at the market around them before coming to therms with the fact that he's gotten himself into this, and there isn't much choice in how to get out of it.

He clears his throat, and tries to stand a bit more gracefully. Regal. Tries to hold himself in the way that Jill does. It looks about as natural as a dog standing on it's hind legs. ]

Hilda. It is. Very good to see you on this evening. How might I be of assistance?

[ Some way, some how, Hilda manages to keep a straight face. It's probably the best impression of Jill that she'll see barring having the actual woman in question in front of her, but let's just say that the bar is being set...rather low.

More than that however, it really just highlights how much trouble Clive is going to be in if the topic of a ring comes up. Sweet Cethleann's tits, this is going to take some work. Instead of making her laugh, it lights a little fire in her to ensure that she can equip him the best he can. Briefly she wonders if this is how instructors feel trying to send their students off on a task. ]

Jill! You're looking stunning as always. I'm working on a little project and need your assistance with it. Are you busy?

No.

[ Said with all the seriousness of a man trying his best to not sound serious, but lighthearted and kind, and failing completely and utterly at it. He looks just as serious, too, a crease forming between his brows as he frowns in thought. ]

I was just… Sewing. A shirt. For… someone. Why?

[ Hilda's lips twitch again but there's still a shocking amount of restraint being shown in the presence of what is probably his best attempt at any impression. ]

Oh, well, then this shouldn't take too long. I'm hoping to make some rings for some friends as a sign of friendship! I'd love to make one for you but want to make sure that it fits well.

[ She cants her head to the side slightly, an innocent smile on her lips. ]

Do you think I can measure your finger?

[ He's trying, Hilda, but even he knows he's doing a terrible job, you don't need to spare his feelings, and the look on his face shows it as he tries not to sigh. Instead, he crosses his arms, dropping character for just a moment to say: ]

Friendship? That's what you're going with?

[ Clive's skepticism is met with a cool raised eyebrow. ]

Sure! You've heard of friendship bracelets, haven't you? Why not friendship rings?

[ Listen, she knows when she has to step up in certain situations. Not that she enjoys it - but sometimes that's just the way the chips fall. And this is sadly shaping up to be one of those times. ]

And besides I haven't told her everything about my world's customs. She's not going to know any better!

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