abraxaslogs | [ OPEN ] the river's overrun

[ This year is miles and above better than anything they had gone through last year. Even without the added eight hundred years of fake memories, it feels like it was so long ago. She still recalls spending her time preparing a present ready for him that she had no plans on delivering to him personally. This was a far cry from that. Where they were now was a far cry from it. ]

Really? Bold of you to assume that you'd know what I'd like in a library of all places.

[ Libraries really aren't all that bad. Even back at the Academy she had come to enjoy it when she didn't have overdue library books. But so much of her fondness probably had more to do with the man she was straddling more than the knowledge and stories that lay on those shelves. She was starting to appreciate them more now of course - but she would be lying if she said that this wasn't some of her favourite ways of existing in this place.

She grins into the next kiss she steals from him, not bothering to stop his wandering hands from pushing her dress hem that much higher. ]

We'll probably have to get up first to see because I'm assuming it's not this lovely table.

Does this not count as something you like?

[ He'll never miss a moment to take a truth they know to twist it into something else, something to tease in all that playfulness as his fingers dip beneath the hem. Another tiny flirting with a line as they so often do since he's not lost sight of needing to move. Not as a probably but as a definitely, but no need to rush. Right?

It's as good as an answer said aloud when she steals a kiss that might be more teeth than anything between both of them having the same expression. Even if Claude's considering getting up and weighing the risks of each place, it's enough to be here in a moment like this which makes his heart feel like it might overflow with fondness. ]

And hey, don't slander this table. It might be just as lovely as you've said.

[ His hands inch higher still. If there's footsteps approaching, not even Claude hears them. ]

It could be. I haven't really experienced this enough to say.

[ That's a lie if either of them have ever heard one. Days (and nights) at the Academy library had a mixture of dodging assignments tasked to them, dragging Claude out of there so he didn't end up spending the night, and finding corners to do exactly this.

The exposed skin pebbles as he lifts the hem of her dress higher and higher sending a shiver of delight up her spine. One good deed can't go unrewarded, right? Her hips begin to grind slowly as she's there perched in his lap. Multitasking had always come easy to her - mostly because she didn't want to be doing any task in the first place.

But keeping an ear out for the telltale signs of heeled boots approaching their secluded corner? At least that much she can do. She's leaning in for a kiss when the footsteps stop and turn down their aisle causing Hilda to all but leap backwards off of Claude, pressing a hand to his face while the other is quickly straightening out her dress.

It isn't Liesel (thankfully) but another library attendant who had come in search of a book. She tuts him, turning around to hurriedly collect the books scattered across the table and tucking the piece of paper he had been using to work out the clues she'd left for him into her skirt pockets. ]

Come on, Claude we promised Liesel that we'd put all the books back. We can't just leave it to the poor librarians here.

[ The shift of her hips causes his breath to catch in the back of his throat momentarily. A familiar motion - one which usually does accompany roaming hands from one or both of them, but often his in particular when they're seated just like this today or on any other night - and Claude quickly decides there's no reason to pretend it's not enjoyed.

Hilda knows it'll be successful, after all. That's the whole reason for it and he decides to double down (further) on the teasing. ]

No? I seem to remember a couple of particular tables that--

[ Whoever of the general public is within hearing range is spared from Claude finishing that thought because while he's still leaning up to collect the kiss she's been moving towards - suddenly there's nothing in front of him but air. Nothing to feel except a hand on his face keeping where he is, and he blinks in confusion at Hilda. This isn't usually a step in their game, he's pretty sure.

But: the reason becomes apparent enough when she addresses someone and he immediately stands himself to reach for a book while looking entirely unfazed. They'd run into this in the library plenty of times, after all. ]

Right, right. We'll have this picked up in a minute, won't we?

[ The attendant gives them a decidedly suspicious look at what isn't nearly as seamless of an act as their usual one. The suspicion grows as Claude flashes a smile their way, but after some browsing they find the book and leave with one last side eye. It's only then that Claude drops the innocent charade and grins as he leans over to Hilda to press a kiss to her neck. ]

You're a bad influence.

[ Like he hadn't started it in the first place. ]

[ There's no time to relish in the reactions that she can pull from Claude. She still can't help but marvel knowing that once upon a time she had wondered at all the ways to pull other emotions and reactions from him. Claude's laughter, his smile, had been what she had purposefully sought after and chased. She had spent her days turning over ever page and line of him to learn him in a way she hadn't cared to learn anyone else before that. All of her daydreams could never have imagined this.

And yet somehow, through all the twists and turns, she had been lucky enough in her life to have somehow ended up here in a library in some other world, with him.

It's that thought more than this ridiculous detour that has her biting back a grin as she gathers up the books in her arms. Thank Goddess their backs are turned to the library aid otherwise she might have very well given away what they had been doing if they hadn't already. When she hears the sound of footsteps fading away and Claude's warmth at her back she arches her back, pressing her ass into him. ]

I was only following your lead.

[ Hilda turns, books in her arms which she's quick to stack atop the one he had already picked up. ]

So about this favourite hiding place of yours.

[ If he blinked right now, Claude thinks, the library around them might meld into the monastery's. At least on the surface when this feels so much like any of the days (nights) in that particular library where he'd beeen researching this or that and where their encounters had been behind this bookshelf or that storage before growing a little bolder. A little more out in the open - like this one, for instance, since he's not entirely sure the aide's truly gone as he leaves another kiss against Hilda's neck and then one along the top of her shoulder after he's rewarded with her pressing back into him.

That is all the more familiar from many other times besides this one alone, too, and Claude's intent on following wherever this version of that path leads even as she turns to face him and he offers a scoff at the idea of leading anything. (He is.) ]

I thought you were ready to put all these books away.

[ He's certainly made no moves to do so aside from the small act put on when they were interrupted since the book that was in his hands went right back onto the table. And as for his hands? They do the same as he places one on either side of her right next to her hips with palms pressed to the tabletop. It's hardly a trap; they both know that Hilda could shove him out of the way using one finger if she really felt like it.

Then again, when hasn't he enjoyed flirting with danger? Now's no exception as a familiar smirk appears as he leans his weight onto his hands next. ]

Are we leaving them for after?

[ A small noise of appreciation at the kisses her presses to her skin sounds from the back of her throat - which is really just a stand in for the answer to his question. ]

Who says we can't do both? I'm not one for multi-tasking but it's never too late to start, right?

[ And by that, she fully means putting on airs that they had plans of returning these to their rightful places. Hilda had mostly grown past the days of carelessly leaving this type of thing to librarians or other people who were more inclined to see things put away in their place. Mostly.

Admittedly it's difficult when Claude is dangling a very tempting offer in front of her. Or is it the other way around? The answer is it's both.

She grins back at him with as much mirth and mischief. ]

But I guess you are the birthday boy. So you should get to choose.

Oh, well. Say no more since you've already found the way to my heart.

[ Far beyond just what he's teasing about now when they both know shifting any plans any direction at his whims is something he's fond of. And if he's going to be left in charge of making the decision here then there's really only one answer to that, isn't there? Something else they both also know, of course; that's how this game of back and forth he so enjoys works between the two of them.

Which is why Claude immediately grins as he straightens back up and tugs the books out of her arms. They're unceremoniously set right back down onto the table to be forgotten about until some time later. The librarians will understand if they claim it's for doing some other research - probably - but he's too busy skimming fingertips down Hilda's arms until he can take her hands in his to link their fingers and tug her forward. ]

I think I know just the place.

[ There's one location which stands out among the rest of the quiet and less traveled places he's uncovered in this particular library - one which is somehow even more remote than the rest of the winding bookshelves and corridors they'd been through to look for the books as part of the secret message just a bit ago. This corner around from more shelving full of tomes is dimmer, what with there being few windows and what ones are there being partially covered up with storage crates as Claude leads them further in to be tucked away from everything else. ]

Less chance for any interruptions, you see.

[ Something Hilda's probably gathered for herself just from their surroundings, but that won't stop Claude from pointing it out with a smirk as he gently pulls her forward again, this time to drop his hands to her waist to keep her close and kiss her with an intensity meant for this semi-privacy. ]

[ The trail of Claude's fingers against her skin pebbles them in their wake and she can't help inadvertently bite her smile down when he tugs her forward. A jolt that is instantly identified as want skips down her spine as she twines her fingers through his. Books? What books? She'd still make good on her promise to the librarian but there were other things that took priority. Namely, the birthday boy. And if there was one thing that Hilda prided herself on it was spoiling others in the way that she liked to be spoiled.

As they near Claude's intended destination she notes the turns and the aisles if only because this is likely to happen again in the future. More noticeably, there are fewer people in this section than where they'd been. Leave it to Claude, she thinks, to find a semi-secluded corner of the library. ]

Less interruptions? You mean for putting away books?

[ The put on, air-headed tone is so obviously fake but she can't help but tease even in the mere seconds before she knows what's to come. An arm wraps around his neck eliminating the remaining space between as she tilts her head up so that her lips fit together perfectly with his. It isn't long before her lips part for him, fingers weaving through his hair. The same spark from before lights her up from the inside out, pooling in her core as she meets his intensity without an ounce of hesitation for where they are.

Her free hand snakes between them, palming him through the fabric of his pants. As much as she's teasing him there's a need there seemingly stirred up from out of the blue. Then again, she had never needed much when it came to him. ]

[ He'd have a good response to that. Really, he would - if it wasn't for this being something far better than yet another chance to run his mouth when it's far better occupied how it is. As Hilda yields beneath him Claude's quick to lean in for more as a hum escapes him when her fingers wind into his hair. Even easier then to tilt so and change their angle just enough to make it more of a hold than simply a place for her hand to rest. A message telegraphed, with any luck, like all the times before when it'd led to a tighter grasp or better yet, nails.

Desire's an ever burning flame and one that'd already been stoked by the roll of her hips in his lap. There's no hesitation again as he lifts his hips into her hand with interest readily apparent beneath her touch which serves to compound it. If his breath catching in the back of his throat wasn't felt, the next move Claude makes to slide one of his thighs between Hilda's to press against her might serve the same effect.

If there were any thoughts, any slips of memories back to times in Garreg Mach's library where they'd been caught in varying states of everything - well. Those are distant and long ago in the past compared to the here and now as he backs them up towards a bookcase, holding out one hand behind him to find the shelves before his back does, with any luck.

[ Hilda knows what that tilt of his head back means just as easily as Claude would be able to read any of her tells. Normally she'd tease him more and make him earn a tighter tug of his hair - but it is his birthday. And if the other gift that she'd had planned that would have felt a little presumptuous if not very effective wasn't going to be given, then she should at least show him a little kindness. Not that he was aware of the other gift, but still.

Her fingernails scrape lightly against his scalp as she deepens the kiss, her tongue sliding against his. Satisfaction curls inside of her at the sound of his breath hitching but that is short lived with the arrival of his leg between her thighs. Losing herself a moment her body simply follows his direction as he guides them to the bookshelf. Despite the layers of fabric that still separate them that does nothing to diminish the pressure he applies to her making her writhe against it before her hips roll eagerly against the offered friction.

That doesn't mean she's forgotten about him though. The last thing she'd want is to leave the birthday boy feeling unattended to. Her hand continues to tease him, tracing the lines of his hardening length beneath the fabric. But not everything can go quite as planned. As they hit the back of the bookshelf all their enthusiasm seems to culminate in it beginning to teeter. Apparently this one, with less books and some flaw in its design, isn't quite as stable as the others around them. Feeling something odd she pulls back from the kiss still breathing a little heavily even in her confusion. ]

Was that you?

[ The rest of the library might as well be a distant memory as Hilda moves against him. Both her hips which give Claude a fleeting sense of satisfaction, and her hand's movements when that gets his own cant into forward more of her touch. A noise which could only be described as muffled at a bare minimum also escapes him when one of his hands starts to join his leg between her thighs.

Timed right with Hilda pulling away as he blinks at her in equal confusion, mind still on what'd only just started as it takes him a second to process what she's asked. ]

What? What--

[ Things which would've been ideal to check for instead of reaching for whatever solid surface he could find for them first: whether this was one of the permanent bookcases or one of the temporary ones he's seen around meant to hold tomes yet to be filed and moved around. Usually mostly empty, and not at all anchored.

Unfortunately for them, it's absolutely the latter.

No sooner than Claude starts that sentence which is still a half formed thought does the noise catch his attention - because now it's a vibration, and right after that he's grabbing onto Hilda to keep them both upright when the shelf behind his shoulders simply disappears. And not at all silently as the shelving unit tips over, deposits the books onto the floor in varying levels of volumes, and then hits the next (actually solid, he hopes) bookcase with a loud clang. ]

Holy shit.

[ It also turns out there were also some library apprentices in the next aisle who first look at the books and then at them with something between confusion and mild horror. It's that which finally makes Claude very aware he's about to laugh, and clap a hand over his own mouth just in time. Mostly. A snicker might still escape him even though it's totally not funny. Not even a little bit. ]

[ Everything happens so quickly that she can barely comprehend exactly what they had inadvertently set in motion. Despite being pulled into Claude's arms to steady the both of them she can still see just past him to watch as the bookshelf that had been subject to their very inappropriate library shenanigans sways - and then promptly falls. The bookshelf that it had hit is also of the unanchored variety and does the same. They (she, Claude and the poor library apprentices) watch in sick fascination as the bookshelf begins to fall, hitting the ground with another sounding crash.

But whereas Claude has enough sense to clap a hand over his mouth, her hands are otherwise preoccupied, one still in his hair while the other is still not so subtly palming against his length. Could she have pressed her lips hard enough together to stifle a laugh? Absolutely. But she doesn't. Instead she lets out a brief, very loud, laugh that threatens to get louder if she doesn't think to bury her face in his chest.

Her shoulders shake as she laughs into his warmth. And while her words are muffled, he'll be able to hear them as the assistants immediately scatter collecting books, while another one hurries off to find a librarian, no doubt to tell them what happened and who they suspect was responsible. ]

Liesel is going to be so mad at us.

[ If he were the type to feel shame in this sort of situation: between the bookcase falling and realizing Hilda's hand is still on him in a way which leaves exactly zero doubt about what they were doing (or about to do) which knocked it over, this would be a prime time for it.

Instead he even less subtly shifts enough so her hand isn't so immediately suspect and tries to think of what to say, feeling zero regrets at all though that won't help salvage the situation. Something about offering to help clean up would be a good start, probably.

As Hilda continues to laugh it makes it all the more difficult for Claude to not do the same even with that tight grip on not showing anything but what he wants to. Though he's aiming to look concerned, maybe even supposedly contrite given the flurry of activity around them picking up what'd been knocked over while they just stand here, it probably looks too much like a smirk to be fully effective. Still, now that they're not in any danger of falling over themselves he places a hand on the back of Hilda's head in feigned consolation while he pats her back with the other one. ]

She's just really overcome right now.

[ Even if his face isn't conveying it, Claude's tone feigns apology well enough. He'll settle for one out of two. The nearest apprentice looks appropriately skeptical since it's not difficult to tell Hilda's shoulders are shaking not from tears. Before he can do anything else - there's Liesel looking at the books and then them with what's an absolute glower telling them to leave.

Well. Turns out he can feel slightly bad about this after all. ]

[ It's only as she feels Claude shift that she remembers that they're now fully exposed and moves her hand away to the small of his back instead to hold onto him tighter. That in turn means she presses herself deeper into the fabric of his shirt and hopefully muffling whatever laughter that escapes her further.

When she feels like she can subdue her laughter enough Hilda chooses that moment to look up. Her timing has rarely ever ben poor, but when she's with Claude all variables seem to become jumbled and it's truly anyone's guess as to what could possibly happen next. And of course Hilda making direct eye contact with Liesel is inevitable.

Thankfully she had had enough sense to arrange her expression into something looking remorseful before she had looked up and she had the added benefit of tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. But the moment she makes eye contact with a very disappointed librarian who is now delegating some of the library aides the feigned remorse becomes real. She has enough grace to look sheepish and looks up towards Claude. ]

We should probably help them right?

[ But Liesel, whose hearing is far better than Hilda would have thought is already making her way towards them. I think you two have done enough for today. And for the next little while. I'll have to ask you to refrain from visiting for the next several weeks. Remorse and guilt turn to shock. ]

Wha - but I have a project due!

[ He's opening his mouth to answer her question since the least they could do is help - and actually help this time when it comes to putting books away and things back as they were rather than getting distracted by each other all over again. Or not distracted to quite that extent which had the bookcase tipping over since that might be a good start in righting things literally and figuratively.

Claude never gets to start his own thoughts when Hilda's question is overheard and apparently the wrong thing to offer when Liesel rounds on them. The scolding doubles and he has the grace to wince slightly, though their librarian friend doesn't stop there. No, what's handed out as a punishment is something he can't argue with right in this moment as he moves to take Hilda's hands in his with a quick squeeze. ]

You've got it. We'll be out of here in a minute.

[ That banning is the sort of thing to be bargained later, he thinks, with a bit of distance between now and whenever 'later' is. Other staff might be more amenable to the idea of helping out to lessen the time involved in being told to stay away; that's the sort of thing Claude's already putting on his mental to do list to circle back in a few days to begin that bargaining process.

Either way, he's already tugging Hilda back to make sure they're really out of hearing range before muttering to her while still doing his best to not openly laugh, ] We'll ask someone else to get what you need. Sylvain will probably think this is funny enough to volunteer.

[ In all fairness her question had been totally rhetorical. Lest they forget, she had been the one to suggest (or insist, rather) that they put the books back first. It isn't her fault that she had chosen to abide by the fact that it was his birthday. Of course they were going to help pick up the books. But surely both of them deserved a second to collect themselves after the chaos they had just witnessed. ...Or maybe it would be better phrased as the chaos that they had been the cause of without even really trying.

Still reeling from the consequences of their actions turns out to be a good thing however because it means that Hilda doesn't inadvertently end up digging them a deeper hole. Hilda doesn't put any resistance as Claude leads them out of the library doing her best to ignore the pinpricks of heat blooming on her cheeks from the embarrassment of being scolded by Liesel.

When they emerge back into fresh air and Claude says what he does, another snort leaves her unbidden. And while this will absolutely throw a wrench in her plans to complete an assignment on time, she can't help the laugh that mixes with her attempt at a groan knowing that they'd have to go back to the loft and recount this tale to Sylvain. ]

We're never going to hear the end of it. Do you think the professor will believe me if I tell them that I got banned because I knocked over a shelf?

Oh, we're absolutely never going to hear the end of it. Something tells me this might just become etched in Sylvain's memory permanently.

[ All said in fondness, of course, especially when there's a zero percent chance that Claude wouldn't also immediately remember this For All Time if the situation was different. It's difficult not to grin in what's not quite anticipation but something like it since he can already picture how this conversation's going to go - and he's pretty certain Hilda can too based on her reaction - though he's in no rush to encounter it.

Better instead to wrap an arm around her waist to pull her in close to his side again while they walk with no destination in mind (that he knows of, anyway) and now it's his turn for a laugh. ]

I think it depends on how quickly the librarians decide to tell anyone else about what happened. Your professor might know a little more about how the shelf got knocked over than you bargained for.

[ If it's anything like Garreg Mach, well. It might not be long at all before lots more people know though Claude's as unbothered as the grin on his face suggests as he leans over to kiss the top of her hair and then adds, ] Not that I mind being infamous, of course.

[ As embarrassing as this is, she can still appreciate when something is objectively funny. And knocking down several shelves because they got a little bit carried away definitely falls into that category. But there are few things in life that bring her more joy than recounting tales and funny stories that can be accurately reenacted to their best of their abilities with people they care about - or in this specific case someone that they love.

She allows them to meander for the time being. While she does have one or two last gifts in store for him, there's no rush when there's still plenty of daylight hours. And technically one of them didn't really need to be gifted during the daylight hour so they truly wasn't beholden by time anymore. ]

I thought you would have wanted to keep good standing at the library of all places.

[ She lets out a noise of understanding, as if something has just occurred to her. ]

Oh, is that why you've been buying so many books lately? You're trying to turn the loft into the next Cadens library branch. [ Even though she gives him a gentle hip bump in chiding she winds her fingers through his at her waist, bringing his other hand up to kiss. ] You know you're supposed to tell us these things beforehand, right?

I have my methods of getting back in.

[ Less ominous than it sounds given that he knows the route across rooftops and a way in thanks to his own explorations not long after arriving and also from Altaïr's routes, but something Claude will also have to consider carefully lest that ban become permanent. A temporary one is one thing but not being allowed back in this library he's spent the most time in would be a different trouble entirely.

A future problem since for now there's Hilda's fingers in his and the brush of her lips against his hand, a small pleasure he never tires of feeling the thrill of each and every time when his skin feels extra warmed by where they pressed. Claude might devote a little more focus to that in the moment if it wasn't for what else she's said. ]

Wait, are you saying my copious amounts of books weren't enough of a clue? [ At this he's going to look at her to blink guilelessly in the perfect picture of innocence well crafted from infinite times of using it before. Does it matter that she won't fall for it? Not at all; that's at least half of the fun. ] Or the bookshelves we keep adding since the owner's far too nice to us? Actually, maybe you're onto something here. We could totally just add an extra room to make it its own library.

[ He's ignoring that they already more or less have that, of course. ]

[ Being in Claude's life for as long has meant that she's had the unique opportunity to get to know his brain on a far more intimate level than most. Which means that she has an inkling of how exactly he would plan to go about doing that. And as much as she knows how much he enjoys a good dare, she knows full well that he isn't about to jeopardize his access to the library for good. And neither is she for that matter (though, admittedly, that's a surprising thought to have all things considered). ]

Well if you're feeling daring enough, I could probably foresee one or two big huge kisses with your name on it.

[ She's kidding of course. Not about the kisses, but the being daring enough to sneak back in. Sylvain will have to be their temporary library book mule. If he ever stops laughing after they tell them this particular story.

Her expression falls flat as she looks at him from over their intertwined hands. ]

We'd probably have to ask the owner of the building before we add any rooms.

[ The unimpressed look turns into something sharper, more mischievous not so unlike the look she had given him in the library before they had been unceremoniously kicked out. The next kiss across his knuckles lingers. ]

And we'd have to make sure that they're sturdy enough to hold us up.

Just one or two after I'm being incredibly brave and risking my life for the books you need? I'm wounded, my love.

[ Because that's the main issue here, clearly, and Claude's not going to miss a chance to spiral it out into something more even if in the next breath he's waving a hand as though to dismiss concerns about adding rooms. Just another matter of spinning it to be something of value - sort of like sneaking back into the library except with less risk. Probably.

That's how he'd phrase it if he had another chance to latch onto it for humor's sake when there's no telling just where he might take it from there. Hilda's faster with a distraction and one he certainly isn't going to set aside for any changes back to prior topics. Those are all well forgotten when her lips brush against his hand. ]

Their number one requirement along with skipping the carpenter who put the library's together.

[ Something substantial's the way to go much like their other shelves around the loft. A thought which has Claude stopping in the sidewalk to tug Hilda forward by their joined hands to lean in for a kiss meant to pick up right where they'd left off prior to those shelves betraying them.

Or it would be if this kiss lasted longer; it's all of a few seconds before that they're on a rather busy sidewalk interrupts via someone shoving past with a grumble about blocking everything. It's not a rough motion but enough to jostle them about to where Claude places both hands on Hilda's waist in the aftermath to steady them both. ]

Sheesh. Doesn't anybody appreciate a couple having a moment anymore?

[ It's not the first time she's heard the term of endearment, but she seems to preen under the sound of it all the same. The words dancing off of Claude's tongue leave her all but unfurling towards him like a flower towards the sun and her eyes seem to shine a little brighter. ]

We both know that you're never really going to have your fill of kisses. And what if you get tired of them? I have to use them sparingly.

[ Though they both know that the word isn't really something that Hilda puts into any serious practice. A nobleman's child's behaviour can change but she'll always fall back on old habits. And giving kisses sparingly isn't where she's about to start. She's pleased that he seems to have that mentality too as he captures her lips in his. It never takes long for her to lose herself in their kisses but there's hardly enough time to really settle in when they're jostled. A quick glare shot to the back of that someone who had interrupted them replaces the dreamy expression she'd had on her face. And it proves to be effective - the retreating form has them looking back as if feeling a distinct sharpness thrown at the back of their head. They're quick to continue scampering off with a little more of a sheepish look to their face. ]

Apparently not. [ The momentary annoyance is smoothed away as she returns her gaze up back towards him a curl of mischief still on her lips. ] But if you want quiet, I did have one more gift in mind if you think you have the energy for it after solving my incredibly difficult scavenger hunt.

Get tired of them?

[ There's no end to the scandalization! Nor is there any hesitation in that response leaving Claude's mouth the very second Hilda stops speaking to replace his supposed annoyance about getting bumped in the middle of the sidewalk. Easier still to focus on running with the joke when Hilda more than takes care of sending them on their way, even if Claude himself is now occasionally glancing around a bit more for anyone else approaching. Just in case. ]

I've never been more offended in my life over the very idea I might ever get tired of them. I need a moment to recover.

[ Of which he's going to do by pressing the back of a hand to his forehead as if seeking to compose himself and there's no smirk threatening to pull at the corners of his mouth or any amusement in his eyes. Or that a second later he shrugs, apparently over whatever the supposed trouble was to take Hilda's hand in his to tug her along to his side. ]

Alright, recovery complete. I'll let you lead the way to where we're headed next which hopefully won't be another scavenger hunt.

[ The universe and Abraxas' gods certainly seemed intent on telling them that they should probably be a little bit more mindful of their surroundings when it came to their public displays of affection. But if causing bookshelves to fall in a library, getting banned from said library, and then being jostled in the streets for a little kiss hadn't deterred either of them yet, it's impossible to say what will.

It doesn't help matters either that they both seem to take turns egging the other on with their behaviour. Case in point right now.

There's no stopping the snort and the laugh that follows that Claude immediately pulls from her at his dramatics. He'll meet no resistance as he pulls her into his side or a missed beat as she begins to lead them towards their final destination for the evening. ]

Do you know how much work that would take? One was enough. I'll need at least eleven months before I'm ready for another one.

[ It doesn't take them long to reach the Old Public Hall. With a lull between shows it's blissfully quiet which is exactly what she had hoped as she leads him towards her office. For once all of her projects are tucked away into their respective areas leaving the couch and desks in a rare clean form. Which means that it would be impossible to miss the beautifully wrapped package lying in wait on the couch. She's quick to lead him over before holding it out towards him. When he begins to unwrap it she explains, perhaps with the first sign of nerves that she's displayed all day, a preface to what he'll find. ]

Now, I didn't have much to go off of but I wanted to get you something that blended something of home and here.

[ Lying in the box wrapped in delicate tissue is a beautiful silk outfit not so dissimilar to what he'd find in Almyra. And naturally, it's made fit for a crown prince. It's made of deep greens and golds, and embroidered with motifs of deer and the clockwork of the city that they were slowly coming to call home. Her eyes search his face watching for any signs of distaste or offence. ]

...Do you like it?

[ OPEN ] the river's overrun

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