[ Clear something up? Right here in the stairwell where anyone can hear or interrupt them? Bernie chews on her bottom lip uncertainly, hovering in place. ]
Whatever it was... I mean, if it was last time... [ Should she raise her voice to be heard? Oh, what if the other residents here them, what will they think? ]
There's nothing to clear up, Ferdinand! I've... I'm really sorry for last time, and I won't do it again!
No! Not right here! But maybe sometime in the future, is all I am saying...
[Wow! He has some nerve, doesn't he? It would sound horrible if she really did change her mind about kissing him. Is he just fudging this?
(the answer is yes, ferdinand. you're fucking yelling this down the stairs.]
You wished that I could share a delicious meal with someone nice on my birthday! I know that last time did not go so well, but... would you be that someone?!
But... wouldn't you want to spend it with someone else? [ She is also saying this up the stairs, and they can probably count down the seconds until someone else comes in from another floor to tell them off.
But until that happens, she's going to continue just like this! She isn't directly face to face with him, or with anyone, and this... suits her just fine. She even creeps into the middle of the stairwell to look up, searching for a flash of his hair. ]
I don't want to interrupt your plans, or mess up your birthday!
You would do nothing of the sort! I would like to spend it with you, too!
[Even though he has to do a sub swap at some point today, he can find a way to carve time for spending a day here that symbolically commemorates his birth with his friends!]
[ There's no response for a little while - longer than probably appropriate for a back-and-forth conversation like this. Maybe long enough for Ferdinand to get nervous?
But the reason for it is clear if he waits just long enough-- Bernie has crept up the stairs quietly until she's just one flight of stairs away from him. She's dressed in an oversized hoodie that's more dress than shirt-length, and a pair of tights. They're new and clean and cozy, smelling like flowery fabric softener - nothing second-hand from the Center anymore.
It's also nothing quite appropriate for a meal out, she thinks. So she looks very unsure when she glances up at him, brows furrowed in concern. ]
[It was enough of a pause to cause some nervousness to start edging into Ferdinand. Their friendship could be on the line, after all... Not totally, but he would hate for them to be so estranged. But she starts to emerge, and his hopes climb back up again.
He also manages to rein in his volume better.]
I can hardly blame you for wanting to leave. There was a misunderstanding, and I hurt your feelings because of it. So, yes, I am sure that I still value time that we can spend together.
I hurt your feelings, too. I'm sorry. [ Her sleeves are long, engulfing her hands, and she twists them nervously. She's here now, so he has to look at her while they're talking, but she needs to keep looking away... especially as she starts rambling again. ]
I... I signed a contract with someone! So... because of that, I can buy things if I want to. I try not to, because technically it isn't my money! But I told him I'd find a way to repay him, even if I don't know how yet and he told me I don't need to. I still want to, and I'll find a way somehow, but for right now... [ She was going somewhere with this! Ferdinand just has to wait for her to make sense. ]
For right now, um, do you want to have tea somewhere outside...? [ . . . ] You can say no, if you want! We can do something else! Or... Well, it's your birthday, so you should get to pick what you want to do, or who to have tea with!
[Ferdinand listens patiently as she provides some background before arriving at her point. Curiosity gets whetted upon her mentioning her contract, which, while a bit of protectiveness rears up in him at knowing that she is in the care and household of a stranger from another world entirely, he manages to get placated by the fact that he seems at least kind enough not to expect any repayment for helping her in a way that is his duty here as one who has been granted the means. It's a good sign. He will have to ask her more about her Dominant.
It also surprises him, that Bernadetta of any of them was able to contract within a month or so of being here. But at least he doesn't have to worry about her delaying it...]
How could I decline? That sounds like a marvelous way to celebrate. Indeed, I choose tea, and I choose you!
[ Why was this so hard? She frets a little, fidgeting with her sleeves a bit before she makes sure to look him in the eye too. ]
Okay! I mean... I'm glad! Do you want to go now? I'm not really dressed for anything fancy. I'll find something more appropriate if you want to. [ Not that there's really fancy tea shops around here. There was a quiet café not too far off that she'd heard of, some places that had tea and coffee and something called curry. Was that good for a birthday?? ]
Sorry. I didn't plan... I just thought, I just wanted to get these... these things to you and slip away. [ But he caught her before she could! That turned out to be a good thing, somehow? ]
There is no need to worry about how you are dressed. [Is that oversized hoodie even her clothes? Or is that perhaps an article of her new Dominant's? No matter. Even if he's finding himself just a tad salty at the thought for whatever reason, what's more important is...] Right now, all I care about is spending time with you. I do not know of any good spots to have tea in the Down, but... I have heard of good things about Honestea in the Up!
[If that is even feasible for them right now... Ferdinand considers, though he is a bit reluctant.]
Though I suppose we could always find something a little closer. I should not be so swift to judge a place before I even try it, after all.
[ If he really wanted to ask, he might be pleased to know that it's her own hoodie! But maybe he shouldn't make assumptions of how close she is or isn't to her contract partner...
She does brighten at the thought of Honestea, though. That's closer to where she now stays, which she thinks is favorable. ]
We can go to Honestea. I think they'll be nice to us there. [ Since it's run by LIErs and all. ] Do you want to take that... elevator? Or do you want to take the train? [ Both are frightening in different ways to Bernie, as the train provided a view, but meant they had to give way to dominants. Meanwhile the elevator was quick, but still sort of scary. ]
I wish we could just warp over. All this walking around outside is so hard and so scary, especially down here. [ Near the public housing was okay, but gang presence and criminals started to make themselves known the further away they got. She's told she worries too much, but honestly down here it felt like her worry was justified, and part of why she was convinced to sign on with someone who lived in the Up. ]
Wouldn't that be convenient! But at least when we are together, we can make each other safer. I will look out for you, Bernadetta. [He says this with so much sunny conviction, as though the will to do so will triumph in the face of all else. Some of that conviction is well-founded, at least, so seasoned in combat that meant life or death as he was, and often in close quarters. He has protected Bernadetta from things worse than thugs before.] That said, I think we should take the elevator. I find that the train station is often creeping with brutish knaves.
[He also finds a bit of a thrill in taking the elevator...]
[ You know, all that earnest conviction may have been a turn off long ago. But it's so familiar, and such a relief to hear after she thought she could never be friends with him ever again, that she just laughs a little. It's enough to make her eyes crinkle, even as she looks away and hides her smile behind a hand. ]
Okay. Okay, Ferdinand. And I'll look out for you, too. I think I've figured out the shortest and fastest way, so we can go together. [ The benefit of being Bernie, she was always trying to escape. So she knew all the best routes and shortcuts to take.
A beat passes, and then: ]
I'm glad. That you still want to see me. I was a little afraid, but... [ She shakes her head. ] I guess I have to stop being so scared of people all the time.
Of course I want to see you! If that was all it took to chase me away, then I am afraid you could not call me a true friend.
[She needs reassurances like these more than most people. And that's okay! He is glad to offer them plentifully. Does he need anything before he leaves? No, not really. She's coming as she is, and so he will do the same. He starts coming down the stairs to catch up with her so that they can get out of here.]
[ That's food for thought, isn't it? Because she let her impulses drive herself away from him, from Hubert, from Annette. Was she not a good friend? She's the problem, but... she doesn't want to be the problem again.
She tucks her hands into the convenient front pocket of her hoodie as they fall into step - she'll try not to fall behind him! ]
We can go this way. It won't be too bad! I've stopped bringing my bow around since I haven't really needed it. Isn't that a surprise?
[ Either way, it wouldn't be much use in close quarters, which most crime here happened to be. Luckily the way to the elevator is pretty straightforward and safe, so they should be their in no time. ]
When we're in the Up... I was thinking - we should, um. Look for stables? I think there's some up there. If not for today, maybe... next time?
There is a bit of irony to that, is there not? Similarly, I am not usually bringing my lance with me most places.
[But Bernadettaaaaa what about equipping Close Counter That can invite trouble in different ways depending on where he is, Up or Down. It is particularly troublesome in the Up, where the need to defend oneself is less prominent and therefore somewhat senseless to do anyway. At any rate, he can still ward enemies off without a weapon, though not as effectively (or mortally, which is not something he wants! Bad idea besides, most likely).
Ferdinand looks at Bernadetta, piqued with intrigue.]
Stables? To board a horse in? [A sad smile appears.] I no longer have one. Unless... you mean for me to get the chance to spend time with them? [Some hopeful excitement trails at the end of his question.] That might be nice. I do so miss being around horses. Even seeing one would do me well.
[ Maybe this is a Bow Knight build Bernie that abuses Canto! Oh no, has she said something bad? She doesn't like that smile of his. But her brows furrow in thought. ]
I just heard about them being around, so I don't know -- maybe... we could see if they have a horse to spare, if you want one here? [ There's no true need for one - they didn't have anywhere to go. But... ]
I think I'd like to see some, too. I know it was tedious, but I liked looking after them at home. A lot of people don't like stablework, so... [ They were one of those places she could hide in, if she needed to. ]
[Any wistfulness for his equine companions falls away as they reminisce and break open ways they might be able to reconnect to a piece of themselves they left behind.]
They do grouse and gripe about the task, don't they? [he agrees brightly, with a short chuckle at the thought.] Which is why I wonder if we have not just walked right into the perfect solution? Surely, if there are stables, then they must have need of stable hands? Imagine, Bernadetta! It would be wonderful to get the chance to tend to horses with you again. And as I have been finding myself so restless these days, this would be a fine remedy for some of that.
Oh, maybe! Do you think they'll let us help out as stable hands? [ Such a different, unglamorous way of passing the time. She's also been thinking of getting some sort of work, she didn't like having to rely on her dominant for money. If things didn't work out for her embroidery efforts, this would be another option. ]
Even if they wouldn't, it'll just be a nice way to spend an afternoon or two. Maybe. If you think so?
An afternoon alone would be splendid. Oh, this is so exciting. I can hardly wait. [Yeah, Ferdinand, we can tell! You're practically sparkling. A whim seizes him, then.] Do you think we can check them out before or after we have tea? I must make myself present at my temporary Dominant's place later today, so my time is not unlimited, but even just a look would be delightful.
Oh. I think we can do whatever you want to do, Ferdinand. [ She'll have a tough time of it, if there's a lot of people in a place she's never been before. Bernie isn't adventurous or anything, and often needs... prep time. To do things. New things!
But stables aren't technically new. And she'll be with someone she knew, so... It'll be fine, surely. Hopefully. She'll do it, because it's his birthday. ]
Also, um, I didn't know you had other plans. I'm so sorry! If you want, we can have tea another time? I don't want anyone to get mad at you.
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Whatever it was... I mean, if it was last time... [ Should she raise her voice to be heard? Oh, what if the other residents here them, what will they think? ]
There's nothing to clear up, Ferdinand! I've... I'm really sorry for last time, and I won't do it again!
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But that is just the thing! If you were to do it again, my response... would be different!
[His face is starting to warm up. Oh dear...]
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Oh. But... you don't have to change your mind if you're feeling sorry for me.
[ Did she skip a few steps and make her own assumptions again? Maybe. They feel right, though! ]
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[Yes. He is continuing to yell this down the stairwell, currently unheeding of how embarrassing this is. He has a feeling he needs to communicate!]
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... R-right now?! Here?
[ Why?? ]
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[Wow! He has some nerve, doesn't he? It would sound horrible if she really did change her mind about kissing him. Is he just fudging this?
(the answer is yes, ferdinand. you're fucking yelling this down the stairs.]
You wished that I could share a delicious meal with someone nice on my birthday! I know that last time did not go so well, but... would you be that someone?!
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But until that happens, she's going to continue just like this! She isn't directly face to face with him, or with anyone, and this... suits her just fine. She even creeps into the middle of the stairwell to look up, searching for a flash of his hair. ]
I don't want to interrupt your plans, or mess up your birthday!
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[Even though he has to do a sub swap at some point today, he can find a way to carve time for spending a day here that symbolically commemorates his birth with his friends!]
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But the reason for it is clear if he waits just long enough-- Bernie has crept up the stairs quietly until she's just one flight of stairs away from him. She's dressed in an oversized hoodie that's more dress than shirt-length, and a pair of tights. They're new and clean and cozy, smelling like flowery fabric softener - nothing second-hand from the Center anymore.
It's also nothing quite appropriate for a meal out, she thinks. So she looks very unsure when she glances up at him, brows furrowed in concern. ]
Um. Are you sure? Even after what I did to you?
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He also manages to rein in his volume better.]
I can hardly blame you for wanting to leave. There was a misunderstanding, and I hurt your feelings because of it. So, yes, I am sure that I still value time that we can spend together.
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I... I signed a contract with someone! So... because of that, I can buy things if I want to. I try not to, because technically it isn't my money! But I told him I'd find a way to repay him, even if I don't know how yet and he told me I don't need to. I still want to, and I'll find a way somehow, but for right now... [ She was going somewhere with this! Ferdinand just has to wait for her to make sense. ]
For right now, um, do you want to have tea somewhere outside...? [ . . . ] You can say no, if you want! We can do something else! Or... Well, it's your birthday, so you should get to pick what you want to do, or who to have tea with!
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It also surprises him, that Bernadetta of any of them was able to contract within a month or so of being here. But at least he doesn't have to worry about her delaying it...]
How could I decline? That sounds like a marvelous way to celebrate. Indeed, I choose tea, and I choose you!
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Okay! I mean... I'm glad! Do you want to go now? I'm not really dressed for anything fancy. I'll find something more appropriate if you want to. [ Not that there's really fancy tea shops around here. There was a quiet café not too far off that she'd heard of, some places that had tea and coffee and something called curry. Was that good for a birthday?? ]
Sorry. I didn't plan... I just thought, I just wanted to get these... these things to you and slip away. [ But he caught her before she could! That turned out to be a good thing, somehow? ]
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[If that is even feasible for them right now... Ferdinand considers, though he is a bit reluctant.]
Though I suppose we could always find something a little closer. I should not be so swift to judge a place before I even try it, after all.
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She does brighten at the thought of Honestea, though. That's closer to where she now stays, which she thinks is favorable. ]
We can go to Honestea. I think they'll be nice to us there. [ Since it's run by LIErs and all. ] Do you want to take that... elevator? Or do you want to take the train? [ Both are frightening in different ways to Bernie, as the train provided a view, but meant they had to give way to dominants. Meanwhile the elevator was quick, but still sort of scary. ]
I wish we could just warp over. All this walking around outside is so hard and so scary, especially down here. [ Near the public housing was okay, but gang presence and criminals started to make themselves known the further away they got. She's told she worries too much, but honestly down here it felt like her worry was justified, and part of why she was convinced to sign on with someone who lived in the Up. ]
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[He also finds a bit of a thrill in taking the elevator...]
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Okay. Okay, Ferdinand. And I'll look out for you, too. I think I've figured out the shortest and fastest way, so we can go together. [ The benefit of being Bernie, she was always trying to escape. So she knew all the best routes and shortcuts to take.
A beat passes, and then: ]
I'm glad. That you still want to see me. I was a little afraid, but... [ She shakes her head. ] I guess I have to stop being so scared of people all the time.
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[She needs reassurances like these more than most people. And that's okay! He is glad to offer them plentifully. Does he need anything before he leaves? No, not really. She's coming as she is, and so he will do the same. He starts coming down the stairs to catch up with her so that they can get out of here.]
Lead the way, Bernadetta.
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She tucks her hands into the convenient front pocket of her hoodie as they fall into step - she'll try not to fall behind him! ]
We can go this way. It won't be too bad! I've stopped bringing my bow around since I haven't really needed it. Isn't that a surprise?
[ Either way, it wouldn't be much use in close quarters, which most crime here happened to be. Luckily the way to the elevator is pretty straightforward and safe, so they should be their in no time. ]
When we're in the Up... I was thinking - we should, um. Look for stables? I think there's some up there. If not for today, maybe... next time?
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[
But Bernadettaaaaa what about equipping Close CounterThat can invite trouble in different ways depending on where he is, Up or Down. It is particularly troublesome in the Up, where the need to defend oneself is less prominent and therefore somewhat senseless to do anyway. At any rate, he can still ward enemies off without a weapon, though not as effectively (or mortally, which is not something he wants! Bad idea besides, most likely).Ferdinand looks at Bernadetta, piqued with intrigue.]
Stables? To board a horse in? [A sad smile appears.] I no longer have one. Unless... you mean for me to get the chance to spend time with them? [Some hopeful excitement trails at the end of his question.] That might be nice. I do so miss being around horses. Even seeing one would do me well.
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Maybe this is a Bow Knight build Bernie that abuses Canto!Oh no, has she said something bad? She doesn't like that smile of his. But her brows furrow in thought. ]I just heard about them being around, so I don't know -- maybe... we could see if they have a horse to spare, if you want one here? [ There's no true need for one - they didn't have anywhere to go. But... ]
I think I'd like to see some, too. I know it was tedious, but I liked looking after them at home. A lot of people don't like stablework, so... [ They were one of those places she could hide in, if she needed to. ]
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They do grouse and gripe about the task, don't they? [he agrees brightly, with a short chuckle at the thought.] Which is why I wonder if we have not just walked right into the perfect solution? Surely, if there are stables, then they must have need of stable hands? Imagine, Bernadetta! It would be wonderful to get the chance to tend to horses with you again. And as I have been finding myself so restless these days, this would be a fine remedy for some of that.
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Even if they wouldn't, it'll just be a nice way to spend an afternoon or two. Maybe. If you think so?
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But stables aren't technically new. And she'll be with someone she knew, so... It'll be fine, surely. Hopefully. She'll do it, because it's his birthday. ]
Also, um, I didn't know you had other plans. I'm so sorry! If you want, we can have tea another time? I don't want anyone to get mad at you.
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it's time for some ✨headcanon✨
👀!!!
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