Lazy Sunday

[Seraphina]

Nodding, “That’s true, I’ll give you that. But that’s not how you talked about it before. Sometimes being patient pays off.” A playful shrug.

With the look, she holds her arms out, not bashful at the look, “Maybe Spring needs to have a costume party.” That would be fun! “But, who knows, you might show up here one night and find me wearing it. It could happen.” She warns him with a coy smile.

Internally, she shrank a bit, even though she knew she did nothing wrong. Looking down and absently moving her cards, “Sorry, didn’t mean to bring up a bad subject.” Finally looking to him with a small smile. “I can see why it’d be a more entertaining way to make money! If I knew how to play when I first got here, I’d have picked it over being a waitress.” There was a laugh as well. “And it is honest, it’s not your fault you’re good at reading people.” A shrug.

“Oh! That’s great! I could actually stand a chance!” she seemed to bounce a bit with excitement at the thought. She then quickly moves from being seated, to laying on her stomach again. “This is going to be a fun game and I can tell I’m going to enjoy it! Might lose a lot, but as long as I keep having fun, and spending time with you, I don’t care.” There was a content smile on her face.

[Rhodes]

"Yes. And sometimes being patient kept me hanging at your door. Though I must admit you are worth the wait." Rhodes grins.

He cocks his head. "I'm not normally one for costumes. You may need to help me."

The Dread Lord gives her a small smile. "Sera, look at me. You didn't know. How could you have? This is just another way I turn what she did to me into an advantage of my own." He shrugs. "I have a distinct advantage over many of being honed in an environment like no other. Literally playing for your life."

Rhodes grins as Sera lays down, eyes flicking over her curves again. "You may yet. We'll call this round a practice and then try with the betting, shall we?"

[Seraphina]

Amusement was apparent on her face, “Is that what it was? Here I thought it was my amazing personality.” She jokes with a smile, “I’m glad I didn’t disappoint, that just wouldn’t be acceptable. Very unbecoming of a Spring to disappoint.” It was true.

“Really? But I guess costumes aren’t for everyone.” But they were fun! “I just enjoy spending the time planning the perfect one. If you want a costume I’ll gladly help, but if they’re not your thing, that’s ok.” No big deal to her.

There was a bit of reluctance, but she does look him in the eyes. “I understand that, I just don’t like it happening. We’re supposed to be having fun, relaxing.” An absent shrug, “It’s the just illogical side of me, thinking it's me personally. Though I know it's not. But I’d rather see you smiling and carefree.” To make her point she rolled onto her back, arms in the air, grinning and laughing, then rolled to her stomach once again, just being silly. But she understood. For her it was her voice and what it could do.

A nod, “That sounds good.” Looking at her cards again, “Ever come across any players that are sore losers?”

[Rhodes]

Rhodes eyes her playfully. "Well, that was also a factor."

He shrugs. "I can do masquerade, and reflecting people's expectations of Autumn - magical and mysterious. But beyond that I simply prefer formal wear - ah, present company excepted, I think." The Flowering chuckles, gesturing to the duvet and his naked body beneath it.

Rhodes reaches over and runs a gentle hand along Sera's jaw. "Seraphina. We are broken people. Sometimes, our cracks will show. But it is not you, and I can think of no-where I would rather be than here, with you." Her playful laughter brings that warm smile back to his lips. "One day, perhaps. Remember it is very hard for me to let go at all, and yet with you.... I feel as carefree as I ever have," he says softly. At least when I don't think about this ending, and going back to my tombs and nightmares.

The Autumn King ponders for a moment. "Oh, certainly. Some get violent, some try to drown their sorrows.... Personally my favourites are the ones that appear to snap out of a trance, realising what they've done, how much they've lost.... the fear slowly gripping their souls..." He smiles, looking just a little sinister. "Earning money and Glamour together. Dinner and a show, you might say."

[Seraphina]

“I was hoping it was.”

She eyes him, “I bet you look quite handsome in something magical and mysterious.” It was true. “Well, my current favorite costume has a, eh, circus feel to it. From the top hat to the colors, took me a year to get it put together the way I envisioned it.” And it was carefully stored. Sapphires look him over once again, “This is a good look for you too.” She says coyly.

The touch helped put the irrational thoughts away. She nods, “I understand and respect that.” And knowing he felt carefree lifted her spirits. She places a hand on his, “I hope you don’t think I was pushing, I would never do that.” Was she curious? Yes. But not stupid. “And seeing that smile makes my day.”

A knowing look appeared in her eyes, “Oh, now that I can work with. Using my charms and a few well-placed looks should generate enough distraction to get a read and Glamour for the night. I love how you just keep making this game more and more fun!”

[Rhodes]

Rhodes smiles. "You've seen me in my robes, darling? Admittedly we weren't alone then." He looks at her, smirking at the coy look. "There is no aphrodisiac like being wanted. Lusted after. Sort of explains these last few weeks, doesn't it?" He grins.

"Sera." The Autumn King's voice is firm, reassuring. "I don't think that at all. You found a weak spot. The more time we spend together, the odds of us finding those in each other increase." He sets the cards to one side and wraps his fingers around hers, looking at her reassuringly. "I have never felt you have forced me to share anything. I share because... I trust you. Perhaps it's the intimacy or a naivete but I feel like I can. And that... for us... is so very rare. But you see that smile more than anyone. It just comes out when I'm around you." The Flowering watches her adoringly.

Rhodes' smile broadens. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. If you handle this alright you could come with me and see how you handle the real people."

[Seraphina]

A shrug, “Well, there’s no shortage of that here. Though after a few weeks it usually fades,” she begins, “yet it hasn’t, only seems to be increasing. At least for me.” She says looking thoughtfully at her cards, “Interesting how that works.” She says with a wink.

Then a nod, “Yeah. It’s just hard for me because of how I am, I always seek to make people happy, bring some level of joy to them. And when I feel like I haven’t, then it’s like a failure. And that’s on me, something I need to work on.” She knew it was her problem. But it didn’t make it easier. Then she looks up quickly, surprise on her face. He trusted her? “For me it was because I felt a connection with you, on a level I wasn’t expecting.” If she was being truthful about it. “Whichever it is for you, you can trust me. But it takes time, and that’s ok.” She was ok with it.

Smiling herself, “I feel honored.” And she meant it.

Narrowing her eyes playfully at Rhodes, “If I handle it alright? What’s that supposed to mean?” she says with a laugh. “I’ll have you know I can handle pretty much anything.” A nod. “I haven’t met someone I can’t handle, or at least charm. But I’d much rather get better at the game and use those skills. You know, not many people expect a pretty face to be good at much.”

[Rhodes]

Rhodes watches her, smiling coyly. "And I. Whatever will we do about that?"

"You do make me happy. I just wish you could see it." He smiles. "A connection, yes. Something we didn't see. But I can talk to you. And I hope you can trust me too. Over time." His thumb gently rubs over the back of her hand.

"You should be!" Another chuckle. "You're the only one who sees it."

The Flowering smiles. "I don't doubt it. But I know you're far more than a pretty face on a fantastic body."

[Seraphina]

Thinking for a second, “Well, there are a few things we could do. But there are only a few that are appealing. I personally say we just let things go as they are.” Then it was like something dawned on her, “Oh, unless you mean right now. Because then I’d have to say nothing. See, you have a game to teach me and we have breakfast on the way.” She was clearly playing with him, “Now, after that? We might be able to work something out.”

A softer smile, “I do, I see it in your smile. It’s changed over these past few weeks.” She’d have to be blind to not. A nod, “I can trust you, and I find myself wanting to open up more as time goes by.” But as he knew, it was difficult.

Grinning, “Even better! Cause I’m horrible at sharing.” A wink.

There was an attempt to pout, “Ah, so my secret is out already.” The look broken by a giggle as she looks down at herself, “Think so? I work really hard on it at the gym. Though I prefer the at home workouts, a lot more fun.” True. “But you can’t let the secret out, I need to be able to use it to my advantage in card games.”

[Rhodes]

"I was thinking a little more immediately, yes," Rhodes smiles, then shakes his head. "Such a tease," he mutters to himself.

"Well, then we're both on the same page." Another smile.

The Flowering arches an eyebrow. "So am I."

Rhodes stares incredulously. "Do I think so? I would have hoped I had shown that by now darling, with our 'home workouts' happening with increasing frequency?" He chuckles. "Oh, don't worry. Much like said body, I'd like to keep that secret all to myself."