Dining in Paris

[Rhodes]

An eyebrow arches. "Well, that is just carefully selecting to do so, surely? It may not be 'style', in the sense, but is a style. Indefinably yours." He gratefully takes the hand of his lady love, smiling appreciatively. She kept him grounded, far more than he wanted to admit.

Rhodes clutches his hand to his heart as if wounded. "Oh, please don't darling. How could I take it?" He smirks a little.

A nod, and a smile. She was so full of joy. "An explore it is, then. It sounds like you've had that in mind for a while." The Flowering chuckles. "Really? I'm not sure I'd want to tread on any toes while w're here. Do you think you could leave Sacramento behind?" The question was light - he didn't want to seem like he was tricking her. He was genuinely curious.

A nod, and a smile. "I had thought something dark, but the light would make an interesting contrast with the right shades." He pauses, thinking. "I'm not sure that would work everywhere, but we can see." The idea of working together was very alluring. He watches Sera for a second before answering. "I... suppose we could, if you wanted?" he asks with a small smile. "It isn't something I had considered."

The starters arrive, and Rhodes samples his soup. "Oh, wonderful."

[Seraphina]

The smirk was returned, “Only one way to find out.” A hint of playfulness in her smile.

A hand was placed on her chest, “Me? Step on any toes?” a shake of her head, “Certainly not! And should some feathers get ruffled, then there is no saying what a well-placed word can’t fix it.” An innocent shrug. As a Nix, she had the ability to sooth. Sapphires look off in the distance for a moment, thinking over the question, “By myself?” a shake of her head, “No. But with you? In a heartbeat. I could move my coffee shop here; we could take nightly strolls along the river.” Sounded good to her. “But I would miss our friends.” She’d grown quite attached to her Court.

“We could look at both! I have a computer program from school that would allow us to take pictures of the room, then try different colors. And you’re right, there are rooms where I don’t think it would work. But we can always have fun trying different things.” It was all part of design.

A small shrug, “I’m on the fence about it actually. Maybe in the past, I would have already been doing it. But now? I don’t think so. And I believe that’s from growing and learning.” It was hard to explain in public. But she thought he would get where she was going. “Plus, it’s not like Sonja doesn’t visit.” She enjoyed their movie nights. "Though there has been one who has mentioned a few times wanting to see the library at our house." slight irritation in her voice.

A smile to the waiter as the soups arrived. “It looks and smell delicious!” she exclaims before carefully trying it. “This is the best French onion soup I’ve had. Perfect blend of flavors.” A content smile on her lips.

[Rhodes]

The Flowering rolls his eyes good-naturedly, smiling. They had such wonderful banter. "I wouldn't want to trouble you, sweetheart."

He chuckles. "Not deliberately, of course. Just if there were any... locals we might find familiar. I'm not sure I'd like to serve again." It was an interesting dream. "You make it sound so tempting, running away together." He sighed a little. "Sacramento has become... a home. Our home. It would be sad to leave, but I don't deny I have always had a... plan for if we did have to move."

He smiled. "Really? Well, we shall have to give it a try. What did you have in mind for redecorating?"

And eyebrow arched. "Whom might that be? We could always redirect hem to my place."

He sipped his soup and smiled in turn. "Oh! Delicious. Not too sharp, not too over-seasoned, just as you say."

[Seraphina]

Looking quite self-confident, “Oh, no trouble at all! Always good to have a little bit of fun.” Life was too short to not have fun.

Then the realization hits her, “Ah. That’s a good point.” A sage nod. She had almost forgotten Them. “It has become that. Though I’ve always thought a home was wherever you made it, and who you made it with.” She then looked a bit surprised, “Oh you do? And when were you going to share it with me? Is it somewhere warm? Or someplace filled with history and romance like Paris?” she would have to know what to pack of course.

“Then when we get back, we can take an evening and look through it. Have in mind? I’m not sure. I know I want the library bigger, and I was thinking mahogany woods with maybe some blue or red accent pieces. Though I am tempted to see how much of a pain it would be to turn the library into something two story with a spiral staircase.” A sigh, “Many ideas and some that might not work.” That was how her mind worked, with multiple tabs open. Different ideas working themselves out.

“That would be Miss Lillich, and she wants to visit your place as well. And I’m pretty sure she’s mentioned that to you. But no worries, I have no issues being firmer if I have to be.” Trying to brush the the whole thing off.

Pointing to the soup with her spoon, “See, this is what is going to keep me wanting to come back. Might have to see if we can snag the recipe, in case I get a craving for it and we can’t simply hop a plane over.” She jokes with a laugh.

[Rhodes]

The Flowering eats his soup, watching his girlfriend. "Are you sure? It's really so easy to just forget."

He inclines his head. "True enough. However, I think you may be overestimating the level of planning. It mostly involves a bug-out bag, leaving tickets to Rio de Janeiro in our house and actually flying to Venice." He shrugs. "My imagining of leaving is considerably short-notice, and prepared as such. But w can always take more holidays."

Rhodes smiles again. "It's a date. Mahonagy is wonderful, I'm sure I could work with it," Eyebrows raise with the suggestion of the modifications to the library. "We would have to check the structural ramifications of such a development, sweetheart. But it would look spectacular."

A small nod. "Ah, yes... she had also mentioned something to me last time. I'm sure we can divert her to my little archive. There's even more to it nowadays - the shelves look much fuller."

He chuckles along with her. "It's a lot more expensive than visiting the Italian place down the street." The Dread Lord gives the Spring Queen a loving smile.

[Seraphina]

Sapphires sparkle, “Oh, I’m completely sure. And no, it’s not so easy to forget.” She just wasn’t sure how to go about it yet. But she’d figure it out.

Blinking a few times, looking a bit confused, “A bug-out bag?” more thinking, “Because whatever bag, it seems like it would have to be big enough for our clothes.” Ok, her clothes. She was confused. “Venice? Now that sounds like a perfect place to visit! And after this trip, I’m on board for more holidays.” She wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as she had.

A slight pout with a sigh, “That is one of the obstacles I haven’t figure out yet. There is quite a bit that would have to go with it, and it might be safer and cheaper to just upgrade the house.” A shrug. “If not the house, then maybe somewhere else.” A Hollow. “And I’ve sketched out how I would want it to look.” Because of course she did.

Nodding while taking another spoonful of her soup, “It comes up frequently, and she hasn’t been deterred yet. And I would have figured yours would be far more interesting then the one at the house.” Because Autumn Hollow. “Oh? That’s wonderful! Seems I’m going to have to pay it a visit soon then!” she sounded proud of him. “Afraid my company section isn’t as exciting. I’ve been focused on security upgrades and nothing else.” But she wished the others would focus on it. “And my personal space isn’t much to look at yet.” Was she admitting to a private Hollow?

A nod of agreement, “Most certainly. So all the more reason to try and sweet-talk the chef for the recipe.” A mischievous smile. As a Nix, it was something she could do. “Or we can attempt it ourselves! Find different recipes and see what we can do. We’ve talked about trying to cook more, this might be a good excuse! And the house is fully insured, so we’re covered there.”

[Rhodes]

There was a chuckle, and Rhodes paused, waiting. Whatever she was going to say he wanted to be ready.

"Ah..." he looked a little awkward. "The kind of bag you have pre-prepared? In cas eyou have to leave in a hurry due to dramatic unforseen circumstances?" He shrugged. Some changelings were always ready to move on, in case their world was not as safe as they thought. Though a smile returned. "I did always want to see the italian Reiviera... all the fine dining Europe has to offer..."

"You are welcome any time. What's mine is yours, my love, you know that," he replied quietly. There wa sno-one else in the world he would permit that to. He nodded. "Well, Security is crucial. I've done some investment myse-" he cocked his head, cut off. "Personal space? Have you been working on some private rooms, my dear?" He asked wryly.

"Do you really think we'll burn the place down?" the Fairest laughed, finishing his soup. "I must admit though, if we could make that it would be wonderful."

[Seraphina]

She deliberately, and delicately, sipped her water. Eyes watching him, humor on her face.

“Oh! Now the name makes sense! I’ve never had anything like that, and that’s probably from not having much before.” A shrug, “But I certainly can see and understand the importance in it.” He had opened her eyes to those things, security. Being careful. “Then one day, we will.” She sounded certain.

A simple nod, “I know that, but it’s still difficult to get used to. And I hope you know I feel the same.” But Autumn had been more private than Spring was their Hollow. And it was something she respected.

A proud smirk, “I have. I decided I wanted a private space to work on my designs. And there is just something about a space where no one can call you. Though it isn’t much, because other more important things have come up. But it’s there, and I’ve been using it.” Making a new dress.

A light laugh, “Considering our combined lack of cooking skills? I think it’s a possibility.” Though she didn’t sound concerned about it. “But it might be fun. And who knows? We might end up being amazing cooks!” always optimistic.

[Rhodes]

Rhodes nodded, looking ever so slightly apologetic. "It's.... well. Old habits, and all that. I'm... much more used to running that standing," he admits slowly. "Even together. I have always had plans in case we... needed to get away. In case..."

...they found us.

He looks up, seeing her certainty, thinking of vacations not yet taken, so happy. So focused on desire. It was rare the difference in mindsets they had scraped horribly across his mind. He saw dangers, she saw life. Though they were so different, they complimented each other. Desire and Fear.

Rhodes slipped his hand in a jacket pocket, and sighed. He offered a small nod. "Difficult.... yes. But... we've both come so far, these eighteen months. We've grown, so much. Together." His look was full of love for the Nyx.

He smiles. "That's wonderful, darling. If you'd like any... support, to make it a little more homely, I'm all yours. As ever." Her proposals of culinary exploration continued to make him smile. Sera was always so bright, to full of hope. The brightest spot in his world.

It's not real, you know. Her love is like ash compared to what mine could be for you again...
You don't have any hold on me now, Ophelia.
Oh, my sweet flower. Of course I do, or my voice wouldn't be in your ear.

Rhodes reached out and gently took the Spring Queen's hand. Her touch made things more real, even as his vision tried to swim in illusions of gardens and red flowers. Starters were removed, and mains arrived. The Autumn King sipped his white wine to steady himself, and sighed, looking upon his mussels. He could feel himself losing her appetite.

[Seraphina]

She smiles reassuringly, “It’s not a bad habit, it’s an extremely important one. And I think I neglected to think that far, choosing to believe things would always be ok. A lack of accepting the truth on my end. But I now see and understand the need and importance of such plans. So you won’t hear me complain or question that decision.” Honesty in her tone. He had made her realize she had been living in her head, ignoring the dangers around her. And those dangers needed to be acknowledged, understood, and prepared for.

She catches the movement, and figures he could have gotten a message about the Freehold. A nod of agreement, “We have, haven’t we?” a happy smile as she thought about it. “I have to admit, I don’t know where the time went! But it’s been such a wonderful eighteen months.” She never knew happiness before.

“We had talked about that before, and it’s something I would still like to explore. But I understand we each have obligations we have to fulfill. Which was why I hadn’t brought it up before.” His Court, like hers, had to come first. “And right now, it’s filled with fabric and sketches, a mess.” A laugh, “But it’s been a great workspace.” Her dress for Autumn would be finished soon.

There was a smile as he took her hand. Her eyes light up as the plates were set down, “Oh, these look wonderful!” she gushed, before noticing the sigh, concern in her eyes, “Everything ok? Do I need to go into the kitchen and use my customer service voice on them?” she teases gently, not sure what was up. But she was now calling her ability with her voice her customer service voice. It was happening.