what am i doing

[manforflowers]

How could I have not known about a city which so many gorgeous women? I suppose fighting the Risen didn't leave much room for matters of the academic... To think, so many beauties deprived of my charms! How could I, the daring and loveable Inigo, allow such a thing to pass?

These cafes aren't... quite what I'm used to, but it looks like they serve tea and cakes just as well.

[Or perhaps you'll just come across this wandering mercenary in the city. He's for hire - and if you happen to be a pretty girl, he'll work for free.]

Comments

[manforflowers]

Er... well...

[ABOUT THAT...]

[docilehearted]

[What a... slightly less smooth reply. Alorah pretends not to notice the uncomfortable way Inigo trails off. It's not very soothing or welcoming to make someone feel embarrassed, after all; the misstep was hers, if anyone's.]

It doesn't really matter, anyway. I'm going to try my very hardest to make sure I bake the most delicious one you'll ever have.

...Oh, I hope that's not too braggy of me, is it?

[manforflowers]

[Oh no he had to recover from being terribly unsmooth. Otherwise the pretty girl would discover that he was actually... completely hopeless with the ladies.

Inigo cleared his throat and tried to regain his composure.]

Anything that someone as kind-hearted as you put effort into making will no doubt taste fantastic! Alorah, my sweet, I have every confidence that you are equal to that task!

[docilehearted]

I certainly hope so, but wait until you've had a bite to make up your mind.

[This might be another case where it takes weeks to achieve an edible product, after all. No point letting her head get swollen. (Note to self: definitely ask if Inigo is vegan.) ]

I don't know if I'm any more kind-hearted than anyone else here, I just think food is one of the best ways to make someone feel at home, that's all.

[manforflowers]

Now, that's simply untrue! I see great kindness in you, my little dandelion. A compassion I would treasure!

You think yourself common, but you reached out to me, a complete stranger, with a warm heart and a welcoming smile.

Were people like you as plentiful as those little sunny flowers, the world would be a much brighter place.

[docilehearted]

[Alorah's definitely not the type used to flattery; she never quite knows what to do with herself once the compliments start coming her way. She can't push the shyness away long enough to keep herself from fiddling with the lace at the end of her sleeve or lowering her eyes bashfully, nor can she stop her face from getting warm.

...It's a nice sort of nickname, though. She can't say she really minds being compared to dandelions, considering how happy she is to be one. The smile it brings to her face isn't just polite or nervous, but genuinely happy.]

All the more reason to scatter those little seeds of kindness wherever we can, then, right?

[manforflowers]

[Oh, what an adorable smile. There was that perfect charm of a girl who was just a little bit bashful. Inigo couldn't help but also turn a little pink at the sight of her blush.]

Exactly so!

I have an idea. Alorah, we should be such dandelions together!

[docilehearted]

I'd like that very much.

[She offered her hands to him -- she wasn't so forceful as to just outright grab his hands, but she'd never been afraid of contact, and it seemed right to seal the deal with some sort of gesture.]

The world could always use more flowers, and I have a feeling you'll bring lots of bright little blooms to this place.

[manforflowers]

So long as you are by my side, dandelion, no task feels too great!

[He took her hand in his and bowed low to plant a kiss upon her dainty glove.]

We will cover this city in a sea of blossoms and smiles, so swears Inigo.

[docilehearted]

[Just like her Japanese animes fairy tales. Her other hand rose to her cheek, equal parts charmed and flustered by the princely gesture.]

Ah... I don't know about you, but I think I know exactly where to start. That cake isn't going to bake itself, after all.

[manforflowers]

[Far be it for him to intrude on someone else's kitchen endeavours. He couldn't claim to be good enough with a whisk to actually help - more like get in the way, really.]

Well, since you'll be working so hard, I'll have to find a special surprise of my own.

Bear with this absence just a little while, my dear. [And to top it off with a cherry, Inigo winked.]

[docilehearted]

[It'd take some time to bake and frost a cake, anyway; it wouldn't be very reasonable to expect him to stick around for the entire time with nothing to do.]

I can hardly wait! I won't be far. If you can find the kitchens, then that's where you'll find me.