( there is a small box left on the countertop. dolores' name is written on its tag in a scroll that is painstakingly elegant. mirian is not left-handed, but she has had time to adapt.
the box is a small assortment of high-quality teas, bought with her own wage.
( she's accustomed to platitudes. to navigate the political structure of amasti territory beneath the emprine's bootheel, one must by needs adapt. say things they don't mean, flatter the right people. it's been a long time since she was able to be nice to someone for it's own sake. because she could choose to be.
so thursday rolls around. she isn't nervous — they've spent enough time now navigating being in each other's space that there's no cause for that, but. she does perhaps take more care with her appearance than is her normal custom. her hair, which she at best usually ties with a scarf, she actually styles in loose waves, and she wears the new tunic she'd gotten from that shop giveaway a few weeks prior.
she's seated at the kitchen table, but whenever dolores enters she stands up and holds out her arm for a quick hug. )
I wasn't sure which you'd want to try, so besides boiling water I haven't started yet.
[ Dolores normally wouldn't have left so early in the day if she knew she would have to be back around 11, but there were things she wanted to achieve... errands she intended to run.
She's holding a small package in her hands when she enters the apartment- and smiles brightly when she sees Mirian stand to greet her. Where Mirian's tunic is bright and colorful, Dolores's summer dress is a white linen. ]
I'll admit, I'm not quite sure which I want to try first either.
[ She laughs a little and returns the quick hug before setting the package down. ]
I figured we deserve some treats to go with the tea. I hope you like sweets? I didn't think to ask until just this moment...
( she hadn't expected that dolores would bring anything at all, and for a moment her expression is unguarded, surprise evident in the faint twist of her mouth. )
I do, actually. Though it's been a long while since I've had any.
( she trails her fingers along the edge of the package, and then lets her hand fall away. )
Sugar rationing.
( by way of an explanation. the truth was, she could have bypassed the rations, owing to her father's station. but he would have frowned upon her doing so as much as she herself would never have dared. one cannot hope to speak for the people while they stand apart from them. )
[ Sugar rationing... While Dolores had never dealt with that herself (being not actually human or living in a real setting for much of her life), she understood the concept. She smiles a little and gestures for Mirian to take a seat again as she moves to the kitchen to grab plates and napkins. ]
Was there much rationing of other things as well?
[ She's genuinely curious, but adds a moment after: ]
I haven't had to deal with rations, per se... But we had to make do with what we had around the ranch when it was a bad year, so I can understand it a little, I think.
[ She sets the plates on the table and opens the box to reveal two large creampuffs. ]
( it's simply said, as she sits. she feels a poorer host for it, but she's trying not to impose what she knows of culture here, and especially not on dolores, who has already been so kind. )
My country was occupied by the enemy after our surrender in a war. Unfortunately, major supply lines were either destroyed or so tightly controlled that things like fresh meat, vegetables and other non-essential amenities were often very difficult to get. One could acquire them on the black market at great cost, but I personally had no taste for the risk.
( no, she took her risks in other places, but never over sugar.)
[ As Dolores sees it, Mirian has already taken care of the water for the tea. She watches her as she carefully plates the cream puffs, discards the box, and takes a seat herself. ]
In a situation like that, I suppose you have to pick and choose your battles.
[ When asked about missing home, though... she smiles faintly. ]
Pieces, here and there. I miss my parents and how simple things were there compared to here, I suppose.
[ She's been off the ranch for some time now. And perhaps what she misses most is not necessarily something, but someone. The guilt over losing Teddy still lodges itself at the front of her memory bank. ]
( her answering smile is wry. picking and choosing her battles is what lead her to the emprine's death, in the long run. it took nearly a decade, but she still considers it to have been an action of worth.
(she's concerned, of course, about how things will play out in the aftermath. but the white iris had managed to either install trusted people in the vandian government or sway others to their side such that the power vacuum shouldn't devastate sal amast any more than it has already been. if only she were there and not here... but she can't hold to hope.) )
I'm sorry you're separated from them, though I imagine you're grateful not to have them here.
( the idea of having nehir or jaskan here, or even her aunt zubaia... perish the thought. )
Did you raise cattle, then? Or was it more an agricultural farm?
( they've hardly had the time to have an idle chat. she knows very little of dolores, and her interest is evident in the way she is leaning slightly forward, fingers tracing absently along the line of her collarbone where it terminates in the amputation. )
Hopefully it lasts for them. I know this place can be hard at the best of times, I can't imagine being married here.
Well, you were such good company on our first date, I thought you might enjoy this? Not that it's a second date. It can be, if you want it to be though. But it doesn't have to be.
Besides, everyone will be envious of me, having you with me there. I'd like to show you off, beautiful things desreve to be admired by all.
It does? It's not a little too much? I mean don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to marry me if you catch the bouquet or anything. Not that you're not marriage material! God, you'd make someone so happy I can tell. I'm getting off track. Sorry.
We will huh? I know you will regardless.
Oh it's in a couple of days, let me send you the info.
[ Will sends her an attechment with a print of the invitation.
Great, I'll what, meet you a little while before hand? I have never been to a wedding before, you're supposed to get them a gift right? This is already so stressful. I'm sorry for dragging you into this.
[ He's a natural worrier with social anxiety. Why did he accept the invite? Sorry Dolores. ]
It's been a while since I've been to a wedding myself. Yes, you're supposed to get them a gift, though. A nice card and a certificate to some place, perhaps? I'm not sure if registry's exist here, but that usually gives guests an idea of what they're looking for.
You're not dragging me into anything. If you want, I can find a gift for them? A nice set of wine glasses and a decanter, maybe.
Dolores, you are a life saver. I would have no idea what to get them. Maybe I could get them a nice bottle of wine to go with the glasses and decanter you get? Does that sound okay?
Okay, I'll stop asking if this is okay and saying sorry. Honestly, I'm just glad you want to come with me again.
[Sent to Dolores are a couple of vouchers: one to the Plumage Boutique with enough to purchase two full outfits; the other to the Between The Covers bookstore for five books of her choice.
He also has sent a portable simplified working touchscreen wristband, giving her limited access to his illusion tech for her own personal use - there are some built in scenes such as a beautiful beach and a lovely mountaintop vista. She can also create from her mind and memories, her own scenes within a certain radius like a room. Just nothing too extensive with the limited application but can be used for reliving or creating basic scenarios. She can even tinker with it herself. The kit also includes two small projector drones, approx 2x2 inches in size.]
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branchandroot
a gift;
Date: 2020-09-02 11:20 pm (UTC)the box is a small assortment of high-quality teas, bought with her own wage.
just that. little things. )
text; un: prime
Date: 2020-09-07 05:08 pm (UTC)The tea looks wonderful- thank you. Will you join me for a cup sometime this week? After work, perhaps.
@cpt.akambe
Date: 2020-09-09 11:37 pm (UTC)I would be delighted. Perhaps Thursday?
no subject
Date: 2020-09-16 03:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-17 04:29 pm (UTC)( she's accustomed to platitudes. to navigate the political structure of amasti territory beneath the emprine's bootheel, one must by needs adapt. say things they don't mean, flatter the right people. it's been a long time since she was able to be nice to someone for it's own sake. because she could choose to be.
so thursday rolls around. she isn't nervous — they've spent enough time now navigating being in each other's space that there's no cause for that, but. she does perhaps take more care with her appearance than is her normal custom. her hair, which she at best usually ties with a scarf, she actually styles in loose waves, and she wears the new tunic she'd gotten from that shop giveaway a few weeks prior.
she's seated at the kitchen table, but whenever dolores enters she stands up and holds out her arm for a quick hug. )
I wasn't sure which you'd want to try, so besides boiling water I haven't started yet.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-21 08:46 pm (UTC)She's holding a small package in her hands when she enters the apartment- and smiles brightly when she sees Mirian stand to greet her. Where Mirian's tunic is bright and colorful, Dolores's summer dress is a white linen. ]
I'll admit, I'm not quite sure which I want to try first either.
[ She laughs a little and returns the quick hug before setting the package down. ]
I figured we deserve some treats to go with the tea. I hope you like sweets? I didn't think to ask until just this moment...
no subject
Date: 2020-09-21 10:08 pm (UTC)I do, actually. Though it's been a long while since I've had any.
( she trails her fingers along the edge of the package, and then lets her hand fall away. )
Sugar rationing.
( by way of an explanation. the truth was, she could have bypassed the rations, owing to her father's station. but he would have frowned upon her doing so as much as she herself would never have dared. one cannot hope to speak for the people while they stand apart from them. )
no subject
Date: 2020-09-23 01:04 am (UTC)Was there much rationing of other things as well?
[ She's genuinely curious, but adds a moment after: ]
I haven't had to deal with rations, per se... But we had to make do with what we had around the ranch when it was a bad year, so I can understand it a little, I think.
[ She sets the plates on the table and opens the box to reveal two large creampuffs. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-09-25 08:29 pm (UTC)( it's simply said, as she sits. she feels a poorer host for it, but she's trying not to impose what she knows of culture here, and especially not on dolores, who has already been so kind. )
My country was occupied by the enemy after our surrender in a war. Unfortunately, major supply lines were either destroyed or so tightly controlled that things like fresh meat, vegetables and other non-essential amenities were often very difficult to get. One could acquire them on the black market at great cost, but I personally had no taste for the risk.
( no, she took her risks in other places, but never over sugar. )
Do you miss it? The farm.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-25 10:38 pm (UTC)In a situation like that, I suppose you have to pick and choose your battles.
[ When asked about missing home, though... she smiles faintly. ]
Pieces, here and there. I miss my parents and how simple things were there compared to here, I suppose.
[ She's been off the ranch for some time now. And perhaps what she misses most is not necessarily something, but someone. The guilt over losing Teddy still lodges itself at the front of her memory bank. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-01 08:40 pm (UTC)(she's concerned, of course, about how things will play out in the aftermath. but the white iris had managed to either install trusted people in the vandian government or sway others to their side such that the power vacuum shouldn't devastate sal amast any more than it has already been. if only she were there and not here... but she can't hold to hope.) )
I'm sorry you're separated from them, though I imagine you're grateful not to have them here.
( the idea of having nehir or jaskan here, or even her aunt zubaia... perish the thought. )
Did you raise cattle, then? Or was it more an agricultural farm?
( they've hardly had the time to have an idle chat. she knows very little of dolores, and her interest is evident in the way she is leaning slightly forward, fingers tracing absently along the line of her collarbone where it terminates in the amputation. )
text; un: dog.rescue
Date: 2020-09-07 01:15 pm (UTC)I was wondering if you would like to got to a wedding with me?
text; un: prime
Date: 2020-09-07 04:47 pm (UTC)I wasn't aware people get married here! I would love to.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-07 05:00 pm (UTC)My friend, Wuxian is getting married anyway.
He delivered me a golded invitation with a +1.
You really would go with me?
no subject
Date: 2020-09-07 05:06 pm (UTC)I really will, yes. I'm touched that you want to use your +1 on me.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-07 05:13 pm (UTC)I know this place can be hard at the best of times, I can't imagine being married here.
Well, you were such good company on our first date, I thought you might enjoy this?
Not that it's a second date.
It can be, if you want it to be though.
But it doesn't have to be.
Besides, everyone will be envious of me, having you with me there.
I'd like to show you off, beautiful things desreve to be admired by all.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-07 05:35 pm (UTC)If you'd like it to be considered one, I would too.
You're too sweet. Dare I say they'll be envious of both of us, we'll look so good together.
When's the wedding?
(lets say this is backdated a couple of days?)
Date: 2020-09-07 06:16 pm (UTC)I mean don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to marry me if you catch the bouquet or anything.
Not that you're not marriage material! God, you'd make someone so happy I can tell.
I'm getting off track.
Sorry.
We will huh? I know you will regardless.
Oh it's in a couple of days, let me send you the info.
[ Will sends her an attechment with a print of the invitation.
(works for me! :D)
Date: 2020-09-07 06:36 pm (UTC)I understand what you mean, don't worry. And yes, I think we will.
[ After she looks over the invitation, she adds: ]
I can't wait.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-07 07:30 pm (UTC)I have never been to a wedding before, you're supposed to get them a gift right?
This is already so stressful.
I'm sorry for dragging you into this.
[ He's a natural worrier with social anxiety. Why did he accept the invite? Sorry Dolores. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-09-07 07:45 pm (UTC)It's been a while since I've been to a wedding myself. Yes, you're supposed to get them a gift, though. A nice card and a certificate to some place, perhaps? I'm not sure if registry's exist here, but that usually gives guests an idea of what they're looking for.
You're not dragging me into anything. If you want, I can find a gift for them? A nice set of wine glasses and a decanter, maybe.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-07 10:51 pm (UTC)I would have no idea what to get them.
Maybe I could get them a nice bottle of wine to go with the glasses and decanter you get?
Does that sound okay?
Okay, I'll stop asking if this is okay and saying sorry.
Honestly, I'm just glad you want to come with me again.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-08 03:15 am (UTC)I'm looking forward to this- and I can't think of anyone better to enjoy it with.
Christmas Gifts
Date: 2020-12-25 11:30 pm (UTC)He also has sent a portable simplified working touchscreen wristband, giving her limited access to his illusion tech for her own personal use - there are some built in scenes such as a beautiful beach and a lovely mountaintop vista. She can also create from her mind and memories, her own scenes within a certain radius like a room. Just nothing too extensive with the limited application but can be used for reliving or creating basic scenarios. She can even tinker with it herself. The kit also includes two small projector drones, approx 2x2 inches in size.]