middaeg | [closed] 🔶 such a lovely place, such a lovely face

[What starts as an bemused chuckle as he blinks after her stumble quickly turns into a peal of delighted laughter, and a flash of his too-wide grin might be seen thanks to his lapse in concentration. It could easily be mistaken for a trick of the darkness for how quickly it returns to his normal human features, however, before he straightens up and reclaims his voice through the chuckles, and he takes the redhead's forearms in his hands gently.]

Oh, Yona. Have you never been on a date before?

I... well, no, actually, but...

[ Her cheeks are turning a bright red as she stumbles over her words, especially when he starts laughing at her. Or at the situation, maybe. Had she missed something along the way that would have hinted this was a date? Again, she's not even sure what she would have looked for, outside of him asking her out on a date specifically.

But now that she knows that this is... Oh, dear. She has no idea what to do on a date. Should she have worn a different dress? ]

[The Fae's giggling only returns at her embarrassed response, obviously pleased with the unexpected development.]

If I had known that—

[Would he have done something more special, maybe? He's already pulling about all the stops as is... but perhaps he would have given it more thought than a few days' worth. Is it too last minute to find something else to add? He'll have to brainstorm... but for now he simply grins, an almost predatory glint in his eye as his wings flutter. How he wishes he'd practiced enough to fly.]

Your first ever date, all to myself. [He bows slightly again, this time to press a brief kiss to her hand.] I'll have to make it one to remember.

[Though that was already the plan, of course.]

[ Her flush deepens a shade as he bends to press a kiss to the back of her hand, but her fingers merely curl against his as she huffs out a soft, self-conscious laugh and shakes her head at him, amused. ]

As if any outing with you could ever be anything but memorable.

[Ferran is grinning as he straightens up, although he's still leaning forward as if he can't stand to be more than a foot and a half away from his date at any time, nor has he let go of her hand.]

Oh, flattery will get you everywhere. [He's thriving under the praise, and thanks to the occasional excited flapping of his wings and scattering of multicolored scales, he is literally sparkling. Hopefully Yona never wanted her clothing to be free of glitter...

He urges her forward with a tug of the hand he's holding; they still have a few blocks to travel before reaching their destination.]

But this way tonight, specifically.

[ She lets herself be urged, falling into step beside him once more. She can't help but grin at the flick of his wings, at the glittery dust that shimmers along the shoulder closest to him now. ]

I think your wings are getting even prettier. How is that fair? [ She laughingly complains at him. She doesn't have many fae friends here, but having seen his changes from the start have made it a very interesting experience. ]

[It would be an even more interesting experience if she was truly aware of the changes he'd gone through, especially at this moment. All that stands between his carefully constructed persona of a handsome winged prince and the monstrous reality is a decent attempt to look behind the magical curtain. None of that crosses his mind right now, though.]

All the better for you to enjoy, my dear.

[They're basically living in a dark fairy tale, so why shouldn't he play it up? Still, the phrasing slips out without much thought, and he realizes the unpleasant chord it strikes with him too late, smile faltering for a moment. It really does place him as the disguised villain of the story.

Well, that's fine. It's just a role.]

So, tell me what you thought dates are like.

[ She sees that brief flicker in his expression, although she's not sure what caused it. It has her giving his arm a light squeeze for a moment all the same, pressing close against his side in reassurance.

Although his question gets a wry laugh from her as she shakes her head. ]

Honestly? I have no idea. I only learned about them when I came here and people talked about them. Things are done... differently, where I come from.

[He doesn't seem satisfied with the answer, although her proximity keeps him from descending to a full-on pout.]

No guesses at all? You clearly heard something...

[He'll probably acquiesce if she really doesn't have an answer, but he has to put some effort into it.]

Ahhh... [ Is that a flush on her cheeks? It sounds like it. ] I suppose it is dinner with just two people. Of a... romantic nature?

[ Which had been part of her surprise, honestly, because she hadn't realized Ferran felt that for her at all? Not that she was very good at picking up on that, it seemed. It's not the first time she's had trouble picking up on it. ]

[An answer! His needling worked, and he's clearly mollified by the success.]

That's one thing a date can be... if they have absolutely no creativity, anyway.

[Dinner only?? While Ferran can enjoy a good meal with company, the much better dates involve much more than just a dinner or a lunch. He can always get into that later, though, and he does want to keep his current ideas a surprise.]

How are things done where you're from?

[ Her face scrunches up slightly in an expression caught between sheepishness and a grimace. ]

Ah, well... I'm sure it may work like that for some in my lands, but I... It was never going to be like that for me. My father was to decide who I would marry. It wasn't something I was to have a say in.

[ Although she'd tried... as disastrous as that had turned out to be. ]

Arranged marriages— [He makes a dismissive noise, waving off the concept like it's distasteful.]

What romance is there in that? Having someone else decide who you'll be with for the rest of your life.

[The concept is so far removed from his upbringing that he'd have a hard time accepting the idea even in a less moon-influenced state. Yona deserves only the best, and only she is suited to deciding who or what that might be, in terms of a relationship. Ferran believes that fully, Fae or not.]

Well. Here, at least, you can have a few adventures that you want. Don't you think?

[ She looks amused at his disdain, unsurprised by it. Most people here reacted in a similar way, she'd found, the few times it had come up in conversation. ]

To be fair, the arrangement was far less about romance and more about who would inherit my father's crown. As his daughter, whoever I wed would be the next king of our lands. He considered that choice with utmost seriousness.

[ Although her voice turns a hint sad at that, remembering those last days - the fights they'd had. Her own selfish tears and childish pleading. How she'd never had a chance to apologize, or thank him. She shakes her head, pushing the dark memories away. Now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

Instead, she focuses on him instead, smiling at the opportunities he seemed determined to offer. ] Yes, I do. And I have been. It's been... very refreshing. And wonderful. There's many things I've experienced in this place that I never could have dreamed of, back home.

[His gaze is almost sharp when he detects that downturn, although his expression is otherwise mild; when she responds positively to his suggestion, his smile returns more genuinely, even if the edge hasn't particularly left fully since the night began.

A princess and a monster. It's even more of a fairy tale than he'd thought, and it just makes things more romantic, honestly. He's only half-listening past that, compared to his usual inner consideration of how things must have been for her, how it might have shaped her. Of course Yona's feelings are important, but tonight is more important.

Which is why, now that they're approaching the place where his sizable home is supposed to be, his full powers are being put to work.]

Hopefully I can help expand your dreams a little more.

[Instead of the familiar house, what takes form on the plot of land is an elegant home in the style of Kouka's architecture, framed by carefully-kept greenery and a black gently sloped roof. The air warms and magical twinkling lights appear as they come closer, revealing the subtle carvings of dragons and flowers that decorate the facade.

It's a stark contrast to the still-melting snow of the surrounding area, to say the least.]

Edited 2021-04-16 05:09 (UTC)

[ Yona's mouth drops open in absolute shock as her pace slows for a moment to take in the familiar sight - even if the building itself is unknown to her, the resemblance is close enough that it has her stopping to stare. ]

Ferran! How did you...?

[The Fae offers no explanation, merely winking and bringing a finger to his lips. It would ruin the fun to explain it outright, he thinks.]

A magician never reveals his secrets.

[Really, the results are new to him too—although his will drew them out and the power of the moons made them into "reality," the details were unknown to him before just now. He's pleased with the result, and he'll certainly have to commit the style to memory...]

Would you like to take a closer look?

[ She just laughs at his evasion, grinning up at the sight once more. ]

I would love that, actually.

You didn't... really change everything, did you?

[ She knows about fae glamours in theory, but she's never really seen many of them in action before - and certainly never anything to this scale. ]

[Getting any straight answers out of him in his current state might be a lost cause...]

Did I?

[Really, what's the difference between perception and reality, when it comes down to it? Ferran might have been inclined to take that line of thought if he considered answering the question at all, but reality is entirely unimportant to him right now. The only important thing to him is Yona's hand in his own, and making sure the night is memorable—in a good way.]

Why worry about that? Just enjoy it.

[The interior is what she'd expect from a noble home in her country, though with several homey touches that make it obvious the space is lived in: blankets lying across chairs, books waiting to be read, a cup or two in the common areas. The one thing that would link it to the space's true form is the shape of the inner courtyard, although its garden has certainly changed to better suit Yona's tastes.]

I wasn't worried, only curious.

[ Ferran should be aware, at least by now, that she has a very healthy - and sometimes insatiable - sense of curiosity about everything around her. ]

But I am very much enjoying it. [ Which she also makes no effort to hide, exclaiming over the familiar details and the nostalgic pang for home. The courtyard gets an actual sound of delight from her and only then does she absently tug away from his hold to go bend over a bright burst of flowers. ] Oh, Ferran, this might be the loveliest place ever.

[Sadly, while Fae often use curiosity to draw people in, they don't often appreciate someone trying to get to the real truth behind their illusions, and currently, Ferran is no exception.]

Mm-hmm...

[Hers was only a gentle probing, though, so any displeasure he might have felt is avoided, especially given her clear joy at the experience his magic has crafted. The magical firefly-like lights that blink in and out only help bring out those bright colors.]

Good—it is just for you, so it has to be at least half as lovely as its inspiration.

[ She blushes at that, giving a little laugh as she turns from the flowers to face him, her expression fond and amused. ]

You are full of flattery tonight, aren't you?

You could say there's something in the air...

[Or rather, hanging far above the air.]

But there is one thing I'm not full of—am I right to think you'd enjoy having dinner out here?

[ She's been Bound to a dragon for long enough, however, that her gaze instinctively raises to the twin sisters, full overhead. She knows exactly what Caster and Archer often get up to on full moons and for a moment, her cheeks color a deep pink before she gives a soft laugh and turns to cast him a bright smile.

Coming back to tuck her hand in the crook of his arm once more, she curls in against his side with a nod. ]

I would love that. It's a beautiful night and your gardens are lovely. Since you went to all this effort, it would be a shame not to enjoy it.

[closed] 🔶 such a lovely place, such a lovely face

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