[a-ahh, don't go and flatter him now...! she'd know the feeling is mutual, right...]
You mean, aside from dregs of missing travel receipts~? Ah, and let's not forget tea-rings on reports handed in, um-- five weeks too late, yes! You really detest that one, don't you? Such fond memories, we share... don't we, Caterina?
[when in doubt, a man turns to derp okay. but-- the sincere underneath is still there. he just hopes to ease the tension a bit...]
[ She pauses for a moment. How like him to bring up his own faults. They seem so trivial now compared to the hell her mun's been giving her. That alone makes her crack a smile. ]
To be completely honest Abel, I'd rather be dealing with unexplained receipts and messy reports than this mess.
...I'm not sure how my scolding you turns into a fond memory, but I'm in no place to talk.
[ah, and so you see~? the sight of that smile makes it all worthwhile! (even if he was half expecting to be lectured on said tea-rings and receipts. you know. for old time's sake.)
his smile in return is a little softer, fonder-- in the sort of way it only ever is for her.]
It sounds like she's really giving you trouble, hm?
[it's a quiet inquiry; if she wants to explain, he'll listen... but if she rather a silly distraction, Lord knows he's more than good for that too. he just wants to make sure she's alright.]
[ There are very few than can calm the Woman of Steel, and that list consists of a grand total of three people, Abel somewhere near the top. She pinches the bridge of her nose as if it were actually going to grant her any more relief.
She's not unaware of said inquiry, and doesn't dare let it float by. Who knows, she really may need to vent. ]
More than I'm sure most have to deal with. She's beyond grating, and her indecisiveness not only rivals my own, but drives me up the proverbial wall.
[ She silently checks herself before continuing. ]
I suppose I'm just tired of negotiating everything. From seeing the people I know to my very limited freedoms here.
the tell-tale signs of stress are just about everywhere, aren't they? she's genuinely distressed by her situation, and it has that smile fading a little bit further into the look of concern.]
...I know there isn't much that you or me can do when it comes to, ah. To them, but...
[his eyes are apologetic, sympathetic -- maybe even a little guilty. as ever, helplessness is something he doesn't much know how to cure.]
What sort of thing are you trying to negotiate? [yes like he would be
Simple freedom of interaction. Involvement. Not being told to be quiet.
[ Her tone is even, well balanced. As though she's reciting it. ]
Precisely why I'm at the end of my rope. I've done all that I can, and I'm getting to the point of it's less trying to wait it out than it is to challenge it any more.
[ It's been a couple of years now. ]
Right now's a small victory, getting to speak with you.
[his brow knits, softly. to have beaten down even the Iron Lady...
he knows she isn't a woman weak in will nor strength. quite the contrary... Caterina is and always will be one of the strongest people he has known in the whole of his life. she's amazing... and it's for that reason that hearing such a defeated tone in her voice sinks right down into the deep of him.]
Caterina...
[the priest's voice is quiet in return, edged with worry. seeing her this way...
...
he's resting his hand lightly at her shoulder, and... though his chest might be tugging for her, he's putting a little smile at his lips as fingers squeeze.]
If that's the case, then... let's make good on our time, okay? I'll take you somewhere nice, just you and me for however long we've got!
[ She knows he understands the seriousness of it all. She smiles gently at his gesture, even placing her hand on his. Contact, so rare now for her. It was nice. Simple, and...nice. ]
I'd like that very much.
I'm not sure I'll be all that entertaining of a guest however, what with my being negative about the situation.
...Tell me about your mundane?
caterina and abel always pull the heartstrings /DEEP BREATHS....
[h-haha... he merely smiles and shifts so that he's behind her, wiggling his fingers free of her hold. no silly we don't want to talk about that crazy lady so
let's just
focus on something much more pleasant, okay? he's chuckling to himself in that stupid way that suggests he's up to something (RUN FOR YOUR LIFE??)... before he's gently placing his hands over her eyes. (are we playing peekaboo? ...no okay we're not I promise.)]
Ah-- now, hold on a second! I said I was going to take you somewhere, didn't I~? I take my promises very seriously, so I won't let you down!
[be suspicious!! ...okay, in actuality, he might be sincere and have good intentions. after all, it wouldn't be right to troll tease her when she's had such a rough time of things.
there's a suitably over-exaggerated laugh at the mention of receipts -- oh, those silly things... he'll never bring back ever HAHAHA...
once he's sure there's no way she's peeking, he's humming softly to himself in a thoughtful way.]
Leave thoughts of duty and responsibility behind you, fair maiden! For I, the brave and almighty Sir Abel, am here to save you!
When you open your eyes, all your troubles and woes will no longer be upon you, I solemnly swear it--!
[if she could only see him now, posing with such a cheesy declaration despite the fact
he's clearly behind her and has his hands over her eyes...... Abel you should probably remove those sometime soon]
[ Her brow furrows in...well, not confusion, but amusement. It joins her almost mocking tone and smile. But she has a pretty good idea of his pose, judging by his tone. Oh Abel. You goofball. ]
Still dark.
[ Her eyes must be open. But he has mustered a chuckle out of her. ]
[the declaration is indignant and pouty, but-- there's really no need for it. he's just teasing her some more where his hands are still over her eyes, and at the reminder...]
seeing as how this place doesn't obey any sort of 'rules,' he'll just abuse that creative freedom and do what he wants because that's how he rolls, okay. thus! with a little breaking of the fourth wall, Caterina will set her eyes on a familiar sight -- the rolling fields of Milan; in particular, a certain field full of wildflowers where one (1) little girl might have taught her knight in shining armor how to make daisychains and put them in his hair. back then it had been so easy-going, so much happier... simpler; those days are doubtlessly some of the best of his life.]
[ Let her pause for a moment, her mouth slightly open in awe. Oh yes; this was a blast from the past. Her eyes almost gloss over like she's going to cry, but---
Not to worry able, there's a smile there as well. The Duchess revisits her memories for a moment, her eyes closing and simply taking in the air. ]
[ And finally, she lets the deep breath she'd been holding out---the glossiness was gone, the smile had stayed. ]
Abel, I---
[ ---am at a loss for words. She isn't sure how to convey her gratitude. Or any of those other feelings either. Cat will reach for his hand though; only it's not so small anymore. ]
...that's much better. Caterina shouldn't have to wear such an expression; one of fatigue and stress and hinting of something distraught in her spirit. she works hard enough at home, wears herself to the bone for the cause... to be subjected to that elsewhere just isn't acceptable.
none-the-less, there might be a little heat in his cheeks. embarrassed? ......PERHAPS. such grandiose gestures betray the fact he's never really grown up, somewhere... pieces of him will always be an overgrown child at heart. the kind who would have played in flower fields with her for the rest of her days (and his own with her), if fate had been so kind. but it hadn't-- not to either of them, had it. he only has himself to blame. if things could've been different... then......
...he's giving that hand a squeeze, before tugging it-- goading her forward and into fresh air smelling sweetly of flowers. it's as nostalgic a scent as there could be, really...]
--am going to stay with me a while. And I won't accept any arguments, so... you're simply going to have to deal with it, and that's that!
[ Give her a minute, if she's going to actually frolic, then she will, dammit, and huge overcoat and train be damned. She wasn't going to let her symbols of responsibility and power just---slide right off of her shoulders. Finally she follows him with an almost carefree smile. ]
[Abel probably couldn't look any more pleased if he tried, guiding her into the field and away from whatever she were trying to leave behind. don't worry about the rest, Caterina, just... enjoy this in the here and now.
taking her by the hand, he's going to travel the way toward the lone tree standing tall in the distance -- the one in which many a picnic was enjoyed under. it's a good refuge from summer heat with a little shade...]
That's more like it~! Now don't fall behind, would you? I'd hate to have to figure out how to piggy back you with that dress on...
Is it because of the dress, or the fact that I'm much heavier now?
[ CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY ABEL! She fights off an almost hilarious expression, as though he had no room to say that, considering how much taller she'd gotten, and how less difficult it was to actually trudge through the grass and foliage, but to her dismay she was horribly wrong. Taller meant higher heels and grass meant less stability, so it's actually, quite funny to the onlooker to see this tall young looking man with a stumbling woman on his arm. But, she has a positive outlook, she's clamored through here before and she can do it again, and no one's going to stop her. She has an almost breathless laugh as she continues, still, quite happier than she was before. ]
[oh god is this a 'do i look fat' question WHY WOULD YOU EVER CATERINA
he's snorting at it maturely, anyway-- clearly he has no idea what fate would be in store for a man who answered such a thing incorrectly!!
...that or he's just being obnoxious. either possibility is entirely plausible where he's concerned.
none-the-less, his answer comes rather easily around a wide grin; seeing her so... at ease, child-like -- it's something neither of them have shared for far, far too long. the days of her youth passed by so fast... but God, if he doesn't wish he had been able to savor them for longer, or that he could give them back to her one day.]
Well, you are a little bigger than the last time I remember us doing this kind of thing... maybe. Just a bit...!
But it shouldn't be a problem for your big, strong hero, right~? [....]
THREE MONTHS LATER I AM SO SORRY this is what she meant about being told to be quiet ; n;
[ ALMOST AND HE ANSWERED IT JUST LIKE SHE THOUGHT HE WOULD. There's some mock annoyance there inbetween that now embarrassed grin. She stops suddenly---what is she doing? Oh, probably taking those ridiculous shoes off before she breaks one. One looks on the edge of splitting, so she saves it the trouble by simply, taking it off. Something that as a girl she wouldn't have done ("It's most improper, unless running about in the creek!") but now, here, under her own circumstances?
Haha, she'll leave the shoes behind too, who's afraid of a little bit of dirt? Not this gal. ]
Maybe?
[ She chides with a chuckle. Maybe indeed---maybe this place wasn't so bad after all. Being like simple friends again was a nice reward for being silenced, if the ease of the tension was any clue. ]
Now those so-called memes aren't looking so bad, now that I think of it.
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no subject
Caterina?
[have an Abel tilting his head curiously, looking minutely concerned. 'done' is rather final, after all!]
Is everything alright?
no subject
I've been back and forth with the mundane all week.
There are few things that drive me to wits end, I'm sure you know.
no subject
You mean, aside from dregs of missing travel receipts~? Ah, and let's not forget tea-rings on reports handed in, um-- five weeks too late, yes! You really detest that one, don't you? Such fond memories, we share... don't we, Caterina?
[when in doubt, a man turns to derp okay. but-- the sincere underneath is still there. he just hopes to ease the tension a bit...]
abel you are a qt.
To be completely honest Abel, I'd rather be dealing with unexplained receipts and messy reports than this mess.
...I'm not sure how my scolding you turns into a fond memory, but I'm in no place to talk.
alksjdf no u...!!
his smile in return is a little softer, fonder-- in the sort of way it only ever is for her.]
It sounds like she's really giving you trouble, hm?
[it's a quiet inquiry; if she wants to explain, he'll listen... but if she rather a silly distraction, Lord knows he's more than good for that too. he just wants to make sure she's alright.]
no definitely u
She's not unaware of said inquiry, and doesn't dare let it float by. Who knows, she really may need to vent. ]
More than I'm sure most have to deal with. She's beyond grating, and her indecisiveness not only rivals my own, but drives me up the proverbial wall.
[ She silently checks herself before continuing. ]
I suppose I'm just tired of negotiating everything. From seeing the people I know to my very limited freedoms here.
oh my goodness, this is blasphemy....
the tell-tale signs of stress are just about everywhere, aren't they? she's genuinely distressed by her situation, and it has that smile fading a little bit further into the look of concern.]
...I know there isn't much that you or me can do when it comes to, ah. To them, but...
[his eyes are apologetic, sympathetic -- maybe even a little guilty. as ever, helplessness is something he doesn't much know how to cure.]
What sort of thing are you trying to negotiate? [yes like he would be
any use whatsoever........]
:3c
[ Her tone is even, well balanced. As though she's reciting it. ]
Precisely why I'm at the end of my rope. I've done all that I can, and I'm getting to the point of it's less trying to wait it out than it is to challenge it any more.
[ It's been a couple of years now. ]
Right now's a small victory, getting to speak with you.
no subject
he knows she isn't a woman weak in will nor strength. quite the contrary... Caterina is and always will be one of the strongest people he has known in the whole of his life. she's amazing... and it's for that reason that hearing such a defeated tone in her voice sinks right down into the deep of him.]
Caterina...
[the priest's voice is quiet in return, edged with worry. seeing her this way...
...
he's resting his hand lightly at her shoulder, and... though his chest might be tugging for her, he's putting a little smile at his lips as fingers squeeze.]
If that's the case, then... let's make good on our time, okay? I'll take you somewhere nice, just you and me for however long we've got!
i'm going to have cavities omgoodness ♥
I'd like that very much.
I'm not sure I'll be all that entertaining of a guest however, what with my being negative about the situation.
...Tell me about your mundane?
caterina and abel always pull the heartstrings /DEEP BREATHS....
let's just
focus on something much more pleasant, okay? he's chuckling to himself in that stupid way that suggests he's up to something (RUN FOR YOUR LIFE??)... before he's gently placing his hands over her eyes. (are we playing peekaboo? ...no okay we're not I promise.)]
Ah-- now, hold on a second! I said I was going to take you somewhere, didn't I~? I take my promises very seriously, so I won't let you down!
Close your eyes, okay?
;;; u;;; ♥
Is that why I've heard no promises concerning your reports?
[ >:T But she'll play along, after all, her lack of humor and inability (at the moment) to not be serious leaves her in his hands. ]
Alright, alright.
too much... cute....... /wheezes and crawls for safe land...
trolltease her when she's had such a rough time of things.there's a suitably over-exaggerated laugh at the mention of receipts -- oh, those silly things... he'll never bring back ever HAHAHA...
once he's sure there's no way she's peeking, he's humming softly to himself in a thoughtful way.]
Leave thoughts of duty and responsibility behind you, fair maiden! For I, the brave and almighty Sir Abel, am here to save you!
When you open your eyes, all your troubles and woes will no longer be upon you, I solemnly swear it--!
[if she could only see him now, posing with such a cheesy declaration despite the fact
he's clearly behind her and has his hands over her eyes...... Abel you should probably remove those sometime soon]
no subject
[ Her brow furrows in...well, not confusion, but amusement. It joins her almost mocking tone and smile. But she has a pretty good idea of his pose, judging by his tone. Oh Abel. You goofball. ]
Still dark.
[ Her eyes must be open. But he has mustered a chuckle out of her. ]
1/2
[the declaration is indignant and pouty, but-- there's really no need for it. he's just teasing her some more where his hands are still over her eyes, and at the reminder...]
2/2
seeing as how this place doesn't obey any sort of 'rules,' he'll just abuse that creative freedom and do what he wants because that's how he rolls, okay. thus! with a little breaking of the fourth wall, Caterina will set her eyes on a familiar sight -- the rolling fields of Milan; in particular, a certain field full of wildflowers where one (1) little girl might have taught her knight in shining armor how to make daisychains and put them in his hair. back then it had been so easy-going, so much happier... simpler; those days are doubtlessly some of the best of his life.]
...There. [he sounds softer, and... satisfied.]
Things should be a little brighter now, hm...?
1/2
Not to worry able, there's a smile there as well. The Duchess revisits her memories for a moment, her eyes closing and simply taking in the air. ]
2/2
Abel, I---
[ ---am at a loss for words. She isn't sure how to convey her gratitude. Or any of those other feelings either. Cat will reach for his hand though; only it's not so small anymore. ]
no subject
...that's much better. Caterina shouldn't have to wear such an expression; one of fatigue and stress and hinting of something distraught in her spirit. she works hard enough at home, wears herself to the bone for the cause... to be subjected to that elsewhere just isn't acceptable.
none-the-less, there might be a little heat in his cheeks. embarrassed? ......PERHAPS. such grandiose gestures betray the fact he's never really grown up, somewhere... pieces of him will always be an overgrown child at heart. the kind who would have played in flower fields with her for the rest of her days (and his own with her), if fate had been so kind. but it hadn't-- not to either of them, had it. he only has himself to blame. if things could've been different... then......
...he's giving that hand a squeeze, before tugging it-- goading her forward and into fresh air smelling sweetly of flowers. it's as nostalgic a scent as there could be, really...]
--am going to stay with me a while. And I won't accept any arguments, so... you're simply going to have to deal with it, and that's that!
no subject
[ Give her a minute, if she's going to actually frolic, then she will, dammit, and huge overcoat and train be damned. She wasn't going to let her symbols of responsibility and power just---slide right off of her shoulders. Finally she follows him with an almost carefree smile. ]
no subject
taking her by the hand, he's going to travel the way toward the lone tree standing tall in the distance -- the one in which many a picnic was enjoyed under. it's a good refuge from summer heat with a little shade...]
That's more like it~! Now don't fall behind, would you? I'd hate to have to figure out how to piggy back you with that dress on...
[don't test him cause
he'd so do it don't even]
no subject
[ CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY ABEL! She fights off an almost hilarious expression, as though he had no room to say that, considering how much taller she'd gotten, and how less difficult it was to actually trudge through the grass and foliage, but to her dismay she was horribly wrong. Taller meant higher heels and grass meant less stability, so it's actually, quite funny to the onlooker to see this tall young looking man with a stumbling woman on his arm. But, she has a positive outlook, she's clamored through here before and she can do it again, and no one's going to stop her. She has an almost breathless laugh as she continues, still, quite happier than she was before. ]
no subject
he's snorting at it maturely, anyway-- clearly he has no idea what fate would be in store for a man who answered such a thing incorrectly!!
...that or he's just being obnoxious. either possibility is entirely plausible where he's concerned.
none-the-less, his answer comes rather easily around a wide grin; seeing her so... at ease, child-like -- it's something neither of them have shared for far, far too long. the days of her youth passed by so fast... but God, if he doesn't wish he had been able to savor them for longer, or that he could give them back to her one day.]
Well, you are a little bigger than the last time I remember us doing this kind of thing... maybe. Just a bit...!
But it shouldn't be a problem for your big, strong hero, right~? [....]
THREE MONTHS LATER I AM SO SORRY this is what she meant about being told to be quiet ; n;
[ ALMOST AND HE ANSWERED IT JUST LIKE SHE THOUGHT HE WOULD. There's some mock annoyance there inbetween that now embarrassed grin. She stops suddenly---what is she doing? Oh, probably taking those ridiculous shoes off before she breaks one. One looks on the edge of splitting, so she saves it the trouble by simply, taking it off. Something that as a girl she wouldn't have done ("It's most improper, unless running about in the creek!") but now, here, under her own circumstances?
Haha, she'll leave the shoes behind too, who's afraid of a little bit of dirt? Not this gal. ]
Maybe?
[ She chides with a chuckle. Maybe indeed---maybe this place wasn't so bad after all. Being like simple friends again was a nice reward for being silenced, if the ease of the tension was any clue. ]
Now those so-called memes aren't looking so bad, now that I think of it.