[ She's -- leaning into him. She's teasing him. She's comfortable - and he likes that. Probably more than he really understands yet. Because it - is lonely. Really lonely sometimes. He'd always been just a bit lonely, though. Even back home - with his mom and siblings being who they are. Being here has been a lot less lonely than he ever was before. Between his improved relationship with Thanatos, and getting to know others, it has been nice. He's mortal here, so there's no reason that people should be afraid or bothered by him. Not that they should, anyway. He's known for his peacefulness, or so he thought. He's not inclined to cause people trouble in the same way as an Olympians, at least. ]
You know, I don't think I was worried about you. You seem --
[ And then he repeats it back. ]
Bold. I like that in people. I'm mortal here, anyway.
[And it doesn't come from what she knows of him from stories she might have read. His personality is a calm one, she thinks, and she's better at reading people than she used to be. Does she trust him? As much as she might trust someone she's known for only a few days. Enough to spend this time with him.
She's finding she enjoys spending time with him.]
But I'm far more interested in the things you are than what you're not. [After all, isn't this a date? She's never dated, but it seems to her that it should be a fine time to find out about the other person.]
You do skirt around talking about yourself, Hypnos. I shan't keep letting you get away with it.
[ He didn't really realize he was doing it until she called him out on it. That's almost embarrassing to be called out on it. He flustered for a brief moment because he doesn't really intend to do that, it's just an unfortunate habit. ]
I don't really intend to. I'm -- a helper. I've never had my interactions with others really be about me.
[ Save for with Zagreus and Thanatos. And even then, he finds he prefers to listen and provide advice to actually talking about himself. ]
I'm not really doing it to be cagey. It's just habit. I don't really have anything to hide, after all.
It would be fine, though, if you did. [With her hand still in his she swings their arms a little and hums softly in thought.]
I think it's quite normal to not tell someone you just met everything about yourself.
[Jane, too, has nothing to hide... but there are certainly things she hasn't talked about yet. She'd like to know more about Hypnos. About the person he is and not just the capricious god she's read about.
Something about him feels sad, to her.]
But I would like to know more about you... perhaps over lunch? This is the place.
[ He shifts, moving to open, and hold open the door for her because as far as he understands that's the polite thing to do for your date? He doesn't know a lot, but he has picked up some things here and there.
As much as she expressed she doesn't mind, he doesn't actually have anything to hide he thinks. He's just not good at sharing. He'll...figure it out. He'll try not to be cagey. ]
[She walks in with a smile and waves to the two women stood behind the counter at the back of the cafe. One of them shouts out 'hello miss Jane!' while the other bustles around to welcome her, smiling.]
Hello Valerie, Nessa, where's Poppy?
[Jane exchanges greetings and small talk with the staff member, but doesn't forget about Hypnos. While she's speaking she reaches back to gently grasp his wrist.]
I'm with someone today. Can we get some water first?
[Of course they can, and while Valerie hurries away Jane takes Hypnos to her favourite table.] I love sitting here. You can see the whole street. Sometimes I'll sit here and draw people I see passing by, though I'll sit outside if it's warm. Um-- here, there's a menu.
[It isn't a large menu - sandwiches, small hot snacks and cake - but Jane comes in here for the tea.]
We could get an afternoon tea between us. Some sandwiches and cake, and a scone each with jam and cream. And a pot of tea of course.
[ He follows her easily to the table, and sits across from her, he leans forward, looking both outside and then towards her. He smiles, happily glancing towards the menu. He peeks up at her, as she makes the suggestion, and then he folds the menu and closes it. ]
That sounds great. I've never had afternoon tea before. [ Which is probably obvious to her, but her explanation made it clear enough that he wants it. He looks towards the women working here and then back towards her. ]
They seem really nice, too. They do seem a little surprised to see me. I bet they're thinking --
"Oh, he's tall."
[ A small, joking laugh. The tone isn't suggesting any offence, of course. ]
[ There's a small smile when he says it. But, he'll give her, a little insight. ]
I only tease people I like, you know? It means I'm -- [ he blinks and considers ] well, I guess it means I'm comfortable with you enough to tease.
[ He looks up towards one of the women in the café as Jane orders, and then his attention shifts back to Jane. He nods to the woman in agreeing with Earl Grey being fine - he doesn't know, he's never really had it before. And he'll wait for her to leave before he leans forward and says: ]
[Of course she has no way to know if he's telling the truth, but Hypnos is so very earnest in what he says that Jane ducks her head and blushes all over again. She's still not used to this, and still hasn't shaken off the thought that he is, despite the effects of Avalon, a god and he is interested in her.
She looks over to where their pot of tea is being put together and sees the two women chatting, and she hums softly.]
Well, then. There should be something to gossip about.
[Jane reaches across the table and takes hold of Hypnos' hand, sliding her fingers up between his and looking up at his face as she smooths the side of her thumb over his skin.]
[ Ah - they're holding hands again. He likes this part. She's bold and strong, he thinks. And that's probably why he was interested in the first place. Like, certainly, she's attractive to him, too. But -- the other things? They're what caught his attention. He seems to sigh happily without realizing it and he takes her hand in his, finger relaxed and comfortable as if this happens every day and this is absolutely not the first time that they've held hands in a café like this. ]
Zero complaints from me.
[ There's an amused lift in his tone, he glances towards them for only a moment, but his attention shifts back to jane. ]
I'm still trying a lot of things, but I've liked...nearly everything I've tried. Including holding hands like this.
[She rests her chin on her free hand and looks at him across the table. Just like on their way here, holding on to his hand like this is sending little tingles up her arm all the way to her elbow. Nothing that she wants to escape from - it's exciting, thrilling even, to pull so sharply away from the kinds of things that would have always been expected of her in matters of romance.
Propriety could, at times, be truly stifling.]
But this is a special occasion.
[Jane smiles, stroking the side of her thumb against his.]
So I thought we'd do something special. Is there somewhere you'd like to go after this?
[ He means to say it, he thinks, but sometimes he speaks without consideration. But he's not embarrassed by himself. He's actually glad that he said it. His eyes drift towards their hands then back towards her. ]
Why don't I show you my favorite spot in the park?
[ It's where he usually likes to nap because it's quiet, but the scenery is nice and relaxing. And for some reason he always feels a small, nice breeze when there. He doesn't go out much, not really. But he figures he'd give her some insight to finding out things he likes. That's the goal of a date, right? Getting to know each other. ]
[She'd feel strange if this day was all about her.
When one of the ladies serving comes over with their tea and a delightful display of cakes and sandwiches, she almost twitches her hand out of Hypnos' grip instinctively. It's still very deeply drilled into her to not be seen doing such things with a man she doesn't intend to marry. At the last moment, though, she settles her fingers back into his.]
That looks lovely, thank you. [Jane beams another of those sunny smiles and waits until the woman is gone to extract her hand from his, though this time it's only to set up their cups and peek at the tea.]
We should let it steep a little longer. Oh, this is wonderful.
[ He'll follow her lead when it comes to tea. He doesn't make a move to release her, fine holding onto her hand as long as possible. The moment she moves her hand away from his, he blinks up at her and turns his attention towards the tea and cakes. Neither of which are things that he has much experience with. ]
Alright.
[ He takes in the beautiful tray of treats before them. It's like nothing he's never seen. ]
It looks like it tastes good. It's pretty beautiful.
[ He has no idea how much skill it takes to cook. He just appreciates when something is tasty to him. He observes the treats with admiration, before he takes a perfectly put together sandwich.]
[The cakes would have taken some effort but she expects they would have been brought in from a bakery rather than made here, given the size of the shop. As for the sandwiches, she knows they make them here and they're delightful.
She picks one up for herself and takes a bite, humming with barely-concealed delight.]
I'm not a very good cook. [Admitting that isn't hard. There are plenty of things she's good at. Cooking... is not one of them.]
I never had to cook growing up. I've been trying to learn.
[ He nods and listens, taking a bite of his sandwich as he does. He agrees with her sentiment. But he's never had to know, either. Why would he, though? His life never made it necessary. ]
That's okay. I can't cook either. I mostly get food out. Not everyone needs to be able to do it when there's places like this around.
[ Which is fine by him. He probably wouldn't really go out if all if not for the work he picks up or the food he needs. ]
But this - is amazing. A very nice pick, Jane. Thanks for sharing something new.
[ He laughs a little. Being sensible doesn't mean much to him. Why earn money if you can't do things you like with it. Like this - or things associated with this. He watches her sort out the tea, pouring it, and then he'll reach for it himself so he can mimic it. ]
That's really neat.
[ He starts to pour some tea with a strainer, too. ]
Thanks for showing me.
[ He's learning a lot of things. He reaches to take a sip for himself and then looks towards her. It tastes great. So far, he's liked pretty much everything he's tried. ]
I like everything. Good company with great food and tea.
Oh, I'm sure you could have found it if you were looking for it. [She tells him with a warm smile.
The rest of the meal passes by in pleasant conversation and Jane decides on cutting each of the cakes in half so that they can both try all of them. Now and then she reaches over to touch Hypnos' hand, any time it's in range so she can do so, and...
... the flirting is outrageous, honestly, particuarly by Edwardian standards.
Once they're done she's more than happy to go with him to the spot in the park he'd mentioned as being his favourite. Once there, she sits down next to him in the grass and looks around with a happy sigh.]
[ It's nice to have his hand touched. It's nice to be flirted with when he makes his own attempts to flirt with her, too. It's nice and new and almost weird, but it doesn't feel weird with Jane. It just feels good. Which is what he suspects it would feel like if they were to go on more dates. He settles in the grass, closing a little distance between them and taking her hand in his. He looks towards her. ]
I really love it here. It feels good, you know? Like - just being here makes you feel good.
[Jane almost can't believe what she's doing. Outside of being so boldly brazen with her displays of affection and her flirting, she's still very aware of exactly who she is flirting with. He's a god, with who knows how many years behind him, and here he is devoting all of his attention to her.
It's baffling, and yet he's so simply and purely happy that it's hard to see him as anything but a man.
When they're on the grass and he takes her hand, she looks up at him in faint surprise and then smiles as a clear blush races across her cheeks.]
I do like it. I've liked a great deal about today. [In fact she'd be hard pressed to find something she hadn't liked.] I'm glad you asked me to come out with you like this.
[ He doesn't really realize, fully, that the way he looks at her is with some admiration. And he notices how she's treating him kindly, she isn't treating him like a god. She is making him feel special, and that's -- well, new. It's nice and he feels his face flush a little against the grey and he gets comfortable with her hand in his as he sits next to her. ]
I've really enjoyed myself.
[ And it's been a lot of activity. More than he's ever done in a single day. Or in a week, even. And yet he doesn't want it to end. And he wants to do it again. He hopes she does, too. He thinks she might. ]
I like to get to see new things. Before I got here, I hadn't even seen the sun or real sky. I saw how people dreamed it, but dreams are -- someone else's perception. It's never been my own.
[ His eyes shift, glancing towards the sky, then back to her. ]
I've had a great time with you. I'm glad you said yes. I've never asked someone on a date before. I don't really have any examples for this sort of thing.
[She chuckles a little as she listens to him talk, feeling his hand against hers and keeping her eyes on the sky. It is nice here. She's been here before, but it's different when you have someone with you and it's someone you enjoy being around.]
I've never been on a date before. Where I'm from... dating isn't really something that's done.
[In the future she knows that it becomes a very accepted thing and it was always something she had wanted to try, but she had never been sure enough of where she stood with anyone before to be able to ask them.]
If I didn't have such an eccentric family and my father wasn't to accepting of my nature, I expect I'd be married already to some petty noble. We might like one another, if we were lucky enough.
[ He's a romantic at heart, he thinks. Because he doesn't know if he likes the idea of that for him. It seems kind of... sad. Like, maybe it's because he could only see himself marrying someone he committed himself to so fully that they were his entire world. ]
Same. But...I hardly think that anything that happens around me at home would be normal here. So it's probably a bad comparison, anyway.
[ He still smiled, though - head tilted in her direction. ]
I think... [ He pauses ] I like that we get to pick who we spend our time with like this. To me it means that you made the choice to go out with me.
[ That's the point he was getting at, he thinks. ]
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cantgetanyworse) wrote2021-03-04 04:14 pm
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You know, I don't think I was worried about you. You seem --
[ And then he repeats it back. ]
Bold. I like that in people. I'm mortal here, anyway.
[ An amused shift in his tone. ]
Not that I'm particularly vengeful to start.
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[And it doesn't come from what she knows of him from stories she might have read. His personality is a calm one, she thinks, and she's better at reading people than she used to be. Does she trust him? As much as she might trust someone she's known for only a few days. Enough to spend this time with him.
She's finding she enjoys spending time with him.]
But I'm far more interested in the things you are than what you're not. [After all, isn't this a date? She's never dated, but it seems to her that it should be a fine time to find out about the other person.]
You do skirt around talking about yourself, Hypnos. I shan't keep letting you get away with it.
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I don't really intend to. I'm -- a helper. I've never had my interactions with others really be about me.
[ Save for with Zagreus and Thanatos. And even then, he finds he prefers to listen and provide advice to actually talking about himself. ]
I'm not really doing it to be cagey. It's just habit. I don't really have anything to hide, after all.
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I think it's quite normal to not tell someone you just met everything about yourself.
[Jane, too, has nothing to hide... but there are certainly things she hasn't talked about yet. She'd like to know more about Hypnos. About the person he is and not just the capricious god she's read about.
Something about him feels sad, to her.]
But I would like to know more about you... perhaps over lunch? This is the place.
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[ He shifts, moving to open, and hold open the door for her because as far as he understands that's the polite thing to do for your date? He doesn't know a lot, but he has picked up some things here and there.
As much as she expressed she doesn't mind, he doesn't actually have anything to hide he thinks. He's just not good at sharing. He'll...figure it out. He'll try not to be cagey. ]
I'm excited to see a place you like.
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[She walks in with a smile and waves to the two women stood behind the counter at the back of the cafe. One of them shouts out 'hello miss Jane!' while the other bustles around to welcome her, smiling.]
Hello Valerie, Nessa, where's Poppy?
[Jane exchanges greetings and small talk with the staff member, but doesn't forget about Hypnos. While she's speaking she reaches back to gently grasp his wrist.]
I'm with someone today. Can we get some water first?
[Of course they can, and while Valerie hurries away Jane takes Hypnos to her favourite table.] I love sitting here. You can see the whole street. Sometimes I'll sit here and draw people I see passing by, though I'll sit outside if it's warm. Um-- here, there's a menu.
[It isn't a large menu - sandwiches, small hot snacks and cake - but Jane comes in here for the tea.]
We could get an afternoon tea between us. Some sandwiches and cake, and a scone each with jam and cream. And a pot of tea of course.
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That sounds great. I've never had afternoon tea before. [ Which is probably obvious to her, but her explanation made it clear enough that he wants it. He looks towards the women working here and then back towards her. ]
They seem really nice, too. They do seem a little surprised to see me. I bet they're thinking --
"Oh, he's tall."
[ A small, joking laugh. The tone isn't suggesting any offence, of course. ]
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Are you making fun of me? [She says, though she's smiling while she says it. She takes a sip of her water and looks up at him under her eyelashes.]
That's very unsporting, you know.
[Jane doesn't seem to mind. When one of the ladies in the cafe comes over, she looks up with a bright smile.]
We'll share an afternoon tea. Um. Earl grey will be fine.
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[ There's a small smile when he says it. But, he'll give her, a little insight. ]
I only tease people I like, you know? It means I'm -- [ he blinks and considers ] well, I guess it means I'm comfortable with you enough to tease.
[ He looks up towards one of the women in the café as Jane orders, and then his attention shifts back to Jane. He nods to the woman in agreeing with Earl Grey being fine - he doesn't know, he's never really had it before. And he'll wait for her to leave before he leans forward and says: ]
You know the gossip is already happening.
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She looks over to where their pot of tea is being put together and sees the two women chatting, and she hums softly.]
Well, then. There should be something to gossip about.
[Jane reaches across the table and takes hold of Hypnos' hand, sliding her fingers up between his and looking up at his face as she smooths the side of her thumb over his skin.]
Don't you think so?
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Zero complaints from me.
[ There's an amused lift in his tone, he glances towards them for only a moment, but his attention shifts back to jane. ]
I'm still trying a lot of things, but I've liked...nearly everything I've tried. Including holding hands like this.
[ And he says that without really thinking. ]
What do you usually get when you come here?
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[She rests her chin on her free hand and looks at him across the table. Just like on their way here, holding on to his hand like this is sending little tingles up her arm all the way to her elbow. Nothing that she wants to escape from - it's exciting, thrilling even, to pull so sharply away from the kinds of things that would have always been expected of her in matters of romance.
Propriety could, at times, be truly stifling.]
But this is a special occasion.
[Jane smiles, stroking the side of her thumb against his.]
So I thought we'd do something special. Is there somewhere you'd like to go after this?
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[ He means to say it, he thinks, but sometimes he speaks without consideration. But he's not embarrassed by himself. He's actually glad that he said it. His eyes drift towards their hands then back towards her. ]
Why don't I show you my favorite spot in the park?
[ It's where he usually likes to nap because it's quiet, but the scenery is nice and relaxing. And for some reason he always feels a small, nice breeze when there. He doesn't go out much, not really. But he figures he'd give her some insight to finding out things he likes. That's the goal of a date, right? Getting to know each other. ]
I don't actually go too many places.
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[She'd feel strange if this day was all about her.
When one of the ladies serving comes over with their tea and a delightful display of cakes and sandwiches, she almost twitches her hand out of Hypnos' grip instinctively. It's still very deeply drilled into her to not be seen doing such things with a man she doesn't intend to marry. At the last moment, though, she settles her fingers back into his.]
That looks lovely, thank you. [Jane beams another of those sunny smiles and waits until the woman is gone to extract her hand from his, though this time it's only to set up their cups and peek at the tea.]
We should let it steep a little longer. Oh, this is wonderful.
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Alright.
[ He takes in the beautiful tray of treats before them. It's like nothing he's never seen. ]
It looks like it tastes good. It's pretty beautiful.
[ He has no idea how much skill it takes to cook. He just appreciates when something is tasty to him. He observes the treats with admiration, before he takes a perfectly put together sandwich.]
Even if I were picky, I think I'd love it.
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She picks one up for herself and takes a bite, humming with barely-concealed delight.]
I'm not a very good cook. [Admitting that isn't hard. There are plenty of things she's good at. Cooking... is not one of them.]
I never had to cook growing up. I've been trying to learn.
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That's okay. I can't cook either. I mostly get food out. Not everyone needs to be able to do it when there's places like this around.
[ Which is fine by him. He probably wouldn't really go out if all if not for the work he picks up or the food he needs. ]
But this - is amazing. A very nice pick, Jane. Thanks for sharing something new.
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[But right now, this is fine. She has another bite of her sandwich and savours it, then sets it down and picks up the teapot.]
It's loose tea, so you need to use this-- [Jane picks up a little metal strainer and places it across the top of one of the cups.] And then pour it.
[She tips up the teapot and pours, and the strainer handily catches the little bits of loose tea that fall out along with the golden-coloured liquid.]
Just like that!
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[ He laughs a little. Being sensible doesn't mean much to him. Why earn money if you can't do things you like with it. Like this - or things associated with this. He watches her sort out the tea, pouring it, and then he'll reach for it himself so he can mimic it. ]
That's really neat.
[ He starts to pour some tea with a strainer, too. ]
Thanks for showing me.
[ He's learning a lot of things. He reaches to take a sip for himself and then looks towards her. It tastes great. So far, he's liked pretty much everything he's tried. ]
I like everything. Good company with great food and tea.
[ He's delighted. ]
I would have never found this place without you.
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The rest of the meal passes by in pleasant conversation and Jane decides on cutting each of the cakes in half so that they can both try all of them. Now and then she reaches over to touch Hypnos' hand, any time it's in range so she can do so, and...
... the flirting is outrageous, honestly, particuarly by Edwardian standards.
Once they're done she's more than happy to go with him to the spot in the park he'd mentioned as being his favourite. Once there, she sits down next to him in the grass and looks around with a happy sigh.]
This is lovely.
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I really love it here. It feels good, you know? Like - just being here makes you feel good.
[ He's pretty happy. ]
...I'm glad you like it. I was hoping you would.
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It's baffling, and yet he's so simply and purely happy that it's hard to see him as anything but a man.
When they're on the grass and he takes her hand, she looks up at him in faint surprise and then smiles as a clear blush races across her cheeks.]
I do like it. I've liked a great deal about today. [In fact she'd be hard pressed to find something she hadn't liked.] I'm glad you asked me to come out with you like this.
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I've really enjoyed myself.
[ And it's been a lot of activity. More than he's ever done in a single day. Or in a week, even. And yet he doesn't want it to end. And he wants to do it again. He hopes she does, too. He thinks she might. ]
I like to get to see new things. Before I got here, I hadn't even seen the sun or real sky. I saw how people dreamed it, but dreams are -- someone else's perception. It's never been my own.
[ His eyes shift, glancing towards the sky, then back to her. ]
I've had a great time with you. I'm glad you said yes. I've never asked someone on a date before. I don't really have any examples for this sort of thing.
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I've never been on a date before. Where I'm from... dating isn't really something that's done.
[In the future she knows that it becomes a very accepted thing and it was always something she had wanted to try, but she had never been sure enough of where she stood with anyone before to be able to ask them.]
If I didn't have such an eccentric family and my father wasn't to accepting of my nature, I expect I'd be married already to some petty noble. We might like one another, if we were lucky enough.
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Same. But...I hardly think that anything that happens around me at home would be normal here. So it's probably a bad comparison, anyway.
[ He still smiled, though - head tilted in her direction. ]
I think... [ He pauses ] I like that we get to pick who we spend our time with like this. To me it means that you made the choice to go out with me.
[ That's the point he was getting at, he thinks. ]
And that means a lot to me.
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