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Hey, Strohl. Meet me at [ insert A++ restaurant name here ] at 5:30 PM tomorrow. It’s in Lumindeas. It’s an important private matter, so come alone.

[??? That sounds. Very urgent, and very concerning.]

Yes, of course. But is everything alright, Will?

It will be. Remember, 5:30 PM tomorrow. Don't be late.

[The brisk way that Will texted him did nothing to alleviate Strohl's worries, but he didn't press the issue. At the very least, if there is a set time and date for this meeting, then it's not as dire as he initially thought it would be.

Still, his mind can't help but race as the appointed time approaches. In fact, he ends up arriving half an hour earlier than the designated date, if only he could have the allowance the settle down his nerves first. Rubber soles have been tapping on the pavement for quite a while until Will shows up and -

Huh. He didn't expect the flowers settled upon Will's arms. Only now does the entire setup begin to make sense: the importance of the matter, the location, the bouquet...]

Will. [He can't help but smile regardless.] You're certainly full of surprises, aren't you?

[He's not just overthinking this, is he? Strohl doesn't want to assume, yet it doesn't help the thudding against his heart.]

[Will is more than happy to do favors for people, especially friends, but this one feels a bit off. Is Nao trying to woo someone? Is that why she gave him flowers to be delivered, and a note that he absolutely was not supposed to read until he got there?

When he arrives, he immediately spots Strohl and blinks. Was she delivering it to Strohl? She could've just... oh, Nao's so weird sometimes. And Strohl says something that makes him tilt his head.]

Nao asked me to deliver these... to you, I guess. [He pulls out the card and clears his throat.]

"Dear Strohl,

Ours is a friendship strong and true. Won't you join me on tonight's romantic adventure to explore if, perhaps, something more may be built on its foundation?

Where there's Will, there's surely a way."

[...]

Hey, wait a second--

[Nao? What does she have anything to do with -

Oh. The rest click into place after that. The text he received, the shameless message on the card, even the beautiful flowers. For some reason, everytime Strohl is flummoxed over something, their mutual friend is always at the scene of the crime.

Now he feels like an utter fool, getting worked up for such a prank. He sighs, willing the heat on his cheeks to fade away.]

I think I understand. Nao set us up.

[He pulls out the Oracle, to point out to Will the messages that were set in his name.]

It appears that this is the true nature of that 'important private matter'.

[Certainly, it is one that requires privacy. Is it truly important, though? It's nothing about saving the world or getting home or anything like that. It's just.

Just him and Will, really.

He looks at the restaurant's doorstep, contemplative. This has to be the 'romantic adventure' Nao speaks of. To be honest, he was a bit excited at the prospect: any time spent with Will is well spent. But he doesn't want to force his friend into something that he is unaware of. In the end, he leaves up the decision to someone else. A coward's way, perhaps, but Will's opinion is worth to Strohl more than himself.]

Well. [He clears up his throat.] We don't have to put up with this charade, although we could also check out what's in store for us.

Edited (LET ME CHANGE MY ICON DW) 2025-02-06 01:42 (UTC)

[Will leans in to see Strohl's Oracle, and then pulls out his own to double check. He clicks his tongue. Maybe he really does need to have Eupha put some kind of curse on it so people will stop speaking for him.

Still, something settles on his chest. It feels bad, bitter almost like guilt. Strohl sounds so... disappointed.

Even so, Will glances at the restaurant. Something else bubbles in his stomach, not unlike the first time he went to Grand Trad. Anxiety and excitement all in one. He can't quite pinpoint why.]

We're here, aren't we? It could be fun.

[Light practically beams into his eyes when Will decides to pursue this instead. He must admit, he does want to see what lies in front of them. Something like an adventure of its own, although the only dangers it present would be a prank or something like terrible food or service.

If the latter is the case, then he really will have some words for Nao.]

It would be a waste to leave it be, would it? [Does Strohl even realize how wide his grin is?] And I suppose I could uh, receive these flowers as well.

[He reaches out for it, pointedly looking away as if he's observing the wood grains on the establishment's sign.]

Edited 2025-02-19 05:04 (UTC)

[Oh? Well. He blinks down at the flowers, and then hands them to Strohl.]

Sorry. If I knew I was giving you a gift, I'd have gotten something more permanent. Like a sword, or some armor, or a bracelet.

[...he hesitates after saying that, struck by his own words. Maybe he should get Strohl something?]

Anyway. Let's see how good this restaurant really is.

It’s all right. the flowers are beautiful still. [He takes a moment to breathe in their fragrance. The content smile in his lips tells a thousand words.]

But I would be happy to take whatever you give me, Will.

[He would admit that he would very much like to receive a bracelet from their captain. That way they could match, with the bracelet Strohl himself acquired for Will back in Brilehaven.

Perhaps it was fitting to the mood that he feels like acting the gentleman, but as he opens the door to the restaurant, he signals for Will to come in first.]

After you.

[Something, again, stirs in his stomach. Yes, already, he should get something nice for Strohl. A bracelet, or -- do clemar wear jewelry on their horns? He thinks they should.

Either way, he steps in. Evidentially it's all already been arranged for them, and they're quite promptly led to a seat.]

This isn't exactly how I expected my night to go.

Me neither. But it's quite the pleasant surprise, isn't it?

[Turns out, Nao's been very generous and has gotten them set up for a full course meal, of all things. He's been to a dinner like this before, although the stifling talk of nobles with their money and nepotism often turned the food into ash in his mouth. This time, however, he is in more pleasant company.]

This must be your first time eating in a place like this.

[It's not something anyone would have the privilege to do, and Will would have been turned at the door at such establishments purely for being elda. Just the thought of it makes Strohl's stomach churn, but at least now he can have the experience for his own.

And he is ever so determined to make this a good memory for the both of them.]

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cw: metaphor-typical racism