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"Gold," he answers immediately, and then scoffs, smirking at her.
"In my experience, servants carry out the orders made by their employers." He inspects a couple of show pieces, and holds one up to choose it.
"It's like the difference between the architect and the construction workers."
"In my experience, servants carry out the orders made by their employers." He inspects a couple of show pieces, and holds one up to choose it.
"It's like the difference between the architect and the construction workers."
"Why that one?" Bene asks, looking between them, "this one is the same hue as the embroidery. Look."
He unravels a bit of the fabric to hold it next to the lantern and show her.
He unravels a bit of the fabric to hold it next to the lantern and show her.
He snorts with slight amusement, but also confusion. "They're not the same color." But he holds the second lantern against it as well, just to see.
"It's not bad, but I think the harder edges will look better with the rounded arches of the hall. Visual interest, and all that."
"It's not bad, but I think the harder edges will look better with the rounded arches of the hall. Visual interest, and all that."
"They are not the same color," Benedict insists, with a touch of impatience, "and I'm the one in charge of the decorating, so I think it's my decision."
See what happens when he tries to be diplomatic? See??
See what happens when he tries to be diplomatic? See??
"Maker's breath they're not the same color!" Benedict answers, tense but cheerful, and hands over the down payment so the merchant can begin taking a proper order. He's focused on that until they've got it settled, then turns toward Athessa again with a smile that seems to say 'are we done!'
"Anything else?"
"Anything else?"
He gives her the stinkeye for a moment, but then, with control of the situation back in his own hands, he perks up and withdraws the list.
"Candles," he chirps, and beckons for her to follow.
See, this is fun!
"Candles," he chirps, and beckons for her to follow.
See, this is fun!
"Oh boy, candles." She says, deadpan, and follows after with her hands in her pockets. "Not like we don't have tons of those already."
It's nice that he's having fun, anyway. One might think that Athessa was the one who got dragged along on this shopping trip.
It's nice that he's having fun, anyway. One might think that Athessa was the one who got dragged along on this shopping trip.
"Not the nice scented ones," Bene replies pleasantly, and off they go to another stall.
This goes on for a while: once they get the candles, they need ribbon for the candlesticks and other accoutrements, flowers, feathers, all ordered in detail and set to be delivered to the Gallows the day before the event. The fabric is given over to an artisan to be made into drapings, and it's evening by the time they've finished.
Checking off the last of the list, Benedict smiles down at Athessa, clearly having had the time of his life.
"Ready to head back?"
This goes on for a while: once they get the candles, they need ribbon for the candlesticks and other accoutrements, flowers, feathers, all ordered in detail and set to be delivered to the Gallows the day before the event. The fabric is given over to an artisan to be made into drapings, and it's evening by the time they've finished.
Checking off the last of the list, Benedict smiles down at Athessa, clearly having had the time of his life.
"Ready to head back?"
And by the end of it all, Athessa doesn't feel like she's learned anything at all about party planning. Which is fine, honestly. She's not planning on throwing any parties.
"Sure," she says, and shrugs. Looking at him with the same appraisal she did earlier, she tilts her head and says: "It's weird. I don't think I've ever seen you...like this."
"Sure," she says, and shrugs. Looking at him with the same appraisal she did earlier, she tilts her head and says: "It's weird. I don't think I've ever seen you...like this."
"Like what?"
He's prepared for it to be a barb of some kind, but is in a good enough mood to let that particularly anxiety slide as they board the ferry.
He's prepared for it to be a barb of some kind, but is in a good enough mood to let that particularly anxiety slide as they board the ferry.
"Oh."
The word catches him off-guard, and he blinks at her, then out at the bay.
"...I guess I am." He smirks faintly, uncertainly. Then, with a sheepish shrug, "...thanks for bringing me out."
The word catches him off-guard, and he blinks at her, then out at the bay.
"...I guess I am." He smirks faintly, uncertainly. Then, with a sheepish shrug, "...thanks for bringing me out."
He almost smiles, but that would ruin the moment.
"Ew."
He nudges her with his elbow.
"Ew."
He nudges her with his elbow.
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