regency au } { of weighing options and baklava

[apirateslove]

Miranda: [Grayson came to take charge of the two children, so she knew that Andrew would be free soon. They're still in the early stages of getting to know each other, so these early afternoon walks were a compromise - they could get to know each other, but Miranda wouldn't be expected to spend all of her time with him. So for the moment, she lingers in the garden, playing with the petals of one of the flowers while she waits]

Andrew: [he was nervous. he was ALWAYS nervous at the beginning of these walks. It had been awhile since he had courted, and it still felt awkward. What to talk about? Should he dress up, or just wear everyday clothes? He felt like he was stumbling through these days, but once they got to walking, it got easier. Still.

He had gone into town to obtain more paper and ink, and stopped at a booth that smelt of honey and pistachio. He purchased a few pieces of baklava for their walk, hoping that it would be a nice surprise for Miranda. He tucked the paper, ink, and a second bundle of the treat for the children in his office, then made his way outside to find Miranda.]

Miranda: [she's not much better herself. She is starting to admit that she might actually like Andrew, more than as an acquaintance, but she's not sure if it's more than that quite yet. She does enjoy his company, though, which she supposes is a good sign. she doesn't have werewolf hearing, but once he gets close enough she hears him coming and looks up with a smile] Good afternoon.

Andrew: Good afternoon. I hope you haven't been waiting too long. I just got back from town.

Miranda: No, not at all. I was just enjoying the flowers.

Andrew: Well, they are pretty. I don't think I can stand up to their beauty. [smiles, holding out his arm] You, on the other hand, outshine them.

Miranda: [she ducks her head as she takes it, prepared to let him lead] I think you're too kind.

Andrew: And I think I'm still right. [grins]

Miranda: [she laughs] So what were you up to in town, if you don't mind my asking?

Andrew: I needed to refill my paper and inks. But, on my way back, I ran into a Turkish merchant traveling through.

Miranda: Did you? Did he have anything good?

Andrew: [and he will pull the little cloth bundle of baklava] Perhaps.

Miranda: [and her face lights up] Is that baklava?

Andrew: Of course.

Miranda: I've never had it. But I've heard it's delicious.

Andrew: Oh, now I must insist you have a piece now. We cannot allow this travesty to continue.

Miranda: [she laughs] Then, if you insist.

Andrew: [and he will stop walking, focusing on opening the bundle. He held the four tiny triangles out to her] Now two of those are mine.

Miranda: Of course. [and she will reach to take one, picking it up and popping one into her mouth. As she does, her eyes close and she takes the opportunity to relish it] That is divine.

Andrew: You're not allergic to pistachios, right? I should have asked before you ate that.

Miranda: Oh, no. Don't worry, it's not so delicious it will kill me.

Andrew: Good. Though death by baklava is a very sweet way to go.

Miranda: It is, it's true. [she reaches for her second bite, but leaves the rest for him] My sister was always the one with more of a sweet tooth. I was always much pickier.

Andrew: Well, I have a lot of experience with picky eaters.

Miranda: I'm sure you do. I've seen it in action.

Andrew: I'm going to cut open Sarah one day and all that will be inside is crackers and cheese.

Miranda: She'll grow out of it eventually. She'll learn that just because it looks strange doesn't mean it's not delicious.

Andrew: I've been thinking of melting the cheese and coating her vegetables in it.

Miranda: Do you think that will work?

Andrew: Won't know until we try it.

Miranda: Good luck then.

Andrew: I can't wait to see my father's face when all of our food is soon drenched in liquid cheese.

Miranda: [laughs] I can't say he would approve.

Andrew: Oh, he won't. He'll take away all the cheese in the land to prevent it.

Miranda: He is quite inflexible, isn't it?

Andrew: You can say it... he's a tyrant.

Miranda: I feel like there should be a stronger word than that.

Andrew: That would just be Lord Sumpter.

Miranda: [smirks] Well, thankfully you're the heir to this place and not your brother. I feel that it will be in much better hands that way.

Andrew: I'm pretty sure my father will live forever.

Miranda: I wasn't aware that he was a vampire.

Andrew: But we also never see him after dark.

Miranda: So you think what? That's when he goes out to do his hunting? [she's mostly kidding, but ... it could be possible?]

Andrew: Perhaps. [and he chuckles] No, if vampires were real, it could be an option. But those are just stories.

Miranda: Mmmm. [sure they are. suuuuuuure they are. they will have to revisit this conversation after they get engaged] Personally I've never been one for scary stories.

Andrew: Well, I'll protect you from any monsters that appear from the shadows.

Miranda: [smiles] I do appreciate it.

Andrew: [and they can start walking again, enjoying the weather and garden]

Miranda: [and idly chatting as they go. she's at least softened some of her standoffish Hale-ness with him, as he is at least a pleasant person, unlike the rest of his family]

Andrew: [he tries]

Miranda: [but eventually they will arrive back at the manor, and she gives him a small smile in return] Until tomorrow, my lord? [true, she will see him at dinner, but it's not quite the same]

Andrew: Until tomorrow. [and he will take her hand and place the packet of the remaining baklava in it, then kiss her fingertips and stand back up.]

Miranda: [and she will draw them back with a small smile, before wander off to find her cousin and see if he'd like some baklava himself. Probably not what Andrew intended, but in reality it's a bribe. the downside of your male cousin being the one to come with you is girl talk is hard to manage. Even if he's your best friend]

Grayson: [and he will be in his room, sitting in a window, the sketchbook in his lap. His hands are already covered in colored chalk and there's a streak of gold across his forehead. But he's almost finished capturing the rooftops of the town]

Miranda: [sees that and can't help but laugh] I see you have lost yourself in your art again.

Grayson: [and he will look up at her, oblivious. He takes after his father in so many ways]

Miranda: [she reaches for a cloth nearby, dampening it with her spit before gently wiping the gold off his forehead] You have chalk everywhere.

Grayson: Oh. [and he'll look at his hands] At least it's not ink this time.

Miranda: At least there's that. [she glances over at his sketch pad] It looks lovely, though.

Grayson: Thanks. [he gets up, putting the pad on his desk before clapping his hands to dislodge the dust] Did I miss lunch again?

Miranda: No, but I did bring you dessert. [she gestures to the bundle] Andrew brought baklava back from the market.

Grayson: Oh wow. I've never had that before. [and he will take the cloth and go wash his hands before opening the bundle] Is it as good as Uncle Peter says it is?

Miranda: [she nods] It's quite delicious. I think you'll like it.

Grayson: [grins and pops one into his mouth. He just lets it sit there, melting on his tongue. He groans happily]

Miranda: I know Talia is usually the queen of sweets, but I honestly think I could happily eat that all day.

Grayson: [and he will finish his first one] I think I'd get sick. I'm going to save the other one and we can split it tomorrow.

Miranda: [she nods] Fair enough. [then she pauses, tracing designs against the table with her finger] What do you think of him? Andrew.

Grayson: He's an odd duck around this place.

Miranda: Yes. And some would consider that a good thing.

Grayson: I didn't say it was a bad thing.

Miranda: So what are you saying?

Grayson: I'm saying that he will bring about a breath of fresh air to his people, but those who prosper under his father may not think kindly to him, and would prefer his brother and keep the status quo.

Miranda: [nods as she processes this] So would they consider an alliance by marriage with the Hales a boon or an omen? [not that she's truly thinking about that yet but ... to say she feels nothing for him would be a lie]

Grayson: Hard to say. I think it would be looked well upon by the generation our age, but not by the elders.

Miranda: Fine. But ... not politically speaking, what do you think?

Grayson: I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with him that he isn't swarmed with women.

Miranda: Most of the shallower ladies at court don't want to deal with young children.

Grayson: You'd think they could use it to get out of having children and keep their figures.

Miranda: I don't think that's what Andrew is looking for. [though why he's looking at her for that, God only knows] I think he wants someone who will love his children as much as he does.

Grayson: Do you like the kids?

Miranda: I do.

Grayson: Do you like Andrew?

Miranda: Maybe?

Grayson: That... doesn't sound promising

Miranda: [huffs] I'm sorry, but we can't all be as fortunate as Patience to have our soulmates drop a stack of books on us.

Grayson: You could drop a stack on him, see what happens? [grins]

Miranda: [she laughs] I'm sure his father would take that very well. [she shakes her head] Do you ever wish you could be a werewolf and just ... know who the right person is?

Grayson: [and his grin falters] Not really the reason I'd wish for that, but maybe.

Miranda: I know it's a dumb reason to be a werewolf but it would save a lot of time. [she glances over at him curiously] Why would you want to be a werewolf?

Grayson: To fit in.

Miranda: [tips her head to the side, before moving to sit next to him] Don't tell the rest of them, but you're my favorite. Whether or not you fit in with them, you will always fit in with me.

Grayson: [and he'll smile and lean into her a bit] You're my favorite too.

Miranda: I'm glad you're here with me. I would have felt a lot more alone without you.

Grayson: We wanted to ensure you didn't have your soul sucked away.

Miranda: It's working well. Though Andrew and I had an amusing conversation about the possibility of his father being a vampire today. He thought it was merely speculation.

Grayson: So he doesn't know. Oh, the poor boy doesn't know what he's walking into.

Miranda: No he doesn't. Which I admit is another concern.

Grayson: Well, before you have to worry about that, you have to decide if he's worthy of you. [winks]

Miranda: [she laughs] That is the trick, isn't it? I feel like I'm going to be stuck here forever until I decide if I want to be ... stuck here forever.

Grayson: ... Yeah, Stuck isn't a word I'd use of a possible future home.

Miranda: Stuck may be the word for as long as his father lives.

Grayson: Doesn't Uncle Stiles know how to poison people? [teasing]

Miranda: Are you suggesting that I should poison my future father in law as a wedding present?

Grayson: You'd be doing your people a favor.

Miranda: I'll take it under consideration.

Grayson: Well, if he lives a long time, Andrew won't be needed as much and may lead to you having the opportunity to stay at home.

Miranda: Maybe. I'm sure they wouldn't mind having more children around.

Grayson: There's two children, yet this place is quiet as a tomb. That's not good for kids. I would have hated it.

Miranda: So would I. They deserve an opportunity to actually be children.

Grayson: No place better to do that than Hale Manor.

Miranda: We'll see how things go. Maybe I'll suggest it to Andrew.

Grayson: Just let me know if I need to create a diversion to mask your escape.

Miranda: I appreciate it.

Grayson: What are cousins for? [grins]

Miranda: [turns and gives him a kiss on the cheek] I am going to go check on the children and see how loud we can be. But I'll see you at dinner?

Grayson: Yes. I think I need to clean this area up before the maids complain about the state of my suite again.

Miranda: It's not as bad as it was last time. I think you'll be fine. [she gets up and gives him a salute] If you need us, we will probably be playing pirates in the garden.

Grayson: Ooh, I may just have to join you then.

Miranda: [smirks] You are always welcome aboard my ship.