[Did she just tuck her phone into her cleavage??? He tries not to openly gawk, but he's shocked. Modern women are dangerous, resourceful creatures...
The boat steadies beneath them, and Char waits until she's seated before stepping in himself. The petals drifting across the water catch the dim light, and for a moment he studies them instead of her— perhaps to give weight to his answer.]
Names... they've never come easy to me. Each one I've carried has left its mark.
[His gaze lifts back to her, steady, frank. He doesn't soften the truth, but neither does he hide behind it.]
Char will do. It's the name I chose for myself, and the one I've stood by through everything. If nothing else, it's honest enough for you and me both.
[Well, he's seen the outfit. Where else is she supposed to put it?
Also, she has pegasus ears for this boat ride now.
Cantarella's eyes blink closed slowly, and they linger shut for the time he speaks. She looks up once he gives his decision. Her eyes are a shade darker than the water here.]
Char, then. Not how I met you...But it's how I'll call you. Since it's what you chose, it holds a certain honesty —your perspective—that a name bestowed upon you by someone else might not.
[Even if he was lying, even if Char was a stolen name or one to which he had no personal investment or attachment, what one chooses to give is important.]
[He makes an admirable effort to present himself as the picture of composure, as if sitting across from Cantarella in this strange poolside world were no different from any diplomatic table he's ever weathered. But the horse ears?? The horse ears ruin him. His gaze snags on them once, twice, and when she says his name so earnestly, it's the the straw breaks the camel's back.
Laughter chuffs out of him low and quiet. He lifts a hand to his mouth as though that might disguise it, though it only makes his shoulders shake more visibly. It takes him longer than he'd like to recover, and when he does, there's still the trace of a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.]
Char, then. [He repeats it, but his tone betrays him, warmer than he means it to be.]
...Forgive me. I wasn't prepared to be stared down by Pegasus ears tonight.
[She huffs, half-whickered. Being transformed by the (horse) cowbell has highlighted some more determined-to-the-point-of-stubborn traits, albeit also her more noble ones.]
It was an unexpected development. These moments should be taken when we can get them, however.
[They'd all needed to focus, so she'd tried to bring the discussion back quickly, but...hadn't it been worth it to see a little bit of a smile?]
[He schools his expression at last, though the flicker of laughter never quite leaves his eyes. The ears may have ruined him for a moment, but Cantarella's poise steadies him again— if not entirely, then just enough.]
You're right. Even if the circumstances are... unusual, the moments themselves still count.
[He reaches for the bottle at his side, refilling the lone glass without a break in his stride. He then offers it to Cantarella, easy as anything, as if it weren't the glass he's been sipping from all evening. Alas, there is no second glass, but he can't deny a lady a drink, can he?]
They suit you, I'll admit. Horses have always struck me as strong and majestic creatures— though for all their bearing, they are gentle giants.
Edited (brain please i need you to work with me here) 2025-09-06 03:35 (UTC)
[Her ears airplane a little at the offer, revealing her moment of thoughtful consideration, before Cantarella takes the glass.
Like a good aficionado and fantasy-Italian, she enjoys the bouquet of the wine before trying it. The inelegance of sharing a wine glass, as well as the potential dangers, don't seem to faze her.]
Then I must have missed the memo... I was always rather little. [Don't say a word.] But I do still remember a winged horse from my youth.
[Those ears are honest little things, aren't they. Lucky Char. Cantarella is far easier to read when her poise is betrayed by two horse ears... or rather, pegasus ears.
His smile edges wider, despite himself.]
Naturally not. [sweats] But I won't deny that strength and magnificence suit you.
[Maybe it isn't only human souls weighed down by Earth's gravity. Noted: launch the horses into orbit too.]
Did you ride it?
honks it for you...i know where char would rather be spending his night
[Just wait until she starts pawing the bottom of this super lightweight boat, buddy...then you might be sorry about teasing her for those ears.
But at the rather sacrilegious notion, Cantarella chuckles.] You'd be on a Pilgrim's Sail before you could even think about apologizing, had you said that in Ragunna City.
[Then again, they haven't seen Imperator in Their true winged form in a very long time.]
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no subject
The boat steadies beneath them, and Char waits until she's seated before stepping in himself. The petals drifting across the water catch the dim light, and for a moment he studies them instead of her— perhaps to give weight to his answer.]
Names... they've never come easy to me. Each one I've carried has left its mark.
[His gaze lifts back to her, steady, frank. He doesn't soften the truth, but neither does he hide behind it.]
Char will do. It's the name I chose for myself, and the one I've stood by through everything. If nothing else, it's honest enough for you and me both.
no subject
Also, she has pegasus ears for this boat ride now.
Cantarella's eyes blink closed slowly, and they linger shut for the time he speaks. She looks up once he gives his decision. Her eyes are a shade darker than the water here.]
Char, then. Not how I met you...But it's how I'll call you. Since it's what you chose, it holds a certain honesty —your perspective—that a name bestowed upon you by someone else might not.
[Even if he was lying, even if Char was a stolen name or one to which he had no personal investment or attachment, what one chooses to give is important.]
no subject
Laughter chuffs out of him low and quiet. He lifts a hand to his mouth as though that might disguise it, though it only makes his shoulders shake more visibly. It takes him longer than he'd like to recover, and when he does, there's still the trace of a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.]
Char, then. [He repeats it, but his tone betrays him, warmer than he means it to be.]
...Forgive me. I wasn't prepared to be stared down by Pegasus ears tonight.
no subject
[She huffs, half-whickered. Being transformed by the (horse) cowbell has highlighted some more determined-to-the-point-of-stubborn traits, albeit also her more noble ones.]
It was an unexpected development. These moments should be taken when we can get them, however.
[They'd all needed to focus, so she'd tried to bring the discussion back quickly, but...hadn't it been worth it to see a little bit of a smile?]
no subject
You're right. Even if the circumstances are... unusual, the moments themselves still count.
[He reaches for the bottle at his side, refilling the lone glass without a break in his stride. He then offers it to Cantarella, easy as anything, as if it weren't the glass he's been sipping from all evening. Alas, there is no second glass, but he can't deny a lady a drink, can he?]
They suit you, I'll admit. Horses have always struck me as strong and majestic creatures— though for all their bearing, they are gentle giants.
i saw that name typo
Like a good aficionado and fantasy-Italian, she enjoys the bouquet of the wine before trying it. The inelegance of sharing a wine glass, as well as the potential dangers, don't seem to faze her.]
Then I must have missed the memo... I was always rather little. [Don't say a word.] But I do still remember a winged horse from my youth.
honks my clown nose
His smile edges wider, despite himself.]
Naturally not. [sweats] But I won't deny that strength and magnificence suit you.
[Maybe it isn't only human souls weighed down by Earth's gravity. Noted: launch the horses into orbit too.]
Did you ride it?
honks it for you...i know where char would rather be spending his night
But at the rather sacrilegious notion, Cantarella chuckles.] You'd be on a Pilgrim's Sail before you could even think about apologizing, had you said that in Ragunna City.
[Then again, they haven't seen Imperator in Their true winged form in a very long time.]
No, it was Divine.