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[There's a soft exhale as he's finally recomposed himself and he leans against the door frame.]

Same here.

[...And he's still uncomfortable about it, for many reasons.]

It's obvious we can't take all of what happened to seriously since we don't know what was genuine and what was under the influence. We could stay here spinning our thoughts, but I think the more practical way is to figure out...

[He looks at her. Really looks at her. Looks at her with the same eyes he always had...and note the changes now that it's been colored by the other night.]

...Where we go from here.

[Another beat before he looks away slightly.]

We can either ignore what happened and try to act like we did before. We could accept it and just carry on with just some...better understanding of each other.

[Physical. Understanding. Apparently.

And then another beat before continues a little quieter.]

...Or we see if anything really did change between us.

[Attraction.

It's at least more clear that both don't want to sever their original relationship, and really even after all this he could deal with either of the first two options. It might take some time, but as long as they can still interact with each other, that's fine enough. They're adults, these things happen, it's not something they need to begrudge or hang up over now that they've talked things out a bit.

But the new issue that seems to be lingering between them is... Do either of them see each other as more. Do they want something to develop between them? And if they do, is it better to quit before they're in too deep and get hurt, or just risk it and go with it?

Thus it's a question of should they end it here or...peek through that door.

A door that, for some reason, he's not completely ignoring right now when normally he would.]

[With the peanut butter finished, Ilsa gives Valo a soft scratch on the head and pushes herself up to her feet, all while listening to Eustace very, very carefully. She may not be looking at him, but her ears are telling, still turned in his direction even as she walks away to the kitchen. She just finds it easier to busy herself with something, finding it too awkward to simply stand there and watch him as he tells her all these things that have been on her mind for just as long, confusing her and making her doubt herself...

...?

But she feels his eyes on her, fixing her with an intense stare that has her lifting her gaze to look at him and meet his. She immediately regrets it and drops them back to the counter where she's set down the spoon for now.

This is certainly not a conversation she ever imagined would happen. Ilsa has gone over it all in her head so many times—her ideal relationship, the perfect wedding, how she wanted it to start and end... She had it all planned out, and then Eustace swooped in and shook it all up. To no fault of his own.

And honestly...? She's not completely turned off by the idea of it. Not when she thinks back to how much fun she did have with him on the dance floor and at the bar... and then everything that happened after.

It's just that there are so, so many complicated feelings, all of them influenced by the drinks that they had... Without them, she thinks she might be surer of what she wanted. She always is, and this is the first time she's taken this long to even begin to figure it out.

Her train of thought is why she takes a while to answer. Not because she doesn't want to work through whatever this now is, if it's anything at all—how presumptuous of her—but because she is almost mad at herself for not having a solution right away.

Why is it that the one thing that she wanted in her life is also the thing that's weighing her down so much?

Ilsa runs her fingers through her hair again.]

I can neither ignore what happened nor accept it and carry on.

[It's the last part of what he said that's grabbed her.]

I think something did change. I knew that it did when I remembered that, even when I didn't know who you were, I was... drawn to you anyway. [She very deliberately avoids "attracted".] It wasn't like that with anyone else and I think there was a reason for that.

[He doesn't mind how long it takes for Ilsa to answer. It's a heavy topic he knows... And maybe it could have been pushed for later, but they were already "pushing things for later" and who knows how long it would be? He's a patient man, but he's also quick to try and figure things out so it doesn't hang over him. Whether that's good or not, time will tell.

And he gives Ilsa all the time in the world, after their eyes meet. He can see the same thoughts, the same questions and uncertainty in her eyes, and he knows Ilsa will need the same time and deliberation he needs. So he will kneel down to give Valo attention after neglecting him for a bit, scratching him behind the ears and letting the dog lean against him. Even Valo is looking at him with concern, nudging him with his nose. As if feeling some support, he quietly smiles.

But even so, like her his ears are trained on her, and when he feels that shift that she's about to speak he looks up a bit to listen.

...And find once again they are of similar mind. It's enough to make a small laugh escape him.]

...It's funny. I remember how we used to be incompatible when we trained together. But now... It almost feels as if you're the one I feel most compatible with.

[There a soft if wane smile as he looks at her before he stands.]

I feel similarly. While I am prepared to take this however you prefer, I can't deny that something has changed.

...But not for the worst. I don't think I would be standing here if it did. That's as far as I've gotten, though.

[A small pause.]

...What would you want to do?

[A week is already much, much later than she would have liked. Ilsa doesn't like leaving loose ends, and that was certainly the loosest end that she's ever had to deal with, and for so long, too. Better that they get it out now than let it fester for longer, and for things to inevitably get worse and even more awkward whenever they did talk again.

His laugh surprises her a bit, small as it is... It's a lot for Eustace, or so she feels at a time like this, so she blinks at him for the several seconds following it.

And then still when he voices his opinions on the matter.

"Prepared to take it however she prefers"? Why her, though? What does Eustace want that isn't influenced by alcohol or her own decisions, good or bad? Does that mean... that he does want something? That he would be okay with it?

And does her humouring the idea silently in her head mean that it's what she wants, too?

... No, she has no idea and that's the problem.

Finally, Ilsa turns fully to face him, and she's just going to be as honest as she can be right now.]

I don't know.

[She really, really doesn't, and her slightly pained expression says as much.]

You and I really had a good thing going on, didn't we? Before all of this.

[It's her turn to chuckle a little.]

I'd rather not ruin that if we can help it, but... [Her eyes skirt away suddenly, and she reins in the words that she meant to say for something else.] ... I wonder if it might be better to see.

[Although he had been prepared for any and all possibilities, including the potential of further development, he had been more prepared for things ending where they are. Thus his eyes widen a bit at her actual answer, his heart strangely racing for a moment before it quiets.

...

Should he take that as a sign?

However, he understands her uncertainty.]

Then...

[The word hangs in the air as he once again considers his words.]

...How about this. It's clear we're still uncertain about things, but we are in agreement that we do not share any negative feelings towards each other. And if we think about it, we've only known each other through work. We've never really spent any time together outside of it.

So let's just...be around each other and see how we feel in a more...casual relationship first.

[...

This totally sounds like he's suggesting they date but with the dating—]

[Relationship...

That word hangs so heavy in the air over Ilsa's head that she may look doubtful at first with how her brow furrows. She knows that it isn't what he means by "casual relationship", but her mind can't help but wander past that very blurred line that's drawn between something casual and something more serious between them. Ilsa has been searching for one for so long, and she still wants one, but...

Is it really going to be with Eustace?

There's no denying that even as colleagues or friends, there is chemistry. And there is certainly no denying that the night of the masquerade had been electric. There was a reason that Ilsa was so drawn to him, and even if he wasn't objectively handsome, it was his personality that won out in the end.

...

How long she remains lost in thought... She hopes it isn't long, but she tries to snap herself out of it before they get too far.]

Alright.

[And her answer comes all too swiftly. Perhaps a little too swift because she is looking for some clarification...

Though it's a bit more tentative now because she isn't sure exactly what she wants to hear from him.]

What do you mean by 'casual relationship'? We should try to be on the same page if we are going to pursue anything. [... Wait.] Not that I am presuming that we are.

[... Are they? The way she looks at him seems to imply that question.]

[There's a blank look of surprise at her words before he half covers his mouth in thought.]

Pursue...

[Another small stretch of silence before he finally answers slowly.]

Maybe.

[If he had to be honest with himself, at least in this moment he can see no fault in Ilsa as a prospective partner. The real problem is himself...]

But to your question I just meant something similar to friendship.

[Whatever that might entail. He's such a private person that while he's been with the group and others, he doesn't really "hang out" or spend much personal time with anyone. So really he's just thinking of the status quo with just a slightly more level of being social.

And he sure did just basically gloss over that first part to answer the original question.]

[There's so much that's still left to be said between them, but there's no hiding the look that Ilsa shoots him when he skillfully dodges an explanation. She had expected a friendship, yes—that part isn't surprising at all, but...]

What do you mean 'maybe'?

[She doesn't like being on the fence about things, and they both already are tiptoeing the line that she doesn't want to blur it further.

Heavens, her heart is so confused.]

I understand that we said we would wait and see, but... [Her brows arch up high.] Do you want to pursue something?

That...

[Hrm he had a feeling she would ask so he awkwardly runs a hand through his hair.]

I don't want to say anything for certain because I don't want to make judgments when I'm still not clear about everything.

However, no matter how many times I think it over...

[...]

I'm not against it.

[Another small pause as his voice quiets a little.]

However, if I want it... That I don't know. I never really sought out any kind of personal relationship before, let alone romantic.

[Why would he when he was on a path of revenge, one where despite his skills and confidence be could die? There were times where he imagined that if he did have to die to take down what had killed his family, he would.

An impression that his life only mattered to himself and no one would care.

Of course that's all changed, but that was still only recent and it still shaped him to how he is today.]

That's why I can only give you an ambiguous answer right now.

[Still... If he did, Ilsa isn't a bad choice, but—that's just it. Is he looking at her like a "choice," a potential option as a mate and that's it? Or does or will he have genuine feelings for her that is beyond the current level? He feels it would be disrespectful to her if it were the former, so he doesn't want to say anything more until he can figure himself out.]

[A sense of understanding colours Ilsa's expression and it softens. While she had always been pursuing a romantic relationship, though not necessarily with him, now that the possibility is there, she doesn't know what she wants at the moment either, and just like him, it will take some time to figure out.

Not just whether it is what she really wants, especially here in this world so far removed from their own, but if the things she is feeling right now as she looks at him are real, or just the aftermath of the masquerade and the cocktails.]

I understand.

[She won't push the issue further.]

However. If we are to do anything, regardless of what sort of relationship it is, I think it would be better that we lay out some ground rules.

[Ilsa clears her throat, realizing how drastic this may sound, and just in case he isn't sure about this—]

So that there are no further misunderstandings.

[Fortunately, Eustace understands and immediately nods.]

Agreed. And we should make contingencies in case something similar happens again.

[His expression darkens at the thought, but... If it happened once who's to say it won't again? Especially since he's already heard from more than one person that such "pranks" are common.]

You can go first.

[In the meantime, Valo is looking between them. It seems things have softened, but there's still some tension... And now Eustace has his business tone, one that Valo has come to recognize. So there's just a grumbled whine before he plops down with a huff. Maaaan are they really going to just stand there and keep talking about this?

Seeing and hearing this, Eustace looks down in some surprise... And chagrin.]

...Sorry, I guess Valo is bored.

[Another grumble from the otherwise quiet dog.]

[Well. At least they're on the same page there.

And she's going to consider her own "stipulations"—lord, this sounds so ridiculous—before Valo's whine grabs her attention instead.]

Would he like to go for a walk?

[With a sheepish smile, she nods to the door.]

I could use some fresh air, too.

[He's about to agree when he sees Valo's ears perk up and sitting up, tail wagging a bit. A small laugh escapes him as he reaches down to ruffle his ears.]

Sure. Could use it, too.

[A small change of pace to help clear the air.

So he'll move out of the way heading towards the door with Valo quick to follow right alongside, but while also looking back at Ilsa as if to make sure she's following.]

[She would much prefer it to the stuffy inside of the cottage. The air in here feels abuzz with tension, so perhaps a change of pace and a change in atmosphere will help all of them ease their minds and running thoughts a little.

Ilsa leans down to give Valo a scratch behind his ears following Eustace, and when he gives a small but hearty boof, Ilsa finally laugh a little more freely, that single happy noise doing wonders to take some of that weight off her chest.]

Animals have a funny way of lifting people's spirits, don't they?

[She leads the way to the door and swings it open, letting Eustace and Valo leave first.]

Just a quick round or two around the block will help.

Mm. I feel fortunate.

[A small hum of agreement as he briefly smiles softly at Valo before he hooks up the leash and follows after Ilsa, waiting until she's closed up to start heading towards the main street.]

He's a good dog.

[A smile down at Valo.

Already, as the fresh air fills her lungs, she feels better. Not quite one hundred percent again, the tension is still there in her shoulders as she carries herself out the door and to the street, but it's significantly less than when she saw him standing just down the road from here not long ago. Even Valo seems happier.

She almost doesn't want to bring up the things they're supposed to talk about lest she ruin the mood, but she's going to have to...

Lifting a hand to her lips, Ilsa clears her throat.]

So, about those ground rules...

[...Ah. A nod as they walk down the street, which is mostly quiet with only a few people working on their gardens.]

What do you have in mind?

[Probably for the best. She isn't sure why she's feeling so nervous about being seen out with Eustace like this. They are simply walking his dog, and while she's not ashamed, it's that she doesn't want people getting the wrong impression about them.

Clearing her throat again to dispel that awkward thought...]

First thing: I think we can both agree that we should refrain from alcohol in each other's presence for the time being. Or period, if we can help it. I don't think I trust the drinks here enough to do that again.

[Ha. Ha. Ha.]

Agreed. I'm considering looking into making my own drinks and filtering water from now on...

[He's got a garden, surely he can make his own juices??? WELL OR TAP WATER IS FINE.]

Then as a sub clause, we should consider what to do if something does occur.

["Sub clause"... Are they listening to themselves right now?

Ilsa gives him a dry look.]

Do you think that's something we will have to worry about going forward?

[Just follow rule number one!!!]

[Just a look in return.]

For all we know, there could be something else that has a special enchantment or we're tricked into drinking or even eating it without realizing it. It never hurts to cover all possibilities.

[Ilsa you are talking to the man who plans for every contingency especially worst case scenarios, keep up woman.]

[Her sigh is more of a growl under her breath when she realizes that he's right. Are they really going to have to live like this? Afraid that the fae is out to poison their bodies and minds again? It's exhausting...]

The question is will we be in our right minds to remember these things if it were to happen again? The cocktails were proof that any rules or inhibitions were gone after we drank those.

Then considerations for what happens after. If possible the one unaffected should the to remove the other. But if we're both affected, we should not blame each other and just try to work things out like we are now.

[God, this pisses her off so much. She just wanted to relax and plant some flowers and grow bananas, and maybe find love, but this is so far out from what she imagined life could be like here when she finally accepted it.......

She sighs again.]

You're right. [They've handled all of this pretty well, all things considered. Who's to say they can't do it again?] Can't exactly blame anyone for the effects the food here has. It seems that it's that way with everyone besides what we make ourselves.

[EVEN THEN, she's now very careful about it.]

I also think that we should remain in each other's presence until the effects wear off.

Do you think it's a good idea? If we considered last time...

[...An awkward cough.]

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