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[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.]

[Yes, she knows how this sounds, but—]

I'd rather not find myself in that situation, or any where I'm not in my right mind, with someone else.

[To put it simply: Eustace is the only person who has and who will ever see her under the strange effects of this world's magic if she can help it. He is the only person that she trusts here, so it seems the only logical path to her.]

...

[Fortunately he understands her meaning and nods, if a little reluctantly.]

Very well. I think that covers that subject.

[They can move onto less awkward things maybe.]

[Her eyes narrow as she casts him a sideways glance. Is he agreeing to those terms, or is he really okay with other people seeing him as she had at the masquerade? ... For some reason, that latter thought bothers her. A lot.

...

But she will try not to linger on it for too long, since he's already moved on.

Hm.]

Do you have any rules that I should know about before I continue?

[His turn. And hopefully it is less awkward.]

[...Hmmm.

This is a good question as he thinks for a bit.]

Not really.

[Well. A bit useless here—]

We've covered the biggest complication and the instigator of all this, and I can't think of anything more currently in regards to it. So as to our relationship—

[A small glance towards her.]

I'll be honest, I don't really know what to think about or expect.

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