dissonates | Appointments Post

[When he opens the door, she does utter a tiny gasp of delight at seeing him dressed so nice. See? He wouldn't dress up if he was convinced he couldn't have fun tonight. This was a good sign. She didn't have anything to worry about!

She glances over her shoulder at the braid, a sheepish smile on her lips.]

Oh, yeah...I thought it might be nice if I had it out of the way for tonight. Um--! You look very nice, Asch!

Mm. You too. [It's as close as he'll get to acknowledging that he looks alright, because- well, dressing up just isn't his thing, generally. He'd usually describe his attire as formal rather than nice.

But whatever, that's nitpicking, something he's never been a fan of. He steps out of the house without flourish, shutting the door behind himself and gesturing forward so they can start walking. He doesn't know where they're going, so he'll let her lead the way.]

It's sensible this way- probably not so in the way all the time. How did you manage to braid all of that?

[Their first destination is an obvious choice - DINNER. At Seventh Heaven. Rapunzel even made sure that a nice window seat would be open for them that evening. Reservations! She's quick proud of her newly-found ability to plan an evening out, actually.

So she starts in that direction, grinning at him as she nearly skips.]

Well, umm...a lot of patience? And practice, too! It DOES take awhile...

[That last part is somewhat mumbled.]

[omg Rapunzel stop with the mumbling blah blah blah]

I suppose I can sympathize a little. I haven't cut my hair in at least ten years.

[He lifts a hand to idly fiddle with one of the strands he keeps dangled over the sides of is head, following her at a more relaxed pace. She's certainly enthusiastic about this...]

{Oh Asch. She knew she liked you for a reason.]

Really? That's fantastic! [...] I mean, I've never met anyone who's gone so long without a haircut as me. But it's been pretty long for you! No wonder your hair is so pretty.

[And here he thought it was his charming personality.]

"Pretty"? [He is determined not to go red at that. ~~even if it's true~~] I suppose. I trim it a little to keep the ends clean, and it gets in the way sometimes, but... well, I haven't felt a need to keep it short. It's something of a cultural issue.

Edited (wow repetitive) 2012-11-03 09:28 (UTC)

[She indeed needs to know more about these important cultural reasons for long hair immediately, yes.]

Really? Why's that?

In the country where I was born, Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, red hair and green eyes are the signature traits of the royal family. You could say that to members of that family, red hair is something of a national treasure. Cutting it off is practically criminal.

[He's still kind of miffed that Luke did it so casually, but there'd been more important things going on.]

That's so neat! [But...wait. Is she missing something here?]

Wait, Asch - are you saying you were a member of the royal family?

I was. My uncle is the king.

[Short and sweet, yep.]

[...could he have sounded like it was any less of a big deal? THIS IS A BIG DEAL. ASCH IS LIKE A NEPHEW PRINCE.]

I-I had no idea! Asch - you could become king!

[This seems to be a common thread with the friends she makes. And she's read enough Shakespeare to know how this sort of thing works.]

[It is so not a big deal, Rapunzel. 8|]

No, I was going to be. I used to be third in line for the throne, but that's not going to happen anymore.

[His family, his home, his fiancee, his fate, or... whatever else they liked to call it? Not his anymore.

Plus he's dead. That's kind of an issue.]

[She isn't sure if she should ask more. She undoubtedly curious, but Rapunzel had also planned on this being a perfectly happy evening, and she wasn't sure if this line of questioning was going to lead to positive things. After all, she doubted it was because something good happened that he wasn't a candidate for the throne anymore.]

I'm sorry to hear that. For what it's worth...I think you'd make a great ruler, Asch.

[Asch can't help it- he scoffs quietly at that. It's not mocking, but when he responds, his tone is awfully dry.]

Clearly you don't know me as well as you think you do.

[He's not really inclined to go into details and ruin their evening either, though, so he'll attempt to shrug it off.]

Either way, it's not as interesting as being an actual princess.

[She wants to tell him he's wrong, that she honestly thought he would make a great ruler, but she didn't want to press it. Not now. So she dips her head a bit as she fumbles to turn the conversation somewhere more pleasant.]

I...don't really feel like one, for what difference that might make. But it seems like there are a lot of people here who are royalty. I wonder if it's just coincidence.

Is there? I hadn't noticed. [He shrugs; when you've already lost your status, it doesn't really matter in a place like this anyway.] It's a shame Natalia isn't here any longer. She's truly a princess for the people. I'm sure she could've given you some advice.

[It's hard to keep a certain fondness from slipping into his voice at the mention of her.]

Edited (wow I forgot this) 2012-11-12 22:18 (UTC)

[He can hear that kinder note in his voice at her mention, and Rapunzel grins as she looks to him.]

Oh, yes? Will you tell me more about her?

What? Oh. I guess.

[He's surprised by her interest, but hey, Natalia's someone he definitely has a few things to say about.]

I knew her when we were children- I spent a lot of time with her at the castle. One day we made a promise to ensure that the lives of our people would be first priority when we ruled Kimlasca, and after I... left, she upheld that promise even on her own. Everything she did was for the benefit of her subjects: she kept them employed, healthy, fed, and lifted their spirits when they were unhappy. In return the citizens loved her for it, and they would have died to keep her safe if they had to.

[Many had, actually- and the fact that she grieved for those deaths is one of the reasons Asch will always support her above the king, for reasons that go well beyond nostalgia.]

She's the heart of Kimlasca, and everyone knows it. That's what it means to be a princess.

[Being the heart of her country...could Rapunzel do that? She hoped she could. She did have a big heart, and she hoped there was room for everyone in it.]

So she must have been one of your best friends, to make a promise like that. I'm happy you had a friend like that, Asch.

[Asch thinks briefly of the manor at home- of Guy, of their history, of the things he'd learned in Daath.

...Ha. Childhood friend, indeed.]

She was my only friend. But she was more than enough for anyone.

I'm glad to hear that.

[Her voice is a little softer at that, but she perks right back up again a moment later.]

But! I'm sure you have a lot more friends here. Like me, for instance!

Isn't this where I ought to say something like, "be careful what you wish for"?

[Sorry, Rapunzel, being his friend means you become a target of his comfortable snark.]

[Pshaw. She can handle comfortable snark.]

You say that like having more friends is a bad thing!

[False. IT IS THE BEST THING.]

That remains to be seen.

[But it's not a no?]

[Oh ye of little faith.]

Well, I promise I'LL always be your friend.

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]

[action; october fourteenth]