❝ Spanner, then. I’m Celia Duval. ❞ The glares she certainly notices, especially the one from her father—if looks could kill. She knows that a ration of shit will be given to her later, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. Even though the old man knows how to push her buttons, she can do the same to him ten fold.
The garden itself was designed and created by her own hands. ❝ Then maybe you could help me sometime—I have a few side projects that might be somewhat entertaining for you. ❞ Terrariums were her ‘thing’, but it all came down to the science of it all. The chemical makeup of the plants that enabled them to live alongside one another—the genetics that allowed the animals within the garden to thrive—it was all a very beautiful thing.
When he does ask her the dreaded question, she shakes her head. ❝ Oh——no, no. I can’t say I ever go to these things willingly, nevermind with anyone.❞ Her cheeks turn pink at the thought. ❝ Besides. The only reason a man would want to be with me is to gain something—my father’s approval, his resources— ❞ She pauses, smiles as if it’s all so very simple. ❝ Love is a fool’s game. I would much rather not have to entertain a lecherous old man’s fantasies. ❞
The smile turns coy as she giggles. ❝ Though they probably think you are my date now—Mignon et intelligent. Même si vous ressemblez à cette conversation est vous donner envie de frapper la tête contre un mur. ❞
This should be entertaining.
"Duval..." It rings a bell, albeit the chime is faint and the engineer certainly can't claim full acknowledgement, even for reverence as a social obligation. One surely can't be anticipated to have a high opinion even of the monarch of a place as obscure as Swaziland -- but he's certain he's equipped with more factual background about Mswati the Third than a certain 'Duval the Elder'. They have a name in the sphere of arms dealership, this he knows through the abridged grapevine he sources to Shoichi.
He suddenly seems more fixated on the idea of her casual business proposal, mind lingering on the prospects as she quietly and jadedly prattles on about the pitfalls of love. Certainly not his department, but he doesn't feel the intention to interrupt, and remains reticent even to the 'side projects' she's mentioned. He isn't in this for the money -- which, of course, he'll still take for his labor work -- but he wants to see what tier of innovation she occupies.
"Is that so..." He replies pensively, diverting his gaze elsewhere and motioning to loosen his tie yet again - telling sign of unease. Genuine comment or not coming from Celia, Spanner isn't so fond of the idea of becoming too frisky with the daughter of someone with wealth and power.
He then returns his gaze to her, looking none the wiser following her show her eloquence -- however impressive it had been. "I regret to say that I.. don't speak or understand French, Miss Duval."
