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@greeter-pavo
It's I, Pavo! Welcome to Bellhart, weary traveler! I hope the journey goes well! Join us now in sacred song!
~Laa li lo laa lii looo laaa!
Special relations:
@deep-diving-webbing (Pavo's former love interest and current friend.)
Rules:
NSFW is not allowed. The furthest I will let you go is asks about suggestive topics.
No spam!
I choose to answer if I wish.
You may flirt.
Other RP blogs are free to interact!
No magic anonymous asks.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
Isabella giggled, accepting the jar, though she placed it between the two of them before she opened it up, that way they could both reach it. She wasn't so gluttonous as to eat the whole thing of cookies by herself without letting Pavo have the chance to eat at least a few.
"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.
... She should give him an out.
"Or, we can keep fishing. Whatever you're comfortable with, love."
"I feel like fishing is fun, but we've tried something I enjoy, so I'd say it's your turn to decide. I'm down for anything. But, whatever you decide, I think this placeis good. We're so far away from the path, and we'rehiddenby a wall of grass."
He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.
He wondered what he was doing. Flirting like this was something he had never done. Maybe it was breaking the rules from the Citadel that truly enticed him? A form of revenge against their evil.
Isabella laughed. "Ha! Yeah, that's the spirit, Pavo. Now, I do need to ask, ya ever done this before?"
She took a cookie as well, and began eating it, letting out a moan at the taste. She held back the urge to make the joke that these were the kinds of sounds she was hoping to make in just a moment.
"I've said it's sinful. I don't think I care though."
He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.
"I have to say that I'm not in the mental state for a relationship right now. If that disappoints you, then I'm sorry."
She raised a metal brow. "I don't think it's sinful, love. I don't think anythin' that doesn't hurt other people is sinful. Doesn't make any damn sense to me."
She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.
"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?
The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.
"Er. Anyway. Ya sure you want your first time to be with me? Just checkin'"
"A giant, strong, tall, pretty, fun and wonderful woman? Because that's what you are. I doubt I'd find someone better considering I've tried for twenty-five years."
Now, Isabella couldn't actually blush, but she did sometimes have the phantom sensation of blushing.
"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"
With that, she reached her arms out to gently lift him off the ground.
He blushes extremely hard getting pulled off the ground.
"Y-yeah."
She giggled, before leaning in closer, and pressing her mouth against his in a gentle kiss. She was very purposefully being slow. She wanted to ease him into it.
It was strange and new, not bad, just weird. He liked the kiss, but at the same time it stole his breath.
She did, eventually, pull away from him, to ask, "How was it?"
Her secondary pair of hands (for she has four hands) was already on its way down to work on getting her pants off.
Pavo smiles a silly, dumb smile.
"New, strange, but pleasant." he watched her lower arms, his heart racing. His own arms were stuck to his sides in her grasp.
"Good."
As her pants came off, Isabella noticed that Pavo couldn't undress himself, so she adjusted her grip, making sure she was holding him under his arms and not over.
Pavo carefully unbuttoned his trousers, staring at her the entire time. His mood was quite prominent, but seeing her assuring face, the embarrassment disappeared.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
Isabella giggled, accepting the jar, though she placed it between the two of them before she opened it up, that way they could both reach it. She wasn't so gluttonous as to eat the whole thing of cookies by herself without letting Pavo have the chance to eat at least a few.
"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.
... She should give him an out.
"Or, we can keep fishing. Whatever you're comfortable with, love."
"I feel like fishing is fun, but we've tried something I enjoy, so I'd say it's your turn to decide. I'm down for anything. But, whatever you decide, I think this placeis good. We're so far away from the path, and we'rehiddenby a wall of grass."
He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.
He wondered what he was doing. Flirting like this was something he had never done. Maybe it was breaking the rules from the Citadel that truly enticed him? A form of revenge against their evil.
Isabella laughed. "Ha! Yeah, that's the spirit, Pavo. Now, I do need to ask, ya ever done this before?"
She took a cookie as well, and began eating it, letting out a moan at the taste. She held back the urge to make the joke that these were the kinds of sounds she was hoping to make in just a moment.
"I've said it's sinful. I don't think I care though."
He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.
"I have to say that I'm not in the mental state for a relationship right now. If that disappoints you, then I'm sorry."
She raised a metal brow. "I don't think it's sinful, love. I don't think anythin' that doesn't hurt other people is sinful. Doesn't make any damn sense to me."
She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.
"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?
The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.
"Er. Anyway. Ya sure you want your first time to be with me? Just checkin'"
"A giant, strong, tall, pretty, fun and wonderful woman? Because that's what you are. I doubt I'd find someone better considering I've tried for twenty-five years."
Now, Isabella couldn't actually blush, but she did sometimes have the phantom sensation of blushing.
"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"
With that, she reached her arms out to gently lift him off the ground.
He blushes extremely hard getting pulled off the ground.
"Y-yeah."
She giggled, before leaning in closer, and pressing her mouth against his in a gentle kiss. She was very purposefully being slow. She wanted to ease him into it.
It was strange and new, not bad, just weird. He liked the kiss, but at the same time it stole his breath.
She did, eventually, pull away from him, to ask, "How was it?"
Her secondary pair of hands (for she has four hands) was already on its way down to work on getting her pants off.
Pavo smiles a silly, dumb smile.
"New, strange, but pleasant." he watched her lower arms, his heart racing. His own arms were stuck to his sides in her grasp.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
Isabella giggled, accepting the jar, though she placed it between the two of them before she opened it up, that way they could both reach it. She wasn't so gluttonous as to eat the whole thing of cookies by herself without letting Pavo have the chance to eat at least a few.
"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.
... She should give him an out.
"Or, we can keep fishing. Whatever you're comfortable with, love."
"I feel like fishing is fun, but we've tried something I enjoy, so I'd say it's your turn to decide. I'm down for anything. But, whatever you decide, I think this placeis good. We're so far away from the path, and we'rehiddenby a wall of grass."
He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.
He wondered what he was doing. Flirting like this was something he had never done. Maybe it was breaking the rules from the Citadel that truly enticed him? A form of revenge against their evil.
Isabella laughed. "Ha! Yeah, that's the spirit, Pavo. Now, I do need to ask, ya ever done this before?"
She took a cookie as well, and began eating it, letting out a moan at the taste. She held back the urge to make the joke that these were the kinds of sounds she was hoping to make in just a moment.
"I've said it's sinful. I don't think I care though."
He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.
"I have to say that I'm not in the mental state for a relationship right now. If that disappoints you, then I'm sorry."
She raised a metal brow. "I don't think it's sinful, love. I don't think anythin' that doesn't hurt other people is sinful. Doesn't make any damn sense to me."
She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.
"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?
The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.
"Er. Anyway. Ya sure you want your first time to be with me? Just checkin'"
"A giant, strong, tall, pretty, fun and wonderful woman? Because that's what you are. I doubt I'd find someone better considering I've tried for twenty-five years."
Now, Isabella couldn't actually blush, but she did sometimes have the phantom sensation of blushing.
"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"
With that, she reached her arms out to gently lift him off the ground.
He blushes extremely hard getting pulled off the ground.
"Y-yeah."
She giggled, before leaning in closer, and pressing her mouth against his in a gentle kiss. She was very purposefully being slow. She wanted to ease him into it.
It was strange and new, not bad, just weird. He liked the kiss, but at the same time it stole his breath.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
Isabella giggled, accepting the jar, though she placed it between the two of them before she opened it up, that way they could both reach it. She wasn't so gluttonous as to eat the whole thing of cookies by herself without letting Pavo have the chance to eat at least a few.
"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.
... She should give him an out.
"Or, we can keep fishing. Whatever you're comfortable with, love."
"I feel like fishing is fun, but we've tried something I enjoy, so I'd say it's your turn to decide. I'm down for anything. But, whatever you decide, I think this placeis good. We're so far away from the path, and we'rehiddenby a wall of grass."
He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.
He wondered what he was doing. Flirting like this was something he had never done. Maybe it was breaking the rules from the Citadel that truly enticed him? A form of revenge against their evil.
Isabella laughed. "Ha! Yeah, that's the spirit, Pavo. Now, I do need to ask, ya ever done this before?"
She took a cookie as well, and began eating it, letting out a moan at the taste. She held back the urge to make the joke that these were the kinds of sounds she was hoping to make in just a moment.
"I've said it's sinful. I don't think I care though."
He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.
"I have to say that I'm not in the mental state for a relationship right now. If that disappoints you, then I'm sorry."
She raised a metal brow. "I don't think it's sinful, love. I don't think anythin' that doesn't hurt other people is sinful. Doesn't make any damn sense to me."
She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.
"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?
The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.
"Er. Anyway. Ya sure you want your first time to be with me? Just checkin'"
"A giant, strong, tall, pretty, fun and wonderful woman? Because that's what you are. I doubt I'd find someone better considering I've tried for twenty-five years."
Now, Isabella couldn't actually blush, but she did sometimes have the phantom sensation of blushing.
"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"
With that, she reached her arms out to gently lift him off the ground.
He blushes extremely hard getting pulled off the ground.
"Y-yeah."
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
Isabella giggled, accepting the jar, though she placed it between the two of them before she opened it up, that way they could both reach it. She wasn't so gluttonous as to eat the whole thing of cookies by herself without letting Pavo have the chance to eat at least a few.
"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.
... She should give him an out.
"Or, we can keep fishing. Whatever you're comfortable with, love."
"I feel like fishing is fun, but we've tried something I enjoy, so I'd say it's your turn to decide. I'm down for anything. But, whatever you decide, I think this placeis good. We're so far away from the path, and we'rehiddenby a wall of grass."
He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.
He wondered what he was doing. Flirting like this was something he had never done. Maybe it was breaking the rules from the Citadel that truly enticed him? A form of revenge against their evil.
Isabella laughed. "Ha! Yeah, that's the spirit, Pavo. Now, I do need to ask, ya ever done this before?"
She took a cookie as well, and began eating it, letting out a moan at the taste. She held back the urge to make the joke that these were the kinds of sounds she was hoping to make in just a moment.
"I've said it's sinful. I don't think I care though."
He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.
"I have to say that I'm not in the mental state for a relationship right now. If that disappoints you, then I'm sorry."
She raised a metal brow. "I don't think it's sinful, love. I don't think anythin' that doesn't hurt other people is sinful. Doesn't make any damn sense to me."
She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.
"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?
The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.
"Er. Anyway. Ya sure you want your first time to be with me? Just checkin'"
"A giant, strong, tall, pretty, fun and wonderful woman? Because that's what you are. I doubt I'd find someone better considering I've tried for twenty-five years."
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
Isabella giggled, accepting the jar, though she placed it between the two of them before she opened it up, that way they could both reach it. She wasn't so gluttonous as to eat the whole thing of cookies by herself without letting Pavo have the chance to eat at least a few.
"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.
... She should give him an out.
"Or, we can keep fishing. Whatever you're comfortable with, love."
"I feel like fishing is fun, but we've tried something I enjoy, so I'd say it's your turn to decide. I'm down for anything. But, whatever you decide, I think this placeis good. We're so far away from the path, and we'rehiddenby a wall of grass."
He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.
He wondered what he was doing. Flirting like this was something he had never done. Maybe it was breaking the rules from the Citadel that truly enticed him? A form of revenge against their evil.
Isabella laughed. "Ha! Yeah, that's the spirit, Pavo. Now, I do need to ask, ya ever done this before?"
She took a cookie as well, and began eating it, letting out a moan at the taste. She held back the urge to make the joke that these were the kinds of sounds she was hoping to make in just a moment.
"I've said it's sinful. I don't think I care though."
He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.
"I have to say that I'm not in the mental state for a relationship right now. If that disappoints you, then I'm sorry."
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
Isabella giggled, accepting the jar, though she placed it between the two of them before she opened it up, that way they could both reach it. She wasn't so gluttonous as to eat the whole thing of cookies by herself without letting Pavo have the chance to eat at least a few.
"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.
... She should give him an out.
"Or, we can keep fishing. Whatever you're comfortable with, love."
"I feel like fishing is fun, but we've tried something I enjoy, so I'd say it's your turn to decide. I'm down for anything. But, whatever you decide, I think this placeis good. We're so far away from the path, and we'rehiddenby a wall of grass."
He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.
He wondered what he was doing. Flirting like this was something he had never done. Maybe it was breaking the rules from the Citadel that truly enticed him? A form of revenge against their evil.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
Isabella laughed at Pavo's words, and was about to comment that she had her life upended too (why was she laughing at that? Because it was easier to laugh), until Pavo barreled right on and she decided to respect his intentions.
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."
The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.
And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.
"So, ya like bein' picked up?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, since Pavo had mentioned it earlier. "Mm. I might be willin' to provide such a service~"
"Maybe I've said too much?" Pavo smirks and hands her the jar of cookies that she had been eyeing.
"I thought we were here to fish, not play around?" Pavo jokes, reaching for another cup. This one did make him a little giggly.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
Isabella... almost made at least three different dirty jokes in response to that.
It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.
But this was just. Not the time.
So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.
"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.
"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.
"... So, no, I agree with you. She is a bad goddess."
"Thank goodness! I honestly thought I just forfeited my life! Wow! Stupid goddess! Evil Citadel! My whole life has been upended!"
Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.
"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.
He reaches into the backpack and brings up a jar of cookies, similar but not identical to the ones last time. These were red and had some Marshflowers baked in.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"Ha! Yeah, that's not the best impression, innit?" Isabella agreed.
She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.
Hm.
... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?
... No, probably not.
"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."
Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.
Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.
She was probably overthinking this, right? And she never overthought ANYTHING.
"I've come to learn the truth about her and Pharloom. Execute me for heresy if you will, but, I have to say it. The Monarch is a very bad goddess. She strung me up like a puppet, and while I do enjoy getting picked up, getting suspended for three weeks while getting half-rotten husk forcefed to me by some strange, tall, naked lady was not my favorite experience."
He finally breathes out. This weight he had been carrying was finally spat out, even though the consequences could be horrible. If she kills him, he hoped she'd toss him in the lake for the beetles to feed on. He wanted to believe Isabella didn't want the Haunting to happen. That she wasn't too involved in it. If anybody except the monarch even were involved, that is.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
Isabella giggled in response to Pavo's distractedness, before saying, "Ah, sorry love, I messed you up there."
She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."
She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.
Bleh. She'll just deal with it.
"I don't drink enough to get drunk like some bugs do. Tipsy is as far as I go. The first impression of Bellhart can't be someone someone fumbling their words."
He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.
"What do you think of the Monarch? Have you met her?" maybe this could work if she also had doubts?
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
Isabella smiled. She liked that idea.
"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."
She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.
"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"
Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.
She then took a sip from the bottle, just a small one, and said, "Ah! It's been ages since I've had any a' this stuff. Thank ya kindly!"
Pavo blushes very prominently at the kind gesture.
"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.
Instead of tying a new hook to it, he sat down next to Isabella. He pours himself another cup of the nectar he brought for himself.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"You always let them go? And you've named this one? ... Have you named all of them?" Isabella asked. "If so, that's adorable."
She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.
Wasn't difficult for her to hand it back. After all, it wasn't the kind of rod of his she was wanting.
Pavo takes the rod back and smiles a little. It was more fun to fish when things actually get caught. He does the procedure quickly and casts out again, then reels it back slowly.
"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."
He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.
"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"
He reels in just some moss, but isn't dissuaded by it. He casts again.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
Isabella winced. To her, this date wasn't going... terribly so far, but it wasn't going well.
"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.
She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.
"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.
With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.
"Er. I've... never been great at identifyin' species, love. Care to tell me what this is? One of the, er, 'waterbeetles' ya mentioned earlier?" She actually had been paying attention earlier. She did want this date to go well, after all; she thought paying attention might cheer him up.
Pavo looked at the squirming creature and nodded.
"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.
"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.
"Good catch! May I?" Pavo wondered. Maybe it was best not to think about the Citadel?
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
"... Cannabilism..." Isabella said. She knew it'd, uh, spoil the mood, but she didn't want to lie. Besides, what could she have said that wouldn't spoil the mood? Any minor crime would've seemed unreasonable for exile. And a lie.
"Lugoli, er, cooked up, you know, smart bugs. In their meals. On occasion. The kinds of bugs you and I could have a nice chat with. With uh... families, who would miss 'em." Isabella explained as she cast again. "Although, actually, they probably wouldn't miss 'em, considering that Lugoli would usually cook up the whole fa—I don't think you need to know more, do ya?" She asked.
Pavo sits quiet and chugs his drink down.
"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."
Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.
"Did you hook anything?" his voice is devoid of emotion and the question tried to change the subject.
"I have a date with 'im today," The Conductor muttered to herself as she approached the Bellhome. She got weird looks, a dozen of them, a hundred. She mostly ignored them. Once, she winked back at one of the onlookers, just to mess with them.
"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"
She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"
@isabella-the-indestructible
Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.
Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.
"Yeah, I believe we do. I've prepared for a picnic and a nice time fishing by my favorite spot." he does appreciate the distraction.
Isabella nodded pleasantly, before shifting position so that the glare of light against her shell was slightly less strong. Perhaps she should get him a pair of tinted glasses...
"That's a different hat," Isabella pointed out. "I like it, it looks nice on ya. And a picnic sounds lovely. Lead the way!" She said, putting a bit of extra cheerfulness and enthusiasm into her voice, to hopefully help elevate his mood.
"Yeah, I...thought I'd try something new." Pavo lies. This was quite awkward. Did she know of the Citadel's crimes?
He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.
On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.
"What do you say about this spot?" he shows her a place far from the path where the sand spread further up into the grass, making almost a secret spot guarded by the foliage.
Oh, Isabella knew many of the Citadel's crimes well. But Pavo didn't ask.
Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.
"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"
She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.
"Ah, that seems—" 'As good a spot as any' almost left her mouth, but she caught herself. "A mighty fine spot," She replied.
"Great!" Pavo says and starts unpacking his backpack. One quilt was placed on the ground, on top of which he placed a bottle of nectar and a box of sandwiches.
After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.
"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.
"Tell me when you wanna try."
Isabella watched, looking at the food Pavo brought. Simple. Not what she was used to, but truly, could she complain? Her gaze moved then to watch Pavo fish.
"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."
She took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed slowly. She replayed what Pavo just did in her mind again and again as she ate her sandwich. Once she was finished, she reached her hand over and said, "I've never fished before, but I'm ready to try. Just guide me, okay, love?"
Pavo was surprised that she didn't like muckmaggots. They were one of the more tasty meats that Bellhart had access to.
"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."
Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.
"You gotta let loose a piece of line by unclasping that, then rear back and cast forward while letting the line out. Then you put the clasp back down and reel the lever back to bring it in." Pavo gave a little smile as he lets her try while he takes a sandwich and sits down to eat.
"Sautéed and dipped in sauce?" Isabella asked. "I suppose they could be; I've never had them in any way other than pickled. That meal was so bad, we had the chef exiled."
She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."
Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.
Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.
"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.
The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.
The line shook as something bit the hook.
She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.
"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.
She was a bit miffed at having failed, honestly, but she was putting up a cheerful front. No one likes being around a whiner.
Pavo pours himself a drink and watches as she didn't get anything on the hook. He was also disappointed. At least she seemed happy enough. Pavo wondered how much she knew about the silken lie. But, he shouldn't ask. No, he kept the conversation going.
"So you exiled the greatest chef in Pharloom? What crime did they do to deserve that?" Pavo asks her, motioning her to cast again as he finishes his meal.
