The knock upon her door is light, the sleeping would not rouse but the waking would be alerted. It's been some time since he saw her properly, truthfully nearly a year now that he thinks about it.
"I must apologize, I have asked you wait much too long." He recalls the promise, never was it the case that he forgot. If he were to excuse himself for the misgivings, he thinks the man who was back then has entirely burned away by now. The ill fitting mask didn't suit him and he has been fearful for what might be said should he remove the thin protection.
"Firstly, a happiest birthday to you, Minerva." It's a fact he would not have known if not for his routine skulk to the kitchen. Oftentimes there were sweets of some sort or at least the means to make them, but that evening a most curious head of red nearly bid him to choke upon the treats that were being premade for the occasion.
From his side he picks up a box. "The fault is mine for taking so long to properly spar you." When Maria and he spoke of what might make a good gift, of course axes stood out best, but an axe's origin can be anywhere. "This time, before ball, I would like nothing more than to finally hold my end of the bargain."
And perhaps a bit selfishly, "Should I win, I should also like to dance with you once more, it was quite a welcome reprieve the first time."
It's a bit purposeful that he leaves it at that and bows for his part, for when she opens the box, atop the axe sits a shawl, light enough to not weigh down yet not so flimsily made that it would simply flutter along whilst she soared the skies. the inner lining is a deep red and crimson thread lines the outside in an understated but noticeable pattern.
The breakfast with Maria lasted long, not long enough sadly, but it was definitely worthy. Yet, another knock resounded in the room and Minerva looked puzzled this time, since she really didn't expect someone else to greet her for this day. And she was terribly wrong.
As she opened the door, a familiar face apologized as soon as he met her gaze, a promise hovered in his words, despite Minerva wasn't really sure about it, but the expression of the Flying instructor quickly changed into a gentle smile as soon as she realized he was one of the helper of Maria.
"Thank you so much for thought, Darios" she bowed her head a little, "You did a great job with Maria, I'm truly flattered" she lowered her tone, a soft hues of red coloured her cheeks, but she turned her face a little, just to be sure to hide it. But soon after that, the man picked up a box from his side, while contiuining his speech; he did seem quite serious about it, Minerva thought as she observed the box, sketching a brief smile as she accpeted his words and actually she was flattered by his spirit -never she would have guessed that he might wanted to keep his promise.
"You are more than welcome to meet my weapon" she grinned, a smirk that could be easily be mistaken for a seductive smile, but she truly admired the audacity and tenacity he put in his words. "We shall definitely keep that promise" and as she said it, she carefully opened the box, to discover a gift she truly wouldn't expect from anyone.
"It's… so beautiful" she was speechless, not a signle word came out from her lips as she admired the shawl and the axe underneath, two gifts that definitely didn't go unnoticed by the Macedon princess.
"I'll treasure it… and definitely use them on our meeting" she firmly nodded, a int of red on her cheeks still lingered, but the eagerness of her character was far more stronger than embarassment.
