It’s… finally done. I… don’t know why it took so long, and I’m not 100% on it still but aaaaaaaa
C Rank:
Sully: Haa!
Maribelle: Oh! Sully.
Sully: Hm? What do you want?
Maribelle: Is that any way to address a lady? For shame.
Sully: Hmph, whatever, I address you how I address you, what’s the problem?
Maribelle: The problem? Please, any proper lady should know how to talk to one another.
Sully: And uh… what good does that do me? Who cares how I talk to you?
Maribelle: Society is a tricky game, my dear Sully. You can’t simply muscle your way through society.
Sully: I dunno, I’m pretty tough. Anyways, why does it matter? This is a war, we’re fighting, not fancy pinky-out hat wearing.
Maribelle: …Commentary aside, there are merits in being able to converse with the upper crust. I… goodness I could be your tutor!
Sully: What.
Maribelle: Sure, you’re somewhat… rough around the edges, but I see potential in you!
Sully: Er… potential?
Maribelle: This will be a great undertaking, but I’m committed to the task, just you wait!
Sully: Hold it. You’re not getting away with that. Not that easy.
Maribelle: Oh?
Sully: You wanna pull some noble crap with me? You’re gonna work for it. All of you prissy nobles and your bowing won’t do anything in war, so you’re going to train with me.
Maribelle: Train? With… you?
Sully: I hope you like carrying gear, because you’ll be doing that. All that and more.
Maribelle: …Fine.
Sully: Wait… you serious?
Maribelle: Small price to pay to spread some dignity to this ragtag group. You have yourself a deal, madam.
Sully: Erg… fine then, we have a deal.
B Rank:
Maribelle: 48… 49… 50…
Sully: Gods…
Maribelle: Hm? Say something, dear?
Sully: I… I’m impressed. I wasn’t aware that you could do that many push ups. I figured that you were, uh…
Maribelle: Sully, Sully, Sully… You think me some cloistered upper crust doll? I told you, a lady has to be ready for anything.
Sully: But… yer all… ruffles and pretty hair. I guess I was just-
Maribelle: Tricked? Deceived by my appearance, thinking me some fragile, tender woman?
Sully: Ergh… alright I… I see your point.
Maribelle: Look I’d prefer that we don’t… that this doesn’t circulate. The power of a noble such as myself lies in my secrets, you see.
Sully: Mm.
Maribelle: Something the matter?
Sully: This is why you don’t charge the frontlines, huh? So you’re tough, but you’ll never use it?
Maribelle: It’s… more complicated than that. I take care of my body, sure. You don’t get to looking like me for cheap, mind you, but I’m not… it’s not like I’m some battle-hardened warlord. I have my magic, and I do my job well, and giving people the wrong idea about me would be… a problem.
Sully: Yeah, I get it. You’re strong, but you’re not a warrior.
Maribelle: Anywho, I’ve been holding up my end of the bargain. How about you? Are you ready for your lesson in proper etiquette?
Sully: Guh… f-fine…
Maribelle: I’m sorry, I believe the term you’re looking for is “yes, ma’m.”
A Rank:
Sully: …
Maribelle: …
Sully: …
Maribelle: Sully, dear, please stop fidgeting.
Sully: Sorry this dress is the worst-
Maribelle: Sully.
Sully: Er it’s… dreadful.
Maribelle: Better. Trust me, the longer you spend in formal attire, the less rigid you’ll feel in it.
Sully: How… do you fight in these things?
Maribelle: Please, I’m not fighting in my finery. That’s a combat dress.
Sully: What? The poofy sleeves? The-
Maribelle: Sully do you not know the difference between a ball gown and my battle attire?
Sully: There’s a difference?
Maribelle: Brute.
Sully: Sorry, okay? Not everyone is a natural at these things like you are. I’m not gonna be a secret noble prodigy like you were secretly strong!
Maribelle: Sully, I…
Sully: …Sorry, I’m gonna go change.
Maribelle: Very well.
Sully: Whoa, Maribelle not this way, you see that puddle on the ground? You’ll ruin your shoes.
Maribelle: Oh, I didn’t notice, thank you.
Sully: Here, this way.
Maribelle: …Thank you.
Sully: Yeah it was nothing. Look, later.
Maribelle: …She may not be a proper noble but… She does know how to look after a lady. Maybe not all hope is lost on her after all…
S Rank:
Maribelle: Sully? Sully are you in-oh my goodness.
Sully: Oh hey!
Maribelle: Sully I… y-you… w-what…?
Sully: Er, I wanted to show off what I’ve been learning.
Maribelle: But… I thought you gave up on our lessons. You were always distracted and looking at the other nobles, and… I thought your heart just wasn’t into it.
Sully: I was learning, actually?
Maribelle: Oh?
Sully: I… look, it didn’t take long for me to realize that what you do? I can’t do that. I can’t wear dresses like you, and curtsy and stuff.
Maribelle: But… you… you look-
Sully: You’re strong… right? Like you’re physically tough, but you’re not like me. You can’t just… charge into battle swinging a lance or whatever. Well, I figured that I could er… that maybe I could do this fancy noble stuff my way, if that makes sense?
Maribelle: I… I-I…
Sully: What? Look, if it looks ridiculous on me or whatever just out with it!
Maribelle: You look incredible.
Sully: Whuh?
Maribelle: I’ve never seen you in a suit, Sully. You… you looks so dashing and… and…
Sully: Hey, uh, you okay?
Maribelle: O-oh yes, I’m fine dear, I just… what’s the occasion, looking like this?
Sully: I wanted to uh… i-impress you, actually.
Maribelle: Impress me?
Sully: You’re… look, you’re incredible, Maribelle. You’re fancy and sharp and tough and it feels like… like getting close to you is gonna make me look like a pile of crap-er, that I’ll uh… pale? In comparison… or whatever.
Maribelle: Sully-
Sully: I just figured that if I could show you that I could be-
Maribelle: Sully, enough. Please, don’t ever try to draw that kind of horrible false comparison. You are absolutely gorgeous. I have never… felt this fiercely about someone before. I’ll admit that I had written you off as some brute at first but… you’re kind and determined and… a-and I feel like you’re going to be here for me no matter what happens, so…
Sully: So? Wait… do you uh…
Maribelle: I mean… do you?
Sully: Gods, Maribelle, I’m not good at dancing around at this. You nobles and your ceremonies and traditions. I love you, got it? Have I made myself clear?
Maribelle: I… yes. Yes you have… my love.
Sully: Heh… subtle to the end, huh?
Maribelle: Ah, force of habit. But… fine. I love you too, Sully. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you’ll have me.
Sully: Absolutely! Er… n-nothing would make me happier.
Maribelle: Hehe… please, you don’t have to stand on ceremony when it’s just us… I’ll let you off the hook, agreed?
Ooh, fancy. You don’t have to call me master, lamb.
Though that’s more of a suggestion, rather than an entire refusal. It sounds pretty when she says it like that. Sarkis hums, preening a little, not quite interested in being in charge but content to take the role anyway.
If it makes her and the others happy for a little, sure. He can manage a moment of dominance.
Come sit in my lap a minute, Renee. Unless you want to sit on the floor at my feet. It’s your pick.
