@wilder-z
He looks at the flower a moment longer, before asking, “speaking of, where is Sophie?” He leans forward on the bench, looking towards the gardens. He hadn’t noticed her when he first arrived, but that didn’t mean anything.
“The three of us should go on a picnic.” He declares suddenly, a huge grin stretching across his face. “That sounds fun, doesn’t it? Asbel should come, too, if he isn’t busy doing his lordy stuff.”
She returns, her flower journal tucked safely between her arms and chest. She walks quickly over, smiling brightly at the sight of Zelos, her friend and pet. “I did not know you were here Zelos.”
He beams at Sophie. “I was bored, sitting all by myself at home, so I thought I’d drop by and surprise my favorite ladies.” It was weak, as far as excuses go, but it wasn’t a lie. Sophie was cute, even if personal boundaries were a thing she needed to work on (who the hell was he to talk, honestly?), and he would use any excuse in the book to see Cheria.
Maybe next time he’d bring cookies or something. Make his excuse a little more believable. ‘Surprise! I brought cookies!’ Besides, who doesn’t like cookies? It would definitely be better than surprising them with just himself.
“We were just admiring your flowers. They look absolutely lovely, Sophie,” he said, trying to halt his train-wreck of a thought process. He keeps his smile in place with practice as he watches her, slinging an arm across the back of the bench behind Cheria.
