𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑨

@PromiseInPrelude- 
            
            nina nodded , tilting her head as she brushed a loose curl behind her ear , one that had escaped the tightness of her updo.  " i see and what expectation is that ? " she asked , genuinely curious , no trace of a mocking tone to her voice in this moment , just a genuine attempt at understanding. 
            
            " yes exactly and that is far from ideal . " she shook her head once more , her chest rising and falling as she let out a deep sigh " as much as i love a good song and dance , performing because you have to is truly awful . not my style at all despite the fact it is so often demanded. " 
            
            " interesting ? " she repeated , flushing slightly . it was words like that , that always got to her , there was something so much more special about compliments to her character . she felt so much more seen " i suppose so , but its not very pleasant . people around here prefer pleasantries . " she pointed out with a gentle shrug 
            
            " disappointed you ? " she repeated , brows raising as she slapped the back of her hand to her forehead , leaning back in an attempt to pretend to faint " that would be catastrophic , i wouldn't allow it . " 
            
            " because what is the consequence ? that was rhetorical- i know the consequence. it's just not how it works where i come from . and not to disrespect your culture but it does not favour women particularly well . worse things have happened to me than people finding out i had a conversation with a man . " she laughed , shaking her head " where i come from there are a lot more freedoms ...far less money ,  a lot more crime but freedom like you would not believe . and magic too ... as i believe it is called here . you would like it " 
            
            " whoever is watching would not like to be confronted by me . i live for fun , to enjoy my life and get the most out of it. i will not let a conversation with a stranger make a scandal of my life , no matter how handsome and charming that stranger may be " 

⋇【 @heartrendingss- 】⋇
            
            Benedict watched her hands fold into her lap, the earlier spark dimming just slightly — and something in his expression shifted with it.
            
            “Missing something?” he repeated quietly, no longer amused, only attentive “I do not think it was the hat,” he said gently. “I think it was the expectation attached to it.”
            
            At her question about unpleasantness, a small breath of laughter left him “yes,” he agreed softly. “It is exhausting. One must calculate every word, every smile. It becomes less conversation and more choreography.”
            
            His eyes held hers a moment longer than politeness required “I prefer honesty. It is far less tiring” when she apologized for mentioning the military, he shook his head almost immediately.
            
            “No,” he said, firmer now. “Do not apologize for being interesting” there was no teasing in that. Only sincerity “you may bring up whatever pieces of yourself you choose. I am hardly frightened off by competence.”
            
            Her insistence that she was many things drew back the warmth in his smile “oh, I never suspected you were merely anything,” he replied, voice low with quiet amusement. “That would have disappointed me terribly.”
            
            When she leaned closer, whispering his name as though testing it, he felt the faintest pull in his chest — unexpected and immediate “Nina,” he echoed, softer, as if committing it to memory.
            
            “You are not shocked,” he observed again, though this time there was admiration in it. “You do not seem to weigh every gesture against consequence.”
            
            A small pause “most people here are constantly aware of who is watching” his gaze flicked briefly toward the house — the glow of lanterns in the distance — before returning to her.
            
            “And yet you sit beside a man you have just met, unbothered by how it might appear.”

@PromiseInPrelude- 
            
            
            nina's frowned , watching him in quiet confusion. " boldness ? there's nothing bold about it . " she disagreed " it belongs to me , i didn't want to wear it any longer , i feel as though i'm missing something . " she confessed , her hands moving to clasp together and rest in her lap , shoulders slumping as she allowed herself to sigh deeply .
            
             " oh no ? i'm glad. i don't like to be unpleasant. it takes so much effort. don't you agree ? " she would ask , finally meeting his gaze once more , studying him with quiet fascination. he was certainly the least pompous man she had met in her time here . far more casual than everyone else with all their dance cards and flowery words. of course there was no benedict without flowery words but it felt different coming from him . 
            
            " yes , i'm sorry . i don't really know why i brought that up , it's irrelevant. " she murmured , shifting slightly , looking down into her lap , staring at her clasped hands , clearly slightly embarrassed by her own words " yes it would be but you look like a smart and capable man, dirre " she would laugh , relaxing again ever so slightly , a brow raising as she shot him a look " i'm not merely anything . i'm many things , all of them impressive . " she teased with a grin , she clearly believed her words to some degree , even if it was just a fraction. " one can , yes . " 
            
            she looked surprised as he leant closer but welcomed it happily , making no effort to bring back the distance between them, instead watching the glimmer in his eye in quiet admiration. saints he was handsome. not important nina ! " wounded ! i hope that's in jest and the gentleman knows my words are all in good fun" she pointed out, she too was making a point of leaning slightly closer . " benedict... " she whispered , smiling at the feel of his name on her tongue " ah ! nina . " 

/  ahem,    i’m late. let me make up for all this. >3

/   on   here   &   @ofsunsaints   pls!   I   need   to   be   active   again ! 

@cozydreams 
            
            " i beg your pardon ? "  the woman asked , a surprised laugh following her words , mixing itself with a gentle scoff . " i dont think thats anything for you to be concerning yourself with , thats for certain . " 

@feathrflaunt 
            
            " sorry . just a joke , not trying to embarrass you . not really anyway . " she explained , running a finger around the rim of her teacup absentmindedly as she talked " oh definitely . you caught me at a good time too honestly . " she confessed through a laugh " in a good mood i mean " she explained 

( her words had him pausing, looking aside bashfully before a soft chuckle left his lips. ) i.. do not, actually. i suppose you caught me on a generous day. ( he settled back a little, after taking another sip. ) although, it certainly didn't end poorly for me, considering the tea and company-- it could have gone worse. 

@feathrflaunt 
            
            " right of course . " she acknowledged , watching him as he sat. " and you as well. i never get to meet people like this . " " so she grinned , lifting a hand to gesture meaninglessly around her " so clyde..." she began , setting her cup down with a gentle hum " do you often approach sad looking women ? " she asked , the tone of her voice teasing and playful, a mischeivous sparkle now twinkling in her green eyes 

@aromaticalscent 
            
            / thank you . i tend to just try and keep myself occupied and try not to dwell on things too much . my classes start back up tomorrow so i have something else to focus on which will be nice . but thank you very much . 

@aromaticalscent 
            
            / that's really kind . i appreciate it a lot. i know things will improve , its just frustrating when bad things happen in succession. things always feel worse in the moment. just a bit overwhelmed rn , not really sure what to do with myself . but thank you . 

/ just don't have the energy for anything anymore 

/ having a hard as fuck time , considering leaving wp altogether , we'll see idk