[closed] with kia

[toyska]

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[toyska]

[Without hesitation--]

Oh, all six of them are much cuter than me.

[He can dunk on his family for like five seconds tops he's too soft for this]

[femmefinale]

[ Six. Six???? ]

Then I'm tempted.

[toyska]

[SURPRISE!!!

He grins at her, but there's a clear softness to it--no attempt to hide the love he has for them.]

The older three don't live with my parents anymore, so I'll need to write to them and let them to know to visit. Teucer, Anthon, and Tonia are all quite young, still. I haven't brought them a visitor in a very long time, they'd be thrilled.

[femmefinale]

If they're that young, they're bound to have questions, unless you're quite accustomed to bringing mysterious women home that they've never heard mention of before?

[ It could happen. ]

[toyska]

[It’s inelegant, but he snorts. Yeah right.]

I’m barely home myself. [Glossing over that, though, as they turn the corner, the theater coming into view up ahead.] It’s not that strange, is it? To stop by with a dear friend, while she’s here for a visit from afar?

[femmefinale]

I wouldn't know. It's never happened.

[ When you're a traveler hellbent on revenge, you don't have many people to drop by and see and show off your other traveler friends to. But she lifts her chin a bit at the sight of the theater. ]

Is that it?

[toyska]

Then it will be an exciting new experience! Anyway, they’re wonderful kids. You needn’t worry.

[That’s a concern for the future, though, and he lets it drop, nodding in response to her question.]

Yes, that’s it. We should be right on time.

[femmefinale]

Children don't worry me.

[ Just. So he knows. But she's inspecting this theater now with the critical eye of a performer; she can't quite help it. ]

[toyska]

[Good! Because he could wax poetic about his siblings forever, but she didn't come here for that.

The theater is, perhaps, surprisingly small--not enough to be cramped, but it's clearly a local venue. Still, it looks well-maintained, colorfully painted and brightly lit to draw attention. There's a line to one side, but he doesn't wait, leading her straight to the front door with a little wave at the entrance staff, one Fatui, one not.

Despite Childe's easy admittance of troublemaking, they're greeted with a polite bow and a very professional welcome, sir, honored guest. He doesn't let go of her hand as he leads the way inside, down the entrance hall, and towards a staircase to the left.]

This way.

[BECAUSE OF COURSE HE HAS A PRIVATE BOX... which is where they're headed. The muffled chatter of theatregoers fills the air around them, and the upper level they emerge onto is warm and well-lit. From here, she'll be able to see some of the stage, already set for the storyteller's arrival; the curtains rustle slightly with the bustle of backstage staff, though it probably wouldn't be obvious to anyone who isn't looking for it.

Two Fatui guards stand at the entrance of their box, though it's hard to tell if they've been here the whole time, or were waiting specifically for their arrival. They bow, too, though it's less formal than the greeting at the entrance had been.

Here, Childe will finally let go of her hand, so that he can shrug off his coat and hand it over.]

Are you cold? You can keep yours on, if you're more comfortable. [It's up to her--he doesn't mind either way.]

[femmefinale]

[ Most of Primrose's attention is focused not on the private box, the Fatui guards who lower themselves deferentially, or the general importance they seem to be awarding her as his guest.

No, her eyes rest on the stage. The rustle of the curtains speak of busy anticipation, the lighting looks to be perfect, and despite the rather dreadful experience she's had with the last theater she'd found herself in... Primrose can't help but be filled with a quiet but genuine sort of curiosity.

She shakes her head though, as she slips off her coat and also hands it over. In a place like this, she doesn't feel the cold at all. ]

You'd warm me up should I feel the slightest chill, would you not?

[ It means "I'm fine", but of course she can't just say that. ]

[toyska]

Of course.

[Their coats are whisked away, and he lets her into the box first, slipping inside behind her. It's small, only seats for the two of them set up, but not cramped, and he takes a seat, gesturing for her to take the other.]

Well? Can I hear your professional opinion?

[femmefinale]

No.

[ Oh. ]

I cannot offer my thoughts when the setting itself is only one minuscule part of the performance. If I could not draw in a crowd simply by dancing on an unoccupied corner in a town, I would owe it not to the environment but to my own lack of skill. I couldn't provide an opinion until I witness this storyteller for myself.

[toyska]

[You know, he mostly meant the venue, the stage--but that's a fair answer, and he laughs quietly to get it.]

Then I look forward to hearing your thoughts afterwards.

[A timely thing to say--not long after, the story teller steps out onto the stage! For the sake of not using my brain let's say he's reciting volumes 3 and 4 and summarized the first two. A CLIFFHANGER, WOWIE!!!]

[femmefinale]

[ To be quite honest, Primrose is rather riveted. She's tracking the emotion, the effort put into the performance, the diction and presentation-- and when it ends, she finally takes a breath. ]

... Masterfully done.

[toyska]

[Perhaps it means he’s not the best host—-but Childe, too, is quickly drawn in. There are fewer pleasures in his life simpler and sweeter than this: the energy and atmosphere of a good performance.

He leans back into his chair when it’s over, and his eyes… well, they never really have light in them, but they’re brighter than they usually are, as is his grin.]

High praise, from a fellow performer.

[femmefinale]

They've clearly learned every aspect of their craft. One doesn't need to be a performer to see that much, though I can certainly see the effort put into it.

[ She's quiet for a moment. Then, a little mulishly-- ]

I could still attract a crowd on an empty corner, however.

[toyska]

[The addition startles a laugh out of him.]

That was never in doubt!

[femmefinale]

I simply did not want you doubting my skills. It may have been a while, but I have continued to dance.

[ Primrose is still so full of pride, in her own way. It's embarrassing. ]

[toyska]

[She is, and it fills him with the same fondness it had back at the station. He can relate to her passion, after all, even if their fields of expertise aren't the same.]

For your own sake, I hope.

[femmefinale]

Of course. At a certain point, I have only danced for myself. I don't need anyone else's stage.

[ And quite honestly fuck them if they try to make her. ]

[toyska]

I’m glad to hear it. Someday I’ll come see you perform, hm? [A grin.] Though I can’t promise I won’t jump in, if it’s at a street corner.

[He wouldn’t. Probably. Maybe.

But he gets to his feet, then, holding out a hand.]

Shall we?

[femmefinale]

Oh, my. Are you saying you could possibly keep up with me?

[ As she rises, placing her hand in his with a little curtsy. ]

[toyska]

Ahaha, what a question! But I'd be honored to face you regardless, even if it ends in my defeat.

[WHEN DID IT BECOME A COMPETITION.]

[femmefinale]

... Find me a corner and a tune and I'll accept your proposal.

[ This escalated. ]

[toyska]

Done.

[He will actually do this. This is a real thing he will do. I hate this.

BUT not right this second, because right this second he's getting their coats and holding hers out for her again.]

Are you hungry?