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Who: Mystique & [open]
Where: The training center!
When: Afternoon of March 14
Rating: PG-13 to start?
Summary: Aggression is best taken out on inanimate objects, if one wants to avoid undesirable consequences.
The Story: [Perhaps it was the annoying overgrowth of plants that occurred after the sky threw false memories down at the ground, or the fact that people seemed to be reuniting in droves in this place, but today Mystique was feeling particularly irritable. She still had nobody from home here, and while she would tell most people to their faces that this was a good thing ... it didn't mean she didn't still miss her brother. Idiotic and idealistic as he was, there had been an alarming number of instances here where she'd thought it would be a lot easier to have him around than to face things alone.

It was this particularly rotten mood that had sent her to the training facility today -- she shows no sign of stopping the punches that she's throwing at the punching bag suspended from the roof despite a chorus of somewhat worrisome creaks coming from the chain holding it up.

At this rate she's going to bloody her knuckles -- or she would, if she hadn't already thought to thicken her skin there just a little.

Approach with caution, friends.]

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[She takes a sip of her drink while he's talking more to have something to do with her hands that isn't unduly accosting him. She supposes that it makes sense that the nobles in his world married like the ones in the feudal system did, for what she assumes are similar reasons.]

Almost not at all. It used to be, a long time ago, that people married for political influence or to secure peace between fighting nations, but nowadays people date whoever they want. When the 60s and 70s came around, people were all about not dating at all, and just sleeping with a bunch of people.

[Which -- totally sounded like she was lumped in with those people. She clears her throat.]

Some people, I mean. I was never popular with the guys, at least the way I look here.

[She half-smiles.]

I spent a long time thinking nobody would ever want to see me looking like this, anyway, so maybe guys flirted with me while I was pretending to be blonde and I just blew them off a lot.

I know a couple of people like that.

[He's amused more than anything, thinking about how well Zevran and Isabela might fit in with Mystique's people. Just because that's not for him, he's not going to tell anyone else how to live. Even if Mystique herself had fallen into that category it wouldn't matter since she's willing to take things at his pace now.

His smile does slip a little at her admission, gaze softening with sympathy.]

I- [The problem is, he can understand how her appearance would be a problem if most of the people in her home don't look like her. Most people in Ferelden would be terrified at the sight of her and as much as he likes her, Alistair couldn't blame them. If he hadn't met her after being kidnapped by Wonderland and meeting people from the future and alternate versions of people he already knew he might have attacked her on sight too.]

I'm sorry. It must have been hard for you. They were- You are beautiful and- Well, I should be grateful for their mistakes. If not you might have someone waiting for you back home.

[His cheeks are pink again, or still, but he smiles hopefully.]

I think most of us do. It's a lot easier to just sleep around than actually find someone you have to talk about feelings with, right?

[She shrugs her shoulders as his gaze softens, though her own face warms up a little as he continues to speak. She leans in to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth -- nothing serious, just a quick peck.]

Well, they say things that are hard like that build character and make you a stronger person. It definitely gave me one less thing I had to focus on at home.

[It had really freed up a lot of time for vengeance and espionage.]

And besides, I could say the same about you. I mean -- you're hot and you put your foot in your mouth a lot. Plenty of girls are into that.

Guys too, for that matter.

I think it's worth talking about it.

[Because if they hadn't he wouldn't be sitting there, blinking in surprise before smiling again, pleased and still a little flustered by the kiss. But. It's definitely in the 'things he could get used to' category.]

I heard that one a lot growing up too.

[And it is true. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice to have lives where they can build character in ways that don't involve the kinds of difficulties she's alluded to.]

You really think I'm- [Handsome, or that's what he thought she meant. Drawing attention to his habit of putting his foot in it was less flattering. But that was also a good thing apparently?] Women actually like that?

[He's not sure about the comment that men might too. That's a little.... beyond anything he'd considered. But a compliment is a compliment.]

Worth talking about, sure, but that doesn't mean a lot of people do it. People like what's both familiar and easy, most of the time.

[The comment about men is more of a casual allusion to the fact that she responds less to the gender of the people she's interested in and more how they treat her and her mutation. As for the rest...well, it's easier to be confident when she's complimenting someone. She smiles, head canted to the side.]

One, I wouldn't have kissed you if I didn't think you were attractive. And two -- yeah, I think a lot of us do. It's flattering when people get nervous around you.

[Whether the person is nervous because they're attracted to you in turn, or because they're silently peeing themselves in terror -- she'd come to appreciate both, in turn.]

[Familiar and easy. He can see that. It's certainly less intimidating than the idea of being hurt if things don't work out. Or if you have to go your separate ways. But now he's getting ahead of himself.]

When you put it like that. [Maybe his fumbling isn't such a bad thing after all. Though he'd still like it if he could manage to be a little less awkward. He's pretty sure it's only a good thing up to a point.]

So... what do people do for dates where you're from?

[Since it's got to be different to wooing someone back in Ferelden. Which. There must be someone he can ask for advice who won't embarrass him too much over it. Anders? Not Robyn, that would be... strange. And cruel, rubbing in her face who he's not. He could try the network and find out what it's like for people from other places that could be more like Mystique's home. But Mystique will see that so... Anders seems like his best shot. That should be an interesting conversation.]

[She's at least content in him accepting that yes, it can sometimes be a good thing to be nervous around people -- it was a pretty clear indicator in a world of unclear indicators (made worse, she's sure, by this whole 'network' thing.]

Dates?

[Right, that's probably a thing that they could do. She'd never really gone on dates with Erik so much as they'd gone on covert missions together and he'd done the really risky murdering thing for her like a gentleman -- she supposed they'd done dinner a few times without the rest of their cohort, though.]

Well, I guess it depends on what you like to do. Adventurous types go on hikes and travel together, but going out to dinner or to a movie is just as good as far as I'm concerned.

[When your 'work' was being an activist, you wanted to occasionally take it easy on your down-time.]

I like movies! They're amazing! We could do that. They don't show them here often though.

[He's pretty sure there's only been two shown the entire time he's been here so it must be the sort of thing that's only shown on special events. Which makes sense. You don't show off that kind of magic just every day.

But now that she's given him a few ideas of other things to do together he can definitely do this properly and plan something. Hopefully something that won't get interrupted by Wonderland's weirdness. He's pretty sure it won't be held against him if that happens though. So if he's going to give it a shot after all-

Getting to his feet, Alistair shifts to be standing in front of Mystique. He reaches out to take one of her hands in his own and bends down to kiss it, smiling playfully up at her from over it.]

Would you do me the honour of allowing me to court you, my lady?

[Yes, he's deliberately being over-the-top like he's an proper not-bastard prince but he thinks Mystique will find it funny if nothing else. And he's certainly amused, as serious as the request is.]

Edited 2016-05-19 11:14 (UTC)

[Even in the time that she's from, movies in the form that they are here -- in colour, and with sound -- have only been around since she was a child, so she at least understands the fascination. She grins.]

Well, maybe we could ask around and see if anyone wanted to plan a movie -- night.

[And in the few seconds it had taken her to say 'movie night', all of a sudden Alistair is standing in front of her, a medieval gentleman asking her whether he would be able to court her.

She's genuinely shocked for a few moments, but once she manages to regain her sensibilities ... she stands herself, still letting him keep her hand, and manages a sort of sideways half-curtsy. It's accompanied by a sound from her throat that's mostly her trying to stifle any laughter.]

I would be most honored.

[And yes, she's got some sort of over-the-top snooty accent going on for that statement.]

[Snorting with laughter himself, Alistair grins and straightens. Still holding her hand he nods happily.]

Well, good. I'd be embarrassed if you said no.

[Look, he used up all the fancy talk he knows. And if Mystique keeps talking like some kind of Orlesian he's not going to be able to stop laughing and he won't be able to ask his next question.]

So if I were to come by one night and ask you to come with me it wouldn't be too weird? And just come to visit so we can get to know one another better?

[It's all well and good to joke but he'd like to be sure before he starts just turning up.]

[She keeps her mouth shut when he looks at her with that questioning face, not wanting him to think she's not taking things seriously. The alcohol and the flush of anticipation aside, she's trying to be polite. It doesn't stop her from absently rubbing her thumb against the top of his hand while he speaks, though.]

If we're going to be seeing each other, I think it'd be more weird if we didn't get to know each other. Like some sort of archaic arranged marriage or something.

[She places a hand on his hip with a grin.]

But I guess I should ask if you mind me doing the same, showing up at your place.

You never know. You might just like me for my incredible good looks and- [Royal blood? No, not going there. Not yet.] Nothing else.

[Even though she thinks he is good looking. He's pretty sure Mystique likes him for who he is too and hopefully that won't change as they get to know each other. He's pretty sure nothing's going to come up to make him or her change their minds about that.

Alistair tenses a little at the hand on his hip, considering before reaching out to hesitantly rest his free hand on Mystique's waist. Leaning in he kisses her cheek softly, pulling back and clearing his throat.]

No, of co- Wait, yes- I mean, I don't mind. If you come visit.

[Smooth as ever. Hopefully awkwardness is still a good thing. And also hopefully she won't want to come see where his room is immediately as now he's feeling self-conscious about it.]

[She's pleased enough with his reaction, since it confirms to her that he is still open to new things. Whether or not she'll admit it, she's -- well, fairly physical. Some of it might be out of insecurity, but some of it is just part of her nature.

She smiles at the kiss, nodding.]

Don't worry, I promise not to show up first-thing tomorrow morning and ambush you.

I should hope not. I can't stand for people to see me before I've done my hair. [Just look at it. It clearly takes forever to style and he's always so very concerned about his appearance.] ....But I should probably get going for now.

[He needs to start planning a date for starters. And maybe get advice before he says or does the wrong thing and ends this before it's even begun. That would be good too.]

[She wonders whether he's being serious or not -- probably not -- about the hair, but she smirks and nods.]

I'd hate to wander in on you in your underwear or something. Think of the scandal.

[Okay, so maybe that's something she wouldn't mind at all, and the look she has probably says as much -- but she presses on, not wanting to embarrass him too badly.]

And I'd hate to exhaust you before we even have our first date, so -- I think you're right. I'll see you soon, Alistair.

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