The Park, near the duck pond - Wednesday afternoon

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

Prince Edward showed up at the appointed spot at least a good half-hour before Adora was to arrive. He'd spread a red and white checkered blanket upon a nice spot upon the grass, and set the picnic basket on it. It took him a few moments to place it exactly as he wanted, hoping that he was doing this right. He'd had advice, after all, and was relying heavily on it. Next he placed two white roses tied with a silken ribbon of gold, upon the basket lid.

With a deeply contented sigh, he sat upon the blanket to await his lovely girlfriend.

[Edward is here for Adora, but the park is open to all!]

Comments

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

Adora arrived exactly when she was expected, pleased not to have any classes to distract her from a lovely afternoon in the park.

Taking a seat next to him she grinned. "Oh Edward, this is really very lovely! What is the occasion?"

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

He smiled wide at her. "I admit, I do not have a particular reason, but only that I was thinking you might enjoy a picnic." He learned what that was, you see.

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Picnics are always enjoyable," she said. "And it was so unexpected of you. I think I like that."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"I thought we could enjoy a pleasant conversation with food," he said. "There is one thing I wish to tell you."

But for now he bounded to his knees in a quick fluid motion and reached for the roses, extending them to her as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

That earned him a look of amusement. "I can't possibly think it's something bad if you're offering up flowers and a kiss along with your words."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

He smiled, perhaps nervously, and sat back down. "There is a girl in my room."

...

"Or rather I am in her room. It is a room we will be sharing together. On the third floor."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"You moved to my floor?" This was odd news. "...Should I be worried?"

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"I did, indeed, yes. Room three hundred and twenty three. You should not be worried. The third floor is a lovely floor. I quite like it. Only a floor above my old floor which is fine with me! I climb stairs rather quickly."

He might have missed the meaning of her question.

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"So we're neighbors now. Me, you, and this girl roommate you're about to tell me all about, right?" She wondered if he was suffering from evasion or inability to follow.

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

Possibly a combination of both.

"Me, you, your roommate and now this lady Stonem," he nodded. "By chance, have you met her?"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"I can't say I have," Adora replied, not recalling if she'd spotted new faces in class yesterday or no. "Is she very kind? A good roommate? You don't have bunk beds, do you?"

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"She is... friendly, yes." She smirked a lot and he had this feeling and he should just say it. "I don't know about the beds yet. Hers should be across the room." He hoped.

"Might I fix you a plate yet?"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Edward, I'm getting the feeling you're not telling me something, here," Adora replied, cluing in to his change of topic.

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"I'm terribly sorry, Adora. But I have this feeling about my new roommate, as pleasant as she seems to be."

He smiled, blinked, tried to look cute.

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"What sort of feeling, Edward?" Adora asked, a bit confused.

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"This feeling that she might undress in front of me."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

Oh! "Would you like her to?"

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"What? No, Adora!" Very adamant here. "No. No. That would be terribly improper."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps, but if you're trying to tell me you're attracted to Lady Stonem, you might not have gone to the trouble of a picnic."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"That is not what I am trying to tell you, but if I were, why do you say that?"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

She was reassured to hear that. "Good, because if you were trying to let me down easy, as they say, I would much prefer a simple conversation."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"Adora," he said quietly, reaching for her hand. "I don't wish to let you down easy. I don't wish to let you down at all. Unless you wish for me to let you down?"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"No, I was just surprised. You seemed to think it such a problem that you have a female roommate who could possibly undress in front of you." Maybe she was too easy about this given Dor had seen her accidentally, mostly naked before.

And then passed out. Details.

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"Well of course. It's not something I'm used to even though I know it is the done thing around here." He paused, frowned. "Everything is so different here than in Andalasia."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

She reached over to pat his knee. "It is different. But I trust you, Edward. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me on purpose."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"No, I would not," he replied, voice oddly quiet.

Then, "Oh! I have a sister, Adora! Her name is lady Elspeth."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Oh, a sister!" Adora was pleased to hear it. "I have a new brother as well! Jon O'Neill."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"I'm terribly excited by this!" he exclaimed brightly. "My first sister ever! I am to give her a tour, I do believe. I have not met this Jon. How is he?"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"He is very nice," Adora promised. "And tours are lovely! You have to show her the ice cream!"

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"Ahhh, I certainly will! She should love the ice cream!"

Prince Edward stared at her. She was incredibly beautiful.

"Adora? I should tell you too, that I am going home. Or I am going to try. Dinah said I can stand at the Causeway and say it, that I wish to go home, and it should work."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"For forever?" Adora asked, blue eyes widening.

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"No, my dear, no!" he said, running his hand down her arm. "For a visit only; perhaps a weekend. Ah, do not worry, Adora. I should think this conversation very much different were I going home for forever."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

Again, she was relieved and exhaled as such. "Oh, a visit sounds splendid! I do hope asking to go home works for you, Edward."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

He sighed. "I do hope so as well. I wonder how things are without me. Also, what that old hag Queen Narissa is up to."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Do you think you might need backup to deal with her," Adora wondered. This woman sounded quite awful.

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"I'm not certain. Are you good with a sword, Adora?" he asked, curious.

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Exceptional," she smiled. "It's my weapon of choice." Even if she could create any she liked from it.

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"We should spar at the salle one day," he said, eyes bright. "And perhaps you'd like to come to Andalasia with me!"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

Adora beamed at him. "I think both of those are excellent ideas!" And then a pause, "Would it be acceptable to bring me back with you...not married?"

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

GASP! "Ohhh, Adora! She would certainly push you down a well! I cannot have that! Our union would be forbidden!" A beat. "Unless you come with me and we... " don't say it, Edward "...get married in the morning."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

She rested a hand on his arm. "Something tells me that wouldn't be a good idea. But I am also secure that no bitter old hag could push me down a well. Especially with you around."

[defeats-buses.livejournal.com]

"Your faith in me warms my heart, my sweet," he replied, resting his hand over hers. "I should go for a visit, capture an ogre or two, and find my way back."