[It was rare for Lorenz to make a house call unannounced. Rarer still was the fact that he did not come empty handed. Thus it was that he arrived on the doorstep in the latter part of the day in newly pressed clothes and his hair immaculately put into place. Clutched in his hands, covered in a simple wrap of paper and twine, was an array of greenery of deceptively soft papas grasses intermingled with the leafy fronds of rhodedendron that ended in bold burgundy blooms. Intersperced with the foliage were crimson berries of a tantalizing beauty that stood in sharp contrast with the wooden, bone-like seed pods and the rich ebony of the lilies. Delicate looking anenomes finalized the look in a bold finish that made Lorenz wonder if he had perhaps gone overboard...
But it was too late to second guess himself now that he was at the door.]
[The latter part of the day tended to be Hubert's night—but not always. It's by a stroke of luck on Lorenz' part that Hubert decided he'd sleep after sunset today.]
[Opening the door, his gaze drew down to the crimson-dotted bouquet, then to the faun's state of dress. A deadpan stare met Lorenz' eyes.]
What. [An equally deadpan tone answered.] Is this.
[The dark, fastidiously handcrafted bouquet would have wilted if it had any sentience. Instead, Lorenz did in it's place; truly, his hopes had been too high.
Sighing, Lorenz turned and sat himself on the step. He had all day, but he wasn't going to make an obvious pest of himself.]
[It was nearly an hour before the door opened again, the sun beginning it's descent towards the horizon.]
[Because of course Lorenz was still here. Pouting on the doorstep, ears drooping, still clutching his flowers. A pest of the highest caliber, if pests could look so pitiable. If the house hadn't been freely provided as part of the Haven, Hubert would've make a biting remark about lowering the property value.]
Pathetic, [He grumbled quietly at first. Then he sighed, running a gloved hand through his hair.] You deliberately chose rhododendrons and nightshade, didn't you.
[He hadn't just waited on the doorstep to be a nuisance, after all. The plants he carried were dangerous if unwitting hands-- or paws-- reached for them. A single nip of the tantalizing looking berries and the sunny beagle that Edelgard had unwittingly adopted would be dead.
Certainly he was frustrated. Certainly he was put out-- but he was no fool.
Ears perking up, Lorenz got to his feet and held his head high, making a show of just who, exactly, was more physically imposing between the two of them. In his heart of hearts he wished he had brought along a weather-worn cloak to complete the looming look.
Hindsight always provided a better picture.]
This is an underappreciated art form within the Alliance. Hoarding such materials on your own could spell trouble for obvious reasons, but displaying them openly in this manner represents a gift that is beyond reproach.
Just keep it away from the cats, the dog, and the child. Bright colors catch curious eyes, you know.
[Hubert only crossed his arms at the display with an unimpressed frown. Appearances never intimidated him—the mere fact that everyone Hubert was even mildly antagonistic with here could beat him into a bloodied pulp so long as he was within arms was enough. And that Hubert ever refused to acknowledge.]
She is not a child. To think, you'd look to lecture me on dangerous substances.
[He sighs, holding out a hand. Fine, give it here.]
...I was trying to dig up information on that other problem you were having, but there were no leads to be found. For a man with a laboratory as well stocked as your's, this seemed a more fitting gesture.
It's your birthday, Hubert. Most people like to have that acknowledged in a way that is more than just an attempt to gain favor for use in courtly affairs later.
[A sigh. Was it really that hard to understand?]
If you don't wish for acknowledgement of time's passage in the future, let me know and I will respect it. This was a token-- no more and no less.
[Because Lorenz by no means categorized Hubert under 'most people', but knew that Hubert would likely accept a token if he deemed it useful. The gesture more was for Lorenz's own sake-- so he didn't feel a tinge of guilt over an observed breach in politeness by the act of overlooking someone's birthday.]
But, per your request, you have my word that you will not be given flowers from me on future birthdays. I meant no disrespect for this, truly.
[It a step beyond form and order. Politeness would have dictated a minimum of an impersonal token, such as a notebook to write in; Lorenz had wanted to show that he was starting to understand.
And, if the flowers turned out useful? Then the gesture was worth the effort.]
I truly could not care less. I doubt you could disrespect me if you tried. [There's no bite in his words, for whatever that mattered. If Felix and Sylvain couldn't bother him with their slights, he doubted Lorenz could. Or would even let himself, caught up in whatever game this was as it is.]
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bloodypath) wrote2019-10-03 11:06 am
4/17 Action
But it was too late to second guess himself now that he was at the door.]
no subject
[Opening the door, his gaze drew down to the crimson-dotted bouquet, then to the faun's state of dress. A deadpan stare met Lorenz' eyes.]
What. [An equally deadpan tone answered.] Is this.
no subject
I was brushing up on my math, and I realized that on the local calendar it's your birthday today.
[The smile brightened, until it seemed almost as if to rival the sun.]
Hubert. I'm here to pay my respects and wish you a happy birthday.
no subject
[And slammed the door shut.]
no subject
Sighing, Lorenz turned and sat himself on the step. He had all day, but he wasn't going to make an obvious pest of himself.]
no subject
[Because of course Lorenz was still here. Pouting on the doorstep, ears drooping, still clutching his flowers. A pest of the highest caliber, if pests could look so pitiable. If the house hadn't been freely provided as part of the Haven, Hubert would've make a biting remark about lowering the property value.]
Pathetic, [He grumbled quietly at first. Then he sighed, running a gloved hand through his hair.] You deliberately chose rhododendrons and nightshade, didn't you.
no subject
Why ask what you already know?
[He hadn't just waited on the doorstep to be a nuisance, after all. The plants he carried were dangerous if unwitting hands-- or paws-- reached for them. A single nip of the tantalizing looking berries and the sunny beagle that Edelgard had unwittingly adopted would be dead.
Certainly he was frustrated. Certainly he was put out-- but he was no fool.
Ears perking up, Lorenz got to his feet and held his head high, making a show of just who, exactly, was more physically imposing between the two of them. In his heart of hearts he wished he had brought along a weather-worn cloak to complete the looming look.
Hindsight always provided a better picture.]
This is an underappreciated art form within the Alliance. Hoarding such materials on your own could spell trouble for obvious reasons, but displaying them openly in this manner represents a gift that is beyond reproach.
Just keep it away from the cats, the dog, and the child. Bright colors catch curious eyes, you know.
no subject
She is not a child. To think, you'd look to lecture me on dangerous substances.
[He sighs, holding out a hand. Fine, give it here.]
no subject
[He handed the bouquet over without further ado.]
...I was trying to dig up information on that other problem you were having, but there were no leads to be found. For a man with a laboratory as well stocked as your's, this seemed a more fitting gesture.
no subject
I cannot fathom what drove you to extend the gesture in the first place. I've already made it clear you will have your cooperation.
[Terms and conditions apply.]
no subject
[A sigh. Was it really that hard to understand?]
If you don't wish for acknowledgement of time's passage in the future, let me know and I will respect it. This was a token-- no more and no less.
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Your token will be accepted—this time. However, it is not a gesture you need repeat. There's no point in celebrating my birthday.
[At least, this time, it's not just because it's Lorenz.]
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[Because Lorenz by no means categorized Hubert under 'most people', but knew that Hubert would likely accept a token if he deemed it useful. The gesture more was for Lorenz's own sake-- so he didn't feel a tinge of guilt over an observed breach in politeness by the act of overlooking someone's birthday.]
But, per your request, you have my word that you will not be given flowers from me on future birthdays. I meant no disrespect for this, truly.
[It a step beyond form and order. Politeness would have dictated a minimum of an impersonal token, such as a notebook to write in; Lorenz had wanted to show that he was starting to understand.
And, if the flowers turned out useful? Then the gesture was worth the effort.]
no subject
[He sighs tiredly.] Will that be all?
no subject
[A raised eyebrow. Whatever strange thing they had going, Lorenz didn't wish to assume anything.]