A zoo? [ Astarion repeats, only partially incredulous. Of course this place would have a zoo. The wishes and whimsies of the rich know no bounds. ]
Nothing would please me more, dear wife. Perhaps we could set a lion or two free. [ Then, quickly, ] I jest, of course.
[ He doesn't have to offer her his arm when they're already hand in hand, and they set off without much further ado to enjoy the rest of the evening.
His steps come oddly lightly, as though he'd managed to free himself of some of the weight that's sat upon his shoulders for the last two centuries, as though allowing himself to speak such secrets had had the effect of a drug or overindulgence in drink. And he knows he'd been lucky in whom he'd been bound to — she's been unusually considerate, though he supposes the argument could be made that, if she hadn't been, he'd have retaliated in kind.
But they, strangers only a matter of hours ago, have come to a shaky sort of understanding. It's a not-insignificant thing.
As the evening wears on, the ribbon loosens of its own accord, apparently happy to let them go their separate ways after another hour or so together. The smile he offers to her in parting is warm, and he bows to kiss her hand before disappearing back into the night. ]
fin.
Nothing would please me more, dear wife. Perhaps we could set a lion or two free. [ Then, quickly, ] I jest, of course.
[ He doesn't have to offer her his arm when they're already hand in hand, and they set off without much further ado to enjoy the rest of the evening.
His steps come oddly lightly, as though he'd managed to free himself of some of the weight that's sat upon his shoulders for the last two centuries, as though allowing himself to speak such secrets had had the effect of a drug or overindulgence in drink. And he knows he'd been lucky in whom he'd been bound to — she's been unusually considerate, though he supposes the argument could be made that, if she hadn't been, he'd have retaliated in kind.
But they, strangers only a matter of hours ago, have come to a shaky sort of understanding. It's a not-insignificant thing.
As the evening wears on, the ribbon loosens of its own accord, apparently happy to let them go their separate ways after another hour or so together. The smile he offers to her in parting is warm, and he bows to kiss her hand before disappearing back into the night. ]