closed

[selenic]

Characters: Estelle and Leon
Setting: All over the Tower
Format: Action
Summary: Leon is a creepy stalker.
Warnings: Creepiness?


[So far, Estelle has avoided the craziness that's been occurring in the Tower. She's hidden herself away in the library, and has busied herself by reading, as usual. Somehow, she's avoided ingesting any of the chocolate, too, and as she doesn't really know anyone, no one has come to pester her, or stalk her, or try to kill her.

Lucky, isn't she?]

Comments

[swordmastering]

[Leon wasn't stupid enough to eat sweets he'd found lying around, nor had he been stupid enough to eat the cookies he found at his door. But when chocolate was sneaked into the food, there wasn't much he could do about it. Nor did he exactly notice a difference, since he was eating sweets to begin with. But now that he was done eating, he just wants some peace and quiet. Maybe read a book and avoid the other inhabitants.

So he's not really expecting to find someone else in the library (which was stupid in retrospect), and was definitely not expecting the jealousy welling in his chest that this girl isn't looking at him, like she should. He approaches her quickly, resisting the initial urge to snatch it, though he's still entertaining the idea.]

What are you reading.

[selenic]

[Luckily, Estelle is nothing if not polite, so when she hears his voice she glances up, marking her page and closing the book.]

Hello!

[She smiles, sliding the book towards him.]

It's a biology book.

[swordmastering]

[Oh, that saves him the need to take it away from her. He glances down at the book briefly as he pulls it closer to flip it open. But his gaze moves back to her pretty quickly. And he's not sure when he started feeling so overwhelmingly attached to her, because he's pretty sure he doesn't know much about her. And wasn't there someone else? Well, he can't think of who it would be now, other than Estelle.]

Why are you interested in it?

[selenic]

[She blinks. That's an odd question, and he's way more talkative than usual.]

I like knowing how things work, I suppose.

[She pauses, peering at him curiously.]

Are you all right, Leon?

[swordmastering]

I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?

[selenic]

[Maybe this is how he usually acts and the stress of finding himself in the Tower made him so sour earlier, she thinks. She shakes her head.]

Oh, no reason! Would you like to sit?

[swordmastering]

[He takes the seat across from her and just... Gazes at her in a fond fashion. Her presence and attention on him makes him happier than he can remember being in a while.]

Is this all you've done today?

[selenic]

[Her eyebrows knit together slightly. She doesn't understand the way he's looking at her, like they're lifelong friends, and the question is oddly worded, too.]

Ah... Well... I ate breakfast down in the cafeteria, but yes. I've spent most of the day here.

[swordmastering]

I see.

[He's not very good at idle chatter, but he feels like he needs to say more to keep her attention on him and nothing else.]

Have you gone exploring since you arrived?

[selenic]

A little! Not very much. Have you?

[swordmastering]

Yes, I've done some reconnaissance. Several of the floors seem to be dangerous, and others would be good for training.

[selenic]

Oh? Which floors are those?

[swordmastering]

Floor seventeen and floor nine are dangerous. You should avoid them at all costs. Floor six seems to contain a heavily wooded area with monsters.

[selenic]

Dangerous how?

[swordmastering]

One had copious amounts of blood and screaming, and the other had unidentifiable shapes moving in the shadows. I didn't linger on either floor, obviously.

[selenic]

[Her eyes widen.]

Oh, that's terrible! Are you all right?

[swordmastering]

[Oh, she's worried about him. That makes him smile.]

Yes, I was careful not to stay long. Thank you for your worry, Princess.

[selenic]

[Oh, his smile is really cute!]

Please, call me Estelle. And there's no need to thank me.

[swordmastering]

Estelle. [Yes, of course he should call her by her name. He loves her after all, right?]

You'd do well to avoid those floors, unless I'm accompanying you for your protection.

[selenic]

[Okay that... Gets an eyebrow raise.]

I know how to use a sword. I can take care of myself.

[MANNERS, ESTELLE.]

...But thank you for worrying.

[swordmastering]

You're a princess. You shouldn't have to fight when you've got a knight to protect you.

[Is she denying his help? Something about that both saddens and angers him.]

[selenic]

[She blinks.]

You shouldn't feel obligated to protect me.

[swordmastering]

[He stares and then smiles.]

I don't feel obligated. I want to.

[selenic]

Oh.

[What.]

Why?

[swordmastering]

[How is she so blind to his feelings? This is hard, he doesn't want to have to just come out and say it, but if he must-]

Because I care for you. What other reason would I have?

[selenic]

Oh... That's... very sweet of you to say!

[WHAT IS HAPPENING...]

[swordmastering]

[Frowns.]

Do you not feel the same way, Princess?

[selenic]

It's just... I barely know you.

[swordmastering]

That doesn't need to matter.

[selenic]

[What.]

Of course it does.