xp_logs | Medusa and Blackagar: Surprise Visit

Medusa returns to her room after gathering some books from the library. She’s very happy to find a surprise guest waiting for her.

Medusa opened the door to her suite, her hair extending to automatically put her books away and hang her coat in the closet. As she took another step, she paused and frowned. Lockjaw usually ran out to greet her as soon as she arrived, but he was nowhere to be seen. Wondering if Crystal had taken him out for a walk, she headed towards her room, praying he hadn’t gone back to his puppy ways of chewing on shoes.

Luckily for Crystal, Lockjaw had found something better to do with his time. Mostly, this consisted of sitting on Blackagar's lap and receiving headscritches. He wore a dove-grey suit, expertly tailored to his build and coloration by Saville Row. When Medusalith walked into her room, he looked up at her and smiled.

It was a good thing Medusa had already set her stuff down or she would’ve dropped it. Resisting the urge to run over and hug him, she walked over and placed one arm gently on his shoulder. “~How…why…?~” she said, momentarily struggling for words. A smile spread over her face as her other hand lifted to sign the words as she spoke them. “~When did you plan this? You just told me yesterday how busy things were in Attilan, preparing for the end of the year celebration.~”

Blackagar merely quirked an eyebrow and gave her a very small, very secret smile. Lockjaw got gently put onto the floor, where he promptly scooted himself under Medusa's bed. He rose, then, and took her non-signing hand in both of his to kiss the back of.

Smiling back, she ducked her head, blushing slightly. Taking in his appearance and glancing at the dress hanging prominently on her door, the final piece of the puzzle clicked together. “~It had seemed like Crystal was hiding something from me when we talked of the dance and now I finally understand.~”

Blackagar managed to give her a completely innocent yet completely not look with just the cast of his eyes, a half-shrug, and the curve of his lips. Then, in a moment of whimsy, he took one of her hands in his and put his other around her waist. With a smile, he danced a step or two with her.

Medusa’s smile looked almost girlish as she swayed the few steps with him. “~It will be a relief to have someone here who knows how to dance properly.~” She didn’t move once the two had stopped dancing, taking a moment to enjoy the feel of his strong arms around her. As she reluctantly pulled away, she kept her hand in his. “~Have you had the opportunity to see the mansion?~” she asked, glancing at the clock. “~We still have some time before I will need to prepare myself for the ball.~” The ease Medusa had in styling her hair would keep her from taking too long to get ready.

Blackagar shook his head and then nodded to her. He stepped back - unwillingly, by the looks of things - and straightened his suit. It didn't need it, but it gave him a moment to compose himself. He pulled a pair of jet-dark sunglasses from his inside suit pocket and put them on, then posed just slightly for her consideration. Then he took them off and put them back in his pocket.

~Magnificent~ she signed, the fond look her in eyes growing deeper. The pair walked out of her room, close together but not touching, as Medusa began telling him about the various attributes of the mansion. They quickly ended up outside, Medusa’s tone warming as she described the grounds surrounding the mansion and pointed out the boathouse as she told him more about Elpis.

He raised his eyebrows at that, and nudged Medusa in such a way as to indicate that he wished to speak with this Nathan Dayspring. Formally, as Crown Prince. Other than that, he looked on impassively as Medusa went on about the Mansion, the people in it, and the rest of the facilities. He touched her on the arm lightly and led her back towards the stables. Then he looked at her with a questioning eyebrow lifted just so.

Nodding, her smile was really all the answer he’d need. Walking into the stable, she gestured at a tall pair of Arabians. She hadn’t had the opportunity to ride as often as Crystal had, but every time she had made it to the stable, she’d chosen one of the two regal creatures.

Blackagar studied the animals carefully - he was something of an aficianado of the sport of polo, after all, and polo depended largely on a good horse. He glanced at his watch and pouted just slightly - there just wasn't time to enjoy a ride out onto the grounds.

Medusa’s smile turned to one of understanding. “~Perhaps tomorrow~,” she suggested. Glancing at her watch, she realized that the pair had been out longer than she had intended and if she was to be ready in time, they would have to head back immediately. Or, she decided as she took a step closer to Blackagar, almost immediately. Leaning in, she kissed him tenderly on the cheek.

Blackagar wasn't having any of _that_. Instead, he shifted slightly to make it an honest kiss, if a light one. Satisfied, he crooked his arm for her to take so they could head back to her quarters to begin preparations for the Ball.