["The sweetest guy she's ever met." Well then. He raises his brows, before smiling warmly. He already had a hunch, but this cinches things: it's "that" sort of relationship. How does he respond to the news?]
Then it's a good thing you love sweets! ♪
[... With a joke about her sweet tooth. That's how.
He really is happy that she's found someone like that, no joke. But now isn't the time to question her or talk about "love." That's what you'd call "girl talk"—the kind of thing he and Arashi and the others talk about at Pretty 5 meetings! And he knows from experience that those conversations are best had over tea and cake. (Or expensive lattes and cake. Or coffee and pie, or crepes. There's usually some kind of sweets involved! But basically, it can wait a minute.)
Weiss's response about the House is what he expected. He can't get mad or feel disappointed, really. He just nods and smiles grimly.]
Yep, that's what I figured. You "royalty cards" might have plenty of sway over the staff and the lower ranks, but you're still below the House in the overall pecking order.
[He speaks matter-of-factly, not trying to be spiteful. He doesn't mean to be a downer, either. They're gathered here for a party; they're supposed to have fun! So, he'll try to look on the bright side.]
Still, better to live in a gilded cage than a cardboard box out on the street. Or a big aquarium tank instead of a plastic bag~♪
[He gestures to their environment, to her big shiny suite. Surely hearing that will cheer her up.
He's at least suitably impressed when she tells him about having the staff at her beck and call via an app. He smiles and says,]
So it's like room service.
[Rather than a personal chef or live-in servants. As a noble, he's familiar with both concepts! But it's good to know the staff doesn't live with her, or enter her room without permission. Whether they're willing accomplices or brainwashed puppets, the staff are still agents of the House, and he wouldn't want one of them living with him.
But he's more than happy to exploit them for goods and services. And that includes tea service!]
Then that's another thing we'll just have to introduce you to! ♪ But not all green tea is the same, so we'll ask for two kinds! Gyokuro, and matcha grown in Uji~♪
[Weiss is a queen, so she should milk that rank for all it's worth and drink the good stuff. That's his view!
Next comes her reaction to the party popper. He watches her pop one, and everything about her reaction, from her dazzled eyes to that happy little squeal, makes him feel fond. It reminds him of how easily-dazzled Nagisa used to be, by everything from desserts to the plants and insects he found outside; after being raised in captivity, that boy was easily impressed by just about everything. (Though hopefully Weiss's upbringing wasn't quite that sheltered.) She also reminds him of Mary, whenever she's introduced to a new toy. But he spares her the dog comparison and simply chimes back:]
Yep, you did it! ♪ And on the first try, too! Good job! ♪
[He beams at her, before he gestures to the bag.]
There are still some left, if you want to keep going. And I also brought party hats!
[He takes one out and places it on top of his head, tucking the string under his chin. It's a simple striped party hat with ruffles at the bottom!]
Did people wear these at birthday parties back in your world?
no subject
Then it's a good thing you love sweets! ♪
[... With a joke about her sweet tooth. That's how.
He really is happy that she's found someone like that, no joke. But now isn't the time to question her or talk about "love." That's what you'd call "girl talk"—the kind of thing he and Arashi and the others talk about at Pretty 5 meetings! And he knows from experience that those conversations are best had over tea and cake. (Or expensive lattes and cake. Or coffee and pie, or crepes. There's usually some kind of sweets involved! But basically, it can wait a minute.)
Weiss's response about the House is what he expected. He can't get mad or feel disappointed, really. He just nods and smiles grimly.]
Yep, that's what I figured. You "royalty cards" might have plenty of sway over the staff and the lower ranks, but you're still below the House in the overall pecking order.
[He speaks matter-of-factly, not trying to be spiteful. He doesn't mean to be a downer, either. They're gathered here for a party; they're supposed to have fun! So, he'll try to look on the bright side.]
Still, better to live in a gilded cage than a cardboard box out on the street. Or a big aquarium tank instead of a plastic bag~♪
[He gestures to their environment, to her big shiny suite. Surely hearing that will cheer her up.
He's at least suitably impressed when she tells him about having the staff at her beck and call via an app. He smiles and says,]
So it's like room service.
[Rather than a personal chef or live-in servants. As a noble, he's familiar with both concepts! But it's good to know the staff doesn't live with her, or enter her room without permission. Whether they're willing accomplices or brainwashed puppets, the staff are still agents of the House, and he wouldn't want one of them living with him.
But he's more than happy to exploit them for goods and services. And that includes tea service!]
Then that's another thing we'll just have to introduce you to! ♪ But not all green tea is the same, so we'll ask for two kinds! Gyokuro, and matcha grown in Uji~♪
[Weiss is a queen, so she should milk that rank for all it's worth and drink the good stuff. That's his view!
Next comes her reaction to the party popper. He watches her pop one, and everything about her reaction, from her dazzled eyes to that happy little squeal, makes him feel fond. It reminds him of how easily-dazzled Nagisa used to be, by everything from desserts to the plants and insects he found outside; after being raised in captivity, that boy was easily impressed by just about everything. (Though hopefully Weiss's upbringing wasn't quite that sheltered.) She also reminds him of Mary, whenever she's introduced to a new toy. But he spares her the dog comparison and simply chimes back:]
Yep, you did it! ♪ And on the first try, too! Good job! ♪
[He beams at her, before he gestures to the bag.]
There are still some left, if you want to keep going. And I also brought party hats!
[He takes one out and places it on top of his head, tucking the string under his chin. It's a simple striped party hat with ruffles at the bottom!]
Did people wear these at birthday parties back in your world?