lunching nobility

[fauxmarth]

WHO: Padme, Lucina
WHERE: Cafe in Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Early in the 1st wk of Feb
WHAT: LUNCHING NOBILITY, DID U NOT READ THE TITLE
WARNINGS: might contain soy or peanut products



Lucina was genuinely surprised that Padme remembered the offer for lunch, especially given the madness that overtook the city and the no doubt dreadful fallout in the new ambassador's lap to deal with. Honestly, she thought about trying to find an excuse to postpone or simply refuse for her sake, but...but Padme had been so kind and earnest about it, that it seemed wrong to say no.

She had such kind things to say about Owain, too...Lucina knows it can only be a boon to get to know her better. Yet all the same, there are butterflies in her stomach as she waits at their agreed-upon meeting point, checking yet again at the cross street signs to be extra sure that yes, this is the right spot. And, after doing that, she looks back in her reflection in a parked car's window, trying to smooth down some of her flyaway bangs, as unruly as ever. Appearances were never such an issue before, and now...

Sigh.

Comments

[functusofficio]

Padme has never been able to be accused of being at all subtle when it comes to clothing, but she has at least made an effort at being slightly low key today. Lucina is new, and she suspects that having both of them swarmed would be the most enjoyable way for her to experience the city.

In the same vein, she waits until she is close enough that she can speak at normal levels, her smile wide and open. "Lucina, how are you?" She holds a hand out to shake. "It's lovely to meet you in person."

[fauxmarth]

"Oh-!"

Lucina turns, brightening at the sight of one who can be none other than Padme. That distinctive dress is quite a blessing, despite the attention it undoubtedly brings her.

"And I you," she replies, hastening to shake the hand, bending a little at her knees simply out of instinct. "Owain has spoken so highly of you since our conversation; he has nothing but glowing things to say about you. He'd be liable to write sonnets about you." There's a little laugh in her voice. "Actually, he probably was trying to compose one before I had to pull his attention in another direction."

[functusofficio]

She takes the hand shake with ease and gentleness, shakes her head a little at the bend of the knees. And the words on Odin widen her smile even further, amused.

"That's very kind of him, but I've hardly done anything as to deserve that. But it is Odin."

She leaves it at that, something that she suspects will be something they can both understand reasonably well. It's Odin.

"Is there anything in particular you would like to see, or would you prefer to get lunch first and then go sight seeing?"

[fauxmarth]

"Ah, well..." Lucina looks about as she considers it. What is best for this? She thinks back to meeting with Iris the past few times, of her bouts with Thor...

"Supposing we already have plenty of energy to start," she looks back, head tilted, "then exploring would be first. Unless we need food to keep said energy up first. I'm...not exactly certain how much excitement I'm to expect, but I know I can wait a while to eat, myself.

"What of you, Lady Padme?"

[functusofficio]

"Exploring first it is, then." Padme seems quite easily able to go along with any plan, at this moment, and that shows as she makes a gesture towards the city. "I can hardly claim to be able to show you everything, but I've learned some of the city."

A smile sideways, almost as if she's sharing a secret. "The park is my favorite, but I've always loved the outdoors and never been able to be around it enough. But what are your interests? If I don't know what you like, I might simply show you things that will bore you."

[fauxmarth]

"Oh, I--" Lucina ducks her head when she smiles, bashful. But she looks back up, nodding at the street around them. "I doubt anything you share would be boring, lest it's just a day of knot-tying. There's so much here that's completely different from anything I've ever known, after all. Even the few weeks I've been here still leave me to find something new at almost every turn."

And it's a little embarrassing to admit how limited her interests have been so far. Combat, staying alive... Well, Iris has shown her that Lucina's quite taken with shopping and the stores here, so perhaps that's one?

She ought to try harder to provide better examples. Think, Lucina!

"Mm, well..." Oh! She perks up. "I was introduced to a device that you can use to listen to all different kinds of music. Are there other things like that? Or places where performers play?"

[functusofficio]

"I'll bear that in mind. Honestly? Though I think I'm more familiar with some of the ideas behind the tech than you are, it's so different from my world that it hardly counts as knowing it. I've had to learn a great deal, myself."

But that suggestion brings a bright smile to Padme's face, delighted.

"I've actually been trying to learn more of this place's music. I admit, that effort has stalled some since I won the Ambassadorship, but I do enjoy the variety they have. There are several stores that sell musical instruments or the sort of devices you're speaking of, and sometimes they hold concerts in the park -- it's quite lovely when they do, especially at night. There isn't one today, but next time there is one I'll be sure to let you know."

She pauses, considers. "In the meantime, perhaps we can visit at least one of the music stores -- and there's an Import run store that sells what they consider antiques here but are quite lovely. That will do for a start, I suppose?

[fauxmarth]

"I think that'll do fine," Lucina agrees, rocking on her heels and back to flat feet, ready to move, lest she start to feel silly and conspicuous, loitering about. She steps aside to allow Padme the lead before falling into step at her side, hands fidgeting until they decide to just fold in front of her.

"May I also ask about you?" she asks, tilting her head a little just to peer at her from the side. "That is, if you don't mind. Where you're from, or...what it is that inspired you to take on such a prominent role here. I doubt it was a simple whim."

[functusofficio]

"Then we'll start with that," Padme says with a smile, starting to move forward, her pace slow until she is sure Lucina is with her. It picks up a little after that, Padme clearly unused to not moving somewhat briskly, though she is careful to ensure that she is not leaving Lucina behind at any point.

The question gains a smile from Padme and an immediate nod. "I have no objections to questions at all. Where I'm from is slightly complicated, but it is a very large galaxy with millions of planets that can be traveled between. As for why I chose to run for Ambassador, well - in my home galaxy, I was involved in politics for almost all of my life. When the position became available, it seemed possible that I could fulfill it well, so I chose to run." A pause, and then in curiosity. "Despite knowing Odin, I know very little of your own world. Perhaps we can share information between us."

[fauxmarth]

Lucina's brow furrows a little as she tries to imagine what millions of planets could possibly look like in one image. A couple worlds, sure; it'd be as if the moon were another realm to travel. But...millions? She's sure Padme isn't teasing her, but it's still hard to believe it. And to support even just a single nation on a single continent is an overwhelming amount of responsibility...millions?

Perhaps some of that hyperbole of Owain's isn't too far off the mark.

"I--well, wow, I..." She laughs a little at her own awe, shaking her head. "Gods, I don't know if it could compare at all in scale. You, a multitude of worlds. And ours--it...it hardly match up. And while I don't doubt the politics of millions of worlds is fraught with strife, I--" She goes a little pink. "I don't know of much good I can share of our own world in return. But...perhaps something of what I heard of it, in its glory days?"

[functusofficio]

"I hardly intend for my home world to be an example of anything." Padme makes a slight face, almost undignified. "We had many difficulties, certainly. They are simply different from different perspectives."

She can understand the importance of having one place to protect, at least. But the rest is still so interesting to her, the idea that this is the only place that matters.

"There doesn't need to be a comparison of any kind, and I feel my galaxy would measure up poorly in many aspects. But I am curious about your world."

[fauxmarth]

"Well..."

What to say? That it's a world gasping its last breaths? That evil wins the day, and civilization is wiped clean from its face? That it's only through Owain's wish for a beautiful resting place for their fallen family and loved ones that there's any beauty left at all? It's not exactly pleasant chit-chat for a day on the town, she knows, and feels a little guilty for it.

"Well," she tries again, her head nodding as if to physically steer her out of those grim things. "We grew up in the capital of Ylisse, in the castle. High stone towers and stained glass windows, fine tapestries and alabaster floors. The city around us was lively and sometimes chaotic for it, but the bustle of people never bothered me." She gives a one-sided smile. "I remember begging for outings to go and see what faraway merchants had brought us, but even if I wasn't obliged, much of it came to the palace anyway. I grew up wanting very little."