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[sapphirecontess]

Elysium Dormitories after the liberation, open to all

[Musse is nothing if not scrupulously attentive to her duties. As such, she is here to greet the new arrivals as they are brought to the dormitories. Although she is clearly a noble - her demeanor, bearing and method of speech make that obvious - she hopes that this can help to show that she, at least, is firmly on the side of the rebellion. She is here to greet them and to provide what assistance she can in feeding, assigning, and clothing the new residents, as well as helping assess their skills. If nothing else, she's been able to show her use by proving her knack for reading people's abilities and helping assign them to roles that would best suit them.]

Hail and well met. I am Musse Egret, and I'm here to ensure you are properly settled and cared for. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Flotsam Waterlogged Row, open to all

[Somewhat surprisingly, Musse is something of a wallflower in this place but she enjoys coming anyway. The unbridled joy of Corsairs celebrating, swapping stories, and engaging in foolish challenges with each other is special to her. She'd never seen such a thing in her life as a noble, a genuine affection, even love for one's peers and comrades. She always make it a point to come here after a successful mission and soak in the atmosphere. Still, if anyone comes by, she'll make sure to call out. Any moments in this place she can claim for her own are special, after all]

Elysium, Musse's room - private to Maomao

It's been quite busy with the new arrivals. Tell me your thoughts.

Comments

[chosenkingoflucis]

A laugh is not what he's expecting as a response and he gapes for a moment, then can't help but scowl.

Also, she doesn't have to use the nickname, he just thought it would be a little more friendly! It's how his friends back home address him after all!

Noctis' cheeks pinken again as he tries to find his words, something he's not too great at.

"N... No. It's not that! B... But three attempts? I thought it might be helpful to have some extra security watching your back."

[sapphirecontess]

Musse giggles a bit. She's rather enjoying this. "Well, far be it from me to refuse such a generous offer. It will be an honor to work with you, Noct, it is heartening to have someone of your skill and stature at my side."

[chosenkingoflucis]

Well, it's not like he's not used to being roasted by his friends back home. What's a little laughter here?

At least her giggle is cute.

Noctis tugs on a strand of ebony hair and clears his throat.

"You're not even gonna ask me what I can do?" He pauses a moment, looking thoughtful. "Hey, how 'bout we grab a bite to eat and we can work out the details? I for one, am starved, and I bet you know all the best places in town?"

[sapphirecontess]

Musse's smile is mysterious and confident.

"I'm a better judge of people than you might think. You are lean, but muscular. Your hands callused from holding weaponry. You carry yourself with ease and confidence. But I agree, a meal would be lovely, as would knowing specifics. What kinds of foods do you prefer? I know many fine and not-so-fine establishments."

[chosenkingoflucis]

Noctis hums thoughtfully.

"I could go for some seafood?" A pause. She did ask for what he prefers, so why not what he doesn't prefer. "And hold the veggies. I'm not fond of them."

But what does she mean by 'fine,' and 'not so fine?' Are the 'not so fine' establishments places like the Crow's Nest and other such places that Ignis would give him crap about back home? Or does she mean 'not so fine' in some other way?

[sapphirecontess]

"Oh my, it is rare indeed for nobility to request such a dish. Fortunately, I know just the establishment. A bit of a curiosity in Elysium, but it should do well to meet his highness's expectations~"

It looks like Noctis is going to experience any number of forms of address with this girl. Fun, right? True to her word, however, she leads him to a rather fine restaurant off the beaten path. They are seated fairly immediately once the servers get a good look at her. A few murmured words has them placed at a corner seat near a window where they can watch people come and go. The menu itself, if Noctis is able to read the local script, has a number of fine dishes available, the caliber of ingredients used is apparent on even a casual observation.

[chosenkingoflucis]

He doesn't bat an eye at the method of address as he gets everything from "Your Highness," to "Prince Charmless," back home, that last one said affectionately by his own Shield, he'd just have to get used to whatever from her. Now what is he supposed to call Musse though?

Noctis scratches at the back of his head "Is it? I mean, I usually like to catch it myself, but..."

No matter, she seems to have a place figured out and he politely pulls her chair for her when they're seated, before taking his own place across from her.

As the menus are placed in front of them, that's where he has some difficulty; a problem presenting itself that he hadn't considered. He's picked up the spoken language of this world rather easily, with his home, Insomnia, the Crown City being a blend of cultures, but reading the language of this place hasn't come as naturally. He squints at the letters, trying to discern what any of the dishes are, before chuckling sheepishly.

"Ah, what would you recommend?"

[sapphirecontess]

Musse ponders for a moment, giving no indication that she noticed Noctis's plight (which is not to say she didn't notice, just that she didn't give any outward signs of doing so).

"The bass and salmon dishes are both quite fine, and I have yet to try but have heard wonderful things about the seared scallops."

[chosenkingoflucis]

Well, if she notices, she's not calling him out on it, which he's grateful for. It's a little embarrassing.

"Salmon sounds amazing!" He says, then looks thoughtful, "But seared scallops? I've never had them prepared like that before. I might have to go with those. You can have some too if you'd like?"

Noctis sets his menu down and focuses his attention on her.

"So, uh, tell me about yourself? You were born here?"

[sapphirecontess]

"To receive a portion of a prince's meal, to say I am honored would be not remotely enough to express my profound gratitude~"

If Noctis is going to be effortlessly charming and/or dense, Musse will absolutely take advantage.

"The seared scallops are indeed quite delicious. I'm personally fond of the braised salmon, which I believe will be my choice for the day. You are welcome to share mine, of course." She gives him a dangerously charming smile.

"And no, I was born on the island of Seisgrun, in my family's estate. We maintained an estate here in Elysium, so I would often come here with my family to enjoy the beach when I was little. While there are lakes in the Isles Above, there's something special about the beaches within the Eternal Ocean that you simply cannot experience anywhere else."

[chosenkingoflucis]

Dense. Dense is more like it. Any charm he's laying on is entirely accidental.

"I... it's no big deal." He says, rubbing at the back of his neck, her own smile earning another pinkening of his cheeks and he clears his throat to distract from it.

However, the mention of beaches has his eyes sparkling.

"Yeah? How are they for fishing?"

[sapphirecontess]

Musse smiles a bit at his embarrassment, but also Noctis a curious look.

"I'm not quite sure I understand the question. How would one fish upon a beach? The water level is far too low for the nets. We do set them out not far from the coast to help with our food supply, but they aren't especially close to the beach."

Noctis may not have counted on the fact that fishing is more of a primary sustenance, not a hobby for the Corsairs.

[chosenkingoflucis]

"Nets?" Noctis tilts his head in confusion, though 'food supply,' clicks and he mouths an, 'Oh.'

"I like to fish for fun. With a fishing pole." He explains, "It's relaxing."

Especially when it gets him away from more lessons on his would-be kingship.

"How about you, Lady Musse?" He may as well address her properly if he's going to be her bodyguard. "What do you do for fun?"

[sapphirecontess]

"Oh my, what a unique hobby for royalty. Most nobility regard fish, and the creatures of the water in general to be far beneath attention, much less recreation. As for myself..." she ponders for a moment. "I suppose I'm a bit unusual myself. I rather enjoy swimming."

[chosenkingoflucis]

"Really?" Noctis blinks, a little surprised. "So that's why you seemed intrigued when I asked for seafood." He then chuckles and flashes her an amused smirk. "Clearly the nobles don't like fun around here."

He raises a hand and nods his praise.

"You know what's up though."

[sapphirecontess]

"Didn't you know? Fun was outlawed by the Empire."

Her tone is cheeky, but there's some truth to it.

"This place is honestly quite special - it's a fallen continent where the Empire's eyes aren't as prevalent, which is why it's one of the only places nobility can go to amuse themselves. I was raised here, so I suppose my perspective is warped."

[chosenkingoflucis]

"No surprise here." He chuckles in return.

"Oh! Right! All the land masses in the Eternal Ocean were once floating." He relates his own knowledge of the world. "Amuse themselves away from prying eyes- or- illegally." He laughs softly again.

"Hey, I'm not judging." Noctis holds up his hands in a placating gesture.

That's when their food arrives.

"Aw wow! That looks amazing!" Noctis exclaims then politely requests a couple of extra plates so that they can share easier. The server does as asked and bids them enjoy their meal with a respectful bow.

"So tell me Lady Musse, do you have anyone special to share those biased beach trips with?"

[sapphirecontess]

"Not at the moment, why, are you offering oh Prince?"

Musse's expression is sly, this man keeps walking right into it after all.

[chosenkingoflucis]

"Uh, I mean, I... If you want me to... I couldn't pass up an opportunity to fish... besides... I... I bet you look great in a swimsuit..." he stutters, cheeks reddening.

Yes, he keeps walking into it. Despite being royalty, his social skills aren't the best, as up until he met Prompto, he didn't really have any friends that weren't obligated to be as such, his retainer, Ignis and his Shield, Gladio namely.

Much of his time he spent alone and disinterested in most things.

[sapphirecontess]

"Oh, so you want to see me in a swimsuit, is that it?"

Musse has somehow managed to get her face surprisingly close to Noctis despite being on the other side of the table.

[chosenkingoflucis]

"I-" He swallows hard, realizing his compliment might have backfired, "I'm not saying I wouldn't-"

Six! When did she get so close?

His face is absolutely beet red right now, but he's not backing away.

[sapphirecontess]

Musse's grin is akin to a predator who has found prey, a hunting cat toying with her mark before she devours it.

"Well! I shall be sure to choose a special suit for you~"

She also hasn't moved an inch.

[chosenkingoflucis]

"A... special suit?" He asks, blinking curiously.

Noctis isn't sure what to make of her expression having never really encountered such open flirtation before. At least not that he paid much attention to. Sure there was Iris and her comments about them being on a 'date' in Lestallum, but she was more like a little sister to him. And his betrothal to Luna was arranged, so it's not like either of them had to woo the other. Besides, they hadn't seen each other since they were kids.

Musse is something else entirely and his eyes widen with her continued close proximity.

And now thier food is forgotten and getting cold.

[sapphirecontess]

Musse, sensing her prey is completely oblivious, backs off a bit.

"Well, we shall save that for another time. What do you think of your meal?"

She eats with a practiced daintiness, fully the proper lady.

[chosenkingoflucis]

"Another... time?" He's definitely clueless, but was starting to get a few ideas...

Oh, right! There's food!

"Um... I haven't tried it yet..." he replies taking up his silverare a little sheepishly and also eating with practiced manners; a perfect gentleman.

"I... it's delicious!" He says at length, honestly surprised. It's almost as good as something Ignis would cook- almost. "Would you like some?"