[ The trip to the capital was fortunately uneventful. Before she and Seonho had left the estate, Mari simply took the time to absorb her surroundings and environment. Being stuck inside before they left wasn't totally in vain; she got to study the behaviors of everyone in her immediate surroundings and other finer details such as the food given to her, the interior design and layout of the architecture, the going-ons of the nearby village, and other such matters.
The distrustful and suspicious looks towards her didn't stop. She noticed even though everyone tried to be discreet. The story about her being a disenfranchised daughter of a deceased foreign merchant started to spread around after she casually mentioned it offhand to a more curious servant girl who served her food and that seemed to help her case a bit although the gossip increased proportionally.
But she's made it out of this obstacle and moves into the next; finding her door back. Mari doesn't have any expectations; lower them and you can't suffer disappointment as much. So instead, she thinks of today's particular outing as some well-earned leisure.
The maidservants had given great care to choose the color of Marianna's robes she was going to wear to the festival today (yellow and blue, to be in harmony with her eyes). They seemed giddy when they found out she was going with the young master and sighed at her short foreign hair they couldn't quite style into something more elaborate. But they placed a decorative pin in it and were happy with the results. She was too.
Mari goes out to meet Seonho at the gate of the current estate they were staying in. ]
Seonho!
[ She doesn't run to him, but does call out to him while walking over, beaming. ]
I'm ready. The maids wished they could do more with my hair, but I'm glad I didn't have to make you wait long.
[It's been some time since they've returned to the capital -- Seonho, that is. The capital is a new place for Mari after all, and he'd been worried about how well or quickly she'd be able to adjust. He'd meant what he said earlier about it being at least better than the small-minded village they'd left behind, but still. Feeling uprooted is never a nice experience, Seonho's learned that much from the time they spent together in that foggy little town.
But maybe all his concern is needless, because it seems as if Mari has slipped quite easily in these new surroundings. No matter if Sung-rok is still obviously suspicious, but he's the only one in the house other than Seonho and Mari who knows who she really is. At the end of the day though, he'll never go against Seonho and make trouble for her.
Seonho's father is another issue entirely. He hasn't even made time to meet Mari in person, but maybe that too, is something Seonho should have expected. After all, his father is busy with his own affairs, and as long as Seonho keeps up his own work, then he'll find no reason to seek out either his son or his son's guest. Speaking of work, Seonho's been quite busy himself recently, busy enough that today's outing is the first time in a while that he's spent with Mari, alone. He tries not to visit her quarters after nightfall, and he's usually busy throughout the day.
But not today. The usual meetings and politics are on hold and the palace is holding their own amusements, which leaves Seonho time to take Mari outside of this house she's been bracketed in for so long already. He turns at the sound of his name, watching as Mari walks over to him, taking in the smile on her face. The expression on his face is warm in response,]
I think they did a fine job regardless.
[mari's hair has always been rather becoming on her, and the pin she's wearing makes it more so. he feels validated at seeing that pin, honestly... he KNEW she'd look nice wearing one, nice to know that his Christmas gift was successful,]
You look very pretty, Mari. [the dress is cute!! mari's cute!! more importantly, he likes how Mari looks happy,] I am being completely honest when I say that seeing you was worth the wait.
[ When he calls her by her name, Mari can't help, but grin even more. She's not sure what it is really, but maybe it's the exclusivity that she's given to him that might have something to do with it. Of course, the others around them know her by that name, but Seonho still got to call her that first. ]
A charmer as usual aren't you? I'm glad you saved it up for me while you were away.
[ She's raring to go now and glances back and forth just to make sure no one else would come up to interrupt them. ]
Ready when you are! I'll happily let you take the lead. I do have one request though.
[ She sticks out her index finger because it's just! One request. ]
Can we make a purchase of some good tea leaves and flowers please? I'm going to try and make some blends in my spare time which, as you know, I have a lot of.
[fortunately, sungrok is NOT hovering in the background pulling a "horny BONK" face...... for NOW!!
There's a thoughtful look on Seonho's face for a moment, before he smiles.]
I know just the place.
[he replies, then he'll start leading the way -- nodding at the servants as they pull open the door for them. there aren't many people traveling on the road directly outside the house, but the closer they get towards the town proper, the louder the obvious crowd milling about is.]
There are a few teahouses past the main market. Most of the foreign shops are on that road, so you might be able to find other items while we're there.
[as for flowers, there are markets galore that sell those. most of them pressed and already in mixed with other concoctions, but they can take their time perusing.]
...I imagine it must be very dull to be cooped up in that house, especially compared to what you're used to.
Teahouses, you say? Color me intrigued then. I'm looking forward to seeing what they're like.
[ Mari follows his lead carefully lifting the skirt of her robe so it doesn't impede her walking. And then she waves to the servants to say bye before putting down her hand realizing that they're probably not used to the casual gesture, but oh well. ]
Well, I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't bored some moments, but I've been making do.
[ She holds up her hands to wiggle her fingers playfully. ]
I'm rather handy when I put my mind to it. The servants have been pretty accomodating when I asked for some paper and a brush so I've gotten some journaling done, some light sketching, some arithmetic... Actually, remind me to teach you some Sudoku when you have more downtime.
Basically, I spend time, trying to find out how to spend time. I think one of the younger serving girls might be up to show me how they sew clothing and other textiles too.
[ She's adaptable in a strange way. Looking at the tapestry of her circumstances she's able to focus on one part and make something out of it. She grins at Seonho though.]
I do think I would rather be spending time with you though.
[Seonho listens carefully, feeling both relief and not some small amount of fondness when Mari makes it clear that she's been doing her best, despite the circumstances set against her. It couldn't have been easy. Even Seonho had found his own life stifling after he'd returned from the island. Fitting himself back into the same rules and constrictions had been difficult at first, so he can't imagine how it must feel for Mari, who's obviously used to freedom, having to endure the usual restrictions, and then all the ones for women too. It's yet another sign of how narrow his viewpoint is -- for all of his grand talk about making it a better world for others, he can't even begin to understand how it must feel for his own people.
Huijae would know, and yet, Huijae was no longer on speaking terms with him. Which was probably for the better. He can't imagine anything more annoying than for her to have to explain something that should have been obvious in the first place. But it's still a shame -- he feels like Mari would like speaking with Huijae. ...Not that she can't still talk to her, but...
Seonho glances down at Mari at her answer -- and there's a moment where his eyes reflect his surprise. Spending time? With him? There's a beat or two when Seonho remembers that Mari is different from the others -- there's no reason why she'd refuse to be around him. There's no reason at all, but... he feels grateful that she wants to all the same.]
...Are you certain? [there's a smile in his voice, even as he asks] I've been told that my skill with the needle is pitiful to look upon, and my knowledge even more lacking.
[The sun is bright in the sky, but the heat hasn't settled in yet. It's really the perfect morning for an outing.]
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sunfloras2021-01-13 11:57 pm
𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕗𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤
The distrustful and suspicious looks towards her didn't stop. She noticed even though everyone tried to be discreet. The story about her being a disenfranchised daughter of a deceased foreign merchant started to spread around after she casually mentioned it offhand to a more curious servant girl who served her food and that seemed to help her case a bit although the gossip increased proportionally.
But she's made it out of this obstacle and moves into the next; finding her door back. Mari doesn't have any expectations; lower them and you can't suffer disappointment as much. So instead, she thinks of today's particular outing as some well-earned leisure.
The maidservants had given great care to choose the color of Marianna's robes she was going to wear to the festival today (yellow and blue, to be in harmony with her eyes). They seemed giddy when they found out she was going with the young master and sighed at her short foreign hair they couldn't quite style into something more elaborate. But they placed a decorative pin in it and were happy with the results. She was too.
Mari goes out to meet Seonho at the gate of the current estate they were staying in. ]
Seonho!
[ She doesn't run to him, but does call out to him while walking over, beaming. ]
I'm ready. The maids wished they could do more with my hair, but I'm glad I didn't have to make you wait long.
no subject
But maybe all his concern is needless, because it seems as if Mari has slipped quite easily in these new surroundings. No matter if Sung-rok is still obviously suspicious, but he's the only one in the house other than Seonho and Mari who knows who she really is. At the end of the day though, he'll never go against Seonho and make trouble for her.
Seonho's father is another issue entirely. He hasn't even made time to meet Mari in person, but maybe that too, is something Seonho should have expected. After all, his father is busy with his own affairs, and as long as Seonho keeps up his own work, then he'll find no reason to seek out either his son or his son's guest. Speaking of work, Seonho's been quite busy himself recently, busy enough that today's outing is the first time in a while that he's spent with Mari, alone. He tries not to visit her quarters after nightfall, and he's usually busy throughout the day.
But not today. The usual meetings and politics are on hold and the palace is holding their own amusements, which leaves Seonho time to take Mari outside of this house she's been bracketed in for so long already. He turns at the sound of his name, watching as Mari walks over to him, taking in the smile on her face. The expression on his face is warm in response,]
I think they did a fine job regardless.
[mari's hair has always been rather becoming on her, and the pin she's wearing makes it more so. he feels validated at seeing that pin, honestly... he KNEW she'd look nice wearing one, nice to know that his Christmas gift was successful,]
You look very pretty, Mari. [the dress is cute!! mari's cute!! more importantly, he likes how Mari looks happy,] I am being completely honest when I say that seeing you was worth the wait.
no subject
[ When he calls her by her name, Mari can't help, but grin even more. She's not sure what it is really, but maybe it's the exclusivity that she's given to him that might have something to do with it. Of course, the others around them know her by that name, but Seonho still got to call her that first. ]
A charmer as usual aren't you? I'm glad you saved it up for me while you were away.
[ She's raring to go now and glances back and forth just to make sure no one else would come up to interrupt them. ]
Ready when you are! I'll happily let you take the lead. I do have one request though.
[ She sticks out her index finger because it's just! One request. ]
Can we make a purchase of some good tea leaves and flowers please? I'm going to try and make some blends in my spare time which, as you know, I have a lot of.
no subject
There's a thoughtful look on Seonho's face for a moment, before he smiles.]
I know just the place.
[he replies, then he'll start leading the way -- nodding at the servants as they pull open the door for them. there aren't many people traveling on the road directly outside the house, but the closer they get towards the town proper, the louder the obvious crowd milling about is.]
There are a few teahouses past the main market. Most of the foreign shops are on that road, so you might be able to find other items while we're there.
[as for flowers, there are markets galore that sell those. most of them pressed and already in mixed with other concoctions, but they can take their time perusing.]
...I imagine it must be very dull to be cooped up in that house, especially compared to what you're used to.
no subject
[ Mari follows his lead carefully lifting the skirt of her robe so it doesn't impede her walking. And then she waves to the servants to say bye before putting down her hand realizing that they're probably not used to the casual gesture, but oh well. ]
Well, I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't bored some moments, but I've been making do.
[ She holds up her hands to wiggle her fingers playfully. ]
I'm rather handy when I put my mind to it. The servants have been pretty accomodating when I asked for some paper and a brush so I've gotten some journaling done, some light sketching, some arithmetic... Actually, remind me to teach you some Sudoku when you have more downtime.
Basically, I spend time, trying to find out how to spend time. I think one of the younger serving girls might be up to show me how they sew clothing and other textiles too.
[ She's adaptable in a strange way. Looking at the tapestry of her circumstances she's able to focus on one part and make something out of it. She grins at Seonho though.]
I do think I would rather be spending time with you though.
no subject
Huijae would know, and yet, Huijae was no longer on speaking terms with him. Which was probably for the better. He can't imagine anything more annoying than for her to have to explain something that should have been obvious in the first place. But it's still a shame -- he feels like Mari would like speaking with Huijae. ...Not that she can't still talk to her, but...
Seonho glances down at Mari at her answer -- and there's a moment where his eyes reflect his surprise. Spending time? With him? There's a beat or two when Seonho remembers that Mari is different from the others -- there's no reason why she'd refuse to be around him. There's no reason at all, but... he feels grateful that she wants to all the same.]
...Are you certain? [there's a smile in his voice, even as he asks] I've been told that my skill with the needle is pitiful to look upon, and my knowledge even more lacking.
[The sun is bright in the sky, but the heat hasn't settled in yet. It's really the perfect morning for an outing.]
SLAMS IN HERE
If you don't fill them up with anything, then they'll remain lacking.
[ She passes by the kite seller and stops to admire the designs. ]
Then again, I'm not expecting you to become a sewing master anytime soon. There are other ways to spend time together, right?