hotel: rupert

[shaft]

Comments

[agleam]

[unfortunately it's too late help]

...I'll think about it. I just - have a lot to think about. [a beat.] Not that I'm telling you to leave. That's not what I meant.

[shaft]

[ blinks ]

You can if you want. I won't be offended.

[agleam]

[after another moment, he shakes his head.]

Honestly, I could use an excuse to not have to think about it for just a little more.

[shaft]

Saying you had a rough time seems like an understatement.

[ he shakes his head ]

I can share some gossip if you're looking for a distraction...

[agleam]

[the laugh he gives is humorless, but it's there.]

Sure. What've you got?

[shaft]

[ he thinks about it ]

Mikazuki and Tsuru are dating.

[agleam]

[he nods]

They seem like a pretty good match, don't they?

[shaft]

[ oh, that's not gossip then ]

Do they? I guess Tsuru is cute, and Mikazuki seems like the doting type.

[agleam]

[he nods.]

They seem really happy when they're talking about each other. It's sweet.

[shaft]

I thought it was perhaps a secret...

[agleam]

[his good eye blinks]

Why would that be a secret?

[shaft]

Don't people normally keep relationships secret?

[ ??? ]

[agleam]

[squints with his good eye]

Um... No? What, why? Is that normal where you come from?

[shaft]

I don't... really know anyone who was in a relationship.

Or if they were, it was a secret.

[agleam]

[...]

Claude, I'm engaged.

[shaft]

[ eyes go wide ]

Congratulations.

[agleam]

Thanks...

[a beat]

Is that, like, a cultural thing for you?

[he's still hung up on this sorry]

[shaft]

[ he thinks about it ]

It's not very proper for nobles to be promiscuous. But usually courtship is a public affair.

So I guess... dating without a proper courtship seems like something to keep on the downlow?

[agleam]

[pauses for another long moment]

Dating is considered promiscuous where you're from...?

[shaft]

[ he looks less and less certain ]

It depends on how modern you are? For the nobles, a relationship is a big deal. You should go into it with some intention of marriage.

[agleam]

Well - yeah, that's true where I'm from, too. I guess I don't understand what the difference between dating and courtship is, then.

[shaft]

I guess courtship is more... Declaring your intent. Sharing gifts. Going on long walks in public.

There's no rules to dating.

[agleam]

...It's always struck me as kind of weird that there's rules to that kind of thing at all. I mean, if you're happy and you're not hurting each other or anyone else, shouldn't that be all that matters?

[shaft]

I agree with you.

... I mean. I am dating Manwol after all.

[agleam]

Ah, right, I remember seeing... That one trial from daycare.

[which feels awkward to say so he's moving past it]

I don't think I ever got to say it, though, so - I'm happy for you guys! That's really great. I bet you're anxious to get back to her.