Fourth floor common room: Monday evening

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

There was a large Firecat taking up pretty much the entire common room couch. Altra wasn't exactly giving off happy kitty vibes while he stared out the window, so it was probably best not to disturb him.

Karal didn't even try, just sat at the table with a pot of tea, attention divided between Altra, his notebook, and the box of savoury pastries he'd bought from J, GoB after class. There were far more than he could eat alone, so he'd be happy to share.

"Are you sure you don't want one?"

Altra looked at him long enough to say, :No,: then turned back to the window.

Karal shook his head and sighed, then nibbled on a pastry while he made more notes.

[ooc: open, of course.]

Comments

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"What? Oh, yes! Yes, no harm done. It was a little thing," oh look, blushing again, "made of lace and, yes, well, it had no substance to it."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Another grin at the visual. "That's the point of them, Karal. They don't get worn for very long."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Oh, glory," he muttered, laughing as he slid down in his seat and put his hand over his face. "And I couldn't bring myself to dispose of it, so I still have it!"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"You could give it to someone," she suggested. "Someone who wears stockings."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Maybe..." He was oddly reluctant. "I feel as if I should keep it. It's a tradition I was a part of, no matter how inadvertently. Does that sound strange?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"No," she said, after a minute or two. "There must be a reason why it came to you, I suppose."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I'm almost afraid to wonder what that reason might be." He'd finally stopped blushing, all pinkness gone. "But you're right."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"It does happen occasionally," she teased.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"More that that," he replied with a smile.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"So, are you going to put the article of clothing in a place of honor?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He laughed weakly. "You're doing this deliberately, aren't you?" he asked. "I'm not sure about honour, but it's in a safe place." A bag at the back of his desk drawer, to be exact. He did not relish trying to explain it to Aravis if she happened across it.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps." She sipped at her tea.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal picked up a napkin and tossed it across the table at her.

Then immediately looked horrified. "I blame Gavin for that."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Gavin taught you how to throw napkins?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"No. Yes." He frowned, shaking his head. "Sort of. I forget to be conscious of etiquette, or protocol, when I'm in the company of people I feel comfortable with. It started with him, so that makes it slightly his fault?" he suggested with a wry smile.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

She smiled. "Then I'll take the napkin throwing as a compliment."