[She did have a point. Marie had always been a big help to him during this particular time of the month, whether she was under the influence of Iris or not. Nevertheless, Sanson constantly felt indebted to her, and if she likes the tea he bought for her, then this was a small step toward repaying her. Even if he could technically repay her by assisting him when the Iris cycle comes around.]
Then, thank you for opening your home to me as well. I'm glad you're enjoying the tea.
[Sanson is already going to help himself to a croissant - which is inhaled in record time. It's embarrassing even if he manages to retain all proper table manners while doing so.]
[ His eating behavior made her feel weird the first time, but now she merely sees as a cute side of him emerging, the man being so desperate for Chroma that he can't even hold back from inhaling all that food. Admittedly, part of her pleasure with it stems from her mildly sadistic inclination, although she's of course mindful to never mention it or even hint at it to him.
She takes another sip, watching him but also focusing on the flavor of tea blessing her palate. ]
Gifting me those tins was a good call, absolutely so.
[ With half of the content gulped down, she reaches for one of her own pastries. ]
How have you been? Did you improve your social circle?
While Marie already starts eating, Sanson sips at his tea before taking another pastry from his own plate, not even glancing at Marie's plate. She already staked her claim, and he will respect that.]
My social circle? [He takes a bite out of his roll, his smile fading. Oh, he knows exactly what she's referring to.] Oh...I've met some other people, but it's not something I can do overnight. [Especially with his social skills.]
[Yeah, he'll let her know...if she remembers to bring that up next time. It's not exactly a favorite topic of his to discuss. He does nod at her approval of the macarons, though.]
I believe they make the best macarons anywhere in Lunatia. They go very well with the blends of tea I gave you.
[Sanson demurely wipes the corner of his mouth with a white handkerchief. He's already on his third pastry and shows no sign of stopping...help.]
[ Only hald of her macaron is gone and he's already on his fourth pastry... Cordis is really bad for the health! Splitting the sweets unevenly between them was a good idea. ]
Their sweetness meshes well together! I will probably have worthy rivals if I decide to open my business here...
Your business? [He lowers the roll he was eating, looking over at her curiously.] What will it be?
[A bakery? Sanson can't recall how much baking talent Marie has or if she's been taking lessons from the other Servants in Chaldea or anyone else here (he'll find out when the Pizza Incident happens). Or perhaps a cafe? A sweets shop?]
[It's a very odd, foreign concept to any normal 18th century Frenchman, but not to Sanson, given not only working knowledge of the modern era but also some knowledge of the existence of maid cafes from the likes of Tamamo Cat and Suzuka Gozen.
And Blackbeard, but Sanson threatened him with bodily harm while Blackbeard was speaking, so let's not talk about that.
So, while he knows exactly what a maid cafe is, this prompts him to ask, after finishing his roll and finally managing to pause in between stuffing his face:]
Oh? Why a maid cafe, of all things? [Sanson isn't against the idea. It's just not quite something he expected from her. Especially since she would be putting away her queen's crown, so to speak, for a maid's lace and uniform.]
[ Even while donning a maid dress, she would still technically be a Queen of Maids because she'd be running the place. Which is great by her, because she'd been also looking for a chance to have the control of something again, even if it's no longer a country or millions of people.
Taking her time with another macaron, she then answers him with the tone of someone who has a clear idea of what she's doing. ]
Would you not like to see a group of beautiful people dressing up in the garments of actual servants? That is how I have been feeling lately, and I do want to make that fantasy of mine real, since no one thought of it yet!
[ Besides, the most spoiled part of herself kind of missed having maids from back at Versailles. ]
Making our customers happy by just virtue of our presence... that would be fantastic!
[While eating the rest of his roll and ensuring he didn't get crumbs on any part of Marie's humble abode, he listens to her, his cat ears twitching. Well, he doesn't doubt that she most likely knows what she's doing. For one thing, she was a leader before, and still had that same charisma now.
Sanson would know; that charisma works all too well on him.
He's not sure about wanting to see people wearing maid and butler costumes...but he has to admit, Marie would bring an endearing yet dignified quality to a maid outfit...and he's going to shelve that thought as quickly as it came to mind.]
I know you want to make your customers happy, but...what's more important is that you will be happy doing this. If this will make you happy, I'll do what I can to support you.
I believe in the happiness of others more than my own, Charles, you should know that.
[ Though just opening the business will put her in the greatest mood for a while, she would rather focus on spreading the smile along everyone in Lunatia.
She takes another slow sip of her tea, humming in thought. ]
Now that I have this idea in mind, I will have to find a place for my business to flourish. I was thinking of Level 1, although renting a space there will be pretty expelsive.
I know, but your happiness is my priority. [Marie was always thinking of others' happiness. Sanson wanted her to also allot time and energy for her own. He stops eating long enough to give her his full attention, likewise sipping his own cup of tea and feeling it warm him inside.]
Yes, renting a place in Level 1 won't come cheap, but I did mention I would support you in any way, so you can count on my help.
[That's his implicit permission for her to kiss and cuddle with him whenever she needed the extra Chroma for rent.]
[ He's so devoted to her, in a way that almost makes her feel guilty because she values his happiness much more than her own. They'd be practically at a stall here, both probably too stubborn, but she decides to drop the matter and give him a soft, wry smile. No arguments on this peaceful day.
Instead she reacts with amusement at his implication. ]
That goes without saying, since you seem to really enjoy our time together whenever it happens.
[ Teasing! And she helps herself with another macaron, narrowing her eyes at him. ]
[He nearly chokes on his tea and quickly puts his cup down, his expression wide-eyed, startled, and priceless. Marie is teasing, certainly, but that doesn't stop him from reacting and his mind going a thousand miles per second trying to figure out how to save face.
It's hard to save face when what she said is entirely true.]
That's...well, both of us benefit and... [Gross, he sounds like a stuffier nerd, and he just admitted that he does get benefit out of the deal. Sanson waves his hands about, his cat tail also flicking around in agitation.] No, I...
[Then he simply lets his arms drop. Maybe he should admit it. Except for the part where even though he's cornered, Sanson seems more content to let his face become a tomato and incriminate him in the process.]
[ An expression she didn't know she would have caused, and it's clearly going to make her entire day. His faces are something wonderful, and they make her want to kiss him.
...
Marie sinks her teeth into a cream puff instead, after quickly making the macaron disappear into her stomach. ]
You should feel no shame admitting that you enjoy kissing me, Charles.
[ She doubles down, narrowing her eyes mischievously, while her attention shifts to his lips in particular. ]
[Well, it's good to know that Sanson is a source of entertainment and joy for Marie...even if it's like this.]
It's not shame! [Okay, maybe it kind of is, considering that outburst and his general feelings toward Marie. Is she looking at his lips right now?? He responds by glancing down at his lap, where his hands are folded.] It's...I don't know, it doesn't feel like my place to say it?
[Even he doesn't understand what he's saying. But he's not denying that he does enjoy kissing Marie.]
I shouldn't be saying it at all...anyway, I don't really moonlace a lot in the first place, and I only do it when I really need it, and...
[And he's rambling. Now would be a perfect time to shut him up.]
[ She expected a few stuttered words, and instead finds herself facing an avalanche of borderline nonsense he keeps churning out with no sign of stopping it. Sanson is so cute, very much adorable while he's shielding himself from her teasing, with the opposite effect of giving her more ammo for later.
Eyes still on his lips, Marie listens to him up to a certain point. The avalanche threatens to get worse instead of weakening. Soon, she realizes the mood will grow even awkward if she allows him to say any further. No one would like to experience that in this royal apartment now, right?
And what better way to put a stop to the nonsense than using her own mouth instead?
Without a word, the Queen firmly grabs him by his shirt, yanks him towards her, and, gently, presses her lips against his. ]
The effect of Marie silencing him with her own mouth is instantaneous. All of Sanson's words grind to a screeching halt. Suddenly all he can observe are Marie's face so close to his, the sweet aroma of the pastries around her and on her lips, and the touch of her kiss. It's enough to reduce one hardened, ruthless, guilt-ridden executioner to jelly.
There are two things running through his mind - he could end it here and save what's left of his dignity. Or, he can kiss her right back, to his heart's content (she fired the first shot, so to speak), with no regrets, even if it proves one hundred percent what Marie said - that his spirits soar higher than the three moons whenever they moonlaced. She was sweeter than the trace of macaron he could detect from her lips. Besides, this was the Cordis cycle and he needed more Chroma than usual.
You know what? C'est la vie.
Sanson allows Marie to finish and sits there, a smile slowly forming on his face. Then he reaches out, pulls her onto his lap, cups her face with both his hands, and begins kissing her.]
[ Good choice, Sanson. She wants nothing more than that, other than more sweets.
The likewise taste Marie can draw out of him also convinces her to deepen the kiss a bit, pressing herself against him as she maintains her hand to his shirt, like she doesn't intend him to escape despite how he hardly wants to. Soft lips mesh together with another pair and keeps going and going, restless. They still have their noses if they want to breathe, after all.
If it serves to also calm him down and shut him up completely, she'd be more than happy to keep at it until she can no longer handle to overdrive of Chroma in her system. ]
[It always feels good, knowing that in your time of need, there was at least one person willing to supply you with the Chroma you so crave, without judgment. Aside from her tender lips, he can feel her pressing against him, and that makes him bring his hands away from her face so he can embrace her properly while they kiss. Marie might feel him breathing in and out through his nose, content to let her have his lips all to herself, and already he's losing track of everything else, totally forgetting how he had showed up with a load of pastries to share with her while Cordis was wreaking havoc on his appetites - ]
Mmmmph - ?
[When Marie presses against him, he forgets to keep himself upright; he's more preoccupied with keeping his lips locked with hers and her body in his arms. As a result, Sanson topples onto the couch with Marie in tow, but manages to control it so he falls sideways and he and Marie are now lying on the couch, facing each other. He even makes an effort to try and make sure their lips aren't separated as they fall.
Priorities.
The initial shock wears off soon after, and Sanson continues kissing Marie as though nothing had happened, reveling in the Chroma he receives not only from this but also from holding her in his arms.]
[ A shift happens in the environment. Gravity forces her body to lose balance, and soon she's no longer sitting on the couch but lying in it, with Sanson occupying her entire vision. She's more than okay with it, since there's no way she wants to stop kissing him now that they're snug and comfortable, with the couch being large enough to host the both of them without the risk of falling over.
Both her hands move to his chest, clinging to his robe, enjoying how his arms are around her all protective like usual. She's much smaller than him and it just... fits the picture in its entirety.
The food may be left forgotten, but the sweet taste coming from their kiss will linger for so long it no longer matters. ]
[The food won't be forgotten for long while Sanson is in the grips of the Cordis cycle; he'll continue eating when his hunger comes back, but for now, he's satisfied with moonlacing. More than satisfied. He lets one of his hands caress Marie's hair and runs his fingers through one of her pigtails while they kiss, and draws her as close to him as possible.
This feels really comfortable.
Sanson pauses only so he can take one of Marie's hands clutching at his shirt and kiss it, his lips brushing her skin tenderly. Then he kisses her nose, her cheeks, her forehead - any part of her face he can reach and which she will allow. Settling in the couch so that his head is propped up on the armrest, he lifts Marie onto his body and gazes at her dreamily while she's lying on top of him.
Yeah, now she's using him as a couch. Or a bed.]
I hope you aren't too busy today. I'd hate to leave soon.
[ Another barrage of kisses from Sanson, one of an increasing amount by now. Marie sighs, happy, her eyes closing when he approaches her face with his tender affection. Then he lifts her up and she settles down comfortably on top of him, indeed having no qualms about using him as a bed because she knows he can handle it - moreover, it's even more moonlacing goodness for his strong needs.
She chuckles softly, waving his worry off. The hand he kissed softly entwines with his own. ]
I am not. [ An idea pops in her head. It's a bit bold, but she won't hesitate. ] What would you say about staying the night here?
[It's bold enough that Sanson would not have suggested it. He gapes at her in mild disbelief, replaying what she just said to make sure he hadn't misheard it while gently squeezing her hand in his, his other arm still around her to ensure that she doesn't fall off him.]
That's...is that...are you sure?
[Space is probably not an issue, but the idea itself...how people would react to seeing Sanson step out of Marie's apartment in the morning...]
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Then, thank you for opening your home to me as well. I'm glad you're enjoying the tea.
[Sanson is already going to help himself to a croissant - which is inhaled in record time. It's embarrassing even if he manages to retain all proper table manners while doing so.]
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She takes another sip, watching him but also focusing on the flavor of tea blessing her palate. ]
Gifting me those tins was a good call, absolutely so.
[ With half of the content gulped down, she reaches for one of her own pastries. ]
How have you been? Did you improve your social circle?
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While Marie already starts eating, Sanson sips at his tea before taking another pastry from his own plate, not even glancing at Marie's plate. She already staked her claim, and he will respect that.]
My social circle? [He takes a bite out of his roll, his smile fading. Oh, he knows exactly what she's referring to.] Oh...I've met some other people, but it's not something I can do overnight. [Especially with his social skills.]
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[ Because she cares about his emotional wellbeing as much as he cares about her not eating too much unhealthy food.
Speaking of which, she takes a pink macaron from the pile and chews on it happily. ]
Mmmm~! This one easily melts in my mouth, I love it!
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I believe they make the best macarons anywhere in Lunatia. They go very well with the blends of tea I gave you.
[Sanson demurely wipes the corner of his mouth with a white handkerchief. He's already on his third pastry and shows no sign of stopping...help.]
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Their sweetness meshes well together! I will probably have worthy rivals if I decide to open my business here...
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[A bakery? Sanson can't recall how much baking talent Marie has or if she's been taking lessons from the other Servants in Chaldea or anyone else here (he'll find out when the Pizza Incident happens). Or perhaps a cafe? A sweets shop?]
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I would like to open a maid cafe!
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And Blackbeard, but Sanson threatened him with bodily harm while Blackbeard was speaking, so let's not talk about that.
So, while he knows exactly what a maid cafe is, this prompts him to ask, after finishing his roll and finally managing to pause in between stuffing his face:]
Oh? Why a maid cafe, of all things? [Sanson isn't against the idea. It's just not quite something he expected from her. Especially since she would be putting away her queen's crown, so to speak, for a maid's lace and uniform.]
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Taking her time with another macaron, she then answers him with the tone of someone who has a clear idea of what she's doing. ]
Would you not like to see a group of beautiful people dressing up in the garments of actual servants? That is how I have been feeling lately, and I do want to make that fantasy of mine real, since no one thought of it yet!
[ Besides, the most spoiled part of herself kind of missed having maids from back at Versailles. ]
Making our customers happy by just virtue of our presence... that would be fantastic!
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Sanson would know; that charisma works all too well on him.
He's not sure about wanting to see people wearing maid and butler costumes...but he has to admit, Marie would bring an endearing yet dignified quality to a maid outfit...and he's going to shelve that thought as quickly as it came to mind.]
I know you want to make your customers happy, but...what's more important is that you will be happy doing this. If this will make you happy, I'll do what I can to support you.
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[ Though just opening the business will put her in the greatest mood for a while, she would rather focus on spreading the smile along everyone in Lunatia.
She takes another slow sip of her tea, humming in thought. ]
Now that I have this idea in mind, I will have to find a place for my business to flourish. I was thinking of Level 1, although renting a space there will be pretty expelsive.
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Yes, renting a place in Level 1 won't come cheap, but I did mention I would support you in any way, so you can count on my help.
[That's his implicit permission for her to kiss and cuddle with him whenever she needed the extra Chroma for rent.]
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Instead she reacts with amusement at his implication. ]
That goes without saying, since you seem to really enjoy our time together whenever it happens.
[ Teasing! And she helps herself with another macaron, narrowing her eyes at him. ]
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[He nearly chokes on his tea and quickly puts his cup down, his expression wide-eyed, startled, and priceless. Marie is teasing, certainly, but that doesn't stop him from reacting and his mind going a thousand miles per second trying to figure out how to save face.
It's hard to save face when what she said is entirely true.]
That's...well, both of us benefit and... [Gross, he sounds like a stuffier nerd, and he just admitted that he does get benefit out of the deal. Sanson waves his hands about, his cat tail also flicking around in agitation.] No, I...
[Then he simply lets his arms drop. Maybe he should admit it. Except for the part where even though he's cornered, Sanson seems more content to let his face become a tomato and incriminate him in the process.]
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...
Marie sinks her teeth into a cream puff instead, after quickly making the macaron disappear into her stomach. ]
You should feel no shame admitting that you enjoy kissing me, Charles.
[ She doubles down, narrowing her eyes mischievously, while her attention shifts to his lips in particular. ]
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It's not shame! [Okay, maybe it kind of is, considering that outburst and his general feelings toward Marie. Is she looking at his lips right now?? He responds by glancing down at his lap, where his hands are folded.] It's...I don't know, it doesn't feel like my place to say it?
[Even he doesn't understand what he's saying. But he's not denying that he does enjoy kissing Marie.]
I shouldn't be saying it at all...anyway, I don't really moonlace a lot in the first place, and I only do it when I really need it, and...
[And he's rambling. Now would be a perfect time to shut him up.]
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Eyes still on his lips, Marie listens to him up to a certain point. The avalanche threatens to get worse instead of weakening. Soon, she realizes the mood will grow even awkward if she allows him to say any further. No one would like to experience that in this royal apartment now, right?
And what better way to put a stop to the nonsense than using her own mouth instead?
Without a word, the Queen firmly grabs him by his shirt, yanks him towards her, and, gently, presses her lips against his. ]
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Oh.
The effect of Marie silencing him with her own mouth is instantaneous. All of Sanson's words grind to a screeching halt. Suddenly all he can observe are Marie's face so close to his, the sweet aroma of the pastries around her and on her lips, and the touch of her kiss. It's enough to reduce one hardened, ruthless, guilt-ridden executioner to jelly.
There are two things running through his mind - he could end it here and save what's left of his dignity. Or, he can kiss her right back, to his heart's content (she fired the first shot, so to speak), with no regrets, even if it proves one hundred percent what Marie said - that his spirits soar higher than the three moons whenever they moonlaced. She was sweeter than the trace of macaron he could detect from her lips. Besides, this was the Cordis cycle and he needed more Chroma than usual.
You know what? C'est la vie.
Sanson allows Marie to finish and sits there, a smile slowly forming on his face. Then he reaches out, pulls her onto his lap, cups her face with both his hands, and begins kissing her.]
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The likewise taste Marie can draw out of him also convinces her to deepen the kiss a bit, pressing herself against him as she maintains her hand to his shirt, like she doesn't intend him to escape despite how he hardly wants to. Soft lips mesh together with another pair and keeps going and going, restless. They still have their noses if they want to breathe, after all.
If it serves to also calm him down and shut him up completely, she'd be more than happy to keep at it until she can no longer handle to overdrive of Chroma in her system. ]
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Mmmmph - ?
[When Marie presses against him, he forgets to keep himself upright; he's more preoccupied with keeping his lips locked with hers and her body in his arms. As a result, Sanson topples onto the couch with Marie in tow, but manages to control it so he falls sideways and he and Marie are now lying on the couch, facing each other. He even makes an effort to try and make sure their lips aren't separated as they fall.
Priorities.
The initial shock wears off soon after, and Sanson continues kissing Marie as though nothing had happened, reveling in the Chroma he receives not only from this but also from holding her in his arms.]
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Both her hands move to his chest, clinging to his robe, enjoying how his arms are around her all protective like usual. She's much smaller than him and it just... fits the picture in its entirety.
The food may be left forgotten, but the sweet taste coming from their kiss will linger for so long it no longer matters. ]
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This feels really comfortable.
Sanson pauses only so he can take one of Marie's hands clutching at his shirt and kiss it, his lips brushing her skin tenderly. Then he kisses her nose, her cheeks, her forehead - any part of her face he can reach and which she will allow. Settling in the couch so that his head is propped up on the armrest, he lifts Marie onto his body and gazes at her dreamily while she's lying on top of him.
Yeah, now she's using him as a couch. Or a bed.]
I hope you aren't too busy today. I'd hate to leave soon.
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She chuckles softly, waving his worry off. The hand he kissed softly entwines with his own. ]
I am not. [ An idea pops in her head. It's a bit bold, but she won't hesitate. ] What would you say about staying the night here?
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[It's bold enough that Sanson would not have suggested it. He gapes at her in mild disbelief, replaying what she just said to make sure he hadn't misheard it while gently squeezing her hand in his, his other arm still around her to ensure that she doesn't fall off him.]
That's...is that...are you sure?
[Space is probably not an issue, but the idea itself...how people would react to seeing Sanson step out of Marie's apartment in the morning...]
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