What a Gem

[Roland Savatier]

Roland had been away for quite some time, over on Militaire Island. It was basically his home away from home. And while he missed his family (what was left of them), it was, unfortunately, the nature of being a General of their father's army.

But with the death of the King and Yule looming about, Roland had some time to return to the mainlands of Tresteria and visit with his family. His first visit needed to be his younger sister, Emma Savatier . He'd not hear the end of it if she knew that he did not visit with her first. He guessed that with the time of the day, she would still be at the shop rather than at home, so he found his way there, quietly stepping inside and turning his back to hide as he pretended to look at the jewelry.

He would wait silently, fumbling through the beautiful necklaces, mostly inspecting and admiring what he knew his sister created. She had gotten so much better from the time she began this as a hobby. He still had the things she made for him.

When Emma would approach him and ask if he needed her assistance, Roland slowly turned to face her, a smirk turning his lips somewhat upward. "Hmmm... I am wondering if you've seen my sister, she goes by Emma... Works here and makes a lot of these gorgeous pieces... It's been a while since I've seen her, I think I may have forgotten what she looks like." His smirk grew into a grin as he regarded Emma. It had been long enough that maybe his words could actually be truthful, but in all honesty, he could never forget his beautiful sister. "How are you?" He said simply as if it really hadn't been that and he had seen her yesterday. The man was always so nonchalant and cool, if it weren't for the grin giving it away on his face, it might have seemed as though he weren't excited to see her.

He pulled her in against him and wrapped his arms tightly around her, daring not to let go. A gentle, but firm kiss was pressed against her temple, and he held her a bit longer before finally letting her go.

[Emma Savatier]

Emma had people coming and going, buying gifts for loved ones and special people- it made her smile this time of year as she was finishing orders and wrapping them up. She just finished handing off a necklace to an older gentleman when she saw a figure looking through her case of necklaces and so as she went up and tapped him on the shoulder to see what he needed, she froze.

She was silent for a moment, staring up at him and then a smile rising to her lips as tears filled them at the same time, "Roland!" she cried out happily as she wrapped her arms around him tightly in return. He was home, he was home and alive and safe! This was not what she expected today but the surprise was one she cherished; even though he did try and play it off all nonchalant, that smile gave him away way too easily.

Emma was laughing, happy tears rolling down her cheeks as she hugged him tightly, "I'm well, I'm well! When did you get back? How are you?" she asked in a rush, still not letting him go. This was the best Yule present she could have gotten was her brothers safe return home and in her shop surprising her. There was just a big smile plastered on her face as she just didn't want to let go of him at the moment. If she had any clue that he was coming she would have finished and gave him his Yule gift but alas he was going to have to wait a touch longer.

[Roland Savatier]

He chuckled softly at her rushed line of questions and while she did not let go of him, he wrapped his arms back around her and lifted her off the ground, squeezing her tight as if to take her breath away. "I missed you too," he grinned.

He let her back down and let his arms fall to let her go, but she wasn't letting go of him. He laughed again. "I'm fine. Alive. Well. Here..." He scrunched his face up and hummed in thought, "just this afternoon... And yes, you are the first person I have seen. I wouldn't have it any other way and I know better than to see anyone else before you." He smirked, "are you going to let go of me?" He laughed gently, teasing at her. Roland knew what thoughts may have been going on in her head. The Savatier siblings were dwindling away and he was sure she worried for him every day. For him to arrive alive and well, he was sure it was a relief to her. Just as it was for him. Returning home without having to deal with another funeral.

"Your shop is beautiful and seems to be doing well. I see you've come a long way from making..." He waved his hand in thought before finishing his sentence, "seashell necklaces, hmm?"

[Emma Savatier]

A little laugh left her when he lifted her up off of the ground, her feet dangling and her shoes threatening to slip as he would win in the squeezing competition as she let out a little squeak from how tightly he held her, "I missed you more," she countered with a playful grin.

Emma would let out a small sigh to being set down, she hadn't hugged him in ages so she was getting her fix for a few more moments until she would let him go, wiping a couple of happy tears off of her cheeks. He was right on that, she would have been sad had she not been the first, "Well Its been how long since I've seen you? I think I'm allowed prolonged hugs right now," she teased with a little smile. Him being home was something she prayed for every night. She flinched whenever she saw soldiers returning and they had a casket with them, she wasn't sure how she would even take losing him.

"Oh my...that was when I was ten and I do still use shells just...not as badly- I can't believe you remember that," she told him, making a face at herself. She'd seen some of her earlier 'works' they were not good but it had started this passion of hers that their father allowed her to run as a business to enhance the family name and possibly in his hopes for her to meet a husband. "Do you want to see the new piece I'm working on?" She asked before turning to ask,"Oh do you want some hot apple cider? And I would like to know what you've been doing, how you've been, and yes everything please," she told him with a smile as she looked up at him. If he couldn't tell, she was excited and happy to see him and couldn't help the amount of questions she had for him.

[Roland Savatier]

"I doubt that," he said chuckling softly. Even though he had kept busy and barely had time to think, he often did think of home and his younger sister- hoping she would be alright with holding things together. He worried about his family with all the loss they had faced lately, he did not wish to lose any more of them.

"Of course." He agreed, "I won't deny you any prolonged hugs. Just as long as you admit I'm your favorite brother." Roland grinned, winking at her. They had a large family with seven siblings, always competing to be the best Savatier. He had always been close with both his sisters, protective as always of them. It wasn't that his other brothers weren't, he just went about it nicer than their older brothers had.

Roland followed after her and nodded, "of course I want to see the new piece you're working on," he scoffed as if that was a dumb question. He always took an interest in her work or whatever the family was doing. Then came the berating of questions. He laughed and shook his head in response to wanting cider.

He found a seat and slowly sank into it, groaning as it felt good to be off of his feet. "Emma- There isn't much excitement in my life these days. I have been doing military things. Training, getting new recruits, training them... Planning and organizing strategies should Tresteria ever get attacked." He laughed and shook his head, "military things." Roland was sure it wasn't what she wanted to hear. Perhaps she was hoping he had found a lady, was planning on settling down, getting married, having kids. But he hadn't had the chance to do any of that. "Sorry to disappoint." He grinned and shrugged his shoulders, "But I know you haven't been doing military things- So tell me what you have been up to. And yes, everything please." He laughed his last statement mimicking her own.

[Emma Savatier]

"I don't know...we may have to agree to disagree with this one, or you could just concede to your baby sister," Emma said, her tone rather playful and happy. She had missed him, oftentimes while working or at home, she thought of him while he was away. His empty seat at the table was always noticed but she and their father tried to keep the atmosphere positive because thinking on dark things was never good.

Oh that was cheating! Emma pursed her lips at him, smiling as she thought about that, "I'd say your at the top..." she said, a bit of a smile on her face. "I will admit your my favorite to jest with, since you can take a joke," she told him with a grin, hugging him again as she just held him for a few more moments. Emma was glad this wasn't a dream, he was real and home, it would set everyone at ease having him back.

Happily, she led him over to her work table, gems placed neatly in trays but on a velvet mat there was a necklace there in the works of having stones inlaid, "I got these new gems and I couldn't resist turning them into a necklace...a part of me wants to keep it for myself but I know ladies or gentlemen that might like to gift it to someone, and they would get to enjoy and show it off," she told him as she held out the meticulously designed piece to him. Over the years she had gotten much better and she was proud of her work and the fact she was allowed to do this made her happy.

Emma would sit, folding and interlocking her fingers as she looked at him while he spoke, chuckling some, "Any interesting new recruits or ones that get under your skin?" she asked curiously. That was a hard one to do but it was possible. She then laughed and folded her arms, biting her lip some, "Not a lot really. I've been here most of the day and in the evening I get home in time for supper with father and any of our brothers...no suitors yet though I think with you as my brother that alone scares them away," she told him a playfully tease in her tone, "I've been getting more clients, I've got six ring pick ups in a few days for engagements because of the season uhm...what else...mostly I've been good...I have my days where things are down still but not how it was before." She told him, looking down some as she picked up a gem to play with between her fingers,"Father has been overcompensating a bit with me too...I feel he gets worried but I understand why he does," she told him. Emma loved her father, more so now at least as he was paying more attention to her but she also didn't want to cause him heart ache.

"So...have you met anyone by chance; even in your military training's, surely you've had a chance to meet a lady?" she asked him, her brow raising some. She wanted so badly to make him a ring for a woman he chose, to have nieces and nephews one day but first both of them and their brothers needed to find suitable matches. 

[Roland Savatier]

He couldn't help but laugh at his sister as she stated they'd need to agree to disagree or he should just concede. "Have it your way, as always." Roland teased her playfully. Though when she couldn't agree that he was her favorite brother, but just at the top and her favorite to jest with, he shook his head, feigning disappointment. "I see how it is." But the smile on his face proved he was only teasing.

Roland stepped over to her work table, looking over the necklace Emma was currently working on. It was beautiful and he couldn't help but laugh when she said she almost wanted to keep it for herself. He didn't blame her, at least. "You will just have to make another one, then." He winked at her, "or maybe someone will buy it for you, and you can be the one to show it off." He grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "It's very lovely, though."

At her question, he chuckled softly and shook his head, "No, none I can think of, really." He shrugged, "We've all started out somewhere, right?" It was true, Roland had a lot of patience and it would take someone with a lot of disrespect to get under his skin.

He sat down near her and idly toyed with some loose gems that were on her workbench. A slight frown appeared on his lips when she admitted to spending most of her time here in the shop and then at home. It wasn't the life he wished for her. She should be out socializing and having fun, meeting people. Though surely she got to meet people who came into her shop, but he imagined most of the men who came in here were ones looking at jewelry for their ladies.

"Oh, don't be using me as an excuse for why you haven't found any suitors." He grinned, "I would never scare them away." Roland chuckled and shook his head. But his smile was soon to fade when she mentioned their father being worried about her and he, too, understood. It was too bad the luck the Savatier family had as of late.

Emma was quick to change the subject, and he stared blankly at her, though a small smirk formed on his features. "You're starting to sound like mother..." He shook his head and laughed softly, "there are mostly men in the military, my dear... And sorry to say, I don't find men attractive as you do." He pondered for a moment and scratched his chin in thought. "But maybe I should start sending some of my men in here to try and woo you since it seems you spend far too much time here or at home... Only the best soldiers, of course."

[Emma Savatier]

Emma gave a playful smile to him when he said that, “Only with you do I get my way so easily,” she teased him with a bright smile. Now though, he had her laughing and nodding, “Yep, it is how it is,” though not so deep down, she knew he was her favorite brother. She was closer to him than her other siblings and he had been her rock in the darkest times of her life and she was rather sure he knew he ranked number one.

“I could and always use different stones, make a couple of variations,” she told him before he had her blushing at that, her eyes going wide at that, “First I’d need someone willing to buy it for me to wear and so far the only gentleman that I know who would do such a thing is you,” she told him with a playful smile before she set it down on the velvet mat, ‘Thank you, it’s taken nearly two months to get this far,“ she told him with a sigh. Good work took time.

“True we all do yes but I guess that is a good thing that none get under your skin, you’d probably scare them straight if they did, ” she told him with a light tease in her tone as she lifted another gem and worked on affixing it into its place.

Emma did not miss the frown on his face, she knew she spent more time in here than she should but it was her own safe bubble. She liked it and knew what would happen here and it was safe. Even meeting people was safe because she had a guard outside that she could call for if she had trouble.

She would rest her chin in her palm and look at him when he said that, her brow-raising some, “Oh no, the General is not scary at all,” she told him, a little playful sarcasm in her voice. She knew he was his own force to be reckoned with and men were right to be wary because of who he is and who she is to him.

“Well someone has to look out for you men or you might forget to were your belt buckles and wear clean ironed shirts,” she told him with a smile as she went back to work before her cheeks took on a little color, “I wouldn’t know the first thing to do with one of your soldiers- I might scare them off,” she told him as she set the gem in place and used a metal took covered in velvet to press it fully in place, “You know I’d trust whomever you sent- as long as it’s not a certain DeGrey who is always in my shop,” she told him. Even as a lady, she knew he was in here far too often purchasing many items for ladies and she had even been flirted with from time to time by that man but his charms often fell to the wayside with her.

[Roland Savatier]

Roland grinned as Emma accused him of being the only gentleman she knew that would buy the necklace to give to her. He playfully shrugged his shoulders, but the expression on his face feigned innocence. She knew him all too well as that very thought actually crossed his mind. “Hmmm.” He quietly hummed in thought. “I might buy it. Maybe for a special lady in the future.” He smirked before letting out a quiet laugh. “Yes… You will have to let me know when you finish it.” He nodded firmly. She had spent two months on the necklace so far and he could see the energy and effort she had put into it. If anything, he would buy it without her knowing- somehow- and surprise her with it later. A birthday gift, perhaps.

He chuckled softly and shook his head. “I think you have me all wrong, little sister… You keep saying how scary I am...Yet, have you ever been scared by me?” He playfully challenged her. Roland typically showed two parts of himself. He was intimidating and rough around the edges when it came to military things, fighting, and war. But he reserved the good-natured, kind, charming gentleman that he was, for those he cared for. He was sure Emma had only seen that side of him.

“Pffft. Who needs ironed shirts and belt buckles?” He grinned and shrugged his shoulders, playfully nudging her. Emma was claiming she would scare off any of the soldiers he’d send her way, and he gave her a curious look. “Why do you say that?  Sorry to say, but-- You're really not all that scary.”  He smirked and gave her a playful wink. 

A certain deGrey. He raised a brow and looked at his sister curiously. Everyone knew of the deGrey name, but there were two sides of the fence there. The royal family or the relative deGreys. “Oh? Which one might that be?” There was that slight edge to his voice as if he was going to need to keep an eye out for whichever man was bothering her. He could tell by the tone in Emma’s voice that she was put off by the man. Roland could be the scary brother then. “Who do I need to chase away for you?” He smirked and set the gem down he had been holding.

[Emma Savatier]

Emma gave him a small smile at that as she set the piece to the side, her fingers playing with the stones gently. She loved doing this sort of work, the intricate details needed to make jewelry was something she relished in. "Oh then I'll make sure it's perfect for when you do buy it for a special lady," she told him with a grin before nodding, "I'm almost there, another week or two I think if I don't suddenly get swamped in orders," she told him as she leaned into her desk. It was so good to see him, she knew father was going to be overjoyed to have him back.

"Never- not unless you count startling me but no you've never scared me. I only have the rumors to go off of," she told him with a little smile. Oh she had heard well enough that her brother could be intimidating and scary when it came to anything in the military or defense but with her or their family, she'd never seen it. It was a boon because she didn't think she could take being scared like that by him.

"Uhm the well-mannered gentlemen right next to me who needs to look his best and father, that's who, 'she told him with a laugh as she bumped into him right back. "I can be scary!" she countered, a shocked look on her face but the smile was there, "Maybe because I'm a little more independent than the average Tresterian woman, that could scare them," she told him with a little playful smile. She knew what she did was out of the norm but she took care to follow all of father's conditions for it.

"Drew DeGrey is often in here buying something and last I heard from the mill is that he's never actually courting ladies," she told him with a little frown. Now, she didn't mind the business, DeGrey practically had his own tab here that was always paid off in full but she knew the pieces and sometimes saw them on the necks or wrists of beautiful ladies, "I don't know if scaring is needed, I think he's smart enough to know that I'm off-limits to him but if you were here when he happened to show up again...I don't think I'd protest if nothing else to see the look on his face," she told him with a sweet smile. She would pick up one of the smaller rubies she had on her desk, reaching out for his hand and if he gave it she would place it on the cuffs of his shirt. He probably could see the wheels turning in her head now for what she was planning on doing for him.

[Roland Savatier]

Roland watched his younger sister, smiling softly as he did. He loved seeing her smile and she seemed happy, which in turn, made him happy. She deserved this--the shop and all of her successes. He was truly proud of her, and the expression he wore as he kept his eyes on her face, was obvious that he was. He chuckled quietly, the sound vibrating in his chest and he nodded. “It better be perfect,” he playfully demanded. “But no rush… Perfection shouldn’t be rushed.”

He grinned, remembering the few times he had startled her- either on purpose or accident. She was far too easy to startle and growing up he had made a game of it. After all these years, you would have thought the woman would get used to the idea that he would jump out at her at any moment. But every time he did, he would succeed in causing her to startle. Roland laughed at the thought. “Ahh...Yes, rumors.” He shook his head and tsked her. “You should know that rumors are not always accurate, my lady. I am always a pleasant and kind gentleman,” He smirked as the sarcasm rolled heavily off his tongue. “Of course I need to be tough with the men...If I wasn’t, how would they become strong soldiers if they can’t even handle being yelled at or scolded?”

He playfully rolled his eyes at her. “Pfft… Ironed shirts. What is that? And belt buckles… Come on, love. Don’t be silly.” He smirked and shook his head. Of course, he was only teasing her because women seemed to worry over those sorts of things more than men did. Still, he understood that it was more respectful to look your best and appear presentable. “Nevertheless...What would us men do without you to keep us in check all the time?”

Another easy laugh rumbled in his chest and gave her a doubtful look. “Maybe to a mouse you could be scary.” But her explanation of why she thought she scared men off, made him sigh but in a more thoughtful sense than a disappointed one. “Any strong man who doesn’t need to overpower a woman would respect that you are independent and be proud of you. If you scare off the other men, then they are not worth your time, dear.” He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest in a casual and comfortable fashion. It was nice to be able to relax and be his true self, rather than to be the refined, responsible and strong figure he had to hold himself to most of the time.

He watched Emma once again as she explained this deGrey who frequented her shop and how he seemed to charm various women with his sister’s jewelry. He laughed at her suggestion and shrugged his broad shoulders. “At least you can recognize to stay away from those men…. Not that I ever thought you wouldn’t… But, I’m glad to hear you would not put up with that sort of behavior.”

He leaned forward again, resting his forearms on the edge of the desk, folding his hands together. “To be on the safe side--perhaps I should start interviewing the men who try to pursue you...Make sure they are worthy, of course… Chase away the ones who are not so they won’t try to bother you again.” He laughed and then allowed his gaze to fall as she took his hand and began testing out the ruby on the cuff of his shirt. He laughed and shook his head. “Rubies? Really? Do you think that would suit me? Or are you just using me as your test subject for a new idea?” He grinned and remained still, not pulling his hand from her, allowing her to continue to see how the gem would look as a cufflink, he assumed.

[Emma Savatier]

Emma scrunched her nose up at him at his comment, a smile on her face as she did so though, “You know it will be, i’d never give out anything less than that,” she told him with a little smile at that. That was true, anything that she wanted to be done perfectly was to never be rushed and she wouldn’t because she was that picky about her work.

There was a raised brow now on her face as she looked to him, her lips pursed as she attempted to not smile at him as he shook his head and tsked at her, “Oh yes, the perfect gentleman who would never do such a thing to his baby sister,” Emma told him, her head shaking while she tried to not laugh; in truth that was a hard feat to accomplish, not laughing. “Oh that’s fair, just don’t make the new recruits cry,” she would tell him with a little laugh and smile as her hand waved a little bit.

“And this is why I am needed at home, otherwise you would walk around with wrinkles and mismatching shoes,” she teased him with a little grin. Emma would lift her arm up and place her chin in her palm and shake her head at him, “Be lost and confused, probably forgetting something if it wasn’t for us ladies,” she told him with a bit of a dramatic sigh but the smile was there.

A shocked gasp left her at that, ‘Hey! I can be scary!“ she countered. No, no she couldn’t, her brother could be though. ”Not a lot of men here appreciate an independent woman. I am reminded of that daily because men who come in tell me that I should be proud that I am allowed to do any work at all at my age and not be having children yet,“ she told him with a shake of her head. It was hard to not let those comments get to her, being lucky. She knew this but still, her father loved her and he encouraged her passion and hobby since it made her happy, so where was the harm in her doing this?

“No I wouldn’t and that is a promise. He is good for business though I will say that much at least,” she told her brother with a chuckle and shake of her head. DeGrey had his own special folder of slips of every item he’s ever bought from her and that stack was rather thick.

It was hard to not be uneasy at the prospect of getting married, she knew that would come eventually but hearing her brother say he’d vet the men had it becoming more of a reality to her, “I trust you, so if you find someone whom you would like me to meet or who wants to meet me, I will do so happily but if he so much as brings up me no longer working I hope you know I will send him out the door on his posterior,” she warned him with a small smile but the warning was there. She would only stop working on her terms and not another's.

Emma had a bit of a smile on her face as she held the rubies against the cuff of his sleeve, her head tilting to the side a little bit as she looked it over and then went to pick up a sapphire, “Both actually. I’ve been toying with the idea of cufflinks that are different gemstones on the outside but then putting another color on the inside but I want to see if it would look good first. Red and blue always look good together so what do you think would be another complimenting pair of colors that should go together?” Emma would ask her brother, she always valued his opinion on things.

[Roland Savatier]

Roland smirked and nodded at his sister. He did already know that she would have the necklace perfectly crafted before she would ever think about selling it. “Well, you just let me know when it’s ready...And I will come buy it from you.” He thought for a moment before he turned from her slightly and reached into his coat pocket, pulling a few coins out and setting them down in front of her. “My deposit, so you don’t go selling it to someone else.” He grinned and winked at her before leaning back in his seat again.

He narrowed his eyes at her playfully until she told him not to make new recruits cry. He chuckled softly and shook his head. “But they’ve got to know what they’re getting themselves into...and to prepare to toughen up. If they cry… Then we’ll know they’ve got a lot of work cut out for them, hmm?”

He feigned a gasp of being offended. “Baby sister… Are you saying you do not think I… General of an army in Tresteria.. Your eldest brother...Am incapable of matching my shoes?” He raised a brow and looked her over with a look that said ‘how dare you’, but after a moment, he chuckled and shook his head.

Roland sighed and shook his head as she explained the comments that were made to her. “So when they say those things… You should respond that they are so lucky, and should be proud to have a voice to speak such opinions without having any consequence fall upon them,” he said in a serious tone. The truth was, if he had ever been around and someone said that to Emma, he would have put that person right in their place and had them apologizing to her.

He couldn’t help but smile as she agreed to allow him to interview men who could be potential suitors. “That would be one of my interview questions… You would never meet the ones who would expect you to stop working.” He smirked a deviant smirk and shrugged his broad shoulders.

His blue eyes watched her as she examined the gem against his sleeve and he couldn’t help but smile as she explained her ideas. “I don’t know, Em… You’re better at this than I ever would be...You have more of an eye for it than I do.” He chuckled softly before glancing down at the gems around them. “Blue and red look nice. Maybe blue and green? Or perhaps anything with black.” He offered her a smile before stretching his arms out over his head and slowly standing.

“Alright, love… I’ve got to head out and tend to some things before the day escapes me... But I didn’t dare do those things before coming to pay you a visit. Should I expect to see you later at dinner?” He smiled and leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek. “It is good to see you.”

[Emma Savatier]

“I will let you know the moment it’s done my dear brother,” she told him warmly, a smile on her face as she looked at him. Then came the coins and she would pick them up, pretend to look them over for a moment, “Well…I do believe that is enough then to place it on hold then Sir Roland,” she told him playfully, her tone warm and happy.

Emma gave a nod to that, understanding that was the way it had to be. She only just wanted to tease him a smidge, “That means they need to grow up a little bit if your strict tone sends them to tears,’ she said with another chuckle while tucking things to the side a bit so she could focus more on her brother.

“Yes. Remember that one winter morning, you walked down from your room wearing mismatching slippers… wasn’t it a red and blue one?” she countered, a brow raised as she just grinned while looking at him. It was all in good fun, it had been far too long since she’d been able to tease him.

Emma nodded at that, “I will. It does get a little tiring hearing it from some when they are hear so often to purchase something; feels a little redundant on their part,” she said with a small huff. It was hard to continue to be patient with them and polite but to keep their name clean, she wouldn’t cause a scene.

Hearing that though warmed her happily, knowing that he wouldn’t allow anyone who thought of trying to make her give this up. It made her feel even more at ease knowing that he’d be able to handle it, “Thank you…then I know any suitors will be fit then if you’ve vetted them,” she praised him happily.

Now she was thinking, she could inlay something. Black with a bold red, “I think black yes…with a bold red inlay to stand out and draw the eye and I can even do matching buttons for one of your shirts as well,” she had a lot of ideas running through her head now. The wheels turning as she wanted to make him look the most appealing as possible.

Standing as well, she went over and wrapped her arms around him tightly. “Smart man…I’ve missed you dearly and yes. You better not be late either,” she teased him as he kissed her cheek, “Go put them in line dear brother…I'll see you soon,” warmth was in her tone as she spoke to him, a smile on her face as he was home. He was safe and home and felt that stress just melt away.

[Roland Savatier]

Roland was proud of Emma for pursuing her career and succeeding at it. Even though he wasn’t much for jewels, he still appreciated his sister’s work and would do everything in his power to support her. Even if it meant buying her jewelry. He would only buy her jewelry at this point.

He winked at her as she caught on to his reasoning behind feeling if his strict tone sent someone to tears, then they’d have a lot of growing up and toughening up to do. He nodded and smirked, “I don’t even think I could make you cry by speaking sternly to you,” his words were meant more as a compliment than anything else. Emma was a tough lady, and tougher than a lot of men he had met before.

Despite her attempt at teasing him for his mismatched slippers, he didn’t let her get the satisfaction of seeing him embarrassed. Instead, he shrugged his shoulders and sat up straighter. “Nah-- everyone was doing that back then-- It was the newest and greatest trend. You were too young to understand that.” He winked at her, making it obvious he was only teasing back and trying to play it cool as he often did.

It was still surprising to him how Emma hadn’t snagged up a good suitor yet. She was beautiful, intelligent, and talented--but perhaps too good for any of the men in Tresteria. She only deserved the best, and if it took a little longer to find, at least it would be worth something. Roland was proud of her for not wanting to settle for just anyone. “Of course. Only the best for my sister.” 

Bright blue eyes watched her as she let the ideas for the cufflinks and shirt buttons roll through her mind. It was nice to see her find inspiration and sparks of ideas out of nowhere like that. He chuckled and nodded. “That sounds good to me.”

He gave her one last tight hug before letting her go. “I won’t be late. Promise. I’ll see you soon.” He smiled before making his way to the door and stepping out, looking forward to spending time with the family later on.


[end of thread]