Care to Dance?

[Xavier Bolton]

Since the invite to the ball Xavier had been having trouble knowing what to do. Dances of any kind were never part of his forte, mostly due to his lack of social interaction. There were plenty of things he was good at but there was an understanding that he wasn't a very social creature. It had been easier with Pandora though. Talking with her that is. He'd actually liked spending time with her and getting to know her. There were no awkward silences or a need for him to contribute too much to the conversation. It helped he liked listening to her talk.

Xavier had never really bothered going through with asking someone to a dance. He'd had blind dates before set up by his parents but that was about it. This was the first time he'd actively sought out asking a woman himself. He'd even remembered her mentioning her favorite flower during their first meeting. He held a small bouquet of the Pink Paradise smoke flowers with other pink, purple, and yellow flowers fixed in. Making his way to her little shop where they'd first had tea and chatted. There were a few customers but luckily his appearance didn't betray any nerves making his stomach tie in knots. He felt silly being nervous but this was a new experience for him.

He stood to the side for a moment unsure if he should bother her while she's at work. Though he was already here so he might as well go through with it. He wasn't in his usual knights garb instead more comfortable in his dark blue jacket, vest, and trousers. The gold chain hanging from his vest pocket bringing in some different color. Though he looked fairly odd waiting in the side for the woman he hadn't told he was coming by. When he saw the short woman he almost smiled as he moved towards her. "Lady Valis, it's lovely to see you." He stated as he held the flowers out to her a bit awkwardly. "I hope I'm not interrupting you."

Pandora Valis

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora was having a little bit of a busy day, people coming and going, wanting certain scents for the up and coming ball; herself included. She had already made her own special fragrance to use for that night and so she was happily helping others and filling orders.

She was dressed simply but beautifully; a pale blue dress and pink flowers along the hemline but mostly she wore her apron that tied around her neck and her long hair tied up in a bun with a flower hairpin in her hair to hold it up. She had a smile on her face as she passed over a basket to someone when the doorbell rang a bit signaling another arrival.

When things settled though, she saw a familiar face and dark hair. "My lord! It's lovely to see- oh my word!" she gasped out softly as her fingers lifted to her lips. He had found the flowers she loved, she hadn't been able to get them but yet he had them, he had them in his hands and they were beautiful! Stepping close, she would gently take the bouquet from him and rested her face in them, "Not at all- you found them though! Thank you, I have some sweet iced tea made would you like a cup, Lord Bolton?" she asked him sweetly, her face still buried in the flowers as she held them close. She didn't want to let them go, she loved them too much.

[Xavier Bolton]

The look on her face when she saw the flowers was more than worth the price he paid to get them. One might think he brought her a necklace made of some precious jewels or a beautiful new dress made of the finest silks. "I am glad you like them." He stated as a small smile danced across his lips. It was expected her store would be rather busy as people came to by perfumes and soaps for the ball. While that was nice he'd come for the lady herself.

At her offer of iced tea he nodded. It would be best to ask her when she wasn't as busy. He didn't want to intrude on her work just to get an answer to his question. "Thay sounds lovely." As he moved to the back he did watch a few people looking over and talking about what they wanted. Idly he wondered if Pandora had a specific scent picked out. Was she going to the ball already? He assumed she got the invitation just as he and his family had. What if she already had a date? Those damn nerves again.

He sat down at the little table separated from the other customers in the front. In a silly way he felt a little special. A little superior to them. He also felt that same superiority in how he'd brought that smile to her face.

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora was a bright smile after getting the flowers from him, she was looking for the perfect vase for them while helping people pay and shoe. She would then ask those who were looking if they could give her fifteen minutes for a break and thankfully most of the people understood she needed a minute after seeing the lord Bolton enter with flowers.

She would go and flip a sign on the door, holding the blooms in her hands as she went back around to where he was and then to her back room where she would return with a rather ornate vase that held the flowers. She would place them right on her counter close to where she worked before going and filling up a glass with the sweet tea and holding it out to him, “It’s regular tea but it’s also got some mint in it to help it be refreshing; would you like some candied lemon with it?” she asked him curiously as she would pull out a flat jar to place on the counter by him.

Pandora was always happy to see the lord Bolton, he would just sit and listen to her talk, and really, it was the sweetest thing to her and she was happy to talk until he had to go. "Thank you again so much for the flowers though, was there uhm... a reason for them or did you find them just to make me forget about work for a little bit," she asked him, her tone a bit playful at that but she was curious! It wasn't every day she got flowers!