Orlando
*Esme continues in her stride leading a way through a part of the woods that is easier to navigate. Heels or no heels, the wilds can be tricky as they are often uneven and no amount of magic will be able to correct the lack of balance of the terrain. She is careful not to walk too fast, often glancing to her side to ensure that Valac is nearby. In fact, she is being exceptionally vigilant. All it takes is for either of them to separate just slightly and the maze will run its course. The woods are beautiful as they are deadly, their alluring captivating many into letting their guard down. Esme has been here long enough to avoid such charms.*

"Ask away." *Esme hums, now turning her attention towards Valac, though not ceasing in their route as she has no intention of being out all day.*

*Unable to look away, a warmth desired and the constant feeling of losing control with a racing heart. As birds sing from above, time for Esme stops as he describes his uncertain desires. She is taken aback by the bluntness and as her cheeks start to turn red. Esme has to keep herself calm, this isn't her first rodeo with confessions or desires. But none have ever went like that. She slowly brings her gaze over towards Valac, at first confused as to how he couldn't understand what the feeling met.*

"A-ah..." *She starts, her throat becoming unusually dry. Oh what a conversation this will be, Esme has no choice but to loosen the choker around her neck.*
"I believe... You are feeling the signs of attraction. This happens when you like someone. Though you do not know me well so I imagine it is simply physical."

*At this point Esme has to mentally remind herself to breathe. She feels... Wrong for putting it this way. It feels self absorbed and while she may not lack confidence. Telling someone that they have a crush on her feels all sorts of backwards. But he asked and given his weird behavior prior, this does explain a few things.*

"A-also known as a crush." *She stammers before looking away.* "They usually go away quickly though. As I said, since you do not know me and so on. The feeling of intimacy will likely go away once that feeling fades."
Michael
*He looks adamant, with his voice proud, completely oblivious to what he would say. It was true honesty, as much as he doesn't know her truly, this is what he really thought and he began to stammer nearing the end of his sentence slowly coming to the realization of what he had stated.* 

"You're kind and you've taken care of me, I am a demon and... You still kept me, brought me into your sanctuary, you didn't cast me out... Even brought in your heart to forgive me... Nor did you despise me... I want to get to know you more... And I don't want to... Forget... That... Or... I-I c-can't... I-it can't be... J-just... P-physical... I... Want... To keep... T-that... S-smile..."

*With his words slowly trickling into silence, he looked extremely flustered. He blinked a few times, absolutely flushed from the embarrassment he was feeling from speaking honestly. Thinking it wasn't that big of deal initially before slowly realizing that he was saying too much. He tried to make a recovery but the only thing that sounded was stammering, with noises fueled by humiliation, like Courage the Cowardly Dog. Sweat began to trickle down his face, he had to suppress this feeling. He soon cut to silence, he only stared at her for a few moments, the irises of his eyes twitching with anxiety, before looking away. 

He was breaking down, his composure that was usually cool headed, and analytic was in disarray, he continued his follow with her. He had never experienced such an overwhelming sensation before, he believed himself to be a fool. He believed that she may think of him abhorrent for having such sensations or being so open to her about it. It could be amusing that his attempt of recovery looked extremely silly, along with his nonsense. He kept his gaze averted, he finally spoke quietly, ashamed of his actions and recollecting his composure.* 

"I... I'm sorry... I said too much..." 

*His face made a look of slight anguish, but he couldn't help but feel he had tainted everything with his mere words.*
Orlando
*Only the sound of the birds call can be heard being carried in the winds. As the two stand in place and the small wisp silenced by their lack of words. It naturally retreats a bit behind Esme's shoulders while the witch herself does not know what to stay. He trips over every word, each one falling out like the leaves of fall. No pattern, no ability to stop them yet she can understand they are sincere. It takes a great deal of energy for Esme to swallow down her nerves before speaking. As she genuinely does not wish to upset him or hurt his feelings.*

"I-" *She stammers, unsure what to do. Waiting any longer will make this worse and when he apologizes. Esme realizes that she does not get the luxury to hesitate on this any further.*
"It's okay."

*There it is, that smile. As her hands clasp together in front of her. Esme tries her best to be as radiant as she always is. No, she cannot give Valac empty promises of love. It is unreasonable and entertaining a feeling that has not properly cultivated would simply do him an injustice. But she still cannot grasp how he does not know of these social feelings, or his feelings in general. Esme has had her fair share of personal uncertainties. But she has always had a general idea as to what they were and where they came from.*

"But I cannot love." *She says abruptly, a look of longing in her eyes yet the rest of her expression does not seem to match.*
"You need not apologize to me. One cannot control what happens naturally in their feelings. But I am afraid I will only disappoint you later so allow me to do it now, so that you do not feel anguish. I am a Twilight Witch, which may mean nothing to you. But I am un-aging, I do not get to love for the duties that bound me prevent it so."

*With a deep sigh, Esme has to work up a bit of courage to continue. Feeling her throat become dry again, she swallows down any concern and continues. Her tone is gleeful despite the bad news she delivers. Though at this point it seems as though Esme is speaking to remind herself rather than solely explaining to Valac. When in truth Esme has felt the bitter loneliness of the path she walks for years. Such fantasies she cannot engage in with anyone.*

"I have treated you with kindness, yes. There will be many more who will. Love goes deeper than even that and you must find what it is you truly desire. The one who can truly welcome you, take care of you... And most importantly, be free to love you. That is what comes after a crush. Your temporary infatuation will fade in time. It always does."
Michael
"I will find way. No matter what it takes... I don't care about your occupation just who you are is all that matters. At least... Grant it a chance... I don't... Want to discard this feeling..."

*His mood turned melancholic hearing that she cannot love, but to him he was eager to find a way. Regardless of what duties there are to uphold. It was genuine, even if she may be adamant, he wanted to do many things with her. Even if her duty upholds, occupies her, he wanted to do something about it. He was eager. He looked determined, with shades of blue in his tone, his expression. He couldn't let this go, for some reason in his heart, she was the light.* 

"I don't care of the trials that are endured, I will even break every bone to reach to The Light. For more than 200 years, I have felt nothing like this..."

*A cryptic message, "The Light". He was describing her as "The Light", but he didn't truly state that. His eagerness to not discard this feeling, hearing this charade of hers he only shook his head. He wasn't disdainful of her rejection, rather, he couldn't help but hear such negatives words with such positivity. He could only think she was putting up some sort of façade. He made a remark on it, and his sound was of rationality, he bore some emotion in his words but kept true to his statement.* 

"That's... Why smile saying something like that? That sounds... So fictitious... I don't care if you're ageless like I... No matter what, I won't abandon you." 

*He wanted to retain individuals within his life that showed true kindness. Those who lacked corruption, those who gave him so much that he cannot help but need to keep them within his life. Her bound duties meant absolutely nothing to him, and he would still try to achieve protecting "The Light". It made sense that he would be ageless. His voice didn't match his youthful look of a child.*