Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

Her heart skipped a beat as he kissed her. It was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. To say she didn't want to do that was a lie, but nerves had kept her from doing anything. She sat up after the fact, trying to hide the stupid grin on her face. "Oh.. Wow." She said whimsically.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

She didn't pull away from him, but she did sit up immediately after their lips parted. Was that good or bad? 

He pushed himself up onto his elbows, twisting a bit to try and catch her gaze, unsure if she was upset or not. "Is that a good 'wow' or w bad 'wow'?" He asked carefully.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria** 

"A good wow, just surprised is all" She replied with a soft smile while she returned his gaze. "I didn't think you shared those feelings."
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

Mikhail swallowed, and gave a half grin. "It appears so, if that's alright with you." He confirmed, and moved to sit up fully. He pushed his hands through his hair, suddenly aware of how _giddy_ he felt and the rising need to laugh.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

Milena rubbed her arm, with a smile as well. "Yeah, that's more than fine, it's just.." She let out a slight laugh. "I didn't expect the *Prince* To really care about me at all, at least not in this capacity."
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

He laughed when she did, glad the tension broke with it. "To be fair, the prince didn't expect to do that either." He admitted, and straightened, sitting up taller as he inhaled. "But he's glad he did."
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

She smiled and looked back up at the night sky, thinking on it before turning her gaze back to him. "I am too, but what would the people think? The prince with the noble girl from Ostrava?"
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

Mikhail shrugged "I don't know," He admitted, and returned his gaze to her. "But neither do they, at the moment, so I don't really care what they _might_ think I care what you _do_ think." As he spoke he held his hand out to her in offering.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

She took his hand in hers. "That's a fair point... I think I want to at least see where this goes." That time she was the one to kiss him, just for a second.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

She took his hand, and he gave a pull to guide her back to him. She beat him to the kiss, and be laughed against her lips briefly before she pulled away. It was a small one, but she had started it, and that was what mattered. 

She pulled away and he accepted that, knowing that they should _probably_ compose themselves anyway. His hand squeezed hers and he stood, guiding her up. 

"There's still the greenhouse to see, if you'd like, or we can return back, Robyns offer is sounding a little nice right about now."
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

She stood up with him, and gave a smile. "We should probably return back. I'd hate to keep him waiting for too long, as I did say I would join him."
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

Robyn wouldn't mind, but Mikhail also didn't mind to go back either. His fingers were tingling with newfound excitement that made him feel foolish, and be was glad they were beneath the moon instead of the sun and his rosey tint couldn't be seen as easily. 

"Right, of course." He agreed, and gestured for her to take the lead on the path back. The walk out had seemed so serene, the one back in comparison felt like they were school mates trying to out pace each other, adrenaline making them both step a little more quickly than their previous leisurely pace.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

There was nearly a skip in her step as she made her way back with him to the palace interior. She, likewise was thankful for the pale light of the moon to hide the blush that would otherwise be apparent. She had to stop herself from wringing her hands together out of excitement, instead, she snuck her hand into his. "Is this okay?" She asked, giving him a glance.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada, Astoria**

Her hand moved across his palm, fingers curling around his as she took it with caution. At her question he glanced down at her hand in his and gave a small nod. "Perfectly." He confirmed. They were back on the veranda in no time, and it was only then that he released his hand from her hold, stepping back to allow her to climb the stairs to the back doors before following suit. The doors were guarded, and he was all too aware that the man posted to the left was one of Harmattan's men. If he reported that Mikhail was seen holding Lady Capell's hand after a moonlit walk, he had a feeling he'd be blushing at every dinner table for the next month. 

Once inside, he nodded towards the main hall, falling once more into step beside her. "Robyn will most likely be in the main parlor." He explained their course as they started upon it, "Please don't feel obligated to keep up with him, I can't even manage most days. He got his thirst from his father." Mikhail smirked.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

As nice as it was to hold his hand, she could understand why he let go. Guys'll be guys, and he'd likely not ever hear the end of it if they were seen together. 

She nodded with a smile as Mikhail told her of Robyn's proclivity for drink, and waved her hand dismissively as they walked. "Don't worry, I don't really plan on having more than one. I'm just looking forward to having a nice conversation in a less formal setting" She said as they made it to the parlor door.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

That was fair enough, and he pushed a hand through his hair to settle himself. "We'll be fine so long as Daemon doesn't show."
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

"What's wrong with Daemon showing up?" She asked, though she figured she might have known the answer from the few interactions they had. He seemed to be a heavy drinker, of sorts. "Anyways, shall we go in?" She asked, indicating the door
Miguel
Robyn Victor
Zahrada, Astoria

The young man had decided he'd take his time walking to the parlor, letting his mind ruminate a bit on all that had happened today. He was still in shock over the news of his mother's hand in Mika's death, but it didn't even feel real to him, knowing the young man had been present at dinner.

Deciding it wasn't worth it to focus on that, he instead changed his thoughts to Milena, and how easily she got a smile from the people around her. She'd make a nice woman for Mikhail, the young man sometimes being a little too serious for his own good.

With a sigh he waved down a servant for a refill, grimacing as he realized he was on his third mug of ale already. The door to the parlor opened, and he glanced up, smirking at the two.

"You sure took your sweet time." He taunted lightly, leaning back in his seat.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Zahrada Astoria**

"Big garden." Mikhail answered simply, leaning against the frame of the door. His arms crossed over his chest, and he kicked the toe of his boot into the wooden floor. His attention moved to the drink in Robyns hand, and he looked over his shoulder to Milena. "We may not even make it to the bull if he's already started." He teased
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Zahadra, Astoria**

"The gardens are quite magnificent, and I certainly did us no favors. I constantly stopped to look at the plants even closer. Sorry we took so long" She said with an apologetic smile. "Shall we go?"
Miguel
Robyn Victor
Zaharada, Astoria

"Ha. Ha. Funny, Mika." Robyn mumbled, shaking his head with a smirk. "And worry not, Milena, I'm just going to blame Mika.

With a small nod, Robyn gestured at the parlor door and began to walk. "I'll lead the way." He made it about half a step out the door before he turned to the two. "Don't fall to far behind, lovebirds."