callmeaprincess | Inbox for labyrinthum

[Something about the way she says that is very distracting, and for a moment he nearly forgets that he's cooking. Fortunately, he catches himself before he messes anything up.

Ahem.]

I'll let you be the judge of that.

[There. Cocky as ever, as he takes the pan off the heat and lets the meat rest as he puts finishing touches on the side, aaaand-

A couple of minutes later, he emerges with two plates. Herb-crusted lamb chops with a simple fattoush salad. He sets one down in front of Jasmine, sets the other in front of his empty chair. The plating is simple, but he almost certainly put way too much thought into it anyway.]

What do you think?

[Her smirk widens into a grin, because she's genuinely impressed by the arrangement. Not only does the dish remind her of Agrabah, but she'll never complain that he puts "too much" thought into the plating.

Of course, even with the grin, her eyelids are only half-lifted, conveying that flirtatiousness she loves to give when she wants to tease him mercilessly.]

Looks like the finest chef's special.

Ah, it's not that special, really...

[He averts his gaze awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his neck, and his eyes land on-

A box. One he didn't put there. Uhhhh....

Okay well that's for later.]

A-anyway, eat! It's not just to look at, heh heh.

[She just gives him a coy smile before touching her plate. She tries the salad first, impressed by the variety of flavours she recognises. Next the lamb, which is just the right amount of tenderness with delightful seasonings. All of these observations are made known to the host with varying noises of pleasure with each bite.

Of course, that doesn't stop her from stealing glances his way - partly to keep an eye on whenever he decides to open his present, but also just to catch how he's handling her reactions.]

[He's clearly very preoccupied with watching her like a hawk to make sure she's enjoying it- at one point, he's apparently been 'cutting' the same piece of his lamb for about thirty seconds straight.

Fortunately, the feedback is all positive, so eventually he seems satisfied to start eating properly. He's not touching the gift just yet- it seems rude- but he's given it a few anxious glances during the meal.

Once he's done, he gives her a grin as he cleans up the plates, and he finally addresses the elephant in the room.]

Is that for me?

[She can't smile well between bites, but she does give him playful eyes every time they meet his. You're not subtle, Aladdin, but she doesn't mind at all.

Once she neatly finishes off her plate, she finally says, softly and sincerely:] This is wonderful, Aladdin. It's just like home.

[At his question, she just smirks.] See for yourself.

[If he does venture a peek, he will find in the box a simple, leather-cord necklace. It would not seem like much if not for the centrepiece amulet: A small, carefully-polished dragon's fang. It's one of Little Guy's baby teeth that she kept during one of his growth spurts.]

[When he finally takes a look, it's clear that he's speechless for a few moments; it takes him a while to manage to say-]

Is that...?

[He doesn't seem to really need confirmation as he gently runs a finger over the tiny pointed tooth, a soft smile coming to his face.]

[She knows he knows, so instead her smile softens as a finger traces along the edge of the table.]

I kept what he left, so we can always have a part of him with us.

[Saying that makes it sounds like he's dead, but Aladdin should know exactly what sentiment she means.]

...thanks, Jasmine.

[Still smiling, but now with a hint of sadness in his eyes, he slips the necklace over his head.

Aaaand he's gotten a little distracted. He clears his throat.]

Ahem. Uh, I- I didn't think we'd need a dessert other than the pastries, so I guess that's... dinner...

[...and that sounded stupid. Man, he can't mess this up now.]

W-which means I'm open to suggestions for the rest of the evening.

[Nailed it.]

[She gently admires the necklace on his chest - it suits him perfectly. The ideal accessory.

When she senses the awkwardness, her teasing nature returns with another smirk.] Dessert, before dinner? How bold.

[For dramatics, she puts a finger on her cheek as if pondering her options.]

How long do we have before your roommates return?

[The tone of her voice definitely has him distracted again, and he swallows. Okay. Be cool. Be cool, Al-]

I- I think we have at least a couple more hours, why?

[...okay, so much for cool.]

Mmm, I think that's enough time for-

[For what, Jasmine?]

[Don't be scandalous, she wouldn't dare think-]

[Two hours alone is plenty of time-]

[Jasmine, please, you don't even know if Aladdin-]

[He's absolutely thinking about it, look at him. He thought you'd be doing that the day he arrived, he's probably been wanting it more than even you-]

[No, they can't. This isn't the way. They don't even know when they'll be married, let alone anything el-]

[Jasmine, you've been sitting in silence for like ten minutes, say somethi-!]

[About two minutes pass before she finally continues.]

F-for... a carpet ride over the lake. O-of course.

[~~What do you mean she was considering something else, why on earth would you insinuate such a thing.~~]

[... Oh, that's... a reaction. And a long pause And it's not hard to imagine why.

Or maybe it's just him.

He watches her face shift as she thinks about what she's going to say, and for a moment he's not even sure what he's hoping for her to say. Even when she finally finishes her sentence, he's not sure if he's relieved or-

Well, anyway.]

Oh! Of... of course.

[He awkwardly rubs at the back of his neck, smiling a little.]

Y'know, we don't, uh, need the house to ourselves for that, we won't even be here.

That's... true. [Wait, is he suggesting...?]

Does that mean you have something better in mind?

[There, nice and vague, ~~he's free to make his own choicesters~~ the ball is in his court.]

[It's been on his mind since you stepped into the house, Jasmi-]

N-no, no, that sounds great! The lake is always nice this time of night, and it's not as cold today.

Oh... [Uh oh, that doesn't sound disappointed, does it...?]

W-well, wonderful! Gives me... a chance to see how these look in the moonlight...!

[She gestures to the newly-gifted earrings she's donning.]

Then, shall we get Carpet?

Uh, yeah. Of course. Just let me clean this up...

[Clearing the dishes away should at least give him some time to calm down from whatever that was. He'll just go ahead and do that as quickly as possible, and then they can be off.]

Inbox for labyrinthum

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1/not 7

2/no really not 7

3/I promise

4/still not 7

5/not quite

6/surprise it's more than 7

7/I cannot be stopped

8/okay fine it's 9

9/9 I regret nothing

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Holy crap, is it finally time to wrap?! (That rhymed)

/WRAP!