[Open] A Romantic Atmosphere

[overharrowed]

WHO: Julius and you
WHAT: Help Julius attempt a Romantic Gesture. (Business/project-focused inquiries also welcome.)
WHEN: Throughout Justinian
WHERE: Various (see prompts)
NOTES: No warnings for now.

I. I forget these unimportant matters

Julius has taken steps to ensure he doesn't miss his second anniversary as he (and Petrana) missed the first. It's still novel to have a relationship he can openly celebrate, and while they both have their hands full with the war, he also feels it's important not to take his partner for granted.

...he has, however, slightly underestimated how difficult it will be to get his hands on some of the components of his intended romantic gesture. His quest for special occasion provisions has taken him throughout the Gallows. Flowers have him combing Hightown. And he winds up in Lowtown looking for assorted decorative elements. In any of these places, he has the slightly harried air of a man who could use some help, or at least someone to get a second opinion from.

II. Just maintain a true perspective

Members of Project Sashamiri, the Diplomacy division or anyone else who seek him out in his office at other points in the month will find Julius much more like his usual self. His office hours regularly extend well past when he claims he will be there as he tries to stay on top a slowly growing mountain of reports and routine duties. When a visitor comes in, they will likely find him frowning absently over a letter, quick enough to look up gratefully at the distraction.

III. Still I'm incandescent [closed to Petrana]

Eventually, Julius puts together all the elements he was picturing. (And, on second thought, removes a few upon deciding they are too much.) When she comes back to their shared room for the evening, she will find a late supper, kept warm and fresh with magic, the fare somewhat elevated from what is usually available in the dining hall. Candlelight is hardly unusual, but he's secured some fancier candle holders for ambiance, as well as a tablecloth and a small, tasteful flower arrangement.

(And if she's late enough, he may come fetch her; he knows that there is a nonzero chance of her distractedly working into the night if he doesn't intervene.)

IV. Wildcard

[If you want to talk something through before you set it up, just grab me on Discord or Plurk and we'll make it happen.]

Comments

[coquettish_trees]

"I think perhaps there are a great many relationships popular in a certain type of novel which are intensely stressful in practice," she replies, her smile twitching with wry mirth. "It is what makes them so very delightful to read in novels, where passion only has consequence inasmuch as it might please the reader."

[overharrowed]

He smiles back, allowing her point with a tilt of his hand. "Just so. Everyone in novels is also, I understand, very attractive and no one ever has to awkwardly sneeze an inopportune time or forgets anyone else's birthday." A pause, then: "Is one allowed to forget someone's birthday in Orlais, or is that a capital offense?"

[coquettish_trees]

"It would be disastrous were it a capital offense!" She exclaims in response, hand flying to her chest with the shock of the suggestion. "Such a useful tool for snubbing acquaintances one is displeased with.

"Sneezing at an inopportune time, however..." A cluck of her tongue, and her head shakes with dire portent.

[overharrowed]

"Ah, I see I'm still desperately unprepared for any future diplomacy missions in Orlais," mock-rueful. "The dancing lessons alone may not be enough to get me up to standard. Do you have any suggestions?"

[coquettish_trees]

Alexandrie laughs, and the tenor of her mirth sounds like far more than an afternoon's worth of them.

"Perhaps on a day you have not already dedicated to a Lady."

[overharrowed]

"Perhaps for our third anniversary, I can plan ahead enough to surprise her with newly polished skills, dancing or otherwise," he offers.

(He's all too aware that they aren't promised another full year, between the war and her nature as a Rifter, but he's also used to taking what he can without assuming a future.)

"Assuming your duties and social calendar allow, you can supply some pointers if you like."