Her reaction was clear, even in her effort to hide it from him. It was much as he had anticipated it to be, both due to her age and the manner in which she was likely raised. Her father, Fissure imagined the lion closely controlled @Evanthe's every interaction, denying her any opportunity to express herself or to pursue something that interested her.

He would humor her, a soft chuckle at her words. "I suppose that explains the saying that ignorance is bliss. Best the winemaker not share such information with the uneducated." He instructed. As he spoke, he would slowly remove his paw from the bowl. "As you are now an apprentice of the craft, you are sworn to secrecy." He added playful, offering a small wink.

After a moment, the lion would sit down and watch her work for a moment, expression suddenly more serious and thoughtful. "I know you are nervous darling, I just want you to know that you needn't hide how you feel around me. I am but your humble servant, command me as you wish. If you do not welcome my affections, I will respect your space. On the other hand, if you should feel a budding curiosity.. you need only say so." He offered soothingly, wondering if his efforts would help or hinder her.

code: saph || art: moogle

Her soft giggles subsided as he retracted his paw from hers but her limbs continued to work as she applied slow even pressure to the fruit and fell into a comfortable rhythm, quickly decided she actually liked this activity. There was a content smile as she looked down at the turtle shell. She was much more relaxed than she’d been in days, perhaps even months if she were honest with herself.

As Fissure began to speak she finally removed her eyes from the shell and turned them to look at him. A soft sigh escaped her for a moment but she did not stop her task as she responded to him. Mr. @Fissure I’ve been nothing but surprised by you from the moment we met. she admitted, I was raised as a means to an end, I’m not naive enough to deny that my existence was little more than currency to my father. saying it out loud left her tongue feeling dry and heavy but she was not going to deny clear facts when facing them straight in the face. but you’ve been… kind. I had no idea what sort of man you’d be, I was terrified when I was sent into Amaryllis on my own to find you, I certain wasn’t expecting to find someone so considerate, intelligent, or handsome when I found you. she said with a shrug, speaking honestly. He’d shown so much willingness to try to make this work the least she could do was offer him honesty on return. I apologize if it seems your affections have been unwanted. They’re just… unexpected. she admitted, still squishing away. She wasn’t used to kind gestures, and generally just didn’t know how to react to something so new.

code: saph || art: moogle

Fissure knew @Evanthe better than she likely realized, even without having met her before. He could see how they might be well suited to be together, even in her adorable naivety against his vast experience.

He would sit back and watch her for a time, relaxed in the warmth of the cave and the sweet aroma of fruit. "We are the same Evanthe.. I was born a bastard son to a mother who served as a lady of the night. Everything I did was in the service of those I was born indentured to." He explained, recalling his time as a child, days spent gathering all manner of things for the lionesses who lived there. Furs, firewood, fruit..

"When I grew from a cud to a lion, I eventually freed myself from that place. That was when I went out on my own and joined a group that called themselves Crows. They became my family, and not having a surname of my own, I adopted the name Crow. I was fortunate to have something I hadn't known before.. freedom." He told her, tone more gentle and lacking his usual flair, as if to make clear the significance of it. "Your father may have convinced you that he cares, but in essence, he turned you into a servant. He is using you to pay his own debts. If my accepting you frees you from him, I would be happy to do so. I would allow you to choose what you want for yourself. I was fortunate in finding my freedom, I would extend such fortunes to you as well." A genuine smile and a committed nod of his head as he spoke.

Brows would rise as the lioness called him intelligent and handsome. He was amused but also pleased, not by her words, but by the little show of confidence. It was a first step. "You are too kind darling. Of course, you are something to behold as well. I have never seen a lioness of such delicate blue frost before." He admitted.

code: saph || art: moogle