Drasna watched Isobella carefully, she had been quite fidgety since she opened the door for her, and her last comment seemed to have her host go quiet. Not wanting to stare she took in her surroundings. The manor was truly something to behold, the walls were a mix of dark grays and lavenders, illuminated by amethyst candlelight. The fancy couch she sat on was plush and soft, probably the comfiest couch she had ever sat on in fact. Isobella herself was wrapped in fancy clothes that shimmered in the light, a contrast from the functional if not fancy attire of her staff.

  She awkwardly took one of the offered sweets and finally broke the silence, “You have a really cool home you know, I’m surprised you trust people to behave themselves in it. I know people up at the monastery can get a bit rowdy, but we always help keep it nice, so it’s not a huge deal.”

  Isobella finally spoke again, “Yes, my staff and I work hard to keep it proper, I rather dislike certain guests…but they are a necessary evil…”

  “Oh I’m sure, even for a noble this place can’t be cheap to run?”

  “Pardon? Oh! Yes, money is what I meant, even the most distasteful of my guests pay one way or another.” Isobella shifted in her seat, and averted her eyes.

  Drasna finished her tea, and placed it down, “So, did you really ask for me to bring you your herbs, just so you could be friends with me?”

  Isobella nodded, and pour Drasna more tea, “You make me feel odd, in a way I have never felt before, it both frightens and intrigues me. I found myself thinking about you long after your departure, and my body betrays me even now. What manner of creature are you?”

  Drasna pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, “Me? I’m just a regular girl I figure, though do you maybe have a crush on me?”

  Isobella cocked her head, “I feel as though you are far too much stronger than me to crush in any meaningful way?”

  Drasna blurted out in laughter, but quickly put her hands over her mouth, “Uh, no, what I mean is, do you like me? Is there something about me that makes you feel, erm, allured?”

  “Allured, you mean I feel this way because I wish to sleep with you?”

  Drasna felt her face grow hot and looked away, “N-no not quite, it just means you feel attracted to someone and wouldn’t mind getting to know them is all!”

  Both girls stared at their toes for a long time, both with faces as red as lobsters, neither seemed ready to continue the conversation. A few of the maids peeked into the room, but dared not say a thing. They quietly took bets on who would cave first however. Drasna was paralysed with manners, she didn’t wanna be rude and leave, but didn’t want to over commit to a noble. Isobella was also locked in thought, fear of what Calathiel would think, best case a distraction, worst case someone she would want.

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  Isobella finally spoke up, “I would like that…Miss Drasna, I find you, ruggedly charming and fun.”

  Drasna exhaled with relief, “I think you’re pretty mysterious and sweet, so I wouldn’t mind that either, Lady Isobella”

  Both girls seemed to relax after their confessions, and both partook in a sweet macaron.The maids quietly handed over a few coins to the other having lost their bet, before getting back to work.

  “So, I’m ruggedly charming? What does that mean exactly?”

  Isobella sighed, “I find you lack social refinement, but are just as well off without it.”

  Drasna rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, “Aw shucks, that’s nice of you to say, I think. I figured you just like blonds or something, but that sorta made my day.”

  “...I feel awkward, is this what we’re supposed to do?”

  Drasna brought her hand up to her chin, “Well, people who like each other go on dates, like walks, dinner, or maybe swimming. We can just talk and get to know each other though.”

  Isobella nodded, “I’ve never been to the top of the mountain before, what is it like?”

  “Oh! I love it! The monastery is one big community! We can choose to study with the masters of our path, or we can go and train independently. There’s a recreation building and a learning annex too. We all eat together in the dining hall together, and we have fun contests and tournaments with all the disciplines!" Drasna describes her home with lots of hand gestures and excitement.

  Isobella listened intently, hoping to memorize everything, “It sounds much different than what I expected, I was under the impression life was quite dull and void of erm, joy.”

  “I guess some of it can be like that, be kinda eat the same things all the time and meditation is pretty boring, but it's what you make it up there. I bet with the right funding it could be even better. Wait! Please don’t think I’m asking for handouts of anything”

  Isobella cocked her head, “Funding your monastery would be no trouble for me, if that’s what would make you happy?”

  Drasna shook her head and made an X with her arms, "Absolutely not, I don’t want you to think for a second I only want to be friends just for your money! That’s an absolutely horrible way to make friends.”

  “Is that so strange for you?”

  “I don’t want you to buy my friendship, I want you to earn it, just like I wanna earn yours, that's how true friends are. We stick together through the good and the bad, and we don’t leave if the other runs out of cash.”

  “Earn it…I see, then perhaps I best be more patient, I’d rather like to do this right. Anything worth doing is worth doing correctly after all, non?”

  “That’s the spirt, oh uh, I should probably get going, but I can come back tomorrow. How about I visit Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday? We can just chat and do whatever feels right”

  Isobella looked sad, but nodded, “I can hardly wait, until tomorrow, please don’t be late.”