[ This is all too much to make sense of in one go. Percival knew exactly what he was doing, so he doesn't feel its fair to completely blame the mistletoe. Not when her charm and pull had (and still feels) so genuine. The difference is, Percival has come to his full senses, and shock at how familiar and forward he'd acted soon sets in to shame. ]
N-no, of course not! That's not the problem at all...! [ Isabela may be joking, but he's the sort of person that tends to take most things at face value, so humor and sarcasm are often wasted on him. He only grows more mortified as she continues, frowning deeply and trying to find some composure. ]
Cease this. You're a... talented kisser. [ That alone is hard enough to admit in his sober mind when he barely knows anything about this person. ] And your breath is fine.
[ He sighs. ] But I acted under magical influence just now... and I believe I should excuse myself.
[There's a very small, moral part of her that feels bad over how flustered and upset he is over something so simple as a kiss, but the bigger part of her narrows in on the details. Thought she was talented did he? And from such a simple kind of kiss too, when she knows she can do much, much more than that.]
If you want my opinion I think you worry far too much. After all, do I look upset to you? [Though it is a little touching to have him so upset on her behalf. He's still only an acquaintance after all, but then with these kinds of matters you didn't have to know someone all to well to get to know them.] It's a party Percy, save all your thinking for later and just have fun for tonight. Even you deserve a break to enjoy yourself.
[She grins, stepping forward to be a little closer than before. He doesn't seem too against the idea of kissing itself, and that much is more than enough of a bread crumb trail to follow.] But...if you're that worried about making a move under false pretenses, I wouldn't be against a repeat performance. I can show you just how talented I really am too.
While I'm relieved that you're so understanding, we scarcely know each other—
[ Isabela may be right, he can certainly afford to loosen up a bit, but while he is relieved that she doesn't seem to be upset or put off by the temporary magical influence over them (or, mostly, him?), he isn't growing any less tense.
Especially not after he hears "Percy." There's a visible wince in his facial expression. "Percy" reminds him too much of Vane, unfortunately, and the mockery his friend makes of his name. ]
My name is Percival.
[ Rather than follow up on that (and thank god cause he's a little bitch about nicknames), however, he takes a step back when she takes a step forward. ]
That— That isn't necessary. [ But... the last thing he wants to do is spurn Isabela. Not when she's proven to have such a level head, competence, and grace. She deserves more than what he really wants to do, which is remove himself from the situation quickly out of embarrassment. He takes a deep inhale of breath and offers her his hand, palm up. ]
Did you need to for a kiss? I've done more with plenty and knew them even less. It's just for fun Percival, I wasn't looking for anything serious.
[She laughs, not even a little embarrassed at being so shameless. After all, intimacy didn't have to be romantic or have any strings attached to it. She'd been with attractive people at the bar for a night of fun and parted ways without even remembering their names the next day. It was just never a big deal to her, least of all at a lavish party and encouraged by various drinks in her system.
But she knows rejection when she sees it, and it's like water off a bird's back with how easy she takes it. After all she's no stranger to that either, and there's no use being upset over it. You win some you lose some, and she's definitely not one to push, even if he was a really good kisser. Instead she takes his hand easily with a smile. No hard feelings.]
Always so polite, how could I say no? [And she smiles, because even if he doesn't seem interested in that he's still plenty handsome. Any time she can get with him is well worth it.] If you change your mind though, I'll be around.
[ The color on his face is coming and going. One of these days, he would have better control over his own sense of shame. Today was not that day. ]
And I do not judge you for it. I'm too much of a traditionalist, I suppose.
[ Which shouldn't be too surprising considering how much of a stick in the mud he's already been in her presence. He gives her a small smile when she agrees, leading the both of them back to the dance floor. ]
Shall we stick to the basics, or does your confidence extend to dance, too?
There's nothing wrong with what works for you. But just so you know, you're a plenty talented kisser yourself.
[Even if he isn't interested in going any further or doing any repeat performances a well earned compliment is certainly due. She laughs as he leads her out, gives a spin just because she can to show off bare thighs and meets his smile with a grin of her own. It really is a shame that he isn't interested, but as they move toward the dance floor her driving need to do more fades into a simple interest from attraction.]
I think you have an advantage there, I haven't danced in years. I'm more than happy in following your lead if you're confident enough in your moves.
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N-no, of course not! That's not the problem at all...! [ Isabela may be joking, but he's the sort of person that tends to take most things at face value, so humor and sarcasm are often wasted on him. He only grows more mortified as she continues, frowning deeply and trying to find some composure. ]
Cease this. You're a... talented kisser. [ That alone is hard enough to admit in his sober mind when he barely knows anything about this person. ] And your breath is fine.
[ He sighs. ] But I acted under magical influence just now... and I believe I should excuse myself.
no subject
If you want my opinion I think you worry far too much. After all, do I look upset to you? [Though it is a little touching to have him so upset on her behalf. He's still only an acquaintance after all, but then with these kinds of matters you didn't have to know someone all to well to get to know them.] It's a party Percy, save all your thinking for later and just have fun for tonight. Even you deserve a break to enjoy yourself.
[She grins, stepping forward to be a little closer than before. He doesn't seem too against the idea of kissing itself, and that much is more than enough of a bread crumb trail to follow.] But...if you're that worried about making a move under false pretenses, I wouldn't be against a repeat performance. I can show you just how talented I really am too.
no subject
[ Isabela may be right, he can certainly afford to loosen up a bit, but while he is relieved that she doesn't seem to be upset or put off by the temporary magical influence over them (or, mostly, him?), he isn't growing any less tense.
Especially not after he hears "Percy." There's a visible wince in his facial expression. "Percy" reminds him too much of Vane, unfortunately, and the mockery his friend makes of his name. ]
My name is Percival.
[ Rather than follow up on that (and thank god cause he's a little bitch about nicknames), however, he takes a step back when she takes a step forward. ]
That— That isn't necessary. [ But... the last thing he wants to do is spurn Isabela. Not when she's proven to have such a level head, competence, and grace. She deserves more than what he really wants to do, which is remove himself from the situation quickly out of embarrassment. He takes a deep inhale of breath and offers her his hand, palm up. ]
I would, however, like a dance.
no subject
[She laughs, not even a little embarrassed at being so shameless. After all, intimacy didn't have to be romantic or have any strings attached to it. She'd been with attractive people at the bar for a night of fun and parted ways without even remembering their names the next day. It was just never a big deal to her, least of all at a lavish party and encouraged by various drinks in her system.
But she knows rejection when she sees it, and it's like water off a bird's back with how easy she takes it. After all she's no stranger to that either, and there's no use being upset over it. You win some you lose some, and she's definitely not one to push, even if he was a really good kisser. Instead she takes his hand easily with a smile. No hard feelings.]
Always so polite, how could I say no? [And she smiles, because even if he doesn't seem interested in that he's still plenty handsome. Any time she can get with him is well worth it.] If you change your mind though, I'll be around.
no subject
And I do not judge you for it. I'm too much of a traditionalist, I suppose.
[ Which shouldn't be too surprising considering how much of a stick in the mud he's already been in her presence. He gives her a small smile when she agrees, leading the both of them back to the dance floor. ]
Shall we stick to the basics, or does your confidence extend to dance, too?
no subject
[Even if he isn't interested in going any further or doing any repeat performances a well earned compliment is certainly due. She laughs as he leads her out, gives a spin just because she can to show off bare thighs and meets his smile with a grin of her own. It really is a shame that he isn't interested, but as they move toward the dance floor her driving need to do more fades into a simple interest from attraction.]
I think you have an advantage there, I haven't danced in years. I'm more than happy in following your lead if you're confident enough in your moves.