thefinaljedi | Appointments

[Luke's very, very glad for that contact. He was really grateful that she'd found a way to open up with him like she had. Eternally so. He even lifts her up a bit, spinning her happily and setting her inside.]

I hope you're feeling well. I admit I missed you quite a lot. It was nice, seeing that side of you. But I have to say I like you better with brown hair.

[He gives her his best smile, hoping she'll take it as the joke it's intended to be.]

[She doesn't take it as a joke. She takes it for a truth she desperately wants to hear: that he prefers her, her, even over someone so similar. It makes her smile even brighter, even as she seems to tease him in return.]

I was thinking of dyeing it... [The way her lips press together to try to hold in a laugh is all too obvious.]

[Luke smiles and kisses her on the forehead. Of course he prefers her. Why wouldn't he?]

Oh? Well, if you do...stick with natural hair colors for humans.

[Nope, now that the teasing is actually going well, she's going to keep it up.]

I thought the blue would suit me.

It would suit you, but...

[He offers a bit of a teasing smile too.]

I think you're much more beautiful with long, dark hair. That's just my preference though. Not that you're not lovely with different hair, but with blue hair you look like a Theelin.

[Much more beautiful...

There's no way at all that Ami will cut or dye her hair now, even if she'd been planning on it. And apparently it was the right thing to say, because she brightens with a smile.]

A Theelin? Really?

[That flicker of happiness there is all he needs, Luke grins and kisses her forehead again]

Really. They've got very bright colored hair in many different shades.

Maybe you'd prefer orange? [No, Ami, no. Orange would be hideous with your coloring.]

I think blue would be preferable to orange.

[He's met people with orange hair, see how he shivers]

If you're sure about all of this, I'll let you convince me to keep it brown.

[Luke gave her a small, conciliatory smile. Very well, Ami.]

Ami, would you please keep your hair brown? It's much more attractive that way, and I'd like it very much.

[Is that what you want?]

[Yes. But she shot Luke a teasing smile anyway.]

I'll think about it.

[She's sorry, Luke. It's been awhile since she's gotten to see you. She's going to be a handful for a little while.]

[He flashes her a quick grin before taking a seat on the couch.]

I'm glad you'll take it under advisement.

So. you wanted to talk about something, and I assume it wasn't your hair. Is everything alright?

It wasn't my hair. [She gives him this easily.] It's something I brought with me. I wanted to give it to you.

[It's-]

It's very late, but... please accept it anyway. [She hopes that he will, with or despite that preamble.]

Oh?

[Luke smiles, nodding cheerfully]

Of course I'll accept it, whatever it is, especially if it's from you.

[Oh, it's from her alright; she'd looked up recipes and spent quite a bit of time making it. (There'd been the first few batches that... hadn't worked out, to put it best.)

She's reasonably confident of the ones she's brought with her, though, and as she gives the small package to Luke, they turn out to be hand-made chocolates.]

I wanted to still make them. [The explanation feels a bit odd.]

[Luke opens the package with a smile, giving her his most winning smile.]

You didn't have to. But thank you, they look wonderful. I'm sorry that I don't have anything for Valentine's for you.

[But at least he had the sense to avoid the village while you were away...]

[A little surprised sound comes from Ami, and she has to cover her mouth to hide the beginning of a laugh that comes anyway.]

Luke, I wasn't expecting anything for Valentine's. [It's the girl who gives gifts to the guy! Hold out for White Day.]

No? I thought I was supposed to?

[Confused about Japanese traditions...and remember last year Ami? When he was just sort of mooning after you?]

[She's well aware by now that customs are different in Luke's world, even to the point of knowing what he's learned about Valentine's has been learned in Luceti.]

In Japan, the girls give gifts to the boys they like on this day. [She doesn't say the boys give a return gift, if they like the girl, a month later; it would sound like a hint. And it isn't really necessary. All she ever asks from him, from anyone, is to stay by her.]

Well...if that's tradition...

[He doesn't sound convinced...and she can probably expect a gift soon. Not that he'd ever, ever leave her.]

I'm glad to accept. Thank you, Ami.

[Gifts are nice to receive! Luke can expect a proper return gift.]

You're very welcome. I felt bad for missing it, so... I thought if we did something now, it wouldn't be as bad.

You couldn't help it, dear.

[He pats the couch, hoping she'd sit with him]

And I'd be happy to celebrate Valentine's with you any day. I feel I should've worn something nicer than my robes, though.

[Ami doesn't need to be invited twice, and she sits down beside Luke before reaching over to pluck a chocolate from the package and hold it out to him.]

[Well he doesn't need to be prompted twice, he takes up the candy and takes a bit with a happy smile before offering her one the same way.]

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[Action] I need to schedule a dental appointment.