Blue Lions

Sylvain rolled his eyes.  “If she actually cared about that, she would’ve stuck with me.  I gave her a chance, and she walked right away from it.  Come on, I’m prime ‘marry a rich husband’ material.”

“Sure it is, but those girls don’t usually want to kiss each other.” Sylvain laughed.  “Come on, Ingrid.  We have the whole year here.  Live a little.  If you like her, do something about it.”

“You’re the only one who seems to think we’re actually dating,” he said, folding his arms.  “You, on the other hand, seem to regularly be going out for lunch and shopping trips, and she definitely doesn’t see that as gal pal time.”

“Is that not the sort of things girls do?” At least based on her idea of what girls typically did when they hung out together. “I’ll admit maybe we do share meals more often than usual.” She rubbed at her arm a little. “-And there was that time she made me a whole picnic. Just feels strange to consider. Perhaps a bit selfish too. Certainly not something my father would approve of.”

“Fine, fine!  I’ll leave your girlfriend alone.  The beach will be nothing but sand, sun, and shaved ice.”

“Not even a single glance?  I can’t even appreciate Dorothea in a bikini?  I know for a fact she’s off-limits.”

He held his hands up like a shield.  “Hey, hey.  I promise.  I won’t flirt with even a single girl there.” A pause.  “Unless Mercedes changes her mind and decides to come with us, that is.”

“Uh huuhh, I’ll believe it when I see it. Tossing yourself into a place bound to be full of scantily clad women just sounds like trouble.” Which he better not get into, Mercedes was far too sweet to be treated that way. 

“It’s been so long since I’ve done anything like this, is all.” He folded the glasses and put them away.  “I’m just surprised you’re coming.”

“That seems to be the shock of most people apparently.” Had she really become that much of a stick in the mud? Probably. 

“What?  I bought them for our beach trip.” He finally took them off.  “You think they look bad on me?”

@bluelionblondies for Ingrid

Was Sylvain actually wearing sunglasses?  Yes, yes he was.  And it was still a day until they headed off for the beach.  He’s just getting psyched for it.

“Well um, I can help, if you like?  I don’t really like showing a lot of skin so I could probably help you a little better than some of the other girls you’re friends with.” She hadn’t spent too much time with Ingrid, but she could tell she was a bit self-conscious.

He actually laughed at that.  It wasn’t a loud sound but it was very distinctly a chuckle. 

“Thank you, Ingrid, for looking out for me.” 

“Oh, right!  I heard you’re going on that beach trip with some other students.  So I guess you need some nice, flowey beach clothes?”

“That’s correct. Just trying to find something I won’t die of a heat stroke in mostly.” Yet she was finding the things that met her criteria were just sort of bland. 

“Oh, I see!” She started giggling.  “I’m sorry, I just didn’t think you were very interested in going out clothes shopping.  At least alone.”