Welcome to Bellhart!

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.

... She should give him an out.

He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.

He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.

She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.

"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?

The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.

"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.

... She should give him an out.

He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.

He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.

She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.

"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?

The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.

"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.

... She should give him an out.

He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.

He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.

She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.

"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?

The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.

"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.

... She should give him an out.

He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.

He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.

She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.

"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?

The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.

"... You know, you're probably right," She admitted. "Alrighty, then. I'll guide ya through it. Just do whatever feels good, alright?"

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.

... She should give him an out.

He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.

He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.

She listened to what he said next. She was quiet for a moment.

"No. No, it doesn't disappoint me. If anything, it's a bit of a relief... I'm not a very serious bug. I've no doubt that you've figured that out by now..." She paused. Could she change, though? Would she want to?

The feelings that invoked felt yucky and she was going to ignore them.

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.

... She should give him an out.

He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.

He scoots up closer to her, getting in range, he sits down next to the jar.

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Eh, I'm not opposed to spontaneous change of plans, but if this isn't the kind of setting that puts you in the mood, we can always just switch scenes~" She teased, before pausing.

... She should give him an out.

He reaches for a cookie, taking it and eating it. Yes, he was playing it cool. No, his face was definitely not blushing extremely hard.

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Oh, you're absolutely correct, this is nice. And you're absolutely correct, again; I barely fit in your home." She chuckled, and added, "Not that I mind much; I don't fit most anywhere."

The Conductor's eyes locked onto the jar, her appetite whetted. She'd just been considering going for another sandwich, but mm... A sweeter treat might be nice.

And she might as well keep going with this much sillier mood.

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

It was a very near thing. It was easier, to just... not take anything seriously. It was easier, to say silly, lewd things and make people laugh. It was easier, to keep in bright, constant motion, or else the whole illusion would collapse in on itself.

But this was just. Not the time.

So Isabella shrugged. "If you're a heretic, then so am I, though they'll have a tough time executin' me," She said. "Hell, there's the argument that all of us, me and the other Conductors, are heretics. All of us were tryin' to keep her asleep. That's the only reason the Cogwork C—Oop, that's a few too many government secrets, innit?" She laughed.

"No, what I'm sayin' is, I think she's a bad goddess, too. She must've been, for 'er own, eight-legged children to decide to put 'er asleep forever. The only one who might've been on 'er side was bloody Romino, and between you and me, I've never liked that guy. Real killjoy, ya know? But I'm not sure even HE was on 'er side. All I know is he wrote poems about 'er.

"No, no, she strung up my favorite servant. Puppeted 'im around. Made me feel so bloody scared I went as far north as I could and went to a miserable island full of miserable creatures to get away from her. And I come back, and everythin' has gone to shit—Excuse my language, dear.

Pavo seems upset, but that didn't last long. He didn't want to scare her away. Not when their date was going so well. But was he ready for a relationship? Probably not yet. He still needed time to reconsider his life, but this was a great distraction.

"But, at least this is pretty nice, no, very nice. And less cramped for you too. You barely fit in my home." he giggles as he drinks a little more. Now, he was probably at the edge of being tipsy.

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

She was honestly relaxing and considering this date to be good until Pavo asked his, er, next question.

Hm.

... Did watching 'the Monarch's' Silk take over your favorite butler (and casual lover) count as 'meeting her'?

... No, probably not.

"No," Isabella answered. "I haven't eveh met 'er. Not face to face, anyway. But I know she's a right bitch when she wakes up in the mornin'," Isabella stated. "Or when she wakes up at all, really."

Mm. Should she say that? Pavo didn't seem to know the truth, but then again... He had seemed to be acting strange... And saying some strange comments about the Citadel. And this was a strange question to ask, too.

Isabella gave Pavo an intent stare. Not a bad stare. Just an analytical one. But she smoothed her face over soon enough.

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.

"I only name the ones worth remembering, miss Isabella. You can name the next one I bring up. It'll remind me of this pleasant trip next time I catch it."

He takes a moment to calm himself. Focus on fishing, not the faith being uprooted. He distracts himself with small talk.

"You should eat, and I brought you a bottle of nectar for you. It's in the backpack. Don't drink it all in one go!"

"Please, just 'Isabella' is fine," Isabella insisted. "And alright, just know I'm bad at namin' things."

She perks up as he mentions nectar. She begins fishing around in the backpack for it, eyes widening.

"Awww, ya got nectar fa' me, Pavo? How sweet of ya!"

Isabella turned to face him again, and scooted closer, before pressing a (cold and metallic) kiss against his cheek.

"Whoa. I-it was nothing! Didn't even cost that much. You're welcome." Pavo gets too distracted and when he then gets a hook, the line snapped as he panicked to reel it in.

She took another sip of nectar, saying, "Ya know, I can't get drunk anymore," She said. "Just not possible for somethin' fully metal. It's something I kind of miss."

She blinked at herself. That was. Weirdly vulnerable of her. Ew, he's making her soft.

He drinks the nectar, saving it's sweet taste in the back of his mouth. This was pretty nice, and it almost distracted him from the fact that Isabella helped the lie hold up.

"Gotta cheer 'im up, eh?" She whispered to herself. "Okay. I can try, can't I?"

She knocked on the door to Pavo's Bellhome, shouting, "'Ello, Pavo! If I recall it right, we have a date today, don't we? Fishin'? Are you still up for it, love?"

@isabella-the-indestructible

Pavo pulls himself out of bed, flopping on the floor, then drags himself over to his clothes rack. He dresses for a day outside, opting to use his fisherman's hat instead of hiss bell-hat.

Then, he scrambled together what he had prepared and goes to the door. Opening it, he stares up at the metal lady, but covers his eyes due to the sheen reflecting from her.

He leads her into Shellwood, down a path by a spring leading further down until the roots on the walls are somewhat replaced by moss. The lake they reach is large and quiet, the spring leading water in, and another leading out.

On both sides of the lake there were thin beaches that proceeded the grassy fields around that. It had been a while since he's been here. Last time was with Cortla.

Isabella hummed a pleasant little tune as she followed Pavo to the lake, and took it in.

"Ah, this is a pleasant little scene," She observed, relaxed. This wasn't a complete lie, but it was a slight exaggeration. She didn't... love natural spots, but she could see this place was a bit nice-looking. "I can see why you like it so much. Pretty little place. Quiet. Lovely,"

She said, before looking at the spot Pavo pointed out.

After that, he tampered with his fishing rod, tying a hook at the end of the string. Then, with a bit of bait attached, he tosses it out and starts to slowly reel it in.

"The waterbeetles can't resist muckmaggot. I use the gross parts, like the tail, head or legs for bait. Then I eat the good stuff." he reels in nothing and looks back at Isabella.

"Muckmaggots," She said, reaching into the box for a sandwich. "Strange the fish'd be attracted to such... repulsive creatures."

"Well, maybe their side meat leaves much to be desired, but you have to admit their guts are scrumptious when sautéed and dipped in sauce."

Then, he gives her the fishing rod. It looked so small in her hands.

She paused, before adding. "... I suppose their other crimes played a part in being charged with a life sentence, though."

Not really. Lugoli had shared their Pickled Muckmaggot meal and the Conductors and other nobles were so disgusted, they were actively LOOKING for reasons to exile them. If they hadn't done an investigation and found signs of cannibalism, they would have just fabricated a crime to punish them for.

Isabella accepted the fishing rod. It did look ridiculous in her hands, but she had gotten used to using things made for smaller bugs.

"Uhuh," She muttered, nodding, as she unclasped what he told her to.

The Conductor leaned back, then cast forward, letting out the line at the same time. She put the clasp down once more, and waited.

The line shook as something bit the hook.

She quickly (but as gently as she could, scared of breaking it) reeled the lever, and the line came up, and... Nothing.

"Wily bugger, eh?" Isabella said with a boisterous laugh.

"It wouldn't have been less than murder. I suddenly lost my appetite too. I thought the Citadel was a perfect place. They'd have no place in it if they did that."

Pavo stares out over the water. This date wasn't going very well. Or maybe it was? He couldn't tell. He felt far too upset about the Citadel's lies and corruption.

"... It wasn't a perfect place," Isabella admitted.

She... Didn't say more. Mostly because he hadn't asked more so far. He just asked if she had hooked anything.

"And no, I did—NEVERMIND!" She shouts as something tugged on the line, hard.

With as much strength as she could muster (while still being relatively confident the rod wouldn't break), she reeled back, and with a great struggle, she hauled... something she couldn't recognize up.

"Yeah, and quite big too. I think this is Dyr." he checked the belly, seeing a familiar scar. Yep, it was indeed old Dyr.

"I always let them go back in since they don't repopulate very quickly. I've caught Dyr four times in total." Pavo unhooked it and pushed it into the water, where it swam off.

She smiled brightly as he praised her catch, and she obediently handed him the rod.