Noble blood

“Easy for you to say. You’ve been living far more than a little since forever.” Her hands dragged on her face. “Just having fun would be nice, but I worry about preventing her from being with someone who could be… more beneficial to her future.” Ingrid didn’t mean to be putting herself down so much, just looking at the facts.

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

“Which is why I say ‘it’s complicated.’” 

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

“Then again, if you manage to make it out without a single suggestive glance that will probably win over Mercedes’ trust for sure.”

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

“I’m going to try my best at this relaxing thing people speak of.” She crossed her arms. “So I hope you really do plan on behaving yourself, because I will simply ignore it and not bail you out.”

“Is the sun really bothering you or are you just trying to hide where your eyes are looking?” She was of course squinting at him with her typical judgemental glare.

It was the weekend after their little encounter with him drinking way too much.  He still didn’t much remember what he had said to her, but Annette seemed to be treating him a little more delicately than usual.

“What you don’t believe in love at first sight?” Besides, it wasn’t like those girls he was attracting were soulmate material. “I guess the ‘one’ could be anywhere. Any time. Around the corner even.”

“I just don’t want to try searching for him only to end up disappointed when I don’t find him or worse he doesn’t return the feelings.”

“Settling down? Geeze, I don’t want to think about that.“  That amount of commitment was far too terrifying. “Buuuut, I mean, what if your soulmate ended up being just a summer fling? And that was it? You never find a romance like that again? Would be pretty depressing.”

“Isn’t that adorable~ She does seem like cozy winter cabin type. Probably for the best, I bet you wouldn’t be able to handle seeing her in a swimsuit.” She wiggled her eyebrows with a little smirk on her face.

“Summer romance sounds nice in theory, perfect for a good story to share with friends when you return. There’s something kinda sad about them too though. “

“Still managing to keep that up huh? Geeze you’re about to really put that loyalty to the test.” That should be interesting to watch. Although she honestly hoped he didn’t fail. Poor guy might break if he got dumped by a literal angel woman.

“Pretty good weekend plans though right? Lounging around, sipping fruity drinks, gazing upon half dressed hotties in the sparkling sunlight. Perfect trip.”

“It helps that I’ve been hanging out with her more so there’s less temptation.  But I don’t think going to the beach is something she’s interested in so...” He shrugged.  “I’m sure I can behave as long as I keep my eyes somewhere else.”

“Duuuuuhhhhh, why wouldn’t I?” It was hard to focus on schoolwork sometimes just thinking about it. At least that was the current excuse. “I’m sure you are too. Tons of beach bodies for you to oogle.”