you were pleasantly surprised , the other day , that flayn seemed to have had a change of heart where you are concerned --- or , at least , seemed to have stopped taking stock in rumors . ( even those circulated by her brother , which were among the worst ones , honestly . ) but even more surprising than that was how she saw through your flirtations entirely , and twisted the conversation to her benefit . you're not sure whether to be impressed or baffled ( although a mix of both seems like it should fit ) but either way , you'd completely underestimated her . you hadn't minded her playing you like a fiddle , in all honesty --- you think you're definitely more impressed than baffled , if only a little . ( of course , growing up with seteth as her brother probably helped her learn how to twirl people around her little finger . ) ( you know he seems strict and harsh , but you can also tell that he loves flayn more than anything else , and that he would do anything for her . ) ( and that makes you sad , somehow . ) ( perhaps you mourn the brother you should have had . ) ( perhaps it doesn't make a difference . )
when you see her in the dining hall , seated alone , you decide that you'll eat with her --- if she'll allow it , of course . ( after all , who knows --- seteth might have come up with some other dastardly deeds for you to have reportedly done . ) so , you walk over to her , food in hand . ❝ i thought the world seemed just a little brighter when i came in here ! ❞ a charming smile , and a gesture at the seat beside her . ❝ are you waiting for someone to join you ? and if you're not --- may i ? i've always found that meals are better when i'm in the company of a lovely lady such as yourself . ❞