[for Declán, but ota]

[oneirophiliac]

Annie's been pacing about all week. If there's a reason why, she hasn't told many people. It's unusual enough to inspire comment; she's actually not been doing her usual napping in odd out-of-the-way places. Curious. Speculation points to either her brother or her boyfriend as the cause.

Today, at least, her walk seems a sight more purposeful. Wherever it is she's going in Spade Castle, she knows what she needs to do.

Of course, she doesn't mind stopping for a chat. It might help calm her down.

Comments

[oneirophiliac]

The chortle is well-meant, really. "At least you didn't spill anything, or we'd've all heard it when you were telling it the first time round. Maybe it was easier for you, but- I'm not good with impulse decisions, you get me? S'why I needed this week."

[headfollowheart]

"It was empty," Zoe says, laughing a little bit. She wouldn't have thought she would have been good with impulse decisions either, but it was just the way it worked. "I suppose...with Chives it was out of left field."

She tilts her head to one side.

"So it's yes?"

[oneirophiliac]

She rubs a hand over her forehead, grinning. "Is it that obvious? Uh huh. Even if it's been barely two months. It's- kind of stupid, but lemme tell you a secret. I'm not saying yes to his proposal this year, I'm saying yes to one ages ago."

[headfollowheart]

"He's asked you before?" Zoe's voice lowers to a conspirational sort of tone, and she leans closer. "When on earth did he do that?"

[oneirophiliac]

Is she absolutely crimson? Don't tell her, Zoe, she already knows. "When we were kids. Before- before I left the Deck. And you know how he likes numbers, right? Especially the divisibles? He said then that we oughta get married when he was 20, but- I'd be 19, so I said it'd be better when we were 25 and 24 instead. Eight years old when I said that, oh man."

Her hands are over her face, though her blush is impossible to hide now. "Isn't that just- ridiculous?"

[headfollowheart]

She's approximately the color of a lobster. But Zoe is friends with Sophie, so she's used to champion blushing. "That's....really sweet," she decides. "He's turning twenty-five this year, isn't he? And that makes you twenty-four."

So the timing was perfect, even if the method had lacked something.

[oneirophiliac]

She still hasn't managed to think of herself as twenty-two, never mind above that. It's a struggle. "Right. It didn't occur to me until last night when I remembered, but... it's perfect. Just sealed the deal."

[headfollowheart]

"I'm glad," Zoe says, smiling. "And I'll help with the wedding, if you want it. Though," she adds, "I sort of imagine Chives probably has a plan."

[oneirophiliac]

She's never going to give up the unladylike snort even when she's married. It just goes so well with rolling her eyes. "Oh man. He probably does if he had one already done for you, and you've only been together for a year and a... third? I mean, two months isn't much, but... I don't know what all he might've come up with before that."

Way to put more flailing into her limbs, Zoe.

[headfollowheart]

She could be evil, and mention everything Chives had for her. It included dress silhouettes, menu ideas, and clippings from floral magazines. But she just pats Annie on the shoulder.

"He'll probably let you do mostly what you want," she says. "It's your wedding, too. Or do what I did, and just go pick out your dress and present it as a done deal."

[oneirophiliac]

Sigh. Such a big, big sigh. This is making her want to start over again with the thinking about yes or no. "I'll- I'll see how it goes first, then. Before we get to the actual prep. Thanks, Zoe."

[headfollowheart]

"You're welcome." Even though, clearly, she is not helping at all. She touches Annie's shoulder. "It'll be fine, okay? Don't worry."

[oneirophiliac]

"Thanks. I mean... yeah. Thanks." Breathe out. Breathe in. It's going to be fine. He asked her, and she's just answering, and he's not changing his mind, and she won't be changing her mind.

"And... good luck with your counter, okay? I can't go, but I'm sure you'll win it."

[headfollowheart]

"It's fine." Better, probably, if she was honest about it. "I'll let Chives know how it goes. He'll probably tell you."

She inclines her head. "Good luck with him."