[The image of Maia cooking is both surprising and strangely appealing. Csevet can imagine it more easily than he'd thought he would, and the image is quite...well, adorable, frankly. For a few moments, Csevet happily imagines it, how the Emperor would look with his sleeves rolled up a little, perhaps making a meat pie or something similar, but his train of thought is interrupted when Maia offers to make them a meal later, and Csevet's eyes widen, his ears flatten, he pulls in a quick breath of surprise.
It's strange, how quickly that feeling of something being so wrong, so inappropriate can wash over him so quickly and drive all pleasantness from his mind, particularly jarring when he realizes how nice it sounds to eat a meal with Maia. It's something he's thought about, privately, how it would feel to simply sit down and share a meal with Maia, to speak as friends or something else, conversing while eating, about things that had nothing to do with the organization of the Emperor's schedule or the matters of the house. But it isn't something he'd ever thought would be appropriate, isn't a fantasy he would've shared with anyone else, and now Maia is offering it, at least for the most part, and to prepare the meal himself.]
Serenity! We wouldn't ask you to cook food for us! Whether we are here or in the Ethuveraz, you are not our servant.
[It doesn't really occur to him that Maia might want to cook, as an act of affection rather than an act of servitude. Cooking has simply always been a chore one must do for those above, in Csevet's mind.
But the matter is brushed from his thoughts when Maia stutters that he isn't interested in anyone particular here, and Csevet feels a shameful rush of relief at it. Quickly on the heels of relief comes something else, a sort of trepidation, when Maia says that they have to discuss something before they go any further. Nodding, Csevet keeps his eyes on Maia's face, even as Maia turns away from him.]
We would like to hear what is on your mind, Serenity.
[It's quiet, a soft encouragement, and then Maia is speaking, all of it coming out of him like water pouring from a punctured waterskin - in surges and drips, as he pauses and stumbles over his words. Csevet keeps his face carefully neutral, feeling a twist in his gut as Maia mentions spending more time with Dach'osmin Ceredin, that they had been learning dancing, sharing intimacies. Perhaps, then, the wish to learn about courtship is about her, the future Empress - Csevet can't blame Maia for his interest. Dach'osmin Ceredin is, after all, an admirable woman, strong-willed and interesting, and it had been Csevet himself who angled to have her chosen for Maia, precisely because he thought they would be a good match both in personality and politics.
Still, it's a bit of a sting, until Maia says that her inclinations are towards women. Csevet's brows raise slightly at that, and he makes a soft noise of consideration in his throat, eyes searching Maia's face. And as Maia finishes off his explanation, Csevet exhales softly and smiles.]
We are not surprised to learn this thing, and word of it will never cross our lips. Indeed, we offer our assistance in any way to arrange for both your comfort and that of the future Empress when we return to the Court.
[In truth, even if Maia did intend to 'betray' Dach'osmin Ceredin, Csevet would have kept it to himself, though he wouldn't have entirely considered it betrayal. After all, most Emperors and Empresses, and indeed most people at court with marriages arranged by others, tended to have the occasional lover aside from their spouse. Still, it is a relief to hear from Maia that he respects his future bride to that extent.]
In sooth, we are glad to hear it. If you were to take a lover here, we would not have breathed a word of it once returning home, nor judged you for it regardless, but it is good to know and reinforces our perception of you.
[And cements his affection for Maia, his respect. That much is unspoken, but he believes it obvious in the words he did not speak.]
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It's strange, how quickly that feeling of something being so wrong, so inappropriate can wash over him so quickly and drive all pleasantness from his mind, particularly jarring when he realizes how nice it sounds to eat a meal with Maia. It's something he's thought about, privately, how it would feel to simply sit down and share a meal with Maia, to speak as friends or something else, conversing while eating, about things that had nothing to do with the organization of the Emperor's schedule or the matters of the house. But it isn't something he'd ever thought would be appropriate, isn't a fantasy he would've shared with anyone else, and now Maia is offering it, at least for the most part, and to prepare the meal himself.]
Serenity! We wouldn't ask you to cook food for us! Whether we are here or in the Ethuveraz, you are not our servant.
[It doesn't really occur to him that Maia might want to cook, as an act of affection rather than an act of servitude. Cooking has simply always been a chore one must do for those above, in Csevet's mind.
But the matter is brushed from his thoughts when Maia stutters that he isn't interested in anyone particular here, and Csevet feels a shameful rush of relief at it. Quickly on the heels of relief comes something else, a sort of trepidation, when Maia says that they have to discuss something before they go any further. Nodding, Csevet keeps his eyes on Maia's face, even as Maia turns away from him.]
We would like to hear what is on your mind, Serenity.
[It's quiet, a soft encouragement, and then Maia is speaking, all of it coming out of him like water pouring from a punctured waterskin - in surges and drips, as he pauses and stumbles over his words. Csevet keeps his face carefully neutral, feeling a twist in his gut as Maia mentions spending more time with Dach'osmin Ceredin, that they had been learning dancing, sharing intimacies. Perhaps, then, the wish to learn about courtship is about her, the future Empress - Csevet can't blame Maia for his interest. Dach'osmin Ceredin is, after all, an admirable woman, strong-willed and interesting, and it had been Csevet himself who angled to have her chosen for Maia, precisely because he thought they would be a good match both in personality and politics.
Still, it's a bit of a sting, until Maia says that her inclinations are towards women. Csevet's brows raise slightly at that, and he makes a soft noise of consideration in his throat, eyes searching Maia's face. And as Maia finishes off his explanation, Csevet exhales softly and smiles.]
We are not surprised to learn this thing, and word of it will never cross our lips. Indeed, we offer our assistance in any way to arrange for both your comfort and that of the future Empress when we return to the Court.
[In truth, even if Maia did intend to 'betray' Dach'osmin Ceredin, Csevet would have kept it to himself, though he wouldn't have entirely considered it betrayal. After all, most Emperors and Empresses, and indeed most people at court with marriages arranged by others, tended to have the occasional lover aside from their spouse. Still, it is a relief to hear from Maia that he respects his future bride to that extent.]
In sooth, we are glad to hear it. If you were to take a lover here, we would not have breathed a word of it once returning home, nor judged you for it regardless, but it is good to know and reinforces our perception of you.
[And cements his affection for Maia, his respect. That much is unspoken, but he believes it obvious in the words he did not speak.]