----------------------------------------------
BOUQUET MANOR GROUNDS - AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Vincent is working diligently, clippers in hand, as he makes his way through the grounds, pruning and cleaning the garden through his typical routines.
Lis is currently on the nearby patio, wiping down the table and chairs as part of her usual routine when the patio isn't in use. She's in a crisp suit, acting as one of the manor's butlers, and looking quite sharp indeed as she goes about her duties with practiced ease.
Vincent comes alongside the patio as he finishes his work. His own suit is much less sharp, both because of his work as the groundskeeper and because of his somewhat lazy demeanor. He sighs wistfully as he stares up at Lis, putting on his usual charm, "Ah, the fair feline Lis, a beauty unmatched within the manor, how fair you this beautiful day?"
Lis looks up from the table she's currently wiping down, then sighs upon seeing who's addressing her. She does give the wolf a little smile, however, as she knows he's harmless enough. "Good afternoon, Vincent. The day's been going well, overall." She takes a moment to deftly fold the towel she's been using, then leans against the table a bit, "I'd ask how the garden has been treating you, but I'm guessing it's been ever so obedient to your efforts, hm?"
Vincent walks up onto the patio and leans against the side of the wall, "Ah, your smile makes my day greater than any bloom or flower, fair maiden. It is ever so kind of you to notice, yes, yes, my efforts blossom with such wonderful rewards. Thank you, kind Lis. So rare to see you without your equal in beauty present, I do hope Fleur is well too."
Lis chuckles as she listens to Vincent waxing poetic, though her tail swishes a little as she silently wishes he'd just get to the point at times, as silly as his language might be. "Fleur's been just fine, thankfully. I think she's currently busy tending to one of the studies up near Teis' quarters." She fixes the wolf with an amused smirk, "We might often be on the same schedule, but we know we need to be wherever there is work to be done, Vincent."
Vincent nods, "Ah, yes, duty calls, as ever, for the ladies Bouquet. As do we all. But, I am content with the grounds and garden." He looks a bit bashful, "Also, ah, Lady Teis told me to never go near that wing of the manor again after I broke that coiled thing of hers."
Lis takes a moment to think back, then nods as she remembers having to help deal with the mess after the incident in question... as well as having to talk to an irate Teis. "Ah... I think I remember that one, yes. Wasn't that one of Lady Teis' rather sensitive magitech research implements? She wasn't all too happy when she heard what happened."
Vincent scratches his head, standing back up away from the edge he'd been leaning against "Oh uh, yyeeeeaahhhh something like that? I don't really get all that stuff. Or any of that stuff. Ah, such a shame, the scorn of such a beautiful lady..."
Lis can't help but smirk a bit. "Lady Teis doesn't really seem to be your type, anyway, Vincent. She's always really focused on her work as a magitech scientist or... whatever it is she does, so I doubt she'd be the sort to fall for your wolfish charms."
Vincent seems slightly crestfallen, but nods his head, "Ah, I know. But I cannot help but show my appreciation for the beauty that surrounds me everyday. It is simply my nature. But, ah, it is not the place of one such as I to speak such things to Lady Teis, nor to Lady Rondelethia. They are both beyond one such as I, as I fully know."
Lis chuckles some more and shakes her head. "Not to mention a little detail such as Lady Rondelethia being taken already. Sir Calgwen is admittedly quite handsome, but there comes a point where it's best to just not attempt anything." She smiles, "Besides, Fleur is far prettier than either of them, I think, but I might be a little biased."
Vincent nods sadly, "Biased, yes, but not incorrect. You have indeed found a true treasure in Lady Fleur. I would be jealous if my heart did not know the truth of your love. Alas, I shall remain in appreciation of such beauty, knowing that I cannot be any closer. Tis the curse of one who holds such high esteem for the fairer sex."
Lis gives Vincent a kind smile. "Just keep up as you have been, Vincent. You'll find someone who will have you given enough time." She nods towards the manor's outer wall, "And Respite Falls might be a bit out in the middle of nowhere, but the town has been growing fast enough that you could probably find someone easily enough whenever you have time off."
Vincent glances towards the wall, and the city beyond, "Ah, an entire town filled with such beauty yes. But I am only one wolf. But I do appreciate your words, Lady Lis. They do put a soothing balm upon a wounded heart."
Lis hums, nodding along. "The people of Respite might not be the sort of folks that come from Sarn, in that they're a bit more rough around the edges. But I do like to think that means it'd be a bit more interesting meeting folks outside of what we're accustomed to from the old estate."
Vincent sighs, "Even an unpolished gem is beautiful, dear Lis. I would not let the matters of culture or accoutrement sway me from seeing the true beauty inside!"
Lis giggles a little, now looking pretty appreciative of the wolf's attitude. "Well, with that sort of attitude, Respite Falls might very well be an ideal place to find someone of unconventional beauty."
Vincent bows to the cat a bit humbly, his ears folding back, the runt of a wolf looking more like a wounded pup, "I do try. But ah, in truth... even I get intimidated by strangers."
Lis seems a little surprised by this info, her eyebrows going up. "Really? I never would have guessed, even in all the time we've been working together. Color me surprised, because I thought you'd have no problem interacting with strangers."
Vincent glances around nervously, as if he just gave away some vital bit of information that he purpose shouldn't have, "Ah! No no, it's nothing like that, really! Haha, ah, just forget I said that, Lady Lis!"
Lis blinks again, then giggles a bit more heartily. It's with a certain knowing smirk that she responds. "Ah, so you mean to say the shy attitude is just another of your masterful plays to get closer to others? That one was quite convincing, Vincent!"
Vincent blushes a bit, coughing as the runt attempts to stand up a bit straighter, "Err um, yes, of course! Not that deception is truly in my nature but, ah, I don't wish to scare anyone away, simply to admire."
Lis smirks as she continues to lean against the table a bit. "Of course. But at the same time, showing a little vulnerability might not be the worst idea. Too much confidence can also make others stand away, as well."
Vincent sighs, looking a little defeated, Lis' comments cutting him to the core. "Ah, well, I will keep all of this in mind... truly, your wit is equal to or greater than your beauty, Lady Lis."
Lis hums and takes a moment to set the towel aside. "Only in some matters of the heart, I think. I wouldn't have wound up with Fleur if I didn't really think on my feet, but she's been so worth all the effort." She steps around the table and gives Vincent a gentle hug, though she's careful not to muss her suit with any of the dirt and grass on Vincent's outfit.
Vincent hugs the cat back as appropriate, then looks back towards the garden with a bashful smirk, "Well keep that effort up. I don't think anyone in the manor wants to see you two on the outs. Such a heartbreak would shake the manor's very foundation." He seems very flustered in further talk around 'matters of the heart', despite his flowery language and such, "But uh, I best get back to work I suppose."
Lis lets the hug linger for a moment, just for the sake of companionship, then gives him a soft pat on the back as it breaks. She takes a moment to straighten out her suit's jacket as well, making sure she didn't get it dirty. "Heh... yes, yes, we should get back to our duties, hm? May the garden continue to treat your day well, Vincent."
Vincent bows to Lis after the hug ends, "Ah! And may your duties keep you radiant and happy all day, dear Lis! Take care!" With another awkward bow, the wolf steps off the patio with a trip, catching himself at the last moment and glancing back with a grin before heading towards the nearest patch of flowers.
Lis lifts a hand in farewell, only to start forward a bit to try and catch Vincent when the wolf trips. Once he catches himself, though, she hums and nods, then gives the towel a quick shake loose and resumes cleaning the tables and chairs on the patio. "See you again soon, Vincent. Take care."