"Then let's. As enjoyable as I find dancing with you, of course. And I truly do. We'll have to dance again, sometime. But if you come out into the hallway with me, there's an alcove not too far away, with a bench we could sit on. I'll even get us another drink, if you want one."
"Oh!" Hebert laughs, loud and light and bright. Absolutely delighted at the joke. He presses a quick kiss to Solin's cheek, blushing at the boldness of the move.
Bolder still, he slides his fingers down Solin's arm to take his hand. "You are quite the charmer. I'm thoroughly charmed."
Solin's heart skips a beat at that little kiss - the line had been more than worth the self-embarrassment if that was the result. He grasps back at the hand that slides down to take his, grin a little bit dopey.
"I'm not usually," he admits, laughing softly. "We shepherds aren't known for our social graces. The only living things I've ever swept off their feet have been lambs and ewes."
"I bet you look completely adorable, holding a lamb. Like a French pastoral painting, with the sunlight in your curls." He leads Solin to the hallway outside the Grand Ballroom, where there is indeed an alcove with a bench.
He sits, and leaves enough room for Solin to sit with him. "Have you always lived in the village?"
Still blushing at the kind words, he breathes a little sigh of relief as he is ushered out of the crowded, noisy ballroom - but still when gestured to sit, he does so rather close, like he can't bear to get too far away from Herbert.
And maybe he can't. He's utterly taken, watching the other man with rapt attention.
"I have, yes. The farm got started by my grandfather, but - well, I'm all that's left, now. It's a lot of work, and I'm not...very social, but I like it."
"It's the same with me, actually. The castle has been in the family for almost four hundred years now. Our family has always lived here and I'll likely continue living here. With whomever I settle down with, and our children, and so on."
Herbert tangles their fingers together, holding their clasped hands in his lap with a faint smile, rubbing his thumb over Solin's hand. "We don't farm, but father does garden -- flowers -- and I like helping there. Mother has a small garden of her own, with some vegetables. I always always covered in dirt, as a young child."
"Four hundred years...that's amazing. It's a beautiful castle. This is...the first time I've worked up the nerve to come to one of your parties. I was feeling a little out of place, actually, before you came up to talk to me."
Briefly, Solin looks down at where their hands are wound together. It feels like a perfect fit. His chest feels...warm, and there's a glow to his smile when he looks back up to listen.
"I can imagine you gardening - now, and as a little boy. You must have been awfully adorable, running around in the mud. I'm...all right at growing, but I'm better with the animals. And I've been weaving and spinning since before I could walk."
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But he laughs, not pulling away, but ready to follow.
"That sounds wonderful. Lead the way. I - I only had the couple sips of wine you saw me drink, though. I I am fine without. Your...." Oh, should he?
Eh, why not?
"Your company is intoxicating enough."
Nailed it.
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Bolder still, he slides his fingers down Solin's arm to take his hand. "You are quite the charmer. I'm thoroughly charmed."
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"I'm not usually," he admits, laughing softly. "We shepherds aren't known for our social graces. The only living things I've ever swept off their feet have been lambs and ewes."
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He sits, and leaves enough room for Solin to sit with him. "Have you always lived in the village?"
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Still blushing at the kind words, he breathes a little sigh of relief as he is ushered out of the crowded, noisy ballroom - but still when gestured to sit, he does so rather close, like he can't bear to get too far away from Herbert.
And maybe he can't. He's utterly taken, watching the other man with rapt attention.
"I have, yes. The farm got started by my grandfather, but - well, I'm all that's left, now. It's a lot of work, and I'm not...very social, but I like it."
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Herbert tangles their fingers together, holding their clasped hands in his lap with a faint smile, rubbing his thumb over Solin's hand. "We don't farm, but father does garden -- flowers -- and I like helping there. Mother has a small garden of her own, with some vegetables. I always always covered in dirt, as a young child."
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Briefly, Solin looks down at where their hands are wound together. It feels like a perfect fit. His chest feels...warm, and there's a glow to his smile when he looks back up to listen.
"I can imagine you gardening - now, and as a little boy. You must have been awfully adorable, running around in the mud. I'm...all right at growing, but I'm better with the animals. And I've been weaving and spinning since before I could walk."