The Hanging Gardens of Babylon | A Quiet Picnic | Locked to placemyfaith

[healsforjustice]

Even with winter approaching steadily, the hotel had so much in it, there were plenty of places one could go to escape the cold. That had been something on the princess' mind as she looked for a suitable setting for this excursion with Ky. Since he was going to all the trouble to make the food for this picnic, it was best to find a pleasant

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[placemyfaith]

Ky was both excited and nervous about this. He'd poured most of that energy into planning out the meal, working on things which could be prepared in advance and served at room temperature. Since the meal had been ready for a while he had checked that there wasn't anything missing, and rechecked it, and then taken himself over to pacing.

He wore his Order uniform, because so long as the hotel continued to provide him with one in the morning he was going to continue to wear it. It was what he felt most comfortable in, and the fact that it was difficult to take off in the heat of a moment was perhaps a part of that.

He opened the door for her, nodding. "A pleasure, as always, Amelia. You look gorgeous today." He had procured a picnic basket and packed everything in it, which he picked up as he joined her in the hallway.

[healsforjustice]

"You don't have to flatter me, you haven't even seen where we're going yet." she teased, blushing all the same at the words.

It really was an bit strange. Yes, in the hotel, compliments on looks were the norm, but they usually led up to sex. Ky was different in that regard; he was that sweet just because that was how he was, not because he felt inclined for the sake of what might happen. That much was clear in how much he protested where he was and how he obviously despised it when he ended up giving in to the prompts of the building. Still, it was nice they could spend time together like this and not have it go anywhere unless they were inclined, that there was more to their companionship.

"Well, if you're ready, shall we go?" she asked, turning around and offering her hand in a friendly manner, ready to lead the way.

[placemyfaith]

"I trust you to have picked somewhere pleasant," he murmured, as he shifted his picnic basket to his other hand so he could hold hers. He really much preferred spending time with her in a romantic, rather than sexual context, even if they were both rather new to him. He just said what came to his mind, although he did believe in chivalry in the classic sense. Being a knight would do that to a man, sometimes.

[healsforjustice]

Despite herself, there was still a sense of innocent naivety in Amelia, even with all the hotel had shown her. She was so open and friendly to everyone, always wanting to see the best in people, that often she missed the obvious. Hence, while she still blushed a bit at him, she took his words as a polite chivalrious comment, or a compliment between two people who shared some sense of affection, rather than actual romance. Honestly she couldn't really perceive someone really seeing her that way, even now.

Finally spotting the right door, she quickly opened it and gently pulled him along to follow behind her. They would still need to do a bit of walking, but the change from the hotel was almost instant, as they found themselves walking down a stone path, before heading up some stairs.

"We're almost there, are you ready to see?" she smiled happily at him.

[placemyfaith]

His romantic feelings were a distant sort of thing, like a crush where all he needed was to be around her to be happy. Certainly he wouldn't dream of being at all forward, it was just that, well, they had slept together. It would be hard for him to only bear affection for her.

"This is remarkable," he exclaimed, looking at the stone path, and the grass. He was very clearly pleased with her choice of locations from what he'd seen of it so far.

[healsforjustice]

In any case, the princess would treat with affection regardless, peacefully oblivious until such a time when the knight might decide to be a bit more forward.

She was rather surprised he was already impressed, though maybe he just hadn't been lucky enough to find some of the vast outdoor settings yet. Well, that was about to change, as the best was yet to come.

"Not as remarkable as this." she replied, leading him right to the top of the stairs. In looking over the stone rail, he would likely see what she meant, looking to see they had been put on top of a stone tower garden. Amelia was quick to turn her attention back to Ky though, waiting to see his reaction. "What do you think?"

[placemyfaith]

Ky didn't consider hand-holding something that happened in a purely affection-based relationship (not that he had any of those), so they were clearly going to be on different pages for a while.

"Wow. I knew the hotel was huge, but how does that even work?" His eyes traced back the steps they'd taken, looking for some clue to the gardens' trick.

[healsforjustice]

Considering all they had done, hand holding seemed a natural thing to Amelia, showing that yes, they were close, and certainly more than just friends. Being so nice to everyone though, it would take something significant to make Amelia see that the knight might have cared even more than she could have perceived.

"I don't know really, but it's a lovely view all the same." she replied. After all, this one building could hold an infinite number of rooms and landscapes inside, so this trick was fairly simple by comparison. "Do you want to set up here then?" she asked, wishing to allow him to pick wherever he wanted to sit, depending on the view he wanted to see while they enjoyed their lunch.

[placemyfaith]

Ky knew that the hotel could theoretically do things like this, but he'd only seen the parts of the hotel which were rather overtly devoted to sex so far. Besides, there was something different about the innate elegance in their setting than the hotel's usual flare.

"I think eating here would be lovely, unless you have something even better in your back pocket." He didn't do things by half measures. If he was going to harbor feelings for her then they would be more likely to be deep than not.

[healsforjustice]

Admittedly, from what she had seen, there were a few natural spots that weren't designed around sex entirely, though obviously there was potential for it to take place. Honestly Amelia mainly seeked out such spots just to feel like she was outdoors again, with fresh air and wide spaces in comparison to the hotel. Perhaps she could show him some of her favourite locations someday. For now, the one she settled on was one she had really hoped he'd like.

"Oh, I think this is the best, but I wanted to let you pick spot you thought had the best view." she smiled back, squeezing his hand, still oblivious to any effect her gestures may have had. Considering how affection she could get, Ky would need to brace himself a bit during this lunch.

[placemyfaith]

Ky's efforts in exploring the hotel had mostly focused on trying to find out anything at all about it, which meant he'd stuck mostly to floors which were filled with people and seemed significant in some way. It was nice to take a break, though, even if he felt guilty about it. It wasn't as though his time spent had been at all productive so far, though.

"I can't imagine a better view than this." He happened to glance at her as he was saying it and turned a little red. Not quite what he'd meant, but also true enough.

To break his gaffe, he started setting up the things for the picnic he'd brought. He laid a blanket onto the stone and started removing food from the basket.

[healsforjustice]

If she had known of the efforts he had gone to in exploring the various floors, Amelia would have been much more insistent on this outing. After all, everyone needed to unwind at some point, and she didn't want to see the knight stressed out due to a lack of results in finding much out.

As she smiled up at Ky, she caught the glance and the blush, but didn't really understand the significance, so decided not to pry too much. Instead, she opted to follow him as he laid down the blanket, sitting herself down in case he needed any help with sorting out their food.

"It all looks really good." she smiled, her eyes lighting up gleefully as she saw the dishes retrieved from the basket. "You've went to so much trouble for this..."

[placemyfaith]

Ky wasn't a great believer in people's need to unwind, particularly his own. He could freely admit that this was pleasant, but he didn't have any particular desire to engage in it. If he wasn't fond of Amelia already, then he certainly wouldn't be here.

"It wasn't that much trouble. And your expression alone makes it worthwhile." He kept the chocolate-covered strawberries and pastries in the basket, but put out the assorted salads, bread, and sandwich fixings.

[healsforjustice]

Well, at the very least, the princess hoped that today he could relax somewhat, and simply enjoy himself. After all, there was something to be said about all work and no play.

Of course, her face heated up again at the words. Why did he have the ability to say such chivalrous things in such a way that she couldn't help but blush? "I still have trouble believing I'm such good company as you say. At least let me help you set things out, considering you made all this." she smiled sheepishly.

[placemyfaith]

"If you wish, but we both did our part. You found our location." He smiled brightly again at her as he handed over some of the dishes for her to find locations for. "There really isn't that much that needs to be done. Besides you deciding what you'd like to have."

"As for whether or not you're good company...I think that's up to me to say, don't you?"

[healsforjustice]

"I suppose so." she nodded, giving in on the matter as she placed the plates down, spacing them out evenly. "It all looks good though, I might have trouble choosing."

Blinking at him, she recognised he was correct; it was his own opinion. Just because she couldn't really fathom herself as being terribly interesting didn't mean she should judge his taste like that. "True, I'm sorry, I'm thinking about this too much. I suppose I'll never be entirely used to hearing such compliments. I am grateful to know I can be good company to you though, so thank you." she smiled back, touching the back of his hand in a small tender gesture of affection and appreciation.