onceaviking | Going for a walk

He arrives shortly after sundown, looking much like the night before. He's added a coat to his ensemble though. Not that he needs it.
He has several possible plans in mind, but for now he is waiting to see how Miss Potts will react.

She seemed like an odd mix of confident and hesitant and that is certainly something he can work with.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

othereight

It's very rare to see Pepper in anything but her work clothes, but a walk around the lake demands slightly more casual attire than her skirt and heels. She decides to wear a sweater and a pair of jeans instead, letting her hair fall loose on her shoulders rather than pinning it back. Instead of heels, she's wearing a pair of boots, in case the weather outside is as cold as Scotland normally is and there's snow on the ground.

She makes her way outside, coat drawn around her shoulders, and since she doesn't see him at first, she starts walking toward the lake, knowing she'll reach it eventually.

From:

onceaviking

He sees her and quickly moves past her so he instead of coming up behind her, approaches her from the side. Raising his hand to greet her.

No reason to startle her.

The slim coat makes him look even taller than he did inside.

"Good evening, Miss Potts, " he says, bowing lightly.

From:

othereight

"Oh. Mr. Northman," she answers, with a polite smile.

Without her heels she's not nearly as tall as she normally is, although the boots do give a bit of height advantage.

"How are you doing?"

From:

onceaviking

" Very well indeed, thank you," he says. "And you?"

It only takes him a step or two to reach her and he offers her his arm. As one does.

From:

othereight

"Oh, I, uh - "

She reaches out to take it, her touch feather-light on his arm as she tries not to go through the movements too awkwardly.

"Good. Busy. But that's always the way, I suppose."

From:

onceaviking

He smiles down at her. "It's refreshing to meet a woman who talks of other things than needlepoint, dresses, and French novels. "

From:

othereight

"Really?"

She chuckles at that.

"I can see how that would be boring, but I'm pretty sure those subjects have never made it past my lips."

From:

onceaviking

" Polite conversation tends to be somewhat limited, " he says with an answering chuckle. "So I have been looking forward to hearing you tell of your life."

He is giving her his undivided attention.

From:

othereight

"My life? There's nothing so terribly exciting about it," Pepper promises him, shaking her head lightly.

"Essentially, I'm an executive assistant and personal babysitter."

From:

onceaviking

"Your employer has children?" he asks.

From:

othereight

"No," she murmurs, almost chuckling.

"But he may very well be one himself."

From:

onceaviking

"Ah, " he says, knowingly. "A bachelor of independent means. And in your society it is not considered improper for a young woman such as yourself to work for such a man?"

From:

othereight

Pepper shrugs casually, shaking her head.

"Not especially. I guess he just felt I was the most qualified for the job."

Which she is, but she's not one to brag.

From:

onceaviking

He smiles. "Things have surely changed then. I cannot imagine having a young woman working for me without her family being at the vey least most disapproving."

So, another bachelor.

From:

othereight

"Is that because of rules or because they wouldn't want to leave you alone with a young woman?" Pepper asks, surprising even herself with her own teasing.

From:

onceaviking

He looks surprised but not unpleasantly so.
"Both, I should think. "

From:

othereight

She blushes at her own frankness and glances away, apologetic.

"I'm sorry. That was - a completely inappropriate thing to say."

From:

onceaviking

"No, " he says, suddenly serious. "You should ask. You're a young woman on your own. And I shall merely hope that you will not hurry to bid me goodnight."

And now it is his turn to quickly glance away. As if he is embarrassed.

From:

othereight

"No, it was - I was making a joke, but it was in poor taste," Pepper insists.

"I only hope I haven't offended you," she murmurs, her fingers reflexively tightening at his arm.

From:

onceaviking

"You haven't," he insists. " You haven't."
Putting his hand on top of hers.

It's cold.

From:

othereight

Her own hands are bare but still warm in spite of the colder weather, and she starts a little at the feel of his touch.

"Are you cold?" she asks, looking up at him.

From:

onceaviking

And again he looks away. Briefly.

Then he glances back at her. "Yes, " he says. " I am cold." As if admitting something.

He has chosen how to proceed.