[center][h2]The Snuggery[/h2][/center]

Once Lucas and Theobald had been served, Rosemary returned to Dominika. With all the grace of a lady-in-waiting older than she was, Rosemary poured out enough tea before she placed down the pot, offering it to the Metal Scion with her little pinky aloft. At the mention of [i]Messy Marie[/i] and [i]Petey and the Pumpkin[/i], however, the façade of the proper princess cracked as her inner child shined through an excitement that had ignored the trauma of the night's events. She ended up turning on her heel and bolting towards the stepladder next to the shelves, unfolding it in front of the farthest one before hastily climbing up. Despite her rush, she knew exactly what she was looking for, and by the time the conversation ended, she returned with an armful of books.

She placed them down respectfully, laying them all out on the table for all to see. As opposed to the typical standard copies the Scions had likely seen in their lives, the age of Rosemary's books indicated that they were originals. Despite their age, however, they were clearly lovingly cared for, and the princess was delicate in her handling of them. The watercolor art shifted in colors from one story to the next, the characters simplistic and pleasing to the eyes.

Rosemary climbed onto the empty seat and sat on her legs, reaching over and tapping each book. [color=lemonchiffon]"These were my great-grandpa's books when he was little,"[/color] She explained as she tenderly opened the copy of [i]William's Prayer[/i] in front of her. [color=lemonchiffon]"He used to say this one was his favorite 'cause this is how the Goddess gave the world Scions and the pictures are really nice 'cause the painter that made the book did it 'cause my great-grandpa didn't have books with pictures and they only had words and he really liked the painting. He used to read them to me before I learned to read but now Sonia reads them to me before I go to sleep."[/color]

She barely took a breath as she talked, more interested in the portrayal of Incepta visiting Phoebus and Cynthia. While the characters were painted with outlines, Incepta was painted in entirely golden colors and was partially out of frame, likely out of respect. Rosemary lightly tapped the picture. [color=lemonchiffon]"She kinda looks like the lady in my dreams. But I can't see her face...and the one in my dreams was crying,"[/color] Rosemary frowned, but she didn't linger as she pushed the book aside and opened up another one. [color=lemonchiffon]"This one isn't popular like the other ones--[i]The Prince and the Pauper[/i], this one's about a prince that has someone that looks just like him and they switch places but it's silly because the real Prince can't just go outside like the story, 'cause every time I wanna go outside Sonia always goes with me and there's guards. So silly."[/color]

She leaned over to her side and tapped Lucas' shoulder. [color=lemonchiffon]"Which one is your favorite?"[/color]

The grumpy Lucas didn't look at her, a sour look on his face partially hidden by his cup. [color=dodgerblue]"Favorite what?"[/color]

[color=lemonchiffon]"Your favorite story."[/color]

[color=dodgerblue]"[i]The Redemption of Anani[/i]."[/color]

Rosemary pushed his shoulder, annoyed. [color=lemonchiffon]"No, like a [i]real[/i] story! Like [i]Messy Marie[/i] or [i]Petey and the Pumpkin[/i]."[/color]

That got Lucas to roll his eyes, though he controlled his expression as he turned his head to look at Rosemary. [color=dodgerblue]"I just said my favorite. They just never made a [i]children's[/i] version of it,"[/color] He explained calmly.

[color=lemonchiffon]"Okay, then what is your favorite [i]chil-duh-ren's-[/i] story?"[/color] She asked, mocking his emphasis.

Lucas stared at Rosemary for a moment before his eyes briefly scanned the books on the table. [color=dodgerblue]"...[i]William's Prayer[/i],"[/color] He muttered, returning to his cup.

Satisfied, Rosemary threw her arms up in victory before focusing back on the book mentioned. [color=lemonchiffon]"How old were you when got the si...si-gil,"[/color] Her last word was slow and she had a little trouble getting it out, though she aimed the question at her fellow Scions.

[color=dodgerblue]"Twenty-four since it was just a week ago,"[/color]" Lucas replied, surprising Rosemary.

Encouraged by his response, Rosemary tapped her cheek. [color=lemonchiffon]"Mine came when I was a baby!"[/color][hr][right][sub][@Raijinslayer][@Xiro Zean][@Abstract Proxy][/sub][/right]