[center][img]https://see.fontimg.com/api/rf5/OYRo/MGEzYmViNDRkZjEyNGMzYzkzOTBkOWZhZjg5MzI2MTUudHRm/Um9zaGFuIE5hdmVlZA/wild-growth.png?r=fs&h=119&w=1250&fg=848B79&bg=FFFFFF&tb=1&s=95[/img][/center]
Sure enough, Nieve was predictably amused by his predicament. Thank goodness his humiliation would only be temporary. He shuddered to imagine the scene being immortalized in portrait form and paraded around for others to see. At least in this way his only witness was Nieve, although he would much prefer she [i]not[/i] always see his clumsy flubs.

Roshan could only let out a huff of resignation when she called out his ‘deer for legs’. At this point he had practically earned it, so there wasn’t really much arguing he could do. [color=848B79]"Physically, I’m fine,"[/color] he answered as his comrade’s petite form helped him rise up from the waters, [color=848B79]"but my pride…"[/color] Bruised and sopping, surely. Not too different from their first meeting really. Perhaps one day he would manage to improve her initial impression of him and turn such memories into ancient history.

[color=FFB7C5]"Also you look very pretty."[/color]
[color=848B79]"Uhhhh…. Thank you? Uh, so do you?"[/color] Roshan hesitantly responded, his brow raised in confusion. While he was a bit used to Nieve’s teasing, he couldn’t quite connect what she was implying just yet.
[color=FFB7C5]"If I didn't know any better, I'd believe you were beautiful sister version of you."[/color]
[color=848B79]"Wait— What? What do you mean?”[/color] He began to grumble as he now followed the woman’s pink-eyed gaze to inspect his own outfit as well. The fabric was weighed down a bit from the water, but being made of black lace made it at least somewhat resistant. [color=848B79]"It’s a little more fancy, sure, but aren’t these things always fancy?"[/color]

Nieve thankfully didn’t inquire further about his absence from the ballroom, but she did bring up a topic that was just as cumbersome: Chosen Ones. Unlike her, Roshan wasn’t particularly fond of human company. He found them distrustful and cruel, although at least on this land that cruelty was mostly directed at each other. He didn’t enjoy the lengths humans would go to just to get a Gods’ attention either. Being around them made his [i]soul[/i] itch, he couldn’t imagine willfully choosing to have a human always around at his beck and call. However, he wasn’t about to rain on her parade.

[color=848B79]"No, I don’t think I will. You have fun with that though,"[/color] he answered as gently as he could while he stood back with his arms crossed, curiously watching the selkie with her flowers. He felt a prick of conscience as her eyes flickered toward the cobblestone path. Ah, he was holding her back, wasn’t he?

[color=FFB7C5]"Mmm, done! To complete your outfit,"[/color] Nieve had declared, a crown woven of flowers held in her hands. Roshan chortled softly as he bent over obediently to accept her offering. He personally felt it would’ve looked better on her, but he quickly realized he should’ve known that it was never intended for herself.

[color=FFB7C5]"Also you're freakishly tall, any ordinary person would notice you."[/color]
[color=848B79]"This height is normal for my kind though,"[/color] he informed in earnest. Even in his memories, he could still recall the towering figures of his parents and grandparent. [color=848B79]"Ah, does that mean you’re ordinary?"[/color] Roshan asked curiously, only for his face to quickly become painted in flustered nervousness. [color=848B79]"Height, I mean! Ordinary height!"[/color] he added in a small panic.

During their time together, Roshan once again noticed her attention drawn back towards the palace. [color=848B79][i]She must really want to go back,[/i][/color] he thought guiltily. He took in a deep breath, then offered out a hand to Nieve. [color=848B79]"Would you like me to escort you back?"[/color]

[@Lunari]