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[center][color=red][h1]FLASHBACK[/h1][/color]

[h2][color=#B3EBC0]Nolan[/color] & [color=#7D7FDB]Marina[/color][/h2]

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[color=#7D7FDB]Time:[/color] Ignis 5 Day
[color=#B3EBC0]Location:[/color]  Museum of Caesonian History and Science

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An institution of knowledge of the natural world and its history, a place of learning where even those who care little for either could find something to pique their interest. Within the grand halls of the Museum of Caesonian History and Science people of all ages walked through with inquisitive gazes at carefully curated exhibits, reading off placards written in enough detail that even the most common laymen could glean something from it. Out of all the establishments in Sorian, this was by far Nolan's favorite. 



No matter how many times he had visited in the past, he could never grow bored of it. How many times had he passed by it as a child with worn clothes and an empty gut wondering what laid past its doors? Too many to count most likely. Even now after all of these years he still found himself in the museum once again though this time it was because there was a new temporary exhibit: an exhibit on bugs and insects found not just in Caesonia, but from the warm, tropical climate of Alidasht and the less snowbound regions of Varian. 



It was rare for Nolan to be excited about much, but a new exhibit would always get his blood pumping. There was still so much of the world he did not know, so many things he had never seen, and today was just another sliver of knowledge to be gained. Well, it was not like he didn't know a lot about bugs to begin with; he read a lot about them as a child in the Edwards Estate Library but seeing them in person was another story altogether! 



[color=#B3EBC0]"Let's see, where is it?"[/color] He murmured to himself as he looked around the foyer. His eyes lit up when he saw a sign that said [i]The Strange World of Entomology.[/i] 



[color=#B3EBC0]"There you are!"[/color] He beamed ecstatically before he rushed over to the exhibit filled with many creepy crawlies. Once inside, he saw glass cages filled with various insects living in mocked up ecosystems. He started with the closest exhibit which featured various beetles.  


Marina cut through the museum’s hush in proper, put-together finery: a dusky blue dress that looked sweet at first glance and dangerous on second, fitted through the bodice with pale sleeves that billowed just enough to be dramatic. Her dark auburn hair had been left loose, tickling her collarbone in soft waves every time she turned her head, and there was a coating of plum lipstick on her mouth.


She slowed right behind Nolan, peering past his shoulder. [color=#7D7FDB]“Here I am !”[/color] Marina echoed, then let her gaze drift over his face for a moment before she commented smugly, [color=#7D7FDB]“Of course you went straight for the beetles.”[/color] 

Then she rounded him and leaned closer to the glass, eyes narrowing. [color=#7D7FDB]“That one,”[/color] she said, tapping the glass with one gloved finger, [color=#7D7FDB]“is basically a tiny armored thief. Some beetles can play dead so convincingly that predators get bored and leave—like,”[/color] her lips curved as she spoke, [color=#7D7FDB]“‘sorry, I’m unavailable for violence right now.’”[/color] Her gaze slid to Nolan, bright with satisfaction at her own commentary. [color=#7D7FDB]“Stag beetle,”[/color] she added, as if Nolan had asked. [color=#7D7FDB]“[i]Lucanus cervus[/i].”[/color]

Nolan had straightened up with a start and turned around to see this woman who crackled like electricity and mischief speaking to him with familiarity. 'Of course you went straight for the beetles?' What in the world did she mean by that? Why was she even speaking with him? Had she mistaken him for someone else? Why else would she be talking to him? He could not tell if her presence should make him anxious or if she had caught him so amazingly off guard that his brain was in a state of shock. Just who the hell was she?


There was a mischievous glint in her eyes, one that he could recognize very well. That same glint could be found in Ariella's own eyes whenever she was brewing trouble. If he had shown any weakness, he knew he was going to be swallowed whole.


He cleared his throat in an attempt to regain some semblance of control. [color=#B3EBC0]"Personally, I am more partial to the Diabolical Ironclad Beetle, [i]Phloeodes Diabolicus[/i]"[/color] His finger pointed at a beetle that looked like it was made of wrought iron than any form of organic matter. It stood still, laying low to the ground and flat. [color=#B3EBC0]"It isn't a thing of beauty, it can't even fly, but it is a creature that has been tempered and refined by evolution. It can withstand forces 39,000 times its own bodyweight, protecting it from would-be predators until they give up. A marvel of nature."[/color] He stated with his own satisfaction and admiration for such a simple creature.



Nolan turned his attention to his unexpected companion and focused on her face with a knitted brow. For the life of him, he could not recognize her; he felt like he would have remembered a face like hers. [color=#B3EBC0]"Though I am afraid that I am not the person you are looking for, unless my memory has failed me and I promised a date then that truly would be a marvel."[/color] A chuckled parsed his lips though it was more at himself; there was no way he could gather that kind of nerve. 

Marina’s brows lifted in pleased surprise as Nolan began speaking. 


[i]The Diabolical Ironclad Beetle[/i]


Her lips curved, slow and smug, as she leaned closer to the glass and studied the flattened little creature. [color=#7D7FDB]“Mm.”[/color] The sound came out satisfied. [color=#7D7FDB]“You have excellent taste,”[/color] Marina declared finally. [color=#7D7FDB]“The ironclad beetle is a tiny war crime.”[/color]


She leaned in with that same mischievous look. [color=#7D7FDB]“Frightened ladies try to step on those bad boys all the time and then bam,”[/color] She continued as if she were conspiring with him, her voice a low hiss.  [color=#7D7FDB] “Nothing. The exoskeleton is layered like a composite, so when it’s squeezed, the structure spreads stress out instead of cracking in one fatal spot… Meaning…”[/color] A grin formed on her face and she offered her fist toward him like a ridiculous oath. [color=#7D7FDB]“[i]The iron clad being is an invincible foe that can thwart all evil.[/i]”[/color]


When he made that little [i]polite[/i] joke about the date, Marina’s gasp was so dramatic it belonged on a stage. And because Marina was Marina and she couldn’t leave well enough alone, she asked,  [color=#7D7FDB]“how could you say that with such a straight face?”[/color]

She leaned in, eyes narrowing with  accusation. [color=#7D7FDB]“We’ve been planning this date for weeks.”[/color]  Marina lifted her chin and folded her arms, holding the glare just long enough to see if he’d panic.


Then finally, she waved her hand to dismiss it all.  [color=#7D7FDB]“I jest. We’ve never met. “[/color] 


A genuine smile softened her mouth as she finally offered her hand. [color=#7D7FDB]“I’m Marnie.”[/color]

Rather than a clinical explanation, this woman had a rather colorful way of illustrating concepts. If he were to be honest with himself, she was quite captivating. Her energy was uncontainable like a storm and yet, bounced like rays of light. To put it simply, it was a pleasure to listen to her speak with such zeal on all things multilegged and fluttery. Her in-depth knowledge had caused his lips to curl into a smile from his own pleasant surprise; if one were to tell him that a charming woman would wander to him and elucidate upon the many critters behind the planes of glass he would have rolled his eyes. 

However, when she offered her fist, he looked at it with raised brows. Never had he ever seen a lady offer a fist bump before; it was like seeing a pauper singing opera, but here he was. And he was supposed to reciprocate? Has he ever given a fist bump ever since he became an Edwards? Hesitantly, he pressed his knuckles against hers. 

Before he could dwell too deeply on the matter, the woman gasped so loudly that a few other patrons shot around and looked at the duo with either curiosity, or some glaring at Nolan for being an inconsiderate date. However, she could gauge by his reaction that he was not buying it; a smirk played on his lips as he looked at her with a knowing look. He knew himself all too well. If he had asked a woman on a date, then his family would have never left him alone and Lottie would have made sure not a hair was out of place. They would have made a whole show of it.

But rather than doubling down, her face softened with a kind smile. The moisture in his mouth ran dry at the sight of her hand extended to him.

[color=#B3EBC0][i]She doesn't want to hurt you, Nolan. Keep your breath steady. You're in control; you're not in danger.[/i][/color]

Nolan reached out and gently grabbed her hand. It was so small compared to his. [color=#B3EBC0]"Nolan, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."[/color] His smile seemed so tiny compared to hers.

[color=#7D7FDB]“Nolan,”[/color] Marina repeated cheerfully, shaking his hand with an enthusiasm that was a touch too much for most and exactly enough for her. Her violet eyes skimmed over him with curiosity, catching the nervousness in his posture, the way he seemed to hold himself like he was waiting to be corrected. It tugged something protective awake in her.


She let his hand go and smoothed her skirt with exaggerated dignity, as if she’d decided this was now an official appointment. Then she looked up at him. [color=#7D7FDB]“Now, Nolan,”[/color] she said, [color=#7D7FDB]“you must show me your favorite creature in this entire exhibit.”[/color] Her lips curved playfully. [color=#7D7FDB]“I will accept nothing less than your most beloved little monstrosity.”[/color]

His fair cheeks took on a slight hue of red as her violet eyes examined him, feeling them scan all of his foibles. Gods above it was embarrassing to look this pathetic, he knew that. Here there was this bright, intelligent woman that for some reason upon high he could not understand singled him out of every person in his exhibit and there he was standing so meekly like a little boy. If he had any ounce of his brother's charm and charisma this would have been a fine set up, but he didn't. 

His hand fell to his side, his bright green eyes watched her performance. Was she always like this? Always putting on a show from the way she carried herself to the way she even spoke about things mundane to most people? It was so bold and outrageous that one could hardly say that she was putting on an act and yet, her smile was so genuine that it made him second guess. Which was the real Marnie? Or did this encompass all of her? Such things made it hard to keep his balance around her.

[color=#B3EBC0]"My favorite in the exhibit, huh?"[/color] Nolan echoed back. This woman really had a knack for keeping him on his toes. Not one to keep looking like a dog with its tail between his legs, he corrected that weak posture of his. 

[color=#B3EBC0]"I'm afraid I cannot do that though not out of unwillingness or indecisiveness; this is a new exhibit, and it is my first time visiting since I've arrived back in Sorian.[/color] Nolan, despite trying to hold together whatever mask of dignity and propriety, asked with heat radiating from his cheeks he asked, [color=#B3EBC0]"So how about this? We'll walk through together and we'll both share our findings. That is if you find my company agreeable."[/color]

In truth, Marina thought Nolan was… adorable. He was as pretty as a painting and as shy as a mouse. He was so earnest that it was almost as fun as poking at her brothers; the whole concept of Nolan as a person amused and delighted her. Although she hadn’t the slightest clue what had possessed her to even talk to him, other than that she had simply overheard his delighted cry upon finding his precious bugs, and she had decided such enthusiasm deserved an answer.


It was strangely easy, carrying on like this with him; he made her feel safe in a way she didn’t quite understand, and she didn’t question it too hard.  It wasn’t as though she could plop her heart out on a table for him to see, no–Marina could barely manage to get herself to do that with her own family, most days not even with herself. 

But she liked his company. She didn’t feel so angry around him.

And the relief of that was both unfamiliar and welcome.

So in the end, she smiled brightly and said, [color=#7D7FDB]“ I find your company most agreeable, Nolan. Let us venture through this labyrinth of creatures together. ”[/color] 

It was an odd feeling, to be constantly on his toes and yet to enjoy someone's company at the same time. How could the smile of a woman bring about so much warmth and yet so much anxiety? A calm and yet trepidation? Conflicting emotions rattled in him, and they all stemmed from a single, simple desire: he wanted to get to know her better. He wanted to know what was behind those violet eyes, the razor-sharp wit and intellect that glimmered with promise with every moment she spoke. 

[color=#B3EBC0]"I'll graciously accept the honor then,"[/color] Nolan said with a tinge of warmth in his voice and a smile that curled upwards from his lips. His arm gestured an invite to walk by his side through the exhibit and she enthusiastically took the offer. 

As they walked though, Nolan glanced down at her and curiously asked, [color=#B3EBC0]"So, Marnie, I must ask. Are you new to Sorian or are you perhaps a visitor?"[/color] 

Before she could answer, there was a loud [i]THUMP[/i] next to them. Behind a pane of glass was a cricket, a very, very big cricket to put it quite plainly. Its antennas fidgeted around as its beady black eyes stared at Nolan and Marina through the glass before jumping against the cage again. 

[color=#B3EBC0]"Giant Wētā, [i]Deinacrida Heteracantha.[/i] They grow about eight inches in length. The females weigh about two and half ounces, or about the weight of a tennis ball. Sounds like it too."[/color] Nolan looked unperturbed at the cricket fighting for its escape. Or maybe it was very angry about its situation? 

Marina’s expression wore her fascinated approval. She released Nolan’s arm and drifted closer, as if pulled. [color=#7D7FDB]“Oh hello, big mama,”[/color] she murmured in a sweet coo, as if she was greeting a dog instead of a creature that looked capable of surviving a war.


She leaned in until she was nearly nose to glass, her breath fogging it for a second as she held the wētā’s stare without blinking. Her eyes narrowed in recognition, like she understood the attitude.
[color=#7D7FDB]“I wouldn’t want to be boxed up either,”[/color] Marina said softly, [color=#7D7FDB]“I do understand, my lady. I truly do.”[/color]


Then, without looking away from the glass, she added, [color=#7D7FDB]“Her name is Lady Hilda. ”[/color]

It was a pleasant, yet odd sight to watch her coo a cricket the size of a small puppy when most would have probably turned their nose up in disgust. Objectively speaking these were ugly creatures; they lacked the bright and varied colors of many insects nor did they have beautiful patterns. It was a big, brown thing with hairy legs and yet, Marnie treated it with kindness regardless. 

And then she found a way to inject whimsy. He could only softly laugh like rays of light peaking through a cloudy day.  [color=#B3EBC0]"'Lady' Hilda. She has a title?"[/color] Nolan stepped to her and leaned forward to look at the Wētā closer to eye level. It was an insect; it possessed intelligence lower than that of a human and had such a shorter life span, but it was still a living being. 

[color=#B3EBC0]"I understand her ladyship very well; it's a scary thing to be locked up,"[/color] he murmured softly. For just a moment, his eyes dulled. Briefly, ever so briefly, he was somewhere else, somewhere he'd rather not be.

And then he was back. Nolan straightened his back and glanced around the exhibit. [color=#B3EBC0]"Perhaps we should let her be. We have plenty of ground to cover."[/color] 

Marina didn’t answer right away. Her gaze had shifted from the glass to him the moment his tone changed, and she didn’t miss the flicker of emotion behind his words and the dulling of those eyes. Nosy as she could be, she made the choice not to pry—not now.

Instead, she nodded finally. [color=#7D7FDB]“Onward, then,”[/color] she agreed. Marina made a show of tearing herself away, like it was an act of great personal sacrifice. She gave the glass one last fond look, lifted two fingers in a salute, and murmured under her breath, [color=#7D7FDB]“Be brave, Lady Hilda.”[/color] Her gaze ever so slightly slid toward Nolan as she whispered, [i][color=#7D7FDB]“ Do not let them temper your fighting spirit.”[/color][/i]


Then she turned, skirts swishing as she fell back into step beside Nolan.

They rounded the next case and Marina stopped so abruptly Nolan nearly walked into her. Inside the terrarium, a praying mantis sat on a branch. Her head turned slowly until her big eyes were set on Nolan and Marina

[color=#7D7FDB]“That one’s not afraid of anything.”[/color] Marina whispered.


The mantis then lifted one arm and Marina’s mouth tugged into a pleased smirk.


[color=#7D7FDB]“I like her,”[/color] she decided. [color=#7D7FDB]“If I were a bug, I’d be her.”[/color] Then Marina lifted both hands in front of her chest, wrists bent and fingers curled like a mantis, then made a tiny “chomp-chomp” motion toward Nolan with a little grin.

[color=#B3EBC0]"So you're very territorial?"[/color] Nolan joked with a smirk as he approached the glass and leaned forward to examine the specimen. It rubbed its eyes with its forearms against its eyes to remove debris. His eyes lit up with almost a childlike joy to examine a creature with the only restraint being the glass between him and the mantis. [color=#B3EBC0]"They're effective little killers, blending in and then they spear their prey with their forelegs when they least expect it."[/color] 

[color=#7D7FDB]“Oh, absolutely. I had a whole watchword system for my room.”[/color]

He turned his gaze back to her. [color=#B3EBC0]"And you know what they are famous for. If they're hungry, they eat the males after...they..."[/color] Heat radiated from his cheeks while flush crept from his cheeks to his ears. Suddenly, the context of her playful bites took on a whole new meaning. 

Marina’s eyes went wide, and for the briefest second she looked flustered. Heat climbed up her freckled cheeks so quickly it ratted her out before she could hide it, and she hated that it did. She hadn’t even been thinking about [i]that[/i] part. She could practically feel him deciding she was some sort of creep.

Was she flirting with him? Was this what flirting looked like? Dear god, flirt back dammit! How does one even flirt?!

Nolan turned face away from her. [color=#B3EBC0]"You're assuming that I would be the one being eaten."[/color] His eyes widened in absolute horror when he realized what that sounded like. [color=#B3EBC0]"Oh gods, that came out entirely wrong! I'm so sorry!"[/color] 

Marina had planned to answer that with words, but instead, she let out a strangled sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a gasp, then snapped her mouth shut and forced her expression to look nonchalant. It did not fully succeed. Her blush remained.

If there was a cliff nearby, he would have swan dived off it. Maybe he could break into the terrarium filled with venomous spiders and let them end his suffering? At this point, he would settle for huddling into a corner and silently scream. The silence was too damn heavy.


She finally cleared her throat and folded her arms, as if she hadn’t just short-circuited. [color=#7D7FDB]“Nolan…”[/color] she began, slowly, in a scolding manner as if he was a child that had said something inappropriate. She then wagged a finger at him. [i][color=#7D7FDB]“You are not biting my head off.”[/color][/i]


Her chin lifted once more with mock authority. [color=#7D7FDB]“I know I might not look it, but I’m rather terrifying on a battlefield.”[/color]

His brows lifted towards the ceiling; Nolan had expected his face to sting from a well-deserved slap, instead to his surprise she was just teasing him. She had a greater mental fortitude than he did; he could not imagine how many people would have let such a vulgar comment go like that. 


She paused thoughtfully and subsequently poked both her cheeks. [color=#7D7FDB]“And I’m cute, so you wouldn’t dare be violent to a face like this.”[/color] Then she fluffed her curls like it was proof. 

The tension in his muscles loosened and he could feel himself begin to breathe again. [color=#B3EBC0]"Yes, yes you are,"[/color] He admitted with a soft chuckle. 

Taking a moment to summon his courage, Nolan shifted his balance to face her with an earnest expression. His hand reached for his heart, and he gave her a polite bow that had been drilled into him from a young age. [color=#B3EBC0]"I really do apologize though, sincerely. As you plainly witnessed, I have a knack for putting my foot in my mouth when I'm... off balance."[/color] Nervous, he meant that he was nervous around her, but he couldn't allow himself to say it. Not in front of her. His pride wouldn't allow it.

[color=#B3EBC0]"But that is not an excuse. How do I make it up to you, Marnie?"[/color] 

[color=#7D7FDB]“Oh, it’s fine, I—”[/color] Marina cut herself off as his last statement fully registered in that brain of hers.

A slow, delighted smile spread across her face, and it spelled [i]trouble[/i]. [color=#7D7FDB]“Make it up to me?”[/color] she echoed, her dangerous tone sweet as sugar. 

[color=#B3EBC0]"Yes...?"[/color] Nolan confirmed hesitantly. 

She lifted the back of her hand to her brow like she was about to faint, but the obvious smirk ruined the performance. [color=#7D7FDB]“Tragic,”[/color] she sighed dramatically. [color=#7D7FDB]“A gentleman loudly implying he’d like a taste of me in a public place of education. I may never recover.”[/color]

[color=#B3EBC0]"Wh-wha-! I did not mean-!"[/color] Blush burned his cheeks as she dramatically announced his social faux pas with that obvious smirk on her face. [i]Oh, she was a very dangerous woman. [/i]

Then her eyes flicked up to his, bright with mischief. [color=#7D7FDB]“Yes. I’ve decided.”[/color] she said, as if passing judgment. [color=#7D7FDB]“You’ll spend the courting season making it up to me.”[/color]

On one hand, he was glad to still be in her good graces. The one thing he wanted to do was to make her think that he was some sort of rake; that would be a humiliation he was not sure he would be able to survive. On the other hand, he could feel it in his bones that she was going to run him ragged... But he did enjoy her company. With a relenting sigh, he asked, [color=#B3EBC0]"And what are the details of this arrangement?"[/color] 

[color=#7D7FDB]“The details?”[/color] Marina echoed. She then tapped her chin and said firmly, [color=#7D7FDB]“Mm. No.”[/color]  Subsequently, she leaned in just enough and explained merrily,  [color=#7D7FDB]“I’ll make it up as we go. I’ll keep you on your toes, you’ll keep me entertained, and if you behave, I [i]might[/i] even be merciful.”[/color]

[color=#B3EBC0]"[i]Might[/i] even be merciful."[/color] Nolan repeated back with an arched brow. A chuckle of disbelief rang past his lips while he shook his head. [color=#B3EBC0]"How generous of you. So, I am at the mercy of your whims and fancies. You're a little devil; you know that right?"[/color] If there was a lesson to take away from this, it would be to never even attempt flirting again. 

Marina giggled as if he had complimented her, a devious little smile on her face. [color=#7D7FDB]“Oh, I know,”[/color] she said sweetly as if this was common knowledge.



[color=#B3EBC0]"However, I am nothing, but a man of my word. Until the end of this courting season, I am at your beck and call."[/color] Nolan bowed towards her again though this time there was something overdramatic in the way he did it. It was as if he was copying her to tease her for her flair for performance. 


Marina pinched the edges of her skirt and dipped into a curtsy. [color=#7D7FDB]“Very good,”[/color] she declared, eyes filled with wicked satisfaction. [i][color=#7D7FDB]“I accept your surrender.”[/color][/i]
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