rogueinladysclothing | All the help she can get [Tagging Adia]

"If someone is going to ask awkward questions, they're going to ask them no matter what term you use. But it's up to you and Harley. Almost every romantic term has alternate meanings. For example, I consider Caspar my partner, but to some people that makes it sound like we're going into business together. So I stick with boyfriend." She shrugs and smiles. "He likes it."

Ah, there's the rogue that Adia knows under all those happy feelings. "It's a learning process for sure. Missing one thing isn't going to ruin anything. But staying silent when you're hurting will hurt Harley, too. Your pain is hers now, and vice versa." She takes a sip of mocha and thinks about what else she can say to reassure her friend. "I don't think you can overshare when it comes to Harley, so I wouldn't worry about that."

Honestly, the more she thinks about it, the more Harley seems like the perfect person for Amelia. Someone who keeps herself closed off needs an empathetic partner to help her open up.

"No, not yet. I'll ask Harley to introduce us, then, if I don't see him around." She's not going to make Amelia do it, because she agrees that it would be a little weird.

The question makes her giggle. "Of course! Harley is so cool up on those silks. So long as you don't mind that Caspar is there, too? It's been a while since we've had a night out."

She hadn't thought about it that way, but Adia has a point. Something being an awkward subject has certainly never stopped her from asking before. Truly, she shouldn't expect differently from anyone else. "I guess that's another thing to talk to Harley about," she says with a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I'd hate to use a term that bothered her."

So many things to talk to Harley about. It feels a little overwhelming, and yet she now understands how necessary all of it is. It doesn't make the idea of it less terrifying, but knowing she isn't going to ruin things with small trips along the path settles her mind a little. She nods slowly, exhaling a silent breath she hadn't realized she was holding. All of this advice and reassurance leads her to another question: "When you phrase it that way... does it mean I can ask her to share things with me, too?" Because she would do most anything to make Harley feel better or prevent her from hurting.

"Not at all. Caspar is a good person and I enjoyed his company the last time we met." High praise from the rogue! In truth, though, as much as she would simply appreciate his company, she wants to see how he and Adia interact with one another. They're a good couple, from what little a thought like that can mean from someone like Amelia, and if she watches... maybe she'll pick up hints as to how to be in a relationship with Harley. It's worth a try, at least.

She smiles and finally picks up her mocha, concentrating a little to rewarm it with her magic. A small curl of steam puffs out through the hole in the lid before Amelia takes an appreciative sip. "Are there any other things I should know about being in a relationship? I remember my parents often speaking of the anniversary of the day they were married, but I'm not certain I ever understood the significance." A beat so she can take another sip. Mmm mocha. "Is it that the day is important because it's the one they were married? Or is it something else entirely?"

She gives Amelia a smile of agreement before taking another sip from her cup, enjoying the richness of the chocolate whipped cream. It's doubtful to her that Harley will mind the term, but it's always a good idea to ask what one's partner prefers. She's not about to squash that instinct.

In response to Amelia's question, her eyes light up and she smiles widely. "Yes!" she says, more excitedly than she intended, before blushing and stammering, "Ah, I m-mean, yes, exactly. Communication goes both ways, and Harley will appreciate a chance to share her feelings with you." She self-consciously drops her hands into her lap, but she still seems incredibly pleased with her friend's words. It's like hearing some sort of scientific break-through. Amelia is learning!

"You did? I'm glad to hear it. I had a feeling you two would get along." Maybe not before she had talked to Amelia at the pizza shop -- she had been genuinely concerned that her friend would give Caspar the shovel talk with a literal shovel -- but since then, she's noticed the similarities between them. "He liked talking to you, too. I'm very proud of him, he's been getting along with people in the Nexus much better than I thought he would."

Now if only he and Harrowheart could stop trolling one another...

"No, you're right, it's important because it's the day they were married. Anniversaries are good reasons to celebrate a relationship. The anniversary of a first date is another one people like to celebrate. And... hmm. Birthdays and holidays, too, because you're doing something nice for the person you care about. Especially any holidays that focus on love and romance."

The excited reaction earns a bright laugh from the rogue. It feels a little rude, once Adia calms herself enough to speak softly again, but Amelia can't help it. Her friend's reaction to the question is both unexpected and encouraging, and also very Adia. She won't linger on it, though, as to avoid making the other woman uncomfortable from her laughter. "So we'll have to find a balance, then. A way to ask and speak to each other about what we're feeling that doesn't overwhelm the other?"

She nods around another sip of her mocha. "I'm glad to know I didn't come off too strongly with him. The last thing I wanted to do was upset him, and therefore upset you, with my behavior. I think bonding over our want to see you happy and safe helped." It's rather easy to forget how awkward an initial meeting is when you spend the whole time talking about someone you both care about.

"Anniversaries and birthdays, got it." Not that she isn't already making small plans in her mind for Harley's birthday, but that's beside the point. That last note gives Amelia pause, though. "...there are holidays that revolve around love?" Dreams, has she been hiding in a hole while here in the Nexus to have missed that? Or has she really been too focused on everything else happening to notice things like that?

The laughter doesn't bother her, although she might spend a little more time with her next sip of mocha in order to get that rid of that blush. It certainly says something about their friendship that she's being spontaneous rather than overthinking whatever she's going to say every time she opens her mouth.

Her friend's comment pulls an unusually wry chuckle out of her. "No, you came on the right amount of strong, I think. It's weird, it's almost like he's suspicious of anyone who is too nice to him... but anyway. I'm glad you see him for who he is." A caring, protective boyfriend who doesn't have time for nonsense. No wonder they got along so well.

At least she doesn't have to explain why birthdays are important. Adia really wonders about Amelia's world sometimes, especially now when the other woman seems clueless about the concept of romantic holidays. "Yes, there are. Atlantis has Aphrodisia in June -- that's the feast of Aphrodite, our goddess of love. And Earth has Valentine's Day, which is..." She blinks. "Oh. That's coming up, isn't it? It's a holiday in February."

"It is?" That's a troublesome thought. Amelia sets aside her mocha and digs out her phone to find the date of Valentine's Day, her eyes widening in horror as she sees it's mere days away. "Dreams, it's the 14th. How will I prepare in time?" There's so much planning to be done for special occasions. Figuring out what Harley might like, tracking it down, paying off the right people to be out of the way if they're going out somewhere, paying others off to get them the perfect spot, or...

...wait a second.

She looks up as she sets aside her phone. "What do people get each other for Valentine's Day?" That might be a better place to start than wherever her brain was trying to take her.

Based on the way Amelia is visibly scheming, Adia has a fairly good idea of what thoughts are going through her friend's head. It's the same expression Caspar had when he first learned about the holiday (never mind that it's not from their culture), and she's relieved that Amelia pulls herself back from the proverbial ledge so Adia doesn't have to talk her down instead.

"I might not be the best person to ask. It's an Earth holiday, and I've only experienced it in the Nexus." And what an experience that was. There'd better not be any cursed candies in the Nexus this year or she's boycotting the holiday, no matter what Caspar has planned. "But from what I've learned, people exchange cards or small gifts. Flowers and chocolate are a popular choice. And usually the couple goes out somewhere for dinner. It doesn't have to be any more elaborate than that."

She looks at the rogue meaningfully. Do not go overboard. "You should ask Harley what she'd like to do and plan your day together. Then it will be the most fun for you both."

But overboard is what she does, Adia! She's good at that! Let her spoil Harley senseless, damn it!

"You mean it's not supposed to be a surprise, what I do for her?" Apparently she's missing the real idea behind something being a holiday. Her lips draw into a thin line. "Doesn't that spoil the presents I'd get for her? I want that much to be a surprise..."

Yes, she knows. And she knows that Amelia can get so wrapped up in the planning that she loses sight of the bigger picture. Time to impart some more helpful advice.

"I think your relationship is so new that you probably would be better off planning something together. And no, it won't spoil the presents, you don't have to tell her what you're getting her. The shops around here go all out for the holiday, you can get plenty of ideas just by looking at the store displays."

Planning this out is more complicated than she thought it would be. It's almost like planning a delicate heist, for all the details and nuances that are involved. It should make her more at ease, but instead it worries her more. This being related to a brand new situation for her, and having someone else's happiness and well-being tied to it, makes it that much more nerve-racking for the rogue.

"I don't want to get this wrong," she says softly, her gaze falling to the cup in Adia's hands. "I'll try talking to Harley, so I don't ruin this holiday for her." It could mean being told other holidays are off limits and Amelia simply doesn't want that. She wants to enjoy whatever time she can with Harley, no matter what they might be doing. "Are there any other things I should know about holidays like this?"

Aww, where's that dreamy smile that Amelia was sporting only a few minutes ago? Now she's worried about ruining what should be a fun time for her and Harley. Adia watches her with gentle eyes before reaching out across the table and offering her hand.

"I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Caspar when he started getting too worked up about Valentine's Day. It's just a day. It's like any other day out of your relationship. It's fun to do something special, but it's not a measure of the value of your relationship. Don't stress to much about it -- plan for it the way you'd plan for any other day with Harley. What's important is that you're together."

She pauses a moment to give Amelia a chance to think about that. Then she grins. "And don't be surprised if Harley wants to spoil you a little, too."

Adia's reassurance is helpful. Amelia's so worried about doing this right that hearing she's unlikely to do it wrong if she does one simple thing makes this whole situation feel easier to handle. The rogue looks up as she takes her friend's hand, a little smile tugging at her lips.

"You think she'd really want to do that for me? I've never..." She looks down for a brief moment, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "No one's ever wanted to do something like that for me."

It's good to see that smile again. Better still that she can give her friend's hand a small squeeze, to remind her that she can share her worries with her anytime.

Poor Amelia. It always tugs on her heartstrings a little to be reminded how little affection the rogue has been given in some areas of her life. "Yeah, I think she'll want to." She starts to say more, then frowns briefly, wanting to think out her words first. Harley's past relationship with the Joker is dicey territory. "You care about her, and treat her kindly. She'll want to demonstrate how much she cares in return."

That only makes her blush and smile more. The thought that anyone would do that for her is nigh unimaginable. The realization that Harley could want that for her? It makes her feel warm and light in a way she's never experienced before. It feels right, somehow, and as terrifying as that it is, it's also undeniably wonderful.

"I'm not sure how I'll react to that," she admits, reaching up to pull the fingers of her free hand through the strands of her hairpin. The light, melodic sound is grounding and, for possibly the first time ever, fits the mood the rogue is in. "I'm excited to find out, though."

Finally feeling up to it again, Amelia reaches over and picks up her mocha, sipping at it slowly. She looks up at Adia after a moment and smiles. "May I ask what you and Caspar are planning for Valentine's Day? Or what you've done in the past for Aphrodisia? I'd love to know what a more experienced couple does on a holiday that's devoted to love the way these are." It might also be that she wants ideas for low-key things to do, but she'll never admit that.

Her gaze goes up to the hairpin when Amelia makes it chime. As ever present as it is in Amelia's hair, she forgets about it sometimes. She smiles at the sound, then back at her friend. "Good. It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? Enjoy it."

Amelia's question makes her chuckle softly. "I wouldn't call us experienced, this is our first holiday like this. But of course you can ask. We have plans to go out to dinner in the Nexus and catch a show. He says he has a small surprise for me, too, but I warned him off of jewelry." She leans forward and pushes down the collar of her shirt so Amelia can better see the small tulip charm hanging around her neck. "I don't wear it much, and he already got me this for the Solstice."

She fixes her collar, but stays leaned in and adds in a conspiratorial half-whisper, "I got him a really nice tie. A red one. Don't tell him!"

Her eyes widen a little when Adia reveals the charm. "It's beautiful, Adia." She doesn't know the significance behind it, but she doesn't need to in order to appreciate the thought behind the gift. It feels very Adia, as it is. "He chose very well. I've never seen its like before." One of a kind things are always the best, as far as the rogue is concerned. Hence her many worries about what to get for Harley for Valentine's Day!

She laughs softly at the request for silence about Caspar's gift. "I won't tell him or any other soul," she promises. "The surprise is half the fun of giving gifts and I'd hate to take that from you. Promise you'll tell him if he liked his gift after the holiday, though." She throws a teasing wink at Adia to let the other woman know it's not really necessary to follow up. Besides, it's something to tease Caspar with later if she sees him before she sees Adia again.

"Roses are a more popular motif," she agrees. Which is probably why the tulip charm feels more appropriate for her, even without the backstory. "But Caspar has learned quickly that the Nexus has everything." She tilts her head a moment, as if trying to recall something, then grins and scoots away from the table. "Look," she says, tugging up her pants leg so that Amelia can get a glimpse of her waterbear sock. "He got me these, too." Proving once again that one can be a romantic and a nerd.

She laughs a little at the wink. "If you see him wearing it, then you'll know. His love of clothing makes him easy to shop for, especially because according to him, you can never have too many ties."

But enough about Caspar. "Anything else you wanted to ask? You can always text me later, too."

It's extremely endearing to hear the way Adia speaks of Caspar, especially when it comes to his taste in clothing - both for himself and for her. "Just wait until he finds a good tailor around here - he might never have to wear the same thing twice again." She knows just the tailor who would be up to the task, too, but she won't suggest that yet. Best to let that idea settle in with Adia first.

"Not that I can think of right now," she says with a smile. "I'm certain I'll come up with something else in the next few days, but I don't want to keep you while I try to figure them out." Curious person that she is, she knows that once she starts down this relationship research path, she's going to come up with new things to ask about. Everything new leads to more questions than can reasonably answered in one sitting anyway.

"Thank you so much for your help today, Adia. I really appreciate it." Is Adia ready for a hug? Because the second she can do so, Amelia's going to offer one. Adia likes hugs and Amelia enjoys giving them to her friend. "I hope things go well for you and Caspar on Valentine's Day."

"Oh, he's been looking, trust me. He is so picky, though." She rolls her eyes, though she her tone is quite fond. "But the Nexus is full of very talented people. I'm sure he'll find someone he likes soon enough. For now he can live with off the rack."

It's better than off the sheep, which is more or less what he's stuck with on Atlantis until an established textile shop is constructed.

"I'm glad that I was able to be here for you." She smiles warmly, then squeaks when Amelia surprises her with another hug. She returns it quickly, but makes sure that Amelia can end it whenever she's ready. "And thanks. I'm sure you'll have a lovely date with Harley."

She gathers up her messenger bag and what's left of her mocha. "I'd stick around and study but I'm in the middle of analyzing some samples so I should get back to the lab. Let's get together again after Valentine's Day?"

Amelia doesn't hold the hug for too long. She knows Adia's a busy woman - and she's about to be one as well. So much research to do when she gets back to the inn! Starting with a text to Harley...

"That sounds perfect. We can update each other on how our plans went while we do more research." She smiles brightly at Adia, picking up her own half-finished mocha and then leading them both out of their bright study room and into the grey, snowy Nexus outside of the library. It seems so much brighter outside, despite the cloud cover and lazily falling snow, now that the rogue is in a good mood.

"Let me know when you're free and we can get together again," she says when they pause at the bottom of the stairs. "And thank you again." One last smile, and then she heads off into the Nexus, a dreamy smile on her face as she makes her way back to her room.

All the help she can get [Tagging Adia]

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