All along the Belltower
As evening sets in, Tristan and Grace meet up in front of the Gold Dragon. In an effort to keep things casual both have dressed to impress, seemingly to mutual appreciation. She asks him where they're going and he leads her into the city, to the belltower he'd visited on his first day in Flamekeep. After he asks her to trust him, he begins to climb the side of the tower like a spider. Grace mentions having heard of the tail he grew that morning and wonders if this is related, but doesn't seem bothered.
Atop the tower is a picknick spread, facing west towards the coming sunset. Tristan suggests they eat, drink, and mostly just talk and get to know each other. Agreeing, they sit down together. Before truly starting their conversation, Grace takes out the letter she wrote in the event of her death in Athandra. She explains it contains all basic information about her, her life, family, friends, etc. She hadn't been comfortable with the idea of dying and Tristan not knowin anything about her. He is offered a choice: either he can read the letter, or they can talk about it but he will never get to read it. Taking out the letter he wrote for her, Tristan places it atop hers and says he's fine destroying them. Grace pulls a wand out and obliterates them quite completely.
Between eating and drinking and watching the setting sun, they converse on a variety of topics; the foods of their homelands, their siblings and growing up. Grace talks about Princess Corinne with almost motherly pride discussing the events of the night before, and they concur that the last few days have been overwhelming. Tristan thanks her, feeling he might not have gotten through them as well if she hadn't been there. Talking about the day of their ride in the woods, Grace tells him she'd been surprised to learn afterward he didn't usually laugh a lot. He says that he's been doing better on that front since, but the two years before have been hard on him.
The conversation shifts through several more topics. Their hometowns, Karrnathi naming conventions, faith, before Tristan eventually asks about her bond with Griff and Cody. She explains her talent for magic led her to the university, and later to the army. There, Griff instructed both her and Cody. She also explains where Cody got his scar. In discussing Cody's impulsiveness, reliability and occasional recklessness, Tristan is reminded of an old friend. He tells Grace he fully understands why she trusts him with her life. This leads them to discuss their own roles in their respective units, both having been the primary planners in them. They also agree on the need to trust teammates when they deviate from the plan. A good unit is family. Grace asks if he has such a bond with his 'new unit' too, and Tristan indicated there is a potential for that there.
Evening has fully fallen, and upon being asked what's next, Tristan suggests going for a ride. To his surprise, as he'd simply meant a horseride, Grace suggests a ride on Aristotle. Not long after, they are flying high above Flamekeep, up into the clouds a little. The city beneathis beautifully lit. The cathedral is gorgeous from up here, they can make out the inner sanctum's dome, and almost see the fire flicker inside. The palace, cathedral and spires are illuminated gorgeously. Grace asks if there's anywhere in particular he would like to go, Tristan replies he right where he wants to be.
As they're flying, he brings up 'the tail thing' and asks if it's not an issue. She reassures him that it's not an issue. House Vadalis doesn't question peoples' biology, and might even be interested in it. Tristan tells her it isn't really a biological thing. She muses on whether he's been bitten by a half-scorpion, and he retorts saying by that sounds as believable as The Panic, perhaps he should send a suggestion to Williee Kazaar to write about. He then explains the same he had done to Griff the night before. Grace asks the name of the friend who helped him with this, but doesn't recognise the name. She makes it clear to Tristan that whatever this may lead to, they're in this together now.
Landing by the Gold Dragon, they decide to go in for a last drink before they end their evening together. They talk about their respective callsigns, and from there the conversation turns to the upcoming engagement ball. Tristan asks whether she'll be there as a guest or a bodyguard. The answer is both, as Grace will be performing both her regular duties of guarding the Princess as well as being there as a representative of Arcanix. They agree this means they will be able to dance, and are clearly both looking forward to it. The date comes to an end, and plans are made to continue seeing each other soon.
