Explanations

It had been a fruitful trip.

Though Lorelei was still a bit miffed about Sophia, she was very relieved to have gotten her shopping done. Though the ball would not happen until late June, Lorelei always liked to be ready. Thankfully, Nico's preparations for his 'finals week' had reminded her of such an important task. Truly, she could not understand how she forgot.

Exiting the carriage at Jason's estate, Lorelei pondered on the upcoming evening. What would Nico have them doing next? After last night's lovely surprise, courtesy of both Nico and, apparently, Lydia, Lorelei had resolved to try to loosen up. Nico had said that he had something special in mind to push her to that. Lorelei was excited to find out what it was. After she got to eating yet another bland meal, Lorelei intended to immediately turn in.

"Lorelei!"

Turning, Lorelei saw Jason walking briskly towards her. He had his public smile on, shining all of his admittedly good looks. His hair was down today. Truthfully, it looked as though it needed a good combing. Hopefully his work had not been so demanding that he did not care for himself.

"Jason," Lorelei said calmly, painting on a married smile. "How are you?"

"Fine," Jason responded. "Let us take a walk, my love. How was your trip?"

"Oh, it was just lovely," Lorelei said, walking towards the Terrtrove estate's garden area. "I purchased the most wonderful jewelry set! You recall how much I love the autumn leaves?"

Jason smiled. "I remember that," he said. The two of them dismissed their aids before they continued. "When we were kids, you were always so sad to see them go."

"Yes," Lorelei said. "At least these leaves will not blow away. They are woven into the most intricate pattern. I should have Sara show you later." The aids, as well as everyone else, were now gone.

Seeing that they were alone, Jason turned to Lorelei. "Alright, what do you actually want to tell me, Lei-lei?"

"Oh, don't call me that," Lorelei scoffed. "We are not kids anymore, Jay."

"Really?" Jason asked. He looked to the sky. "Some days, I'm not so sure."

""Come now, Jason," Lorelei chided. "Isn't twenty-five a bit too young for a mid-life crisis?"

"A what?"

"Never mind," Lorelei said quickly. Nico was starting to rub off on her. After a pause, Lorelei spoke again. "I saw Lady Sophia today."

Jason stopped just outside the garden. "Oh?"

"We were at Gale's dress shop," Lorelei started. "With the ball coming up, I needed a new fit. Just my luck, Sophia was there before me. We argued, and I had everything set up against her!"

"And then what happened?" Jason asked, entering the garden with Lorelei.

The Terrtrove garden did not have many flowers. Giving Lorelei's distaste for them, as well as Jason's sensitivity to their scents, the two of them had decided to forgo most of them. Instead, the garden mostly held leaf plants. On the right of Lorelei were leaves of Persian Shield and Coleus. On Jason's left were Coral Bells and Earth Stars. Further down the path were grasses of Japanese Blood and Pink Muhly. In the middle of the garden was a giant fountain, which Jason and Lorelei were slowly walking towards.

"I had her taken aside before she could run her vile mouth any further," Lorelei said.

"What did you two talk about?" Jason asked patiently.

"She mostly lashed out in rage," Lorelei said. She turned to Jason. "Actually, that crass woman actually tried to get me to befriend her! After everything, why would she even bother trying that again?"

"You know how she likes her games," Jason said. "I suppose she wanted a new toy."

"Well, she's not getting me that easily!" Lorelei began toying with her hair ribbon.

Jason narrowed his eyes at her. "You didn't snap at her like yesterday, right?"

"Oh, please," Lorelei said. "Yesterday was a unique event, and it will not be repeating."

"What makes it so different?"

"Well," Lorelei started. "To start, she had the whole table against me from the moment the party started. I have no idea what lies she fed them, but they seemed to think I had done something awful! Sophia then used that to say more and more atrocious things. From my expression to my outfit to my freaking family, everything was wrong."

"What caused you to break?" Jason asked, stepping to the fountain they had arrived at.

Sitting at the fountain's edge, Lorelei picking the ribbon off entirely, still fiddling. "She crossed the line. Truly, a ruined dress is a light punishment. If I'd had my way, that tea would have been on her face."

"I understand now. Thank you for explaining." Jason pondered for a second. "You are far more descriptive than you were last night."

Last night?

Whirling on Jason, Lorelei spoke, "Why would you speak to me about such a thing in the dead of night?"

"Well, you didn't seem to have a problem before," Jason said. "Besides, I've been busy."

"And you think I'm not?" Lorelei huffed.

"I didn't say that, Lorelei," Jason said, raising his hands in surrender. "I was just making an observation. Why are you so upset over this?"

Taking a breath, Lorelei forced herself to relax. Jason didn't know, after all. "I am often tired in the evenings," she said. "If you have questions about my day in the future, please address them to me during the day."

Jason cocked his head. "Why would you be so tired? I don't recall hearing that your schedule had changed."

"The life of a noblewoman can be quite tiring," Lorelei said, looking away.

Unfortunately, Jason did not appear to be convinced. Even so, he let the subject drop. After a few minutes of silence, the two of them resumed conversation. They spoke of menial things until the sun was nearly finished setting. At the end, the two of them found themselves back at the manor, where the two of them split off. Thankfully, Jason did not bring last night up again. Hopefully, he forgot about it.

Upon arriving to her room, Lorelei made quick work of her bedroom routine with the maids. In record time, she was washed, changed, and alone in her room once more. Laying back, she eagerly awaited sleep. What sort of knowledge would Lorelei gain tonight? Lorelei could not wait to see what ideas Nico had planned.