[X] Night Descends
"What on earth...?" you ask rhetorically, rising from your desk and staring at the unwelcome intruder with a frown of disapproval. "Sir. A gentleman knocks before entering a lady's room!"
"Ah!" Dio looks shocked, then incredibly embarrassed as he closes the door to a crack. "Excuse me! In the dark I mistook your door for mine. Please forgive the intrusion."
Your annoyance lessens somewhat. Of course. How silly of you; you forgot how lost Del got the first time she visited. The house can be confusing if you're not used to it.
You sigh in relief. You were worried for a moment you would have to be unkind to someone who's been nothing but gracious to you.
"So that's it." You make a brief curtsy. "I apologize for being so sharp with you, Brandy. I am used to the rough ways of country boys; it would not be impossible that one of them would expect to share a bed with me to keep warm."
Dio laughs, a soft, cultured sound. "There is nothing to forgive, Jojo. It's only natural that a young lady should be ready to defend her reputation."
"Nevertheless, I am sorry. Allowances have to be made for family." You go to the door and point down the hall. "Your bedroom is four doors down from mine, past the portrait of the gentleman in the blue doublet. The keyhole is plugged shut, I believe, so if you trace it with your finger you should be able to find your room by touch no matter how lost you get."
He makes an impressed noise. "Oh? You know this house down to the last detail, it seems."
"A lady's home is her domain," you declare. "If she is to rule it effectively she must know as much about it as possible."
He chuckles. "Then I suppose I should pay my respects to the queen of the family."
Before you can stop him, he presses his lips to your forehead.
"A goodnight kiss for my stern little sister."
He smells faintly of lavender.
And then, with a smile, he withdraws coolly, and turns to make his way back down the hall.
[X] >: < He thinks you're stern now, wait until he gets a taste of the back of your hand! D-did that count as your first kiss? Augh!
[X] .///. Why is your heart beating so fast?
[X] ^_^ What a gentle brother you have. /oblivious