…And how?

ㅤ It was hard to suppress her feelings when even her mind agreed with them. Kisara understood perfectly well that she had found her ideal. But true perfection exists only in fairy tales; in real life, everything has its flaws… 'I can't be content with just platonic love… Besides, I want a family, and what if he…' She was even ashamed to think about such things in detail, but she couldn't do anything about it. If the absence of pain was limiting a vital bodily function for conception, Kisara couldn't allow her feelings to develop. It would be better to nip them in the bud. 'What if…?' hope dawned in her soul. 'What if all is not really lost?' She really wanted to believe in miracles… Because only it could make dreams come true. But to do so, she had to find the courage to speak frankly with the object of her affection. Too frankly… Low and Rinwell were having a pleasant time, chatting away from everyone else. Dohalim was helping Shionne with the cooking. Even though it was her turn, everyone wanted to eat, and something at least somewhat edible, so someone was always left to keep an eye on Shionne. The only thing that bothered was that this time Dohalim had volunteered… 'Something always has to be sacrificed for happiness. This time, it will be our dinner…' she had to mentally resign herself to it, for otherwise she would never have found a better moment for a serious, one-on-one conversation. Alphen polished his sword with precise movements. He always took meticulous care of his weapon, ensuring that it never failed even in the most heated battle. Kisara approached cautiously, as if afraid to attract attention. So quietly and inconspicuously that she had to speak to make Alphen look at her: "Alphen…" Everything except his name was difficult. Kisara didn't even know where to begin. "Yes?" he said, waiting for her to continue. Kisara sat down next to him, trying to collect her thoughts and regain her willpower, which had vanished somewhere. "I wanted to ask…" Taking a deep breath, closing her eyes and composing herself, Kisara managed to continue: "Perhaps the question is too personal…" 'But why 'perhaps'? This is definitely personal…!' "…but it important for me." 'Why I said directly 'important'?' she feared she'd given herself away. 'I could have started with pure curiosity, like 'I wanted to'!' Alphen looked questioningly at Kisara, afraid to interrupt her thoughts with a careless word. 'It's like fixing a dislocation… I have to do it fast and in one moment! Otherwise, I'll just keep mumbling.' Exhaling decisively, she asked the most important question all at once: "Are you capable of making love?" "W-what?" Alphen, to his shame, thought that something had happened to his hearing: he could easily have not noticed how his eardrums had been damaged. Kisara's gaze darted around, unable to linger on Alphen's for long. But even in those moments when their eyes met, Alphen sensed a silent plea. This question was truly important to Kisara, even if she couldn't explain why. Suppressing his initial awkwardness, Alphen answered briefly: "Yes." Kisara's spirits were so high, her gaze so energized, that Alphen feared she'd pounce on him right there, undressing him in front of everyone! "Do you want to…?" Before he could ask the embarrassing question, Kisara dotted the i's. "I want to date you! I know it's sudden, so I'm not asking for an answer right now, but I'd be grateful if you'd consider my offer," she spoke quickly, taking only one breath, while her mind still primed for direct and clear communication, inspired by the desired answer. "Answer when you're ready!" Kisara urgently needed to catch her breath and calm her nerves, so at the first opportunity, she ran away from everyone, especially out of sight of the bewildered Alphen, who hadn't had time to react. And lost in thought, he had no idea what to do next… ㅤ