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It wasn't uncommon for Marco to be traveling, but it was uncommon for him to be shopping for himself. For things unrelated to his work. Dress suits, a mask for a ball- He'd never been to ball. Oh the occasional family social when it was required, but he'd avoided those for the last few years. Somnium was enthusiastic about the ball of course. a ball foe chosen, no, Wardens now! Guardians could come too! The buck's happy little trot only served to exasperate Marco as he shopped.

"Can you not do that?" In the buck's teeth a mask of gold and red, neither suited Marco's taste. It was also far too ornate. Setting mask, (slightly covered in deer drool), back down, Somnium's tail flicked with excitement. The guardian more happy about the recent developments than Marco. Marco's attention shifted, and- "Willow?" The doe was fully grown now, and if she was here so was Tessa. Which while not surprising given the invitations... was still surprising given it being Tessa.

Walking over, the doctor smiled a bit when he noticed her. "I think this is the furthest I've ever seen you from the library." Somnium was busy now looking at Willow. What had happened to the tiny fawn he knew? Looking at the items Tessa was near- He asked off hand. "Going to the ball then?"

Chuckling lightly, Marco looked at the dresses on display. "They're not really your style are they? Then again, only the high society socialites enjoy these ornate gowns." His sister-in-law included. He was more impressed with what was inside a woman's mind than on her body. No amount of glittering jewels could cover up stupidity after all.

"While the books might be a ways off. I've no doubt you've brought enough to tide you over... or bought a few more." He wouldn't bet she didn't have a bag full of literature to satisfy. Looking to Willow, Marco smiled a bit before glaring at Somnium who was making a happy little hop towards the doctor, pushing him at Tessa. Rude.

"Balls are full of snobbish fools who think the world revolves around them typically. But with the variety many chosen might bring... some worth while people. Like yourself." Hand folding behind his back thumb rubbed the back of his hand. The idea was in the back of him mind. Had been, but he'd told himself he had no need for such. She probably didn't want to go wih a man like him anyway.

"You have an escort? Aside from Willow that is." Beating around the bush never hurt right? At the very least, it kept Somnium from making his idea known. The buck would hold off for a short time at any rate.

He didn't think formality was so much intimidating as it was annoying. Then again he considered most of it hot air. Whoever puffed up more was better. ".... It's fitting." He paused. "The dress I mean. A pretty dress will draw out more of your own beauty a-" Well that just slipped out now didn't it? "-aand perhaps find yourself an upper crust suitor." Hardly a smooth transition., it was no transition at all.

"Though I think your books might be your first love. And... yes?" He made it a question out on his uncertainty to just what he was doing. "Most young women take an escort. A male relative usually, or a friend." He slid his hands to his pockets as Somnium motioned to the pair. Obviously they just needed a push in the right direction. Tessa to the nice dress, Marco to Tessa. Guardians were supposed to look after their chosen, even if they were a bit shy.

"You have just... Willow then?"

He really wasn't sure how to go about all this. Telling women they were pretty without actually saying it directly. Lacing his fingers behind his back Marco hoped he wasn't making a fool of himself. Or making Tessa feel uncomfortable. "It's a good choice I think." Somnium looked at Willow, nodding his head. Their chosen were rather slow at this whole thing. Why they simply didn't say how they felt was beyond him.


"Er, it's good. To try new things. In the medical field we have to try and test so we might improve our craft. A ball is a rather unique experience. Not to mention it can be... enjoyable provided you're in the right company." The problem for Marco was finding company he could tolerate and that tolerated him. Or that he liked. Which was just as rare. Tessa was... Tessa.

"....I would be going 'stag' but-" Fingers tangled behind his back. "I was hoping to perhaps go with a friend."

Marco blushed in response to her blush. Why did the human body feel the need to react in such an overt way to emotions? Trying to hid the flush in his face, the doctor listened, trying to form a way to ask her without making it seem romantic. It wasn't like he felt such things for her.

Somnium was close to dramatically kicking his chosen into Tessa. Talk about beating around the bush, (several times at that).

"I well..." Okay time to shine. Or not. As Tessa stumbled into him, he moved to catch her, face flaring up red as he made sure not grab certain parts of her anatomy. "Um." Red, staring at her in his arms, he helped her right herself.

"...Might you perhaps consider going to the ball? With me that is. As a friend."

Somnium had bounced slightly to Willow's antic, she was brilliant. He leaned into Marco, hoping his chosen wouldn't screw it up. The buck thought it was going great... until the whole friend bit.