Matters of the Heart

Partitio sighed heavily as he rolled over onto his stomach. He knew he was overthinking things, probably, but he couldn't help it. This was important! If there was one time for him to not rush into things, it was clearly now.

After several more seconds of dithering around, he glanced over at Osvald. The scholar hadn't looked up once through all of Partitio's fidgeting. Maybe that was a good thing; on the other hand, Partitio didn't want to distract him. If he was that absorbed in his reading, it was probably something important. But then again, Osvald would probably have a good answer for him in this case...

(It was definitely a good thing, Partitio decided, that they'd made it to Clockbank that evening. They could stay in an inn instead of having to camp out, which meant they were the only two people in the room, which meant less chance of being overheard.)

At any rate, Partitio finally blurted out, "Heya, Mr. Osvald? You ever think about gettin' hitched again?"

Osvald glanced up, both eyebrows raised, and simply replied, "No."

...Well, he hadn't expected an hour-long response to that question. Partitio snorted as he tried to think of a better way of phrasing it.

"I mean, I'm sure a dashing gentleman like you would have tons of ladies trippin' over you if you tried," he went on. "So how d'you know you wouldn't wanna?"

"Not exactly the first way I'd describe myself," Osvald replied flatly. Then, he actually sighed as well before adding, "Besides, romance is...difficult. And Rita was special in a lot of ways. So no, I'm not terribly interested in trying again any time soon. Why?"

Of course he'd ask why, though Partitio knew that was important to what he was thinking about. After several more seconds, he nodded and went on.

"Well, y'know, my old Pops hasn't remarried either, and it's been sixteen years for him. 'Course I know you gotta take these things seriously, but I'm thinking... If it's that serious, how do you really know you got 'the one'? What if you're just taking things too casual-like?"

"So you're asking me this because you have a crush and you aren't certain about it. Not exactly relevant to what I was doing."

Partitio winced. Typical blunt Osvald there, but he supposed he was pretty easy to read in general. Besides, it was what he was asking about.

"Well, I know! I'm just wonderin'... I figure you gotta know how to get these things started, right? Can't know how serious I am until I try, right?"

Osvald sighed and set his book aside, clearly realizing how persistent Partitio was going to be. Well, at least he had Osvald's attention; he'd just have to find some way to make it up to him later.

"To be honest...Rita did most of the typical early relationship things early on. She approached me more often and was the one who suggested we go out together the most. Once I finally 'quit being denser than a heap of scrap iron'," he added "in Regulus's words" under his breath, "I simply started being more honest in my opinions on her ideas. Apparently, my bluntness was 'charming' and 'gave her better ideas on what to do'."

Partitio covered his mouth, trying not to laugh. "Well, don't that just sound like you, Mr. Osvald?"

"I mean...it should." Osvald shrugged. "Communication is important and is the foundation for any relationship. So just tell her what you're thinking and get it over with; it'll save you a lot of time."

Partitio scrambled into an awkward sitting position. "Whoa, now, partner! I never gave you any suggestion on who it is!"

"Oh, please. I've seen the way you've looked at Castti ever since we went to Sai." Osvald gave him a flat look. "Do you ever think that's why she teases you so much? Because you're easy to read?"

"Well..."

Probably so. And Partitio couldn't exactly say he disliked Castti teasing him. (Hoo boy, quite the opposite, really. It was that contrast with the motherly nature that did it for him, even if the teasing hadn't gotten him riled up on its own.)

"I getcher point." Partitio sighed. "Guess if everyone knows, it makes it easier to get the ball rollin', huh?"

"See, you didn't even need to ask me."

Partitio grinned sheepishly. "Maybe not! But I do appreciate the help, so...thankee kindly!"

"...If you say so."

Osvald glanced away and grabbed his book again. For a moment, Partitio thought that was the end of the conversation. However, Osvald paused after flipping back to the page he'd been on.

"Do tell her, though. She has enough reason to say yes."

"Ain't that a compliment coming from you?" Partitio chuckled. "What'd you do with the real Mr. Osvald, huh?"

"Well, I don't have to be nice if you don't want me to be," Osvald replied dryly.

"Nah, I mean it! I do appreciate the advice, 'specially from you. I know you mean it!"

It had been refreshing to air things out with someone, at least. And Partitio had learned a bit about Osvald, too. He was sure it would take him a while to figure out how to phrase things properly, but...he knew saying something was important. So, Osvald pushing him in that direction had been the nudge that he needed.

And, while it was only the briefest of seconds, but Partitio thought a tiny smile managed to flicker across Osvald's usually-serious face. Maybe he hadn't minded giving advice as much as he said he did.

That on its own was worth something, and it gave Partitio quite the confidence boost on its own. He'd be fine when he did speak up; Partitio was sure of it.