Boucheron x Panette



C Support:

Panette: Pardon, Boucheron. Have you a moment to spare?
Boucheron: Of course.
Panette: Forgive me if this seems impertinent, but…
Panette: Are you the son of a Firenese count?
Boucheron: I am.
Panette: Marvelous! I wonder if, as a noble, you might deign to do me a favor.
Boucheron: I suppose so. What sort of favor?
Panette: Well, as you know, I serve the crown princess of Solm.
Panette: To avoid embarrassing the royal family, I take pains to abide by the rules of high society.
Panette: Yet with respect to many noble customs, I remain rather…ill at ease.
Panette: Thus, I would like you to instruct me in the manners and etiquette of your homeland.
Boucheron: Sure. I can do that.
Panette: Why, thank you!
Boucheron: I’ve been curious about Solmic etiquette too.
Boucheron: Since we both serve our respective royal families, it might be fun to teach each other.
Panette: A splendid idea!
Panette: There is much to be learned, much to be taught!
Panette: I can scarcely wait!
Boucheron: Here’s to education!

B Support:

Boucheron: When using knives and forks, start from the outside and work your way in.
Panette: Understood! Let us see here…
Panette: Pah… Pah! Why is Firenese food so slippery? It refuses to stay on my fork.
Boucheron: That piece is a bit too large. Use the knife to cut it smaller. It looks more graceful that way.
Panette: Smaller pieces… Deuces, this is complicated.
Boucheron: I know you said you were nervous, but I didn’t realize how little experience you had here.
Panette: Perhaps I ought to drink some water to calm my nerves.
Panette:
Boucheron: Wait, no! That dish is meant for washing your hands, not to sip from!
Panette: Pah! How misleading!
Boucheron: How did you manage to eat meals with the Solmic royal family?
Panette: I always muddled through by mimicking others.
Boucheron: I suppose there’s something to be said for that.
Panette: Alas, perhaps proper etiquette is simply beyond my grasp.
Boucheron: Ahh, don’t give up so easily. Everyone has a hard time learning these things.
Panette: In truth, my home life growing up was far from perfect.
Panette: How arrogant of me, assuming I could pass myself off as a noble.
Boucheron: The way you were raised isn’t that important. If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.
Boucheron: You might make some mistakes here and there, but I’ll help you, no matter how long it takes.
Panette: Truly?
Boucheron: Of course. Correcting our mistakes is how we learn, after all. Let’s try again from the start.
Panette: You’re quite right. Look at me, hanging my head in defeat.
Panette: From here on, I shall hold it high! I will not let you down, Boucheron!

A Support:

Panette: Before eating, one must sit up straight and pray.
Panette:
Panette: Then, the humane customs of Firene dictate that I offer gratitude to the food itself.
Panette: Giving thanks to the plants and animals that compose each meal. What a lovely tradition.
Boucheron: Ah… Are you practicing the etiquette we went over the other day?
Panette: I am! Please, observe.
Panette: Behold as I expertly wield a knife and fork to conquer this dish.
Panette: Using the outside utensils first… Cutting the food into small pieces…
Panette: Success!
Boucheron: Congratulations, Panette. You’re still a little bit shaky, but this is progress.
Panette: Thank you, Boucheron.
Panette: My studies in etiquette were always marked by desperation. I wished to claw free from my past.
Panette: But with your tutelage, for the first time, I found it rather pleasant learning about manners.
Panette: My success is entirely thanks to you.
Boucheron: Oh no, you worked hard for this. I’m proud of you.
Boucheron: I’d say it’s my turn now to learn some Solmic etiquette.
Panette: What?
Boucheron: Don’t tell me you don’t remember. We agreed to teach each other our countries’ ways.
Panette: Ah, yes. I remember.
Panette: Well, Solm is a free-spirited queendom. There is no strict code of conduct for nobles.
Panette: Rather, it is considered good manners to revel with others─to sing, dance, and be merry.
Panette: Though of course, some situations call for a certain amount of propriety.
Boucheron: Huh… That’s interesting.
Boucheron: Every country has its own customs, but I can see one point of common ground between ours.
Panette: Kindness.
Boucheron: Yes. That’s the foundation of all etiquette, no matter what country you find yourself in.
Boucheron: And when it comes to that, Panette, you earn a perfect score.
Panette: As do you, dear Boucheron.
Boucheron: I never would have realized all this if you hadn’t brought it up, so thank you.
Panette: And thank you. It seems I am closer and closer to becoming the picture-perfect noblewoman.
Boucheron: By the way, there must be more to etiquette in Solm. I’m eager to learn.
Panette: Indeed! Let us continue our education on the art of kindness toward others. Together.