"Learning opportunities everywhere, especially ones such as these." She grinned at the attractive mage beside her.
"Yes, it's chocolate. Admittedly one of my favorite foods. One of the foods responsible for my late study hours. You can come study with me, sometime, if you'd like." A chuckle, then Nova's statement registered.
It was Aswan who noticed it first - a slight tinge of redness in her cheeks, a warmth to them. Why? It was only a question, for God's sake, not a physical examination. So why was she "blushing"? A least, she thought it was a blush - it could have easily been the wind warming her cheeks.
Roland seemed to give her an embarrassed grin (which was, admittedly, cute) before offering - and then her "blush" got brighter - to try dating with her? What even was a date? Logic seemed deficient in her brain for a couple of seconds, then she snapped back to reality. She replied to Nova's comment a little defensively,
"A date? I-I...?" Ah, she shouldn't deny it, Aswan realized - it would add claim to Nova's logic about her attraction (rightly guessed) to Roland. Instead... She smirked, a plan in mind, and began to speak, in a confident tone. Her plan was simple - flirt her way out, and later she would apologize to Roland for her behavior and suggest a friendly date.
"Of course. What more can I ask out of a date, than Roland? Such a gentleman, he is." Her attempt at flirting - founded on countless novels she'd read over the years - was, in her head, well-founded, and well executed. And to top it all off, she touched his arm.
Bad idea. Aswan grimaced, completely breaking her I-know-what-I'm-doing facade, and took a deep breath. Ahhh, bad idea - it was good she hadn't eaten her chocolate yet.
"M-Maybe l-later I can, u-um, study with you?" It was clear now she'd been caught off guard - and, plan self-ruined, she shook her head, now completely red and completely mortified.
"Apologies..." she mumbled.