[ they both have reputations. maybe dorothea's is based a little more on outlandish rumors than the truth - but it still boils down to the same thing. people think they know what they're getting before they even approach them. dorothea is used to performing, to being exactly what people expect. it's not something she can bring herself to consider a hardship anymore.

what's hard is figuring out what sylvain expects from her, what sylvain wants from this. whether she's striding ahead confidently or tripping all over her own feet, he doesn't seem to mind. it should make her feel at ease, but it fills her with anxiety instead. she likes to know the whats and whys of every situation she's in, but asking why sylvain likes her, what he's doing here, is a non-starter.

you're overthinking things, manuela would tell her. she hasn't seen manuela since the war ended and she went off to teach goddess-knows-where. somehow, dorothea misses her guidance in this moment more than anything. ]

I don't really like food. [ she wrinkles her nose. ] I mean, it's not as if I hate it. But I don't have many preferences.

I'd hate to be stereotypical, but elaborate dessert sounds fun.