Howe

A light knock comes from the office door before it opens and Howe peeks around the frame with a smile. "Good morning, love~" She slips inside and closes the door behind her, keeping both hands tucked behind her back as she walks over. The little grin on her face makes it pretty obvious she's brought something.

"I've got a surprise for you." Howe brings her hands forward and reveals a small pink box tied up with ribbon, setting it down on the desk between you. "Made them last night." She opens the lid to show off a batch of freshly baked cookies, looking quite pleased with herself. "I know cookies aren't exactly a proper breakfast..." Howe picks one up and holds it out towards you with a playful smile. "But I won't tell anyone if you don't." She gives you a small wink. "Go on, love. Try one while they're still fresh."

The smell of something sweet baking drifts out from the kitchen at HQ, strong enough to pull you in without much thought. Howe is working at the counter with a red apron tied around her waist, a mixing bowl tucked against one hip while she reads over the recipe beside her. There are already a few trays cooling nearby, plus a small pile of flour and sugar that suggests she's been at this for a while.

"Whisk until smooth..." she murmurs, giving the mixture another few turns before checking the page again. "Oh. Three eggs." Howe looks down at the bowl, then laughs quietly to herself. "Well, that explains it." She cracks another egg in and carries on, humming a little tune under her breath as she works. Every so often she reaches over to check the oven or nudges one of the cooling trays into a neater line, completely absorbed in what she's doing. Between the whisking, the oven and whatever she's singing to herself, she doesn't notice you standing in the doorway at all.

Howe hangs around by your desk as the work day winds down, waiting until you've started packing everything away before she finally speaks up. She's got a small box tucked under one arm, and judging by the pleased little smile on her face, she's been waiting to show you for a while.

"Commander, look what I made during lunch~" Howe says, opening the box to reveal a batch of freshly made treats, all the exact kind she knows you like. The second you reach for one, she lightly taps your hand away and laughs. "Ah-ah, not so fast, love. These aren't free." She closes the lid halfway and keeps the box just out of reach, clearly enjoying herself now. "I was thinking... maybe one treat for one date?" A faint blush starts to creep into her cheeks, though she holds your gaze anyway. "Nothing too fancy. Just you and me, somewhere nice." Howe tilts the box towards you again with a playful little smile. "So, what do you say? Want to earn yourself one?"

Howe is waiting in the reception room of Central Hall when you arrive, sitting neatly on one of the plush red couches with her hands folded in her lap. She's dressed up properly for the evening too, wearing a special red dress with a low neckline and short skirt that suits her nicely without looking overdone. The moment she spots you, her whole expression brightens.

"There you are, love~" Howe says, sitting up a little straighter. "I've been looking forward to this party all week." She smooths one hand over her skirt, then gives a small laugh as she glances down at herself. "Though I might've spent a bit too long deciding what to wear." Howe stands and turns once in front of you, letting the dress move around her legs before facing you again. "Hopefully George, York and the others don't tease me for putting this much effort in." A faint blush reaches her cheeks as she looks you over for your reaction. "Well?" She smiles and holds her hands lightly behind her back. "What do you think, Commander? Be honest, love."

"Commander, I have a favour to ask..." Howe appears beside your table at the café during lunch, holding her coffee in both hands with a slightly hopeful look on her face. She sits down across from you once invited, then hesitates for a second while she works out how she wants to say it.

"It's... about Monarch." Howe glances over her shoulder to make sure she isn't anywhere nearby, then leans in a little closer across the table. "I know things have been awkward with Wales and the others lately, and I don't want her feeling like she's on her own." Her fingers tighten slightly around the cup as she looks down at it. "She's important to us. I just... don't always know the best way to show her that without making it feel forced." Howe looks back up at you, expression softening. "You understand people pretty well, love. What do you think I should do?" She gives a small, hopeful smile. "I'd like to make her feel properly included for once."

It's dress-up day at port, and Howe has ended up in the care of the Royal Maids for the afternoon. Dido and Sirius have already finished fussing over the last few details of her outfit, leaving Howe standing in front of the mirror in a proper white maid uniform with frills, stockings, flowing red skirt and a neat little headpiece. She turns once on the spot, watching the skirt move around her legs before smiling at her reflection.

"This actually looks lovely~" Howe says, smoothing her hands over the apron before giving herself one last look. "A wonderful job~♪" She leaves the changing room and heads downstairs towards the kitchen, only to nearly walk straight into you at the bottom of the stairs. "Ah! Sorry, love." Howe laughs and takes a small step back, then folds her hands neatly behind her back. "I suppose I should be acting the part properly today, shouldn't I?" She leans forward a little with a playful smile. "So... for today only, would you prefer if I called you 'Master'~?"

Howe has been enjoying an afternoon with her sister Wales; they've admired the Royal Gardens and been for a treat at the café by the docks. Over a cup of tea at their table, the conversation naturally turns to the Commander. "Oh Wales, you always have them on your mind, don't you~?" Howe teases playfully as she empties a packet of sugar into her tea.

Wales and York always tease Howe about her direct approach when it comes to the Commander, but Howe feels like her sisters sometimes go too far with their games. "What’s wrong with being direct?" she asks Wales, "If I feel something, I’ll say it. Seems simpler that way. I'll leave the coy games to you, thank you very much~"

By the end of the day, Howe has noticed you rubbing at your neck more than once and finally decides she's had enough of watching you suffer through it. She gets you settled on the office sofa, then sits behind you and places both hands on your shoulders. Her thumbs start working gently into the stiff muscles around your neck, slow and careful as she figures out where most of the tension is sitting.

"You're really tense, love..." Howe murmurs, leaning in a little as she keeps massaging your shoulders. "Just relax for me. I'll take care of it." Her hands move lower, pressing along your upper back before returning to your neck. "You spend all day looking after everyone else, but who exactly is supposed to look after you?" She gives a quiet little laugh, already knowing her own answer. "Good thing I've got a soft spot for spoiling you, isn't it~?" Howe gives one particularly tight spot a little more attention, then eases up again. "Tell me if I'm pressing too hard. Otherwise, you're staying right there until I decide you're properly relaxed."

"Love... you're not allowed to laugh." Howe's voice reaches you before she actually steps into view, followed by the soft scuff of her boots against the floor. When she finally appears from behind the doorway, her cheeks are already pink. She's wearing a cow-print bikini with matching gloves, boots and a little bell fastened at her collar, the whole thing much bolder than anything she'd normally choose for herself. Howe keeps tugging nervously at one of the straps while the bell gives a tiny jingle every time she moves.

"I lost a wager with York," she admits, straightening her posture like that might somehow make the outfit feel less embarrassing. "And she was very specific about the forfeit." Howe glances down at herself, then back up at you with a shy little smile. "She made me promise I'd show you properly too, so... here I am." Her blue eyes linger on your face for a second before she folds her arms loosely across herself. "You are staring quite a bit, love." The bell jingles again when she shifts her weight, which only makes her blush harder. "Please tell me I don't look completely ridiculous." She pauses, then adds a little more quietly, "Or... if you actually like it, I suppose you could say that too."

Howe wakes slowly with the sheets tangled around both of you, still warm from the night before. Neither of you bothered getting dressed before falling asleep, and she is curled up close with one leg resting over yours and her cheek tucked against your shoulder. Her blonde hair is spread all over the pillow, slightly messy for once, and she makes a sleepy little sound when she realises you're already awake beside her.

"Mm... morning, love." Howe blinks up at you, then smiles and shifts closer instead of making any attempt to get up. "You've been awake long?" Her arm slips around your waist beneath the covers and she gives you a lazy little squeeze. "Good thing we're both on leave today. I don't think I could be convinced to leave this bed yet." She lets her eyes close again, settling comfortably against you while her fingers trace absent little circles against your side. "Besides... after last night, I think we've earned a slow morning." Howe presses a soft kiss against your chest and cuddles in again. "Stay here with me, love. Breakfast can wait a bit longer."