She had to know that it was in his nature to try to buy people, and she would never have to ask for anything, but he would just throw gifts at her. Over and over, just to make her happy.

It wasn't something Nik was proud of, but it was just his way. As had been his own father's way of garnering his son's affection.

"You talk of extravagance," he reached for her hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow, "Yet none of these material objects could shine brighter than your light."

He smiled a half smile of self-deprecation, knowing that she was probably getting uncomfortable at his words. It was probably best to stop before she scarpered off. The last time he'd showered her with too much open affection, she had run off in the middle of the night with nothing but a goodbye note to tell him she was marrying another.

She was a flight risk and there was nothing he could do about it. So for tonight, for now, he contented himself with spending an evening here with her, "Let's go look at the other tables then, maybe you'd find something more to your tastes."

(ooc: basically, they wandered off the chessboard after this point and are kinda just wandering around the library)