[he takes a moment longer to respond - but at least slightly obscures the silence with a sip of his tea]
Mm. You and I both. But he loved me, my mother, and our country until his last... so I can be proud of him no matter what.
[with the remaining idealism of a boy who adored his father]
But you're not wrong. I turned to connecting people a lot faster than I did to warfare. I know I don't exactly inspire a commanding presence at first glance.
[ there's something about the way he talks about his father that makes her think of taako. something about family, and the bonds that never really go away. ]
Nope, you don't. [ lup don't just agree with him ] But you're smart, and you know how to talk your way into someone's good graces. That's a skill not a lot of people have.
[ she takes a sip of tea. ] The world doesn't really always need to be filled with jocks. You gotta have the nerds to balance things out.
the easiness with which she agrees with him makes him laugh a bit at first - and the assessment of his character makes him pause after that]
.... well, I suppose I am a "nerd" then. [bougie boy nerd won]
.... you and Taako both said the same thing - where I speak as though I might want something from either of you. [it's rarer that he encounters that kind of response] I hope you don't think I intentionally meant to flatter you in order to earn your good favor...
Even if you scolded me, or wanted to bully me, I still think I'd want to get to know you.
[he just wanted to clear that up, even though - ] Though I suppose action speaks louder than words, in that sense.
as for his callout, she actually pauses, glancing at him. she tucks her hair behind her ear, giving herself a second to think of what she wants to say. ]
Most people, uh. Most people do. They do want something from us. [ she says finally. ] Whatever it is, people want things.
[ she's careful, here. ] The only person who has never wanted anything from me is him. So. Yeah. Actions speak louder than words. Time, too.
... I think that's the nature of people - to seek things out for themselves, for their comfort. More so if you can do magic... the demands for your ability and what you can give must be high.
[he's seen that play out - the way that crooked priests will want after the power of false gods, the way that idolatry can corrupt people
but he shakes his head, and offers a soft smile. he doesn't mean to say he's different. he wants things, too. he's human. even so - ]
I look forward to our time together.
Best friends should only want for each other's company.
[he hopes that his actions will come across cleanly for him]
You must really not have a lot of best friends if you're this quick to wear the crown. [ she says idly. like she's ever really had anybody she could call a best friend, herself. but - hey, she's still wearing the bracelet, and she hasn't run away yet. ]
You're not the worst person I could've picked to spend my time with this afternoon. Like, I could be flirting with Tall, Dork and Handsome, and here I am, spilling my tender guts all over you.
i was gonna go to bed but i had to end soo-won's life [1/3]
[he's not even sure who she's referring to - but it would seem the mention of courtship (it's not formal courtship you old fool) in any form is enough to embarrass him, making his cheeks turn red as he holds his hands up]
Eh - I enjoy your company but I don't mean to keep you from anything either!
[IF SHE HAS FLIRTING SHE WANTS TO BE DOING AND HE CAN BE EXCUSING HIMSELF SWIFTLY
he genuinely looks guilty for stealing her time it's stupid he's embarrassed]
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Mm. You and I both. But he loved me, my mother, and our country until his last... so I can be proud of him no matter what.
[with the remaining idealism of a boy who adored his father]
But you're not wrong. I turned to connecting people a lot faster than I did to warfare. I know I don't exactly inspire a commanding presence at first glance.
[or second, or third....]
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Nope, you don't. [ lup don't just agree with him ] But you're smart, and you know how to talk your way into someone's good graces. That's a skill not a lot of people have.
[ she takes a sip of tea. ] The world doesn't really always need to be filled with jocks. You gotta have the nerds to balance things out.
[ like lucretia, she thinks, with a pang. ]
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the easiness with which she agrees with him makes him laugh a bit at first - and the assessment of his character makes him pause after that]
.... well, I suppose I am a "nerd" then. [bougie boy nerd won]
.... you and Taako both said the same thing - where I speak as though I might want something from either of you. [it's rarer that he encounters that kind of response] I hope you don't think I intentionally meant to flatter you in order to earn your good favor...
Even if you scolded me, or wanted to bully me, I still think I'd want to get to know you.
[he just wanted to clear that up, even though - ] Though I suppose action speaks louder than words, in that sense.
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as for his callout, she actually pauses, glancing at him. she tucks her hair behind her ear, giving herself a second to think of what she wants to say. ]
Most people, uh. Most people do. They do want something from us. [ she says finally. ] Whatever it is, people want things.
[ she's careful, here. ] The only person who has never wanted anything from me is him. So. Yeah. Actions speak louder than words. Time, too.
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[he's seen that play out - the way that crooked priests will want after the power of false gods, the way that idolatry can corrupt people
but he shakes his head, and offers a soft smile. he doesn't mean to say he's different. he wants things, too. he's human. even so - ]
I look forward to our time together.
Best friends should only want for each other's company.
[he hopes that his actions will come across cleanly for him]
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You must really not have a lot of best friends if you're this quick to wear the crown. [ she says idly. like she's ever really had anybody she could call a best friend, herself. but - hey, she's still wearing the bracelet, and she hasn't run away yet. ]
You're not the worst person I could've picked to spend my time with this afternoon. Like, I could be flirting with Tall, Dork and Handsome, and here I am, spilling my tender guts all over you.
i was gonna go to bed but i had to end soo-won's life [1/3]
[hold on]
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Eh - I enjoy your company but I don't mean to keep you from anything either!
[IF SHE HAS FLIRTING SHE WANTS TO BE DOING AND HE CAN BE EXCUSING HIMSELF SWIFTLY
he genuinely looks guilty for stealing her time it's stupid he's embarrassed]
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-- Hah! Hahah! No, no, stop. [ she says, laughing, utterly delighted. ] Oh, your face.
I don't go anywhere I don't want to be, boo. If you were actually keeping me from anything, I wouldn't be here.
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he still looks flustered]
Ah - mm, I'll trust in that then...
[and he'll avert his gaze for once, red still dusting over his nose like a fool.]
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... if you would kindly stop teasing me...
[his cheeks are still pink]
I don't know what to say when it comes to matters like that... but I hope you find happiness...?
[he's like
trying]
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I'm sure I will. [ she says, a little more gently. ] It's just for fun.
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Courtship is for fun...?
[ah nobles]
Well, if you say so.
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[ she sips her own tea. ]