Mm... well, he would take me out for the occasional ride along with him and his attendant but he passed away when I was young, I'm afraid. So I never got to go with him on a military campaign or anything like that.
[though there is a bit of wistfulness - he wishes that he could've. he wishes that he could've stood along with his father for as much as possible]
Do you know why it is this week that I feel more inclined to talk about myself? It's been more than twenty-four hours now, and so I do not believe I am under the effect of one of those stones that we received last week.
any gentle teasing mirth in her expression drains away as he speaks, and her face falls. and here she was, thinking he was just a little more comfortable. a little more open.]
You forgot a reason you would normally conceal things about yourself.
[not good. now she basically just wants to leave, and it shows in her emotions—the mental equivalent of a foot in the mouth.]
It's not that I've forgotten a reason for why I hide - I've been able to identify what I lost this week, and I hope that it's only one. But rather...
I feel as though I'm more likely to talk about myself, and be honest with people, without waiting to be prompted or dodging questions. I was wondering if you might know why, given that I've heard that there might be additional powers at play here.
Though if you don't know, then nevermind - I'm not upset at your questioning. You couldn't have known.
he's going to reach out at that and catch at her sleeve - a brief touch, intended to do nothing more than provide the lightest flicker of static to break through her distress
though she'll also feel that predominantly - he is somewhere between worried after her person and amused]
[the static shock, at least, is enough to make her jump, and look back at him with an inhale--
--and emotionally, at least, things seem to pause—and nearly disappear. as if all of elsa's emotions were subsequently vacuumed into another location. even the constant background buzz of anxiety is muted, a distant, sendentary hum.
huh?
but she does, at least, stop moving—and turns towards him.]
...I'm sorry. I don't mean to. I just... need to catch my breath.
for a moment, she just stands in place, physically and emotionally teetering on the knife's edge of staying or fleeing, wringing her hands.
even she isn't completely certain where her thoughts lie, at the moment. the only person she'd ever been completely honest about them with... wasn't here.
certainly, soo-won is a good person and all, but... she's known him a comparably short time.
elsa gives him a look—and falters, shaking her head, not meeting his eyes. at least she's not trying to leave, though.]
[ . . . . . in comparison, his own emotions are calm. there is the curiosity, the wonder - but primarily it's drowned out by the concern for elsa and the way that she seems to be reacting to this.]
.... you needn't apologize. I'm just worried about you - it seems like you're keeping something to yourself.
[she opens her mouth again, hesitates, and tries again.]
I don't want to... to ruin anything. [???] Well--do—say—the wrong thing. I've never been in a situation quite like this--not that anyone else has! But...
[40 people in close quarters for weeks... even without the murder, it was completely new.]
I just... don't always know what to do when I... mess things up.
[ . . . his expression softens at that - and she'll feel the little burst of fondness that comes from him as he seems to understand. there's nothing about his emotions that might suggest that he's upset, at least.]
... but you didn't. Nothing's messed up - we're still friends, and I'm not unhappy with you. I imagine that you were just trying to get to know me better, but didn't realize what was going on. That's an accident, and no one's fault.
Maybe it wasn't the right step - but it wasn't one that hurt me badly either. It's okay.
[the emotionshare here is a huge blessing—and although there's no marked change outwardly, her emotions are clearly expanding outward, even if just by a inches—like a shy cat slowly sidling out from behind a piece of furniture.]
...Thank you. For saying so. [even if it seems like she doesn't wholly believe it.]
I'm still working on myself in many ways, though, so... I am sorry if I do put a foot out of place, Won.
.... if you do, then we'll work through it together, won't we?
[he tilts his head.]
I'm not perfect either - and I wouldn't be surprised if I did something one day that made you feel as though you could not forgive me. Even still... until the day that marker is reached -
I would like it if we could try to maintain our relationship - our friendship.
I care for you, Elsa. And caring for someone means you don't want to let go of them so easily, no?
[elsa sighs again, but she's really not going anywhere, now. instead, she just looks... well, very embarrassed. the kindness is getting through to her, and she cracks a small, weak smile.]
...I'm not certain you could ever be capable of doing something that wrong, though.
... I think that enters a greater discussion of what it means to do something right or wrong, doesn't it? Because something that can be right by a great number of people can still be wrong by a few.
I'll always try to choose the path of least harm but...
I think making mistakes, or making choices that can hurt people... that's human, too. And we all have to live with that.
soo-won with a gun: i'll always try and choose the path of least harm, but...
actually sitting back down, hanging on soo-won's ever word. he's right. but it's one thing to know that, and quite another to have someone remind you of it. it's... nice.
it reminds her of anna.
slowly, elsa exhales, letting a silence drift between them.]
When I was younger, I hurt my sister terribly. I was lucky it wasn't worse—she was able to be healed. But it frightened me so badly that even now, when I know I'm doing all I can, I can't help but fear I've made another horrible mistake.
[but.... soo-won seems to settle then when she settles back down, and he sits along with her. he faces her when she speaks, doesn't flinch back. the feelings that she'll get from him are -
simple, whole-hearted acceptance. worry, concern, but even still... there is no judgment. just understanding.]
.... I'm glad that your sister was healed, and that she's doing well enough to be running a country now.
I can't say that I don't understand your fear - when you worry about whether or not you've caused irreparable harm to another. But... at least between us -
Your intentions are good, aren't they? And so...
I'll always forgive you, and I'll always want to hear your explanation why. And so, I hope that even when you're scared... you'll listen to my words, and my assurance that it'll be alright.
I'll remain at your side, even when it's not easy.
i can't wait to read akayona after this and give soo-won the gun he so richly deserves
it's almost disbelief, how openly caring, accepting, kind soo-won is. they haven't known each other long, and yet...
there really were some truly wonderful people in the world. or in the universe, as it turned out. she smiles a little more at him, still trying to ease back from her concerns.]
...Thank you. I... I really do appreciate it.
[...
she can't top that.
how is soo-won only eighteen? it's absurd, how often she's felt like a child in his presence. he truly has all the charisma of a ruler. it's a shame, to his nation and people more than anything, if he truly is only a simple merchant.]
You're incredibly kind, Soo-Won. I feel blessed just to have been able to meet you.
[there's a little spark of fondness at her words - coupled with just a splash of disbelief. still, the happiness outweighs it heavily and he just manages a smile in response]
You know I can say the same for you, Elsa. I'm happy to know you, and I'm glad that you're willing to let me in a bit.
[it's a circle of disbelief, then. two nice people who don't think they're very nice, feedback looping niceness on to the other, but not themselves. it's working out fine.
she nods, and finally, lets herself smile a little wider. for now, right? there was no reason to doubt him. for now, why not just... hope that it's true?
(other than the fact that it was terrifying to do so.)]
...Yes. I suppose it is.
[and even she can't help her little sunburst of fondness. soo-won really is just such a nice person.]
Thank you, again. Um. I hope I didn't ruin you appetite too much.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[though there is a bit of wistfulness - he wishes that he could've. he wishes that he could've stood along with his father for as much as possible]
That curious about me, Elsa?
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You're welcome to ask me anything, too. It's only fair, right?
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Then let me ask this:
Do you know why it is this week that I feel more inclined to talk about myself? It's been more than twenty-four hours now, and so I do not believe I am under the effect of one of those stones that we received last week.
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any gentle teasing mirth in her expression drains away as he speaks, and her face falls. and here she was, thinking he was just a little more comfortable. a little more open.]
You forgot a reason you would normally conceal things about yourself.
[not good. now she basically just wants to leave, and it shows in her emotions—the mental equivalent of a foot in the mouth.]
I'm sorry for prying. This isn't fair to you.
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[he shakes his head at that - ]
It's not that I've forgotten a reason for why I hide - I've been able to identify what I lost this week, and I hope that it's only one. But rather...
I feel as though I'm more likely to talk about myself, and be honest with people, without waiting to be prompted or dodging questions. I was wondering if you might know why, given that I've heard that there might be additional powers at play here.
Though if you don't know, then nevermind - I'm not upset at your questioning. You couldn't have known.
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[she. is getting up though.]
I should probably... get going, though. I have some laundry I've got to do. Only so many clothes, right? [haha]
Let's... catch up later, okay?
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he looks surprised before moving to rise from his seat and follow after her, growing more concerned than anything]
Elsa? Why are you in such a rush?
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[she looks a little distressed, but the pure emotional wail of him trying to follow her is irritatingly clear. she's speedwalking out of here.]
We can talk tomorrow, or... some time. I'll see you!
[GOOD! BYE!!]
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he's going to reach out at that and catch at her sleeve - a brief touch, intended to do nothing more than provide the lightest flicker of static to break through her distress
though she'll also feel that predominantly - he is somewhere between worried after her person and amused]
Please don't lie to me, Elsa.
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--and emotionally, at least, things seem to pause—and nearly disappear. as if all of elsa's emotions were subsequently vacuumed into another location. even the constant background buzz of anxiety is muted, a distant, sendentary hum.
huh?
but she does, at least, stop moving—and turns towards him.]
...I'm sorry. I don't mean to. I just... need to catch my breath.
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soo-won blinks at that, takes note of it, and his eyebrows raise.]
.... While I understand that -
I'd hope that you would be alright with sharing some of your thoughts with me. It seems like you're troubled.
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for a moment, she just stands in place, physically and emotionally teetering on the knife's edge of staying or fleeing, wringing her hands.
even she isn't completely certain where her thoughts lie, at the moment. the only person she'd ever been completely honest about them with... wasn't here.
certainly, soo-won is a good person and all, but... she's known him a comparably short time.
elsa gives him a look—and falters, shaking her head, not meeting his eyes. at least she's not trying to leave, though.]
I'm not sure I can. I'm sorry.
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.... you needn't apologize. I'm just worried about you - it seems like you're keeping something to yourself.
Is it something personal?
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[she opens her mouth again, hesitates, and tries again.]
I don't want to... to ruin anything. [???] Well--do—say—the wrong thing. I've never been in a situation quite like this--not that anyone else has! But...
[40 people in close quarters for weeks... even without the murder, it was completely new.]
I just... don't always know what to do when I... mess things up.
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[ . . . his expression softens at that - and she'll feel the little burst of fondness that comes from him as he seems to understand. there's nothing about his emotions that might suggest that he's upset, at least.]
... but you didn't. Nothing's messed up - we're still friends, and I'm not unhappy with you. I imagine that you were just trying to get to know me better, but didn't realize what was going on. That's an accident, and no one's fault.
Maybe it wasn't the right step - but it wasn't one that hurt me badly either. It's okay.
You don't need to be afraid.
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...Thank you. For saying so. [even if it seems like she doesn't wholly believe it.]
I'm still working on myself in many ways, though, so... I am sorry if I do put a foot out of place, Won.
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[he tilts his head.]
I'm not perfect either - and I wouldn't be surprised if I did something one day that made you feel as though you could not forgive me. Even still... until the day that marker is reached -
I would like it if we could try to maintain our relationship - our friendship.
I care for you, Elsa. And caring for someone means you don't want to let go of them so easily, no?
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[elsa sighs again, but she's really not going anywhere, now. instead, she just looks... well, very embarrassed. the kindness is getting through to her, and she cracks a small, weak smile.]
...I'm not certain you could ever be capable of doing something that wrong, though.
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... I think that enters a greater discussion of what it means to do something right or wrong, doesn't it? Because something that can be right by a great number of people can still be wrong by a few.
I'll always try to choose the path of least harm but...
I think making mistakes, or making choices that can hurt people... that's human, too. And we all have to live with that.
soo-won with a gun: i'll always try and choose the path of least harm, but...
actually sitting back down, hanging on soo-won's ever word. he's right. but it's one thing to know that, and quite another to have someone remind you of it. it's... nice.
it reminds her of anna.
slowly, elsa exhales, letting a silence drift between them.]
When I was younger, I hurt my sister terribly. I was lucky it wasn't worse—she was able to be healed. But it frightened me so badly that even now, when I know I'm doing all I can, I can't help but fear I've made another horrible mistake.
That's the best way I can explain it.
yea that's the plot of akayona
simple, whole-hearted acceptance. worry, concern, but even still... there is no judgment. just understanding.]
.... I'm glad that your sister was healed, and that she's doing well enough to be running a country now.
I can't say that I don't understand your fear - when you worry about whether or not you've caused irreparable harm to another. But... at least between us -
Your intentions are good, aren't they? And so...
I'll always forgive you, and I'll always want to hear your explanation why. And so, I hope that even when you're scared... you'll listen to my words, and my assurance that it'll be alright.
I'll remain at your side, even when it's not easy.
i can't wait to read akayona after this and give soo-won the gun he so richly deserves
it's almost disbelief, how openly caring, accepting, kind soo-won is. they haven't known each other long, and yet...
there really were some truly wonderful people in the world. or in the universe, as it turned out. she smiles a little more at him, still trying to ease back from her concerns.]
...Thank you. I... I really do appreciate it.
[...
she can't top that.
how is soo-won only eighteen? it's absurd, how often she's felt like a child in his presence. he truly has all the charisma of a ruler. it's a shame, to his nation and people more than anything, if he truly is only a simple merchant.]
You're incredibly kind, Soo-Won. I feel blessed just to have been able to meet you.
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You know I can say the same for you, Elsa. I'm happy to know you, and I'm glad that you're willing to let me in a bit.
That's what friendship is, isn't it?
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she nods, and finally, lets herself smile a little wider. for now, right? there was no reason to doubt him. for now, why not just... hope that it's true?
(other than the fact that it was terrifying to do so.)]
...Yes. I suppose it is.
[and even she can't help her little sunburst of fondness. soo-won really is just such a nice person.]
Thank you, again. Um. I hope I didn't ruin you appetite too much.