[ah - he has a tray where he seems to have an entire pot prepared, coupled with a few empty cups. when he notices her approaching, he smiles and starts to pour tea into one. like he's been expecting company throughout the evening]
We'll have to grow our own, I'm afraid... I saw a wonderful cultivation area once though - so I might just copy that. Don't tell anyone.
[ . . . . he hums thoughtfully at that, taking a sip of his tea and letting his gaze drift upward to the sky.]
.... well, my country's been at war lately. And even before that, the leadership was... well, it left a few things to be desired. If you would go into the slums of any town, it would be common to see - acts of desperation, violence, famine.
[and so he brings his gaze back down to hilda]
This was... a microcosm of that.
So even if it's hardly pleasing, and I can't say I'm exactly joyous despite arriving at the correction answer -
No - I hadn't meant to imply that. In truth... I think that everyone did rather well. Even Taako was helping, which was very nice of him. You did good work too, Hilda.
Even if it's all over the place... I think everyone was sincerely trying.
And that, in and of itself, is something impressive.
[ She smiles a little, though it evens out to something neutral. ]
Huh? [ hm. ] Oh... I went to Officer's Academy, so a little. I was way better off watching from the sidelines than actually fighting—but sure, I'm familiar.
[he nods along with that, and doesn't find any reason to argue against her
but even still - ]
But you're familiar with what it means to raise a weapon and aim to harm another, yes? Even if only in practice, or for the sake of a mark on a test.
It is not a perfect comparison - to take someone's life is far more grave, after all. And what we witnessed today was someone who would act on that impulse without hesitation, and was willing to deceive us to further their own goals.
However it is the luck of those who get to be in peaceful times, or who do not fear for their lives to say 'violence is poor, harming others is bad'. Those who believe that harmful action is necessity in order to survive do not get a chance to believe that.
Yet even still, knowing that you are part of an Officer's Academy - that doesn't change the kind girl that I am sitting across, no? You know battle, but you also like floral teas. Both of those truths must be accurate, because you exist.
And I like you, even if you beat up other students for grades - or watch them.
[it's why even after witnessing something awful, he can't judge every person on their faults - not when he doesn't know what drove them to it, or what circumstances they lived through.]
Ah, but that was a long-winded answer to explain something a bit boring... Forgive me.
[ Why is it that twice now, she's made friends with someone expecting them to be as laidback as they seem? Of course he's actually the serious type. Hilda, who has had quite a bit of practice with this by now, listens patiently, though she looks amused at her luck. ]
You're forgiven.
[ She's joking, even if it was more than she'd expected when she walked into this conversation. How do people just dive into tea-time philosophy like this? Honestly... ]
I think you're right—I've thought about what I'd do if I met someone from the other side of a war, or who did something wrong long before I met them... and I just don't really have it in me to resent that kind of thing. We could still get dinner. Talk over some tea. [ She's not the bitter type, a sort of wistful sigh on her lips. ] Besides, I've always thought that people should be able to care about themselves, even if they're not perfect.
[ And wouldn't it be nice, if more people could do the same for others? To not expect perfection. To love the parts of them that shine, rather than stare at all their blemishes. She stretches her arms, looking off a bit carelessly. ]
—You know, you're surprisingly thoughtful. If I'm a girl who knows both axes and tea, could it be you're an airhead who's also a genius?
Fufu, genius is a stretch. Maybe I just read too much. Though I appreciate the sentiment.
[relaxed, easygoing. soo-won is, in truth, rather talented in many things. however he never thought that really meant much, in the face of others even more gifted than he.]
But is that an unpopular opinion, do you think? That people should be able to care about themselves, even if they're not perfect.
I didn't think that an odd thought. After all, there isn't anyone on this earth or any other earth that is completely perfect, I think.
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no subject
We'll have to grow our own, I'm afraid... I saw a wonderful cultivation area once though - so I might just copy that. Don't tell anyone.
[and he'll offer the tea out to her]
Doing alright, Hilda?
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Of course. I'll keep it secret as long as you keep smuggling me your finest leaves.
[ And maybe even if he doesn't! Does she look like a snitch? ]
I'm doing about as well as anybody today. A lot better than some people, I'd say. [ and some rats. rip pikachu. ]
no subject
soo-won manages a smile at that though - seems like they'll keep a secret together whenever soo-won becomes a tea farmer.]
... mm. It's a bit difficult, isn't it?
But you are very steady, even still. It's refreshingly consistent. You're not hiding away your tears and putting on a brave face, are you?
[his tone suggests that
he really doesn't think she is - but he wants to ask anyway]
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Nope. If I want to cry, you're going to see me cry.
[ A girl's feelings fluctuate in the winds, and right now, she's all right. Mostly, anyway. ]
But I didn't really know any of them that well. I feel worse for everybody who was closer to them...
[ The devastation in that room in the last half-hour was palpable. ] ...What about you? You seem pretty composed yourself.
no subject
.... well, my country's been at war lately. And even before that, the leadership was... well, it left a few things to be desired. If you would go into the slums of any town, it would be common to see - acts of desperation, violence, famine.
[and so he brings his gaze back down to hilda]
This was... a microcosm of that.
So even if it's hardly pleasing, and I can't say I'm exactly joyous despite arriving at the correction answer -
It's unfortunately nothing new.
no subject
War, huh... ]
Wow, you sound important.
[ So much responsibility! So lame. Impressive, though. ]
Did we disappoint you?
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the notion of him being important makes him laugh and he shakes his head]
On the contrary, I'm just a traveling merchant. It's the best lens to see any town from, you know? From the streets to the palaces.
[this fucking liar anyway]
Why would you think I'd be disappointed?
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Hilda doesn't call him out on it or anything, though. Do traveling merchants usually enjoy recreational revolution? Hmmm. ]
I just mean you don't sound too pleased about everything that happened.
[ Acts of desperation... that's kind of what they'd devolved into. ]
We were pretty all over the place... I was really worried we weren't going to figure it out at all!
[ and then we didn't and pikachu did instead ]
no subject
[he shakes his head at that]
No - I hadn't meant to imply that. In truth... I think that everyone did rather well. Even Taako was helping, which was very nice of him. You did good work too, Hilda.
Even if it's all over the place... I think everyone was sincerely trying.
And that, in and of itself, is something impressive.
no subject
Even so...
The corners of her mouth twitch up in a smile. ]
Are you an idealist, Won?
[ A lot of people would say those sincere efforts aren't worth anything without results. And they'd barely scraped by. ]
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[he sounds amused at the prospect, offering up a smile]
I don't know if I'd call it that... I think I just like people, and I think that we can do our best to improve.
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Yeah, see? That's so... uplifting.
[ there's a teasing lilt to her voice, but it's not unkind. ]
We just watched a kid murder in cold blood and and you're still talking about how you like people.
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If it lifts your spirits any, then I'll consider that a relief and a bonus.
[but he doesn't particularly mean to offer up idealism or anything grand like that]
Though I guess... are you familiar with battle at all, Hilda?
no subject
Huh? [ hm. ] Oh... I went to Officer's Academy, so a little. I was way better off watching from the sidelines than actually fighting—but sure, I'm familiar.
no subject
but even still - ]
But you're familiar with what it means to raise a weapon and aim to harm another, yes? Even if only in practice, or for the sake of a mark on a test.
It is not a perfect comparison - to take someone's life is far more grave, after all. And what we witnessed today was someone who would act on that impulse without hesitation, and was willing to deceive us to further their own goals.
However it is the luck of those who get to be in peaceful times, or who do not fear for their lives to say 'violence is poor, harming others is bad'. Those who believe that harmful action is necessity in order to survive do not get a chance to believe that.
Yet even still, knowing that you are part of an Officer's Academy - that doesn't change the kind girl that I am sitting across, no? You know battle, but you also like floral teas. Both of those truths must be accurate, because you exist.
And I like you, even if you beat up other students for grades - or watch them.
[it's why even after witnessing something awful, he can't judge every person on their faults - not when he doesn't know what drove them to it, or what circumstances they lived through.]
Ah, but that was a long-winded answer to explain something a bit boring... Forgive me.
no subject
You're forgiven.
[ She's joking, even if it was more than she'd expected when she walked into this conversation. How do people just dive into tea-time philosophy like this? Honestly... ]
I think you're right—I've thought about what I'd do if I met someone from the other side of a war, or who did something wrong long before I met them... and I just don't really have it in me to resent that kind of thing. We could still get dinner. Talk over some tea. [ She's not the bitter type, a sort of wistful sigh on her lips. ] Besides, I've always thought that people should be able to care about themselves, even if they're not perfect.
[ And wouldn't it be nice, if more people could do the same for others? To not expect perfection. To love the parts of them that shine, rather than stare at all their blemishes. She stretches her arms, looking off a bit carelessly. ]
—You know, you're surprisingly thoughtful. If I'm a girl who knows both axes and tea, could it be you're an airhead who's also a genius?
no subject
Fufu, genius is a stretch. Maybe I just read too much. Though I appreciate the sentiment.
[relaxed, easygoing. soo-won is, in truth, rather talented in many things. however he never thought that really meant much, in the face of others even more gifted than he.]
But is that an unpopular opinion, do you think? That people should be able to care about themselves, even if they're not perfect.
I didn't think that an odd thought. After all, there isn't anyone on this earth or any other earth that is completely perfect, I think.