... I think I'll have to take you up on your offer to eat them later, as delicious as they smell. [ With a quietly apologetic smile that's a little frayed at the edges. ]
[ And sit down she does, closing her eyes briefly. ]
When I first met Virid, there was something about him that reminded me of... [ She trails off, shakes her head. ]
I wanted to see if I could get him to smile. To have him know what it was like to have fun. But I wasn't able to get through to him. In the end, he didn't seem to understand any of that, or what it felt like to care for someone you didn't truly know.
... Which is understandable, I can't say I blame him there. Most people aren't like that.
A bit. Obviously, I wasn't pushed to the point where I thought I had to defeat anyone... but I did feel as though I was in a very dark place for a long time.
Ah - we come from the same world. It seems that it wasn't entirely evident until today...
[he's been sharing that information a lot]
She's... well, as alright as she can be. She's much tougher than most people think - through necessity. [a beat] Even if she'll need time to recover... this sort of thing won't break her spirits.
[he nods in response to that.... even though there have been female generals in kouka's history before, he knows that the current leadership doesn't seem to support them.
but - ]
... I don't think there's a problem with hope.
However I do think that we should also prepare for the worst, just in case.
[so their hearts don't shatter from the burden of hope and none else]
Right, I'll just prepare myself to distrust anyone and everyone around me and additionally expect that I may or may not be killed and if not, I may or may not be the one ending someone's life for committing murder.
[ Probably easier said than done, and Dorothy sighs. ]
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I don't have much of an appetite right now.
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[and he'll move to start transferring some of the cookies onto another napkin for her to take later]
I'd offer alcohol, but perhaps when night falls...
How does conversation sound instead?
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[ Maybe. Hopefully. She's not sure if she wants to talk about feelings, but talking is a good distraction in and of itself. ]
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and he'll gesture for her to take a seat by him]
How are you feeling?
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[ And sit down she does, closing her eyes briefly. ]
When I first met Virid, there was something about him that reminded me of... [ She trails off, shakes her head. ]
I wanted to see if I could get him to smile. To have him know what it was like to have fun. But I wasn't able to get through to him. In the end, he didn't seem to understand any of that, or what it felt like to care for someone you didn't truly know.
... Which is understandable, I can't say I blame him there. Most people aren't like that.
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It's not enough to suggest that you did your best, is it? Even though I'm certain that your efforts were sincere.
It is one of the world's most daunting tasks - to reach your hand out to someone whose heart has been closed off.
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[ Dorothy's gaze is weary when she opens her eyes again. ]
I just know what it feels like when no one reaches their hand out to you. It's not a feeling I'd wish on anyone.
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You might not need it anymore - but I hope you'll believe me that my hand is always reaching out to you.
[in case she might need it now]
Is that how you grew up?
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But yes, I did. [ Rather calmly. ] I ran away from home because I thought if no one was going to help me, then I needed to save myself.
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I wish that you didn't have to... but I'm glad that you were able to keep moving forward on your own.
Did Virid remind you of yourself?
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[ Carefully, she flaps a hand. ]
And now, here I am.
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well, whether it's affection week or something else, soo-won will move to sit closer to her and offer his hand out, palm up]
... here you are.
And I'm glad that you're still with us, even if I'd just as much like to grant you freedom away from everything terrible about this place.
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It's only been a week and you're that fond of me? I could be honored.
[ It's not as teasing as her usual tone, but there's genuine gratitude in her smile. ]
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Mm, I am. I think that you're a wonderful person.
[without hesitation, as he moves to gentle hold her hand in his, fingers curling around her own]
And I'd like it if you could find happiness.
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Really, that sincerity. ]
Let's focus on finding a way out, first. Happiness can come after that.
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Mm... I can't promise that I'll be able to devise a plan to get us all out of here as quick as I'd like.
So we still might need to try to aim for both at once.
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That girl, Yona-- she's close to you, isn't she? Was she all right?
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[he's been sharing that information a lot]
She's... well, as alright as she can be. She's much tougher than most people think - through necessity. [a beat] Even if she'll need time to recover... this sort of thing won't break her spirits.
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Those delicate-looking types usually are stronger than they're given credit for.
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[he understands her father's feelings in some ways - even now, soo-won never intended to truly take away yona's smile but.]
But she's a sight to behold when she demonstrates her strength too, I think.
I'm sure everyone will show her great kindness, and that will help lift her spirits considerably.
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[ Present company excluded, she means to say, with a squeeze of his hand. ]
But here's hoping this situation doesn't happen again.
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but - ]
... I don't think there's a problem with hope.
However I do think that we should also prepare for the worst, just in case.
[so their hearts don't shatter from the burden of hope and none else]
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[ Probably easier said than done, and Dorothy sighs. ]
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... perhaps not to that extent.
But even if we do have to be grounded in that reality, I hope that you don't lose the light that you carry with you as well. It might be hard but...
You're not alone either.