[ oh, emotion week is bad, because when grace looks away with a one shouldered shrug he can probably feel the hesitation and a trickle of fear and guilt leaking out? hm ]
I guess, but... It wasn't that big a wish. [ so maybe she won't need much? and, after a pause: ] And... it's something I should be able to fix for myself even if I can't get it from here.
[ there's something like a sudden seizing of-- fear? like a burst of anxiety before she grins and shakes her head ]
It's fine! I've indulged a lot this week already, and asking someone else to wish it for me is asking a lot. Everyone's got their own thing they came here for and all that.
[ . . . . . the fear only just manages to make his own concern worse, and he reaches out to place a hand on her shoulder - otherwise trying his best to be calm for her, to share that out.]
.... you don't have to force yourself.
I... I feel bad, infringing on your privacy like this but... what've you got to be scared of? [softly] It's just me.
[ alas, the calm does not seem to work, as instead she just seems to feel-- defensive? and sounds and looks it too, crossing her arms. unfortunately for her proximity makes the undercurrent of anxious fear all the more present. hm. ]
I'm not scared. It's my wish, I don't have to share what it is with anyone.
[he nods, understandingly. he pulls his hand away as she seems to get a bit more defensive. he still worries a bit, but...]
You don't have to tell me what it is. I just want you to get it. It's important to you - I can tell that much. I don't need to know anything more than that.
[ there's some guilt this time coming over the rest of the emotions as she sighs, her crossed arms looking more like she's hugging herself now ]
... I know that. I do. And I-- appreciate it. It's just. It's complicated. [ the guilt seems to flare up there, oddly enough? ] But I'll figure it out. Really.
We really can figure it out together. You don't have to tell me anything else about it - but if you wanna make indulging a priority, we can do that. Seriously.
[he tilts his head at her]
.... I don't like how this is making you feel - and I'm sorry I added to it. [for coming off strong, but that's just how he is] So as your friend, just gotta make sure you don't feel like this as much as possible anymore, right?
[ she seems unsure what to do with the sentiment, for some reason, staring at mineo. there's fondness there too, but she takes a breath and it's like she's dismissing her previous feelings, stretching out a little and focusing only on curiosity ]
Oh, right. Shi told me about that. [ baffled. why was flowey undertale in this game. he's a child. but anyway, she smiles a little, still a little unsure, but: ]
You're sure? I know how seriously you take your work.
[ it's a mild tease compared to usual, but it's. there. ]
[the reassurance - works a little. it's enough to get him to feel gratitude for her attempt, and easily take the distraction as she grabs onto his hand.]
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.... I know but it still feels embarrassing....
[a beat]
Um. Not to come off weird but - are you doing okay? I know you said you hadn't gotten an item yet....
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Hmm? Sure. It's not like not getting an item has an effect on me or anything except being a little annoyed.
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Yeah...? You're not worried about your wish?
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I guess, but... It wasn't that big a wish. [ so maybe she won't need much? and, after a pause: ] And... it's something I should be able to fix for myself even if I can't get it from here.
[ she does not feel sure even if she sounds it! ]
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that manages to get him to pause entirely then, his brow furrowing as the concern starts to slip in]
... hey. It's okay, if you need more help. Or if you need something else to try to get the wish. You can tell me, and we can make something work.
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It's fine! I've indulged a lot this week already, and asking someone else to wish it for me is asking a lot. Everyone's got their own thing they came here for and all that.
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.... you don't have to force yourself.
I... I feel bad, infringing on your privacy like this but... what've you got to be scared of? [softly] It's just me.
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I'm not scared. It's my wish, I don't have to share what it is with anyone.
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[he nods, understandingly. he pulls his hand away as she seems to get a bit more defensive. he still worries a bit, but...]
You don't have to tell me what it is. I just want you to get it. It's important to you - I can tell that much. I don't need to know anything more than that.
I just want to help.
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... I know that. I do. And I-- appreciate it. It's just. It's complicated. [ the guilt seems to flare up there, oddly enough? ] But I'll figure it out. Really.
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We really can figure it out together. You don't have to tell me anything else about it - but if you wanna make indulging a priority, we can do that. Seriously.
[he tilts his head at her]
.... I don't like how this is making you feel - and I'm sorry I added to it. [for coming off strong, but that's just how he is] So as your friend, just gotta make sure you don't feel like this as much as possible anymore, right?
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[ she seems unsure what to do with the sentiment, for some reason, staring at mineo. there's fondness there too, but she takes a breath and it's like she's dismissing her previous feelings, stretching out a little and focusing only on curiosity ]
Make indulging a priority how, though?
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I've finished my rounds for today and didn't find anything. Apparently there's a demonic plant in the garden though? [hm.]
But... if you wanna do something besides talk about Childe... I'm willing to put work aside for a bit.
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You're sure? I know how seriously you take your work.
[ it's a mild tease compared to usual, but it's. there. ]
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I... Yeah. I do. But today's... a little harder for that, when I was one of the people saying that it'd be better if...
[childe was gone. it would feel insincere, to say that mineo cares the same way that he did with lenore or aoi?
anyway.]
.... but it just makes it easier to say that I take being your friend even more seriously today.
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Most people here were, you know. It wasn't just you.
[ though she's not sure if that'll make him feel better or not, so instead she smiles at him again and grabs his hand ]
Yeah, alright. I guess you do have to make it up to me. [ definitely teasing? ] So let's indulge and have some fun.
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... yeah. Let's do that.
What's on the agenda today?
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