featheradrift | Inbox (The City)

[ Oh, but she does have delicacy—in the things that matter, that is. Everything else? Questionable.

He snorts and smirks, letting the somber mood dispel itself. ]

He makes plenty of amusing faces already—just watch him talk to Alhaitham.

Oh!

[NOW THAT HE MENTIONS IT--]

The guy he cares a lot a lot about!

I haven't seen them together yet.

[ The Wanderer laughs at her description. Cares a lot a lot. That's a cute way of saying it. Very childish, just like her. ]

I'm sure you'll get a chance soon. I doubt they stay away from each other for long.

[ It's seriously disgusting the way they make eyes at each other at every given opportunity. Even at the gala. He barely spoke to the two on account of avoiding them both, but he had to observe them to avoid them, and, well...

If he were human, he would have long ago thrown up the contents of his stomach from how disgustingly lovey-dovey they were. ]

[If he were human, he'd have thrown up from their lovey-dovey nature, but if Altria were human, she'd be swooning. As it is, her eyes light up, and she threads her fingers together in front of herself as they walk.]

Really? How nice... [SIGHHHH!!] That's so romantic...

[ He just rolls his eyes. Of course she'd be interested in that kind of stuff. As for him, well. One need not point out the multitude of trust issues he has to see why romance doesn't appeal to him. ]

More like nauseating. They can at least try to be more discreet.

[ He's not trying to rain on Altria's parade, really! It's just... this is a topic he never thinks about except in the most negative of light. ]

[She just laughs at that, so it seems her parade hasn't been terribly rained on.]

I guess it can be pretty annoying if someone rubs their perfect romance in your face, huh?

[SHE GETS IT... SHE'S BEEN THERE.....]

... Maybe if I actually saw them, I'd get annoyed too... [Would it remind her of what she can never have, or would she just think it's sweet? Even Altria is not sure which way the scales will tip.]

[ He just doesn't like the idea of romance—of being so attached to someone it warps your sense of reasoning and drives you to do crazy things. That's how love has been defined over the ages, and he's seen enough people act in the name of love to know it's a bad idea. ]

I'm sure you could find someone if you wanted to. You're more than cute enough.

[ Those are sincere words. He's seen her at the gala. Spent all that time getting her to shine. He knows how beautiful she can be. ]

Ha ha, yeah, I know, right? It's silly for someone like me to even dream about--

[....... That sort of... thing...?]

[--?!]

[She hasn't forgotten how horribly charming he'd been when he'd flirted with her in that story to get a rise out of her. The thought both raises her blood pressure and also makes her cheeks go even redder.

Because she can see the sincerity in every single word, and she's really--not at all sure how to deal with that.

He's not the sort of person who leans towards false platitudes anyway, but... to think that he'd really believe something like that...]

U-um, th-thank you very much...! [aaaaAAAAAA] It's really not the sort of thing that's meant for someone like me, but still, it makes me really, really happy that you think so!

[ She's getting flustered again. It's always hilarious, and he toys with the idea of flirting with her a bit to get a rise out of her. But he rather likes the peace and calm of the park and is content with the atmosphere they have right now, so he decides not to push it.

Save for a teasing smirk on his face. ]

If you say so. It'd be a shame for all your future suitors though.

[ Well, there's more than one way to tease her... ]

"Future"--?!

[FUTURE SUITORS?

She's daydreamed about such a thing, of course. How could she not? Daydreaming about finding the perfect soul mate, about a romance to rival the ages--

(About someone who could sweep her away from her fate, as if it'd be that easy.

About someone who could see past her destiny and still care for her anyway.)

For now, though, the very thought seems to have somewhat short-circuited her.]

... "Suitors"...?

[wow wow wow wow suitors. That's such a lovely word--]

[ She's really that enamoured by the idea, huh. Based on what she's said before, it doesn't seem like circumstances in her world allow her to pursue such a thing, so he can't help but wish that she gets the opportunity to indulge in some of her dreams here.

Love is a hard one though, because he knows the separation once they leave here would be painful. But who knows; she seems to be far more resilient than he when it comes to losing people. At least he hopes she is. ]

Seen anyone here that catches your eye?

[ Yes, he's going to continue to keep lightly teasing her. ]

Wh-wh-wh-wha--

Here?

[She makes a noise not unlike a squawk, and then claps both hands over her mouth. Oh. Embarrassing. She wanted to handle this smooth and suave and ~cool~, but that... was only ever to be in her daydreams.]

Ha ha... ha! Oh, gosh, no! Like I said, it's really not for me, you know? I definitely haven't been looking. Don't be ridiculous!

[ It's just too easy to laugh at her and her embarrassment. If she keeps fumbling like this, she'll never be as cool as she dreams of being. But that's okay, because she has plenty of charm like this. She's fine the way she is, and he's certain plenty of people will see what he sees. ]

Doesn't mean you can't look and appreciate though.

[ The look he gives her remains teasing—but it's also inviting. If she wants to talk about some of the silly things she keeps in her heart, she's more than welcome to. Here, at least, she doesn't have to worry about what ails her in her world. ]

[... Is that true, she wonders? She knows he's teasing her--it's obvious in the sassy look he gives her, in the way that the tone is much more light-hearted than it was a few moments ago.

But is it true that she's allowed to look and appreciate, even knowing that she's never going to be allowed to have a proper romance?

She thinks it over, and because it's him, she tries to be honest, voice soft even though she's smiling.]

I... think it'll make my heart hurt too much if I do.

[If she deludes herself, even for a moment, into thinking she could have what's out of her reach.]

[ He hates that her world has hurt her in this way. She's still got dreams and hopes, unlike him. She should be allowed to pursue them. But the world has never been fair to either of them, has it?

He's at a point where he's freer than ever before—but it seems she's still trapped by something. He hates that. ]

...even without romance, you've still got people who care about you.

[ Back home, he hopes. And if not... Him. ]

Mm, mm, I do!

[She perks up too quickly for it to all be sincere, but it's probably fine. This, too, is how Altria copes, just like how Wanderer becomes more prickly when he needs time to process things. She smiles instead, but the coping mechanism is the same.]

I have some people back home... and I have Tsuruno, and I have you!

[People she can trust to sincerely, truly care for her--it's something very precious to her, and she won't forget it.]

[ He still doesn't know her circumstances at home, and now, he's curious enough to want to know. He hopes one day she'll be willing to share with him—without being forced by the city.

He doesn't deny the statement like he might have before. He does care—and he's willing to let her know. ]

Don't forget that.

[...

It startles her, the way that he just agrees flat out. The honesty, which is so very precious coming from anyone, but especially from him.]

[And then she beams, a faint flush on her face, and nods eagerly.]

I won't!

[She could never.]

I'll always remember!

[It's all that makes her who she is. When the existence of the person who is Altria is so very tenuous sometimes in comparison to the concept of the Child of Prophecy, people like him, and their care for her--that makes her real.

... That's enough serious discussion, surely. If she presses, he'll get embarrassed, and honestly? If he continues, she'll be the one embarrassed. So instead, to burn off extra energy:]

I'll race you back to the entrance!

[ Altria's smile is a precious thing to be treasured. She gives them out easily, but once in a while, something pure and genuine shines through, like the one she has on her face right now. This is something he finds himself wanting to protect. It's a strange sensation, but not wholly unwelcome.

But it seems the end of their serious discussion has come, now that Altria has satisfied her concern for the drifter. He smirks. ]

Don't cry if you lose.

[ Without waiting for a response, he dashes forward. He hadn't indulged her the first time she asked to compete, back when they met, so this time, he's willing to play. ]

[He dashes forward, and she was almost expecting him to refuse again--so he gets a few steps head start.

But she snaps back to herself quickly, running after him with all of her might, which is... you know, just the might of a standard, regular faerie girl.

She's having fun, though, grinning even through the determined look on her face as they race towards the entrance of the park.]

[ Unfortunate then that she's up against the Wanderer, who already leaned towards a speedy battle style which was enhanced by his Anemo Vision. Well, he doesn't have that right now, but he still has his speed.

But he's not trying to destroy Altria in the race, so he keeps a certain distance ahead of Altria, just enough that he'll win but not so far that she doesn't have a chance.

They arrive at the entrance soon enough and he crosses the entrance first, marking his win. He slows to a stop and turns around, grinning at her. ]

Looks like I win.

[HUFF PUFF...!!

She reaches the finish line after, of course, cheeks puffed out into a pout, but--well, an amused one, honestly. She's radiating a soft of comfortable contentedness in this moment, at least.]

Maybe you won this time, but I'll win the next one! Just you wait!

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featheradrift - 2023-12-15 06:37 (UTC) - Expand

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