[ He kissed her hand... D-Do friends do that?! Do friends kiss each other's hand? She knows noble and elegant people sometimes do demand those kind of gestures, but she never would have! Especially not when they had become close friends.
D-Does that mean...
N-No! He is a very elegant and graceful person! He would have done so on his own without being prompted, for any friend. Even for a total stranger, she wagers. He has that sort of aura emanating from him. ]
T-The way humanity has it may be better.
[ Goodness... She wants to say somethiong, but her anxiety is growing out of control. She'd had it all under control so far, but as usual she loses all means at the worst possible times. She desperately needs to do her breathing exercises and let her anxiety out before it reaches critical point.
But he can't be allowed to see her do that! So without warning, she stands up and comes up with an excuse. ]
Would you please give me a moment? I... I need to check on my recently arrived souls.
[ She absolutely does not, but she can leave and have her panic attack away from his eyes so she'll remain noble and dignified. ]
Ah, of course. In fact, please do not feel as if you need to alter your schedule on my behalf. I am the one who showed up rather rudely…
[ He nods as if that gives extra permission for her to do so. ]
The tea takes some time to steep, so it is no bother.
[ But as she does go… He’ll be deeply, privately amused. He assumes it’s because of his offhand comment that she needs to collect herself a bit. She really is charming, since he has a mischievous fondness for people that put up a bit of a front for their anxieties and insecurities. It’s the bully in him, alas. At least his form of it is much more subtle, since it’s more for his own amusement than anything else.
But! Indeed, by the time she returns, the tea is properly, perfectly steeped and carries a warm, fragrant aroma that’s very inviting. It’s a bit of a happy coincidence, but it’ll soothe her nerves nicely, he would guess. Tea seems to do well for people in that way, though he doesn’t personally understand it. ]
[ Look at her, she is smiling brightly, she is full of confidence— Why, there is not a hint of her usual anxious self to be seen! It's as if she'd gone away just so she could let all the stress out and put herself together. ]
[ ... Alas, all of that previous tag? It's nothing more than her imagining how she'll be once she's put herself together. For indeed, as soon as she was out of sight, Ereshkigal collapsed on the ground, looking absently at the ceiling. It'd been so long since she'd had one of those episodes.
It'd been with Ritsuka, hadn't it...? Yes, she'd been sleeping on her lap and she'd panicked but then she'd relaxed with time. ]
Gwah...
[ Okay, time for her "positive thoughts" and "breathing exercises." She needs to say the former aloud so she'll convince herself it's true, all while doing the breathing exercises. Human books about anxiety are very clear on the matter. ]
You are a resplendent and brilliant goddess, Ereshkigal... You are a resplendant and brilliant goddess...! [A pause and a long sigh.] Deep breathes, deep breathes...
[ How much time had passed? Half an hour? An hour? More?
Time is very fuzzy in the Underworld, she's not used to checking on it. Less so when she's in the midst of utter panic! ]
[ Exceedingly polite and patient as he is, it does take him a bit. He focuses on the tea first, finishing brewing it to utter perfection, though he mildly laments that she misses the process… It’s something he’s quite proud of, after all, and he thinks it’s quite elegant. But no matter, he thinks. There will be time in the future. So, he waits.
And waits.
...And waits more.
Truthfully, he waits so long because he has a bit of a debate with himself on what the correct course of action is. He’s already been quite assertive in coming here in the first place under her grace (and naivete). Leaving the designated area might be an affront, for all he knows. He really is exceptionally patient to the point that he could sit here for hours without complaint, but. He does know her. The larger question is just not overstepping those bounds of familiarity.
But eventually, when he feels like it’s at least been long enough that surely anyone might inquire, he stands from the table he’d made and heads in the direction that she’d retreated towards. He doesn’t touch anything or linger overly long, lest it be bad form to do so, but eventually, a golden lump does stand out in the gloom.
…Well, his guess had been correct, seemingly. ]
Ah— Do pardon me.
[ He’s quick to apologize when stumbling across her, but it’s more to announce his presence. ]
I was worried about you. [ For good reason, his tone gently seems to imply. ] Are you… alright? May I assist in any way?
[ Oh no, has it been so long? She immediately pulls herself together and stands up. She can't let him see her like that. Unfortunately, the thought that she's made a fool of herself in front of what is - evidently - a wonderful friend doesn't help. All it accomplishes is making her panic all the more. ]
I-I... [She looks away and tilts her head down.] My apologies. This is a lot for me to take in.
[ ... Why is she even bothering? If all he's said is true... Then this is no surprise. In fact, he must be aware of the ugliness nested in her heart. Which makes his presence here all the more baffling. She's not worth the trouble.
Or so has her existence thus far convinced her. ]
You probably already know how pathetic I truly am... [A pause.] Why did you come?
[ And she doesn't mean why did he come to look for her now. No, why did he travel across worlds and realities to see her? It's... He shouldn't have. ]
[ Ah… Perhaps he had come on too strongly indeed. She’s clearly overwhelmed by his presence, and why wouldn’t she be? He’s a stranger to her, and even if he’d conduct himself perfectly to earn her trust again… It’s still a lot to ask. More to believe.
Sebastian’s expression of gentle surprise softens into a gently sad, sympathetic smile when she calls herself pathetic, like he hates to hear her say so. He closes that little bit of distance left and holds out his hand for her with a gallant sort of elegance. It’s as if he were to ask her for a dance, and his tone is gently encouraging. ]
I will tell you. But may I have your hand for but a moment while I do?
[ There’s a point to this, though it’s a deeply manipulative one. Touch must be such a precious thing to someone so isolated and lonely… So, he’ll use it to help weave together some lovely half-truths. ]
You may refuse if it is too much to ask, of course. But I hope it may help to demonstrate my sincerity.
[ For a moment, she thinks maybe things had been better before she got that vessel. Before she was able to see the surface world.
Yes, her life had been miserable. But she'd been accustomed to it and nobody had to see just how pathetic she is. They could speak behind her back, gossip and laugh, but she remained unknowable to all. Now? Everyone can see just what a pathetic mess she is. A goddess with no social skill, a goddess filled with so much negative emotions and and thoughts, she bursts into tears and panics at a moment's notice.
When the self-loathing and gloom gets too much, her thoughts often go to such extremes. And it's made all the worse what with the fact he can see her. Someone who is - supposedly - precious to her. ]
... ... ... ...
[ She keeps her head low and doesn't answer. She should tell him to leave, that he should go find another friend. But deep down...
She is desperate. Is that selfish? Is that evil?
... So she reaches out for the hand he's offered her. ]
[ Over the very, very long time Sebastian had been alive, he’d found that the best way to tell a lie was to sprinkle in as much truth as possible. It made it easier to keep up, but it also meant that enough of the principles were truth that were it ever discovered, it was also easier to mend. So, most of what he explains is true as he holds her hand gently. ]
…I admit. I worried what your reaction may be when I told you what I am. It is always a concern, for when it comes to my kind, our reputation precedes us. I cannot say it is unfair, for I will not deny that we are at odds with humanity. Just as a rabbit fears a fox, so too does humanity fear us. So, that place we met, it was a strange thing. I did not tell a soul what I was for a very long time. I worried about the repercussions. Yet, when I did, I was surprised. There was hesitation, perhaps uncertainty, but mostly? People were simply… curious. It was a novel thing.
[ …But what’s the lie is how he feels about it. People did view him this way. Why wouldn’t they? Nearly every culture has a story about creatures like him and just how wicked they were. Whether they were literal warnings or simply morality tales, the idea that demons were dangerous remained. However, where some creatures would lament such bias or rage against it… Sebastian felt very little. They were correct, after all.
But for a sympathetic ear, for someone that also feels they’re an outsider to humanity, he’s acutely aware of how the story can ring. And as he continues, he uses their hands to help tell the story. A little squeeze here— ]
You were the first I ever told. Just as here, you simply knew that I was not what I seem to be. I was more than hesitant, and yet, you still treated me kindly. More than kindly, in fact. That simple consideration made it feel as if a great weight was lifted from my shoulders. That I needn’t hide what I was, even if that was a beast.
[ A soft intertwining of their fingers there— ]
It was a lonely thing, before that realization. Lonelier still to return to my world where that was truth once more, where I was trapped only to be summoned at a human’s beck and call as their slave. So, when there was a chance that I might leave that behind…
[ And he lifts her hand, not to kiss as he had done when they last met, but to place her hand against his cheek. The palm of her hand cups his jaw lightly, but his hand over hers is still warm and delicate in its touch. The look on his face could only be described as yearning, like he’s been waiting a very long time indeed for this moment. Or, perhaps, to say something more that now feels inappropriate… If her imagination were to run away with the courtly romance of it all, anyways. ]
I thought I would like to return the kindness you gave to me, if possible. For where else had I felt such warmth but at this touch?
[ He's right. This resonates with her. Too much so. Humans fear her too, gods of death carry with them an unfair reputation. The reason there is so little left of her story on the surface world is because humans were afraid speaking or writing her name would draw her gaze upon them. They were afraid to draw death's attention.
With time, the pain has gotten easier to handle... But it's never gone completely. So she doesn't doubt for a second she reacted just as he said.
But then... I-Is he intertwining their fingers? And now is he... B-B-Bringing it to his cheek? T-That's... Is that something friends do?! Is it her imagination going wild once more, is she sliding into depravity? T-That's surely it! She should stop seeing signs of romance and love where there is nothing but the kindness of a precious friend. ]
I...
[ Warmth... It is funny that one as cold as her - literally so given how cold her body always is - was the one to give him warmth. Her hand is trembling, what should she say, what should she do? T-There is only thing she can do.
Cry. And rush forward, burying her head in his shoulder so he doesn't see that she is crying (he can hear the broken sobbing, details). ]
I-I am glad you came... [She tries to pull herself together to say something without her sobbing interrupting her.] I know what loneliness is like... A-And you don't deserve it!
[ It’s the expected reaction, and it’s precisely what he’d wanted to inspire, but he plays at the gentle surprise still. He makes a soft noise of genteel surprise as she surges forward, but it’s quickly followed by a soft, understanding one. Carefully, like he’s unsure whether it’s too much, he loosely embraces her. It’s what a gentleman would do, since despite her best efforts (?), it’s very obvious that she’s crying… ]
Nor do you.
[ His voice is still soft, but there’s just a little firmness in that sentiment that’s meant to be reassuring. ]
…So, I am also glad I came. I worried it might be foolish, especially considering… [ He trails off vaguely, but it doesn’t take much of a leap to guess that he means the loss of memory. ] But you were—are a dear friend. I never dared to hope for it, since I did not know if it was a promise I could keep, but perhaps we can be a balm to each other’s loneliness after all.
[ S-She's going to cry even more if he continues like that! She hasn't cried that much since... Since Christmas, probably. Which might sound like it wasn't that long ago, but it had been really super impactful!
A friend. He's an amazing, wonderful friend who deserves all that's good in the world! All her doubts are fled. She's still going to keep in a corner of her mind the possibility that maybe he is lying, but there's no way! He knows too much and is way too genuine. ]
T-Thank you...
[ There's no stopping her tears. He's in for the long haul, unfortunately. The lachrymal reserves that goddess has in her are quite impressive. Even as she finally pulls away from his shoulder to try and look at him, she's still crying.
There's no hiding it any more. ]
I-I am glad I was able to make such a wonderful friend in another world. [She manages to smile through the tears.] You-You are welcome here as if it were your home.
[ Sebastian makes a sound of acknowledgement to her thanks, ever humble as if this were the perfectly reasonable, natural thing to do. As she pulls back, he reaches up to her face this time and gently brushes a (particularly large) tear away with his thumb with an apologetic smile. ]
And I admit, I thought my arrival may make you cry… But I still feel as if I have been untoward.
[ Though there’s the lightest of teasing notes in his voice. He doesn’t think so at all, but he just hadn’t expected this much crying… But to be fair, he had also expected her to remember him. Either way, it’s fine to him, honestly. Her true welcome is precisely what he had wanted out of all of this. ]
It is my honor to receive your gracious welcome. I shall not impose, but so long as you shall have me, I will be your companion.
[ He dips his head towards her as a small bow, but when he straightens and opens his eyes again, his smile is just a little playful. ]
—To which, your tea is ready. It is a bit cooler than is recommended by now, but I hope it still delights you.
[ R-Right, the tea! She'd nearly forgotten all about it. He's put so much effort into it, they should go back right now and enjoy the fruit of his hard work. She's sure it's much better than anything she's drank before.
[ ... T-There really is no denying it, she's still curious about one thing in particular. One thing he did not mention at all. Normally that would mean it's a clear and shut case, but... He's so considerate towards her, he could remain silent just so as to not kill her with an overload of emotions.
And that thing in particular is love, obviously. She's not sure even the Master of Chaldea would cross worlds and realities just to see her. Even a really close and dear friendship such as the one he describes... It's natural to wonder, isn't it? That's probably what would cross most people's minds. And honestly it kind of reads like the plot of a typical romance novel. ]
[ What should she do? If he blatantly says "no," this will be so embarrassing! And if he says yes... That'll be even more embarrassing. There's no way she can just leap into a relationship like that.
He's really kind and sweet, and his presence brings her warmth after everything he's said and done today. But love? Whatever circumstances brought them together before never happened from her perspective. Telling him "I love you too" would be a lie, wouldn't it? Would she fall in love with someone purely because they say they love her?
She feels like the answer is "yes" and honestly that's so pathetic, she could crawl in a hole. But even then, that wouldn't really be love. It would be her loneliness speaking - her desperate need for companionship melded together with her fantasies about romance.
[ ... She needs to be responsible. That's what she is. Who she is. And she needs to focus on what she knows for sure right now:
A wonderful friend who crossed realities to see her is here. He's also a lonely soul who's known rejection and like all other souls in the Underworld, he needs comfort. All the other thoughts that cross her mind, they're just the silly dreams of a lonely goddess.
[ A smile. A bright, happy smile. That's what he deserves, just as much as every other soul she's ever cared for. She takes a step back and starts heading back to the "throne room", if it can even be called that. ]
[ He might not be aware of the conflict she goes through, but it’s exactly what he’d been trying to foster all the same. A “what if—” is all he needs. Since he’s patient, he can wait for that question to grow naturally. Once she makes the first move, whether it’s returning the affectionate gestures or even simply asking that question… He’ll be much more confident in pulling her in further. Making her his, without question.
But, for now. He smiles warmly in return and dips his head as she steps away. It’s another partial bow, and he follows smoothly after her. ]
Ah, I shall remember that. I will insist that you try it hot eventually, simply for the experience, but presently, we shall pretend it is a summer drink, or something of the sort.
[ And indeed, once they make it back, he takes up his deferential role immediately and starts to pour her a cup. It’s not quite cold, but it’s lukewarm. ]
I still do not mind if you inquire about your curiosities, by the way. I do not speak of myself often out of habit… So I would not know where to begin as a result.
We will be here all night if I ask every question I have in mind.
[ She takes her cup once it's full, but doesn't drink all of it immediately. ]
How is your world, how is your life, what exciting thing did you do, what kind of friends do you have. [A pause.] But I asked all those questions before, didn't I?
[ That means... -She must find a question she would never have asked him before! But anything she can think of, odds are she thought of it before? That's complicated. ]
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b-but she's a terrifying goddess T_T
D-Does that mean...
N-No! He is a very elegant and graceful person! He would have done so on his own without being prompted, for any friend. Even for a total stranger, she wagers. He has that sort of aura emanating from him. ]
T-The way humanity has it may be better.
[ Goodness... She wants to say somethiong, but her anxiety is growing out of control. She'd had it all under control so far, but as usual she loses all means at the worst possible times. She desperately needs to do her breathing exercises and let her anxiety out before it reaches critical point.
But he can't be allowed to see her do that! So without warning, she stands up and comes up with an excuse. ]
Would you please give me a moment? I... I need to check on my recently arrived souls.
[ She absolutely does not, but she can leave and have her panic attack away from his eyes so she'll remain noble and dignified. ]
she can be both... allegedly...
[ He nods as if that gives extra permission for her to do so. ]
The tea takes some time to steep, so it is no bother.
[ But as she does go… He’ll be deeply, privately amused. He assumes it’s because of his offhand comment that she needs to collect herself a bit. She really is charming, since he has a mischievous fondness for people that put up a bit of a front for their anxieties and insecurities. It’s the bully in him, alas. At least his form of it is much more subtle, since it’s more for his own amusement than anything else.
But! Indeed, by the time she returns, the tea is properly, perfectly steeped and carries a warm, fragrant aroma that’s very inviting. It’s a bit of a happy coincidence, but it’ll soothe her nerves nicely, he would guess. Tea seems to do well for people in that way, though he doesn’t personally understand it. ]
1/3
[ And lo, she very calmly leaves. She's rather fast, all things considered... But she's not running!
She's speed walking. The difference is very important! That means she is technically not running away, not at all. ]
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I'm back!
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
[ Look at her, she is smiling brightly, she is full of confidence— Why, there is not a hint of her usual anxious self to be seen! It's as if she'd gone away just so she could let all the stress out and put herself together. ]
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I'm sorry I had to leave like that, but I'll make it up to you! We still have so much to talk about.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
3/3
It'd been with Ritsuka, hadn't it...? Yes, she'd been sleeping on her lap and she'd panicked but then she'd relaxed with time. ]
Gwah...
[ Okay, time for her "positive thoughts" and "breathing exercises." She needs to say the former aloud so she'll convince herself it's true, all while doing the breathing exercises. Human books about anxiety are very clear on the matter. ]
You are a resplendent and brilliant goddess, Ereshkigal... You are a resplendant and brilliant goddess...! [A pause and a long sigh.] Deep breathes, deep breathes...
[ How much time had passed? Half an hour? An hour? More?
Time is very fuzzy in the Underworld, she's not used to checking on it. Less so when she's in the midst of utter panic! ]
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And waits.
...And waits more.
Truthfully, he waits so long because he has a bit of a debate with himself on what the correct course of action is. He’s already been quite assertive in coming here in the first place under her grace (and naivete). Leaving the designated area might be an affront, for all he knows. He really is exceptionally patient to the point that he could sit here for hours without complaint, but. He does know her. The larger question is just not overstepping those bounds of familiarity.
But eventually, when he feels like it’s at least been long enough that surely anyone might inquire, he stands from the table he’d made and heads in the direction that she’d retreated towards. He doesn’t touch anything or linger overly long, lest it be bad form to do so, but eventually, a golden lump does stand out in the gloom.
…Well, his guess had been correct, seemingly. ]
Ah— Do pardon me.
[ He’s quick to apologize when stumbling across her, but it’s more to announce his presence. ]
I was worried about you. [ For good reason, his tone gently seems to imply. ] Are you… alright? May I assist in any way?
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I-I... [She looks away and tilts her head down.] My apologies. This is a lot for me to take in.
[ ... Why is she even bothering? If all he's said is true... Then this is no surprise. In fact, he must be aware of the ugliness nested in her heart. Which makes his presence here all the more baffling. She's not worth the trouble.
Or so has her existence thus far convinced her. ]
You probably already know how pathetic I truly am... [A pause.] Why did you come?
[ And she doesn't mean why did he come to look for her now. No, why did he travel across worlds and realities to see her? It's... He shouldn't have. ]
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Sebastian’s expression of gentle surprise softens into a gently sad, sympathetic smile when she calls herself pathetic, like he hates to hear her say so. He closes that little bit of distance left and holds out his hand for her with a gallant sort of elegance. It’s as if he were to ask her for a dance, and his tone is gently encouraging. ]
I will tell you. But may I have your hand for but a moment while I do?
[ There’s a point to this, though it’s a deeply manipulative one. Touch must be such a precious thing to someone so isolated and lonely… So, he’ll use it to help weave together some lovely half-truths. ]
You may refuse if it is too much to ask, of course. But I hope it may help to demonstrate my sincerity.
no subject
Yes, her life had been miserable. But she'd been accustomed to it and nobody had to see just how pathetic she is. They could speak behind her back, gossip and laugh, but she remained unknowable to all. Now? Everyone can see just what a pathetic mess she is. A goddess with no social skill, a goddess filled with so much negative emotions and and thoughts, she bursts into tears and panics at a moment's notice.
When the self-loathing and gloom gets too much, her thoughts often go to such extremes. And it's made all the worse what with the fact he can see her. Someone who is - supposedly - precious to her. ]
... ... ... ...
[ She keeps her head low and doesn't answer. She should tell him to leave, that he should go find another friend. But deep down...
She is desperate. Is that selfish? Is that evil?
... So she reaches out for the hand he's offered her. ]
no subject
…I admit. I worried what your reaction may be when I told you what I am. It is always a concern, for when it comes to my kind, our reputation precedes us. I cannot say it is unfair, for I will not deny that we are at odds with humanity. Just as a rabbit fears a fox, so too does humanity fear us. So, that place we met, it was a strange thing. I did not tell a soul what I was for a very long time. I worried about the repercussions. Yet, when I did, I was surprised. There was hesitation, perhaps uncertainty, but mostly? People were simply… curious. It was a novel thing.
[ …But what’s the lie is how he feels about it. People did view him this way. Why wouldn’t they? Nearly every culture has a story about creatures like him and just how wicked they were. Whether they were literal warnings or simply morality tales, the idea that demons were dangerous remained. However, where some creatures would lament such bias or rage against it… Sebastian felt very little. They were correct, after all.
But for a sympathetic ear, for someone that also feels they’re an outsider to humanity, he’s acutely aware of how the story can ring. And as he continues, he uses their hands to help tell the story. A little squeeze here— ]
You were the first I ever told. Just as here, you simply knew that I was not what I seem to be. I was more than hesitant, and yet, you still treated me kindly. More than kindly, in fact. That simple consideration made it feel as if a great weight was lifted from my shoulders. That I needn’t hide what I was, even if that was a beast.
[ A soft intertwining of their fingers there— ]
It was a lonely thing, before that realization. Lonelier still to return to my world where that was truth once more, where I was trapped only to be summoned at a human’s beck and call as their slave. So, when there was a chance that I might leave that behind…
[ And he lifts her hand, not to kiss as he had done when they last met, but to place her hand against his cheek. The palm of her hand cups his jaw lightly, but his hand over hers is still warm and delicate in its touch. The look on his face could only be described as yearning, like he’s been waiting a very long time indeed for this moment. Or, perhaps, to say something more that now feels inappropriate… If her imagination were to run away with the courtly romance of it all, anyways. ]
I thought I would like to return the kindness you gave to me, if possible. For where else had I felt such warmth but at this touch?
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With time, the pain has gotten easier to handle... But it's never gone completely. So she doesn't doubt for a second she reacted just as he said.
But then... I-Is he intertwining their fingers? And now is he... B-B-Bringing it to his cheek? T-That's... Is that something friends do?! Is it her imagination going wild once more, is she sliding into depravity? T-That's surely it! She should stop seeing signs of romance and love where there is nothing but the kindness of a precious friend. ]
I...
[ Warmth... It is funny that one as cold as her - literally so given how cold her body always is - was the one to give him warmth. Her hand is trembling, what should she say, what should she do? T-There is only thing she can do.
Cry. And rush forward, burying her head in his shoulder so he doesn't see that she is crying (he can hear the broken sobbing, details). ]
I-I am glad you came... [She tries to pull herself together to say something without her sobbing interrupting her.] I know what loneliness is like... A-And you don't deserve it!
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Nor do you.
[ His voice is still soft, but there’s just a little firmness in that sentiment that’s meant to be reassuring. ]
…So, I am also glad I came. I worried it might be foolish, especially considering… [ He trails off vaguely, but it doesn’t take much of a leap to guess that he means the loss of memory. ] But you were—are a dear friend. I never dared to hope for it, since I did not know if it was a promise I could keep, but perhaps we can be a balm to each other’s loneliness after all.
no subject
A friend. He's an amazing, wonderful friend who deserves all that's good in the world! All her doubts are fled. She's still going to keep in a corner of her mind the possibility that maybe he is lying, but there's no way! He knows too much and is way too genuine. ]
T-Thank you...
[ There's no stopping her tears. He's in for the long haul, unfortunately. The lachrymal reserves that goddess has in her are quite impressive. Even as she finally pulls away from his shoulder to try and look at him, she's still crying.
There's no hiding it any more. ]
I-I am glad I was able to make such a wonderful friend in another world. [She manages to smile through the tears.] You-You are welcome here as if it were your home.
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And I admit, I thought my arrival may make you cry… But I still feel as if I have been untoward.
[ Though there’s the lightest of teasing notes in his voice. He doesn’t think so at all, but he just hadn’t expected this much crying… But to be fair, he had also expected her to remember him. Either way, it’s fine to him, honestly. Her true welcome is precisely what he had wanted out of all of this. ]
It is my honor to receive your gracious welcome. I shall not impose, but so long as you shall have me, I will be your companion.
[ He dips his head towards her as a small bow, but when he straightens and opens his eyes again, his smile is just a little playful. ]
—To which, your tea is ready. It is a bit cooler than is recommended by now, but I hope it still delights you.
1/7
Which isn't much of an achievement, but still! ]
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And that thing in particular is love, obviously. She's not sure even the Master of Chaldea would cross worlds and realities just to see her. Even a really close and dear friendship such as the one he describes... It's natural to wonder, isn't it? That's probably what would cross most people's minds. And honestly it kind of reads like the plot of a typical romance novel. ]
no subject
He's really kind and sweet, and his presence brings her warmth after everything he's said and done today. But love? Whatever circumstances brought them together before never happened from her perspective. Telling him "I love you too" would be a lie, wouldn't it? Would she fall in love with someone purely because they say they love her?
She feels like the answer is "yes" and honestly that's so pathetic, she could crawl in a hole. But even then, that wouldn't really be love. It would be her loneliness speaking - her desperate need for companionship melded together with her fantasies about romance.
And he deserves much better than that. ]
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A wonderful friend who crossed realities to see her is here. He's also a lonely soul who's known rejection and like all other souls in the Underworld, he needs comfort. All the other thoughts that cross her mind, they're just the silly dreams of a lonely goddess.
He didn't come here to hear those things. ]
7/7
[ A smile. A bright, happy smile. That's what he deserves, just as much as every other soul she's ever cared for. She takes a step back and starts heading back to the "throne room", if it can even be called that. ]
Don't worry, I prefer cold things anyway.
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But, for now. He smiles warmly in return and dips his head as she steps away. It’s another partial bow, and he follows smoothly after her. ]
Ah, I shall remember that. I will insist that you try it hot eventually, simply for the experience, but presently, we shall pretend it is a summer drink, or something of the sort.
[ And indeed, once they make it back, he takes up his deferential role immediately and starts to pour her a cup. It’s not quite cold, but it’s lukewarm. ]
I still do not mind if you inquire about your curiosities, by the way. I do not speak of myself often out of habit… So I would not know where to begin as a result.
1/4
[ She takes her cup once it's full, but doesn't drink all of it immediately. ]
How is your world, how is your life, what exciting thing did you do, what kind of friends do you have. [A pause.] But I asked all those questions before, didn't I?
[ That means... -She must find a question she would never have asked him before! But anything she can think of, odds are she thought of it before? That's complicated. ]
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... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I-Is this genius?! She would have never asked him that question normally! And it will also answer exactly what she's been wondering! ]
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4/4
skitters back... october sure was a lot in syn huh
the heaviest month...