[ 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. ]
[ He smiles obligingly, since he certainly wouldn’t mind if she drowned him in questions. Even if circumstances were a little more typical, he wouldn’t be bothered. He’s very social, after all! There are few things he enjoys as much as the pleasure of conversation, even if he’d rather talk about others than himself…
So, he first starts to think of how he can weave his answers to her questions together into a single narrative to make it elegant (and easier). They at least blend together fairly well, so it shouldn’t be any difficulty, and he does raise his hand lightly to her concern as if to say “it’s no bother”, but she does end up settling on a new one after all. It dashes his half-considered response easily.
It’s charmingly earnest, isn’t it? It’s precisely what he had adored about her, even if it’s not quite in the way she might hope. He breathes out a charming little laugh, reaches up to brush a bang out of his face like a nervous, bashful gesture. He may not truly feel the motions that would stir someone’s heart so… But he knows precisely what they are. ]
…That is a new question, yes.
[ He was willing to take this slowly, considering the fact that they’ve just met, so far as she’s concerned. He’s frighteningly patient. But, if she’s asking this? Perhaps it’s to his benefit that she doesn’t remember their shared experiences. ]
I would say so. I tend to be devoted to my work, so I did not think I would be stirred so, admittedly. But…
[ He looks back her way, and his gaze feels warm and meaningful. He looks at her with intent. It’s the implicit answer she’s hoping for, even if his words are still just as polite and beholden to the etiquette of courtship that he finds charming to follow. ]
I would hate for her to see my affection as untoward.
[ Ah... T-This is a far more direct answer than what she'd been expecting! She stares at him silently for what may be far longer than is polite. Even if technically he hasn't given her the answer in absolute terms— Even she can read between the lines! It's so obvious, she would have to be the most inept goddess in existence not to get the message. So, basically Ishtar.
It's so hard to believe... She-She doesn't know what to even say. For all of her romantic dreams, the possibility that someone would ever develop feelings for her isn't one she has ever prepared for. Because as far as she's concerned, this is an impossibility.
Nobody can love the anathema of Mesopotamia. She wouldn't have been abandoned and forgotten by humans & gods alike if there were any likeable qualities to her. So to have a confirmation of his feelings...
Blinks blinks. ]
I-I...
[ There is only one thing to do: delay! And hide how insecure she suddenly feels by trying to make him feel better about himself! ]
You mustn't think so little of yourself!
[ Can you imagine, loving someone and yet never confessing because you're afraid they won't reciprocate? Because you're afraid they'll think less of you afterward? T-This is so sad!
(There is definitely no projecting going on here, nope.) ]
Y-You're a very caring and kind-hearted demon willing to go to extreme lengths for those you care about! [Has anyone ever said that to him before?] You should proclaim your love !oud and high!
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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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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
Is there a fortunate person who has taken your heart?
[ It's a perfectly normal question! One she probably never asked him and that will answer her every question, surely! ]
skitters back... october sure was a lot in syn huh
So, he first starts to think of how he can weave his answers to her questions together into a single narrative to make it elegant (and easier). They at least blend together fairly well, so it shouldn’t be any difficulty, and he does raise his hand lightly to her concern as if to say “it’s no bother”, but she does end up settling on a new one after all. It dashes his half-considered response easily.
It’s charmingly earnest, isn’t it? It’s precisely what he had adored about her, even if it’s not quite in the way she might hope. He breathes out a charming little laugh, reaches up to brush a bang out of his face like a nervous, bashful gesture. He may not truly feel the motions that would stir someone’s heart so… But he knows precisely what they are. ]
…That is a new question, yes.
[ He was willing to take this slowly, considering the fact that they’ve just met, so far as she’s concerned. He’s frighteningly patient. But, if she’s asking this? Perhaps it’s to his benefit that she doesn’t remember their shared experiences. ]
I would say so. I tend to be devoted to my work, so I did not think I would be stirred so, admittedly. But…
[ He looks back her way, and his gaze feels warm and meaningful. He looks at her with intent. It’s the implicit answer she’s hoping for, even if his words are still just as polite and beholden to the etiquette of courtship that he finds charming to follow. ]
I would hate for her to see my affection as untoward.
the heaviest month...
It's so hard to believe... She-She doesn't know what to even say. For all of her romantic dreams, the possibility that someone would ever develop feelings for her isn't one she has ever prepared for. Because as far as she's concerned, this is an impossibility.
Nobody can love the anathema of Mesopotamia. She wouldn't have been abandoned and forgotten by humans & gods alike if there were any likeable qualities to her. So to have a confirmation of his feelings...
Blinks blinks. ]
I-I...
[ There is only one thing to do: delay! And hide how insecure she suddenly feels by trying to make him feel better about himself! ]
You mustn't think so little of yourself!
[ Can you imagine, loving someone and yet never confessing because you're afraid they won't reciprocate? Because you're afraid they'll think less of you afterward? T-This is so sad!
(There is definitely no projecting going on here, nope.) ]
Y-You're a very caring and kind-hearted demon willing to go to extreme lengths for those you care about! [Has anyone ever said that to him before?] You should proclaim your love !oud and high!