synflux | ( closed. ) catch-all

"Fine." Are those all the words you have for me?

[ he asks, pretending to be offended. in reality, he is used to her behavior by now. ] But, it's a relief to see you haven't been overtaken by anything strange. Those are the same tired eyes I'm used to seeing. [ they may not be exactly tired, but gebura did have a certain way of holding herself.

but, he gibes a cant of his head, as if to ask if she's not going to let him in? ]

Overtaken...

[ a snort.

She doesn't invite him in, not verbally, though she turns away from the door. ]

Bitten or not, it's not like I'm weak-willed enough to let that change me. Aren't you underestimating me?

Are you saying everyone else is weak-willed?

[ he says in tune, neither agreeing with such a statement, nor casting any real disagreement either. when she turns away from the door, he does make his way in. he figures, if she's against it, the time was now to stop him.

but, can he say even that wouldn't be a bit interesting? ] Would you rather not consider it concern?

I'm saying whether they choose to give into impulse is on them, just like it's on me.

[ So if they give in, that's their problem, not hers. She just leans against the wall as he enters, giving him an unamused stare. As per usual. ]

If you want me to believe that you're concerned about me, then you are underestimating me, you know.

That's rather harsh.

[ except, he sounds more amused than offended. well, he supposed it's quite unrelated to himself. instead, he pauses at her words, before giving a small shrug. ] Concern and unwavering belief in your abilities can exist at the same time. At least, I felt we were close enough for me to think so. [ citation needed.

but, this wouldn't be the first that he speaks freely like this.

he does look around her room briefly. mostly in genuine interest. ]

[ There's truly so little here. Like. A ramune marble and a tiny clay cat on a desk and a lil goldfish drone floating around and a couple of little odds and ends, but Gebura does not make this into any kind of home.

Very much not decadent, sorry. ]

You really need to stop thinking we're buddy-buddy at this point. I told you, we're just allies.

[ And then he'd told her not to call anyone else that so easily, and she's pulling a face just remembering that. ]

[ oddly enough, when he sees the small assortment of things gebura has gathered here... it seems to suit her. while he may have grown accustomed to some degree of opulence in the palace, it's also true that he's spent most of his formative years on the battlefield. he doesn't have ridiculous expectations...

all the more, maybe she'd be offended, but he likes the idea of having made it into her space. it does make him smile just a bit, as if the realization was sinking in. ] As I said before, allies are more reliable.

[ there were no personal feelings involved. ]

But, I would not be opposed to being "buddy-buddy" if that's what you desire. As someone who could occupy such a position, do you not think I could offer you my assistance?

I just said to not think like that.

[ Ah, there's her exasperation, the woman scowling just long enough to show a glimpse of fang. He almost seems to do it deliberately, doesn't he? Happily misconstruing her words. Again. ]

And what do you actually think you can assist me with, Callisto?

Then it seems I have misunderstood the lady once more. I must be getting rusty in my communication with you since I have not been in your presence for some time. [ or so he suggests in an easygoing way, as if he could believe such a thing to be the case.

it's clearly not. ]

Isn't that obvious? [ he points a finger to where he once saw the brief flash of a particularly sharp tooth. ]

...

[ Her expression flattens immediately. ]

No.

[ As in, yes it's obvious and hell no she's not going for it. ]

[ well,

he half-expected her to decline him. ]

Then, am I to wait until you are desperate for it? I figured you would have appreciated doing it with someone you would feel no hint of remorse towards.

And you wouldn't hold it over my head at all? Like I can believe that.

[ Callisto for the next few months like "Remember when I SAVED you from STARVATION?" Ugh, she can hear it now. ]

[ he opens his mouth, closes it, then gives a small huff.

is it in humor or because he's offended? maybe a bit of both. ] Now why would I do that? Is simply bringing it up from time to time such a deplorable crime?

[ this is how memories are made, gebura... ]

Yes. Because no one needs to bring that up at all.

[ Except to brag or use it to get something from her. She's absolutely convinced that's what would happen. ]

Then if I agree to bring it up minimally, are you more likely to accept my assistance?

[ he brings a hand up, holding it out palms up in front of her, as if he were offering her an actual meal. ] Did you want to sample it first? If you're hesitant, I can always make it easier for you.

[ callisto's eyes sweep back to the sword at his side. ]

[ Her eyes narrow, slowly. ]

What, you're going to slice yourself to encourage me not to waste food?

[ Does she even hear her? Or himself?? ]

I would not offer this to everyone.

[ it's not a yes, or a no. not even a maybe.

though, it does show his clear intent to offer it whether she likes it or not. ]

Maybe we can call it a test of your will?

A test of my will.

[ She echoes him, a little hollowly. ]

So you cut yourself and if I just stand there and watch you drip blood on the floor, you become convinced that I'm fine and give up?

You have quite the imagination.

[ he rolls up one of the sleeves of his shirt, pushing it up towards his elbows. if he had wounds prior, it looks like it's healing along just fine alongside his other, age old scars. ] I wasn't going that far. Before you make me assume that's a request, you could just accept.

[ closer to the the vein may be better, and so he reaches to unsheathe his sword.

he should have brought a smaller knife. ]

[ And one hand shoots out to catch his wrist, her voice a low growl. ]

You are such a pain in the ass.

[ his eyes fall towards where she holds him in grip, and his lips curve upwards. ]

And you are one of the few who would label me as such without a hint reservation. [ but, maybe that's precisely why he can be here like this. no questions to intentions if just because she always seemed to want nothing to do with him at all. ]

You're about halfway there.

If I'm one of the few, then I'll stay that way. What're you gonna do, threaten me for it?

[ Though for some reason, likely for novelty purposes, he's always seemed charmed by it more than anything. ]

... If you agree to never talk about this to anyone, I'll consider it. [ Because it's going to be more of a pain to have to actively prevent him from cutting himself, apparently. ]

Do I seem like I would risk losing out on hearing someone curse me out from time to time? [ gebura isn't wrong, and he admits as much out loud. no hint of shame, just as he's felt zero remorse about his threats of spilling blood here in her room... ]

Who do you think I would tell exactly? I am offended to hear that you think my lips are that loose.

I think that you don't bother much to not speak your mind, whatever you're thinking of.

[ Flatly. ]

Siffrin seems to care about you, at least, so who knows. It proves people talk to you.

That isn't false. But, is there a reason to hold back in most cases?

[ in general. is he implying that maybe there would be a reason in this case? being gebura's own discomfort? he doesn't seem to confirm it, however. ]

So you say, but I would argue that speaking of your secrets with Siffrin probably wouldn't do much. [ siffrin didn't strike callisto as the type whose opinions changed easily once they were cast. at the very least, if they believed in every rumor and unsavory opinion about him, they wouldn't still be here. ] If I had really desired to spread it around, do you not think the network the best place?

[ he lets it linger for a second before: ] Of course, I would never.

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