towerofanimus | [closed]

Entry tags:

[closed]

Characters: Chidori (

floreatnoctem) and Dualscar (

orphans)
Setting: Room 2-16
Format: Action
Summary: Chidori presumes to take it upon herself to help Dualscar get over himself.
Warnings: Probably just language.

[Chidori was good at a lot of things for a girl her age. She was a more than capable fighter, a rather impressive cook, a fairly accomplished artist and seamstress, and she had handled living with two teenage boys, a preteen and a dog.

But for a girl her age, romance and most things it involved were decidedly not her forte. Troll romance and all its intricacies even less so. However she would have had to be incredibly thick not to be able to read into her last conversation with Dualscar, and as detached as she was, she was not one to deny someone her help. Which is why, with Willow's help, she'd dragged as many books as she'd deemed necessary down to room 2-16 after ascertaining the room's occupants were all out and about, and had then sent a message to Dualscar that she would meet him there.

Then she had arranged the books carefully, doing her best to recall the way Dualscar's had been, and sat down to wait, knees drawn up, sketchbook as ever perched upon them. She did her best to keep the books in the haphazard pile she'd made from sliding out of place before Dualscar returned, and despite how certain she was, can only hope she hadn't misinterpreted.]

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[well, the tower sure has been surprising him lately. or rather, its inhabitants have.

naturally, this was no exception. he'd been baffled enough upon receiving her message, wondering just what it was that she wanted to meet with him over (possibly and most likely another sketching session, he assumed); the fact that the place of choice would be his room adding to the mystery. and well, once the door opens, dualscar's surprise is more than evident. his gaze traces over the books, their arrangement (or rather lack of), and finally to rest upon the girl amidst it all. coherent sentences come embarrassingly slow to him, as the door is slowly closed behind him.]

What is... the purpose 'a this?

[The look on his face, if nothing else, was worth the surprise. Still, the lack of anything other than that brief reaction worried her a little, and she shifted slightly. She watched him for any signs that she'd done something wrong, but nothing came other than the slightly confused question, and she scooted over on the pile very carefully.

She patted the more spacious side of the pile beside her then, expression softening slightly from its usual sternness.]

Sit, if you would; I believe we've a matter of some importance to discuss.

[dualscar's initial surprise quickly gives way to suspicion. he studies her a moment longer, looking as if she may pull some form of firearm or another out from her dress, before doing as she bid. with all his hints before, with all the things they'd discussed, he still hadn't the faintest idea as to what this conversation could possible entail. more admonishment, perhaps. the exchange of information regarding their cultures. something like that, but nothing of the romantic persuasion. he wondered if he'd somehow given her the idea that he only partook in civil conversations while lounging about a pile of books.

he sits, cape sweeping behind him, and rests an elbow on a knee to better look her way.]

Yes?

[Not unsound, considering Chidori never left her room without her hatchets- but a little absurd, as she'd never shown the inclination to cause him any harm. Still, she waited until he was settled to lean forward a bit, fingers curling around her knees, head turning toward him. She gazed at him quietly for a moment, and then took a breath, hesitating once again.]

It... is difficult to be certain of this, as it is not something I feel I fully understand.

[Admitting that much was the least she could do, especially since she was the one who was going to push forward with this possibility without knowing whether it would work out or not.]

However recently, I have come under the impression that you may perhaps... find yourself possessed of certain feelings, whether you are aware of them or not. While I do not consider myself any form of expert on the matter, I believe...

[Faltering again, but he wouldn't go forward with it without a serious push. She had to be the one to give it.]

I believe I am rather inclined to reciprocate them to the best of my ability.

[well, that's all she has to say to set his mind on a totally different course. he feels a rush of elation, however momentary it may be, but also anxiety. for him, perhaps even for her. he looks to the side and away from her.

because oh christ. being called out on this kind of bullshit, that being his feelings towards others, and the individual actually being right on the money about them is all sorts of discomforting. and then rarely are these sentiments returned, let alone considered. but this is just insight into his typical melodrama. he considers her statements once more, more carefully than he originally had in his initial surprise.]

I... see.

[ah, the articulation. but it isn't outright denial nor dismissal, dualscar just. needs some time to get his thoughts in order. ]

You realize... the implications 'a such are extensive.

[She lets the corner of her mouth quirk in amusement, watching his apparently growing discomfort with the understanding that this is something he was both unused to and not expecting. She raises her eyebrows a little at his statement, and doesn't roll her eyes simply because the situation is too delicate yet for her to do so.]

The implications have been made quite clear by both yourself and others, yes.

[She understands- as well as she can understand the concept and the emotions behind them in theory- as well as she can without having actively given the emotional connection in question a chance. But there is only so much to be understood from explanations and dissertations. If she is going to understand this, she simply has to do it and hope she won't make too many mistakes. Or any mistakes that might make the entire effort a waste.

She's confident she can manage though, and she's fairly sure that he thinks the same.]

However, I realize I do not understand it as well as one of you. So I will be depending on you to help me.

[That is what's paramount- no denying, no hesitating, no hedging around subjects.]

Is that acceptable?

[once the surprise abates, he finds himself narrowing his eyes. while the action is not entirely conscious, with the knowledge of how skilled chidori could be at reading into subtleties-- it does serve a purpose. doubt, perhaps. for as fond as he was of the idea of moirallegiance, he can't help his skepticism, mostly in regards to her humanity.

but he retains hope, as unusual as he finds the sentiment to be. it is only that certain things would need to be set straight first, if they were to even attempt the courtship.

he stands, quietly and with the barest of rustlings, to approach the nearby window. for as overvalued he found the beauties of landscape (or lack of) to be, they did curiously aid in his incessant contemplation. that is, when other, more poignant resources for such were unavailable. safe to say, he takes several moments to reply, and when he does, it's not necessarily an answer, either.]

Do you trust me?

[While not unexpected, the question does catch her off-guard, and she spends a long moment looking at him while wondering how best to answer it. It isn't that she doesn't trust him- she does. But only to a degree she seems wise, though it is not entirely due to him. She does not trust anyone but Minato entirely, for reasons Dualscar may come to learn later, so replying in the affirmative would feel like a lie, even if it isn't one.]

I believe that is a requirement on this particular side of the quadrants.

[In other words- yes, insomuch as she can manage, stop being daft.]

Likewise, I feel I should ask as well- do you trust me?

[That is far more important- granted she doesn't think he would have made the implications he had without some degree of trust in her. But she also knows that with someone like Dualscar, expecting him to be following the same guidelines as you are without explicitly stating you expect such to be the case is... unwise, to say the least. Her eyes lock onto his back, and then slide up, trying to make out his expression in the glass of the window, to give herself an indication of what he might be thinking.]

[and he is in a similar boat. not because it's necessary (although, considering his society, it may very well be), but because he thinks it wise. in addition to the fact that he is naturally suspicious of near everyone meets, and when a third party happens to be involved with a loved one? suspicion all around, to put it mildly. but chidori probably already knows that, as does anyone who's relatively acquainted with him and his glaringly apparent insecurities. likewise, anyone would also think it unwise to completely trust orphaner dualscar.

he looks away from the outside for the moment, to glance at her out of the corner of his eyes. he surveys her a moment as she had him, thinking. her answer pleased him.]

As much as I'm ever goin' to trust a human.

[not exactly a racial slur, but it does hold a certain amount of condescension to it. though in reality, it is quite the achievement on her part. perhaps this is the most he has ever trusted another in a very, very long time, as 'friends' aren't exactly he holds dear. that alone is a step for him, albeit a somewhat faltering one. he feels foolish enough of as it is; no need to dwell on it.

(but he will eventually, of course.) and now he'll be frank:]

You've quite the job ahead 'a you, Miss Chidori.

Edited 2012-02-22 23:49 (UTC)

I thought as much.

[She's hardly stupid- she's not a troll, and Dualscar barely tolerates anyone who isn't. So the stipulation is taken well in-stride, and she stretches her legs out in front of her, a book sliding from the pile and coming to rest behind her heels. Her hands clenched her sketchbook a little tighter as she shifted in her seat, skirt catching on a corner of the pile.]

So. What is it I will need to do?

[Besides, obviously, provide emotional support. She can do that- she's been managing something like that for a long time, even with how generally repressed most members of Strega tend to be. She leans forward a little, attempting to convey a little more earnestness in her attempt than she'd normally be inclined to, eyes drawn wider in curiosity.]

Or would you prefer not to rush into things?

[he catches that, and appreciates it, which was a rare enough sentiment in itself. even worthy of congratulations from a third-party, actually. and the fact that she's willing to consider his emotions on the matter... no matter how expected it would be of a palemate, the stretch of time that has since accompanied his last moirallegiance has since readied him.

that doesn't stop it from being difficult to actually admit he may be a danger to himself through his actions. for as much as he liked to consider himself invincible, for every move to be precise and calculated...

they weren't, most of the time. and most of the time, everyone could see this. (but that wouldn't be something he realizes for a long, long time to come.]

You're already aware 'a the basics 'a this. You're to keep me in... line, so to speak. [through clenched teeth, because fuck if that didn't sting to say.] Ensure I don't embark on a quest to slaughter the entirety 'a this sorry population. In short: We're to console each other, should one 'a us need it.

Thus, I'd expect you to be just as open with me, as I would with you.

In line.

[She says it almost incredulously- whether because of the absurdity of Dualscar falling in line for any one, or because she's the one expected to keep him there she can't quite decide. She'd known as much already though, but to hear him confirm it only seemed to make the fact more surreal. Still, she nods at that, fingers flipping the corners of her sketchbook idly.]

I am afraid I must ask- do you honestly feel inclined to 'slaughter' everyone here?

[Preliminary prodding- she'd have to get more information about his intentions and position on other people in the tower before she could effectively convince him against murder. The 'consoling' part she would work on shortly enough- while she was sure she could figure out Dualscar, given enough time and observation, she was hesitant to talk about her own feelings about... anything.

She was going to have to if this was going to work out though.

It wasn't something she looked forward to- in all her years, Strega had been the only ones she trusted, and of them, Minato the one who knew her best. The idea of someone getting to know her better than him was almost appalling. At the same time, she thought it might be something of a relief- after all, even Minato didn't know the whole extent of her feelings. Having someone who did might be helpful.]

How much do moirails usually tell each other?

[he hesitates with the first question. it was... unexpected, that she would ask verification, when it'd only been a passing thought-- however genuine the sentiment was at times.]

Majority.

[but a quick correction, because he couldn't lie to her if she were to be his moirail, now could he? it's a small one, with the statement now to be considered wholly accurate. still, despite his absorbed remunerations, he can sense her... skepticism. as a result of what, he isn't quite sure. was she doubting herself, or him?]

Anythin' you feel you necessary to, or are comfortable with doin'. [such a strange statement, coming from him. he feels strange speaking it, too, but he isn't about to attempt to hammer details out of anything she didn't want to share. that wouldn't be particularly pale of him, now would it? see, for the sake of quadrants, he can be considerate at times.]

[She raises her brows at him, somewhat disbelieving, and she leans forward a little to peer at him intently, something inexplicable flashing behind her eyes.]

I think such extreme sentiments should be reexamined, Dualscar.

[It's difficult even for her to measure the situation at the moment- but she takes a chance on continuing to ask questions. More for her own benefit now, to be honest, because she wants to make sure she's fulfilling her duties as she should. No reason to give him opportunity to accuse her of being neglectful, after all.]

Are we meant to inquire about other quadrants as well?

[dualscar wouldn't, but perhaps instead seek conciliation through other, less savory and much more destructive means. he casts a glance to the window, gaze remaining there for the moment as she gives her opinion. that statement would remain unanswered... for now. for a number of reasons, but most importantly being that he yet had any desire to. his hand clenches to a fist, and he looks back to her.

he falters at her next question, for its numerous connotations. or rather, possible ones, and its a little ridiculous that he even bothers to analyze it. but his mind immediately jumps to the conclusion that she must be mocking, or at least, warning him. perhaps it was genuine. he'll give her the benefit of the doubt with clarification.

"trust". easier said than done.]

What do you mean?

I mean...

[She's not entirely sure how to phrase it without sounding like she's being too forward- but it seems as if being invested in his general state of being is part of her job as a moirail. So she just goes forward with it, trying to keep her expression neutral as she can despite how hesitant she is to mention other kinds of relationships at the moment.]

Other quadrants- am I meant to... assist or inquire about the state of them? Or if you already have them filled, to take your other... quadrant fills under scrutiny? To ascertain whether they are right for you or not, that is.

[She settles her chin on her hands, eyes slipping away from him to stare out the window idly, unsure she can continue without giving her uncertainty with the subject at hand away.]

How much about your life and other relationships, exactly, am I meant to know?

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