[That eye blinks, before Shalem straightens up and pulls the door wider.]
And thus you took some of the pizza from your gathering for me... Well, I appreciate that, but also... [It's unnecessary, he's about to say. But he shakes his head, and reaches out to relieve the boy of the plates, even balancing one on his tail.]
I didn't believe there was much to talk about. I see I'm wrong...?
[Well, he knows some people would have wanted some words with him-- and that's exactly why he beat a hasty retreat. He really, really doesn't want to address anything... but he's cornered now.
Even if he acts all casual about it, placing the various plates on one of the desks in his room.]
That is... what I believe one could call sheer luck. [He flicks his forked tongue at the various plates-- don't be too shocked, Atem!-- before taking the one that smells of meat the most.]
I wanted to find a way to handle him in a non-violent manner, and constricting an opponent tends to be my first resort when I decide on such a thing.
[Oh, yup, that's a forked tongue. Yup. Wow. Atem was trying hard to ignore the snake thing, too... Guess he can't actually do that. His eyes quickly dart away to look elsewhere in the room.
On the bright side, Shalem doesn't appear to be any kind of snake Atem's familiar with. And he seems friendly!
Atem thinks of chaos. Thinks of protection. All is according to Ma'at and Isfet.]
I appreciate it... Not to be crude, but he was kicking our asses.
[His kidneys hurt just thinking about what happened to Izou.]
Mm... [Give him a moment, he's going to inelegantly shove this slice in his face because that's just how snakes are sometimes. And he'll only address Atem's comment once he's swallowed and wiped his mouth.]
That he was, wasn't he? People with that sort of look in their eye, you can only subdue them, rather than reason with them.
Like I said... constricting an opponent tends to be my first instinct. We were all fortunate that this was the right thing to do, in this case.
[But Atem had to hear it... Ughhh... He suppresses a shudder and schools his face into something less unburdened.]
It's a good instinct.
[Is there anything interesting in the room they can talk about? Because he doesn't want to make more awkward small talk if he could ask about something else... He fidgets with his cloak hem. This is the exact reason why Atem let him handle their conversations while he hid in the Millennium Puzzle. He was so much better at it.
[Sorry about that, Atem. Shalem does note it, and figures he should slow down and eat like... a normal person. A non-Phidia.
He tugs a chair up for Atem with his tail as he wipes his hands clean and dry.]
I suppose it is. [As long as his arms are faster than his tail, because he can't guarantee survival if his tail gets around a neck first.] I hope the air has cleared downstairs?
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[He says, holding a ridiculous amount of plates. He thought he looked ridiculous before... now it's worse, somehow. But at least he sounds cool?
He clears his throat.]
... Sorry for bothering you. I thought you might be hungry.
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And thus you took some of the pizza from your gathering for me... Well, I appreciate that, but also... [It's unnecessary, he's about to say. But he shakes his head, and reaches out to relieve the boy of the plates, even balancing one on his tail.]
Come in, if you're so inclined.
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Only, uh, one small (huge) problem. Atem's crap at small talk. Uh. He picks at the Millennium Puzzle's chain.]
You left so quickly after what happened with Soujuurou... We didn't get a chance to talk.
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[Well, he knows some people would have wanted some words with him-- and that's exactly why he beat a hasty retreat. He really, really doesn't want to address anything... but he's cornered now.
Even if he acts all casual about it, placing the various plates on one of the desks in his room.]
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[Don't worry, Shalem! No chastising here.]
Without your help, I'm not sure we could have stopped Soujuurou.
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That is... what I believe one could call sheer luck. [He flicks his forked tongue at the various plates-- don't be too shocked, Atem!-- before taking the one that smells of meat the most.]
I wanted to find a way to handle him in a non-violent manner, and constricting an opponent tends to be my first resort when I decide on such a thing.
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On the bright side, Shalem doesn't appear to be any kind of snake Atem's familiar with. And he seems friendly!
Atem thinks of chaos. Thinks of protection. All is according to Ma'at and Isfet.]
I appreciate it... Not to be crude, but he was kicking our asses.
[His kidneys hurt just thinking about what happened to Izou.]
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That he was, wasn't he? People with that sort of look in their eye, you can only subdue them, rather than reason with them.
Like I said... constricting an opponent tends to be my first instinct. We were all fortunate that this was the right thing to do, in this case.
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It's a good instinct.
[Is there anything interesting in the room they can talk about? Because he doesn't want to make more awkward small talk if he could ask about something else... He fidgets with his cloak hem. This is the exact reason why Atem let him handle their conversations while he hid in the Millennium Puzzle. He was so much better at it.
He wishes he was here... Partner...]
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He tugs a chair up for Atem with his tail as he wipes his hands clean and dry.]
I suppose it is. [As long as his arms are faster than his tail, because he can't guarantee survival if his tail gets around a neck first.] I hope the air has cleared downstairs?