Oh my goodness, the knights together? They must be absolutely brilliant together...
[ He means that almost literally because he feels star-struck thinking about it? He's been subject to knightl(e)y charm before, he can't imagine what it's like when they're put together...
He feels a little weird about gossiping about other people, it's such a Western thing to do. Rutile is curious...but he knows it's naughty behavior.
But! ]
Aerith. [ He leans forward a little... ] What about you? Do you have someone?
[ They sure are, and Aerith is about to talk about how cute they are when Rutile leans forward.
Well.
It takes her a moment as she battles her tendency to put up walls the moment she's asked anything personal. ]
Wow, going right for it, huh...? [ But this is all about bonding, isn't it? Might as well share. ] I do, actually. Her name's Maika. I don't know if you've seen her around, but you should try to get to know her.
Yes! I remember. [ He claps. ] I drank to that one.
[ Said offhand, like he didn't really mean to say that out loud.
It's definitely been an appropriate amount of time for tea to brew, so Rutile takes the cups and begins to pour, the sweet and pungent scent of herbs filling the room. ]
You have to tell me how you met. Or—a cute story or two, if you don't mind sharing.
[ It smells nice, and reminds her of that night she and Maika grew a lot closer... the first time Aerith really allowed herself to open up to someone here.
Though, that's not a cute story. ]
We first met doing a photoshoot! We were helping a boutique advertise their summer clothes. She lifted me over her shoulder when I asked about a cool pose.
[ Rutile settles into his chair to get cozy and ask more about Aerith and Maika when the conversation is turned on him like this. Anyway, his skin is thin and pale enough that the blush on his cheeks is really obvious.
He lifts his cup. Not to drink from it, but to hide. ]
[ He looks at his tea before taking a little sip. Maybe he's obvious but at least he's not putting any pieces together to be self aware. ]
But I mean, isn't it cool? When someone's strong enough to do a roundhouse kick, or lift really big objects, or, you know, level...entire... [ It's as he's speaking he realizes the rest of his sentence is going to make him sound insane, because it's not something he truly condones, because he's much too concerned about the lives of the innocent people that live there, but the thought of that sheer amount of power is very impressive— ] ...cities...
[ He sips his tea again, and when he inhales the scent and closes his eyes, he realizes there's only one face that comes to mind when he thinks of herbal tea and feats of incredible power.
Ahem. ]
Gosh, I'm sorry, I got a little excited. [ ehe ] Can you pass me a slice of pie?
[ She will! Aerith reaches into one of the boxes she set on whatever surface was available, and pulls out a little slice of pie tucked into a little box of its own and passes it over. When Rutile opens it, he'll find that it's apple. ]
You have anyone special back home?
[ The excitement from him says he probably does, so naturally she's going to dig into that. ]
Oh, we're not actually related... [ HE JUST USED TO CALL HIM UNCLE HELP, ] He was, um, my mother's apprentice... He promised to protect me, and we've been through a lot together, and, um...
[ Wow, he's really got it bad for this guy... is all Aerith can think. ]
Does he have a habit of rescuing you?
[ Sounds like it, unless it's simply wishful thinking on Rutile's part. Though Aerith would very much like to believe that it isn't. Otherwise she'd have some words for this not-uncle. ]
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I do! Fray and Argenti, our resident knights. It's pretty cute that the knights ended up together, don't you think?
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Oh my goodness, the knights together? They must be absolutely brilliant together...
[ He means that almost literally because he feels star-struck thinking about it? He's been subject to knightl(e)y charm before, he can't imagine what it's like when they're put together...
He feels a little weird about gossiping about other people, it's such a Western thing to do. Rutile is curious...but he knows it's naughty behavior.
But! ]
Aerith. [ He leans forward a little... ] What about you? Do you have someone?
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Well.
It takes her a moment as she battles her tendency to put up walls the moment she's asked anything personal. ]
Wow, going right for it, huh...? [ But this is all about bonding, isn't it? Might as well share. ] I do, actually. Her name's Maika. I don't know if you've seen her around, but you should try to get to know her.
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Oh my gosh, Aerith, that's wonderful! Wait, [ he puts a hand to his mouth, ] was she at the sleepover?
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[ As if Aerith would let her be anywhere else when a sleepover was going on! ]
She's the one who said she's never kissed a guy.
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[ Said offhand, like he didn't really mean to say that out loud.
It's definitely been an appropriate amount of time for tea to brew, so Rutile takes the cups and begins to pour, the sweet and pungent scent of herbs filling the room. ]
You have to tell me how you met. Or—a cute story or two, if you don't mind sharing.
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Though, that's not a cute story. ]
We first met doing a photoshoot! We were helping a boutique advertise their summer clothes. She lifted me over her shoulder when I asked about a cool pose.
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Really? That's such a lovely first meeting! Goodness, I'd probably fall for anyone who'd do that to me, too.
[ Doesn't put two and two together.
Hands Aerith her cup of tea! Careful, it's hot. ]
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Aerith is careful to hold onto the mug, letting it cool a bit before holding it between both of her palms. ]
So that's your type, huh? Strong people?
[ Apparently that's hers too, judging by her own track record. ]
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He lifts his cup. Not to drink from it, but to hide. ]
Oh, um... What gives you that idea?
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[ He's so extremely obvious that just the mere motion of trying to hide his face is a tell all on its own. ]
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[ He looks at his tea before taking a little sip. Maybe he's obvious but at least he's not putting any pieces together to be self aware. ]
But I mean, isn't it cool? When someone's strong enough to do a roundhouse kick, or lift really big objects, or, you know, level...entire... [ It's as he's speaking he realizes the rest of his sentence is going to make him sound insane, because it's not something he truly condones, because he's much too concerned about the lives of the innocent people that live there, but the thought of that sheer amount of power is very impressive— ] ...cities...
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Maybe not that last part, but I do see what you mean. I like seeing someone do really impressive things.
[ Though... probably not as much as Rutile likes to see it. ]
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[ He sips his tea again, and when he inhales the scent and closes his eyes, he realizes there's only one face that comes to mind when he thinks of herbal tea and feats of incredible power.
Ahem. ]
Gosh, I'm sorry, I got a little excited. [ ehe ] Can you pass me a slice of pie?
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You have anyone special back home?
[ The excitement from him says he probably does, so naturally she's going to dig into that. ]
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Do I—?
[ He pauses, his heart skips. That same face flashes through his mind, and he gives a strained smile. ]
Oh, um... [ ...Is he special? ] I don't know.
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[ That strained smile is just so obvious, Rutile. ]
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Um... [ His finger nervously plays at the edge of his teacup. ] I don't know if he counts. He's like...my uncle.
[ help he immediately regrets saying that ]
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[ Please. SHE IS SO CONCERNED? ]
You wanna explain that one?
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Oh, we're not actually related... [ HE JUST USED TO CALL HIM UNCLE HELP, ] He was, um, my mother's apprentice... He promised to protect me, and we've been through a lot together, and, um...
[ ...He'll just take a bite of the pie. ]
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[ That's so much better than whatever alternative was cooking up in her head. ]
So, things happened while you spent time together. I get it.
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[ He says that with a little sigh, though his tone is airy, like a lovestruck schoolgirl.
He puts a hand on his burning cheek and looks down at his half-eaten food. ]
That's why when you said you came through a door in my dream, I thought he was going to be right behind you to rescue me...
[ Again, leaving out context. ]
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Does he have a habit of rescuing you?
[ Sounds like it, unless it's simply wishful thinking on Rutile's part. Though Aerith would very much like to believe that it isn't. Otherwise she'd have some words for this not-uncle. ]
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[ He's always there for him. So...where was he?
Not a question anyone can answer, but he does wonder.
Green eyes meet green eyes and he smiles sheepishly. ]
His name is Mithra. Sometimes I wish he was here, but I don't know how he'd do. He needs to work on making friends...
[ ... ]
Maika seems nice? [ BETTER AT MAKING FRIENDS, HE HOPES, ]
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He's not a very sociable guy, then?
[ Maybe they're an opposites attract kind of deal... ]
Maika's nice if you're on her good side. If you smile at her enough, she'll eventually crack and let you right in.
[ It's that easy!!
Maybe. ]
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