[tilting her head aside, she rubs her temple with a vaguely discouraged look.]
No, I suppose that's not true. Our first conversation went by quite well, but it happened after that. I caught her trying to kill and feed on an innocent person during her first month here, so I stopped her by force. She was forced to retreat, and probably still begrudges the fact that she can't overpower me. It's... something like a strict kindergarten teacher with a child, I guess.
[ there's an obvious wince at the mention of her trying to kill someone - every time it comes up, he feels like he needs to reevaluate his life decisions, but... that was her first month here, right? She's gotten better since then, right?! He really hopes so.
But, again, he feels like his question isn't answered. Despite looking slightly more uncomfortable at the reminder of just what kind of person he's promised to support and look after, he asks again. ]
Y-yes, I can believe that... But you still want to help her. Why?
[...ah, maybe she was a little too casual. She does notice the stiffening of his frame, which... admittedly, only makes it more confusing. does this guy go back and forth, between being scared and fond of Diva...?
At that question though, her look is blank.]
...
Are you asking why a person would want to help someone else, when they see them in trouble?
[it IS vaguely confusing, she thinks. would 'human empathy' be a satisfactory answer, by any stretch?]
Well, for someone that physically attacked you, this much is a little...
[ unusual. He's hardly a hard-hearted rogue, but if Diva had flung herself at him with the intent to kill instead of saving him from certain death at the hands of a monster back when they'd first met, he's pretty sure he wouldn't care a whit about what happened to her. ]
She attacks me because she can't express her feelings through other means. She doesn't know how; she wasn't taught such a simple, basic, and human thing.
... Diva's plenty human, [ he replies, sounding just slightly defensive, although he knows what Ciel means. Still, he doesn't really understand - it just sounds like Diva was upset because she was attacked while feeding, which... well, if she was going to kill someone, he can't fault Ciel for stopping her, but...
This woman is probably hiding something, he thinks, but he's not sure what. ]
Then... she's jealous of you? For beating her? [ as he says it, the gravity of that statement finally sinks in. ] ... W-wait. You beat Diva in a fight?
I know, but she'll refute it if you tell her directly. [A beat, and she sighs as she crosses her arms over her chest.] ...Or well, I can't imagine her taking it well. She was taught that it's bad and was brought up to be the opposite of what's 'human', despite the fact that the kind of feelings she has are no different from anyone else's.
[She shakes her head.]
I wouldn't call it that, she's not envious of my strength. It's more like... She's used to always getting what she wanted before, because no one could oppose her if she decided to resort to force. That I can neutralize her means she can no longer do as she pleases, I place restraints and that's what she resents.
[...
Glancing back at Garry.]
Yes. She's strong and fast, but she lacks combat training and fighting experience. She doesn't think or plan, she moves purely on animalistic instinct.
E-even then... [ her speed and strength alone are certainly nothing to sniff at, even if she didn't actually have training or experience. Garry suddenly has a bit of a different aura around him - rather than one of wary uncertainty, he seems slightly afraid. ]
[ oh!! he looks relieved to hear that, at least (as much as he should have learned not to fear non-human people by now.) In that case, maybe she just played a trick on Diva and bested her that way? She might have brawn and beauty, but she can be a little lacking in the brains department, after all. ]
O-oh... Well, why didn't you just introduce yourself in the first place?!
I am! ...Usually. ["I also normally don't sound petulant, like ever, and anyone who claims otherwise is a big fat liar!!"] This is just something I unfortunately can't be forthright with, for reasons I've already explained to you.
[>ciel >forthright
GOOD THING GARRY DOESN'T KNOW HER VERY WELL...]
So I apologize for any misunderstandings, but I didn't intent to be rude, although I can understand the suspicion. If you're close to Diva, it's probably best you don't ever get too close to me, but again, I pray that your sense of judgment will be keener than hers. It's difficult, looking out for someone who thinks poorly of you for past conflicts.
chest heaving, she offers a low, polite, and humble bow.]
I am in your debt. Thank you, truly.
[...]
Tangentially, given my physical aptitudes, I could offer to make trips to the North for you. I can also heal most flesh wounds, and I would happily assist if you would ever consider calling for help, if you're in a pinch for any reason.
[ yeah... okay... maybe she's a magical human or something. There were people like that around here, right? Like Merrill and Al... Garry isn't as surprised as he could be, given that she'd already proven capable of overpowering Diva. ]
Well... Thank you. I'll ask you for healing if I need it.
[ no he's only judging her for her Bad Manners and Suspiciousness Quotient!! Mostly he's just being left with a confused impression. It's like Abel again... but without the insults and dumbness. ]
Yes. [she just looks back up quietly, what is this weird...] Check on the people I know and see if anyone needs help. Good mobility and the ability to heal can come in quite handy during emergencies, after all.
[as long as he keeps it to himself so no one else has to flare their nostrils indignantly at him or get upset
her expression does droop a little, as she brings up a hand to rub the bridge of her nose.]
Too many people either get careless or unlucky, there's never enough pair of eyes to keep watch and make sure everyone's hanging in there okay. Haven really doesn't let up, after all.
[aka "someone has to", and she'll follow it up with a small sigh...]
But Diva has a lot of people watching over her, so hopefully we'll be able to make sure she'll be okay. [and then she goes to join the raid... GOD, although they'll remain blissfully ignorant on that one, for better or for worse...]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ this is all a bit strange. But he'll definitely look out for Diva. ]
Why do you care about any of this, though...? You said that she doesn't like you.
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We started things off the wr--
...
[tilting her head aside, she rubs her temple with a vaguely discouraged look.]
No, I suppose that's not true. Our first conversation went by quite well, but it happened after that. I caught her trying to kill and feed on an innocent person during her first month here, so I stopped her by force. She was forced to retreat, and probably still begrudges the fact that she can't overpower me. It's... something like a strict kindergarten teacher with a child, I guess.
[it's the worst analogy
BUT IT'S ACCURATE...]
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But, again, he feels like his question isn't answered. Despite looking slightly more uncomfortable at the reminder of just what kind of person he's promised to support and look after, he asks again. ]
Y-yes, I can believe that... But you still want to help her. Why?
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At that question though, her look is blank.]
...
Are you asking why a person would want to help someone else, when they see them in trouble?
[it IS vaguely confusing, she thinks. would 'human empathy' be a satisfactory answer, by any stretch?]
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[ unusual. He's hardly a hard-hearted rogue, but if Diva had flung herself at him with the intent to kill instead of saving him from certain death at the hands of a monster back when they'd first met, he's pretty sure he wouldn't care a whit about what happened to her. ]
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She looks aside, her shoulders faintly slumping.]
She attacks me because she can't express her feelings through other means. She doesn't know how; she wasn't taught such a simple, basic, and human thing.
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This woman is probably hiding something, he thinks, but he's not sure what. ]
Then... she's jealous of you? For beating her? [ as he says it, the gravity of that statement finally sinks in. ] ... W-wait. You beat Diva in a fight?
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[She shakes her head.]
I wouldn't call it that, she's not envious of my strength. It's more like... She's used to always getting what she wanted before, because no one could oppose her if she decided to resort to force. That I can neutralize her means she can no longer do as she pleases, I place restraints and that's what she resents.
[...
Glancing back at Garry.]
Yes. She's strong and fast, but she lacks combat training and fighting experience. She doesn't think or plan, she moves purely on animalistic instinct.
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Who are you?
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GARRY PLS
her face when]
I'm... what do you mean?
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[ WHO ELSE COULD BEAT DIVA IN A FIGHT ]
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O-oh... Well, why didn't you just introduce yourself in the first place?!
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HUFFS]
Does it make that much of a difference? You don't need to know who I am to help her. If anything, you should never mention me around Diva.
IF SHE'S NOT WEARING THEM I'LL CHANGE THIS TAG...
[ gesturing to her clothes. ]
YES SHE IS... we good
[>ciel
>forthright
GOOD THING GARRY DOESN'T KNOW HER VERY WELL...]
So I apologize for any misunderstandings, but I didn't intent to be rude, although I can understand the suspicion. If you're close to Diva, it's probably best you don't ever get too close to me, but again, I pray that your sense of judgment will be keener than hers. It's difficult, looking out for someone who thinks poorly of you for past conflicts.
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If you say so... I don't know about all of this, but I'll take care of her as well as I can.
[ which is somewhat difficult because she's awful at not doing dumb things, but he will make a valiant attempt. ]
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yeah, DUMB VAMPIRES, YEAH...
chest heaving, she offers a low, polite, and humble bow.]
I am in your debt. Thank you, truly.
[...]
Tangentially, given my physical aptitudes, I could offer to make trips to the North for you. I can also heal most flesh wounds, and I would happily assist if you would ever consider calling for help, if you're in a pinch for any reason.
[and she's human, SHE SWEARS...]
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[ yeah... okay... maybe she's a magical human or something. There were people like that around here, right? Like Merrill and Al... Garry isn't as surprised as he could be, given that she'd already proven capable of overpowering Diva. ]
Well... Thank you. I'll ask you for healing if I need it.
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so she nods, drawing herself back up.]
Please. I try to make the rounds when things get hectic, but unfortunately, there's only so much I can cover.
[the sort of person who tries to be everywhere at once... he won't judge her for it, will he...]
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Er... Make the rounds?
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a TERRIBLE COMPARISON...]
Yes. [she just looks back up quietly, what is this weird...] Check on the people I know and see if anyone needs help. Good mobility and the ability to heal can come in quite handy during emergencies, after all.
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My, that's quite responsible of you...
[ if she's like that, maybe it's not that weird that she's worried about Diva, after all. ]
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her expression does droop a little, as she brings up a hand to rub the bridge of her nose.]
Too many people either get careless or unlucky, there's never enough pair of eyes to keep watch and make sure everyone's hanging in there okay. Haven really doesn't let up, after all.
[aka "someone has to", and she'll follow it up with a small sigh...]
But Diva has a lot of people watching over her, so hopefully we'll be able to make sure she'll be okay. [and then she goes to join the raid... GOD, although they'll remain blissfully ignorant on that one, for better or for worse...]