[ again with the exchange of question for answer. if this is how they'll interact then she can't say that she's against it. it's an arrangement that seems to have worked well for them thus far.
she'll spend some time trying to think of a question, taking the opportunity to take a sip of the tea. they both have their secrets but only because this is the freshest part in her mind, she goes with this question. (she's already embarrassed enough as it is. nothing else can hurt her......probably.) ]
What do you think of me?
[ admittedly her answer wasn't flattering but maybe he shouldn't have asked it to mess with her. ]
(He'd expected her to ask one of a few things and this was definitely on his list. So she's going right for retaliation? Valid.
He hums a bit, taking his time with answering and just sort of props his elbow on the table, resting his chin on the palm of his hand while tapping at the table with a finger on his other,)
Hmm... (He knows he has to answer carefully. When he's ready to speak, he makes a point to look at Izumo, ready to meet her eyes if she ever decides to look at him,) I like you.
You remind me of one of my classmates. You're about the same age as her and you have similar personalities. Even though she's younger, she's a lot smarter than me. She has a really good head on her shoulders and I could always count on her to knock me down a peg or two.
(He realizes he's talking more about Lysithea than he is about Izumo but well, he's not a very direct person and this is the best he can do right now,)
I really trust her. I'd trust her with my life. I know I tease her and give her a hard time but... she's so young and I get the feeling she's under a lot of pressure, that she feels like she needs to grow up quickly...
(His voice trails off towards the end and he frowns. If only he knew more... And then he snaps out of his thoughts,)
Sorry, I guess that didn't really answer your question. As I said, I like you, Izumo. We've spoken quite a bit since we arrived her and I trust you.
[ funny, maybe hearing claude tell her that he liked her might have resulted in a different reaction to her, but in the context that it was framed (as well as how he went about it) just caused look down her tea as she drank it. their eyes only meeting for the moment he told her he liked her and nothing else.
though as he makes it clear how he trusts her, and perhaps how deeply, she feels her stomach drop and a freezing chill overtake her. panic. her fingers grip on the cup but she endures. sure, she probably should say something in response to all of that but... instead she answers his question. ]
On Monday morning, I found Sora and we decided to explore the moon together. There we found a sign stating that only authorized personnel were allowed beyond that point.
[ she mutters against the lip of the cup. ]
We decided to ignore it and press forward in doing so we felt a heavy weight that started out as just some light pressure and some voices, but the further we went the worse it got. The voices got louder to the point where it was deafening and the pressure became crushing.
[ her face grimacing as she recalls the weight and the screams, but continues to recall what happened with a calm grace. ]
However, before we turned around we saw something on the moon. [ carefully, she'll place the cup back down onto the table. ] We didn't get a good look at it but it was large and had multiple arms. My hearing has been affected by the screaming—I can't hear as well anymore and...
[ her voice trails for a moment as she looks away from him as she finishes her moon escapades. ]
(It's fine. He hadn't expected her to answer, not when she's afflicted with whatever condition she has. He helps himself to his tea some more, trying to calm this feeling that has been settling over him through out the week. He can endure it. There are more pressing things to deal with than his own sense of comfort.
Now holding his cup in his hand, he watches her carefully as she speaks, patient, and... his eyes narrow slightly. He doesn't feel like he's heard everything but he's heard enough,)
... You're always getting hurt, aren't you? (he takes a breath,) Thank you, for telling me. I'll have to check on Sora later.
(But to focus on what's been said,)
We'll have to keep an eye on the sky and be careful when we visit that part. It goes without saying that there's something off about that place too.
[ are the words that come out of her mouth, but with the approximate knowledge that they both know, the real meaning behind her words should be there. however, claude's comment about how her tendency to get hurt causes her eyebrows to furrow. it reminds her of something someone else had told her and lowers her gaze.
the uncomfortable feeling again. ]
But, no, not right now. [ she answers with a shake of her head. ] It's quiet; the only things I hear the two of us talking. And, if you haven't guessed, there are limitations placed on the kinds of things I can say.
[ with that, she'll finally help herself to the cookie she had taken earlier. ]
[ she definitely has not noticed the way that he (and a few others) seem to flutter about others conversing about this and that. it's nothing that she's able to do in the slightest. however, with how the best way to help is to get along well is derailed by how he brings up how he wants to trust her.
it's a terrible word with horrible connotations for her and he should remember how she was when she first arrived. there have been people who she has lashed out toward for assuming such things about her and them but...
but, again, he brings up the fact that he wants to trust her and...it's not like she's blind to the person he is either. she's not sure who else is fooled by his act but she knows there's something there. ]
You want to know my team? [ she keeps her gaze steady on him. ] Or...are you on my team?
The way I see it, even if we're on separate teams, it doesn't matter. If the goal is to collect Nova and return home as quickly and safely as possible, I'm not opposed to working with others.
(He pushes back this feeling that's settling over him. He really doesn't know how much longer he can really put up with it. It's getting exhausting. It doesn't help that this is also a risky move,)
So what do you say? I tell you mine and you tell me yours?
[ poor claude will have to deal with izumo sitting there in silence as she weighs the options of what she wants to do. metaphorically speaking, he's reaching out to her again with an open hand and asking her to take hold of it. her instinct is to lash out and run away but—there's nowhere to run here.
she looks up at him with an expression that's stuck between being terrified, angry, and panicked. he offers her the trade and—
she'll make the first move. if she doesn't, she'll never say it. the word falls off of her lips as easily as it's something that she's said so many times. it's an animal so dear to her for so many different reasons. creatures she grew up with—an animal assigned to protect her... her blessing. ]
Fox. [ her voice weak as she tries again. ] My leader is Fox.
(Even if it's horribly uncomfortable for reasons beyond his control, he waits. He notes the way she looks at him. It reminds him of some of the hunts he'd been on growing up. Seeing a terrified, frightened animal fighting back when faced with something beyond its control. It's sad, he thinks. What could have happened to her to make her like this?
She finally answers and his mouth lifts into a smile, his eyes bright,)
Ah. (Just "ah" at first and he pours himself and Izumo another cup of tea.) I love being right.
there's something horrifyingly funny about the way that his words are similar to someone who shared her team with. as she thinks of the three of them, awful words ring in her head, but having it simply not be just her and him does make it less revolting.
nevertheless, izumo tries to wipe clear her fear and focus on how much happier he seems. and, of course, just because she'll never get used to this: ]
Foxes are just as cute as you are.
[ a sigh as she lowers her head. hopefully he won't hold this over her head much longer. or, more like, the level that he'll hold this over her head be the minimal. ]
(She might have noticed that little detail on his invitation the previous week. The one that said the party was hosted by "Golden Deer" instead of "Blue Lions.")
I do enjoy tea. (He takes a sip,) And speaking with you, of course.
[ and just like that, she'll sigh loudly at his quips and winks. perhaps it's a good thing for both of them since it seems like they've both settled what was bothering them.
well, mostly. there are questions that lurk in the back of her mind that she'll have to address now. but, for now, she'll focus on the conversion right before them. ]
(He was pretty fine? But then again, he was getting a decent amount of affection and dishing it too so. This week he's just crawling whenever he's not around [REDACTED]. He looks at Izumo,)
she has to think about it for a while to consider if the feeling was truly annoying or not. sure, she did some incredibly stupid things last week as a result of the prerequisite urge to be close to someone. some of them turning violent and others... there were times where it felt...nice. like little pockets of sanity where things made sense.
it takes until claude pointing it out for her to really consider the meaning of it all. ]
I do, but not at this exact moment. [ well, not terribly. hmmm. ] I have felt the need to see this one person more than anything this week, though.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
she'll spend some time trying to think of a question, taking the opportunity to take a sip of the tea. they both have their secrets but only because this is the freshest part in her mind, she goes with this question. (she's already embarrassed enough as it is. nothing else can hurt her......probably.) ]
What do you think of me?
[ admittedly her answer wasn't flattering but maybe he shouldn't have asked it to mess with her. ]
no subject
He hums a bit, taking his time with answering and just sort of props his elbow on the table, resting his chin on the palm of his hand while tapping at the table with a finger on his other,)
Hmm... (He knows he has to answer carefully. When he's ready to speak, he makes a point to look at Izumo, ready to meet her eyes if she ever decides to look at him,) I like you.
You remind me of one of my classmates. You're about the same age as her and you have similar personalities. Even though she's younger, she's a lot smarter than me. She has a really good head on her shoulders and I could always count on her to knock me down a peg or two.
(He realizes he's talking more about Lysithea than he is about Izumo but well, he's not a very direct person and this is the best he can do right now,)
I really trust her. I'd trust her with my life. I know I tease her and give her a hard time but... she's so young and I get the feeling she's under a lot of pressure, that she feels like she needs to grow up quickly...
(His voice trails off towards the end and he frowns. If only he knew more... And then he snaps out of his thoughts,)
Sorry, I guess that didn't really answer your question. As I said, I like you, Izumo. We've spoken quite a bit since we arrived her and I trust you.
no subject
though as he makes it clear how he trusts her, and perhaps how deeply, she feels her stomach drop and a freezing chill overtake her. panic. her fingers grip on the cup but she endures. sure, she probably should say something in response to all of that but... instead she answers his question. ]
On Monday morning, I found Sora and we decided to explore the moon together. There we found a sign stating that only authorized personnel were allowed beyond that point.
[ she mutters against the lip of the cup. ]
We decided to ignore it and press forward in doing so we felt a heavy weight that started out as just some light pressure and some voices, but the further we went the worse it got. The voices got louder to the point where it was deafening and the pressure became crushing.
[ her face grimacing as she recalls the weight and the screams, but continues to recall what happened with a calm grace. ]
However, before we turned around we saw something on the moon. [ carefully, she'll place the cup back down onto the table. ] We didn't get a good look at it but it was large and had multiple arms. My hearing has been affected by the screaming—I can't hear as well anymore and...
[ her voice trails for a moment as she looks away from him as she finishes her moon escapades. ]
Randomly I'll hear the screaming again.
no subject
Now holding his cup in his hand, he watches her carefully as she speaks, patient, and... his eyes narrow slightly. He doesn't feel like he's heard everything but he's heard enough,)
... You're always getting hurt, aren't you? (he takes a breath,) Thank you, for telling me. I'll have to check on Sora later.
(But to focus on what's been said,)
We'll have to keep an eye on the sky and be careful when we visit that part. It goes without saying that there's something off about that place too.
(The space station.)
Do you hear it now?
(The screaming?)
no subject
[ are the words that come out of her mouth, but with the approximate knowledge that they both know, the real meaning behind her words should be there. however, claude's comment about how her tendency to get hurt causes her eyebrows to furrow. it reminds her of something someone else had told her and lowers her gaze.
the uncomfortable feeling again. ]
But, no, not right now. [ she answers with a shake of her head. ] It's quiet; the only things I hear the two of us talking. And, if you haven't guessed, there are limitations placed on the kinds of things I can say.
[ with that, she'll finally help herself to the cookie she had taken earlier. ]
Now, what was it that you wanted to tell me?
no subject
(He'll play along, if only to lighten her words.)
I met with my leader earlier this week. I wanted to ask them for some sort of hint to help us work together more efficiently and they gave me a clue.
I speak to one of my team mates often. We get along well.
(The problem is, in case Izumo hasn't noticed, Claude speaks to many people and seems to get along with most. Keyword: Seems.)
I don't like showing my cards and I understand if you don't want to tell me but I meant what I said earlier. I want to trust you.
no subject
it's a terrible word with horrible connotations for her and he should remember how she was when she first arrived. there have been people who she has lashed out toward for assuming such things about her and them but...
but, again, he brings up the fact that he wants to trust her and...it's not like she's blind to the person he is either. she's not sure who else is fooled by his act but she knows there's something there. ]
You want to know my team? [ she keeps her gaze steady on him. ] Or...are you on my team?
no subject
(He nods,)
The way I see it, even if we're on separate teams, it doesn't matter. If the goal is to collect Nova and return home as quickly and safely as possible, I'm not opposed to working with others.
(He pushes back this feeling that's settling over him. He really doesn't know how much longer he can really put up with it. It's getting exhausting. It doesn't help that this is also a risky move,)
So what do you say? I tell you mine and you tell me yours?
no subject
she looks up at him with an expression that's stuck between being terrified, angry, and panicked. he offers her the trade and—
she'll make the first move. if she doesn't, she'll never say it. the word falls off of her lips as easily as it's something that she's said so many times. it's an animal so dear to her for so many different reasons. creatures she grew up with—an animal assigned to protect her... her blessing. ]
Fox. [ her voice weak as she tries again. ] My leader is Fox.
[ this should be fine? will this be fine? ]
no subject
She finally answers and his mouth lifts into a smile, his eyes bright,)
Ah. (Just "ah" at first and he pours himself and Izumo another cup of tea.) I love being right.
(Truly.)
Me too. It suits me, don't you think?
(A schemer like him.)
no subject
there's something horrifyingly funny about the way that his words are similar to someone who shared her team with. as she thinks of the three of them, awful words ring in her head, but having it simply not be just her and him does make it less revolting.
nevertheless, izumo tries to wipe clear her fear and focus on how much happier he seems. and, of course, just because she'll never get used to this: ]
Foxes are just as cute as you are.
[ a sigh as she lowers her head. hopefully he won't hold this over her head much longer. or, more like, the level that he'll hold this over her head be the minimal. ]
So, does this mean we'll have more tea parties?
no subject
(She might have noticed that little detail on his invitation the previous week. The one that said the party was hosted by "Golden Deer" instead of "Blue Lions.")
I do enjoy tea. (He takes a sip,) And speaking with you, of course.
(And he winks from behind his cup.)
no subject
well, mostly. there are questions that lurk in the back of her mind that she'll have to address now. but, for now, she'll focus on the conversion right before them. ]
Is that what you were so nervous about?
no subject
(He taps at the table again, clearly fidgeting,)
I've been feeling off most of the week so far. (...) Have you noticed it?
(That when they're away from certain people, it feels.... difficult?)
no subject
Maybe a little. [ she'll think this over for a moment. ] ...but I don't think I've had much of a problem. It's been the same for me since last week.
[ she says this one a bit softer. ]
The feeling of wanting to be close to someone.
no subject
Same here but it wasn't this annoying last week.
(He was pretty fine? But then again, he was getting a decent amount of affection and dishing it too so. This week he's just crawling whenever he's not around [REDACTED]. He looks at Izumo,)
Do you still feel it? Now?
no subject
she has to think about it for a while to consider if the feeling was truly annoying or not. sure, she did some incredibly stupid things last week as a result of the prerequisite urge to be close to someone. some of them turning violent and others... there were times where it felt...nice. like little pockets of sanity where things made sense.
it takes until claude pointing it out for her to really consider the meaning of it all. ]
I do, but not at this exact moment. [ well, not terribly. hmmm. ] I have felt the need to see this one person more than anything this week, though.