guestservices | AUDIENCE FOR: Harrowhark

Hmm.

[ they agree, quietly, and then absently knead their thumb into their palm. ]

...Maybe once the dust settles, things'll become a little clearer. The whole trial just finished - lots of details to unpack. If... maybe make a list, of the things you know right now, whatever discrepancies you're finding, then take a break and come back to it.

[ it's what they would do. ] 's the, uh, sciencey way to go about it, or something. Right?

Yes, I suppose so. [a sigh, as she rubs her temple.] I'm not thinking clearly. My head is bothering me.

I bet it does.

[ boy howdy they do. ] ...I uh, get migraines sometimes. Lots of water and laying in the dark helps. Warm compresses for your head, too.

If nothing else, you hustled today. You probably should rest. [ a beat. ] I. Probably should've just let you type and let you rest, huh.

No. It's alright. I'm not unhappy to see you.

[even if she's a bit drained.]

[ pffft. ]

Wow. High compliment. I'm not unhappy to see you either.

[ be nice, aquila!! they're obviously teasing, though. ] You had me worried.

Edited 2022-07-03 14:48 (UTC)

Do you expect me to handmake you a card every time we talk?

...Worried? Why?

You could! It'd be funny.

[ lol.

... for the second bit, they have to pause, first? like they're sort of gathering what they want to say. or maybe they're just actually a huge weenie and criminally bad at saying important things. ]

...Worried - Because I care about you, that's why, and I don't want to see you hurt. We had a pretty big talk about it all earlier in the week, yeah? Whether you went through with it, or were just thinking about it. Had you on my mind.

[she kind of makes a face at that, a little bit screwed up, upset but trying not to be.]

Why are you saying that?

That I care about you?

Yes.

Don't toy with me.

[ oh.

... they pause for a moment, and then shake their head. ]

Harrow. [ and... their words are genuine. a little less gravelly rough than usual. ] I promise that I care about you.

[she twists her hands in the fabric of her trousers, screwing up her face even harder.]

If you say so.

[ stop making that face!!!

they huff a little, and push off the bed, coming over, though they just kind of kneel down where she is. ]

Words're cheap, I know. Not easy to prove. [ but, they tilt their head up to look at her. ] But, I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it.

[she looks at them, wary, still frowning in that childish way, like she's working too hard to hold back a feeling and not doing well at it. but then she glances away, a bit chilly again.]

I'm sorry. I'm being quite silly.

Nah.

[ they shrug their shoulders. ] Nothing to apologize for. Can't blame you for it. Just a stranger with one of these, y'know? [ they pluck at the veil. ]

...Yes.

[she looks at her nubby bitten fingernails, mouth twisting.]

And you must admit that I don't and can't know what you're really after.

...The people like us in your other place were gonna betray you guys, yeah? Can't blame you for being cautious. So, sure, I can admit that.

[ aquila sounds thoughtful. ]

... People caring's not always synonymous with them wanting something from you, though.

Yes. They were. And I was able to see my way to forgiving that.

[she chews her thumbnail.]

But that doesn't mean I ought to allow myself to be easily manipulated.

True.

[ this is a normal line of thinking and a normal way for people to act as far as they are concerned ]

Or let your guard down. I guess I'm not asking you to trust me if you don't want to, or don't feel like I'm particularly trustworthy. [ a beat. ] Whether you trust me or not, 's not gonna stop me caring about you, though.

It's not that you aren't trustworthy.

[it's the reverse problem. it's too easy to trust them.]

Too charming?

[

this is joking. but it's said in a familiar manner, at least - where it's a joke, but not quite one, too, because... well. they get it.

more seriously: ] I gotta say, that's the first time anyone's accused me of that. Sheesh, usually people say I'm sketchy. 's discrimination.

I didn't use the word 'charming.'

[she says this so accusatory.]

...You are nice. And you understand the things that are important to me. And I will feel like such a fool if you are manipulating me.

[ they are the hehe cat, but like, as a person for a second there, but they let it go. ]

Man, don't think I've ever been called nice, either. [ but, aquila gets that, too, so. ]

I don't wanna make you feel like a fool, Harrow. [ there's an even steadiness to the way they say it. ] Think these kind of situations make fools of everyone enough already.

Guess the only way we find out is time, yeah?

[that just seems to make her look tired and sad.]

I guess so.

You're making that face again.

[ this time, when they reach up like they're going to pinch her cheek, they don't - mindful of the bruising, just very gently nudging a knuckle against an unbruised part instead. ]

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