[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.]
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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.
[ 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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If you say so.
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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.
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I'm sorry. I'm being quite silly.
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[ 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. ]
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[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.
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[ aquila sounds thoughtful. ]
... People caring's not always synonymous with them wanting something from you, though.
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[she chews her thumbnail.]
But that doesn't mean I ought to allow myself to be easily manipulated.
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[ 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.
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[it's the reverse problem. it's too easy to trust them.]
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[
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.
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[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.
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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?
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I guess so.
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[ 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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Don't.
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... Sorry. [ force of habit. ]