[ Gray has actually just been on a baking kick and happened to make a fruit tart this morning, but she also can't deny that she'd be pleased if Rin was impressed by her evolving baking skill. Most of all, she's just relieved that crisis has been averted. She quickly scoops up some stew, cheese, and bread for herself and sits with Rin at the table. ]
I don't know many hot dishes, but I think my baking has improved lately. If you have any tips for me, I'll be glad to hear them.
[ But that will be later. She hurries the conversation along. ]
By the way... did you need somewhere to stay tonight?
[It's a tempting offer, but in the end she has to decline. Spending too much time in Springstar means, even if miniscule, Discord accumulation. She'll have to be careful. Especially after what happened to Dark.]
[ So she has somewhere to sleep, but there's no shower or means of washing laundry. The plot thickens. ]
Okay...
[ Mages and their secrets. Knowing better than to pry, Gray spoons some stew up.
The stew is simple and straightforward in terms of spice, but it's been cooked with care and hearty for it. The bread is fresh and crisp at the crust, and the cheese is strong and buttery. That said, it's a decidedly rustic, unadorned format for a meal; at the end of the day, Gray is British to the bone. ]
[No follow up? Has she gotten so used to the pushy people of Kenos that somehow she is struggling with Gray? Ridiculous. Tohsaka will make up her own, more palatable conversation.]
[ Gray may be overly conscious about not being pushy, especially in the company of a mage. A mage with a history of retreating if Gray prodded about the wrong things, in fact...
She blinks, a look of dumb surprise crossing her face at the question. ]
Um. Yes, very well, actually.
[ She'll explain more in a moment. But first, she has to make sure this isn't a Mordred situation (as unlikely as that is). ]
He said that you so kindly informed him of my kidnapping.
[There is a bit of displeasure there. Frustration. She keeps herself from going further into it by stuffing her mouth with a bit of bread soaked in stew broth.]
[She'll leave it at that as she tears another piece of bread to soak in the stew broth. It's warm, rich, and salty. The potatoes and carrots are soft. The meat is tender. It's good enough that even miss "I have to watch my figure" Tohsaka gets up for a bowl of seconds.]
[ Weird?? Eustace?? Perish the thought. If they were talking about someone else (Mordred)(Gen) Gray would be content to let Rin's comment sit as subjective truth, but she feels an obligation to speak up for Eustace's honor. ]
He did a lot to look after me when we first met. And actually, he lives in this house too.
[ She is so comfortable spending a lot of time with old gay dudes who are absolutely no threat to her, she has a hard time processing Rin's insinuation. ]
It's a bit hard to say. Mr. Eustace isn't quite my guardian, but he's always supported me. Mr. Dokja... I haven't known as long, but I suppose he's similar. I guess you could say we're like a family.
[ Though it seems a bit presumptuous to put things that way. ]
[ Spending time in a male space (Waver's) after a lifetime of female fastidiousness (her mother's) was certainly jarring to Gray at first, but she finds Rin's disbelief a bit curious. ]
An "all guy universe"? Should that be an issue?
[ Maybe if the guys in question were her age, Gray would understand more quickly. Though she never had to deal with other people her age in her village, she was certainly taught about the follies of the opposite sex through things like books and television. But Eustace and Dokja are, well. Complete non-threats. ]
Why wouldn't it be? They're both older than you, too. What if you accidentally walk in on something?
[Maybe things like not shutting the bathroom door all the way, or getting a little too flirty with your significant other where others can perceive it is only a straight guy thing?]
It's all about mindset. If he doesn't want to act like a human then don't treat him like one. He's more akin to an untrained and unfixed dog, more often than not. So you have to distribute punishment and reward accordingly.
[Though... It wasn't that way before he died. There was something different about him when he racked up so much Discord. As if something his typical brash and bombastic attitude was desperately trying to hide came through.
A shame, really. His more subdued nature was preferable.]
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[Her offer may be genuine but in the light of her brining a gift and it getting rejected a seat at the table is... is...!]
Do you not like egg tarts?
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No! Or, um, I'm not sure because I've never tried one, but I've liked all of your cooking... The tart was something I'd already made.
[ And there's always room for more dessert... ]
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[She sighs and settles herself at the table.]
If you're looking to show off for me, I suppose I cannot deny you.
[If the intent is that Gray wants to impress her, that's... cute. She'll have to squash the bloom of warmth and excitement that unfurls in her chest.]
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I don't know many hot dishes, but I think my baking has improved lately. If you have any tips for me, I'll be glad to hear them.
[ But that will be later. She hurries the conversation along. ]
By the way... did you need somewhere to stay tonight?
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[It's a tempting offer, but in the end she has to decline. Spending too much time in Springstar means, even if miniscule, Discord accumulation. She'll have to be careful. Especially after what happened to Dark.]
I have somewhere to sleep.
[Her shop. And no one will ever know!]
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Okay...
[ Mages and their secrets. Knowing better than to pry, Gray spoons some stew up.
The stew is simple and straightforward in terms of spice, but it's been cooked with care and hearty for it. The bread is fresh and crisp at the crust, and the cheese is strong and buttery. That said, it's a decidedly rustic, unadorned format for a meal; at the end of the day, Gray is British to the bone. ]
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Hm... also, do you know a man named "Eustace"?
[She has to confirm something.]
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She blinks, a look of dumb surprise crossing her face at the question. ]
Um. Yes, very well, actually.
[ She'll explain more in a moment. But first, she has to make sure this isn't a Mordred situation (as unlikely as that is). ]
Why do you ask?
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[There is a bit of displeasure there. Frustration. She keeps herself from going further into it by stuffing her mouth with a bit of bread soaked in stew broth.]
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[ The obvious displeasure in Rin's demeanor makes Gray sit up like a poke in the back. ]
W-Was it supposed to be a secret? I'm sorry... We were both worried about Mr. Dokja, so I thought I should share as much as I could.
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[It didn't get very far. Tohsaka was difficult, as usual, and perhaps Eustace determined it was too much of a hassle to try and deal with her.]
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[ About Dokja, she means. She's a bit surprised Eustace cut her out the middle and went straight to Rin, but he is a direct person. ]
I hope it wasn't too much of a bother.
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[She'll leave it at that as she tears another piece of bread to soak in the stew broth. It's warm, rich, and salty. The potatoes and carrots are soft. The meat is tender. It's good enough that even miss "I have to watch my figure" Tohsaka gets up for a bowl of seconds.]
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He did a lot to look after me when we first met. And actually, he lives in this house too.
[ Just. For Rin's information. ]
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[Rin puts her bowl down and closes the distance between them. She leans over to look directly into Gray's face as she asks the question:]
You live in a house with two old men?
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Um. Yes. Though I don't think they're that old.
[ she is so (half) wrong about that ]
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[Does Gray have two dads or does Gray have two Daddies?]
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[ She is so comfortable spending a lot of time with old gay dudes who are absolutely no threat to her, she has a hard time processing Rin's insinuation. ]
It's a bit hard to say. Mr. Eustace isn't quite my guardian, but he's always supported me. Mr. Dokja... I haven't known as long, but I suppose he's similar. I guess you could say we're like a family.
[ Though it seems a bit presumptuous to put things that way. ]
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[Tohsaka returns to getting her second helping. After that is situated she returns to the table.]
Are you really comfortable living in an all guy-universe?
[As in... why doesn't she live with other women?]
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An "all guy universe"? Should that be an issue?
[ Maybe if the guys in question were her age, Gray would understand more quickly. Though she never had to deal with other people her age in her village, she was certainly taught about the follies of the opposite sex through things like books and television. But Eustace and Dokja are, well. Complete non-threats. ]
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[Maybe things like not shutting the bathroom door all the way, or getting a little too flirty with your significant other where others can perceive it is only a straight guy thing?]
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It hasn't been a problem yet, but... wouldn't that have been a bigger problem with you and Dark?
[ Dark and his literal harem and sexual obsessions?? ]
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[Haha but there is no house at the moment so it's not like that matters. In fact she's not even sure if she'll go back.]
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[ It's a bit of a funny distinction that makes her smile. An occasional mishap is more problematic than perpetual debauchery? ]
I admire you for being able to handle him. I get a bit overwhelmed after a few minutes.
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[Though... It wasn't that way before he died. There was something different about him when he racked up so much Discord. As if something his typical brash and bombastic attitude was desperately trying to hide came through.
A shame, really. His more subdued nature was preferable.]