[ It's nothing personal? Gen wouldn't even think poorly of Gray if she were to be offering that gift to set up for a request. They might be akin to something like friends, but Gen still knows most relationships are transactional -- give and take. Debts and repayments. So what she says next earns a blink. ]
...
[ His first instinct is to laugh, honestly. Yes, Gray is a superpowered fantasy freak, but still. How much of a laughingstock would he be if he needed to be protected by anyone, like some weak little damsel, let alone by some little girl half his height? Ridiculous. (The fact that she wants to protect him at all is ludicrous.)
The only thing that gives him pause, really, is her sincerity. The fact that she's saying this so seriously. There's something sobering about it.
He'd simply been looking at her for a moment, but Gen gives a quiet sigh the next moment. Then raises his free hand -- to poff onto the top of her hooded head. He doesn't even rustle it this time, just pushes a little to get her to duck her head a touch. A little gentle bullying, mostly, but also so she'll be distracted away from the slight stiffness in his delivery.
He's always had a harder time lying about shit like this. ]
Alright. [ His compromise will be that he'll pretend her desire is a valid one. ] I'll carry it around. Right in my inner pocket and everything, promise. So you won't have to worry 'bout me, yeah?
[ As he planned, she ducks a little under his heavy hand. She recognizes it at least partially for what it is: a physical action to make up for a mental hesitation. She's found it to be a common tactic among a certain type of person. It isn't so different from her own tendency to withdraw into her hood when she's uncertain; in Gen's case, he is just bullying instead of retreating. In any case, she doesn't mind too much. She'll take it as an awkward show of appreciation. ]
... Alright. You promised.
[ She isn't completely sold that he'll keep the case on him as much as she'd like, but if he'll at least do it when he's headed into danger, she'll count that as enough. Though she'll disagree that she won't have to worry about him just because of this. There are so many ways for him to get into trouble, many of them bloodless and self-inflicted.
With her mission complete, Gray takes a last glance at Bloody Marie's. A fascinating establishment, even if it's not for her. ]
I should probably head back now.
[ The fight for the next Oracle is coming up, and a Meri in Highstorm will be viewed with more suspicion than usual — on both sides, even. ]
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no subject
Date: 2023-12-02 06:20 am (UTC)...
[ His first instinct is to laugh, honestly. Yes, Gray is a superpowered fantasy freak, but still. How much of a laughingstock would he be if he needed to be protected by anyone, like some weak little damsel, let alone by some little girl half his height? Ridiculous. (The fact that she wants to protect him at all is ludicrous.)
The only thing that gives him pause, really, is her sincerity. The fact that she's saying this so seriously. There's something sobering about it.
He'd simply been looking at her for a moment, but Gen gives a quiet sigh the next moment. Then raises his free hand -- to poff onto the top of her hooded head. He doesn't even rustle it this time, just pushes a little to get her to duck her head a touch. A little gentle bullying, mostly, but also so she'll be distracted away from the slight stiffness in his delivery.
He's always had a harder time lying about shit like this. ]
Alright. [ His compromise will be that he'll pretend her desire is a valid one. ] I'll carry it around. Right in my inner pocket and everything, promise. So you won't have to worry 'bout me, yeah?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-03 08:37 am (UTC)... Alright. You promised.
[ She isn't completely sold that he'll keep the case on him as much as she'd like, but if he'll at least do it when he's headed into danger, she'll count that as enough. Though she'll disagree that she won't have to worry about him just because of this. There are so many ways for him to get into trouble, many of them bloodless and self-inflicted.
With her mission complete, Gray takes a last glance at Bloody Marie's. A fascinating establishment, even if it's not for her. ]
I should probably head back now.
[ The fight for the next Oracle is coming up, and a Meri in Highstorm will be viewed with more suspicion than usual — on both sides, even. ]