[ There's another moment where he pauses to pick his words. ]
You really care that much for him after he scared you?
[ Faulkner feels some kinds of ways about that. ]
Sounds like he's lucky to have you. But... also like maybe he needs the space.
[ The part he's not saying out loud is that making someone feel cornered, even in a well meaning way, while they're in that state, might be a terrible idea. ]
[ She can accept the second half - it's why she's here instead of hunting down Azul. But the first part makes her lift her head, baffled. ]
Of course I still care about him! He's my friend! One incident can't ruin everything like that. It'd be like you and me - even if you did scare me, I'd still care about you too. We're buddies.
Yeah, well... sometimes I can be pretty simple-minded.
[ A little smile at her self-dig. She moves to gently take Faulker's hand and put it to her cheek. ]
But I mean it. I clearly made Azul think he couldn't trust me... but I don't want you to think that. I promise you - no matter what, I will always come back for you. You can't get rid of me that easily.
[ And he'll run a thumb over some of her feathers, partly just because he likes soft textures. ]
That's, well—I mean I've never had many people I could count on, hardly remember mom an' dad was hardly ever there so... you know what, don't make me spell it out.
[ He'll clear his throat a little sheepishly and finally look away. Was he opening up more than he intended or laying it on a little thick? Good question!
And maybe a good time to quickly change the subject. ]
An' anyway, don't you go worryin' about me, this was supposed to be me cheerin' you up. You didn't have to go and bring me gifts either. Is that—is that a bird thing?
Gifts really aren't quite as common where I'm from.
[ But he'll take a closer look at what she brought, partly for something to do with his hands while he's seemingly feeling a bit awkward. ]
I was half teasin' though. Just that Keigo always brings me treats or somethin' when I see him. I'm never sure how much that's a bird thing an' how much that's a boyfriend thing.
Oh, I didn't know you were dating a bird! Major cool, major cool. I'm not sure if they're anything like me and my world, but if they are, I could give you some tips!
Well it's uh, it's the wings and the eyes an' the carnivore thing and... a lot of how he acts? I don't know. He calls himself one, figure he'd know better 'n me.
[ He's actually pretty invested in Keigo feeling allowed to let those traits show, but the context for that isn't really his story to share.
Either way, he laughs a little sheepishly, and he'll start to bustle around actually setting up tea for the two of them. ]
That much is certainly true. Either way, wouldn't turn down those tips. Never really dated any kind of person before, if I'm honest. Not for serious at any rate.
[ Not that she actually needs to give him advice. It might be a little obvious that's just kind of prattling for the sake of it. Maybe he'll successfully distract her from worrying if nothing else?
I could try to depart some elderly wisdom on you... but? Not gunna lie. I've been out of the dating world for over ten years, so the tips might be a tad behind. And even when I got back to humanity, I was more focused on my family than getting a date.
[ Though as she finishes that sentence, she does glance off to the side. As if she did have someone in mind...? ]
... Well. Suppose there's no harm in saying it, since she's not even in this world.
But there is someone if, she asked me out, I'd say yes without hesitation.
[ She chuckles, though, shaking her head. ]
Unfortunately, I don't think that's gunna happen anytime soon. Mostly because she's a stubborn meathead who's more about fighting than anything else. It's adorable and frustrating at the same time. It took her ages to even admit we were roomies!
[ This description gets a laugh, while he pours tea for them. ]
Well... I'm not gonna pretend I know much about havin' to be the one to make a move first. I was only about uh, ninety-eight percent certain I was on a date until the guy went an' kissed me.
[ He might be exaggerating, but not by much. ]
But you could always try that. Or... challenge her to a fight? Loser buys dinner?
Oh, I cannot challenge her to a fight. She'd kick my tailfeathers six different ways to Sunday. I would be in a cast before we made dinner reservations.
[ Again, she says this with clear fondness. The gal she likes is an ass-kicker and is soooo hot for that. ]
Well, you certainly don't have to listen to me. Like I say, barely know what I'm talkin' about. But it's nice havin' someone... and you seem pretty great, so uh, her loss if she did say no.
[ Not that Della actually has the option to try right now. But that part probably isn't nearly as nice to focus on. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
You really care that much for him after he scared you?
[ Faulkner feels some kinds of ways about that. ]
Sounds like he's lucky to have you. But... also like maybe he needs the space.
[ The part he's not saying out loud is that making someone feel cornered, even in a well meaning way, while they're in that state, might be a terrible idea. ]
no subject
Of course I still care about him! He's my friend! One incident can't ruin everything like that. It'd be like you and me - even if you did scare me, I'd still care about you too. We're buddies.
no subject
[ People should love unconditionally, he does believe that. But things are rarely that easy in practice. ]
no subject
[ A little smile at her self-dig. She moves to gently take Faulker's hand and put it to her cheek. ]
But I mean it. I clearly made Azul think he couldn't trust me... but I don't want you to think that. I promise you - no matter what, I will always come back for you. You can't get rid of me that easily.
no subject
That's, well—I mean I've never had many people I could count on, hardly remember mom an' dad was hardly ever there so... you know what, don't make me spell it out.
[ He'll clear his throat a little sheepishly and finally look away. Was he opening up more than he intended or laying it on a little thick? Good question!
And maybe a good time to quickly change the subject. ]
An' anyway, don't you go worryin' about me, this was supposed to be me cheerin' you up. You didn't have to go and bring me gifts either. Is that—is that a bird thing?
no subject
[ The strangeness of it all does make her chuckle a little, and she lets go of his hand. ]
no subject
[ But he'll take a closer look at what she brought, partly for something to do with his hands while he's seemingly feeling a bit awkward. ]
I was half teasin' though. Just that Keigo always brings me treats or somethin' when I see him. I'm never sure how much that's a bird thing an' how much that's a boyfriend thing.
no subject
Oh, I didn't know you were dating a bird! Major cool, major cool. I'm not sure if they're anything like me and my world, but if they are, I could give you some tips!
no subject
Honestly? That'd be great. Actually, hang on, I think he said you've met. Mostly goes by Hawks, big red wings...?
no subject
no subject
[ He's actually pretty invested in Keigo feeling allowed to let those traits show, but the context for that isn't really his story to share.
Either way, he laughs a little sheepishly, and he'll start to bustle around actually setting up tea for the two of them. ]
no subject
If that's what he wants to call himself, I'm not gunna stop him. Birds, humans, gods, it's all different in different worlds.
no subject
[ Not that she actually needs to give him advice. It might be a little obvious that's just kind of prattling for the sake of it. Maybe he'll successfully distract her from worrying if nothing else?
He'll set out the new mugs, and sugar bowl. ]
no subject
[ Though as she finishes that sentence, she does glance off to the side. As if she did have someone in mind...? ]
no subject
[ But he tilts his head to the side a little. Maybe that was nothing, on the other hand sometimes he's nosy. ]
Somethin' else on your mind?
no subject
But there is someone if, she asked me out, I'd say yes without hesitation.
[ She chuckles, though, shaking her head. ]
Unfortunately, I don't think that's gunna happen anytime soon. Mostly because she's a stubborn meathead who's more about fighting than anything else. It's adorable and frustrating at the same time. It took her ages to even admit we were roomies!
no subject
Well... I'm not gonna pretend I know much about havin' to be the one to make a move first. I was only about uh, ninety-eight percent certain I was on a date until the guy went an' kissed me.
[ He might be exaggerating, but not by much. ]
But you could always try that. Or... challenge her to a fight? Loser buys dinner?
no subject
[ Again, she says this with clear fondness. The gal she likes is an ass-kicker and is soooo hot for that. ]
no subject
Must be pretty tough if you're admittin' you'd lose that easy. But... maybe you'd be better off with that first thing. Or just tellin' her?
[ He gives a little shrug. ]
I mean it doesn't--I know it doesn't say great when they say no, but... seems to me you never know unless ya try.
no subject
Funny, I feel like I'd be giving that same exact advice to anyone else, if our positions were reversed... so how can I say no otherwise?
no subject
[ Not that Della actually has the option to try right now. But that part probably isn't nearly as nice to focus on. ]
no subject
[ She grins and playfully winks. ]
no subject
[ Even if he got a little overwhelmed by all the affection, earlier. He still wouldn't actually complain. ]