He makes an awkward noise that can't even be properly called a stammer, more an aborted reply turned into a bewildered exhale. ]
It's Alistair. [ Clearly. He's lost his footing. He says, ] I'm avoiding you, [ which is not what he meant to say. Not all of what he meant to say. But he needs a second. ]
Anytime, [ Alistair says before he can stop himself, because snappy flippancy is easy and makes him feel less stumbly. But he's quick to correct. ] I meant—I'm avoiding you so you don't have to talk to me, but I don't want to. Not for my sake. I don't want you to think that I don't want to talk to you anymore. That's all.
[ She can't help herself--a quiet laugh escapes her lips, equal parts amused and exasperated. Really, Alistair. That's what he was trying to say? Really?? ]
You're ridiculous. Do you plan out how to word something the worst way possible, or is it a natural talent?
[ She could keep being distant. Say something hurtful, she had a better idea how to aim low on him than most others. But...if pressed, she'd admit that she's getting tired of being resentful, and sullen. And that she doesn't really want to hurt him. And worst of all: she misses him. ]
[ His answer to the first bit is a sheepish heh, which means: natural talent, perfected through years of accidental practice. ]
Of course I do. It's probably hard to believe, with how -- [ he skips handsome ] -- graceful and well-mannered and charming I am, but I don't make friends very easily. Not real ones.
[ She's glad this is over sending crystal, so she doesn't have to hide from him just how flustered she is right now. Creators, he really was stupidly charming and honestly that should be illegal?? ]
You should try announcing to them that you're avoiding them.
[ A short pause, as she wrestles with her Dalish Pride™. ]
...I, ah. I miss talking to you. Too. I even miss your jokes.
I don't want to... Someone dumped me once, and I had to keep working with her and she kept asking if I was all right, and it was, ah. I was younger then. And drunker, usually. But it wasn't fun. I'd rank it somewhere between being imprisoned in my smalls and trying to have a conversation with Nathaniel, on that scale. So—talk to me when you want to? And we can joke about it or we can pretend it never happened, whichever you'd like best.
[ She's been working on the drunker part, but she doesn't mention that. Cade's already got it covered anyway, apparently, because he's a TATTLETALE.
She makes a quiet, thoughtful noise. Pretending it never happened--it sounds both preferable, and very difficult. She'd spent so much time trying to reach out to him in a way that she rarely had to anyone else, trying to build up that relationship--but it wasn't a relationship that he wanted. And she couldn't reach out like that anymore. ]
I haven't been imprisoned or talked to Nathaniel, so.
I wouldn't mind talking. Um--To you. Not Nathaniel. Not that I dislike him, he's just--He's very stern-looking. And he's mean to you.
[ He is occasionally so bad. But the meaner he is the more Alistair makes sure he deserves it. A vicious cycle. ]
All right. Talk to me, then? When you want. And I'll stop running the other way every time I see you. [ Not that he has literally done that. Or only occasionally literally. ]
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arlathvhen) wrote2015-02-18 01:05 am
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He makes an awkward noise that can't even be properly called a stammer, more an aborted reply turned into a bewildered exhale. ]
It's Alistair. [ Clearly. He's lost his footing. He says, ] I'm avoiding you, [ which is not what he meant to say. Not all of what he meant to say. But he needs a second. ]
no subject
Well. It's very thoughtful of you to make sure that I'm not under the impression it's been circumstantial. I appreciate the candor.
[ She doesn't appreciate the candor. ]
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no subject
You're ridiculous. Do you plan out how to word something the worst way possible, or is it a natural talent?
[ She could keep being distant. Say something hurtful, she had a better idea how to aim low on him than most others. But...if pressed, she'd admit that she's getting tired of being resentful, and sullen. And that she doesn't really want to hurt him. And worst of all: she misses him. ]
...Do you really miss talking to me?
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Of course I do. It's probably hard to believe, with how -- [ he skips handsome ] -- graceful and well-mannered and charming I am, but I don't make friends very easily. Not real ones.
no subject
You should try announcing to them that you're avoiding them.
[ A short pause, as she wrestles with her Dalish Pride™. ]
...I, ah. I miss talking to you. Too. I even miss your jokes.
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[ Ow. But he sounds pleased more than anything. ]
I don't want to... Someone dumped me once, and I had to keep working with her and she kept asking if I was all right, and it was, ah. I was younger then. And drunker, usually. But it wasn't fun. I'd rank it somewhere between being imprisoned in my smalls and trying to have a conversation with Nathaniel, on that scale. So—talk to me when you want to? And we can joke about it or we can pretend it never happened, whichever you'd like best.
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She makes a quiet, thoughtful noise. Pretending it never happened--it sounds both preferable, and very difficult. She'd spent so much time trying to reach out to him in a way that she rarely had to anyone else, trying to build up that relationship--but it wasn't a relationship that he wanted. And she couldn't reach out like that anymore. ]
I haven't been imprisoned or talked to Nathaniel, so.
I wouldn't mind talking. Um--To you. Not Nathaniel. Not that I dislike him, he's just--He's very stern-looking. And he's mean to you.
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[ He is occasionally so bad. But the meaner he is the more Alistair makes sure he deserves it. A vicious cycle. ]
All right. Talk to me, then? When you want. And I'll stop running the other way every time I see you. [ Not that he has literally done that. Or only occasionally literally. ]
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[ Said as dryly as possible. ]
Very well, then. I'll try talking to you later, if you don't run.