You can tell me no, but... [she hesitates, gathering her courage. It's stupid to be nervous about something like this, but she did preface it by saying it was something stupid.]
...Could you... give me a hug...? I don't... mean to be weird, but...
[ He takes a step back from the railing to face her fully, and wraps an arms around her, pulling her in and resting his chin on her shoulder. Once she's settled he wraps the other arm around her, holding her quietly. ]
[ What's on his mind right now? Wondering what's scared her. But she also said she doesn't want to think about it. So he spends a moment glancing around the deck until another thought occurs to him, his eyes settling out on the water. ]
[She hums a few notes, a soft melody against his shoulder.]
I hope it stays that way... don't moments like this seem like they're right out of a fairytale? I never imagined the stars could reflect off the water like this.
[A pause, then she huffs a laugh.] I guess that's why they call it the Sea of Fallen Stars, huh? A lot more poetic than "the Pacific Ocean."
[Kaede had rather been hoping they could leave that part of the mission to the Royal Guard, hence her mission with Ferran to try to use an auction-house bust to restore faith in them.]
You'll just have to save your swashbuckling pirate-fighting for after we find Dobhar-chu's family.
[ If there was ever a neon sign flashing "don't go running at them with your sword" out there it's plastered right on top of Captain Ferryn, relic wielder. ]
[ Hmmm. He needs to think on this. They're both bards so they mostly have the same spells and abilities, but they're also very different people. She's a bit like a foil, happy and energetic and openly loving where he's melancholy and tired and keeps to himself. They aren't necessarily glued to each other but they have spent a lot of time in each other's presence and been on their own little adventures. And he's promised to protect her. They're pretty close, he thinks. It all adds up to... ]
[Well, that certainly wasn't the answer she was expecting, but she doesn't sound displeased. If anything, she sounds kind of flattered. Both hands go to her cheeks as if in an attempt to contain her smile.]
Yeah! I'll support you no matter what, Mister Hero! We're an unstoppable team together.
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[It's a little closer to correct this time, and she can't help but laugh softly, turning to hide her face against his shoulder.]
I really hope we can find his family.
...Can I ask something stupid?
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Sure.
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You can tell me no, but... [she hesitates, gathering her courage. It's stupid to be nervous about something like this, but she did preface it by saying it was something stupid.]
...Could you... give me a hug...? I don't... mean to be weird, but...
[She really wants one.]
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[ He takes a step back from the railing to face her fully, and wraps an arms around her, pulling her in and resting his chin on her shoulder. Once she's settled he wraps the other arm around her, holding her quietly. ]
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[She almost didn't expect him to just do it! Even though she did ask, and he rarely says no to anything she asks.
But he does, and she wraps her arms tightly around him and rests the side of her head against his with a soft sigh.]
S-Sorry... thanks.
[Her fingers dig gently into his back as she takes a breath.]
What... do you think about when you can't sleep, Arisato-kun?
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> Whatever crosses my mind. ]
Friends. Music. Annoyances. Stories... Whatever crosses my mind.
[ He doesn't usually focus on one particular thing. Just spaces out until he's asleep or too frustrated with laying down. ]
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Definitely picked the right dialogue option though.]
...Can you tell me about some of it? Whatever you're thinking about.
I just... want to think about something else for a little bit.
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... The sea is calm tonight.
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[She hums a few notes, a soft melody against his shoulder.]
I hope it stays that way... don't moments like this seem like they're right out of a fairytale? I never imagined the stars could reflect off the water like this.
[A pause, then she huffs a laugh.] I guess that's why they call it the Sea of Fallen Stars, huh? A lot more poetic than "the Pacific Ocean."
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Hm... We need a swashbuckling hero.
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His words make Kaede laugh, though, a quiet, genuine laugh.]
We already have a swashbuckling hero on board, don't we?
[She draws back from the hug, just a few steps, and with one outstretched finger boops his nose.]
Found him!
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Hey! He blinks at the boop. He may have a sword, but... ]
I'll have to fight pirates.
[ That's what swashbucklers do, right? He's pretty sure that's in their job description. ]
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[Kaede had rather been hoping they could leave that part of the mission to the Royal Guard, hence her mission with Ferran to try to use an auction-house bust to restore faith in them.]
You'll just have to save your swashbuckling pirate-fighting for after we find Dobhar-chu's family.
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[ If there was ever a neon sign flashing "don't go running at them with your sword" out there it's plastered right on top of Captain Ferryn, relic wielder. ]
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[With a Relic like that, it seems inevitable somebody will get hurt. It's not like a ball of yarn, or a pair of mittens. It's a sword.
She pokes his nose again, trying for a smile. Is she trying to make him smile or herself? Yes.]
You'd just better make sure you don't bust up your new violin, got it?
[And also himself. That's way more important.]
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Nods. Got it. ]
I'll protect the violin.
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[She lets out a pouting whine, setting her hands on her hips.
The lilt to the whine implies And...??]
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... Right! He's supposed to be a swashbuckling hero. ]
And you.
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[Rebuttal! She tries to smack the side of his head to make sure she has his full attention.]
Protect the violin by protecting yourself, dummy!
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Right. Will do.
[ He's not looking to go out and get injured or die again, but he doesn't feel particularly beholden to this promise he's making either. ]
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[She pouts again, but doesn't have any reason to doubt him.
Instead, after holding the pout for a few seconds longer, she finally sighs and gives him a smile.]
Still, it's nice that your first thought was to protect me. You really are a swashbuckling hero, huh?
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[He's the kind of hero who's the strong, silent type, she's certain of it. She could never be like that!]
So if you're the hero, what do I get to be in this fairytale?
[She clasps her hands behind her back and leans back on her heels in anticipation. Tell her, tell her!]
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... My sidekick.
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[Well, that certainly wasn't the answer she was expecting, but she doesn't sound displeased. If anything, she sounds kind of flattered. Both hands go to her cheeks as if in an attempt to contain her smile.]
Yeah! I'll support you no matter what, Mister Hero! We're an unstoppable team together.
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