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[glub]

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[untrusted]

[ what is he so smug for... she gives him a look that tells him she thinks he's annoying without having to thoughtshare it at him. ]

I'll ignore your weak jests next time. Lie down.

[glub]

[ damn, message received...

he does settle down and his expression does even out. ]

You're so bossy. [ but, in spite of his "complaints," he does lay back.

... and it feels oddly good. ]

[untrusted]

I'm allowed to be.

[ says who? ]

[glub]

Can anyone veto it?

[ turning to look at her. :) ]

[untrusted]

You'll have to give me something for the chance to veto.

[ she meets his gaze with a smile. does he want to make a deal? even as a joke? :) ]

[glub]

[ digging in his pocket and he pulls out...

one seashell. ]

[untrusted]

[ that makes her laugh a little. ]

Tell me how that's worth what I would give you.

[glub]

They're considered the ocean's treasure.

[ ... ] And it's a piece of home. Think it's valuable enough to change your mind for an hour or two, yeah?

[untrusted]

[ after a moment, she holds out her hand. ]

I'll agree to these terms.

[ she doesn't have a connection to home like he seems to, but if he went so far as to phrase it like that... ]

One time veto.

[glub]

[ he places the seashell carefully in the palm of her hand, holding the back of her hand lightly as he does. ]

You're so generous today. Looks like I'm also pretty lucky.

[ a smile though as he settles into one of the pillows. ]

But, I wasn't lying. They say seashells serve a variety of purposes. Including, celebrations, decorative pieces, and even consolation to those who are grieving. So make sure to take good care of it.

[untrusted]

[ being so cozy and comfortable among all the pillows does have her in a better mood to be gracious. she curls her fingers around the seashell once it's placed in her hand. ]

I didn't think you were lying. [ a beat. ] At least, you seem more sincere when it comes to anything that has ties to the sea.

[glub]

Is that how you see me?

[ maybe it's the atmosphere here, but he doesn't stray very far. leaning close to her as if to study her expression. ] Then in what moments are you the most sincere, I wonder?

[untrusted]

You can tell me if I'm wrong.

[ she doesn't move away, and she doesn't shy away from being examined. ]

I'll leave you to form your own conclusions. You've seen enough of my memories.

[glub]

No, you're right. I won't refute that.

[ her confidence even in the face of a stranger assessing her probably speaks volumes not just to her composure, but to her experiences. he gives a small smile. ]

Then, maybe... in times where you're not around so many eyes?

[ in moments where she may not have had to be so guarded... ]

[untrusted]

[ she returns the small smile. ]

Sharing if I care in front of others is fatal.

[ but is it an act or insincere if that's become who she is? ]

[glub]

It is. Care can easily be mistaken for weakness.

[ he creates a small flame at the tip of his fingers and blows it in her direction... because he's annoying. but it is warm and illuminates the space around them for a second. ]

Though, you can also use their misunderstandings to your advantage.

[untrusted]

[ her eyes widen slightly before she forces her composure back. the warmth is nice even if he's being annoying. ]

I have feigned affections before. People were so quick to believe I was a seductress.

[glub]

They say people are more susceptible to believing what they want to believe.

[ ... ]

What circumstances would need you to fake them?

[untrusted]

Hmm... I wonder. What do you think? Maybe I wanted people to feel guilty for thinking the worst of me, or maybe I wanted someone to feel betrayed by someone they thought loved them, or maybe it was a way to distract people from noticing something...

Or maybe I needed to cultivate loyalty. Or maybe I wanted to mask what I was truly feeling.