[He laughs openly, ducking his head slightly and raising an arm as if to defend himself, but effectively does nothing to stop her assault. It's earned— to a degree.]
I hardly meant it to be rude. It's a trait we happen to share, if you'll recall, but I—
[He catches himself for a moment, clearing his throat before his smile turns just a touch sheepish, his mannerisms bright and boyish once more, but not so much that he averts his gaze. In fact, it remains fixed on her, fond.]
[This is... No, it's not bad, but in light of everything that's happened, Gale's remark has her on a different type of edge. There are times she doesn't notice or rather, chooses not to notice signs. Berna nas teased her for not immediately comprehending when anyone finds her pleasing despite or even because of her difficult traits.
Amelia wants to dismiss it.
But Gale's smile, the friendliness in his eyes that has been gained by her willingness to not turn away is making it harder.
She glances in the other direction.]
I thought that would have been the first warning sign that would give you pause, Gale.
Perhaps if I were a simpler sort of person, it might have been.
[He is many things, he knows, both good and ill, but he is not that. He watches her avert her gaze, and carefully tries to discern if it's because the affection is unwelcome, or if it's simply the result of her not being terribly used to letting people close to her. Even friendship, she'd told him, was a rarity.
He takes care to let his next statement remain somewhat more neutral, though the warmth hasn't left him.]
I think we've both proven that we're the sort of people who like a good challenge. Stubborn to the last. An unchallenged mind quickly grows quite dull.
[A whole year of isolation... She can understand that more than he realizes. In the years following her release from the Witch King, she too kept to herself only viewing people from afar to study the changing times and customs.
This isn't the time to bring that up. In fact, she hasn't shared much of herself at all while Gale had been more than willing to be vulnerable to her.]
... Thank you though. For telling me and showing me your burdens.
[He wouldn't have told her if he hadn't treasured their burgeoning relationship and if he didn't implicitly trust her to not say a word to anyone else. The significance of this is illuminating and humbling. Intimidating, especially in light of how she's kept so much to herself except for that memory fragment in the Vale.]
Even after all that happened and what you're expected to do, you've been very trusting. I haven't done much to earn that but I'm glad you consider me worthy of it.
That's reason enough for me. It may come as a surprise to you, but I've not had terribly many friends, either— at least not lately. Things were different in school, but afterwards, I became so consumed by my work, my ambitions... besides.
[He laughs softly, raising a hand to tap his finger against his temple.]
I like to think I have a good sense about people. I trust you.
It's a simple but profound decoration, enough to knock her out. She bows her head so that her hair drapes and covers the sides of her face so that he can't possibly see how red her face is turning.]
I don't—
["I don't deserve it," she wants to protest but she stops herself and just brings her knees to her chest to rest her forehead on them.
[His smile fades quickly as she turns away and ducks her head; even during the pocky incident, he doesn't recall her doing anything quite like this, though he's sure the fire of competition had something to do with it then.]
I apologize.
[His voice softens, though there's an uncertain note to his voice as he wonders just what it was he'd said that had struck poorly.]
[Her head moves up again and when she looks at the wizard... It's just unmistakably blushing. She quickly moves one hand up to cover some of her face, but it's no use.]
You didn't do anything. I just don't...
[Words are failing her. Her heart is beating. Amelia knows and is immensely touched by this amount of trust from Gale and it's even more overwhelming than any orb of destructive magic.]
Not what he expected, but he feels his own face color slightly in turn.]
I'm beginning to think you're not used to being offered your due of compliments. This, however, is simply the truth. In bits and pieces, you've seen some of the worst of me.
[The orb, the circumstances leading to it making its home within him, that memory in the Vale, even his pettiness at book club.]
Even so, you're still here, offering me your aid and understanding. If that is not worthy of trust, what is?
[One way or another, Amelia manages to calm down. Her hands busy themselves with her hair and what's left is a very awkward silence. It's just been so much and for a person who prides herself in thinking and acting quickly, she's so easily reduced to an insecure and embarrassed woman by this wizard.
Her behavior is puzzling and odd, she knows. And it's because of this and because of everything Gale's entrusted to her, she decides to share something that's like an explanation. ]
... My own teacher was... Well, he isn't human for one. I spent many years with him so I gradually became accustomed to his way with words. They weren't the most sincere.
I hope that might explain a few things about myself.
[He listens, giving a solemn nod as she offers her cautious explanation. So far, he has yet to ask her much about her life back home beyond what was on the surface— curious a creature though he is, when it comes to people's personal lives, he much prefers to let them open up and offer what they will in their own time. Not everyone is so forthcoming as him, and even taking that into consideration, it wasn't so long ago that he had been keeping a great deal about himself quite private until the time was right.
He has no interest in rushing Amelia along, but he is grateful to accept what she offers.]
I believe it does.
['Not human' could mean many things, just as it could back home, but from what little he does know about where she comes from, it still offers a bit of perspective.]
I, on the other hand, rarely say things I don't mean. I can see how that might be a bit much, when you're not used to someone so— genuine.
[Back in the Vale, Amelia had told Gale before the reveal of her memory fragment that she had nothing to hide. It's less so that and more that she had everything to hold onto. Most witches and psychics were aware she was the singular student of the Witch King. Some even understood that it wasn't a desirable position to be in. Even fewer people understood what it was like for those four decades.
She isn't like Gale who has opened up to her in a rather major way. She doesn't trust easily and is guarded when it comes to matters of the heart. To share anything about herself felt pointless, a cry for help when help was long past due. Amelia wants to maintain a veneer of stoicism.
It's served her well in a world of mysterious and finicky beings, self-interested magickind, and ambitious espers. Amelia hadn't expected much to change with a vacation but she's been proven wrong so early on. Through her own actions and interactions, something has slowly been changing within her. It's not immediate but it's there, like a seed sown in her heart the moment she checked in.
Amelia stands ups.]
Either way... I'm glad you trust me. I think you at least deserve a definitive promise on my end though.
[Both of her hands are held out to Gale, offering to help him stand up.]
For instance, I promise that I won't be going around telling anyone about what ails you. Past and present.
[He takes the offered hands, closing his own around them and taking care not to put too much of the burden on her as he gets to his feet— the assistance is certainly appreciated, going a long way to help him maintain his balance, and admittedly, he feels weaker than he would like. Here, further from Mystra's reach, the discomfort the orb has always caused him remains persistent as ever, though it's only now that he realizes it has, perhaps, grown moreso in the time he's been away. A gradual change, but change nonetheless.]
I have no doubt you'll be the soul of discretion. I would hate to cause anyone alarm.
[Once more, he is all warmth, his smile genuine despite the painful display he'd given her only a few short minutes before. Even with the nagging discomfort that he's sure will follow for awhile yet, it is difficult to dwell on the ever-present burden when he still feels so deeply touched by the offer she had made.
Back on his feet in full, his hold on her hands remains, lingering.]
Even if a solution cannot be found... I do want you to know that it means a great deal to me that you offered. I have exhausted my resources in Faerun, trying to find a way to undo what I've done. I accept the consequences of my actions, but that you want to help me— that, I will not forget, regardless of the result.
[Amelia doesn't let go of Gale's hands as he stands up until she gives them a reassuring squeeze and draws back. His warm and genuine smile does something strange to her, making her heart twist. She bites her lower lip and casts her gaze down again.
She shouldn't be projecting.]
I'll see what I can do. After all that you told me, I have to at least try.
[And lord knows, that Amelia is good at trying and trying, and surviving despite it all.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
When Gale makes mention of her being competitive over that, well.
She suddenly reaches over to ruffle and muss up his hair in retaliation.]
Don't be rude.
no subject
I hardly meant it to be rude. It's a trait we happen to share, if you'll recall, but I—
[He catches himself for a moment, clearing his throat before his smile turns just a touch sheepish, his mannerisms bright and boyish once more, but not so much that he averts his gaze. In fact, it remains fixed on her, fond.]
Actually, I found it to be quite charming.
no subject
Amelia wants to dismiss it.
But Gale's smile, the friendliness in his eyes that has been gained by her willingness to not turn away is making it harder.
She glances in the other direction.]
I thought that would have been the first warning sign that would give you pause, Gale.
no subject
[He is many things, he knows, both good and ill, but he is not that. He watches her avert her gaze, and carefully tries to discern if it's because the affection is unwelcome, or if it's simply the result of her not being terribly used to letting people close to her. Even friendship, she'd told him, was a rarity.
He takes care to let his next statement remain somewhat more neutral, though the warmth hasn't left him.]
I think we've both proven that we're the sort of people who like a good challenge. Stubborn to the last. An unchallenged mind quickly grows quite dull.
no subject
Mm. True.
As I have learned during this visitation, you are extremely and overly complex. No wonder you needed a vacation.
[got'im]
no subject
Far moreso than I've been willing to admit, to others or myself. It's been a welcome reprieve, for a number of reasons.
[Yes, yes, she got'im.]
A year of self-imposed isolation didn't quite fit the bill. This place has room service, at the very least.
no subject
This isn't the time to bring that up. In fact, she hasn't shared much of herself at all while Gale had been more than willing to be vulnerable to her.]
... Thank you though. For telling me and showing me your burdens.
[He wouldn't have told her if he hadn't treasured their burgeoning relationship and if he didn't implicitly trust her to not say a word to anyone else. The significance of this is illuminating and humbling. Intimidating, especially in light of how she's kept so much to herself except for that memory fragment in the Vale.]
Even after all that happened and what you're expected to do, you've been very trusting. I haven't done much to earn that but I'm glad you consider me worthy of it.
no subject
[He answers her easily, matter-of-fact.]
That's reason enough for me. It may come as a surprise to you, but I've not had terribly many friends, either— at least not lately. Things were different in school, but afterwards, I became so consumed by my work, my ambitions... besides.
[He laughs softly, raising a hand to tap his finger against his temple.]
I like to think I have a good sense about people. I trust you.
no subject
It's a simple but profound decoration, enough to knock her out. She bows her head so that her hair drapes and covers the sides of her face so that he can't possibly see how red her face is turning.]
I don't—
["I don't deserve it," she wants to protest but she stops herself and just brings her knees to her chest to rest her forehead on them.
Why is she so bad at this?]
That's too much.
no subject
I apologize.
[His voice softens, though there's an uncertain note to his voice as he wonders just what it was he'd said that had struck poorly.]
I... I overstepped.
no subject
[Her head moves up again and when she looks at the wizard... It's just unmistakably blushing. She quickly moves one hand up to cover some of her face, but it's no use.]
You didn't do anything. I just don't...
[Words are failing her. Her heart is beating. Amelia knows and is immensely touched by this amount of trust from Gale and it's even more overwhelming than any orb of destructive magic.]
no subject
Not what he expected, but he feels his own face color slightly in turn.]
I'm beginning to think you're not used to being offered your due of compliments. This, however, is simply the truth. In bits and pieces, you've seen some of the worst of me.
[The orb, the circumstances leading to it making its home within him, that memory in the Vale, even his pettiness at book club.]
Even so, you're still here, offering me your aid and understanding. If that is not worthy of trust, what is?
no subject
Her behavior is puzzling and odd, she knows. And it's because of this and because of everything Gale's entrusted to her, she decides to share something that's like an explanation. ]
... My own teacher was... Well, he isn't human for one. I spent many years with him so I gradually became accustomed to his way with words. They weren't the most sincere.
I hope that might explain a few things about myself.
no subject
He has no interest in rushing Amelia along, but he is grateful to accept what she offers.]
I believe it does.
['Not human' could mean many things, just as it could back home, but from what little he does know about where she comes from, it still offers a bit of perspective.]
I, on the other hand, rarely say things I don't mean. I can see how that might be a bit much, when you're not used to someone so— genuine.
no subject
She isn't like Gale who has opened up to her in a rather major way. She doesn't trust easily and is guarded when it comes to matters of the heart. To share anything about herself felt pointless, a cry for help when help was long past due. Amelia wants to maintain a veneer of stoicism.
It's served her well in a world of mysterious and finicky beings, self-interested magickind, and ambitious espers. Amelia hadn't expected much to change with a vacation but she's been proven wrong so early on. Through her own actions and interactions, something has slowly been changing within her. It's not immediate but it's there, like a seed sown in her heart the moment she checked in.
Amelia stands ups.]
Either way... I'm glad you trust me. I think you at least deserve a definitive promise on my end though.
[Both of her hands are held out to Gale, offering to help him stand up.]
For instance, I promise that I won't be going around telling anyone about what ails you. Past and present.
no subject
I have no doubt you'll be the soul of discretion. I would hate to cause anyone alarm.
[Once more, he is all warmth, his smile genuine despite the painful display he'd given her only a few short minutes before. Even with the nagging discomfort that he's sure will follow for awhile yet, it is difficult to dwell on the ever-present burden when he still feels so deeply touched by the offer she had made.
Back on his feet in full, his hold on her hands remains, lingering.]
Even if a solution cannot be found... I do want you to know that it means a great deal to me that you offered. I have exhausted my resources in Faerun, trying to find a way to undo what I've done. I accept the consequences of my actions, but that you want to help me— that, I will not forget, regardless of the result.
no subject
She shouldn't be projecting.]
I'll see what I can do. After all that you told me, I have to at least try.
[And lord knows, that Amelia is good at trying and trying, and surviving despite it all.]