[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
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.]