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[That's the thing about "justice"— everyone has their own definition of the word. He isn't naïve enough to claim his way is the right way, but when the alternative is sitting back and letting good people get hurt, he has to try.
Lowering his head, Diluc shakes it.]
Some. Others don't care for the results of my efforts, like the nobility and those in power, but it isn't them I'm concerned about. It's the underrepresented that can't defend themselves that I act in the interests of.
Lowering his head, Diluc shakes it.]
Some. Others don't care for the results of my efforts, like the nobility and those in power, but it isn't them I'm concerned about. It's the underrepresented that can't defend themselves that I act in the interests of.
[That little stumble aside, Ellis is doing fine, so Diluc sees no need to stop now. He's a beginner, after all. He's bound to make some literal missteps. Diluc pulls back far enough to speak, a thin smile on his lips.]
You'll have the hang of this in no time. Are you enjoying yourself?
You'll have the hang of this in no time. Are you enjoying yourself?
[ Ellis always looks up at Diluc when he pulls back a little, because he thinks that's his cue for talking. He nods quickly, since he's enjoying it very much! thanks god. ]
[Right. His discomfort is palpable, but Diluc draws no attention to it. He seems to be restraining himself, however, so he's unfortunately solidified Diluc's attention on him. You're a strange little guy, Akechi.]
Naturally. This is an unusual circumstance we've found ourselves in, so I can't fault you for feeling out of sorts. I'd much rather not be here any longer than necessary either.
Naturally. This is an unusual circumstance we've found ourselves in, so I can't fault you for feeling out of sorts. I'd much rather not be here any longer than necessary either.
[That's a relief. He'd hoped Ellis wouldn't feel terribly embarrassed after his little fumble ealier, so he smiles a bit broader knowing he's no worse for wear.
Well then, how about a changeup? Diluc gives Ellis' hand a little squeeze to signal him.]
Would you like to lead?
Well then, how about a changeup? Diluc gives Ellis' hand a little squeeze to signal him.]
Would you like to lead?
[At the mention of escape routes, Diluc scowls a bit. He doesn't mean to, quickly smoothing it over, but to answer her question—]
Unfortunately not. It seems we're well and truly stuck here until a year has passed and the Goddess lets us go. She must be confident she can have us all married off and settled on the island before then. And I still have no intention of ceding to her demands.
Unfortunately not. It seems we're well and truly stuck here until a year has passed and the Goddess lets us go. She must be confident she can have us all married off and settled on the island before then. And I still have no intention of ceding to her demands.
[ Ellis's eyes widen. Him? Lead?! He's never been a leader for anything in his life, and while he's more comfortable with others taking the lead, he's never thought of a leadership position in any way possible.
That said... He wants to impress Diluc a little bit for reasons that he himself doesn't realize and nods anyway. He tries to mimic Diluc's dance position from earlier. He's about half right. ]
That said... He wants to impress Diluc a little bit for reasons that he himself doesn't realize and nods anyway. He tries to mimic Diluc's dance position from earlier. He's about half right. ]
I see...
[ She doesn't seem as upset by it as he is, though the prospect of marriage is still making her very uncomfortable. Still, though, she continues skating forward. ]
That's okay, then. I mean, it's not, but. At the very least, you must have made some good acquaintances out of this experience...right?
[ She doesn't seem as upset by it as he is, though the prospect of marriage is still making her very uncomfortable. Still, though, she continues skating forward. ]
That's okay, then. I mean, it's not, but. At the very least, you must have made some good acquaintances out of this experience...right?
[Please, Tartaglia, you'll make him blush. It doesn't matter how lowly he bows his head so long as he bows it, and perhaps Tartaglia expected him to laugh, celebrate his very minor victory, but he doesn't. He simply ruffles Tartaglia's hair, silent as death, before urging him back by the shoulder. It's not a particularly strong push, just enough to say we're done here.]
I can't decide whether you're simply naïve and trust I won't kill you or naïve enough to believe you'd be able to retaliate in time. You're not very bright, are you?
[But now they've both succeeded in checking off a square. He'll be using this one to reclaim his blade, thank you very much.]
I can't decide whether you're simply naïve and trust I won't kill you or naïve enough to believe you'd be able to retaliate in time. You're not very bright, are you?
[But now they've both succeeded in checking off a square. He'll be using this one to reclaim his blade, thank you very much.]
[Diluc falls into the role effortlessly, placing his hand in Ellis' and loosely draping an arm around his shoulders. There's no uncertainty or concern in Diluc, he's simply enjoying their dance.]
If you'd like, I can teach you some more involved dances once you're confident in the basics.
[He'll teach you how to tango, Ellis. There's even more bodily contact in that dance.]
If you'd like, I can teach you some more involved dances once you're confident in the basics.
[He'll teach you how to tango, Ellis. There's even more bodily contact in that dance.]
[Diluc catches up to her before long, once he's gotten his bearings, and skates beside her. He's warm, a veritable space heater, and the way she shivered earlier didn't elude his notice. This should be more comfortable for her.]
I can't disagree. I met you, after all.
[Which would be quite a bold thing to say...! if he were hitting on her, but Diluc is a gentleman. He's simply pointing out facts here.]
I can't disagree. I met you, after all.
[Which would be quite a bold thing to say...! if he were hitting on her, but Diluc is a gentleman. He's simply pointing out facts here.]
Edited 2022-12-11 21:37 (UTC)
[ Thanks, he wants to die.
He nods anyway.
Ellis tries his best to be correct in his steps and the way they move and... he's actually getting the hang of it. He's doing it! He did it!! He...
... tumbles over his feet again. ]
He nods anyway.
Ellis tries his best to be correct in his steps and the way they move and... he's actually getting the hang of it. He's doing it! He did it!! He...
... tumbles over his feet again. ]
Huh.
[ Gaku lets that sit for a moment, letting his own thoughts form as he sinks into the water enough so only his head pokes out. ]
You're not a bad guy.
[ Gaku lets that sit for a moment, letting his own thoughts form as he sinks into the water enough so only his head pokes out. ]
You're not a bad guy.
[ Help...he's so nice? And that she's exponentially warmer again when he skates at her side – oh, goodness. A man after her own heart, truly (not really). ]
Ah, I'm...I'm glad to hear that. I return the sentiment.
[ She swallows, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat. ]
Diluc...are you, by chance, extremely warm?
Ah, I'm...I'm glad to hear that. I return the sentiment.
[ She swallows, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat. ]
Diluc...are you, by chance, extremely warm?
[...Ah, he's been called out. Should he move away...?]
Unfortunately so. My... magic, for lack of a better word, [he's not explaining Visions rn] makes me run quite warm, coincidentally. If it bothers you, I'll move back.
[He's not necessarily self-conscious about being a space heater, but he's cognizant of it.]
Unfortunately so. My... magic, for lack of a better word, [he's not explaining Visions rn] makes me run quite warm, coincidentally. If it bothers you, I'll move back.
[He's not necessarily self-conscious about being a space heater, but he's cognizant of it.]
[...That's your takeaway, Gaku? Well, it's the one Diluc was hoping for, but it's nonetheless surprising enough to tug his lips into a little smile.]
So you're willing to overlook the fact that I'm a murderer, then? What a noble man you are.
[That might or might not be mildly sarcastic. It's hard to tell with Diwuc, but he appreciates Gaku nonetheless.]
So you're willing to overlook the fact that I'm a murderer, then? What a noble man you are.
[That might or might not be mildly sarcastic. It's hard to tell with Diwuc, but he appreciates Gaku nonetheless.]
[ Oh no!! Ellis immediately tries to get up and it's easy for him to do since Diluc basically cushioned this fall, but then he falls down again anyway. He sprained his ankle. Ouch. He looks concerned over to Dliuc, not sure what to do. Did that hurt?? He looks so apologetic and he's internally screaming inside. ]
[ Magic, he says... She has some history with that. A part of her panics a bit, because if he ever were to find out –
no, no. It's fine. Don't ruin a good time because you're worthless, she tells herself.
After a moment: ]
Please, there's no need to do that! Really.
no, no. It's fine. Don't ruin a good time because you're worthless, she tells herself.
After a moment: ]
Please, there's no need to do that! Really.
Edited (wHY DID I PASTE A CATL INK) 2022-12-11 22:07 (UTC)
[So: rucking. Diluc has no experience in this arena, and he was sure to mention as much to He Xuan when they agreed to work on their bingo cards together, but that shouldn't matter much in the scheme of things. A lack of experience isn't a lack of capability, and with that in mind, he meets He Xuan at the hot springs for their agreed upon venture: marking off that bathing (smut...) square.]
I don't suppose much more is necessary beyond handling this in the water.
[Unless He Xuan has a better understanding of what bathing as a kink entails... For now, Diluc's still fully dressed, staring down the hot springs. He'll undress just as soon as he knows what he's getting himself into here.]
I don't suppose much more is necessary beyond handling this in the water.
[Unless He Xuan has a better understanding of what bathing as a kink entails... For now, Diluc's still fully dressed, staring down the hot springs. He'll undress just as soon as he knows what he's getting himself into here.]
[It smarts, but he's hardly in agony down here. Ellis' failed attempts to get up only add insult to injury, but Diluc is hardly offended, making use of his strength to haul them both upright. That means holding Ellis a little, but they're on their feet again in no time.]
Don't worry. You've only just begun to learn.
[But maybe he should rethink teaching Ellis how to tango...]
Don't worry. You've only just begun to learn.
[But maybe he should rethink teaching Ellis how to tango...]
Edited 2022-12-11 22:18 (UTC)
[ She's a lot more transparent than she realizes. It makes her feel bad for troubling him, so she responds immediately: ]
It's not you, I promise.
[ She sounds sure about that, at least. ]
Sorry. I'm sorry. I just have some history. That's all.
It's not you, I promise.
[ She sounds sure about that, at least. ]
Sorry. I'm sorry. I just have some history. That's all.
[...No, he very much understands 'history' and how damning it can be, even if their pasts are no doubt starkly different from one another's. As they meander about on the ice, he hazards a suggestion.]
If you'd feel better talking about it, you ought to. I have my own share of reservations about magic and the source of this power I yield.
If you'd feel better talking about it, you ought to. I have my own share of reservations about magic and the source of this power I yield.
[ Ellis is trying so hard to just stand on one leg because the other has a sprained ankle. Diluc may be making a good decision on rethinking teaching Ellis how to tango...
But because he's only standing on one leg, he can't do the dance steps anymore. ]
But because he's only standing on one leg, he can't do the dance steps anymore. ]
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