[ Monts crosses her arms and looks at him right in the eye. ]
How old are you?
[ She might have asked him this before; it's one of those things that have probably happened, but brushed it off when there was no real answer given. ]
I'm asking because... Well. From the sound of it, you've been...
[ Her voice trails off and her eyes glance to the side as if trying to choose the right phrase that won't make him avoid giving her a solid answer. ]
Well. We're both difficult to deal with. We have that much in common.
[ ...ah. he can’t say he wasn’t expecting something he wouldn’t want to answer - considering just about everything ever falls under that umbrella. but as far as questions went, that was not the worst she could have leveled.
opened up the can of worms rather throughly, though, didn’t it? he’s frowning, softly, as he scratches absently into silver hair. well... ]
I’m not sure how much weight you should give what that person said, Miss Monts.
[ because that’s why she’s asking, right? because of what that creature said.
...this, is... less than ideal. he wants so badly to ask things of her after the proverbial hornets nest had been stirred up by those premonitions. if he avoids openness, it isn’t like he can’t see it’ll seem hypocritical, distrustful, even if that’s not his intention at all.
...irritating. ]
This place... it likes to rattle our cages. Feed on fears or worries. I’m sure that’s all this was, but...
[ but she had taken it to heart, hadn’t she. and that was quite worrying for the message it conveyed. ]
—Didn’t you know it’s rude to ask a lady her age...?! Goodness, you really need a lesson in manners, Miss M... Monts, ow—
[ .......
he’s rubbing his face with a glower, leaning away to protect his face from further abuse. don’t bully him!!!! stoppppp, he’s baby, he’s fragile, he’s SENSITIVE!!!
...but he’s looking a little admonished, sheepish... and after a hesitation, ]
I’m... [ mmmph... he starts - hesitates again, and starts over. ] Please don’t say that. I don’t want to lie to you, of course... Or hide things, or make you feel like I don’t trust you. ...I really mean that.
[ ‘but,’
as there is always a but, huh? but, he feels no good could come from answering the question. even so... maybe failing to answer is an answer in and of itself and just as telling. so... ]
[ Abel’s regarding her for just a moment, as if internally debating something - before inevitably, his shoulders deflate just a bit. ]
Old enough to regret having to talk about it, but not so old that I’m wise enough to make up for it, I suppose. —Please don’t make a crack about the hair; I promise, I was born this way, alright...?
[ an awkward fidget, before he glances sidelong at her - trying to gauge whether or not she’d be irate with his not entirely forthcoming response. this... even just this, was so impossibly hard to justify to his guilty conscience—
so he’s rapidly following up with his inquiry, before the disquiet can linger. ]
...You knew what she was talking about? Something in your future. Ah, it just... it looked like it struck a chord in you, and...
[ There's a surprising amount of understanding in her eyes when he answers her. He didn't give her an exact number, but knowing that there are people who are centuries old (i.e. Oren and Rokuro, and all witches that weren't Iona), she can make a good guess that it's more than his outward appearance suggests.
She doesn't pursue it any further; all she does is listen, waiting for him to finish and present his question to her. ]
... I don't know.
[ There's honesty in the way she responds. ]
I was in trouble before, but then I got out of it. Or rather, I was stopped.
[ Reversed Tower; disaster avoided, but the inevitable delayed. ]
As I am now, I think it's safe to say... I can live a normal life if I tried.
Abel is paying particular attention to the choice in wording. ‘stopped,’ rather than a situation naturally resolved. ‘if she tried,’ rather than actively trying. ]
Well, so far so good? Besides working at a magical cafe, but I think I'm doing a good job of normal.
[ She starts to walk towards the rides, gesturing to Abel to follow her so they can just talk while they walk. Just to keep it leisurely. ]
You wouldn't know it looking at me and talking with me, but I like math. Not in a totally nerdy overinvested way where numbers are everything, but I can see myself being an accountant. That's not weird is it?
[ well. the answer seems honest, even if isn't precisely the one he'd wanted to hear. she isn't sure what she wants - doesn't know what future she's aiming towards. but, she is young, isn't she? that sort of thing isn't precisely abnormal, even if Monts' circumstances might not be. ]
Then there's time to figure it out, right? Maybe... stepping outside your comfort zone might help a little, too. Though sometimes it's nice to rest a little, stop and smell the roses while you can.
Well... The thing is, I never had a comfort zone until I started working at the cafe. I mentioned it before, but I acted out and was rebellious in different ways so that... I mean, you know. When you lack sensation, you feel more invincible than most.
[ She didn't have inner peace, not like the one she has now. ]
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no subject
How old are you?
[ She might have asked him this before; it's one of those things that have probably happened, but brushed it off when there was no real answer given. ]
I'm asking because... Well. From the sound of it, you've been...
[ Her voice trails off and her eyes glance to the side as if trying to choose the right phrase that won't make him avoid giving her a solid answer. ]
Well. We're both difficult to deal with. We have that much in common.
no subject
opened up the can of worms rather throughly, though, didn’t it? he’s frowning, softly, as he scratches absently into silver hair. well... ]
I’m not sure how much weight you should give what that person said, Miss Monts.
[ because that’s why she’s asking, right? because of what that creature said.
...this, is... less than ideal. he wants so badly to ask things of her after the proverbial hornets nest had been stirred up by those premonitions. if he avoids openness, it isn’t like he can’t see it’ll seem hypocritical, distrustful, even if that’s not his intention at all.
...irritating. ]
This place... it likes to rattle our cages. Feed on fears or worries. I’m sure that’s all this was, but...
[ but she had taken it to heart, hadn’t she. and that was quite worrying for the message it conveyed. ]
no subject
...
...
[ And suddenly, she reaches up to pinch Abel's nose. ]
no subject
H-Hey...!! OW!! Wh... what is THAT for?!
no subject
I don't like liars or people who can't give me a straightforward answer Father.
no subject
[ .......
he’s rubbing his face with a glower, leaning away to protect his face from further abuse. don’t bully him!!!! stoppppp, he’s baby, he’s fragile, he’s SENSITIVE!!!
...but he’s looking a little admonished, sheepish... and after a hesitation, ]
I’m... [ mmmph... he starts - hesitates again, and starts over. ] Please don’t say that. I don’t want to lie to you, of course... Or hide things, or make you feel like I don’t trust you. ...I really mean that.
[ ‘but,’
as there is always a but, huh? but, he feels no good could come from answering the question. even so... maybe failing to answer is an answer in and of itself and just as telling. so... ]
...If I answer, can I ask you something, too?
no subject
Go ahead. I think it's only fair if you do.
I'll try to be honest this time too.
no subject
Old enough to regret having to talk about it, but not so old that I’m wise enough to make up for it, I suppose. —Please don’t make a crack about the hair; I promise, I was born this way, alright...?
[ an awkward fidget, before he glances sidelong at her - trying to gauge whether or not she’d be irate with his not entirely forthcoming response. this... even just this, was so impossibly hard to justify to his guilty conscience—
so he’s rapidly following up with his inquiry, before the disquiet can linger. ]
...You knew what she was talking about? Something in your future. Ah, it just... it looked like it struck a chord in you, and...
[ ‘and I’m worried.’ ]
Are you... in trouble?
no subject
She doesn't pursue it any further; all she does is listen, waiting for him to finish and present his question to her. ]
... I don't know.
[ There's honesty in the way she responds. ]
I was in trouble before, but then I got out of it. Or rather, I was stopped.
[ Reversed Tower; disaster avoided, but the inevitable delayed. ]
As I am now, I think it's safe to say... I can live a normal life if I tried.
no subject
Abel is paying particular attention to the choice in wording. ‘stopped,’ rather than a situation naturally resolved. ‘if she tried,’ rather than actively trying. ]
And... do you?
[ ... ]
Want to live a normal life.
no subject
[ She starts to walk towards the rides, gesturing to Abel to follow her so they can just talk while they walk. Just to keep it leisurely. ]
You wouldn't know it looking at me and talking with me, but I like math. Not in a totally nerdy overinvested way where numbers are everything, but I can see myself being an accountant. That's not weird is it?
no subject
[ the question is thoughtful as he falls into step alongside her, not accusatory. he wonders if she even notices it, herself. ]
What you want, and what you see yourself doing... what you are doing might be different, right?
[ ...what does she want? ]
no subject
[ That much is clear as of now. ]
I do know there are things that I can do and maybe I'm just in a comfortable set of circumstances right now. Could be a lot worse.
no subject
Then there's time to figure it out, right? Maybe... stepping outside your comfort zone might help a little, too. Though sometimes it's nice to rest a little, stop and smell the roses while you can.
no subject
[ She didn't have inner peace, not like the one she has now. ]