[ She smiles a little, titling her head. Wow, he's really going for it. Bold.
But she doesn't mind. ]
Cloud is... kinda like you, actually. Really serious, kind of uptight, pretends to not be amused. He's a little awkward though, which you aren't.
[ Or maybe he is, but Aerith hasn't seen it yet? Only time will tell. ]
Zack is charming and all about being a hero. He was in this elite military unit called SOLDIER. [ A pause. ] Before I really got to know Cloud, he reminded me a lot of Zack. I saw it in the way he moved and talked, but I don't see it at all anymore. They're way too different.
[ She shrugs weakly. She has a feeling that Dainsleif is immediately going to ask more about them, so she goes ahead and adds: ]
Zack was my boyfriend for a while, but I haven't heard from him in a few years. Probably moved on to a different girl or something.
Though, maybe Dainsleif can manage to keep up that side of him a little longer, butt he doubts it. He's still a fairly awkward person in general. ]
I see. That already sounds like a sound assessment in terms of differences. I'll have to assume SOLDIER is also a protective force in your world.
[ He says, feeling like a normal conversationalist. Technically there is both simultaneously little time and time enough to ruin that, though.
But, also, he's not expecting the rest to fall out like that. Boyfriend? Was he kidnapped by the government? ...Maybe he shouldn't propose that as a potential scenario. ]
And it's unfortunate Zack's circumstances are what they are. If he really did do something like that, I hope he's been already taught a lesson.
[ Dainsleif's instincts can be good sometimes. He just doesn't even know it... ]
Considering how you are, I'm not surprised that's your perspective.
Though, I'm not saying it's bad to still care in that scenario.
[ It might just not be expected for most people to do so. After someone is hurt by someone else, there could be feelings that obscure the desire to care about them. To have the space to do so can be a strength.
Or it could be used against the person, but he has seen the results of both. ]
Maybe it's a testament to how great of a guy he is.
[ She gives him a half shrug. He really was a great guy, to his credit. ]
I mostly think that I don't wanna think about the worst case scenario. I wanna keep my hope alive, even if it's... probably pretty unreasonable. I mean, he hasn't even talked to his parents.
[ Dainsleif didn't even consider that this person could be 'great', but that is no fault of anyone else's but his own, with his distinct low trust in most individuals as a starting point.
So, he says nothing on that. But, when she talks about the rest, he thinks of a certain someone, who no longer is with the realm of the living. At this, he shakes his head. ]
...No. There is immense value in keeping hope alive, even if all signs point to the worst having occurred. Even if it looks like all is lost.
Never forget to keep it burning bright, until you have been assured that things are what they seem to be. Even if you feel it's unreasonable.
[ Dainsleif allows a little smile to crack on his face. Now it is his turn to provide something like a pleasant surprise!
He is a bit proud of himself, actually. ]
Perhaps I am reclaiming my younger years. But regardless, it's no trouble.
[ ... ]
It can be awfully difficult to hope for much with everything; I know that sounds particularly ironic, coming from me. But, maybe I find that even the optimistic people need reminders too. Or something like that.
[ Dainsleif views his goals still ultimately for himself, even if he has done good; revenge tends to be that way, but also a product of what it can do to people. At this he does seem to pause, looking thoughtful. ]
Maybe is the key word.
I can be persuaded to be, if I were gifted something incredibly valuable or granted enough monetary compensation in return. Acts of goodwill don't come cheap.
[ Said as if frankly, but his idea of a joke is a bit... ]
[ Wow, he is so similar to Cloud it makes her want to laugh. She can picture him saying something similarβ¦ or, rather, that heβd say that when they first met. The Cloud she knows now is a lot more open to the idea of helping. ]
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hjadningavig) wrote2025-08-24 07:44 pm
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But she doesn't mind. ]
Cloud is... kinda like you, actually. Really serious, kind of uptight, pretends to not be amused. He's a little awkward though, which you aren't.
[ Or maybe he is, but Aerith hasn't seen it yet? Only time will tell. ]
Zack is charming and all about being a hero. He was in this elite military unit called SOLDIER. [ A pause. ] Before I really got to know Cloud, he reminded me a lot of Zack. I saw it in the way he moved and talked, but I don't see it at all anymore. They're way too different.
[ She shrugs weakly. She has a feeling that Dainsleif is immediately going to ask more about them, so she goes ahead and adds: ]
Zack was my boyfriend for a while, but I haven't heard from him in a few years. Probably moved on to a different girl or something.
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Though, maybe Dainsleif can manage to keep up that side of him a little longer, butt he doubts it. He's still a fairly awkward person in general. ]
I see. That already sounds like a sound assessment in terms of differences. I'll have to assume SOLDIER is also a protective force in your world.
[ He says, feeling like a normal conversationalist. Technically there is both simultaneously little time and time enough to ruin that, though.
But, also, he's not expecting the rest to fall out like that. Boyfriend? Was he kidnapped by the government? ...Maybe he shouldn't propose that as a potential scenario. ]
And it's unfortunate Zack's circumstances are what they are. If he really did do something like that, I hope he's been already taught a lesson.
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She laughs. ]
Maybe he has. But you know what... if he did, I think I'd just be glad that he's okay.
[ Which she knows is weird, but she can't help it. At least she'd have some peace in her heart knowing that he's okay. ]
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Considering how you are, I'm not surprised that's your perspective.
Though, I'm not saying it's bad to still care in that scenario.
[ It might just not be expected for most people to do so. After someone is hurt by someone else, there could be feelings that obscure the desire to care about them. To have the space to do so can be a strength.
Or it could be used against the person, but he has seen the results of both. ]
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[ She gives him a half shrug. He really was a great guy, to his credit. ]
I mostly think that I don't wanna think about the worst case scenario. I wanna keep my hope alive, even if it's... probably pretty unreasonable. I mean, he hasn't even talked to his parents.
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So, he says nothing on that. But, when she talks about the rest, he thinks of a certain someone, who no longer is with the realm of the living. At this, he shakes his head. ]
...No. There is immense value in keeping hope alive, even if all signs point to the worst having occurred. Even if it looks like all is lost.
Never forget to keep it burning bright, until you have been assured that things are what they seem to be. Even if you feel it's unreasonable.
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Kinda surprising to hear you talk like that. But... thanks.
[ It means a lot to her, honestly. Keeping her hope burning bright... she'll do that. ]
The most I can do right now is try to hope for good things in general, even if it's hard with everything going on around us.
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He is a bit proud of himself, actually. ]
Perhaps I am reclaiming my younger years. But regardless, it's no trouble.
[ ... ]
It can be awfully difficult to hope for much with everything; I know that sounds particularly ironic, coming from me. But, maybe I find that even the optimistic people need reminders too. Or something like that.
So...keep it up.
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Your reminder is appreciated, probably more than you know.
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Jokes aside, his expression does ease back into his usual. Even while riding the feeling of subtle satisfaction. ]
Knowing how I am, perhaps. [ ... ] Though, even for those who are used to receiving such sentiments, it may feel difficult to register.
Particularly for those who are used to working so hard, for other people's sakes. Not that I can claim to necessarily usually be one of those.
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[ Speaking of people changing, is this how Dainsleif changes now? She's mostly kidding, though. ]
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Maybe is the key word.
I can be persuaded to be, if I were gifted something incredibly valuable or granted enough monetary compensation in return. Acts of goodwill don't come cheap.
[ Said as if frankly, but his idea of a joke is a bit... ]
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[ Wow, he is so similar to Cloud it makes her want to laugh. She can picture him saying something similarβ¦ or, rather, that heβd say that when they first met. The Cloud she knows now is a lot more open to the idea of helping. ]
I bet I could bully you into it.
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As it is, when Aerith says something like that, Dainsleif's brows raise suddenly. ]
...Oh really? And how do you think you would manage that?
[ He seems to think he isn't bullyable, even if all signs point to exactly that being kind of the case at times. ]
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Haven't thought that far yet. Maybe I'd find some way to embarrass you... find out a funny secret and use it to my advantage. That sorta thing.
[ Blackmail, in a way, but lighthearted. ]
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Well, then I doubt you'll be able to manage either. I'm not the type to speak of secrets lightly, and I hardly fluster easy.
[ Though, Dainsleif is a man of many secrets, so it isn't impossible for at least one to slip out, depending on the circumstances. Funny or otherwise.
...As for embarrassing him, well, he may see himself as truly difficult for anyone to manage such, whether or not this is true. ]
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[ A guy like Dainsleif has got to fluster easily once someone figures out the secret formula to it, she's certain. ]
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...Is that what you believe?
Then, I shall wish you luck, as you will certainly need it.
[ Dainsleif, even with his track record, still manages to sound confident enough for this, at the least. ]
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[ Heh!!! Just going to turn it back around on him. ]