Why does she have the urge to have her hand meet with his stupid face, at very high velocity? That's just so unhealthy, to pretend being a far worse person than you actually are! She knows because that's what she used to do all the time. And that's still what she does every now and then. ]
I will.
[ But she can't let it entirely go, right? She has to say something. Not something that will make him angry or put in a corner, no no. A gentle advice. If only she was more eloquent... She ponders for a few seconds. ]
You're hurting yourself a lot more than anyone else when you speak like that, you know? [She smiles, a bit sadly, and finally takes the gift basket from his hands.] Being gentle is nothing to be ashamed about.
[ The frown already present on his face widens and his eyes narrow. ]
I don't know what kind of delusion you've come up with, but I assure you that my behaviour is not at odds with my nature. I prefer speaking bluntly; most, I've found, are not a fan of that.
[ And somehow there are still a ton of people that like him anyway. Online, at least. His students too. But it's true that his sharp tongue hinders him when trying to form close relationships. Not that he desires them anyways. He's always been alone, and he's more than used to it. Prefers it, even. ]
There are far too many people who are— [ not gentle, per se ] —unable to tell others when they are wrong. Far too many who go on believing their mediocrity is enough. Those fools blind themselves to reality with 'gentle' words. I have no intention to play along with such a farce.
[ Meaning, this is his form of kindness. To force them to confront the harsh truth so that they might grow from it. Whether or not that earns him points in likeability is of no consequence to him.
This topic might be a little too controversial for the two of them. Ereshkigal is too sensitive for him to speak as he usually does and he has no desire to upset her again. Once she takes the basket, he takes a step back with the intention to leave. ]
I've said my piece. I will return another day for the other matter I wanted to speak to you about.
[ The matter of Aventurine's bouquet, that is. He doesn't think it's appropriate to ask for help immediately after apologizing to her for his blunder. It would only serve to make his apology seem insincere, even though he'd already mentioned that he had an ulterior motive. ]
[ A tsundere to the end. Honestly if he was really wasn't a softie at heart and truly relished in being a rude meanie, he probably would have spent more time actually being mean rather than explaining to her why he really is not a softie at all.
It's like watching someone constantly claim they hate chocolate, only to find them stuffing their face with chocolate all the time! ]
I understand doctor. I will do my best to keep pretending you really are a heartless and cruel villain.
[ His secret is safe with her. Maybe.
That's unfortunate, he's probably permanently lost any hope of ever being intimidating or scary with Ereshkigal. Now that she's truly seen what his heart is like, there's no going back. But she'll do her best to spare him any further embarassment. ]
[ He opens his mouth to retort, but then audibly shuts it and just spins to face the door with a disgruntled hmph. She can believe whatever she wants if it makes her feel better about his presence.
(No, he's not hiding red cheeks.) ]
Goodbye.
[ Said curtly, and then he walks, very calmly, and definitely not at a pace that could be defined as speed walking, to the door and exits. Calmly.
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no subject
Why does she have the urge to have her hand meet with his stupid face, at very high velocity? That's just so unhealthy, to pretend being a far worse person than you actually are! She knows because that's what she used to do all the time. And that's still what she does every now and then. ]
I will.
[ But she can't let it entirely go, right? She has to say something. Not something that will make him angry or put in a corner, no no. A gentle advice. If only she was more eloquent... She ponders for a few seconds. ]
You're hurting yourself a lot more than anyone else when you speak like that, you know? [She smiles, a bit sadly, and finally takes the gift basket from his hands.] Being gentle is nothing to be ashamed about.
no subject
I don't know what kind of delusion you've come up with, but I assure you that my behaviour is not at odds with my nature. I prefer speaking bluntly; most, I've found, are not a fan of that.
[ And somehow there are still a ton of people that like him anyway. Online, at least. His students too. But it's true that his sharp tongue hinders him when trying to form close relationships. Not that he desires them anyways. He's always been alone, and he's more than used to it. Prefers it, even. ]
There are far too many people who are— [ not gentle, per se ] —unable to tell others when they are wrong. Far too many who go on believing their mediocrity is enough. Those fools blind themselves to reality with 'gentle' words. I have no intention to play along with such a farce.
[ Meaning, this is his form of kindness. To force them to confront the harsh truth so that they might grow from it. Whether or not that earns him points in likeability is of no consequence to him.
This topic might be a little too controversial for the two of them. Ereshkigal is too sensitive for him to speak as he usually does and he has no desire to upset her again. Once she takes the basket, he takes a step back with the intention to leave. ]
I've said my piece. I will return another day for the other matter I wanted to speak to you about.
[ The matter of Aventurine's bouquet, that is. He doesn't think it's appropriate to ask for help immediately after apologizing to her for his blunder. It would only serve to make his apology seem insincere, even though he'd already mentioned that he had an ulterior motive. ]
no subject
It's like watching someone constantly claim they hate chocolate, only to find them stuffing their face with chocolate all the time! ]
I understand doctor. I will do my best to keep pretending you really are a heartless and cruel villain.
[ His secret is safe with her. Maybe.
That's unfortunate, he's probably permanently lost any hope of ever being intimidating or scary with Ereshkigal. Now that she's truly seen what his heart is like, there's no going back. But she'll do her best to spare him any further embarassment. ]
Please take care until then.
no subject
(No, he's not hiding red cheeks.) ]
Goodbye.
[ Said curtly, and then he walks, very calmly, and definitely not at a pace that could be defined as speed walking, to the door and exits. Calmly.
Calmly. ]