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 Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:05 am
It wasn't as if he hadn't taken her by the hand before. Perhaps it was the timing or circumstances that brought on a certain dizziness upon him taking her hand just then. Too sentimental! Her other hand brought to her face as she closed her eye for a moment and furrowed her brow as some form of relief, it seemed that in the end she was successful in not being instantly drowned by her own feelings. Though her thoughts and wondering just what any strangers would've thought seeing them together aided in that distraction well enough. Between her youthful appearance and the eyepatch she assumed that the natural conclusion for an outsider to come to was that she was a former patient that had fallen for the doctor. And that he was making an effort to take his time to let her down gently. Just the idea of it sat heavily in the pit of her stomach. It was an idea that she wouldn't entertain as being the least bit true. In order for her to have been led on, she would have had to offer her affections with the expectation of anything in return. The only reason she'd added that stupid catch to her words in the first place had been the impending threat of others. So many others! 'Stupid,' some might call it; being unquestionably devoted to someone and expecting nothing in return. Others might call the lack of expectations a sort of 'pure' love. No matter the words clumsily applied to her feelings, the result always seemed to be the same. That she was pitied for having them. There was that ugly concept again. Pity. Just the thought of it made her bristle. Why was that always the natural assumption about the two of them when it came to others? That he was pitying her? That she pitied him? And if others saw them as nothing more than pathetic figures to be pitied, why did it matter so much if they tried to scrape together a scant amount of happiness together?
Cheerfully shaking her head was enough to dismiss at least some of both of their worries. "Officially my job description doesn't include playing the part of a barista. It's just fun. That's all." He factored into her productivity probably more than he realized. She'd taken extra responsibilities and jobs to fill the space left by the absence of the violence towards others he'd discouraged her against. And other things she was perfectly happy abstaining from doing, even to the point of drinking less. The sap. "Hnn, well. The cafe staff has become very much like a family should be, I think? They know I won't let them down if I can help it and I feel very much the same about them." A little embarrassing, as she was unused to putting her protective feelings regarding others into words. The accompanying action came without hesitation however, if all but physically prostrating herself before a hated figure to protect both him and them showed just how far she'd go to live up to the level of trust put in her. She was certainly distracted enough to miss grasping any significance in his question, if there had been any. "Specifics?" So many queries of what he preferred or what he'd like her to wear and unable to recognize any similarity that might've been there. Again she shook her head, through smiling more obviously this time. "Just come." Thinking 'anything's fine, if it's you' all the while, but still biting back her words for the time being.
Well. If a sudden dizziness was brought on by his previous actions, she felt as if she'd plunged straight into vertigo when unprovoked he'd ended up holding her by both hands. She trembled. Not necessarily out of fear, though it certainly factored in. Holding back. Held in place, just barely, by the sharp pins of reality she could practically feel perforating her body. Her head ended up hanging for a moment anyway, eye stubbornly shut. Always with the would-be crying. Perhaps because with him it felt safe to do so? Maybe someday she'd detail the macabre tale that had put an emphasis on holding hands in her life, as well. Collecting herself, she considered his words. Promise? But hadn't he only promised to fulfill his end of their bet? Or was he talking about something else entirely? How confusing. Regardless, it didn't seem to be something to worry about. Quietly but happily she nodded to indicate that she understood, tightening her hands within his carefully.
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Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 10:28 pm
That... That went well. Aside from the internal screaming at the traitorous blush that was going to send things into disarray if she so much as looked up! But well anyway. That was as much as he could hope for.
Yeah, he's still holding her hands. He knows that, right? He had better put them down, nice and gently. It was already so unlike himself to do that. Blame someone else. Blame that double-meaning promise. "Okay, I'll come. For sure." As himself, but did that need to be said? Surely there was enough discipline for people to not meddle in that kind of affair, but then again, it was that kind of person; nothing was too far-fetched for him.
Yeah, yeah, he can see the silhouette standing just a little bit away. At least that guy had some sense of tact to keep quiet, and was cool-headed enough to bring him crashing back down. Going to head back in before his impending scolding got even longer?
"Okay, I'll see you there?" It sounded odd, saying goodbye. It's not forever, and he can say that without problems... normally. Ah, better not dwell on it. The nurses could only hold off that op for so long. And just what was he doing, putting her above work? The chill of his hands dropped a few more degrees, mind shifting back into that workaholic gear.
He should get back to the operating theatre.
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 5:15 am
Seemed she couldn't help herself once she'd been released; clutching her hands together and looking at them as if she'd been given something precious. But, only for a moment. In the end the attempt to completely hold back everything proved ineffective as apparently there was just no containing those pitied feelings. This time they surfaced only in the form of a deeply appreciative smile, hands clutched under her face all the while.
"I'm glad." Her usual reply when it came to him, but still with the usual amount of meaning involved. Entirely too much sentiment and solace blended together in that breathy quality of her voice. Well, it definitely wasn't the time to get creative and further tempt the fates in some extended declaration of affection. She could smirk a bit to herself at the idea of it only because she most definitely wouldn't be going through with it. But what to actually say at such a moment before parting? 'Good luck'? Hardly the appropriate thing to say to a doctor, even as some sort of grim joke. 'Be well'? To someone with an unending malaise? And while her nature made embracing him remain a fairly constant temptation she'd continue to abstain for the time being.
"I'll wait for you, then. Without fail." Saying just enough, and with that sunny disposition clearly visible too. No needlessly restating things he already knew or complicating things further with any sort of melodrama. There might've been a glint of worry in her eye as she turned to leave but she knew better than to linger upon such a feeling. Trusting that he'd take care of himself the best he could manage was all she could really do, even if that worry might persist at a later time regardless. But leaving him with a feeling of worry was hardly a nice goodbye was it? So bearing a brave smile and an open palm she gripped at the doorway with her opposite hand. Hopefully not to soon fall to great injury, but meh. Aside from being decapitated what sort of significant thing could happen upon leaving that place? And even then, bodies grew back didn't they? Some thoughts were most certainly better kept to herself. Though better yet would be to make it out in one piece and not have to delay their next meeting due to inconveniences like mangled bodies.
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:45 pm
That parting nod should have come with a smile. Too late, already not-dreading the scolding and instead thinking about the fastest way to get there on time. He could make it there in less than five at a mad dash, and -
- he crashes onto the floor less than three meters away. Good thinking, completely forgotten how much running was an obstacle. Never mind! Don't look stupid in front of her, he has done that enough already! Get up and go! Go go go! And do a brisk walk this time, never mind the reddening face...
The other audience watches as the doctor makes his hasty exit. Once he was out of sight, the dark lenses turn to watch that 'visitor' of his.
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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:20 am
While she didn't dare laugh, of course she'd find his various stumbles and falls endearing. As long as he wasn't really hurt. And in a more ideal situation and setting, the segue between genuine concern for his well-being and cleverly offering to kiss those negligible injuries away for him would be so fluid that he'd probably scarcely have the time to react before the awkwardness had set in yet again. Yes, best to hide that clever smile behind one of her hands lest he think he was being laughed at. She was just formulating one of her many crafty plans to flirt with him, was all!
That frivolity aside, once her distraction had gone off to work it didn't take long for Amarante to feel like there was some sort of tension in the air. She hadn't seen anyone. And someone with only one eye had poor peripheral vision at best. Looking about wildly or calling out seemed like a bad idea anyway, as it would not only leave her open to whatever was there but also had the possibility of attracting further attention from things that she might've managed to escape the notice of so far. And that unpleasant thought helped little with mustering what little courage she happened to have at that moment. Well, it was obvious that she didn't belong. She couldn't be sure of just what level of inconvenience she'd managed to make herself in the brief time she'd been there. Better to overcompensate, the best she could. Bent at the waist, neck craned forward, with her forearms held downwards in front of her body as her hands were linked by holding the thumb of one hand in the other. "Sorry... for the intrusion." The tightness in her chest began to ease up, after that. Seemed that trained exercise in respect was both for the benefit of whatever was there and herself. Her mind compensated for the action that usually followed up that apology; an imagined sensation of her hair being ruffled by a hand that had long since withered away. But if the robot were any indication, attempting to appease whoever else she'd managed to provoke the ire of with her bold statements and actions was unlikely to end well. That's what she felt, wasn't it? An enemy? Paranoia weighed upon her too heavily to consider otherwise. With her objective fulfilled, the focus of her attention gone, and her apology uttered, there was no reason to linger and draw further suspicion regarding her presence there. After one last bow of her head prior to straightening her posture, she was gripping at the door frame once more. And without hesitation making her way through it, eager to get the feeling of what felt like eyes upon eyes off of her person. At least for a little while.
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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 12:57 am
Had the other audience been there the whole time? The doctor was probably too used to getting spied on by people.
Oh wait, was she apologizing? That saved the need to go up to her and question what she was doing in the first place... Oh no, wait, it did not. Only that information was already made known just by simply standing outside the door for a good part of their conversation. Rude, and an intrusion of privacy, but technically there was supposed to be no 'privacy' in the first place. Not for someone like that doctor.
It was not her fault though. A hospital was an imposing enough place to be, let alone this one, let alone with the unspoken system. She should just be let out without incident, and any words spoken about it would be after the paperwork is settled. After all, the audiences are still human. The appropriate quip would be 'Don't scare away the girlfriend'.
Either way, she was pretty much free to leave. The walls aren't dragging the door away from her hand, neither are they growing arms to drag her back, nor were the footsteps echoing down the corridor towards the operating theatre door that had just slammed shut directed towards her, and certainly none were in hostility.
Just teasing.
Merely teasing.
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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:32 pm
In a way Amarante was fortunate to have her cursed regenerating body, as otherwise she'd be the first to die in the horror movie she'd voluntarily enrolled in. Who looks back when they're making an exit from what was as far as she was concerned a super creepy haunted hospital? And what kind of supernatural creature would be afraid of such places anyway? She could only continue to assure herself that she really hadn't been off of her usual worn path in quite some time so any unfamiliar place would be intimidating. And of course, the usual dose of denial. "Just... just my imagination. Yes." Even if she knew better. Even if she was one of those things reasoned away as 'imagination.' She'd seen plenty of things similar and possibly worse. The only difference was her entire reason for going there in the first place. He was fine, right? Obviously he'd be fine. Right? She wouldn't have to go back, would she? Provided that she were even allowed to...
Who was she kidding? If it were necessary she'd go back. Without so much as a second thought.
--
"...!?" A crumpled pile of demon had lingering thoughts concerning that place, some time later. To the point of disturbing her usual sort of half-sleep as she lazed around. Being that her face was buried within her crossed arms upon the cafe's counter like it usually was, a close proximity to her person would be necessarily to so much as notice that anything was amiss. Though the sigh that came from the pile of composed of red hair and fabric gave that away rather easily. A light pat on the head as the manager passed by was appreciated but not particularly acknowledged.
Reversing her lazing position left the back of her head on the counter while she was still seated, back arched inbetween. Deeper and lighter thoughts blended too well, leaving her thoroughly distracted. It wasn't as if she could take him away from the creepy place, could she? No, that couldn't be possible. Should she urge once more that he was still free to escape to the apartment sometimes, though? Were the clothes a bit too much? He liked frills as long as they weren't on him, right? The ribbons? Maybe he wouldn't say anything about the ribbons. Maybe he wouldn't notice the ribbons? Oh, he'd definitely notice the ribbons. She didn't pay much mind to his, but she didn't wear one every day did she? Creepy hospitals and sentimental ribbons. Why did the latter concern her so much more?
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:49 am
Hey. Heeey. People have the weirdest ways of taking out punishment on him. Oh well.
It got out pretty quickly what (or who) he was clearing his hectic schedule for, by way of a particular gossipy spirit and a bored colleague. The operations certainly did not let up, anything forbid, but they weren't upping their difficulty out of spite either. The teasing was another question, and so were the impromptu-interrogations about the 'oh so secret girlfriend!', because how could someone so lacking in the social skills department manage to find anything more than a mere acquaintance without force? A rhetorical question, by the way, judging from the way he got fussed over that morning. Haven't even left the office yet and already he counted three 'at least smile for her!' and twenty 'you'd better not make her cry or freeze or anything!'. Colleagues.
And of course, the last person he had expected to show up at any imagined future wedding of his had barged in even before he had woken up, and proceeded to hammer him into something that was at least more presentable than a ratty sweater and an instrument pocket. With undue force, of course, and the loudest earbashing he had ever gotten since busting a water pipe with a nail.
Was he not simply going over for a visit? How did every single one of them take it as though he needed dating advice and girl tips? Well, he could not complain. Those he had to look up anyway, sooner or later.
He made it finally, though. Not without the hidden giggles of seeing a frazzled doctor speed-walking right up to the coffeehouse, presumably annoyed at a broken-down pantry coffee-machine, perhaps? Then what was that thick folder he was clutching so hard for? And why did he bring it? It was not like Amarante would be interested in his research material, but that hard-to-please had made him bring it anyway, and risk losing it if he so much had stopped to take a bus. Well, yeah, true, he did file her in said folder, but she probably looked at that enough?
That walking mop popped in, as casual as he could (not) be, and - ah yes, the redhead at the counter. Slacking off. Must be her off day or something, with her attire and her attitu - oooh wait. Right, she chose her own off days. So slacking off in general, then. Somehow it did not irk him as much as he expected it to. Must be the stress. Or her. Her.
Okay, then how about a joke? This was going to backfire, he could just taste the embarrassment even before -
"Coffee with ice-cream, go easy on the sugar please?"
- the vocal chords pulled themselves apart to suit the prankster. Never got used to the wrong voice-to-faces.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 1:40 am
The idle body of the tiny demon sprang to life upon hearing what she thought was familiar to her, almost losing her balance entirely as she'd adjusted her lounging position to face who she'd assumed she'd heard.
Only to take on a subtly sullen look all of a moment later upon realizing her 'mistake.' She wouldn't be fooled; absolutely not! Accepting the situation itself had been simple. However that'd worked, being involved with one personality in a body where multiple existed. Perhaps she did accept it all too readily. But she did have her limits. There was a relative unease, knowing some of the things the other had paid witness to. And that was only taking into consideration the moments she'd definitely been sure that the other had been there! That was unsettling enough to cause her to curl her wrists in defensively. Which didn't look threatening in the least; evoking kitty paws more than the awkward feeling that'd inspired the movement.
So bearing a pout and with her hands curled close, her eventual query likely came off as less wary than intended. "Feeling all right?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:47 am
He did not even need to, his hand went to his forehead automatically. "... Yeah. Just... Well." The unsaid did not need to be said. "... Scratch the part about sugar. Sorry." A small rebellious gesture, if in compliance with the usual tolerance, and the usual mental kick to the shared critical health bar. Never mind diabetes.
"And how are you fee... faring?" he asks as casual conversation, the twitching of internal uproarious laughter a little hard to shoot down. "Not a hard day today, I hope?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:45 am
Hurray, there he was! No need for Amarante to continue lounging around as the time spent waiting was over again for the time being. A waiting composed of both working and sleeping, but waiting nonetheless. Though as she made it to her feet with unnecessary effort in an attempt to try to look pretty, she played it off as nothing out of the ordinary. "The usual~ Though meetings with investors and marketing seem to go more smoothly these days. Wonder why~" The frilly sleeve she shook to emphasize her point was an obvious clue. How quickly she forgot that what was now normal was at one point not too long ago a new normal. After an amused moment to examine said sleeve, she did a quick turn on the ball of one of her feet. "Perhaps it's easier to placate businessmen while dressed like this?" It definitely factored in, to say the least.
And now that the person with whom she'd sought to engage in conversation had come to the surface, it seemed her observational skills had made a return as well. Though tilting her head from side to side was mostly for effect, she did seem genuinely interested in what he'd brought. "What's that? Did you need help with something?" Hopefully it wouldn't require being cut up again. But from the resulting eager-to-please expression it was clear that even that likely wouldn't bother her much. Whether prying into her personal business or prying into her body cavity, it was all the same to her. And easily compensated for with all of a little attention or affection. Surely unbalanced. But if what she got in return was what she'd wanted, did it really matter?
But of course, he couldn't escape from her sentiment for long. Instinctively she reached a hand out... only to realize what she was doing and curl her fingers back before so much as entering his personal space. Strangely, it didn't come off as awkward. To her anyway. With a friendly nod she acknowledged it but didn't pay it much mind as her arm returned to her side. It was just a personal cue that came naturally. But in the end she'd thought better of it. Even in a less clandestine situation she was still unlikely to shower him with affections in front of others. An admiring touch to his face or the touch of their hands at best. Anything otherwise was only as a last resort. The whole of her devotion towards him was just that. Not to be shared with others. It left her at a distinct disadvantage against others and made her an easy target for teasing for sure; a brash personality with a timid heart. Her building frustration resulting from that realization was likely beginning to show as she stood there silently for too long. Not now, not now! Pressing her hands together and pulling her arms down in front of her body, she cheerfully got back on track. "Before we leave, did you want something to drink?" With a smug smirk and sideways glance she made it clear that the other guy in his head wasn't being considered. "I don't think he needs anything, do you?" Returning pranks and smart remarks was fair game as far as Amarante was concerned.
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 5:11 am
He raised an eyebrow. "The glucose in their drinks pushing them a little closer to being agreeable, perhaps?" Well. Might as well be blind.
See? She had taken notice almost immediately. "Uh, no, not exactly. Just in case I need to take notes." Every single last thing that was not detailed in that folder, he was ordered to write down, under the dismissal of 'it might come in handy for those three idiots later'. He glanced at the folder, with its binding strap just barely holding all the post-its, reports, paper clips and notes in place. Should have just switched for the usual notebook.
A drink. Oh, right. Actually, didn't ice cream coffee sound just about nice? Yeah, sure, it was not something he asked for voluntarily, but well, she did make him that drink before, and it was nice, so he should have it again....?
"Something with enough caffeine to last a day or two?"
So spiteful. But pragmatic as always, then. Already planning for the rest of the schedule, the overtime, the catching up work. Fingers already counting out notes, but what price was there to count for what was essentially a 'surprise me with caffeine'?
How rude was it to get her a drink at her own establishment? Err... Never mind, save the risky niceties for when the embarrassment factor was the smallest.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:12 am
A lesser person would be disappointed that her obvious fripperies had gone unnoticed. And while Amarante was hardly mature, going a little out of her way wasn't the same as specifically dressing for him was it? That was to be saved for another time! So with an amused little laugh, she left it at all of one smart comment. "A sort of sugar, in a manner of speaking." Little point in attempting to kindle any sort of jealousy in him when he'd seen much more of her than any other ogling eye could aspire to accomplishing. And provided she could even manage it, affection out of jealousy? What would be the merit in that?
"Take notes about what? Me?" Maybe he couldn't answer. But she was too engrossed with his continued lack of coffee answers to bother with that subject for long. "So easily eschews choosing for himself, this man~" A commentary not to be taken seriously, naturally, as the questioning nature of the words didn't at all match with the charmed tone in which they'd been stated. Of course she'd find his sullen evasiveness quite debonair. But, business was important too, as she assessed his nebulous request in quick order. "A heavy-handed use of the espresso machine should serve you well, as long as the bitterness is balanced out. Any other decisions I should be making for you today?" A playful request that she'd gladly follow through with if necessary. Again doing things out of order; choosing to fill more of a conjugal role than that of a companion. Oh well. All in good fun and no nagging involved! "I'll have the same. A lot of shots and sweetness. I feel like living dangerously, today." Blithe words from someone that could hardly drop her guard for even so much as a moment... but did so anyway.
Her good mood must've aided in leading her to an idea she quite enjoyed. "Hey. Hey~" She was practically bouncing upon the balls of her feet and she hadn't even expressed whatever she was excited about just yet. "Want some of my bromide cards? Or... are you not allowed to have something like that?" She was making them sound far more unseemly than they actually were. After all, she hadn't planned on giving him the more immodest ones. Unless he'd like those? Difficult to say, with him. Difficult to read, ask, and predict. All the more fun for her, however. "They sell them behind the counter~ There's new ones quarterly!" Though her enthusiasm was quick to fade, lest he ended up thinking it was her idea. "It was the elf's idea. Despite everything it seems that I happen to photograph well." Nope, still wouldn't do the insecure girl thing and ask him if he thought she was pretty. Meaningless words meant to placate her? She'd been presented with too many of them. Anyone would do, if filling a role to stroke her ego was indeed her intention. But the roles she despised had nothing to do with it, and he meant so much more to her than that.
Perhaps it was simple then, for something that loomed over her existence with a great deal of significance to slither its way over and behind her without being unnoticed. Something unseen but surely felt, too like fingertips grazing the back of her neck. It'd been too long since she'd last felt it anyway, if she was able to ignore it with all of a hand's brush against her skin as if warding off some insect. Too caught up in her own faint hopes and dreams to realize that insects didn't survive the cold season so well.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:21 am
Confused head tilts did not, in fact, make him look any better for not getting it. "Stevia? Or artificial? I can't imagine why they would request that stuff over normal sugar, but then I suppose I should not say anything." When he was helping himself to that sugar, more unknowingly than not.
But when the subject was research... "No, just well, anything that isn't already in there. For future reference, even if I can't use most of it myself. Think of it as a um, favor, to some people I owe." Liar, they owed him more than he owed them by now. "Why not. Umm... Are there any more decisions?" His mind was geared to coffee, having not been able to learn the mannerisms of coffee-ordering in his spare time just yet. "Or are you going to do so anyway without me saying anything?" he asked lightly. Only a few minutes and lax enough for someone else to slip him a good spiking, and not mind. Did he leave his paranoia back at the hospital?
"Bromide.... what?" Internal facepalms abound. Next up on the schedule, a visit back to the colleagues to brush up on culture. Or a quick reminder from the audience, that worked too. "Oh, photo cards," came an embarrassed mumble. Not a proper explanation, oh well. "Um. That's... That's hardly required, is it?" he mused, thumbing one of the folder labels. "I don't particularly need a photograph of someone I can come see whenever I have the time, do I? Besides, I'd much rather look for you instead of having to use a reference." Surely nothing bad came of refusing her offer, even if he did not know what purpose it served other than adding to his research material. Another bout of lecturing might be in order if it was for a purpose other than adding to that folder, but then what other reason did he have? That little white room was one of the few offices that lacked photo frames and mirrors, and it was for a good reason. "What are they for? I doubt she asks you to take them simply because some random friend happens to carry a scrapbook textbook."
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:20 am
Did his continually voiced confusion mean that he felt comfortable enough to express himself without the fear of being rebuked? She liked the idea of that. It was all right to be gentle with him as long as in the end there was no hesitation whenever he happened to step out of line, right? And it was all right to teach him things as long as they weren't too sordid, right? She reasoned it was all a decent enough rationale to proceed, self-satisfactory as it ultimately was. "Eye candy. You know what that is, right?" An honest question, to be followed by some mild teasing. "But is it something you choose not to partake in, or does a woman need to be fully nude to draw your attention?" It could be considered a jab at herself but it certainly wasn't just her those eyeballs had ogled. That sly smile eventually brightened though, as she'd meant no harm by it. "Just a joke," she soothed, lest he begin to think that 'library' was some sort of bizarre code word for something else entirely.
"Mysterious as always~" And explaining things without actually explaining. But it definitely wasn't a complaint on her part, of course. "But that's all right. I like that... to a point. Don't go getting an inflated ego over it, okay~?" They were certainly enjoying themselves despite likely being under the careful watch of someone or other at all times. But if that was just the way it was going to be... why worry so much? And she was obviously very happy about him humoring her. "Only with your permission, of course~ But, for anything you like." Her mind had long since left the subject of coffee. But no. No surprising him with assumed pleasantries like moving him around more or attempting to secure some sort of future with him without his consent.
"Eheh, how sweet~" Well, he was likely just being his practical self. And again, being the strange sentimental creature she was, she liked that. "Ah~ It'd be too sad if anyone kept one as a memento. A reminder of never meeting again." Even if it were some sort of inevitability, no, she didn't like the idea of that at all. Better to answer the question. "We use them to make money. Beyond that, I couldn't say~" Definitely handwaving away any responsibility of what happened to the glossy prints of her pretty face and body after they had the money. But people weren't buying them for dirty purposes alone, were they? "Sales have gone down some. I used to be of more renown in this town. But~ Can't be helped." She shrugged indifferently. Can't be leaving a person that was basically a celestial weapon within the grasp of someone summoning a dark god, or whatever those accursed elves were up to now. No getting out of a forced resignation in that case. And that last bit! A sullen pout from the likes of her was the least he could expect as punishment. "And you'd better not be referring to yourself with that quip, geez~" Not upset and attempting to assert some sort of certain descriptors to describe them, but touchy about just any random words being applied to them it seemed.
But, he wouldn't be the only one seeking her out. She was fully aware of the shadowy fingers, now that they were clamped as a vise on the back of her neck. The immense pressure was unsurprising, being that it was meant as a tactic to pin her in place until its owner arrived. Not this time, even if she had to break her neck in the process. It'd be impossible to hide the pain in its entirety. But, she still managed to come across as more cheerful than hurt. Picking up the coffee takeaway tray from the counter, she gently urged that they shouldn't linger. "We really should be going, if that's all right with you."
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