[the smile just encourages her further, brightening her spirits if she could pull even the smallest smile from him
so she'll keep singing - she's not clever enough to come up with any meaningful lyrics, unfortunately, but she's pretty sure that if she could, it would be a very happy, comforting song
it makes her happy, and it's easy to forget her earlier worries that he was mad at her]
[the melody continues at an easy, calm pace, before he finishes it with a gentle flourish—glancing sideways at Anya as he does.
slowly depressing the keys, he lets his fingers slide off, closing the various valves of the organ with a practiced care.]
Is that enough for you?
[it's not quite a smile, but it's certainly a change in expression. something more peaceful—or regal?—in his face, body composed and comfortable, while simultaneously sitting with perfect posture.]
[it's said lightly - gentle and teasing - but she's definitely more than pleased. there's a considerably high chance that she'll be asking him to play more music with her later, or she'll just want to listen to him play the notes
but she supposes it's her turn now, right?]
I speak three languages. Mama is Japanese and Papa is Russian. For ten years, I lived in Russia so it is беглый - my best language. Meltryllis speaks it with me, so if there is something I need to say clearly, I tell her. After, moved to Japan and learning both Japanese and English. Study every day.
Ah... In Japan, cannot speak Russian always. Only person who would understand me is Papa, and he is far away. So... practice is good, so I do not need someone to translate for me. Непосредственно. When I get to speak, the words are from my heart so... I hope they are okay.
[and it's part of why she's so shameless and direct all the time - she's already working with enough of a language barrier, she doesn't see a reason to hide her feelings about anything]
But - still not good enough to be princess yet. [she will insist on that - ] Does Asch know many princess?
[she wants to know more, enraptured as she is in his words - but then he cuts her off. and then she pauses for a little bit before nodding, letting him have it.
her hands come up - to mimic the way one would hold a shotgun, familiar and practiced, like she's taking aim at something across the room]
Дробовик. Shotgun, and sometimes other gun. Papa taught me for hunting.
he mimics the mime back, then mimes a handgun firing, cocking his head.]
Shooting?
[he's nearly as fascinated with the idea of Anya, of all people, pulling off some Legretta-esque sharpshooting as Anya was with his description of the princess.]
So the guns in the basement... you can use them?
[oh he DEFINITELY wants to see this at some point.]
[she can't help but laugh a bit that that, apparently proud of herself - ]
Да. Yes - I had a shotgun I kept with me on Thursday, just in case. [she knew fairly well how outmatched she could be in a fight, but she could at least shoot so she wasn't totally defenseless?] Hard to find ammo... only had two shots.
But Anya has good aim, so every shot counts.
[it's her own little secret to make sure people underestimated her it's fine]
[she makes a thoughtful sound at that before she just says outright - ]
I think praise for doing a good job, when I do, would be very nice. Подготовить. So please be ready to give praise to Anya.
[she's so confident? it's the confidence that gets her to wink at him, because at the end of the day she is an idol, and she knows how to be charming even though this is probably the first time she's been this shameless]
[but asch in a reasonable mood is nothing if not an open book. whatever shade was was gradually departing from his expression immediately starts to return, pulling the light in his eyes back behind the clouds. his eyes slide away—back towards his hand resting on the keys of the pipe organ.
idly, he presses one or two, the lack of air pressure within producing no sound.]
"well, when i was a child i was the son of a duke and next in line for the throne but i was kidnapped by an asshole who had designs on using me as a tool to revolutionize the world in a really fucked up way, and he replaced me with a clone of myself, which i naturally hated. since the clone was a perfect replica nobody could tell it wasn't me, so i lost my whole life and became a career soldier instead, idolizing the man who ruined my life in an attempt to rationalize my terrible predicament and abuse"--]
It's complicated.
[a mysterious answer which suggests all kinds of fantastical things??? which isn't helpful!!!]
it was so much easier with the memory share. accidentally stumbling into it here...
...
maybe he can just condense it? hell only knows that if it hadn't happened to him, he wouldn't believe it.]
...I was born the son of a Duke. When I was still a child, I was kidnapped, and I couldn't return home. My only choice was to join a standing military order to survive.
[there. a neat. clean. sanitized version. not at all untrue.]
somehow it was even worse than she thought - but she listens regardless. and then she'll carefully reach out one hand to rest over the one that he has on the keys of the organ, a gentle touch that he can pull away from if it's unwelcome]
Трудно. Still does not sound easy... I am sorry you had to do that.
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constellates) wrote2020-02-28 08:43 pm
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so she'll keep singing - she's not clever enough to come up with any meaningful lyrics, unfortunately, but she's pretty sure that if she could, it would be a very happy, comforting song
it makes her happy, and it's easy to forget her earlier worries that he was mad at her]
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slowly depressing the keys, he lets his fingers slide off, closing the various valves of the organ with a practiced care.]
Is that enough for you?
[it's not quite a smile, but it's certainly a change in expression. something more peaceful—or regal?—in his face, body composed and comfortable, while simultaneously sitting with perfect posture.]
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[it's said lightly - gentle and teasing - but she's definitely more than pleased. there's a considerably high chance that she'll be asking him to play more music with her later, or she'll just want to listen to him play the notes
but she supposes it's her turn now, right?]
I speak three languages. Mama is Japanese and Papa is Russian. For ten years, I lived in Russia so it is беглый - my best language. Meltryllis speaks it with me, so if there is something I need to say clearly, I tell her. After, moved to Japan and learning both Japanese and English. Study every day.
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Impressive. As expected of a princess.
[it's said straightly, but there's a hint of gentle amusement. he is impressed.]
I'm surprised you don't speak in Russian all the time, then. Is that your idea, to practice all the time?
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[and it's part of why she's so shameless and direct all the time - she's already working with enough of a language barrier, she doesn't see a reason to hide her feelings about anything]
But - still not good enough to be princess yet. [she will insist on that - ] Does Asch know many princess?
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at the question, he looks a little distant, nostalgic—the shadow of a smile passing again.]
Just one.
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Поделиться? Could you tell me about her?
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[...]
...a true princess—in name, as well as duty. She travelled extensively, fought bravely for peace, and upheld her kingdom's name.
A princess of, and for, the people.
[he pauses, and scoffs, a gently amused sound. any trace of the furor from earlier is truly gone.]
That was a couple of questions. My turn.
Have you ever used a weapon before you came to this manor?
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her hands come up - to mimic the way one would hold a shotgun, familiar and practiced, like she's taking aim at something across the room]
Дробовик. Shotgun, and sometimes other gun. Papa taught me for hunting.
Other than that... none.
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so
THAT was unexpected.
he mimics the mime back, then mimes a handgun firing, cocking his head.]
Shooting?
[he's nearly as fascinated with the idea of Anya, of all people, pulling off some Legretta-esque sharpshooting as Anya was with his description of the princess.]
So the guns in the basement... you can use them?
[oh he DEFINITELY wants to see this at some point.]
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Да. Yes - I had a shotgun I kept with me on Thursday, just in case. [she knew fairly well how outmatched she could be in a fight, but she could at least shoot so she wasn't totally defenseless?] Hard to find ammo... only had two shots.
But Anya has good aim, so every shot counts.
[it's her own little secret to make sure people underestimated her it's fine]
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[and from his expression it's clear he DEFINITELY WOULD.
there's even a hint of a smile—like a sun's ray through the clouds. but this time, it's directly to her.]
...You know, a princess must also be skilled in combat artes.
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Лесть. ["Flattery"] I think you might just be saying what Anya wants to hear now.
[not that she seems mad about it]
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I didn't say you were skilled. I'll be the judge of that.
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there's a little glint in her eye - because it doesn't come out often, but anya does get competitive]
And if I do well? Хвалить? Will you tell me so?
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[the grey weather on his face is breaking up just a little bit more.]
...then I'll think about it.
[that was?
almost playful?]
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[she makes a thoughtful sound at that before she just says outright - ]
I think praise for doing a good job, when I do, would be very nice. Подготовить. So please be ready to give praise to Anya.
[she's so confident? it's the confidence that gets her to wink at him, because at the end of the day she is an idol, and she knows how to be charming even though this is probably the first time she's been this shameless]
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it's fine.]
"When", is it? Hmph. I'd like to see that confidence backed up with action.
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[VERY CONFIDENT - ]
Oh but - Мой ход. My turn for question. If Asch knows princess... then are you prince? Knight? Noble?
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Then I'll be looking forward to it.
[but asch in a reasonable mood is nothing if not an open book. whatever shade was was gradually departing from his expression immediately starts to return, pulling the light in his eyes back behind the clouds. his eyes slide away—back towards his hand resting on the keys of the pipe organ.
idly, he presses one or two, the lack of air pressure within producing no sound.]
...Not any more.
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... Перед? Before?
Why not now...?
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"well, when i was a child i was the son of a duke and next in line for the throne but i was kidnapped by an asshole who had designs on using me as a tool to revolutionize the world in a really fucked up way, and he replaced me with a clone of myself, which i naturally hated. since the clone was a perfect replica nobody could tell it wasn't me, so i lost my whole life and became a career soldier instead, idolizing the man who ruined my life in an attempt to rationalize my terrible predicament and abuse"--]
It's complicated.
[a mysterious answer which suggests all kinds of fantastical things??? which isn't helpful!!!]
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... I will listen close, if you do not mind saying.
[even if it's complicated she still wants to know]
But if it is hard to talk about... I understand.
[even if she will honestly be disappointed]
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it was so much easier with the memory share. accidentally stumbling into it here...
...
maybe he can just condense it? hell only knows that if it hadn't happened to him, he wouldn't believe it.]
...I was born the son of a Duke. When I was still a child, I was kidnapped, and I couldn't return home. My only choice was to join a standing military order to survive.
[there. a neat. clean. sanitized version. not at all untrue.]
That's all.
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somehow it was even worse than she thought - but she listens regardless. and then she'll carefully reach out one hand to rest over the one that he has on the keys of the organ, a gentle touch that he can pull away from if it's unwelcome]
Трудно. Still does not sound easy... I am sorry you had to do that.
Do you miss family...?
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