[ Bluff calls bluff, Alucard. Did you really think that she wouldn’t capitalize on an opportunity to be cradled close to someone’s well defined chest?
The way she settles right in with a not-so-hiddden smile on her face as they walk through the streets of Cadens looks something akin to a smug cat.
The faux-innocence of her voice could either be endearing or nauseating. ]
Are you sure? I think we should add it in as a consolation prize for all future training sessions. We can’t really expect the loser to have to walk all the way home after losing so badly, right?
[ She gasps, looking mildly offended at the suggestion. ]
You'd like that, wouldn't you? But there's no way I could actually beat you in a fight even if you lost on purpose.
[ Also losing on purpose is her thing. He needs to find his own thing. ]
Also, how would I carry you? You're so much taller than me.
[ Said as if she hadn't carried Claude after a particularly long training session or when she had found him snoring and hunched over a table with books surrounding him. It is do-able - but she isn't going to let Alucard know that. ]
[He grins, smug, and keeps moving forward. This really isn't a problem, but it's more fun to tease about failing to account for Alucard throwing a match.]
If you're so worried about carrying me, then don't throw out suggestions someone that aren't equitable to all parties.
[ To say that she looks completely unimpressed with the thought of something that she can absolutely see him doing is an understatement. ]
That's hardly the gentlemanly thing to do! Even if I could carry you, don't you think that would look silly? You don't want to look silly, do you?
[ She shifts slightly in his hold, mindful of the position of her axe. Her protest draws the looks of several of the locals as they pass by but she pays them little heed. ]
If you think about it that way, I'm really just adding to your mysterious yet dashing vampire image.
You're moving the goal posts. This isn't about looking gentlemanly or silly. It is about who wins and loses, and nothing else.
[This is so dumb. And yet he keeps going.]
No. What you're doing is risking me walking into the office only for Jaskier to see this particular arrangement and to give us both hell until the end of our days.
I don't even know what goal posts are, you can't hold that against me.
[ Hilda, for one, doesn't care much about how dumb this is. She's fully committed to this argument and she intends to win it because there is no way that she is going to carry Alucard over a lost bet. ]
Jaskier is all you're worried about? I mean, I suppose being his business partner and friend being worried about that makes sense, but I'm neither of those things to him.
[ ...So in other words it's really just an Alucard problem. ]
What would he even say? And, if you're really that worried about it, you can put me down just outside the door of the office. That way he won't be the wiser.
First of all, you can infer meaning. Secondly, of course. Say you have a friend where you live on a reliable back and forth, and you're caught doing something either ridiculous or something that can be teased about into perpetuity. Would you let that chance slip away?
[The answer is no, and don't try lying to him Hilda.]
I am not in the habit of giving out low hanging fruit that is practically on the ground.
[ That only prompts her to grin a little wider, cheekiness edging into her voice as she dons the airheaded delicate flower act she's so used to wearing. ]
I don't know what infer means either.
[ She does, but it's more fun to act like she doesn't if it means riling him up a little more. ]
I probably wouldn't, no. But Jaskier seems like the type of man who does plenty of ridiculous things, so you could probably do the same thing right back to him. And besides this [ She motions to him holding her. ] isn't that ridiculous. How could he tease you about helping a hapless flower?
Hilda, all three of us know that you are absolutely not a helpless flower. Jaskier is also aware of my romantic shortcomings and I expect would be overly encouraging if you follow my meaning.
No! I'm sorry, please don't drop me. It would hurt so much.
[ Immediately her eyes go all gooey and misty at the possible threat. Her body immediately tenses at it too and she holds onto her axe that much tighter.
Her brief wiggle of protest which would probably result in anyone but someone with an extremely firm grip or a vampire ceases. She blinks several times confusedly. ]
You don't even like me that way. And wait - you really think of it as a shortcoming?
I won't, but you know those eyes don't work on me, correct? I can make bigger and sadder ones as a wolf.
[Wiggle or no, Alucard keeps moving on.]
I do not, but it is a cleaner label than me rehashing everything. And I've told him that I think I might be at the point to consider romantic endeavors again.
[ That doesn’t mean she won’t stop trying. And he has yet to see her actually turn on the waterworks so just you wait, Alucard.
The sad eyes linger for just a brief second longer before she dispels them with a roll of her eyes and a pout. Like sees like, apparently. ]
That’s not fair! Of course a wolf’s eyes are going to be bigger and cuter than mine.
[ The pout is two-fold however. Namely, it’s aimed at the shortcomings label. She shifts her hold on the axe to free up a hand and gives him a gentle flick on the chest. ]
Just because it’s cleaner doesn’t mean it’s right. Don’t call it that. [ That next bit though - curiosity sparks in her gaze. ] Really? That’s great, Alucard! Is there someone you have your eye on then?
Hilda, I offer this to you as a friend: you need to get a better line of defense that doesn't rely on fairness. It is a better argument and a better guilt trip.
[Hilda did...did you just flick his tits? Really?
Give him a minute to look baffled about that. It means his response to the question will look baffled too, but little problems.]
Feeling ready versus feeling that there's something to act on are two different things. So no, there's not. And if there were, maybe I would feel less prepared than I hypothetically do.
She can't help her grumbled response that sounds suspiciously like how a real friend would just let her get away with it and therefore excusing her from the responsibility of needing to find a different defence. ]
Okay, fine you got me there. You just got my hopes up that you had a little crush on someone.
[ Because as her good friend knows, there's nothing she loves more than some gossip. ]
If she hadn't known that they were talking about romantic interests Hilda might have hesitated in answering. Because the truth of the matter is, she faces those situations every day. Decisions that need to be made for the Old Public Hall are rarely done without consulting another member of the team, choosing to take on Cyprian’s tutelage more seriously as a metalsmith and blacksmith are daunting and ones she hadn’t fully committed to even though in practice, she was doing the things an apprentice would do. And those were just the things here.
There were countless other project she had begun and stopped because she suddenly realized she couldn’t do them. Not because of a physical road block mind you, but literally because a voice in her head told her that there was too much expectation attached to it.
Thankfully she's able to catch herself before tripping mentally over that thought. Except the pause might be telling enough that she’s thinking about something else. ]
I mean maybe when I was younger and approaching someone I had a crush on but after a while, you realize it’s just kind of for fun and put yourself out there anyway.
Alucard notices the pause, but true to his own form, he does not comment. He can guess what the answer is, and that Hilda's absolutely not going to say anything about what just flashed through her head. He doesn't need to know of course, it isn't any of his business.]
Fun, maybe, but I still have to get over a constant concern of being murdered.
If he doesn't press, she won't give. She realizes it goes against her "I'm an open book" comment, but she's too focused on this particular scenario that she doesn't want to distract by talking about herself and her non-existent problems. ]
Even here? Who's here trying to murder you?
[ There's some heat to her question, as if the very idea is enough to give her a real reason to use her axe. ]
No one, no one! [He worded that badly. Alucard pauses, just long enough to shift around Hilda's weight to adjust the distribution, and then keeps moving.]
But I can easily see my brain suddenly thinking that might be the case in a perfectly pleasant situation with a partner, because it is still running on the fear of the last time.
[ That seems to be enough to get her to back down and the grip around the handle of her axe relaxes considerably. She hadn't forgotten the whole reason behind his "shortcoming" to romance and she still sympathizes. And because she hasn't forgotten that also means she hasn't forgotten their accidental kiss during their training session.
Hilda pauses herself this time recalling the feel of his lips pressed awkwardly against hers. Honestly she was going to leave it at that and never speak of it again, but perhaps the best way to help him work through it would be by actually talking about it.
[ She regards him a little longer before letting out a breathy laugh. ]
That's probably the smart thing to do. I didn't really do that when I was younger. I was just way too excited when I got to Garreg Mach and my brother wasn't there.
[ That isn't to say she had immediately gone and slept with the first person that showed the slightest interest in her. Rather, she had had her fill of flirting because even that had been hard pressed to do when every person within a ten-mile radius knew who she was and was terrified of her brother. ]
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The way she settles right in with a not-so-hiddden smile on her face as they walk through the streets of Cadens looks something akin to a smug cat.
The faux-innocence of her voice could either be endearing or nauseating. ]
Are you sure? I think we should add it in as a consolation prize for all future training sessions. We can’t really expect the loser to have to walk all the way home after losing so badly, right?
no html tags cat is hogging my arm..........
[He asks it with just as smug a tone.]
Is the cat Hilda
You'd like that, wouldn't you? But there's no way I could actually beat you in a fight even if you lost on purpose.
[ Also losing on purpose is her thing. He needs to find his own thing. ]
Also, how would I carry you? You're so much taller than me.
[ Said as if she hadn't carried Claude after a particularly long training session or when she had found him snoring and hunched over a table with books surrounding him. It is do-able - but she isn't going to let Alucard know that. ]
she is some days
[He grins, smug, and keeps moving forward. This really isn't a problem, but it's more fun to tease about failing to account for Alucard throwing a match.]
If you're so worried about carrying me, then don't throw out suggestions someone that aren't equitable to all parties.
yes good
[ To say that she looks completely unimpressed with the thought of something that she can absolutely see him doing is an understatement. ]
That's hardly the gentlemanly thing to do! Even if I could carry you, don't you think that would look silly? You don't want to look silly, do you?
[ She shifts slightly in his hold, mindful of the position of her axe. Her protest draws the looks of several of the locals as they pass by but she pays them little heed. ]
If you think about it that way, I'm really just adding to your mysterious yet dashing vampire image.
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[This is so dumb. And yet he keeps going.]
No. What you're doing is risking me walking into the office only for Jaskier to see this particular arrangement and to give us both hell until the end of our days.
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[ Hilda, for one, doesn't care much about how dumb this is. She's fully committed to this argument and she intends to win it because there is no way that she is going to carry Alucard over a lost bet. ]
Jaskier is all you're worried about? I mean, I suppose being his business partner and friend being worried about that makes sense, but I'm neither of those things to him.
[ ...So in other words it's really just an Alucard problem. ]
What would he even say? And, if you're really that worried about it, you can put me down just outside the door of the office. That way he won't be the wiser.
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[The answer is no, and don't try lying to him Hilda.]
I am not in the habit of giving out low hanging fruit that is practically on the ground.
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I don't know what infer means either.
[ She does, but it's more fun to act like she doesn't if it means riling him up a little more. ]
I probably wouldn't, no. But Jaskier seems like the type of man who does plenty of ridiculous things, so you could probably do the same thing right back to him. And besides this [ She motions to him holding her. ] isn't that ridiculous. How could he tease you about helping a hapless flower?
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[HE MEANS IT. Probably.]
Hilda, all three of us know that you are absolutely not a helpless flower. Jaskier is also aware of my romantic shortcomings and I expect would be overly encouraging if you follow my meaning.
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[ Immediately her eyes go all gooey and misty at the possible threat. Her body immediately tenses at it too and she holds onto her axe that much tighter.
Her brief wiggle of protest which would probably result in anyone but someone with an extremely firm grip or a vampire ceases. She blinks several times confusedly. ]
You don't even like me that way. And wait - you really think of it as a shortcoming?
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I won't, but you know those eyes don't work on me, correct? I can make bigger and sadder ones as a wolf.
[Wiggle or no, Alucard keeps moving on.]
I do not, but it is a cleaner label than me rehashing everything. And I've told him that I think I might be at the point to consider romantic endeavors again.
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The sad eyes linger for just a brief second longer before she dispels them with a roll of her eyes and a pout. Like sees like, apparently. ]
That’s not fair! Of course a wolf’s eyes are going to be bigger and cuter than mine.
[ The pout is two-fold however. Namely, it’s aimed at the shortcomings label. She shifts her hold on the axe to free up a hand and gives him a gentle flick on the chest. ]
Just because it’s cleaner doesn’t mean it’s right. Don’t call it that. [ That next bit though - curiosity sparks in her gaze. ] Really? That’s great, Alucard! Is there someone you have your eye on then?
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[Hilda did...did you just flick his tits? Really?
Give him a minute to look baffled about that. It means his response to the question will look baffled too, but little problems.]
Feeling ready versus feeling that there's something to act on are two different things. So no, there's not. And if there were, maybe I would feel less prepared than I hypothetically do.
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She can't help her grumbled response that sounds suspiciously like how a real friend would just let her get away with it and therefore excusing her from the responsibility of needing to find a different defence. ]
Okay, fine you got me there. You just got my hopes up that you had a little crush on someone.
[ Because as her good friend knows, there's nothing she loves more than some gossip. ]
Why would you feel less prepared though?
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You've never felt completely confident in yourself in approaching something only to begin it and suddenly feel that confidence evaporate?
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If she hadn't known that they were talking about romantic interests Hilda might have hesitated in answering. Because the truth of the matter is, she faces those situations every day. Decisions that need to be made for the Old Public Hall are rarely done without consulting another member of the team, choosing to take on Cyprian’s tutelage more seriously as a metalsmith and blacksmith are daunting and ones she hadn’t fully committed to even though in practice, she was doing the things an apprentice would do. And those were just the things here.
There were countless other project she had begun and stopped because she suddenly realized she couldn’t do them. Not because of a physical road block mind you, but literally because a voice in her head told her that there was too much expectation attached to it.
Thankfully she's able to catch herself before tripping mentally over that thought. Except the pause might be telling enough that she’s thinking about something else. ]
I mean maybe when I was younger and approaching someone I had a crush on but after a while, you realize it’s just kind of for fun and put yourself out there anyway.
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Alucard notices the pause, but true to his own form, he does not comment. He can guess what the answer is, and that Hilda's absolutely not going to say anything about what just flashed through her head. He doesn't need to know of course, it isn't any of his business.]
Fun, maybe, but I still have to get over a constant concern of being murdered.
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If he doesn't press, she won't give. She realizes it goes against her "I'm an open book" comment, but she's too focused on this particular scenario that she doesn't want to distract by talking about herself and her non-existent problems. ]
Even here? Who's here trying to murder you?
[ There's some heat to her question, as if the very idea is enough to give her a real reason to use her axe. ]
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But I can easily see my brain suddenly thinking that might be the case in a perfectly pleasant situation with a partner, because it is still running on the fear of the last time.
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Hilda pauses herself this time recalling the feel of his lips pressed awkwardly against hers. Honestly she was going to leave it at that and never speak of it again, but perhaps the best way to help him work through it would be by actually talking about it.
What a concept. ]
You didn't have that fear earlier, did you?
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No, I did not.
[He turns a corner, and the familiar sight of the office finally comes into view.]
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She spots the office as they round the corner and knows that the window to talk about this - and for him carrying her - is quickly coming to an end. ]
Oh. [ There's a brief pause. ] That's a good thing, right? Progress!
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[Alucard doesn't pick up the pace, which he thinks deserves an award. It means he's at least having the conversation.]
I don't want to rush anything just because it feels comfortable either. Whatever happens, having it be organic is probably wise.
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That's probably the smart thing to do. I didn't really do that when I was younger. I was just way too excited when I got to Garreg Mach and my brother wasn't there.
[ That isn't to say she had immediately gone and slept with the first person that showed the slightest interest in her. Rather, she had had her fill of flirting because even that had been hard pressed to do when every person within a ten-mile radius knew who she was and was terrified of her brother. ]
Were you with any before that happened?
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do we want to try and wrap this soon before the event?
I think we can call it here.