[...You know, it only just now occurs to him how weird it is to actually be honest instead of saying whatever it is he thinks will benefit him the most. Dist's words get a startled look from him for a moment before he glances away and covers his mouth with a hand to try to smother a genuinely amused laugh.]
My apologies, I'm not laughing at you, it's simply... I am dreadful at this.
[Gods. Okay, okay, he's got himself under control, sorry about that.]
I thought I was being rather obvious about it. Yes, of course I would miss you. There aren't many people I find all that interesting and entertaining to talk to in the first place, and your intellect is astounding. I'm very fond of you, Dist.
[It's a bit embarrassing to admit it so openly... But that's exactly what's so damn funny, he figured he was being entirely too obvious about it and yet Dist has to actually ask... This is only going to get funnier later tonight when he does the exact same thing to Cumore so you know. Iago's great at this whole friendship thing.]
You didn't lash out at me, so there's no need to apologize for that. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for not expressing myself more clearly.
[He presses a hand to his chest and ducks the slightest bit in a bow.]
I truly am very pleased I've had the opportunity to get to know you, even in a situation like this.
[It's far too little, too late, but maybe he can at least try to start expressing his feelings a bit more openly. Pizza would probably be pleased, anyway.]
[In fairness, Dist internally tells himself that he deserves to be laughed at. Iago may have thought he was being obvious with his feelings, but Dist has never had anything like this before being dragged to Krakow, so it wasn't so easy to discern. The only friendship he'd ever known and thought he'd ever want to know was his friendship with Jade, and...well, it certainly wasn't like what he has come to have with Iago and Cumore. No one has ever said they're fond of him!
...But he feels the same way, doesn't he?
Yulia, this is far too much to process. He still can't even bear to look at Iago, he's gotten into such a state-]
...yet again, we are in complete agreement. [He murmurs to the floor, and there's the briefest sound of him sniffling.] I have been far too single-minded to realize it.
[He's not sure if he could ever completely tear himself away from what he has devoted his entire being to, but it is strangely comforting to know that even if he fails to realize his dream, that his world isn't going to crumble. He has people who care about him. He has friends.]
[...Oh no, Dist, don't be that cute... Now is normally when he'd start in on the teasing, but that may actually kill Dist, so he'll refrain... More proof of just how much he likes Dist!!]
I believe we all have, really. I imagine most of us are focused almost exclusively on survival at this point, to the extent of being a bit blind to everything else.
[Don't worry, we're both idiots. Cumore is also an idiot. He might even be beating both of us.]
Don't worry too much about it. We've established this much now, after all. So even if it is a bit embarrassing, at least we're on the same page.
Dist pulls the handkerchief out of his suit pocket and lifts his glasses so he can dab under his eyes a little. It's a dead giveaway to what his face has been doing, but's better than looking at Iago with eyes full of tears.
...and a runny nose.
He's a mess, okay?]
You have my thanks for opening my eyes, Iago. I will...try not to concern myself with the shortcomings involved beforehand.
[Hoo boy. Okay, deep breath.]
It bears saying that I am truly grateful to have met you as well. I only wish I had something to offer you in my world- a kingdom to rule, that is.
[As much as he would love to see Iago usurp Peony somehow...Auldrant is a fucking mess.]
[...Ah. Well. That didn't go the way he thought it would. At all. Usually when he and Cumore do this, they get aggressively flippant... Um. Hold on...]
[You know, that raises many questions about Jade, but he'll be nice and refrain from asking about it for now.]
I'm pleased, then. [His smile is almost gentle.] I understand; while this entire situation is dreadful... I feel as though I've gained something very valuable from it.
[...He's not talking about everything he's learned.]
[This is such a strange feeling. It makes him feel vulnerable, weak, but it isn't concerning or frightening. Trust, then. How bizarre, that a place like this could foster trust.]
You can thank me when all of this is over. We still have much to do, after all. Once this is over, once we've put an end to the Lady and her schemes... Then I want to hear it again.
[Properly this time, don't go whispering it!!]
I know you won't let me down.
[Because as stupid as it is, he genuinely does trust Dist.]
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My apologies, I'm not laughing at you, it's simply... I am dreadful at this.
[Gods. Okay, okay, he's got himself under control, sorry about that.]
I thought I was being rather obvious about it. Yes, of course I would miss you. There aren't many people I find all that interesting and entertaining to talk to in the first place, and your intellect is astounding. I'm very fond of you, Dist.
[It's a bit embarrassing to admit it so openly... But that's exactly what's so damn funny, he figured he was being entirely too obvious about it and yet Dist has to actually ask... This is only going to get funnier later tonight when he does the exact same thing to Cumore so you know. Iago's great at this whole friendship thing.]
You didn't lash out at me, so there's no need to apologize for that. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for not expressing myself more clearly.
[He presses a hand to his chest and ducks the slightest bit in a bow.]
I truly am very pleased I've had the opportunity to get to know you, even in a situation like this.
[It's far too little, too late, but maybe he can at least try to start expressing his feelings a bit more openly. Pizza would probably be pleased, anyway.]
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...But he feels the same way, doesn't he?
Yulia, this is far too much to process. He still can't even bear to look at Iago, he's gotten into such a state-]
...yet again, we are in complete agreement. [He murmurs to the floor, and there's the briefest sound of him sniffling.] I have been far too single-minded to realize it.
[He's not sure if he could ever completely tear himself away from what he has devoted his entire being to, but it is strangely comforting to know that even if he fails to realize his dream, that his world isn't going to crumble. He has people who care about him. He has friends.]
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I believe we all have, really. I imagine most of us are focused almost exclusively on survival at this point, to the extent of being a bit blind to everything else.
[Don't worry, we're both idiots. Cumore is also an idiot. He might even be beating both of us.]
Don't worry too much about it. We've established this much now, after all. So even if it is a bit embarrassing, at least we're on the same page.
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Dist pulls the handkerchief out of his suit pocket and lifts his glasses so he can dab under his eyes a little. It's a dead giveaway to what his face has been doing, but's better than looking at Iago with eyes full of tears.
...and a runny nose.
He's a mess, okay?]
You have my thanks for opening my eyes, Iago. I will...try not to concern myself with the shortcomings involved beforehand.
[Hoo boy. Okay, deep breath.]
It bears saying that I am truly grateful to have met you as well. I only wish I had something to offer you in my world- a kingdom to rule, that is.
[As much as he would love to see Iago usurp Peony somehow...Auldrant is a fucking mess.]
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Well, I can think of something your world has to offer.
[Robots?? An entirely different system of magic?? Whatever the heck fonons are????]
It has you, Dist.
[WELL...... HE TRIED TO RESIST...........]
1/3 (you did this to him, Iago)
He stares back at his friend, absolutely dumbfounded.]
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Well, naturally! What was I thinking? As if you need anything else when the magnificent Dist is already present!
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Iago, I... [He droops back to stare at the floor in shame.] I don't know what to say.
[Not truly.]
1 / 2 (Iago absolutely deserves this)
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[flirting backfired...............]
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He shakes his head as he tries to compose himself. It's a shaky effort at best.]
I am not upset. I am merely... [sniff] Overwhelmed.
[The flirting didn't backfire- it was super effective! A 1-hit KO, if you will!]
That was very kind of you to say.
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Well, of course. I am rather fond of you, after all.
[It was mostly a joke, though... Unless he can take over a country in Dist's world????]
You act as though you've never had anyone tell you this sort of thing before.
[...you totally haven't, have you.]
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I haven't. Ever. [...] You make me feel as though I belong for once.
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I'm pleased, then. [His smile is almost gentle.] I understand; while this entire situation is dreadful... I feel as though I've gained something very valuable from it.
[...He's not talking about everything he's learned.]
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...Mm. [He nods and glances at Iago. His eyes are a little puffy from the tears, but he's composed at least.] I believe I have as well.
[This last bit comes out somewhat whispered, but no less sincere.]
Thank you, Iago.
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You can thank me when all of this is over. We still have much to do, after all. Once this is over, once we've put an end to the Lady and her schemes... Then I want to hear it again.
[Properly this time, don't go whispering it!!]
I know you won't let me down.
[Because as stupid as it is, he genuinely does trust Dist.]
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[That gives him all the more strength in his words. So he repeats, determination in his eyes:]
Of course I won't. And I have no intention of slowing down in my pursuits. I will continue to do what I can to advance toward our escape.
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[well duh, they are the two smartest people here, of course???]
I'm looking forward to it.
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[Because yeah, exactly. Plus, he feels like he has the best chance of really figuring out just what the hell the Lady is up to...]
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[You handle the Lady and her technology, he'll
scream into his hands trying tofigure out Rembrandt. It'll be fine!!]