midnightstar | Shionne and Alphen in Menancia

Honestly little progress was better than no progress. Alphen wasn't going to rush anything since the last thing he wanted was for Shionne to lock herself up again. At least she was starting to actually sit around the fire with everyone else more often too.

"I know about it yeah. Odds are Kisara might head over there if the rain lasts the rest of the day. As for me....maybe later. I still have a lot of maintenance to do" That was half an excuse since in reality he just didn't want to leave Shionne on her own.

"Mm..." Shionne mused thoughtfully to herself. "I might.. look into it if the rain lets up a bit. The good thing is that it's indoors, I suppose. Maybe if there's time still.." Wouldn't hurt to train a little, and she can't do that much while it's raining. "Does working on the armor take that long?" She didn't think it required THAT much work, but she wouldn't know either - she doesn't wear armor like his.

"It does. I have to make sure the wear on the straps isn't too severe and then check for any dents or cracks from magical attacks. Also there is the matter of the internal padding, if that starts getting worn down even I might start feeling uncomfortable if I'm wearing the metal straight against my skin." Honestly when it came to armor and weapons, Alphen could easily talk your ear off.

Most people would probably be annoyed or tired of his fascination with weapons and armor, but Shionne found it endearing. In fact, as he started talking about what was needed, she sat near him, resting her chin against her palm and watched him. Not interrupting or commenting, just ..completely focused on his face as he worked, a slow, soft smile growing on her face. Not even realizing that she was smiling either, but ... well it's not like he'd say anything right? "You..really know a lot about armor.."

"I guess It's something you could call a hobby of mine." Honestly it was only after he stopped being a slave that this interest had fully crystalized into the near fanatic delight he held towards weapons and armor and the various methods of crafting them.

"Still I know there's more for me to learn. It's a big world after all."

Shionne rested her chin on her hand, humming absently, "That explains why you get excited when you see the blacksmith when we stop by the inns. Your face lights up completely - it's really.." She paused, catching herself.

It was really a sight to see ..something she wished she could see more of. Realizing she was giving him a smile, she ducked her head to look at her hands again. Calm Calm.. ah, but seeing him looking so happy made her heart race -- why did she always have that kind of reaction with him around?

"Hm? It's really what?" Shionne should have known that he'd pursue that line of reasoning when she just abruptly cut herself off. So he would naturally want to hear the rest of her thoughts. Honestly he wanted just so badly to know more about Shionne and what she was thinking and feeling but he also knew he could not be too blatant with that particular goal.

Oof, she really should have known he'd want to know what she thought. She should have just not said anything. "O-oh. It's.... it's not important." she shook her head, focusing her attention on his hands. ".. you should be careful not to injure yourself when you're working on the armor though. Although I suppose your hands are already rough and callused from spending so much time maintaining your armor in general. Not to mention the sword.."

MOst of the roughness of his hand was more thanks to his years as a slave but he didn't need to beat that dead horse any further. Still he could tell Shionne was trying to change that topic so he let out a sigh before allowing her that respite this time.

"I'll be careful. It's easier to see why I get hurt if I'm looking at my hands so I won't be that reckless."

Shionne hesitated a moment. Of course he knew what he was doing so she didn't need to worry, but... "... let me see." It was just to make sure he didn't miss something, that was all. Because if he hurt his hands that would be inconvenient for her. Right? "You always say you won't be reckless, but you still..."

"Huh? Oh uh alright." Well this was mildly unexpected, but he didn't pull his hands away or anything like that either. If anything he felt oddly more...comfortable when she came over to look at his hands.

" I would say this is different from fighting or hard labor though but see?"

She was only fooling herself - she just wanted to be closer to him and was using these moments to do it. She started to lift a hand, hesitated, fingers flinching slightly. "I suppose... you know what you're doing after all." She could probably touch his hand if she really wanted to be sure. It wasn't like he'd feel the effect of her thorns, but.. "About what I said earlier..."

She absolutely could touch his hand. He was not going to pull away. Still it seemed she might open up a bit more so he just tilted his head curiously as she started, not wanting to interrupt her but also not wanting to rush her. He would kick himself for days if he messed that moment up.

She hesitated a second, then her hand reached gently down to touch his hand, wincing slightly at the thorns crackling to life, blue eyes instinctively darting to look at him, then away, focusing instead on his hand as she checked it over. At least that's what she told herself. "I just...meant that it was.... nice to see you look so happy."

He didn't even so much as flinch and if anything his eyes were more on Shionne's expression. He just had a very hard time not wanting to make sure she was happy too. Or at least content since happiness seemed something she did not allow herself for some peculiar reason.

"Ah I see. Well if it's something you don't mind I guess i can just act like that more often."

She was definitely not looking at him, focusing her attention fully on his hands as her fingers traced over his skin, touching his fingers and palm like it was the first time she'd felt human contact in ages. And...well, it was. "I'd rather you just keep acting like yourself," she said instead. "I don't want you to force your reactions, but.. just keep being honest with me." She inwardly flinched at that.

Honest. Like she wasn't being honest with him.

Anyone other than Alphen would have likely pointed out the hypocrisy of that statement. Alphen on the other hand nodded firmly and resolutely.

"I'd never force my reactions." Unless it was meant to be for a trick or playful prank. Then he'd act to the best of his nonexistent ability.

If they had, she would have immediately shut them out. That Alphen let her relax and let the words come at her own pace was the right way to handle her. She smiled faintly, ".. No, you wouldn't..." Also his hands were totally find but she hadn't let go of his hand yet.

Staring at his hand for a moment, her smile wavered a little, grew a little forced. "Actually..." She glanced up at him, "...the truth is, Alphen -"

The door slammed open, startling Shionne and causing her to immediately drop Alphen's hand, turning away to face the window as Rinwell bustled in, "Oh! There you are, Hootle! It's a good idea staying in here, the rain still hasn't let up -" she glanced over at Shionne, who had her back to the pair now, then Alphen, "He wasn't bothering you was he?"

Hootle tilted his head with a little 'mee?' hoot. He almost saw something important Rinwell, you have awful timing!

Of all the times this sudden interruption had to occur. If Alphen did not care for his party so much he might have actually exploded since who knew when Shionne might comes this close to just spilling the beans about what she was being bothered by.

"Uhhh no not really. We didn't even notice Hootle was here actually."

Rinwell glanced at Alphen, then Shionne, and back. "Hmm.. Did I..." She paused, then shook her head. Nah. "That's good. Anyway, Dohalim and I are going to head to the library, and I think Kisara and Law were going to go to the arena if you need us. We'll meet back here for dinner later though - I think the storm will pass by then."

Shionne gave a muted nod to the mage, pressing her hands together. She had her moment to confess and it got completely ruined! Now what?

"Thanks Rinwell. Let us know if you or anyone else needs any help." Alphen answered with a sigh before his eyes drifted over to Shionne.

Alas it was too late to pick things back up and even Alphen knew this. So rather than push for that, he decided to try a different tactic.

"What about you, Shionne? How do you go about maintenance on your weapon?"

Rinwell eyed the pair for a moment, a little suspiciously before scooping up Hootle and scampering off. There's a longer pause from Shionne before she responded to Alphen, letting out a slow sigh. Glancing up at him almost apologetically, she was relieved at the change in subject. Slightly. "Oh.. well I ... usually take it apart first, to clean each part individually -" it's probably easier to show him, so casually, she summons the gun and starts to disassemble it, putting the larger pieces nearer to him in case he wants to have a look for himself. Though she inspected some of the smaller pieces out of habit while she was doing it.

"And make sure that none of the pieces have any wear and tear or damage that would cause it to jam during a fight. The cylinder is the most important part - but once everything has been checked and cleaned, I re-assemble and realign it before testing it to make sure everything works properly." And while she was talking, she was focused on demonstrating exactly that - the disassembly, cleaning, maintenance, re-assembly and set the gun to one side when it was done. No comment on certain Dahnan models being 'older' or inferior or anything. She long stopped comparing the two.

Alphen couldn't hide the smile when he heard Shionne talk about the whole process so enthusiastically. It was...cute to see her so excited about something other than the big quest of killing the other lords.

That didn't mean he wasn't paying attention to her words of course. While he was not a gun user himself, such knowledge would allow him to account for certain unexpected situations in battle. WHich would allow him to run interference for her if he ever needed to fix her weapon or anything else like that.

"I figured it would be more complex a process than say maintaining a sword or armor but even then that's a lot. You really must have a knack for it to remember all of those complex steps." ALphen praised earnestly.

Shionne looked at him in surprise, with him catching her off guard and bringing a blush to her cheeks at the praise. She should be used to this by now. "I.. I wouldn't say I had a knack for it.." She stammered, fingers tightening on the sniper rifle awkwardly. "I've just had a lot of experience with it by now. I've had to remember everything.." She glanced at her lap, unable to meet even PART of his partial gaze. "It's no different from you being able to remember what you need to do to maintain your own equipment."

"Well you managed to learn all that while having a bigger goal in mind as well." IN His case it was a hobby he mostly pursued in the very very rare moments he could even get close to armor or weapons as a slave.

"Besides I think you like talking about these things too."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject