He kind of crumples next to the counter when she finally backs away enough, half out of relief and half out of adrenaline. His voice croaks when he speaks up.]
Yeah... yeah, I'll be fine. [The trembling, at least, has stopped.]
You've got a really weird definition of what to consider a compliment.
[IT'S. A PHOBIA???? HEWOO?
anyway]
Yeah. I've been like this since I was a kid. It's gotten better the last couple years, but I can't always control what happens when I get, uh... startled.
[SIGH. Fine, whatever. This feels like talking to Natalia, only he can't quite figure out if this is better or worse.]
...Yeah, you're fine. Anything within an arm's length is usually alright. [This is. A LITTLE more than that currently, but he was kind of flipping out and who wants to think of details when they could instead think about how they're going to die of girl cooties.]
Just try not to sneak up on me like that again, okay?
[There's a nod, more than a little grateful.] I appreciate it. It'll save me more, uh... accidental headaches. [Just. Rubbing at the top of his head where he hit the countertop earlier.]
Yeah, it's for Shadows - it looks like it's mostly been taken care of between everyone else. No one really bothered to do the floors all that well, though, so I figured I might as well. It's not much different from what I've done at home or anything.
Besides, there's something relaxing about taking the time to clean something out properly.
[she'd offer to make sure that guy isn't bleeding from the top of his head or anything but - he seems to have that covered. she tilts her head at the explanation]
Were you a servant then? Someone's attendant?
[asked lightly and without judgement - because lili might be nobility but she's not the type to look down at others over rank either]
[There's a light chuckle as he reaches over to heave the bucket up off the floor. He might as well work with cleaner water, he's been at this a while now.]
Good guess. You'd be right.
I acted as the personal manservant to the only son of Duke Crimson Herzog fon Fabre for fourteen years. More recently, I've moved into the service of His Majesty Peony the Ninth, ruler of the Malkuth Empire. A little fancier in scale, but about the same kind of work at the end of the day.
[He'll cock his head to the side, brows lifting.]
What about you? That's not usually the first guess people give right off the bat when I say I'm used to scrubbing floors.
[she'll shift then, just making sure to stay out of his way so that it's easier for him to keep his space. when she listens to all that....]
What would they normally guess...?
[lili doesn't go outside amongst normal people that much, she doesn't know anything outside of nobility and revolution]
Lili An, the only daughter of General An Joon-gi of the Water Tribe. [she'll properly introduce herself, not bothering to bow or anything because she does not think it fucking matters. thought she will elaborate, since she knows that alone probably doesn't exactly give the real scope of her hierarchy] Of the Four Great Tribes that oversee the Kingdom of Kouka.
[Another laugh, more honestly humored than before.]
No wonder you remind me of the princess so much. [He'll leave that bucket dumped in the sink, long enough to drop into a formal bow.] The honor is all mine, my lady, regardless of circumstance. I hope I can treat you with the proper respects.
You're not even one of my servants, so it's not like you should treat me any differently to begin with. Even if I'm nobility, we're all in the same situation and nothing sets us apart from each other here.
Hey, I could use the same rebuttal for you, you know. You've got a dangerously sharp tongue to be barking instructions around someone in service to another lord.
[Thank god he's used to dealing with someone who is also mean, so he just huffs, half in good-nature and half just exasperated. But his tone isn't cruel, only just slightly flippant.]
When it's all you know for over sixteen years, it's hard not to just do it automatically. But I'll watch my tongue, alright? I don't want to offend you.
My sharp tongue is equal opportunity and it would not be the first time it's gotten me into trouble.
[she's pretty casual about that too, unbothered. it seems that this is just the way she is and she has no particular concern about changing it.]
But for what it's worth, you'd have to try a lot harder to offend me. It's just annoying, to be treated cordially when you know nothing of me and I've done nothing to deserve it.
[it just doesn't sit right with her, too fake for someone so straightforward]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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... I won't then.
I've gotten something like this reaction before, but it's normally when I'm at least trying to be aggressive? Is this about your weird reaction again?
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[he is trying so hard to keep his voice even but the color is rapidly draining from his face]
L-Lili, I'm begging you, please just -- just back up a little...
[he is going to pass out please stop]
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she will. take a few steps back? hello?]
It's pretty weird. [she holds up her hands by her face, in a placating gesture] Any better?
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He kind of crumples next to the counter when she finally backs away enough, half out of relief and half out of adrenaline. His voice croaks when he speaks up.]
Yeah... yeah, I'll be fine. [The trembling, at least, has stopped.]
Damn it... I didn't hurt you again, did I?
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Nope. You don't need to worry about it that much - be nice to girls, but I'm stronger than I look.
So what just happened?
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[A completely dry response as he slowly tries to right himself, kicking the bucket of suds to the side.]
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[she admits it]
But I wasn't trying this time - just me standing next to you is scary...?
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[wheezes]
And yes, it is. It's... it's not something you did or anything. It wasn't back on the bus, either.
It's just a reaction. A fear, that just only happens around women. I can't control it.
You can call it a phobia if you want. Wouldn't be wrong.
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I guess fearing women isn't the worst quality for a man to have.
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He just. Stares at her for a second.
Completely, utterly sarcastic:]
Your input on my lack of character is highly appreciated.
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[she said it WASN'T the worst quality to have, after all.]
Anyway - has it always been like that?
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[IT'S. A PHOBIA???? HEWOO?
anyway]
Yeah. I've been like this since I was a kid. It's gotten better the last couple years, but I can't always control what happens when I get, uh... startled.
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[but she is a rudeass, alas.]
Hm... Alright - then I'll keep that in mind. [she gestures to the distance between them] This is an acceptance space then?
[it seems like even though she's a rudeass, she at least doesn't want to cause him unnecessary distress though.]
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...Yeah, you're fine. Anything within an arm's length is usually alright. [This is. A LITTLE more than that currently, but he was kind of flipping out and who wants to think of details when they could instead think about how they're going to die of girl cooties.]
Just try not to sneak up on me like that again, okay?
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It's not sneaking if you're off in your own little world - but fine. I'll announce my presence when I notice you if it'll make it easier.
Are you just taking care of their assigned tasks then?
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Yeah, it's for Shadows - it looks like it's mostly been taken care of between everyone else. No one really bothered to do the floors all that well, though, so I figured I might as well. It's not much different from what I've done at home or anything.
Besides, there's something relaxing about taking the time to clean something out properly.
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Were you a servant then? Someone's attendant?
[asked lightly and without judgement - because lili might be nobility but she's not the type to look down at others over rank either]
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Good guess. You'd be right.
I acted as the personal manservant to the only son of Duke Crimson Herzog fon Fabre for fourteen years. More recently, I've moved into the service of His Majesty Peony the Ninth, ruler of the Malkuth Empire. A little fancier in scale, but about the same kind of work at the end of the day.
[He'll cock his head to the side, brows lifting.]
What about you? That's not usually the first guess people give right off the bat when I say I'm used to scrubbing floors.
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What would they normally guess...?
[lili doesn't go outside amongst normal people that much, she doesn't know anything outside of nobility and revolution]
Lili An, the only daughter of General An Joon-gi of the Water Tribe. [she'll properly introduce herself, not bothering to bow or anything because she does not think it fucking matters. thought she will elaborate, since she knows that alone probably doesn't exactly give the real scope of her hierarchy] Of the Four Great Tribes that oversee the Kingdom of Kouka.
Not that that matters here.
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No wonder you remind me of the princess so much. [He'll leave that bucket dumped in the sink, long enough to drop into a formal bow.] The honor is all mine, my lady, regardless of circumstance. I hope I can treat you with the proper respects.
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SUCH A FUCKING FACE AT THIS]
And there will be none of that. Didn't you hear me? I just said rank doesn't matter here!
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Force of habit.
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[she's so mean]
You're not even one of my servants, so it's not like you should treat me any differently to begin with. Even if I'm nobility, we're all in the same situation and nothing sets us apart from each other here.
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[Thank god he's used to dealing with someone who is also mean, so he just huffs, half in good-nature and half just exasperated. But his tone isn't cruel, only just slightly flippant.]
When it's all you know for over sixteen years, it's hard not to just do it automatically. But I'll watch my tongue, alright? I don't want to offend you.
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[she's pretty casual about that too, unbothered. it seems that this is just the way she is and she has no particular concern about changing it.]
But for what it's worth, you'd have to try a lot harder to offend me. It's just annoying, to be treated cordially when you know nothing of me and I've done nothing to deserve it.
[it just doesn't sit right with her, too fake for someone so straightforward]