Reyna has some questions... but truth be told, she honestly isn't sure how to approach him. Their paths simply didn't cross much during the week. It's fairly obvious to everyone that he cared about Gi-gan, but given that she didn't really know either of them all that well, how welcome would anything she has to say even be?
She can't help but think that any condolences she has for him would ring hollow.
But she can't just let it be, either. He's been spared following his partner into death, but now he has to live with only his captain's memory. That's not easy.
So eventually... their paths cross. Maybe it's just random chance in a hallway somewhere! She's headed down to the kitchen to make something to drink, but she pauses as they pass each other.]
[Jae-ha pauses when his name is called - true, he'd just gotten away from something rather gruesome but... it's hard to tell, with the easy way that he smiles when someone asks for his attention.]
[She could live without the adjective, but she's not going to lecture a grieving man about keeping his opinions to himself. There's a time and a place for that and even she is savvy enough to know that this isn't it.]
...I was heading for the kitchens to make something to drink. I wondered - have you had hot chocolate before?
[Do they even like, have hot chocolate in Kouka?]
When I make it, I usually end up making too much. If you're free, I could use some help finishing it off.
[ . . . . they probably don't? Or at least, for the sake of this thread, now they don't! Jae-ha's going to blink for a moment before settling into an easy smile.]
And who would I be to turn down a request from a lady?
If you're willing to have my company, I will gladly give it.
But anyway - into the kitchen they go. Sadly, she's no five-star chef like Sanji is, but Reyna can make a mean cup of hot cocoa when she puts her mind to it, and she gets right to work.]
Do you prefer for your drinks to be more sweet or more bitter?
[One dark hot chocolate, coming right up...! It's not too long at all before she's setting a goblet in front of him and keeping one for herself. ...her goblet has more sugar in it.]
Here. ...it doesn't fix everything, but... in my experience, this stuff helps make difficult things a little easier.
[She's not really sure if it's a successful attempt, but... she'll try.]
I'm not going to say something like "tell me everything that's bothering you"... that's silly, we barely know each other. But just leaving you to suffer didn't seem right, either.
Jae-ha is conveniently sipping on his drink, his expression still contemplative.]
... If anyone asks, it's pointless to pretend as though this weekend hasn't been trying.
But if they don't ask, I would rather move on. As sweet as it is to hear your concern - it's nothing worth wallowing it, when we've hit the point of no return.
I'll keep that in mind - but I do insist that you have larger things to worry about than me. I won't suddenly collapse on you any time soon, at the very least.
[Reyna nods. She'll probably worry quietly, regardless - despite her priority being to get two specific people out of this alive, that doesn't mean she wants to see anyone else perish in this game.
But if Jae-ha doesn't want her to make a big deal of it, she won't.]
anyway jae-ha is going to walk away from the execution now, mouth downturned unfortunately. when he catches sight of reyna, he just offers a tired smile]
... Is this similar to what you felt last week, I wonder?
[what it's like to watch, rather than feel the relief of your own life being spared]
[she smiles back at him, also tired. gods, just please let them rest]
I imagine it might be.
[but she can't say for certain; jae-ha's very chattery about a lot of things but he's not exactly been talkative about the things he feels. at least, not here.]
[reyna probably didn't ask for this but - she's going to be receiving a flower crown regardless! it's bright, fiery, and jae-ha thinks it suits her personality perfectly]
Maybe it'll be good luck for when you show them their place in the tournament?
[what up jae-ha, here's an aggravated-looking praetor poking around in the alcohol cabinet. will they need this next week to treat injuries? probably. that's only like 20% of a deterrent right now.]
I don't suppose you have any suggestions?
[what does she need to drink to forget literally everything that happened today... teach her your ways]
[Reyna nods. That'll do. That's probably for the better, actually. She goes to get the supplies for hot chocolate, reaching up for cocoa powder and the like despite her injury because she's a fucking idiot, and gets right to work.]
But Jae-ha trusts her to be able to determine the extent of her injuries for the most part. He sorts through the alcohol they have to try to find something that won't bite too much in the hot chocolate.
[There isn't much use in pretending that she isn't. Jae-ha isn't Nico, or Magnus, or anyone who's relying on her, really - she'll support him if he can, of course, but she doesn't have to be constantly on in front of him, either.]
It makes a certain amount of sense - in many fairy tales, a prince's kiss raises the princess from death, or enchanted slumber, or some other curse. But we have no idea when it will take effect.
[Her grip tightens around the stirring spoon she's grabbed.]
.... there's no way for us to know. There might be other people who can step in - there are too many skills to name - but...
[Jae-ha breaths out a sigh at that.]
... It's frustrating, to be stuck waiting.
I understand.
[He remembers that first weekend where his fate was never confirmed - where he spent a whole night searching for ways out just because he didn't care to trust his life into the hands of others.]
[Reyna sighs. Luckily, working on the hot chocolate gives her something to focus on as she tries to untangle the jumbled mess of everything that she's feeling about this.]
It feels like this entire... war, if it can be called that, is just one giant waiting game.
{Waiting for someone to die. Waiting for their body to be found. Waiting for the trial to start, for some kind of evidence to appear out of thin air, for someone to confess.
Waiting to see if the partners will be saved at the execution.
Not being able to do anything about it.]
I don't know whether I envy or pity the people with more useful skills - the amount of pressure on them must be... intense.
[It's some time after the trial - after he'd gone to see a number more people who endured such painful things - but he'll go to find Reyna. It's after watching her make hot chocolate for a number of weeks that he thinks he's gotten it down, observed just the way she likes to make hers... and prepared a cup.
So he'll go to find her and offer a tired smile.]
... would you believe me if I said the reason why I didn't put the potion in a cup of hot cocoa is because I didn't want to ruin something so important to you with a deceit?
[Reyna's lips press together into a thin line and she stares down at the surface of the hot chocolate.]
If even my own partner doesn't trust me... [Reyna's voice is a little dull-sounding, when she finally does speak.] I'm not sure where I went wrong. But he was suspicious enough to feel the need to question me like that in front of everyone.
[If people weren't suspicious of her before - and they didn't seem to be - she wouldn't be surprised if they are now.]
I told him once - that he talks like he knows everyone's experiences. Like he knows better than everyone else in the room, and I feel like he's the type of person who wants to follow his hunch through to the end, even if it's a stupid one.
[and Jae-ha just shakes his head.]
... this wasn't on you. I don't think you should have to make an excuse for an old professor's folly.
I shouldn't have to, but I'm going to have to if anyone asks, and maybe even if they don't. Anyone who overheard that is going to be wondering just what I did to make him so suspicious of me... they'll remember that, next time there's a trial.
[And he's her partner - arguably, the person who has the most insight into her behavior and motivations here. (That person is actually Nico, but with his obvious bias - well, she doesn't expect that to count for much to the people listening.)]
So I have to come up with something to explain away why he did that in the first place. But I don't see how I'm meant to do such a thing if even I can't understand why he would--
[She cuts herself off and sets her cup of cocoa down abruptly.]
here they are out on the observatory balcony. it's raining. this sucks. but reyna has spotted something gold and shiny stuck in a little gap between bricks a few feet down. It's not too far... she thinks if she holds on and leans down over the side she can grab it.
So.
Uh.
Reyna's attempting to climb over the balcony in the rain to do that. Help??]
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toughchoices) wrote2018-06-11 12:28 am
prologue - sunday afternoon;
Reyna has some questions... but truth be told, she honestly isn't sure how to approach him. Their paths simply didn't cross much during the week. It's fairly obvious to everyone that he cared about Gi-gan, but given that she didn't really know either of them all that well, how welcome would anything she has to say even be?
She can't help but think that any condolences she has for him would ring hollow.
But she can't just let it be, either. He's been spared following his partner into death, but now he has to live with only his captain's memory. That's not easy.
So eventually... their paths cross. Maybe it's just random chance in a hallway somewhere! She's headed down to the kitchen to make something to drink, but she pauses as they pass each other.]
...Jae-ha?
no subject
Oh? Do you have business with me?
You're - the lovely Reyna, isn't it?
[he's memorized all the tapestries it's fine]
no subject
[She could live without the adjective, but she's not going to lecture a grieving man about keeping his opinions to himself. There's a time and a place for that and even she is savvy enough to know that this isn't it.]
...I was heading for the kitchens to make something to drink. I wondered - have you had hot chocolate before?
[Do they even like, have hot chocolate in Kouka?]
When I make it, I usually end up making too much. If you're free, I could use some help finishing it off.
no subject
And who would I be to turn down a request from a lady?
If you're willing to have my company, I will gladly give it.
no subject
[It's meant to be reassuring, promise!!
But anyway - into the kitchen they go. Sadly, she's no five-star chef like Sanji is, but Reyna can make a mean cup of hot cocoa when she puts her mind to it, and she gets right to work.]
Do you prefer for your drinks to be more sweet or more bitter?
no subject
Even poison!]
Something a bit more bitter, if you don't mind.
no subject
[One dark hot chocolate, coming right up...! It's not too long at all before she's setting a goblet in front of him and keeping one for herself. ...her goblet has more sugar in it.]
Here. ...it doesn't fix everything, but... in my experience, this stuff helps make difficult things a little easier.
[Her voice is gentle.]
no subject
Jae-ha still laughs faintly at that.]
Ah - it's an attempt to make me feel better? That's kind of you.
no subject
[She's not really sure if it's a successful attempt, but... she'll try.]
I'm not going to say something like "tell me everything that's bothering you"... that's silly, we barely know each other. But just leaving you to suffer didn't seem right, either.
no subject
Did I look like I was suffering?
[It's curiosity, but also - for his own knowledge. If he was giving people a reason to worry, he'd like to avoid it.]
no subject
Not especially. You're a good actor. But - after what happened, it would be almost strange if you weren't.
no subject
Jae-ha is conveniently sipping on his drink, his expression still contemplative.]
... If anyone asks, it's pointless to pretend as though this weekend hasn't been trying.
But if they don't ask, I would rather move on. As sweet as it is to hear your concern - it's nothing worth wallowing it, when we've hit the point of no return.
no subject
[Reyna spreads her hands out, palms up, and shrugs. She won't press the matter, except to say -]
If that changes... if you do end up feeling like you want to talk about it, then please feel free to talk to me, even though I won't ask again.
For now - let's just enjoy our drinks, shall we?
no subject
[But - ]
The drink is delicious. Thank you.
no subject
But if Jae-ha doesn't want her to make a big deal of it, she won't.]
You're welcome. I'm glad to hear you like it.
week 1, sunday
anyway jae-ha is going to walk away from the execution now, mouth downturned unfortunately. when he catches sight of reyna, he just offers a tired smile]
... Is this similar to what you felt last week, I wonder?
[what it's like to watch, rather than feel the relief of your own life being spared]
no subject
I imagine it might be.
[but she can't say for certain; jae-ha's very chattery about a lot of things but he's not exactly been talkative about the things he feels. at least, not here.]
no subject
But he just offers her a tired smile and - ]
Shall we have some hot chocolate then?
no subject
Hot chocolate never makes a day worse.
[So, that's a yes. ...though she is a little surprised he's not going for something stronger.]
no subject
[it wouldn't feel right if he got drunk in the company of a lady who wasn't drinking with him]
week 2, wednesday
Maybe it'll be good luck for when you show them their place in the tournament?
no subject
I've got skill, but a little luck never hurts, too. [...] Did you pick this out yourself?
no subject
[proudly]
I think it suits you well. You're beautiful already, but there's finally that hint of fiery strength.
chapter two - saturday;
I don't suppose you have any suggestions?
[what does she need to drink to forget literally everything that happened today... teach her your ways]
no subject
Jae-ha pauses for a moment, looking at Reyna and - ]
.... make some hot chocolate, and I'll find something that goes with it?
[They can meet halfway.]
no subject
[Reyna nods. That'll do. That's probably for the better, actually. She goes to get the supplies for hot chocolate, reaching up for cocoa powder and the like despite her injury because she's a fucking idiot, and gets right to work.]
What do you think will happen tomorrow?
no subject
But Jae-ha trusts her to be able to determine the extent of her injuries for the most part. He sorts through the alcohol they have to try to find something that won't bite too much in the hot chocolate.
. . . ]
Are you worried?
no subject
[There isn't much use in pretending that she isn't. Jae-ha isn't Nico, or Magnus, or anyone who's relying on her, really - she'll support him if he can, of course, but she doesn't have to be constantly on in front of him, either.]
It makes a certain amount of sense - in many fairy tales, a prince's kiss raises the princess from death, or enchanted slumber, or some other curse. But we have no idea when it will take effect.
[Her grip tightens around the stirring spoon she's grabbed.]
...if it happens after the execution...
no subject
[Jae-ha breaths out a sigh at that.]
... It's frustrating, to be stuck waiting.
I understand.
[He remembers that first weekend where his fate was never confirmed - where he spent a whole night searching for ways out just because he didn't care to trust his life into the hands of others.]
no subject
It feels like this entire... war, if it can be called that, is just one giant waiting game.
{Waiting for someone to die. Waiting for their body to be found. Waiting for the trial to start, for some kind of evidence to appear out of thin air, for someone to confess.
Waiting to see if the partners will be saved at the execution.
Not being able to do anything about it.]
I don't know whether I envy or pity the people with more useful skills - the amount of pressure on them must be... intense.
no subject
[Jae-ha just huffs out a laugh at that, even as he manages to pick a type of alcohol that has more of a milky consistency.
He'll bring it over and move to lean against the counter by Reyna.]
Though I do think that's why it's all the more important to be able to support each other here.
week 3, saturday
So he'll go to find her and offer a tired smile.]
... would you believe me if I said the reason why I didn't put the potion in a cup of hot cocoa is because I didn't want to ruin something so important to you with a deceit?
Even so - I thought you'd need this.
no subject
[Reyna tries, but she doesn't manage a smile back - she looks too tired for that. She does reach for the drink, though.]
...thank you.
no subject
[And that sounds sincere. Regardless he'll move to sit with her, wherever she is, as he has a drink of his own.]
... I don't know if I entirely caught what happened at the end of the trial, but I can grasp that it was unfair to you.
no subject
If even my own partner doesn't trust me... [Reyna's voice is a little dull-sounding, when she finally does speak.] I'm not sure where I went wrong. But he was suspicious enough to feel the need to question me like that in front of everyone.
[If people weren't suspicious of her before - and they didn't seem to be - she wouldn't be surprised if they are now.]
no subject
I told him once - that he talks like he knows everyone's experiences. Like he knows better than everyone else in the room, and I feel like he's the type of person who wants to follow his hunch through to the end, even if it's a stupid one.
[and Jae-ha just shakes his head.]
... this wasn't on you. I don't think you should have to make an excuse for an old professor's folly.
no subject
[And he's her partner - arguably, the person who has the most insight into her behavior and motivations here. (That person is actually Nico, but with his obvious bias - well, she doesn't expect that to count for much to the people listening.)]
So I have to come up with something to explain away why he did that in the first place. But I don't see how I'm meant to do such a thing if even I can't understand why he would--
[She cuts herself off and sets her cup of cocoa down abruptly.]
chapter five - wednesday;
here they are out on the observatory balcony. it's raining. this sucks. but reyna has spotted something gold and shiny stuck in a little gap between bricks a few feet down. It's not too far... she thinks if she holds on and leans down over the side she can grab it.
So.
Uh.
Reyna's attempting to climb over the balcony in the rain to do that. Help??]