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.]
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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.