caughtinanetwork

[Really, she can't help but find seadweller biology fascinating. How his fins fan out further only spurs her amusement.]

Somehow, I did not think so. It is appreciated, though I did not expect remorse for something that was an accepted part of our culture. I will of course offer my own apology for any grievance that I may have caused. I know I have not been the most accommodating, particularly when it comes to matters concerning Signless.

[She should try touching them.

He waves a hand dismissively]

Considerin' wwhat I did to you, nothin' you'vve done has been of any kind a importance. Actually, I wwouldn't a been surprised to see you far more hostile, but you'vve been all but swweet since you arrivved.

Anywway, I wwouldn't say I'm remorseful, exactly. You're right that it's accepted an it's wwhat I wwas meant to do. I can't be blamed for that. But all that bein' said, I don't properly feel it's right, noww, so that's wwhat I meant by the apology.

[Maybe she will. Maybe he should offer. But not right now.]

I may have been more hostile had you not caught me so utterly off guard upon my arrival here. I had certainly expected the same from you, and you have even been what I might call patient.

[She smiles, tilting her head to one side.]

I think that it is a decided improvement.

[Maybe he will, when it's the right time. He takes another sip of his wine. Talking to her is so nice. He never would have thought to talk to her when she was a slave]

I can be vvery patient wwhen it suits me. An wwhen there's no need to be impatient.

[She laughs, and the humour strikes her so off-guard that it bubbles up as a warm-sounding giggle. Her eyes drop to the glass in front of her, and she shakes her head.]

There is a different pace to things here, is there not? Impatience seems to be a thing which is unnecessary.. most of the time.

That's for sure. [He flashes shark's teeth in a genuine grin] Other than the curses, wwhich are pretty predictable in their timin', nothin' all that exciting happens. Except all a the normal kind a fightin that happens wwith trolls, a course. There's no need to get all angry all a the time.

It must be strange for you. [Resting her chin against her hand, she taps her fingertips gently along the line of her jaw.] Highbloods are not known for their level tempers.

No, wwe're not. [He lets his finger run around the rim of his wineglass, thoughtful] But I'vve prided myself on my control. I nevver had a moirail until Signless. Nevver thought a needin' one, either. I'vve since learned a his vvalue, but I did my best to control my temper before I evver met him.

[She's never had one, herself, though some trolls have come close. In the end, it was always her duty to raising Signless that stopped her from being truly able to focus on her quadrants. Though, her usual nature is so placid that she has never needed one for herself.]

With much success? [She's gently teasing him as she asks that, watching his finger move around the rim of his glass.] He has been good for you, I think, though I could not have predicted the match.

[He ducks his head slightly, his fins flaring with pleasure and discomfort at once]

I nevver wwould a thought it, either. But I credit Signless for it, really. He puts up wwith me, and he is good to me, alwways. His patience convvinced me to givve him the chance.

[She likes that reaction. Her head tilts in curiosity at it, and she smiles gently.]

I would say that I taught him well, but so much of it came from him. All he needed from me was guidance in his early years.

Then again, he don't ask like any lusus-raised troll I'vve evver met, so maybe it wwas more a your influence wwhether you kneww it or not. [He smiles as he says this, too, meaning good things by it whether or not it comes off that way]

Perhaps it was. [She takes it as a compliment, sips her wine again and nods to the menu.] Have you decided? I think I will take your recommendation.

[He thinks for a moment, then gestures to the waiter and orders two dishes. The first is fish, the other seafood, and he figures they can each share the other's food. Plus they'll both go with the wine.

Though Dolorosa did invite him to make a recommendation, he doesn't think about the fact that this might be a little further than she quite meant. As the waiter leaves, he smiles at her]

Wwell, I think you'll like both a these options, and wwhichevver you like the best, that can be your meal for the evvenin'. Howw does that sound?

[It is a surprise, but certainly not an unpleasant one. Despite the obvious changes to his personality she had still not expected him to be quite so accommodating. It's enough to draw a little colour to her cheeks as she returns his smile.]

That sounds perfect, thank you.

[Accommodating, or controlling? All a matter of perspective. He thinks he's being accommodating, that's for sure.

He smiles at her acceptance, and picks up the bottle of wine to fill her cup.]

You're more than wwelcome.

[She knows where to draw the line, and as long as she's not being forced into anything she doesn't wish to do, she's happy to go along with his whims. For now, it's quite pleasant to be treated so well, to be able to look at him as more of a peer than a captor.

Once he's refilled her wine, she takes a quick sip of it.]

Would I be permitted to ask you a personal question?

[He doesn't really know where to draw the line, but at least it isn't intentional. He does what he wants, and just assumes that's what everyone else wants, too, unless you give him a good reason to believe otherwise.

He cocks his head curiously.]

A course you can. You don't evven havve to ask. This ain't exactly a professional kind a setting wwe're in.

It was only for the sake of good manners.

[She bows her head a little, then sits back to look at him. For a moment, it's almost as if she's examining him.]

What has it been like for you, being here?

[He smiles and inclines his head] Wwell, I sure don't mind you bein' polite. It's one a your nicest qualities.

[He cocks his head as she asks her question, but it's not a difficult one after all]

It's been hard in some wways, but things havve happened here...good things. I nevver wwould trade the time I'vve had here, though there are times wwhen there's not enough excitement.

[Compliments are a sure way to get her blushing, and she does so, touching one hand to her cheek. Dualscar, she's sure you're doing this on purpose.]

Aha.. yes.. this is a large step away from the life of a pirate, is it not?

[He's totally doing it on purpose, and he rather likes that shade on your cheek]

Quite a long wway for both a us. [He smiles and leans in close] I got a admit I like that look on you.

[The blush only darkens - she's very much unused to being flirted with - but while she meets his eyes, her fingers come to rest on his wrist, her thumb stroking lightly over the back of his hand.]

I might say the same for you.

[Oh... oh this is good. He turns his hand over, curling his fingers around hers lightly and giving a squeeze]

I'm glad a that.

[Oh.

This isn't new, but it's different. She smiles timidly and squeezes lightly in response.]

I would not have thought that my opinion would be so important to you.

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