[Her hands go to her bag, wanting to take out her notebook and ask more, but then-- then he asks the question. She shrugs. She doesn't want to make a big deal out of it. Isn't this part of the problem? Being too clingy, too emotional?]
...I'm okay. [She knows she isn't a good liar though, so at least she tries.] The farm needs work, just like the city. Elios wasn't kind.
[And that final comment about the Arehtei comes out with an emotional weight that isn't usually seen in Bianca: a bit of anger, a bit of bitterness. It causes a true chill to run down their spines.]
I can't imagine he was to most... the havoc he wrought was far more than we initially predicted.
[ he says that to transition properly into his next question. if anything, the noticeable change in atmosphere her emotions bring is enough to make him pry a little deeper. he's worried now. ]
[It may just be a transition, but Bianca still nods along, actually getting what he means and totally agreeing. Nobody was ready for said havoc, and--
And here comes the question. Bianca fidgets, her hands holding the strap of her bag so tightly, her knuckles are almost white.]
...I-I said too much and ruined it all. [Excuse her for a moment while she takes of her glasses to rub her eyes before anything watery happens. Not now, not now!]
[She can't meet his eyes, not like this, but it's hard not to give in to his soft and calming voice. She doesn't know if she likes blaming Elios for this too. It'd feel awful to be manipulated by him again, but on the other hand, if he isn't then-- that would mean she learned nothing.]
E-everything... w-with R-red... he-- he didn't get it... and I-I... [Yeah, sorry, crying now.]
[ woah woah woah. there's extra emphasis on those woahs, because this is becoming more than just idle concern. of course there's the clear possibility of elios' influence being the cause of whatever is happening, but steven is observant. he knows that the arehtei's imbalance isn't the only factor here.
his tone doesn't waiver, though now he's making a bit of an effort to stay composed. it's been a while since he's had to comfort someone crying, and even then it was usually a challenger that he had sufficiently thrashed in battle. carefully, he places a hand on her shoulder. ]
[She hides her face on her hands as she sobs, Elios' influence not letting her hide anymore. All her feelings need a way out. She nods, still unable to meet his eyes. This is embarrassing, shameful, but out out out with them--]
I-I mean... I knew I had zero chances... I wasn't expecting anything b-but... [Sobbing pretty hard.] ...h-he didn't have to be so mean...
[ that just about confirms it to steven - he had a feeling that bianca had felt something towards red, even before elios had begun to affect people. it seems like this had been a catalyst, and her emotions are boiling over. she may feel embarrassed, but he is by no means judging her.
there isn't much that he can say until she's cried out, so he keeps a soft, but firm hand on her shoulder. ]
I'm sorry. You don't deserve that, Bianca.
[ he can't quite gauge if red was really mean or if this is elios' influence talking, but either way... he needs to speak to red about this. ]
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[Her hands go to her bag, wanting to take out her notebook and ask more, but then-- then he asks the question. She shrugs. She doesn't want to make a big deal out of it. Isn't this part of the problem? Being too clingy, too emotional?]
...I'm okay. [She knows she isn't a good liar though, so at least she tries.] The farm needs work, just like the city. Elios wasn't kind.
[And that final comment about the Arehtei comes out with an emotional weight that isn't usually seen in Bianca: a bit of anger, a bit of bitterness. It causes a true chill to run down their spines.]
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[ he says that to transition properly into his next question. if anything, the noticeable change in atmosphere her emotions bring is enough to make him pry a little deeper. he's worried now. ]
What happened, if I may ask?
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And here comes the question. Bianca fidgets, her hands holding the strap of her bag so tightly, her knuckles are almost white.]
...I-I said too much and ruined it all. [Excuse her for a moment while she takes of her glasses to rub her eyes before anything watery happens. Not now, not now!]
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he moves from her side to stand in front of her, looking into her eyes. there's real concern in them. ]
Ruined what, exactly?
[ his voice is questioning, but soft; calming. ]
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E-everything... w-with R-red... he-- he didn't get it... and I-I... [Yeah, sorry, crying now.]
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his tone doesn't waiver, though now he's making a bit of an effort to stay composed. it's been a while since he's had to comfort someone crying, and even then it was usually a challenger that he had sufficiently thrashed in battle. carefully, he places a hand on her shoulder. ]
Did you two speak?
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I-I mean... I knew I had zero chances... I wasn't expecting anything b-but... [Sobbing pretty hard.] ...h-he didn't have to be so mean...
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there isn't much that he can say until she's cried out, so he keeps a soft, but firm hand on her shoulder. ]
I'm sorry. You don't deserve that, Bianca.
[ he can't quite gauge if red was really mean or if this is elios' influence talking, but either way... he needs to speak to red about this. ]