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Oh, yes.
[ Right. To business. ]
I would like to publish something in it. But I'm afraid I'm not - especially good with words. Is there anyone who could help me?
[ Right. To business. ]
I would like to publish something in it. But I'm afraid I'm not - especially good with words. Is there anyone who could help me?
[ She hesitates, uncertain whether he's telling the truth or flattering her. Regardless: ]
Not in the way I'd need to be. I - only learned to read and write very recently. I couldn't put words on paper in a, um, persuasive way.
Not in the way I'd need to be. I - only learned to read and write very recently. I couldn't put words on paper in a, um, persuasive way.
Oh - So you'll be the one to help? [ But she continues on before he has a chance to second-guess himself: ] Yes, please. That would be very good.
[ A question she didn’t expect. ]
Oh. Yes, Messere; very much. I’ve found books to be some of the kindest teachers.
Oh. Yes, Messere; very much. I’ve found books to be some of the kindest teachers.
Bastien. Wouldn't you agree you owe me a favor?
[there are no ulterior motives here]
[there are no ulterior motives here]
Edited 2023-06-09 19:35 (UTC)
Or I could owe you a favor.
[Cheerfully elbowing Barrow in the side:]
I do have that cake cooling--
[Cheerfully elbowing Barrow in the side:]
I do have that cake cooling--
But isn't true friendship about more than cake?
[ Uh
huh.
The long silence—which he would fill, with anyone else, with babble to disguise that he’s thinking—is half to evaluate the probability of that being true, half to evaluate the possibility that Byerly’s voice is also coming from some potentially sinister mimic.
He doesn’t come to a decision on either of those topics. Only on this one: ]
I’m coming to meet you.
huh.
The long silence—which he would fill, with anyone else, with babble to disguise that he’s thinking—is half to evaluate the probability of that being true, half to evaluate the possibility that Byerly’s voice is also coming from some potentially sinister mimic.
He doesn’t come to a decision on either of those topics. Only on this one: ]
I’m coming to meet you.
Yeah. [ A little relieved not to argue. The Sinister Byerly Mimic possibility is small enough that he doesn’t hesitate before adding, ] I love you.
[ It’s intended as good-bye (for a few hours because I am coming to meet you) but before he can actually disconnect, he stops. ]
He said you died.
[ It’s intended as good-bye (for a few hours because I am coming to meet you) but before he can actually disconnect, he stops. ]
He said you died.
Yes, he said that to me as well.
[ Bemused, rather than horrified. The possibility is so unreal and abstract that it's more puzzling than frightening. ]
I rather wish he hadn't. It makes me feel like a coward. Abandoning these people to save my own hypothetical skin.
[ Bemused, rather than horrified. The possibility is so unreal and abstract that it's more puzzling than frightening. ]
I rather wish he hadn't. It makes me feel like a coward. Abandoning these people to save my own hypothetical skin.
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