4.1

[sighsheavily]

I can't believe this... I actually like these.

[these being reference to what clothes she's picked at within the room they're holed in for hours indeterminate. she's pulled on a pastel gown and finished fiddling with the fiddlier bits, smoothing out the drapery in front of the floor-length mirror.]

The color is a shame, and I doubt this'd be of use if I get dropped in that bloody maze again, but still...

[it's nice. it feels nice! no more denim and excess buttons...

gads, the rhinestones making cactus blossom patters are kind of tacky, though. she oughtn't complain; it's a step in the right direction.]

Comments

[sighsheavily]

I'm well aware! But facts are facts. A body doesn't just forget such a thing so easily, thank you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

So, you're saying I need to do something to overwrite that?

[sighsheavily]

I'm saying it takes time.

[beat.]

And positive reinforcement.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I can do that. Hell, I'm practically made of positive reinforcement...

[He leans in to kiss her cheek.]

[sighsheavily]

[on cue, she turtles up a bit with a little noise, tickled, shrinking against him and managing to lift her head and peck at his jaw.]

Made of more than that, but! It's not wrong per se--

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He turns a little more to catch her in a real, proper kiss.]

Yeah? What else would you say I'm made of~?

[sighsheavily]

[she hums against his lips before they part and is slow to answer. she'd rather actually consider it than just murmur platitudes, after all.]

I wonder... Is it simple enough to say spirit? That which keeps your eyes forward in the dark, looking for the dawn. [her expression waxes contemplative.] Maybe that's flame in of itself. Indomitable spirit...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You...always make me sound so much cooler than I actually am, you know that...?

[He scratches his cheek bashfully. Is...is he blushing?]

[sighsheavily]

[wait, IS he?? she has to tilt her head a bit to see at this angle, eyebrow arching.]

What do you mean? Am I not saying something you would've said yourself? [...] ...Perhaps with more forging metaphors? But I'm no craftsman, you know.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I mean...yeah, I guess...!

[He is ABSOLUTELY blushing.]

I think...you make me sound a lot more...heroic...

[sighsheavily]

[she squints, mouth quirking on one side.]

What did you think you were when saying such things yourself, dear? If you say anything remotely close to 'charlatan,' you're going to have to give that lecture you gave me to yourself...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I just...! It gets me hyped up...! That's all...!

[sighsheavily]

[her mouth splits into a more genuine smile, endeared.]

But you weren't being a liar, were you?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

N...No! I mean...! I may have been...exaggerating a bit but...!

But that's how you hype people...! It's hyperbole...!

[He's getting more and more red by the second.]

[sighsheavily]

[the tables do turn like this sometimes, but rarely for so long. Cecelia turns around in his slackening grip as he flusters, barely blinking as she peers at the beautiful oddity of his fussed face.

she wants to paint it to memory.]

Do you really find it so silly? That it's possible it's not? I mean, considering all of your feats so far...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Realizing that he's starting to turn scarlet, he whips around and crosses his arms over his barrel chest.]

I-I...I wouldn't call them 'feats!' They're just...! I'm just trying to do right by people...!

You...you talk about me like I'm some great, legendary hero and...I-I dunno..!

It feels undeserved...! I'm just some blacksmith...!

[sighsheavily]

Mm... [she lingers in place before deciding to put her hands on his wait, lest he try to flee. or, like, shoot through the ceiling.]

I don't remember much, so perhaps you know more than I... Do many blacksmiths have the power to raise buildings? Or go about saving their friends and loved ones with such power and abandon?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Psh, please what's your STR stat again, Cece?]

N...N-No. I-I mean...I'm sure there's some smiths out there who are more interested in making sure their clients are safe than making money...

[sighsheavily]

I only know of one who goes so above and beyond.

Must be quite remarkable, honestly.

[she steps in, hugging him around the middle.]

And maybe...the things you say can fuel what you can do.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I-It...It sounds a lot prettier coming from you...

[Gods, how does he deal with this? A beautiful woman claiming he's heroic??]

[sighsheavily]

But is it still...hyperbole? When I say it?

[you callin me a LIAR??]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

N...Not if it's...your opinion...I guess...

[If she were near his face the heat coming off of it would be incredible right now.]

[sighsheavily]

[she hugs tighter. mumbled against his back, his scar:] Accusing me of hyperbole...hmh...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

G...Geez...is this what it's like when I shower you with compliments...?

N...No wonder you can only take so much...

[sighsheavily]

[she turns her head so she can talk.]

It...can be hard. To accept another's truth. Especially when it doesn't quite...fit in with your own.

But it doesn't make either more true or false, I suppose? Beauty is subjective, but working to save lives...that's pretty solidly good.

And true.

You're a hero in my eyes, Darin.