[Usually that's because there is someone else to blame, if you know where to look. You can still get hurt - even if someone else is at fault - but it's generally safer.]
[Armand considers her for a long moment. His eyes aren't any harder or easier to read for being his natural orange, but it always provides a touch of contrast to what could otherwise be a simple image of a young man at rest. He's not particularly image-conscious in the way it's usually defined, because it's not really a conscious matter. A lot of what he does isn't conscious, even when it is.
Does he like being dismissed or patronized? He wouldn't put it in those words. You're always going to be something to people, and there are some roles that are... better to inhabit than the opposite. And the world does tend to boil down to extremes. Why should you prove someone wrong? They'll do what they want regardless.
So, it really comes down to this: what's the best choice in the moment. ...It almost always comes down to that, in his experience.]
Isn't 'allies' a rather extreme proposition?
I've already said you are someone whose company I can enjoy. [Which is a sensitive topic, thank you. He adds, dryly:] More at some times than at others.
[His eyes are his eyes, and he has deep waters that he needs to mull through. And she knows she is hitting him with a lot, real fast. But, well...that's so after he can hopefully give it a thought. She'll give him a break.
If something can go through that head of his.]
Allies has no like, or dislike, but merely an agreement that they will work with each other so long as it does not interfere with their own safety, if not interest.
[She raises her eyebrows.]
I know I'm being a pain in the ass right now. I'm not doing it out of any personal satisfaction. Or petty revenge.
If you like or dislike someone that is simply how things are. You might end up hurt, but that's the risk of having any sort of relationship.
[And he likes relationships. He might not be the most social person on the ship, let alone the world, but there are times he could've shut himself away from everyone but he didn't.]
An alliance is a potential risk for your safety, but without reward.
Dismissive is one thing, but insulting is another.
You can't believe that any of that is outside my grasp.
[It's not actually what he has Gojyo for, though he does provide access. But even if he didn't there are plenty of other wardens.]
That's what makes these 'assignments' so pointless. There's little the warden can offer that's not available from other means, and what do I have to offer you?
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 05:53 am (UTC)She says nothing at first. But she does lean in to offer him a light kiss on the mouth.]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 05:56 am (UTC)But it's not as if he has any objections to kissing her, no matter the reason.]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 05:59 am (UTC)That's not a mental construct. That's just how you're presenting yourself to Ashton, and however else you decide to to the rest of the world.
Are you ever allowed to be wrong?
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 06:01 am (UTC)What does that have to do with being wrong?
[He is allowed to be wrong if that's how he's seen, though of course that requires being the right sort of wrong...]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 06:10 am (UTC)Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 06:15 am (UTC)Almost never.
[Usually that's because there is someone else to blame, if you know where to look. You can still get hurt - even if someone else is at fault - but it's generally safer.]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 02:47 pm (UTC)Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 05:13 pm (UTC)[He's not putting enough emotion into this to be annoyed, but he's precise with his word choice!]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 09:14 pm (UTC)[She pats his cheek gently.]
I'm pretty certain you're wrong more often than not. That's me too.
This is concerning.
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 09:19 pm (UTC)Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 09:22 pm (UTC)But it is a problem, Armand. A big one. Your problem if you can't pull your head out of your ass.
You get that?
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 09:24 pm (UTC)Even if it was my problem, it is not yours.
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 10:18 pm (UTC)You sound annoyed.
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-17 10:23 pm (UTC)Why engage in an endeavor that's both pointless and without profit?
[One or another is understandable, but both?]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 01:17 am (UTC)Are you certain that it is either one? Or do you not want to consider it because it means you would have to do something you don't like?
[She tilts her head, considering him.]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 01:22 am (UTC)Though there could be some benefit or profit I'm not aware of.
[He is willing to admit that there's plenty he doesn't know.]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 01:32 am (UTC)Oh yeah. There's plenty that I get from that.
[She grins, and presses a hand to her chest.]
I get to prove myself wrong. That you are not someone to dismiss or patronize.
I can properly apologize to you, and feel we can be proper allies. Because...
What are we to each other, outside of this stupid warden and inmate thing?
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 02:18 am (UTC)Does he like being dismissed or patronized? He wouldn't put it in those words. You're always going to be something to people, and there are some roles that are... better to inhabit than the opposite. And the world does tend to boil down to extremes. Why should you prove someone wrong? They'll do what they want regardless.
So, it really comes down to this: what's the best choice in the moment. ...It almost always comes down to that, in his experience.]
Isn't 'allies' a rather extreme proposition?
I've already said you are someone whose company I can enjoy. [Which is a sensitive topic, thank you. He adds, dryly:] More at some times than at others.
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 03:02 am (UTC)If something can go through that head of his.]
Allies has no like, or dislike, but merely an agreement that they will work with each other so long as it does not interfere with their own safety, if not interest.
[She raises her eyebrows.]
I know I'm being a pain in the ass right now. I'm not doing it out of any personal satisfaction. Or petty revenge.
How is an alliance extreme?
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 03:09 am (UTC)[He shrugs.]
If you like or dislike someone that is simply how things are. You might end up hurt, but that's the risk of having any sort of relationship.
[And he likes relationships. He might not be the most social person on the ship, let alone the world, but there are times he could've shut himself away from everyone but he didn't.]
An alliance is a potential risk for your safety, but without reward.
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 05:48 am (UTC)She doesn't say so, but there might have been a flicker in those odd green eyes of hers.]
So the goal of an alliance between us has no benefit or profit for you?
[He likes her. Sometimes. And she could say the same back.]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 05:55 am (UTC)Why would it?
[After all, as she said, it has nothing to do with whether or not you like the other person.]
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 06:11 am (UTC)Well...I have things I can bring to the table. There could be an exchange. Or at least...
Movie nights.
And ensuring that various experimental films, as well as a private viewing theater would be in your grasp.
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-18 06:24 am (UTC)Dismissive is one thing, but insulting is another.
You can't believe that any of that is outside my grasp.
[It's not actually what he has Gojyo for, though he does provide access. But even if he didn't there are plenty of other wardens.]
That's what makes these 'assignments' so pointless. There's little the warden can offer that's not available from other means, and what do I have to offer you?
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
Date: 2026-02-19 07:58 pm (UTC)I'd rather not be spiteful to you without reason, Armand.
But that's the question. What could you offer me or anyone on board, that someone else could not already provide?
Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From:Re: After Pairing Annoucement
From: