[ He doesn't jump or move when he feels her fingers at his back. There is still an undercurrent of tension, the result of days, months and years holed up over maps and texts and letters. Night's spent on the back of a wyvern and sleeping on the ground.
It's a collection of his bad, late night choices. ]
[ Don't mind her as she gets to work-- she's really only aiming to knead slow circles into his back to encourage a lack of soreness later from his body rebelling against him. But about two minutes in, she realizes just how taut his muscles are, more than expected and she adds a little more pressure. ]
For as easygoing as you seem, the body doesn't lie. You're a hard worker, aren't you?
[ It's still very strange to have someone so close to him—that isn't Judith, when she's giving him a smack across the head—but Claude relaxes into the touch steadily, eyelids drooping as his fatigue catches up to him. ]
That's a very kind assessment. I could just have terrible posture, you know?
It looks like I've been soundly caught! [ He doesn't sound too beat up about it. ] But you're right. I was a soldier back in my world, and if you didn't work hard, you died on the field.
[ Otome is quiet for a minute. It's not as though she isn't used to seeing young adults or children fighting, but there's still something terribly sad about it.
It does seem young, but I was among the lucky ones. There were plenty of children under the age of 10 forced to fight. It's... [ He sighs. ] There's a lot to be done.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ as she walks around to the back of the chair, though now she just sounds amused. ]
You look as though you're a little worried I'll snap your neck.
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I'm don't often receive favours without a catch. It's taking me a minute to adjust.
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[ Dilemma. She is also a little concerned about the implications of favors and catches and poison. ]
Would you prefer I hold off, Claude?
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No, I'm not that afraid. You don't need to be so careful.
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[ but she's been granted permission so she'll roll up her coat sleeves and press her fingers to his back, just to see what she's working with. ]
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[ He doesn't jump or move when he feels her fingers at his back. There is still an undercurrent of tension, the result of days, months and years holed up over maps and texts and letters. Night's spent on the back of a wyvern and sleeping on the ground.
It's a collection of his bad, late night choices. ]
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For as easygoing as you seem, the body doesn't lie. You're a hard worker, aren't you?
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That's a very kind assessment. I could just have terrible posture, you know?
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[ You can't fool a doctor. ]
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[ Or worse. ]
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Still, she keeps working on his back. ]
Was there a war happening, then?
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[ Five years... ]
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[ he doesn't think it's rude... ]
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[ says someone only one year older than he is. ]
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It does seem young, but I was among the lucky ones. There were plenty of children under the age of 10 forced to fight. It's... [ He sighs. ] There's a lot to be done.
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[ It breaks her heart, honestly. Children shouldn't be forced to fight, ever. ]
I'll believe that you can get through this, though. So no one will have to endure that again.
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Yeah, that's the end goal. But countries and men are tricky to navigate.
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[ He seems to be sensible enough, just from speaking with him.
Beyond the. Uh. Poison mushrooms. ]
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[ He is essentially turning into putty at this point. ]
Hence why I'm hoping this place is more a vacation than another challenge.
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[ And she can tell the tension is finally draining out of him, so she gently pats his back. ]
How are you feeling?
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More relaxed than I have in years. All thanks to you.
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[ Sir. ]
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I would say no, but I think that would upset the staff that work in the manor.
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[ Don't hurt the staff's feelings. ]
But it does look like you're improving in the other regard... you really should be out of the woods now.
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