shaft | hotel: lup

[ nier the canon and ara are both terrible

For the most part, Claude can take the memories that come in stride. They're old and dusty, and he has practice in pretending they don't effect him.

But this one is still fresh. Still raw and frustrating, and he takes a breath when she settles a hand on his arm. ]

... That really is a terrible one.

It... it seems like it, yes.

[a beat.] Where was that? Was that at the school? [she keeps holding.]

Yeah.

It feels kind of stupid to be so affected by something that wasn't even real, you know?

No. [she says, firmly.] It wasn't real, but what you felt was.

Those things are built to hurt you. They get you where it hurts. [...] You care a lot more than you let on. It's a good thing.

[ That's not feedback that he expects. ]

... Are you calling me a softie?

Yes. [she says, a little amused, lifting a hand up to rest on his cheek.] You are a big softie nerd.

I'm sorry you had to find out this way.

[ He just smiles back at her. ]

Terrible news. [ ... ] I'm still getting used to having people that actually want to be in my life.

So, I guess my attempts to care might be a little clumsy still.

You do pretty okay! Look, you're way more smooth than Jason and Cloud! I'll tell you that much.

[her trifecta of clown twunks]

Like I said. It's a good thing. You can never care too much - a big heart is the most important thing. [...] Our bonds make us.

Yeah, I definitely cherish them.

[ ...

He can't resist. ]

I'm pretty impressed that I'm smoother than those two though.

You shouldn't be. Both of them have the tact of a bull in an antiques shop, and Jason has the added extra of being a rude piece of garbage.

[this sounds mean but she sounds like, hopelessly affectionate about it. gross.]