[But it's without heat. He's grown attached to all of you, and well... he's grateful. Without you, maybe Hikaru wouldn't be alive. Maybe he'd be even more fucked up than he already is.]
[ Looking at Alistair now like REALLY? before breaking out a smile. ]
I wasn't talking about that aspect, but thanks a lot for being honest with me.
[ Punching him lightly on the arm. ]
I know that, okay? Besides, that earned your respect more, don't lie. You and I, we were alike. [ Lightly laughing between speaking. Funny old memories tend to induce that. ]
[And since she's quiet, he's quiet. Something tells him that she's looking for an opening to speak about some matter or another (he's an investigator that way, and he is more or less familiar with her tells), but since he has no idea what...
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Think of it as our annoying way of repaying you for everything.
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[But it's without heat. He's grown attached to all of you, and well... he's grateful. Without you, maybe Hikaru wouldn't be alive. Maybe he'd be even more fucked up than he already is.]
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Well you are very much welcome.
[ Alistair didn't really say thank you, but it's already a given anyway. Not like she's gonna force it out of him. She be chill like that. ]
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Speaking of kids.]
So how's Allegra? I know how Rico's doing.
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Still a lot like her father, unfortunately.
[ Yes Gideon, you can hear that. Your wife just indirectly insulted you endearingly. Tihee. ]
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You weren't exactly the poster kid for social skills yourself before, Dee.
[POT KETTLE BLAAAACK.]
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I wasn't talking about that aspect, but thanks a lot for being honest with me.
[ Punching him lightly on the arm. ]
I know that, okay? Besides, that earned your respect more, don't lie. You and I, we were alike. [ Lightly laughing between speaking. Funny old memories tend to induce that. ]
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[Whatta softie dis Alistair guy.]
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Oh, fondness? Even better.
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[You kids.]
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Still the same thing. From what I recall, you like it.
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Don't tell anyone. I might just have to kill you.
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You shouldn't joke about things you're perfectly capable of, you know.
[ She laughs for a bit before continuing: ] Besides, that won't change the fact that somewhere deep inside, you're a softie.
[ She raises her arms up, palms facing the ceiling. ] We all know it.
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[Mild, grousing, and overall well-meaning.
Deirdra - 1, Alistair - 0.]
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You're lucky the rest haven't come down to bug you.
[ Cause then you'll have to deal with all our annoying opinions, and that would just be so funny. ]
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[Sigh.]
Should I brace myself?
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[ Not like they back off on other days, but lol, birthdays are birthdays.
She manages a small laugh. ]
I think you should just take it as it is.
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[Besides, he makes a lot of concessions for you folk. The care and concern? Both are mutual.]
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Speaking of taking things as they are...
She wants to ask, but being nosy really wasn't her thing.
Still, she wonders. So how are you and Hikaru...? ]
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Yeah. Not saying a word. Besides, beer is nice.]
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Ugh, fine.
So maybe she can be nosy from time to time.
But she says it in a really plain fashion. Not curious, not meddling. Just asking. ]
Did he greet you?
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Yeah.
[Wow, this beer can is really interesting.]
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You're being (probably unintentionally) cryptic NOW? ]
You're gonna burn a hole through that if you keep staring.
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Fine. Looking up at you again.]
It's just difficult to talk about. We both seem to be in a better place now, though.
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Hm. Alright, as long as you're really fine.
[ She wonders if Hikaru has told him yet about Aria. And if not Hikaru, some other person. ]
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