[She's getting riled again, and though she does calm down, it's obvious this whole thing is hitting her strangely. Even Scolipede has noticed, watching her with the same cold, calculating stare he uses on the battlefield. Determining how much of a threat she is, and whether he needs to start taking things seriously. He's remarkably still now, just watching, waiting for the signal to strike, much like a coiled Ekans. It isn't necessary of course - but that's how Scolipede has always been. Once bitten, twice shy, they say - or in his case, multiple times bitten, eternally shy.]
It is, don't worry about that. [Corbeau holds up a hand, palm down, and Scolipede releases a soft rumble before settling again.] It isn't the easiest or most straightforward thing to accept, particularly when it's so unfamiliar.
Kindness doesn't always come easy. It doesn't usually come with no strings attached. I understand your hesitation and confusion about it, because that's exactly how I reacted when it was offered to me at first.
But I'll continue offering it, because that's what I've decided to do. I'm not a man to go back on his word or change his mind.
[How strange it is. How...nice it is, actually, to know that this much is unconditional; the idea that he keeps throwing rocks at the metaphorical window that is her soul, and that he'll keep doing so. Because that's his word.
Jacinthe smiles softly, and she feels a little bad for withdrawing so badly from this. But it's...]
Maybe I've been so used to it being fake that I really don't know what to do if someone is treating me with genuine kindness. It's almost funny. But you're right; it's that strings attached kindness that I have always been so used to. It's why I always found it so much easier to yank the strings into my own hands, because I couldn't let anyone else take mine.
[It really isn't. But she'll finally look back to Corbeau at that--looking to Scolipede for a second too, giving him a small smile before looking back to Corbeau, her expression warm.]
...Thank you, for being so stubborn, and...reaching your hand out again and again. It is something I hold dear to me, if I may be honest with you. And...well.
I know not if the feeling is mutual, but I am glad to call you my friend--and not simply to be polite, either.
Yeah. A lot of your behavior makes sense knowing what I do now. Better to use those around you before you can be used - something like that, right?
[He's not coming at it from the same angle she is, obviously, but he gets it. It took him a long time to learn to trust people. It took him a long time to accept that he could extend that kindness to humans and not be hurt or taken advantage of in response. Lysandre was the first person who reached out his hand and asked for nothing in return, and it gave Corbeau the courage to do the same. He understands how Lysandre's kindness became so warped, how he ended up on this path of destruction, and he hates that he's glad he didn't have to walk it with the man.]
I'll keep offering it. You can count on that.
[Calling him a friend, though... She tossed the term around so casually before, but she really means it now. It's not something Corbeau's really given much thought to - and why would he? They are what they are, it doesn't need a label. But...]
Yes, exactly that! Better to force them on my path than end up with broken strings.
[...Oh. She didn't expect him to just actually say it but--
...
Jacinthe actually looks a little struck for a moment before her eyes sparkle just the tiniest bit, and she laughs and it's--a little startled, but absolutely warm and delighted and she looks surprisingly jazzed about that?]
I'm--delighted to hear that, Corbeau! [Friends!!! Genuinely, even!!!] I'm happy to know that with certainty! People are so very confusing to me even on a good day that it can be hard to tell!
Thank you. ...I should probably let you get back to your work now, shouldn't I?
[She looks so damn happy about it that he can't help but feel a little bad. If he'd realized it'd mean this much to her, he could've just told her sooner...]
I do have some things to square away before I retire for the night, but you're free to visit whenever you'd like.
[Scolipede gives Jacinthe a last (gentle) headbutt of thanks as well.]
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clefablite) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sranks2025-10-22 06:33 pm
no subject
It is, don't worry about that. [Corbeau holds up a hand, palm down, and Scolipede releases a soft rumble before settling again.] It isn't the easiest or most straightforward thing to accept, particularly when it's so unfamiliar.
Kindness doesn't always come easy. It doesn't usually come with no strings attached. I understand your hesitation and confusion about it, because that's exactly how I reacted when it was offered to me at first.
But I'll continue offering it, because that's what I've decided to do. I'm not a man to go back on his word or change his mind.
no subject
Jacinthe smiles softly, and she feels a little bad for withdrawing so badly from this. But it's...]
Maybe I've been so used to it being fake that I really don't know what to do if someone is treating me with genuine kindness. It's almost funny. But you're right; it's that strings attached kindness that I have always been so used to. It's why I always found it so much easier to yank the strings into my own hands, because I couldn't let anyone else take mine.
[It really isn't. But she'll finally look back to Corbeau at that--looking to Scolipede for a second too, giving him a small smile before looking back to Corbeau, her expression warm.]
...Thank you, for being so stubborn, and...reaching your hand out again and again. It is something I hold dear to me, if I may be honest with you. And...well.
I know not if the feeling is mutual, but I am glad to call you my friend--and not simply to be polite, either.
no subject
[He's not coming at it from the same angle she is, obviously, but he gets it. It took him a long time to learn to trust people. It took him a long time to accept that he could extend that kindness to humans and not be hurt or taken advantage of in response. Lysandre was the first person who reached out his hand and asked for nothing in return, and it gave Corbeau the courage to do the same. He understands how Lysandre's kindness became so warped, how he ended up on this path of destruction, and he hates that he's glad he didn't have to walk it with the man.]
I'll keep offering it. You can count on that.
[Calling him a friend, though... She tossed the term around so casually before, but she really means it now. It's not something Corbeau's really given much thought to - and why would he? They are what they are, it doesn't need a label. But...]
...The feeling is mutual, you know.
[It doesn't hurt any to say it.]
no subject
[...Oh. She didn't expect him to just actually say it but--
...
Jacinthe actually looks a little struck for a moment before her eyes sparkle just the tiniest bit, and she laughs and it's--a little startled, but absolutely warm and delighted and she looks surprisingly jazzed about that?]
I'm--delighted to hear that, Corbeau! [Friends!!! Genuinely, even!!!] I'm happy to know that with certainty! People are so very confusing to me even on a good day that it can be hard to tell!
Thank you. ...I should probably let you get back to your work now, shouldn't I?
no subject
I do have some things to square away before I retire for the night, but you're free to visit whenever you'd like.
[Scolipede gives Jacinthe a last (gentle) headbutt of thanks as well.]
Goodnight, Jacinthe. I'll see you later.
no subject
But oh, let her give Scolipede a little affection first before she bounds off the happiest she's been in a fair while--]
Believe me, I shall--what are friends for, you know? Goodnight Corbeau, goodnight Scolipede! I shall see you both again soon!
[And Jacinthe will retire to her quarters the most jazzed she's ever been in a while!!!]