[ He just... finds it difficult to resist wanting to touch Will that much, whether it's to thank him or simply to be close to him. He's grateful to know that Will himself welcomes it. ]
On the other hand, if we do find ourselves pelted with gauntlet shrooms, a tactical retreat to cook together won't keep us from our daily kisses at all.
[ Hmm... On the runner, very close, hours every day... Does that mean that Will can see him? Strohl is moving, peering around, in case Will's head peeks out nearby to come into view. ]
[ Well... Will can hear his footsteps coming closer. So, as soon as Strohl stops by the beds, Will pokes his little head out of Strohl's bedchamber with a: ]
Boo!
[ Then he laughs, warm and glorious. He's very silly sometimes. ]
Hours asleep! You guessed right.
[ He didn't guess much of anything at all, but Will is generous with Strohl that way. ]
[ To Strohl's credit, he doesn't jump upon being startled, just a little, by Will's exclamation. His own laughter comes a moment later, joining Will's, as he approaches, directly in front of his friend before long. ]
Did I?
[ He'll accept Will's generosity, he supposes, though they both know that he didn't really finish guessing to earn it. ]
Sometimes I feel as though I've spent longer hours slumped over in the strategy room, wide awake... Not every day, thankfully. So you meant it quite literally, this very spot.
[ It positions Will perfectly for Strohl to lean closer and kiss him — right on the tip of his nose. Once, twice, and a third time for good measure. ]
[ Will giggles as he's kissed no less than three times — the perfect amount, as far as he's concerned! He's always greedy for more, though, so he catches Strohl's handsome face in his hands and then presses in for one more kiss to the lips. Hulkenberg and the others would tease them if they saw Strohl and Will kissing out here in the runner hallway like this, but really, for the more observant members of their group, it's no great surprise. Will and Strohl make very little attempt to hide how sweet on each other they are. ]
You haven't been sick like that in a long time now, you silly goose.
[ Slowly, Will sits up so that Strohl can — if he so pleases, and doesn't mind a slightly tight fit — crawl into the runner bed alongside him. Only if he wants to do that, mind. Will is equally happy to be pulled out of the bunk for a bit of flirting in the kitchen instead. ]
Though we'd best not speak of it, or Neuras will invent a new way to make you ill.
[ One more kiss isn't enough — Strohl's hands settle over Will's, wanting to keep them where they are, and his lips part for another kiss to follow the warm pressure of Will's mouth meeting his own — but Will's invitation is a brilliant tactical retreat, too. That comes first, then, after a brief pause as Strohl grimaces in alarm that isn't entirely feigned, as if he could well expect to pay for the confidence that all queasiness has become a thing of the past. For the moment, he lets go of Will, squeezing himself into the cramped space to share, the two of them pressed close in the bunk. ]
Right, let's not. We'll get back to what we were doing instead.
[ They'll still make dinner, and the others will inevitably tease them, no matter where they sneak in their daily kisses, but right now, all Strohl can think is that he wants to hear Will's laughter again, as often as possible. This time, he reaches out to cradle Will's face between his palms, foreheads touching. His thumbs trace the soft curve of Will's cheeks.
Another kiss, finally, this one for Will's mouth, before Strohl's hands find Will's, lifting them so that he can kiss Will's fingers one by one. His lips brush against each of their ends, each knuckle. ]
[ There's just enough room in the bunk for them both to sit up together like this; laughing, ticklish from Strohl's kisses, Will almost makes to lie down, but then he finds his fingers caught in Strohl's larger hands. Gently, the sandy-haired clemar lowers his lips and kisses each of Will's fingertips, and then each of his knuckles. Strohl seems intent on kissing every last one of Will's joints, really; it makes the young elda smile, feeling something in his heart melt as he watches Strohl move over each digit, eyes lowered, dark lashes in contrast with his pale face. ]
Ah... every finger, really?
[ It is what they discussed, but Will still feels giddy pleasure curl up, comfortable and pleased as a lazy cat, in his chest. ]
You're just the picture of loyalty and devotion...
[ Devoted and loyal, Strohl resolutely kisses each of Will's joints in turn. Strohl's soft lips brush over his ring finger, his pinky; each gesture only propels Will's happiness to greater heights until at last the nobleman wins another giggle, soft and boyish, from Will's throat. ]
Do you know how beautiful you are?
[ Will whispers this, as if in worship. Sometimes he genuinely suspects that Strohl doesn't know. The man has such a way of staying comfortably oblivious to the amount of attention he gets from passersby who only see a handsome clemar with a noble bearing to him out on the street. ]
[ Every finger, as promised. Strohl doesn't stop to say so aloud, demonstrating it with every kiss, his pace steady. He knows Will's hands well by now, and Will's touch, but like Will's laughter and Will himself, he can't get enough of them, tracing them over and over, reliving the experience again and again. He can't get enough of Will smiling, pleased, either. It's another reason to be thankful to Will — his captain, his friend, his love.
But he pauses to glance up from Will's knuckles, without lowering Will's hands, as Will murmurs his remarks. It isn't really a question that Will needs him to answer, he realizes. It's what Will sees when he looks at him. It's something that he thinks himself, about Will. ]
Now I do.
[ He hasn't given it much thought, to be honest, and were it not for Will... Well, there would have been no reason to contemplate it at all. Now, hearing the warm tone of Will's voice, he wants to make sure that he's worthy of it. Of Will.
Strohl's thumbs stroke Will's palms before he presses his lips to the back of one hand, followed by the other. ]
[ Does Strohl love the sound of Will's laughter, truly? He'll earn it again with these devoted kisses, so tender, so warm. So ticklish — Will has to admit that he's guilty of being ticklish, laughing innocently as Strohl's soft lips glide over his sensitive hands. He's blushing, too, which is a rare sight: usually, it's Will who's the one flustering Strohl instead, but it seems Strohl has managed to win this bout with the sheer intensity of his unwavering devotion. ]
Don't call me "my friend" when you're doing this...!
[ It's not a real protest, of course: the smile on Will's face is so heartfelt and vulnerable that there can be no mistaking how happy he is to be receiving all this very indulgent personal attention. To have a man as gloriously, effortlessly handsome as Strohl kissing one's fingers and hands... It's all too much!
[ My love... To think that he can call Will that as much as he pleases. Stopping to admire the unexpected treat bestowed upon him in the form of Will's blushing, Strohl revels in being gifted Will's smile and his laughter once more, too, laughing a little again himself. Will's friendship is as precious to him as Will's love, and having both isn't merely a wonderful dream; he can touch and kiss Will for the pleasure of it, not to remind himself that Will is real and here with him.
He really does count himself incredibly lucky. ]
My love.
[ It's whispered in response, and Will leaning in lets Strohl kiss his nose a fourth time. Will's lips are next: one more kiss, and another. And then, tilting his head, mouth against Will's ear, Strohl repeats the words like a pledge. ]
My love. I'll face a barrage of gauntlet shrooms and endure Hulkenberg's training regimen with her on my back, to be with you every day.
[ Those "threats" are the least of their worries, but it's true that as long as Will is there, Strohl feels steadier on his feet than he did in days past, his heart lighter. ]
[ Strohl may think that he's lucky, but Will thinks he's the lucky one, really. To have such a handsome man so devoted to him, so wholly in love with him — what has he done to deserve this, and how has such a miracle transpired? Say nothing of the difference in their statuses; even ordinarily, in what world would a boy like Will be with a man like Strohl?
So Will thinks, doubting himself in his heart of hearts — but they are both only very young men in the end, and when Strohl kisses Will's nose, murmuring low words of loyalty into his ear, the elda's cheeks only turn pinker and pinker, until he's rosy and flushed in a way that only makes his soft skin look ever softer. Unconsciously, he bats his lashes in Strohl's direction, looking wide-eyed and pleading, even though there isn't very much to plead about, with Strohl giving him all the attention he could ever ask for. ]
Are the gauntlet shrooms really so fearsome? I'll eat them for you if you dislike them so much.
[ Strohl is so irresistible, this close, all his fine features pressed against Will's face for kisses and snuggles and whispered pledges of loyalty. Will succumbs to Strohl's appeals, moving closer, draping his arms around his lover's shoulders. He feels warm. ]
You are so terribly cute when she's worked you to the point of exhaustion... I like being able to comfort you afterward.
[ In Strohl's defense, he's gotten better and better at it, too! After that first... grueling day... ]
[ Leaning back slightly — not too far, careful not to dislodge Will from his position — Strohl enjoys the sight of Will blushing even more awhile longer. If anything is terribly cute around here, it's Will, impossible to resist with that pleading look of his! But then, he's impossible to resist as it is...
Wrapping his arms around his friend and lover, Strohl holds Will there. For his part, although it is embarrassing to need comforting when he hopes to be someone for Will to depend on, he's glad that Will likes it, at least. It isn't such a bad thing to be thought of as cute then.
Strohl utters another laugh of his own, a softer chuckle. Their pledges now might sound funny, but there's still some truth in them, in the feelings behind them. ]
Well... I'll take the gauntlet shrooms over caterpillars.
[ His gaze retraces Will's features one more time. Will's very presence comforts him in so many ways — he doesn't want to take advantage of it, constantly burdening Will with all of his thoughts, even if Will doesn't see it as a burden. ]
Speaking of comforting and eating, if you've any special requests for dinner, now's the time to make them known. We've stocked up, right?
[ He's about to lean in for another kiss, eyes half-lidded now, desirous for something more, when — ah. Well. Yes. They should still think about dinner before they... do... this. Yes.
(In Will's defense, he is eighteen and very new to the world and has recently realized that he likes Strohl very, very much.)
Pondering, Will contemplates what he remembers they have in the pantry. As captain, he does also have the sacred duty of considering what the others want to eat as well, but... they had Heismay's delightfully novel eugief noodle dish only yesterday. Surely that means it's Strohl's turn to have a favorite dish made tonight? ]
Mmm... how about your coney roast? We haven't eaten that in a while.
[ Conveniently, Strohl likes good, hearty food that no one dislikes (the less charitable reading of this situation is that Strohl is the pickiest of all of them), so everyone should be quite happy about coney roast for dinner. Hulkenberg is always happy as long as they have dinner on the table at all. But Will might be the happiest of all of them if it means he'll get to watch Strohl bustle about the kitchen, surprisingly self-assured and meticulous as he is in all things.
And the way he rolls the sleeves of his shirt up to his forearms when he's mixing things... yes...
Sometimes it's good for Will to get his hindbrain make decisions! ...Probably! ]
[ And again, it's very hard to resist Will right there within easy reach to keep kissing, but they do need dinner themselves. It's some consolation that they'll actually have plenty of time to sneak in more of their daily kisses in the kitchen, exactly as planned. The prospect of a delicious roast and delicious Will to look forward to puts Strohl in exceptionally high spirits; his face immediately lights up. ]
Your idea has my vote, Captain. You paid such close attention when you watched me before, so I'm sure we'll cook our meat to tender, juicy perfection together every time.
[ Moving from the bunk to the kitchen means having to let go of Will — but not for long. As soon as they've both climbed back out, on their feet in the runner hallway, Strohl holds out his hand to take one of Will's. He doesn't hesitate to seize the chance to kiss Will's cheek along the way.
It's off to the pantry first, and then the kitchen, their ingredients laid out on the benchtop in front of them. Hands washed, sleeves rolled up, Strohl begins to prepare the cuts of meat. ]
[ Will takes up his usually position to the right and slightly behind Strohl, under the guise of thoughtful observance as a sous chef, though he usually just does nothing. (This is fine. It is his right as Captain to blissfully do nothing.) He sure looks intelligent when he puts his little hand on his chin and nods along, but the words that come out of his mouth suggest otherwise... ]
But I don't pay attention to anything when you cook. I just watch you and think about how handsome you look.
[ Not a thought in that squirrelly blue head of his, apparently. His cheeks are soft and his head is empty, but his heart is full of love for bis reliable, responsible Strohl. ]
Oh! But I do remember you talking about how important it is to know the different cuts of meat, and... so on and some such...
[ He's partly teasing; he does remember the entire spiel quite well. But as long as Strohl is around to cook the meat again...! ]
[ Strohl was at least partially deceived by Will's thoughtful pose, full of faith in his captain's squirrelly blue head. Now, astonished even though he probably shouldn't be, he turns his head to gape at Will, knife stilling. Will watched and listened so intently... because of him? ]
What? Really? You were looking at me the whole time?!
[ Not the meat and its juices? Then again, "watch your meat and adjust the heat" aside, Strohl was the one to basically tell Will to let his preference guide him, which is what Will took to heart, in a way.
It's flattering, and just like Will's reverent remarks earlier did, it fills Strohl with an elated warmth. He is partly teasing himself, smiling at Will. He even sets the knife down for a moment to lean in again and plant another kiss on the tip of Will's nose. ]
I do know the feeling...
[ If only he didn't have to stop looking at Will every so often while they're cooking! ]
[ Will makes the sweetest little noises when he's startled by things that delight him — today, he makes a pleased little hwah! as his nose is summarily smooched by his beloved Strohl. Giggling, he takes up a new position immediately behind the clemar, wrapping his arms around Strohl's slim waist (he is careful not to jostle Strohl's arms as he does this, lest that sharp knife which has been safely set down wind up somewhere rather less safe). ]
You do, don't you? I remember...
[ Contentedly, he rubs his cheek up against Strohl's back, the way that cats claim new territory (perhaps this is in fact the same behavior, exemplified in elda form instead). He peers at the meat preparations from around the clemar's side. ]
Gallica told me you were staring at me the whole time we were in the caravan together, right after we'd been recruited. [ A sly little laugh. ] Was I really so strange, in your eyes? Or...
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@forhalia
I'm just as thankful to you, you know.
Can you also remind me every night for the rest of our days?
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And you'll have my thanks every night, every morning, and at every available opportunity. How does that sound?
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Won't stop me from getting my daily kisses in, though.
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[ He just... finds it difficult to resist wanting to touch Will that much, whether it's to thank him or simply to be close to him. He's grateful to know that Will himself welcomes it. ]
On the other hand, if we do find ourselves pelted with gauntlet shrooms, a tactical retreat to cook together won't keep us from our daily kisses at all.
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You're so smart, Strohl. See, you've talked us through a new strategy again.
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[ Like this, more or less. ]
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How about you just come kiss me now?
We can worry about the escape route afterwards.
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I like the sound of that idea, too. Besides, it's part of every available opportunity.
Can I ask for a hint to find you?
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You spend hours in this spot every day...
[ think about it a little, strohl. ]
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Hours awake or asleep?
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Boo!
[ Then he laughs, warm and glorious. He's very silly sometimes. ]
Hours asleep! You guessed right.
[ He didn't guess much of anything at all, but Will is generous with Strohl that way. ]
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Did I?
[ He'll accept Will's generosity, he supposes, though they both know that he didn't really finish guessing to earn it. ]
Sometimes I feel as though I've spent longer hours slumped over in the strategy room, wide awake... Not every day, thankfully. So you meant it quite literally, this very spot.
[ It positions Will perfectly for Strohl to lean closer and kiss him — right on the tip of his nose. Once, twice, and a third time for good measure. ]
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You haven't been sick like that in a long time now, you silly goose.
[ Slowly, Will sits up so that Strohl can — if he so pleases, and doesn't mind a slightly tight fit — crawl into the runner bed alongside him. Only if he wants to do that, mind. Will is equally happy to be pulled out of the bunk for a bit of flirting in the kitchen instead. ]
Though we'd best not speak of it, or Neuras will invent a new way to make you ill.
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Right, let's not. We'll get back to what we were doing instead.
[ They'll still make dinner, and the others will inevitably tease them, no matter where they sneak in their daily kisses, but right now, all Strohl can think is that he wants to hear Will's laughter again, as often as possible. This time, he reaches out to cradle Will's face between his palms, foreheads touching. His thumbs trace the soft curve of Will's cheeks.
Another kiss, finally, this one for Will's mouth, before Strohl's hands find Will's, lifting them so that he can kiss Will's fingers one by one. His lips brush against each of their ends, each knuckle. ]
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Ah... every finger, really?
[ It is what they discussed, but Will still feels giddy pleasure curl up, comfortable and pleased as a lazy cat, in his chest. ]
You're just the picture of loyalty and devotion...
[ Devoted and loyal, Strohl resolutely kisses each of Will's joints in turn. Strohl's soft lips brush over his ring finger, his pinky; each gesture only propels Will's happiness to greater heights until at last the nobleman wins another giggle, soft and boyish, from Will's throat. ]
Do you know how beautiful you are?
[ Will whispers this, as if in worship. Sometimes he genuinely suspects that Strohl doesn't know. The man has such a way of staying comfortably oblivious to the amount of attention he gets from passersby who only see a handsome clemar with a noble bearing to him out on the street. ]
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But he pauses to glance up from Will's knuckles, without lowering Will's hands, as Will murmurs his remarks. It isn't really a question that Will needs him to answer, he realizes. It's what Will sees when he looks at him. It's something that he thinks himself, about Will. ]
Now I do.
[ He hasn't given it much thought, to be honest, and were it not for Will... Well, there would have been no reason to contemplate it at all. Now, hearing the warm tone of Will's voice, he wants to make sure that he's worthy of it. Of Will.
Strohl's thumbs stroke Will's palms before he presses his lips to the back of one hand, followed by the other. ]
I could ask you the same thing, my friend.
[ Does Will know how beautiful he is? ]
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Don't call me "my friend" when you're doing this...!
[ It's not a real protest, of course: the smile on Will's face is so heartfelt and vulnerable that there can be no mistaking how happy he is to be receiving all this very indulgent personal attention. To have a man as gloriously, effortlessly handsome as Strohl kissing one's fingers and hands... It's all too much!
Mock-pouting, Will leans in and whispers: ]
Call me... "my love."
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He really does count himself incredibly lucky. ]
My love.
[ It's whispered in response, and Will leaning in lets Strohl kiss his nose a fourth time. Will's lips are next: one more kiss, and another. And then, tilting his head, mouth against Will's ear, Strohl repeats the words like a pledge. ]
My love. I'll face a barrage of gauntlet shrooms and endure Hulkenberg's training regimen with her on my back, to be with you every day.
[ Those "threats" are the least of their worries, but it's true that as long as Will is there, Strohl feels steadier on his feet than he did in days past, his heart lighter. ]
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So Will thinks, doubting himself in his heart of hearts — but they are both only very young men in the end, and when Strohl kisses Will's nose, murmuring low words of loyalty into his ear, the elda's cheeks only turn pinker and pinker, until he's rosy and flushed in a way that only makes his soft skin look ever softer. Unconsciously, he bats his lashes in Strohl's direction, looking wide-eyed and pleading, even though there isn't very much to plead about, with Strohl giving him all the attention he could ever ask for. ]
Are the gauntlet shrooms really so fearsome? I'll eat them for you if you dislike them so much.
[ Strohl is so irresistible, this close, all his fine features pressed against Will's face for kisses and snuggles and whispered pledges of loyalty. Will succumbs to Strohl's appeals, moving closer, draping his arms around his lover's shoulders. He feels warm. ]
You are so terribly cute when she's worked you to the point of exhaustion... I like being able to comfort you afterward.
[ In Strohl's defense, he's gotten better and better at it, too! After that first... grueling day... ]
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Wrapping his arms around his friend and lover, Strohl holds Will there. For his part, although it is embarrassing to need comforting when he hopes to be someone for Will to depend on, he's glad that Will likes it, at least. It isn't such a bad thing to be thought of as cute then.
Strohl utters another laugh of his own, a softer chuckle. Their pledges now might sound funny, but there's still some truth in them, in the feelings behind them. ]
Well... I'll take the gauntlet shrooms over caterpillars.
[ His gaze retraces Will's features one more time. Will's very presence comforts him in so many ways — he doesn't want to take advantage of it, constantly burdening Will with all of his thoughts, even if Will doesn't see it as a burden. ]
Speaking of comforting and eating, if you've any special requests for dinner, now's the time to make them known. We've stocked up, right?
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(In Will's defense, he is eighteen and very new to the world and has recently realized that he likes Strohl very, very much.)
Pondering, Will contemplates what he remembers they have in the pantry. As captain, he does also have the sacred duty of considering what the others want to eat as well, but... they had Heismay's delightfully novel eugief noodle dish only yesterday. Surely that means it's Strohl's turn to have a favorite dish made tonight? ]
Mmm... how about your coney roast? We haven't eaten that in a while.
[ Conveniently, Strohl likes good, hearty food that no one dislikes (the less charitable reading of this situation is that Strohl is the pickiest of all of them), so everyone should be quite happy about coney roast for dinner. Hulkenberg is always happy as long as they have dinner on the table at all. But Will might be the happiest of all of them if it means he'll get to watch Strohl bustle about the kitchen, surprisingly self-assured and meticulous as he is in all things.
And the way he rolls the sleeves of his shirt up to his forearms when he's mixing things... yes...
Sometimes it's good for Will to get his hindbrain make decisions! ...Probably! ]
And I want to watch you cook... heheh.
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Your idea has my vote, Captain. You paid such close attention when you watched me before, so I'm sure we'll cook our meat to tender, juicy perfection together every time.
[ Moving from the bunk to the kitchen means having to let go of Will — but not for long. As soon as they've both climbed back out, on their feet in the runner hallway, Strohl holds out his hand to take one of Will's. He doesn't hesitate to seize the chance to kiss Will's cheek along the way.
It's off to the pantry first, and then the kitchen, their ingredients laid out on the benchtop in front of them. Hands washed, sleeves rolled up, Strohl begins to prepare the cuts of meat. ]
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But I don't pay attention to anything when you cook. I just watch you and think about how handsome you look.
[ Not a thought in that squirrelly blue head of his, apparently. His cheeks are soft and his head is empty, but his heart is full of love for bis reliable, responsible Strohl. ]
Oh! But I do remember you talking about how important it is to know the different cuts of meat, and... so on and some such...
[ He's partly teasing; he does remember the entire spiel quite well. But as long as Strohl is around to cook the meat again...! ]
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What? Really? You were looking at me the whole time?!
[ Not the meat and its juices? Then again, "watch your meat and adjust the heat" aside, Strohl was the one to basically tell Will to let his preference guide him, which is what Will took to heart, in a way.
It's flattering, and just like Will's reverent remarks earlier did, it fills Strohl with an elated warmth. He is partly teasing himself, smiling at Will. He even sets the knife down for a moment to lean in again and plant another kiss on the tip of Will's nose. ]
I do know the feeling...
[ If only he didn't have to stop looking at Will every so often while they're cooking! ]
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You do, don't you? I remember...
[ Contentedly, he rubs his cheek up against Strohl's back, the way that cats claim new territory (perhaps this is in fact the same behavior, exemplified in elda form instead). He peers at the meat preparations from around the clemar's side. ]
Gallica told me you were staring at me the whole time we were in the caravan together, right after we'd been recruited. [ A sly little laugh. ] Was I really so strange, in your eyes? Or...
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