[He tenses up at the mention of his eyes and teeth, wondering if he should defend himself somehow. But then she says that. And he turns a little red.]
[Oh.]
You think I look like a cat? [He's immediately complimented. Cats are wonderful! Worse comparisons could be made.] Ah, no. But thank you for the compliment.
[She's still smiling at him, (and also resisting the urge to get even closer into his space.)]
So, not a cat, huh... It would explain your features a bit more.
[Hm, maybe he's more like her brother than she thought? Ah, but that might be a sensitive subject! She decides to ease up. Even if his blushing makes her want to press it. How red can his face get...?]
But yeah, I think your features only enhance your cuteness and handsomeness levels.
But, um... let me know... if my compliments bother you?
I'm usually not complimented so much when I'm not at work. [Or complimented on his appearance at any time. Not that he has any great amount of self-loathing- he works hard to take care of himself, groom properly, keep his clothes tidy. So it's nice to have that noted. But also, there is that doubting voice that doesn't think he's actually all that handsome when he goes through so much trouble to hide his face from humans. And when so many humans run away from him.]
[But he doesn't really have a reason to argue with her. People have a type- maybe he's that type? Either way, she's going out of her way to be respectful and kind to him (which is its own bag of guilt, when he remembers what his ultimate job is supposed to be, but right now he has the whole process held up in endless bureaucracy).]
[Well...]
You're just being assertive. That's always a good quality to have. [Sir, that sounds too much like a formal compliment. And does he offer any explanation for those strange features of his? No. He's just glad he won't have to agonize the entire time about her seeing them if she already has and doesn't seem too thrown-off by them.]
[He's not obligated to explain jack to her, and she knows it. Respects it. She hasn't gone out of her way to explain everything about herself, either. This is the time to see if the vibes are off or not, after all.
[But the compliment makes her visibly fluster. Matilda opens her mouth in an attempt to fire off something back, but the words falter on her tongue. Instead...]
...A compliment like that is rare. I usually just hear that I'm cute or pretty. Or perverted variations of it.
[She doesn't hate either of those things; there's no disdain nor disgust with the admission. It's just a fact and she'll own that. It's not like she has any ill-will for those who have even just... gone a little too far with creepiness in their attempts.
[But she's not getting any off vibes from "Kuma" here. For all her magic, she just can't sense that nasty aura that most people her age catch on to regarding him.]
Well, so long as it doesn't sound too abrupt, I'll just keep complimenting you from time to time. Anyone could use a little pick-me-up - so long as it's welcome.
And uh, I don't mind that you've, ah, complimented me, either. Just not used to that sort of thing. Like, referencing my conduct or stuff like that. Malleable stuff.
[She straightens.]
But seriously - if I tread on something sensitive or just doesn't feel right for you, lemme know. I don't want to give compliments that end up making the cute Mister feel bad!
You are cute. [He can confirm that easily. It's very obvious. And it helps that she's so much smaller than him. Tiny always increases the cuteness factor.] I assumed you knew that, though.
[And people are more beautiful to him when he gets to know them. He works with and has worked with any number of beautiful people- they just don't reach him, somehow.]
[At least with his aura he can usually counter it by being polite. It doesn't seem like he has to worry about it here.]
Most people are disappointed once they get to know me. [He doesn't have much shame in how he is, but most people are stunned that he's nowhere near as 'hard' as they expect.] Which is fine if you do. But at least you know your trip to the zoo probably won't be exciting in a bad way. I'll plan a hopefully acceptably mundane day for you.
[When he reaffirms the compliment, Matilda pouts again, flushed.]
It's not about that. A good compliment - even if it's known - can just feel nice to hear.
[But she gives his words some consideration, and then shrugs.]
I've had plenty of excitement to last me for a lifetime. Mundane suits me just fine. If the most exciting thing is that I learn yet another something new about you or the animals at the zoo, that's perfect.
[She gets a bit closer, definitely very interested in him even if it means she has to crane her head back to make eye contact!]
But now, see, you've made me even more determined to prove that I won't find you disappointing. It's like you've challenged me. So now I'm gonna be stubborn!
[He awkwardly rubs the back of his neck. The harder she cranes to see him, the more obvious those weirder features are. How those ears aren't just 'slightly pointy' but very, that his eyes are yellow, that his teeth are sharp. So much of him is 'not normal' and somehow people kind of just let it slide.]
Ah.. well, thank you. [It's hard for him to imagine someone with a much more interesting life being okay with knowing this side of him. The other side, people just can't know. It's too complicated.]
[He doesn't really know what he's thanking her for, either. He knows it's genuine, though, which is the confusing part. But he's pretty sure in the end, finding out what he is, that he'll be much more disappointing than he warned.]
[But he can make sure something goes well for her.] Either way, I'll try to keep it relaxing. [Surely his luck will play along and nothing horrendous would happen.]
[That look of him.. it really is kind of similar to how her brother can look sometimes...]
Mn. If something weird happens, it's not like it'll be your fault.
[She smiles, and if at least one of his hands is in reach, she gently reaches out to take it in both of her own. If so, her touch is immensely warm, hands calloused by years of holding a weapon and rough work.]
Oh yeah! If you have any cultural norms you want me to keep in mind, please let me know. And... I'll be fine so long as you don't suddenly touch my back or shoulder when I'm not looking at you. Okay?
[That seems more than reasonable, even if she didn't have a history of trauma. Something he's learned of human women is human men can be horrific to them.]
[His hand is slim-fingered and broad, and he notes how much smaller both of hers seem as she takes it. He wonders if she has the sensitivity to know that there's more there, too, that it can turn into a chitonous clawed thing he can even fend off swords with.]
I sometimes react to certain kinds of voices. Not anything magical, I just don't like them. Certain droning sounds or flavors too intense. This sounds like nothing, but to me, if I'm stressed and tired I'll need a moment by myself or I'll become unreasonably angry. [He's never been taught the concept of 'overstimulation' but he has certainly been living it.]
[Happy that he's letting her touch him, she gently caresses his hand in affection.]
It's not nothing. Different people feel overwhelmed at different rates and by different things. If you feel that overwhelm coming on, we can go and find somewhere quieter to just sit and be.
Your anger isn't unreasonable. It may not be everyone's experience, but it's normal, as far as I'm concerned. And if anyone tells you that it isn't? Well, fuck that!
[Her hold on his hands softens, and then slowly withdraws.]
If you feel like holding my hand at that time, go ahead. I may not be able to erase your discomfort, but I'll do what I can to help you ride it out. Whatever that may be.
So long as we spend time together, you don't have to be alone in it, if you don't want to be.
It's the zoo so at least I doubt it'll happen. [The zoo is his happy place, it's the most soothing spot he knows, just one panda tumble and his whole week is cleansed.]
[That it's not unusual is new to him. He even hums thoughtfully at the news. Right, so other people are like this. ...Humans are like this.]
[He watches her hands slip away.]
But if we're somewhere else then usually something soft distracts me. So I don't touch you by surprise, and we take breaks if I need to calm down. I think that sounds like a fair exchange.
[Mostly he just didn't want her to feel like she was the only one with something awkward. Otherwise he would have kept it to himself.]
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no subject
[Oh.]
You think I look like a cat? [He's immediately complimented. Cats are wonderful! Worse comparisons could be made.] Ah, no. But thank you for the compliment.
[Even if it wasn't one he'll take it as one.]
no subject
[She's still smiling at him, (and also resisting the urge to get even closer into his space.)]
So, not a cat, huh... It would explain your features a bit more.
[Hm, maybe he's more like her brother than she thought? Ah, but that might be a sensitive subject! She decides to ease up. Even if his blushing makes her want to press it. How red can his face get...?]
But yeah, I think your features only enhance your cuteness and handsomeness levels.
But, um... let me know... if my compliments bother you?
no subject
[But he doesn't really have a reason to argue with her. People have a type- maybe he's that type? Either way, she's going out of her way to be respectful and kind to him (which is its own bag of guilt, when he remembers what his ultimate job is supposed to be, but right now he has the whole process held up in endless bureaucracy).]
[Well...]
You're just being assertive. That's always a good quality to have. [Sir, that sounds too much like a formal compliment. And does he offer any explanation for those strange features of his? No. He's just glad he won't have to agonize the entire time about her seeing them if she already has and doesn't seem too thrown-off by them.]
no subject
[But the compliment makes her visibly fluster. Matilda opens her mouth in an attempt to fire off something back, but the words falter on her tongue. Instead...]
...A compliment like that is rare. I usually just hear that I'm cute or pretty. Or perverted variations of it.
[She doesn't hate either of those things; there's no disdain nor disgust with the admission. It's just a fact and she'll own that. It's not like she has any ill-will for those who have even just... gone a little too far with creepiness in their attempts.
[But she's not getting any off vibes from "Kuma" here. For all her magic, she just can't sense that nasty aura that most people her age catch on to regarding him.]
Well, so long as it doesn't sound too abrupt, I'll just keep complimenting you from time to time. Anyone could use a little pick-me-up - so long as it's welcome.
And uh, I don't mind that you've, ah, complimented me, either. Just not used to that sort of thing. Like, referencing my conduct or stuff like that. Malleable stuff.
[She straightens.]
But seriously - if I tread on something sensitive or just doesn't feel right for you, lemme know. I don't want to give compliments that end up making the cute Mister feel bad!
no subject
[And people are more beautiful to him when he gets to know them. He works with and has worked with any number of beautiful people- they just don't reach him, somehow.]
[At least with his aura he can usually counter it by being polite. It doesn't seem like he has to worry about it here.]
Most people are disappointed once they get to know me. [He doesn't have much shame in how he is, but most people are stunned that he's nowhere near as 'hard' as they expect.] Which is fine if you do. But at least you know your trip to the zoo probably won't be exciting in a bad way. I'll plan a hopefully acceptably mundane day for you.
no subject
It's not about that. A good compliment - even if it's known - can just feel nice to hear.
[But she gives his words some consideration, and then shrugs.]
I've had plenty of excitement to last me for a lifetime. Mundane suits me just fine. If the most exciting thing is that I learn yet another something new about you or the animals at the zoo, that's perfect.
[She gets a bit closer, definitely very interested in him even if it means she has to crane her head back to make eye contact!]
But now, see, you've made me even more determined to prove that I won't find you disappointing. It's like you've challenged me. So now I'm gonna be stubborn!
no subject
Ah.. well, thank you. [It's hard for him to imagine someone with a much more interesting life being okay with knowing this side of him. The other side, people just can't know. It's too complicated.]
[He doesn't really know what he's thanking her for, either. He knows it's genuine, though, which is the confusing part. But he's pretty sure in the end, finding out what he is, that he'll be much more disappointing than he warned.]
[But he can make sure something goes well for her.] Either way, I'll try to keep it relaxing. [Surely his luck will play along and nothing horrendous would happen.]
no subject
Mn. If something weird happens, it's not like it'll be your fault.
[She smiles, and if at least one of his hands is in reach, she gently reaches out to take it in both of her own. If so, her touch is immensely warm, hands calloused by years of holding a weapon and rough work.]
Oh yeah! If you have any cultural norms you want me to keep in mind, please let me know. And... I'll be fine so long as you don't suddenly touch my back or shoulder when I'm not looking at you. Okay?
no subject
[His hand is slim-fingered and broad, and he notes how much smaller both of hers seem as she takes it. He wonders if she has the sensitivity to know that there's more there, too, that it can turn into a chitonous clawed thing he can even fend off swords with.]
I sometimes react to certain kinds of voices. Not anything magical, I just don't like them. Certain droning sounds or flavors too intense. This sounds like nothing, but to me, if I'm stressed and tired I'll need a moment by myself or I'll become unreasonably angry. [He's never been taught the concept of 'overstimulation' but he has certainly been living it.]
no subject
It's not nothing. Different people feel overwhelmed at different rates and by different things. If you feel that overwhelm coming on, we can go and find somewhere quieter to just sit and be.
Your anger isn't unreasonable. It may not be everyone's experience, but it's normal, as far as I'm concerned. And if anyone tells you that it isn't? Well, fuck that!
[Her hold on his hands softens, and then slowly withdraws.]
If you feel like holding my hand at that time, go ahead. I may not be able to erase your discomfort, but I'll do what I can to help you ride it out. Whatever that may be.
So long as we spend time together, you don't have to be alone in it, if you don't want to be.
no subject
[That it's not unusual is new to him. He even hums thoughtfully at the news. Right, so other people are like this. ...Humans are like this.]
[He watches her hands slip away.]
But if we're somewhere else then usually something soft distracts me. So I don't touch you by surprise, and we take breaks if I need to calm down. I think that sounds like a fair exchange.
[Mostly he just didn't want her to feel like she was the only one with something awkward. Otherwise he would have kept it to himself.]