Estinien isn't the pitying type, he knows this. Mostly. (Although G'raha is doing a fine job of being finely pathetic, so there is always a first time for everything.)
He is proud to say that Estinen is his friend. And he's gotten to know the man quite a bit better since arriving to Panorama. Yet... ]
[ Titan's balls, it can't be healthy for anyone to feel this level of emotion. He imagines this is akin to being next to a volcano experiencing imminent eruption. ]
We can, if you think it might help, but in fact it was an offer to answer any questions you might have. I know what you academic sort are like.
[ Again, an answer that doesn't clarify much for Estinien. If he focuses on G'raha though, on the bright burst of his emotions like biting into an especially ripe fruit, under that pervasive, twisting feeling, there's a faint flutter akin to the feel he has leading into a fight. This, on the other hand, clarifies a great deal more to him. ]
Ah. Then the issue is that there are people with whom the kisses meant a great deal.
If I did not wish to entertain this conversation, G'raha, then we would not be having this conversation.
[ Cetainly, if G'raha is getting anything through the bond it'd be some minor exasperation but that's about it. Estinien is not known for sticking around when he does not wish to. ]
Though I will admit that romance [ it is romance they're discussing, yes? ] is not a field I have a great deal of familiarity with.
[ Romance is not a field he has ever come within spitting distance of but that is neither here nor there. ]
[ That is true. Estinien isn't one to suffer fools, even if the fool is G'raha. The bit of irritation is a little difficult to separate from his own anxiety over all this, as it's easy to attribute to his own frustrations. ]
Neither myself.
Though in the end, it really shouldn't matter. I let my emotions get the better of me in the moment and should not have allowed myself to expect something else.
We kissed, as was expected of the mistletoe as you're well-aware. I may have pushed for it longer than I should have. Longer than necessary for the spell to be broken. He was the one who was forced to end it and then we resumed our day as if nothing had changed.
I can't help but notice that at no point in this story did you or this man exchange words to the effect of 'I would like to kiss you' and 'I am not interested in kissing you'.
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Yes?
but also this is not something I would normally do so casually?
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[ It answers the question even if it doesn't quite clear anything up for Estinien. It's not a distinction he himself makes, after all. ]
Is it something that you would like to do more casually?
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What?
[ Sorry he's both so smart and so dumb. ]
That's not something I've thought about before.
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I don't think I've seen you so turned around before.
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Area of expertise...?
[ These goddamn scholars. ]
Perhaps I can be of some assistance.
1/??
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Does it mean...
No, G'raha knows he isn't great at it but does it mean that Estinien could also tell he isn't great it?
Is this pity?
Pity from the Former Azure Dragoon of Ishgard and historical legend?? ]
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No.
Estinien isn't the pitying type, he knows this. Mostly. (Although G'raha is doing a fine job of being finely pathetic, so there is always a first time for everything.)
He is proud to say that Estinen is his friend. And he's gotten to know the man quite a bit better since arriving to Panorama. Yet... ]
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Despite so proudly defending his thesis, proving himself again and again both as an academic, as adventurer, hells as a fucking city-state leader...
This has to be the most embarrassing thing he's ever asked— ]
ok i'm done
Are you offering to help me practice
kissing?
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We can, if you think it might help, but in fact it was an offer to answer any questions you might have. I know what you academic sort are like.
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It's not as if I have NO experience. I may be a Tia but I have had sex!
1/2
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Then kissing under the mistletoe should be a straightforward endeavour for you.
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Ah. Then the issue is that there are people with whom the kisses meant a great deal.
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Yes. An astute conclusion.
I'm acting the fool, aren't I? I am sorry to burden you with this, even if unintentionally.
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[ Cetainly, if G'raha is getting anything through the bond it'd be some minor exasperation but that's about it. Estinien is not known for sticking around when he does not wish to. ]
Though I will admit that romance [ it is romance they're discussing, yes? ] is not a field I have a great deal of familiarity with.
[ Romance is not a field he has ever come within spitting distance of but that is neither here nor there. ]
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Neither myself.
Though in the end, it really shouldn't matter. I let my emotions get the better of me in the moment and should not have allowed myself to expect something else.
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You were rejected then?
[ Nailed it. ]
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Well.
We kissed, as was expected of the mistletoe as you're well-aware. I may have pushed for it longer than I should have. Longer than necessary for the spell to be broken. He was the one who was forced to end it and then we resumed our day as if nothing had changed.
Gods, I sound like a teenager, don't I?
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I can't help but notice that at no point in this story did you or this man exchange words to the effect of 'I would like to kiss you' and 'I am not interested in kissing you'.
1/2
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1/2
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1/??
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4/4
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