[ vanya isn't the only nevarran ness knows, but he is the only one she thinks she may spend time with without incident (she's far too likely to make a fool of herself around cedric, after all). so, here she comes, brightly over the crystal, closer to the evening than she usually calls on anyone—closer to when work tasks may have been set aside for the day. ]
Messere Orlov, may I have a moment of your time? Perhaps more than a moment, if you're amenable to a request.
[He doesn't laugh, but she can hear a bit of a smile in his voice.]
I assure you, you needn't bother with something to barter. I don't know how skilled I am at it, but I am already teaching Captain Baudin. It would be no hardship to assist you as well, if you'd like.
I can't just take from you without giving something in return! If you don't drink... Well, I'll think of something.
I made a friend, in the Necropolis, I'd like to speak with her in a manner more comfortable to her. I'd appreciate even just knowing some common phrases.
[ it's funny cuz she's talking about a literal skull. ]
We can think of something else, if you like, [he allows.] But it's a kind thought. I think some basic conversation should be fairly quick for you to pick up, especially with practice. And you've already met Carsus, I suspect he'd also give you conversation opportunities if you'd like.
[He might feel bad about volunteering Cedric without asking, but on the other hand, she'd met Cedric first and he'd obviously made a good first impression.]
And Gwenβthat is, Captain Baudin, I'm sure she'd like someone to practice with!
[ look vanya there is a REASON she didn't go to cedric about this first okay!!! we're admiring respectfully from afar and not forcing him to ever deal with any feelings that may or may not exist. never mind the necklace made out of his gift, it's not important!!! ]
Thank you, really. I know teaching a language isn't as easy as knowing it, so I truly appreciate your willingness to help me.
You're very welcome. Though you should reserve the right to look elsewhere, if you find it frustrating. I've never taught a language before Captain Baudin asked, but I am happy to do what I can. Common phrases shouldn't be too difficult, even with my limited skill.
And I suppose ... I know I still owe you a more detailed explanation of my thoughts on the Templar Order, sometime. Perhaps we could combine that with a lesson, one day, if you're still interested.
[A part of him very much would have preferred not to raise it, but it feels cowardly to pretend he has forgotten just because it is a bit awkward. It isn't as if he could have construed her earlier interest as other than genuine.]
Between the two of us I'm sure we'll manage fine. [ at least she sounds entirely confident of itβwhatever his deficits as a teacher, she can make up for with her prowess as a student.
reading people, their emotions and intentions, is more difficult over the crystal. the voice gives away only a piece of the puzzle, and ness is accustomed to having more than just the outer edges to work with when trying to divine the whole. still, there are tells: hesitations, breaths, speed. little things that all tell the story of one's true feelings, if they aren't given to hiding them. ]
We don't have to, if you'd prefer to leave it in the past.
[ imagine you left a thing, whatever your reasons, and people still only saw that thing when they looked at you. imagine how much that would grate, what an albatross that would be to carry. ]
You can just be Professor Orlov to me, if you like.
[ her smile is audible as she suggests itβit's a bit of a jokeβbut she's sincere, too, just as sincere as she was in her initial curiosity about his thoughts. ]
That's kind of you. I do appreciate it. But I don't mind, if you still want to hear. I only hesitated, I suppose, because it can be complicated. And I don't want to suggest your own opinions aren't yours to form as you see fit. Mine are shaped by my particular experiences, as well.
In your place, though, I suppose I would want to know more about the world I found myself in. It is a natural impulse to follow.
[ she pauses, considers, tests his words for hidden meanings or trap doors. after a moment, she hums, and drops her eyes to her hands, picking at a hangnail while she speaks. ]
I would still like to hear your perspective, Messere, very much so. But I can't shake the sensation that to press you to explain yourself now would be doing you an unkindness. You are...
[ here she fumbles for the right words, skin torn too far and now she's bleeding. ]
I'd prefer to hear it as a friend, not some anthropological venture. Your history is real, and personal, not a, a... teaching exercise. You aren't the only former templar in the world; you don't owe it to me. [ a huff, as she presses thumb to cuticle to stop the bleeding and lifts her eyes to the ceiling. ] Am I even making sense?
I do want to hear what you have to say, Messere. But only when you really want to share it with me, not when you feel it an obligation.
Your concern for me is kind, and I take it in the spirit it is meant. But also ... I can want to do a thing and still find it difficult. You do make sense, and your consideration speaks well of you. But it is also ... I think I would like the chance to lay it out, sometime. When I am well-prepared. It is a topic I have given a great deal of thought, but little conversation, overall.
[A small pause.]
I think perhaps it would be helpful. To try to express my thoughts to someone who simply wants to know without a further agenda beyond the desire to understand.
[ "helpful" is the word to use; ness immediately sits taller to hear it, drawn back out of herself at the prospect of being of use. ]
I would like that very much. To be of help to you, I mean, and to understand, as much as I am able.
[ it occurs to her to worry that her concern has come off wrong, infantilizing and condescending rather than considerate, but as in the crossroads, vanya's straightforward affect dulls the anxiety. whether her words could be taken amiss or not, he's chosen to receive them according to her intent, and fretting further over them would be pointless.
(that will not stop her fretting entirely. dulled is not dismissed. but it is a start.) ]
As for lessons, my evenings are free to start whenever you wishβeven tonight, should you have the time on such short notice. Otherwise, I will fit my schedule to yours!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
crystal; to start.
[ vanya isn't the only nevarran ness knows, but he is the only one she thinks she may spend time with without incident (she's far too likely to make a fool of herself around cedric, after all). so, here she comes, brightly over the crystal, closer to the evening than she usually calls on anyone—closer to when work tasks may have been set aside for the day. ]
Messere Orlov, may I have a moment of your time? Perhaps more than a moment, if you're amenable to a request.
no subject
no subject
Well, I wondered if I might persuade you to trade Nevarran lessons for...
[ shit. what do people like??? ]
Drinks, perhaps? I'm sorry, I don't know what might tempt you, particularly.
no subject
I assure you, you needn't bother with something to barter. I don't know how skilled I am at it, but I am already teaching Captain Baudin. It would be no hardship to assist you as well, if you'd like.
no subject
I can't just take from you without giving something in return! If you don't drink... Well, I'll think of something.
I made a friend, in the Necropolis, I'd like to speak with her in a manner more comfortable to her. I'd appreciate even just knowing some common phrases.
[ it's funny cuz she's talking about a literal skull. ]
no subject
[He might feel bad about volunteering Cedric without asking, but on the other hand, she'd met Cedric first and he'd obviously made a good first impression.]
no subject
[ firmly, ] I like.
And Gwenβthat is, Captain Baudin, I'm sure she'd like someone to practice with!
[ look vanya there is a REASON she didn't go to cedric about this first okay!!! we're admiring respectfully from afar and not forcing him to ever deal with any feelings that may or may not exist. never mind the necklace made out of his gift, it's not important!!! ]
Thank you, really. I know teaching a language isn't as easy as knowing it, so I truly appreciate your willingness to help me.
no subject
And I suppose ... I know I still owe you a more detailed explanation of my thoughts on the Templar Order, sometime. Perhaps we could combine that with a lesson, one day, if you're still interested.
[A part of him very much would have preferred not to raise it, but it feels cowardly to pretend he has forgotten just because it is a bit awkward. It isn't as if he could have construed her earlier interest as other than genuine.]
no subject
reading people, their emotions and intentions, is more difficult over the crystal. the voice gives away only a piece of the puzzle, and ness is accustomed to having more than just the outer edges to work with when trying to divine the whole. still, there are tells: hesitations, breaths, speed. little things that all tell the story of one's true feelings, if they aren't given to hiding them. ]
We don't have to, if you'd prefer to leave it in the past.
[ imagine you left a thing, whatever your reasons, and people still only saw that thing when they looked at you. imagine how much that would grate, what an albatross that would be to carry. ]
You can just be Professor Orlov to me, if you like.
[ her smile is audible as she suggests itβit's a bit of a jokeβbut she's sincere, too, just as sincere as she was in her initial curiosity about his thoughts. ]
no subject
In your place, though, I suppose I would want to know more about the world I found myself in. It is a natural impulse to follow.
no subject
I would still like to hear your perspective, Messere, very much so. But I can't shake the sensation that to press you to explain yourself now would be doing you an unkindness. You are...
[ here she fumbles for the right words, skin torn too far and now she's bleeding. ]
I'd prefer to hear it as a friend, not some anthropological venture. Your history is real, and personal, not a, a... teaching exercise. You aren't the only former templar in the world; you don't owe it to me. [ a huff, as she presses thumb to cuticle to stop the bleeding and lifts her eyes to the ceiling. ] Am I even making sense?
I do want to hear what you have to say, Messere. But only when you really want to share it with me, not when you feel it an obligation.
no subject
[A small pause.]
I think perhaps it would be helpful. To try to express my thoughts to someone who simply wants to know without a further agenda beyond the desire to understand.
no subject
I would like that very much. To be of help to you, I mean, and to understand, as much as I am able.
[ it occurs to her to worry that her concern has come off wrong, infantilizing and condescending rather than considerate, but as in the crossroads, vanya's straightforward affect dulls the anxiety. whether her words could be taken amiss or not, he's chosen to receive them according to her intent, and fretting further over them would be pointless.
(that will not stop her fretting entirely. dulled is not dismissed. but it is a start.) ]
As for lessons, my evenings are free to start whenever you wishβeven tonight, should you have the time on such short notice. Otherwise, I will fit my schedule to yours!
places a bow
[And the discussion of the Templar Order ... sometime. Though not the next day, as it may require a bit more preparation than elementary Nevarran.]