[ As lightly as they're both playing it off she'd been worried about her friends in Thorne. With everything else going on, there seemed to be more of it there one after the other with the coup and then the subsequent attacks.
Worrying about the bad hasn't ever been her favourite thing to do. Distracting from the terrible things though? Oh, she's good at that. ]
[ Thancred has also spent plenty of time discussing his escape from the Castle and how he's been settling in Nott, so he doesn't see the need to retread it with Hilda unless she pushes the issue.
They deserve to take a break from addressing all of the realm's recent events, do they not? ]
Oh, are you hooked now? After a single game, at that? I'm flattered.
Yes, I would be all too glad to indulge in a game. Shall we meet in the Horizon, then? My place or yours?
[ Because as far as he knows, that's the only way for them to play... ]
[ It's not that she's not concerned about Thancred's wellbeing and the events that led him to apparently leave Thorne. She is! But she's also just as curious and that seems like a conversation better had in person. ]
[ Is she actually flirting with him or just trying to butter him up because she wants something? Granted, it could be a friendly sort of flirt. ]
There are plenty of handsome faces here, and quite a few who belong to those closer to you in age. If I actually stoked your interest in Triple Triad, on the other hand, that is something to take pride in.
[ But then Hilda goes on, and Thancred has to reread the message a few times. Did she really...? ]
A gift. I know not what I did to deserve such a thing, but you certainly have me curious. Nocwich, then?
[ Woah, woah, woah, Thancred. Firstly, there's nothing wrong with liking older men or women. Secondly, this is how she is with most people until she gets to know them fairly well. ]
Please, enough of this talk of old men. You're going to make my poor bones ache.
[ But Thancred leaves the message at that, aware that Hilda might not consider him the same brand of "old" as Cid even though he often feels it. So it goes when you have an extra five years of experience that doesn't quite show on your face.
Either way, he's true to his word and makes it over to the particular tavern in the Luna area that they've both apparently visited before. It's just as rowdy as ever, and there's even a bard set up, strumming on a stringed instrument and singing sailor songs. He's a bit off-key, but most people here are too in their cups to notice.
Thancred sits at a table off in a corner, his usual choice when it comes to meetings such as this, even if this one should be quite harmless. As soon as he spots Hilda's bright head of pink hair when she walks in, he waves her over. He already has a foaming mug of ale sitting in front of him, though he's only taken a few sips so far. He hasn't been here too long. ]
[ Hilda doesn't actually think Thancred is Cid's level of old, but she doesn't have to let him know that. In fact his response makes her think that it might be fun to tease him about that very thing which is unfortunate for him.
Regardless she leaves it there.
The fateful day rolls around and she arrives only a couple of minutes late as she is want to do. Unsurprisingly she's a bright spot amidst the darker colours of the pub. But while her arrival draws a few eyes she doesn't seem bothered by them as she breezes by everyone towards Thancred's table. Sliding into the seat across from him, she grins. ]
I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! [ Leaning forward she peers at him as if scrutinizing something on his face. ] Did you get more wrinkles since I last saw you?
[ Never mind that the one and only time they'd met had been in the Horizon. But details. ]
[ It's hard to miss the way that pairs of eyes seem to track Hilda as she moves through the pub toward him. She catches people's attention due to her hair, her fashion, and Thancred imagines, her good looks. Even if her flirting with him had been harmless, he can't deny that she's the exact sort of maid he might have tried to approach when he was a few years younger.
Granted, all those thoughts are quickly chased away when she teases him and reminds him yet again of his age, causing him to sputter before he heaves out a sigh. ]
This is our first time meeting face-to-face. Perhaps my impression of myself in the Horizon is just a tad younger, who could say?
[ He knows she's just picking up on what she started during their mental conversation, however, and so he doesn't dwell on it for long, waving a server over so that Hilda can put in an order if she wishes. ]
I hope you didn't go to too much trouble on my account, by the way.
[ But she'd decided of her own volition to make a card deck. He must admit, he's quite interested to see what she came up with. ]
[ Don't worry, Thancred. Even if he were trying to court her she'd tease him in exactly the same way. And if that really were the case in this hypothetical scenario, that was how he'd know that she likes him instead of putting on some front.
She offers him a thoughtful look because that could very well be the case. But - ]
Wouldn't that mean that you were wishing for days when you were younger?
[ As soon as she's said her final word on the age joke, she's quick to place her order with the server with a cheerful air. With that sorted, she wastes no time reaching into her bag to pull out the gift. Without knowing how people carry their Triple Triad decks, she's gone ahead and found a nicely carved wooden card box with a wheel of the arcana symbols on it that she slides across the table towards him. ]
It was sort of a fun project if I'm being honest. The most annoying thing was not knowing what cards there were exactly - so hopefully you don't mind a few Abraxas variations. [ She gives him a forlorn sigh. ] But if you really feel bad about burdening me with this, I wouldn't say no to payment in kind in the future.
[ Thancred raises an eyebrow. In truth, he doesn't think that's the case at all. He was more troubled in his past years, and when he was even younger than that, he had been foolish and feckless. ]
In truth, I think I prefer having a bit of grizzle, so it seems I'll have to endure your remarks.
[ But then Hilda reveals the whole reason that they're here, and Thancred's eyes briefly widen when it turns out that the deck even has its own special box. Whether Hilda made that herself or bought it he doesn't know, but either way he's impressed. Flattered, even. ]
Of course I don't mind. If anything, I'm eager to see what you came up with and how you made it more specific to this star.
[ With that, he opens the box and carefully pulls out the deck, fanning out the cards to see what tack Hilda took. He glances up at her mention of payment. ]
[ Hilda's lips curl, both in approval and amusement at how easily he rolls with the punches of her teasing. ]
Spoken like someone who's been around for longer than I have.
[ Okay that was the last comment she'll make about his age for the next little while. The server reappears dropping a warm cup of cider in front of her and she smiles appreciatively at them before curling her fingers around the warmth of the mug. Settling back in her seat to watch him examine her gift there's an air of a parent self-satisfied that her present was being received well. It alludes to the prickle of anxiousness that had clung to her as she had worked on the cards over the course of the last several months taking her time to sketch and paint each one.
The cards at the top of the deck are ones she recalls from their lesson in the Horizon: a cactus with a funny little expression, the faces of people that she didn't know but were oddly distinct, creatures that didn't exist here but ones that she knows existed in his, a Demonic Beast, a moogle, and the small woman that he'd described fondly as Tataru. She hums in thought. ]
Gold seems silly. I didn't make this to be paid and I wouldn't know what to charge. [ Her head tilts. ] So just a favour to be cashed in in the future?
[ Tempting as it is to make some remark about how Hilda should take care to listen to her elders, Thancred is now completely distracted by the deck of cards. They've clearly all been made with care, and the fact that each one was hand-drawn is even more impressive. Not that there would be any other way to go about it, but the fact that Hilda remembered what he showed her well enough to replicate something like a cactuar or even Tataru in her own style — well, it's impressive. ]
I had no idea I had befriended such a talented artist. [ At one point in his life perhaps that would have been little more than an empty flirtation, but his words are entirely genuine. He glances up at Hilda as she nurses her drink. ] If you had wanted more card ideas, you certainly could have asked me, though there is something to be said for being surprised with the finished product.
[ He studies each card in turn, understanding how much work must have gone into all of them. He handles them with care, his touch light as he doesn't want to damage them or even smear them with thumbprints. ]
It will have to be quite the favor. I can't imagine how long this all took you, and the fact that you did it for someone you'd met just the once...
[ He shakes his head, his expression mildly stunned. And touched. ]
[ The comment being left unsaid is probably for the best because he might be dismayed (but probably not at all surprised) to hear that she actually cared very little for elders who hadn't earned her respect. Age alone didn't mean anything as far as she's concerned.
But seeing as he didn't, he earns a little carefree shrug. ]
I could make more. It was a fun project. That and you can't play this game alone, I'm assuming.
[ And she seems to genuinely mean that despite her typical aversion to work. Then again, this isn't really something that would fall into Hilda's definition of the word. Projects that she started, ones that she has a vested interest in, are more of a hobby than anything else. And if it's a creative project? All the better.
The cards were all thick, matte cardstock. She had wanted something that would last since they were intended to be handled and the inks and paints she had used were also set with a protective layer so that they'd withstand the oils from whoever touched them. In short, she had put a lot of thought into it. As to why, well - ]
It'll just be a little favour. And as for saying something, anything more than thank you will just embarrass me. I really appreciate that you took the time to teach me something and that you didn't just pulverize Mogwry into a ball of fluff and fur when he was being so rude to you.
[ Her smile warms into something a little more genuine. ]
And I know what it's like to go without having something from home for so long.
[ A fun project, is it? If that's how she views it, then it makes sense that Hilda would even be willing to make another set for the purpose of playing and distributing the cards among a wider audience so that the game can spread throughout Thorne. Or at least his small area of Nott, as the case may be. Or he could play with Summoned from other territories here in Nocwich. ]
I suppose you could play alone, but it wouldn't be much fun.
[ He laughs at his own remark, but while it might be tempting to continue to shower her in praise and embarrass her, he thinks that would be rather rude given that she's gone to so much effort on his behalf. ]
Then thank you. Truly. It is a joy to have a taste of home, and I know that Himeka will be thrilled when I show her as well.
[ Though she has another thing coming if she thinks she's going to best him.
While he could make another remark at Mogwry's expense, it's what Hilda says next which grabs his interest. A favor is one thing, and he would give it gladly, but perhaps he could find some more appropriate way to repay her. ]
What are the things you miss from home then? [ He takes a sip of his drink, taking care to gather the cards together and set them to the side of the table so he doesn't risk spilling anything on them. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ ...Sorry, Thancred. She had to. ]
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As it turns out, relocating takes up quite a bit of time. Who would have thought?
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[ As lightly as they're both playing it off she'd been worried about her friends in Thorne. With everything else going on, there seemed to be more of it there one after the other with the coup and then the subsequent attacks.
Worrying about the bad hasn't ever been her favourite thing to do. Distracting from the terrible things though? Oh, she's good at that. ]
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸? 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘺...𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦?
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They deserve to take a break from addressing all of the realm's recent events, do they not? ]
Oh, are you hooked now? After a single game, at that? I'm flattered.
Yes, I would be all too glad to indulge in a game. Shall we meet in the Horizon, then? My place or yours?
[ Because as far as he knows, that's the only way for them to play... ]
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𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘯𝘰. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴.
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There are plenty of handsome faces here, and quite a few who belong to those closer to you in age. If I actually stoked your interest in Triple Triad, on the other hand, that is something to take pride in.
[ But then Hilda goes on, and Thancred has to reread the message a few times. Did she really...? ]
A gift. I know not what I did to deserve such a thing, but you certainly have me curious. Nocwich, then?
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𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵.
𝘏𝘮, 𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵! 𝘚𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘰𝘨𝘸𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘤𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
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[ Not that he doesn't know he's handsome. He's well aware. ]
Fair enough. He was a bit of a bastard to deal with, amusing as it was.
Yes, that works for me. You need only name a time and place and I'll be there.
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𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘺. 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘰𝘤𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨?
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[ Is she trying to teach a Moogle etiquette? ]
That sounds ideal. Is it the sailors' tavern in Luna, by chance?
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[ Got it in one, Thancred. The moogle embodiment of Reno however is a very difficult person to teach. Who would have thought? ]
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦! 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸?
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[ That's how etiquette works, right. ]
Cid introduced me to it not long ago. Your description rang a bell.
In any case, I'll be there.
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[ Listen, it's a work in progress. And he's not technically wrong. ]
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯? 𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘰?
[ Worries for another day though. ]
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦!
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[ But Thancred leaves the message at that, aware that Hilda might not consider him the same brand of "old" as Cid even though he often feels it. So it goes when you have an extra five years of experience that doesn't quite show on your face.
Either way, he's true to his word and makes it over to the particular tavern in the Luna area that they've both apparently visited before. It's just as rowdy as ever, and there's even a bard set up, strumming on a stringed instrument and singing sailor songs. He's a bit off-key, but most people here are too in their cups to notice.
Thancred sits at a table off in a corner, his usual choice when it comes to meetings such as this, even if this one should be quite harmless. As soon as he spots Hilda's bright head of pink hair when she walks in, he waves her over. He already has a foaming mug of ale sitting in front of him, though he's only taken a few sips so far. He hasn't been here too long. ]
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Regardless she leaves it there.
The fateful day rolls around and she arrives only a couple of minutes late as she is want to do. Unsurprisingly she's a bright spot amidst the darker colours of the pub. But while her arrival draws a few eyes she doesn't seem bothered by them as she breezes by everyone towards Thancred's table. Sliding into the seat across from him, she grins. ]
I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! [ Leaning forward she peers at him as if scrutinizing something on his face. ] Did you get more wrinkles since I last saw you?
[ Never mind that the one and only time they'd met had been in the Horizon. But details. ]
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Granted, all those thoughts are quickly chased away when she teases him and reminds him yet again of his age, causing him to sputter before he heaves out a sigh. ]
This is our first time meeting face-to-face. Perhaps my impression of myself in the Horizon is just a tad younger, who could say?
[ He knows she's just picking up on what she started during their mental conversation, however, and so he doesn't dwell on it for long, waving a server over so that Hilda can put in an order if she wishes. ]
I hope you didn't go to too much trouble on my account, by the way.
[ But she'd decided of her own volition to make a card deck. He must admit, he's quite interested to see what she came up with. ]
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She offers him a thoughtful look because that could very well be the case. But - ]
Wouldn't that mean that you were wishing for days when you were younger?
[ As soon as she's said her final word on the age joke, she's quick to place her order with the server with a cheerful air. With that sorted, she wastes no time reaching into her bag to pull out the gift. Without knowing how people carry their Triple Triad decks, she's gone ahead and found a nicely carved wooden card box with a wheel of the arcana symbols on it that she slides across the table towards him. ]
It was sort of a fun project if I'm being honest. The most annoying thing was not knowing what cards there were exactly - so hopefully you don't mind a few Abraxas variations. [ She gives him a forlorn sigh. ] But if you really feel bad about burdening me with this, I wouldn't say no to payment in kind in the future.
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[ Thancred raises an eyebrow. In truth, he doesn't think that's the case at all. He was more troubled in his past years, and when he was even younger than that, he had been foolish and feckless. ]
In truth, I think I prefer having a bit of grizzle, so it seems I'll have to endure your remarks.
[ But then Hilda reveals the whole reason that they're here, and Thancred's eyes briefly widen when it turns out that the deck even has its own special box. Whether Hilda made that herself or bought it he doesn't know, but either way he's impressed. Flattered, even. ]
Of course I don't mind. If anything, I'm eager to see what you came up with and how you made it more specific to this star.
[ With that, he opens the box and carefully pulls out the deck, fanning out the cards to see what tack Hilda took. He glances up at her mention of payment. ]
And just what would you have in mind?
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Spoken like someone who's been around for longer than I have.
[ Okay that was the last comment she'll make about his age for the next little while. The server reappears dropping a warm cup of cider in front of her and she smiles appreciatively at them before curling her fingers around the warmth of the mug. Settling back in her seat to watch him examine her gift there's an air of a parent self-satisfied that her present was being received well. It alludes to the prickle of anxiousness that had clung to her as she had worked on the cards over the course of the last several months taking her time to sketch and paint each one.
The cards at the top of the deck are ones she recalls from their lesson in the Horizon: a cactus with a funny little expression, the faces of people that she didn't know but were oddly distinct, creatures that didn't exist here but ones that she knows existed in his, a Demonic Beast, a moogle, and the small woman that he'd described fondly as Tataru. She hums in thought. ]
Gold seems silly. I didn't make this to be paid and I wouldn't know what to charge. [ Her head tilts. ] So just a favour to be cashed in in the future?
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I had no idea I had befriended such a talented artist. [ At one point in his life perhaps that would have been little more than an empty flirtation, but his words are entirely genuine. He glances up at Hilda as she nurses her drink. ] If you had wanted more card ideas, you certainly could have asked me, though there is something to be said for being surprised with the finished product.
[ He studies each card in turn, understanding how much work must have gone into all of them. He handles them with care, his touch light as he doesn't want to damage them or even smear them with thumbprints. ]
It will have to be quite the favor. I can't imagine how long this all took you, and the fact that you did it for someone you'd met just the once...
[ He shakes his head, his expression mildly stunned. And touched. ]
I hardly know what to say.
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But seeing as he didn't, he earns a little carefree shrug. ]
I could make more. It was a fun project. That and you can't play this game alone, I'm assuming.
[ And she seems to genuinely mean that despite her typical aversion to work. Then again, this isn't really something that would fall into Hilda's definition of the word. Projects that she started, ones that she has a vested interest in, are more of a hobby than anything else. And if it's a creative project? All the better.
The cards were all thick, matte cardstock. She had wanted something that would last since they were intended to be handled and the inks and paints she had used were also set with a protective layer so that they'd withstand the oils from whoever touched them. In short, she had put a lot of thought into it. As to why, well - ]
It'll just be a little favour. And as for saying something, anything more than thank you will just embarrass me. I really appreciate that you took the time to teach me something and that you didn't just pulverize Mogwry into a ball of fluff and fur when he was being so rude to you.
[ Her smile warms into something a little more genuine. ]
And I know what it's like to go without having something from home for so long.
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I suppose you could play alone, but it wouldn't be much fun.
[ He laughs at his own remark, but while it might be tempting to continue to shower her in praise and embarrass her, he thinks that would be rather rude given that she's gone to so much effort on his behalf. ]
Then thank you. Truly. It is a joy to have a taste of home, and I know that Himeka will be thrilled when I show her as well.
[ Though she has another thing coming if she thinks she's going to best him.
While he could make another remark at Mogwry's expense, it's what Hilda says next which grabs his interest. A favor is one thing, and he would give it gladly, but perhaps he could find some more appropriate way to repay her. ]
What are the things you miss from home then? [ He takes a sip of his drink, taking care to gather the cards together and set them to the side of the table so he doesn't risk spilling anything on them. ]