[ Hands fumbling at her lap, fingers tugging at the bottom of her dress, Marie nods in understanding when Cloud tells her he needs time to get accustomed to this new situation that had been almost literally thrust into him. She will not scorn at him for that, obviously, and there is no way she would judge any of his consequent reactions. In her mind, it's still her fault. It will keep being her fault even after he feels better about it. ]
Take all the time you need.
[ His next question is weird, but a glance to his hand spells what he means way too better. Marie's next nod is more tentative, slower. ]
Yes. Thanks to the Chroma here, however, we don't have to stay in physical proximity of each other all the time. My other Master left the planet weeks ago and I was still doing decently.
[ A timid glance to the side, away from him. ]
I believe the only instance where closeness is required is during a fight. My powers would increase exponentially if you were with me.
Mm... That's one upside. At least you can use Chroma like an anchor without someone.
[ Since he's wrapped his head around the fact that mana and the contract is what initially maintains a Servant's form in the current world. When she makes mention of their closeness during any conflicts, whereas her gaze falters from him, his remains trained on her, quieter and contemplative. ]
...
[ The "only instance"... Maybe he's reading into things too much. But...did she think that she was a burden to him? Cloud wouldn't express it, especially with just how fast this whirlwind of events swept both of them off their feet. But he leaves it to mull over in the back of his mind. Even so, though he doesn't reach out to her physically, the blond finally does speak up. A bit more honestly this time. ]
Got it. If things get dicey around here, I'll stay close so you won't have to worry about that.
[ He's not sure how to put this into words, and the more he thinks about it, the harder it gets without feeling like he'll embarrass either one of them. But...he really did like the time they spent together, even if it was to patch him up. Cloud can't help feeling that things have changed, irrevocably so, even if he didn't want to give up what they'd started. ]
I... [ ... and ultimately, he decides against saying it. And mentally kicking himself for doing so. Instead resigning himself as the two take their time to rest up. ] Alright. I think I'm going to go back and check on the others.
[ Now that things have settled down some and most of the cultists were rounded up. ]
[ This entire talk was already embarrassing on its own, even without Cloud making it moreso, but a big chunk of that emotion is the sheer guilt Marie is still feeling. Whatever he could have said wasn't going to make her feel worse. At this moment, after all that happened between the kidnapping and... this, she feels quite like she's hitting rock bottom, as far as her mood is going.
It had been a long time since she felt this way. Probably since the day she was told she wasn't going to see her children again.
No... that's silly. Nothing would be as horrible as those colds said to her. ]
...
[ She made herself even more upset for no reason. Ah, stupid.
With a gentle shake of her head, she gives out a long sigh. Marie wants to stop Cloud and tell him he still needs the rest, but something hangs up in her mind and prevents her from saying anything.
It's yet again the shadow of guilt, telling her that he doesn't need her. She messed up spectacularly, and doesn't deserve to keep her new Master close with the excuse of preserving his safety. He will be fine on his own; Marie knows that very well, after watching him fight the cultists.
The hand she wanted to raise in order to stop him remains glued to her lap. ]
... Alright. But you must be careful. I do not think the threat is over yet.
[ Curt sentences spoken in a soft voice. The Rider has a somber look on her face.
It's best to let him go for now. They both need to process everything properly. By themselves. ]
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no subject
Take all the time you need.
[ His next question is weird, but a glance to his hand spells what he means way too better. Marie's next nod is more tentative, slower. ]
Yes. Thanks to the Chroma here, however, we don't have to stay in physical proximity of each other all the time. My other Master left the planet weeks ago and I was still doing decently.
[ A timid glance to the side, away from him. ]
I believe the only instance where closeness is required is during a fight. My powers would increase exponentially if you were with me.
no subject
[ Since he's wrapped his head around the fact that mana and the contract is what initially maintains a Servant's form in the current world. When she makes mention of their closeness during any conflicts, whereas her gaze falters from him, his remains trained on her, quieter and contemplative. ]
...
[ The "only instance"... Maybe he's reading into things too much. But...did she think that she was a burden to him? Cloud wouldn't express it, especially with just how fast this whirlwind of events swept both of them off their feet. But he leaves it to mull over in the back of his mind. Even so, though he doesn't reach out to her physically, the blond finally does speak up. A bit more honestly this time. ]
Got it. If things get dicey around here, I'll stay close so you won't have to worry about that.
[ He's not sure how to put this into words, and the more he thinks about it, the harder it gets without feeling like he'll embarrass either one of them. But...he really did like the time they spent together, even if it was to patch him up. Cloud can't help feeling that things have changed, irrevocably so, even if he didn't want to give up what they'd started. ]
I... [ ... and ultimately, he decides against saying it.
And mentally kicking himself for doing so.Instead resigning himself as the two take their time to rest up. ] Alright. I think I'm going to go back and check on the others.[ Now that things have settled down some and most of the cultists were rounded up. ]
no subject
It had been a long time since she felt this way. Probably since the day she was told she wasn't going to see her children again.
No... that's silly. Nothing would be as horrible as those colds said to her. ]
...
[ She made herself even more upset for no reason. Ah, stupid.
With a gentle shake of her head, she gives out a long sigh. Marie wants to stop Cloud and tell him he still needs the rest, but something hangs up in her mind and prevents her from saying anything.
It's yet again the shadow of guilt, telling her that he doesn't need her. She messed up spectacularly, and doesn't deserve to keep her new Master close with the excuse of preserving his safety. He will be fine on his own; Marie knows that very well, after watching him fight the cultists.
The hand she wanted to raise in order to stop him remains glued to her lap. ]
... Alright. But you must be careful. I do not think the threat is over yet.
[ Curt sentences spoken in a soft voice. The Rider has a somber look on her face.
It's best to let him go for now. They both need to process everything properly. By themselves. ]