[ their back tenses a little in surprise, but then relaxes. This isn't like when they lost their poison - there's no doubt in their mind about whether they should be happy about this or not. No... they should be. And they are. Rarely do they believe in the words of others when they try to show Cinnabar kindness, but they feel like they can believe in these. ]
... You're the first person that's ever said that to me.
[ they feel the mercury welling up in their eyes again, and they do their best to keep it from falling down their face and dripping onto the floor. It'll be harder to put powder on their face later if they get it dirty now... ]
[ at that, they actually smile - just a little bit, just barely, and, sadly, Shess won't even be able to see it since they're facing away from him. They don't remember the last time they smiled, either. ]
That's not true.
[ they know it isn't true... but it still makes them happy to hear him say it. ]
[ they huff out a little sigh. really, they're feeling happy, even if it's kind of embarrassing, too; they try to act like they always do, but the heaviness that tends to cling to their voice is less and lighter, noticeably so. ]
Besides, this place is dangerous enough already. Nobody should be fighting.
[ they pause, not seeming to know how to answer. Why wouldn't they hate it? Sure, Bort likes to battle, but they enjoy it because they're good at it, and because they take pride in their strength and protecting their friends - Cinnabar is sure even they take no pleasure in the actual act. They're partners now, after all; Cinnabar likes to think they've gotten to know Bort a little better. ]
... It's dangerous, and it's constant. It's all we ever do. We fight just to survive, and even then, we don't always win. It's horrible... And my body is too weak to fight with the other gems, or even wield a blade... so I have to use my poison.
[ in fact, Cinnabar is an extremely effective fighter - because their poison destroys everything so thoroughly. But they hate to use it, and hate to destroy things, and hate how they ruin the very land when they fight. ]
[ they won't deny it. Cinnabar isn't ignorant or naive, despite how they might seem due to how little they know about humans and how isolated they are. They're isolated because they're compassionate. Nobody made them live alone, only coming out at night; it's a duty they took upon themself to try and make life easier for the rest of the gems. That's why they keep others at a distance, too. ]
I didn't say that. Most of the kind people I know avoid unkind truths.
[ which makes them not as kind, in a sense. The fact that Shess is somewhat blunt makes him easier to believe - especially when it comes to things like friendship. ]
[ what a strange feeling, to be talking with a friend, to trust them, and to agree with them on things... the mercury hovering around them, usually nervous and agitated, is calm and still, maintaining a round shape. ]
It's not a bad thing that you surprise me. It's been a long time... [ again, they turn their head, peering through their translucent hair at him. ] ... Is it going ok? You didn't get toxin on you?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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... You're the first person that's ever said that to me.
[ they feel the mercury welling up in their eyes again, and they do their best to keep it from falling down their face and dripping onto the floor. It'll be harder to put powder on their face later if they get it dirty now... ]
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as he continues his work:]
Others are missing out, then.
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That's not true.
[ they know it isn't true... but it still makes them happy to hear him say it. ]
... Thank you. You're a kind person.
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As are you, for worrying about me when you don't have to.
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[ they huff out a little sigh. really, they're feeling happy, even if it's kind of embarrassing, too; they try to act like they always do, but the heaviness that tends to cling to their voice is less and lighter, noticeably so. ]
Besides, this place is dangerous enough already. Nobody should be fighting.
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It is, yes.
Though I doubt Hisoka would seriously try to kill me yet, or do anything that would prevent a future fight he could enjoy.
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[ that's what it had sounded like, but they don't know him well enough to be sure. ]
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[thank god for tablet talk so that shess doesn't have to say this with a straight face. hisoka made it very, very clear how much he enjoyed fighting.]
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... I don't understand those types. There's a younger diamond like that at home, too.
[ although Bort would almost definitely be offended to be compared to the crazy clown. ]
I hate fighting.
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[ they pause, not seeming to know how to answer. Why wouldn't they hate it? Sure, Bort likes to battle, but they enjoy it because they're good at it, and because they take pride in their strength and protecting their friends - Cinnabar is sure even they take no pleasure in the actual act. They're partners now, after all; Cinnabar likes to think they've gotten to know Bort a little better. ]
... It's dangerous, and it's constant. It's all we ever do. We fight just to survive, and even then, we don't always win. It's horrible... And my body is too weak to fight with the other gems, or even wield a blade... so I have to use my poison.
[ in fact, Cinnabar is an extremely effective fighter - because their poison destroys everything so thoroughly. But they hate to use it, and hate to destroy things, and hate how they ruin the very land when they fight. ]
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[...]
You may not realize it, but that really is a compassionate way of thinking.
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[ they won't deny it. Cinnabar isn't ignorant or naive, despite how they might seem due to how little they know about humans and how isolated they are. They're isolated because they're compassionate. Nobody made them live alone, only coming out at night; it's a duty they took upon themself to try and make life easier for the rest of the gems. That's why they keep others at a distance, too. ]
Thinking is all I can do.
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That's a lot more than some people in the world do.
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I wouldn't expect you to say such a thing...
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[ not just to them, but to everyone. ]
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[ which makes them not as kind, in a sense. The fact that Shess is somewhat blunt makes him easier to believe - especially when it comes to things like friendship. ]
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[ what a strange feeling, to be talking with a friend, to trust them, and to agree with them on things... the mercury hovering around them, usually nervous and agitated, is calm and still, maintaining a round shape. ]
It's not a bad thing that you surprise me. It's been a long time... [ again, they turn their head, peering through their translucent hair at him. ] ... Is it going ok? You didn't get toxin on you?
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It's fine. I just hope I'm doing this properly.
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I'm sure you are. It's not that hard... Besides, it's not like people will be seeing my back very often.
[ it's ok if it's messy. ]
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[ a beat. ]
Apparently, the first gem asked for it so that they could be the same color as Sensei - the one who takes care of us.
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hnk spoilers now...... for whenever this unlocks
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