#[ yeah these days i'm lucky to even get official twitter art from the gbf art team ]

[causalitylinked]

    At his next words, she'll soon shake her head. "Oh no! I assure you my manner of speech was a by product from how I was raised," Herja tells him before continuing to dig in. All the while, though, she was still listening as she thoughtfully chews and savours every bite of her tuna casserole.

    So Dogi started out as an orphan, huh? Though, judging by his subsequent words, it seemed the people around him were a positive influence on him. ...Either way, upon finally finishing the last few bites of her lunch, Herja would at last place her fork down against her empty plate while managing yet another smile.

    "...I see. Well, it certainly sounds as if you came a long way. Back on my island, we had taverns, mansions, and a local diner, so while there were also no grand hotels or cafés where I lived, I was accustomed to at least a little bit of extravagance before I became a mercenary," she then informs him.

    "But I'm glad you decided to join up with us, Dogi-dono. Having you at our side has been quite a boon thus far!" Sure enough, however, Herja realizes that they have yet to pay, causing her to gradually emerge up to her feet. "Now then... I shall go pay for our tab. Would you rather stay here or will you be coming with me?"

“Nahhhh it’s fine. I was being a git. I won’t call you ma’am either if it’s not something you’d want.” Herja’s gratitude is waved off, not that Dogi didn’t appreciate it. The sentiment was just completely unnecessary as far as he saw it. Especially since he was the one who raised up the pointless fuss to begin with, right? Could’ve been worse. Neither of them was going to be the type to be hung up, whether it be from an ample dose of manners or in Dogi’s case, passive consideration towards himself.

“Sophisticated. Here I thought you were just being classy. Which is a lot different from where I grew up. Lower sides didn’t have as much to marvel at, you had kitchens and inns, no grand hotels or fancy cafes. The skies were a dream, and you got by however you could if you didn’t already have an in with your family or otherwise. So, growing up as an orphan, I didn’t start with the best hand.” And you can’t mulligan in life, which Dogi learned relatively quickly. His expression dims momentarily, but the bevy of positive memories is there to keep him from falling too far into the dark.

“The people who looked after me did a great job. Don’t get me wrong! I wouldn’t hold any of it against them. But I had a wandering soul in me, and I think everyone knew it was inevitable I’d leave the nest. If I hadn’t met the captain I’d still probably be with that pirate crew. But I’m sure they’ll do just fine and dandy without me. Here with you all’s been a great change of pace.”

And, as he finishes the dish and his drink. It goes unsaid that this new sense of freedom has granted him the possibility to sample all those things he dreamed about from before-