#two introverts walk into a bar ashjdhsj

[sevnthhart-a]

what an awkward kindness, she thought to herself, for someone who looked far more intimidating than they were. any unknown, yet lingering, defenses fell near instantaneously. patience grew with each passing moment, allowing him to chase after whatever train of thought that escaped him — 'twas a virtue after all. at the abrupt ending of his question, she found hidden incertitude, exhibited by the ends of her mouth :  quirking up with a not - so - gentle exhale.   ❛  well ,  uh  ...  ❜   she trailed off, eyes glancing away from him & towards the near empty terrain, save for the occasional grass patch. her intention had been to find anywhere that would give some hope, even if it turned out to be a falsity — the roots of her former home having outgrown her due to circumstances unnamed.  ( to say she had left ,  without feeling entirely unburdened by guilt ,  would have been a woeful lie  ... )   ❛  i was .  ❜

          she wondered just what it was that brought him out this far. questions crossed her that she didn't suppose required an answer at that moment. it could wait, she concluded.  ( if only to be saved for an occasion that would never come .  )   ❛  ...  guess i'm a bit lost .  ❜   spoken as a pure jest at herself, an awkward chuckle indicating as much. she took no delight in being difficult, biting her tongue so not to trouble him further.   ❛  uh  —  so then  ...  i don't think i caught your name .  ❜   her relative seclusion from living outside of any decently populated area brought the perfect change of subject, placing the attention onto him.  ( she had long since written off stars from shining down on her ,  redirecting it to another while simultaneously wishing on them for thicker skin to withstand far more .  )

❛  i should know it ,  if i intend to pay you back ,  right ?  ❜   

❛ no sweat . ❜

HIS DEMEANOR COMES OFF CASUAL & NONCHALANT , AS IF NOT A CARE BREACHES THE GUARD OF HIS HEART . in a glistening blue , his sword disperses into the light , glove meeting flesh as he brushes the dust & grime from his hands ( as best as he can manage , that is ) . he takes a moment to gaze upon the girl with a mild concern furrowing his brow . she seems capable . . . he surmises he must've shown up just before she stayed the beast . a part of him feels a little guilty for it .

❛ nothing to worry about . ❜

he assures her with a somewhat breathy reply as he regains the calmness that so usually embodies him . shoulders relax & posture contorts into more of a slump than anything upright & regal . he's covered in dirt , & he takes note that he's not the only one . they've probably both been out here for some time .

❛ what are you , er . . . -- ❜

he starts , before realizing his effort in starting a conversation may not be met with a likewise enthusiasm . he stumbles for a moment , before a seriousness locks his eyes to hers .

❛ you headed somewhere ? ❜

perhaps she knows the direction to the nearest civilization .