digiorno | ic inbox ( ǣfenglōm )

[Oh. What's this? Instinctively, he sends her something soft and reassuring — the emotional equivalent of everything's okay or a pat on the shoulder.]

i've got time now. is everything all right?

[The buzzing does subside a bit with that reassurance; it gets her out of her own head long enough that she can remember to breathe, deep and slow. The worst thing that can happen is him saying no. Hardly anything world ending. She'll figure something else out, if that turns out to be the case.]

Yes, for the time being. I was just wondering...

[A pause, as she wonders how much she should say right off the bat. Probably not a lot, even if she trusts Giorno.]

Well, I suppose there is little point in beating around the bush here. I wanted to know your opinion regarding the possession of multiple bonded partners, if you have one at all.

[There's a bit of a pause, as Giorno waits for . . . the rest of it. The part that's making Zelda so nervous.]

[. . . And he waits. Until he realizes.]

[That's the whole thing.]

oh, is that all?

[PFFT]

they're fine, of course. as long as all parties involved are aware and willing, they're a good idea. the bonds seem to be designed for that in a way — for a network, i mean. it strengthens the balance.

why, who is it? [GIORNO,,]

[Immediately, there is a sharp spike of defensiveness, like a porcupine fluffing out its quills.

He's? So rude?? She was so worked up about his opinion and this is what she gets???]

what do you mean 'is that all'?

[YOU SHOCKED THE GRAMMAR OUT OF HER, GIORNO.]

did we not have multiple conversations about the vulnerabilities inherent to such a system or did i dream that all up?

[He's laughing. She can feel it.]

of course we did, but if you're engaging in the system anyway, the more bonds the better! trees with many widespread roots stand a better chance of weathering a storm than those with shallow ones.

did you know that trees with a single deep tap root, like pines, are the most likely to fall? it doesn't provide as much support as the roots of an oak, for example.

anyway, who is it.

Well, forgive me for assuming people to be more complex than trees. I did not want you to feel threatened by adding another variable in without your knowledge.

[And she is sulking. A lot.]

But since that does not seem to be a problem, I suppose I can let you go about your business. [Don't troll when there's stuff you want to know, Giorno.]

[God. All right, all right. He sighs and allows himself to feel moderately contrite. He can understand why she was anxious, even if in his head it doesn't quite make sense.]

thank you. really. you're very considerate.

[And that's . . . sort of the point, isn't it? Maybe he should clarify.]

i trust you to make choices that don't threaten either of us. that's all.

[Mm. This soothes her a bit, that sullen energy ebbing back into her side of the bond like a tide going out, though she remains a little sore.]

I suppose I do not trust myself to do that very much.

[She doesn't trust herself to do a lot of things, but, well. Here they are.]

It is one of the women I am staying with. "Shadow" is the name she goes by. But she is another that does not trust easily, so she has yet to give me an answer one way or another yet.

[Admittedly, there's a flicker of misgivings at the fact that she goes by a pseudonym. It's odd, isn't it? But then again, in a way he does too — so after a moment or two he finds himself smiling again.]

she sounds like us, a little bit. paranoid, i mean.

[Well, might as well call it what it is.]

she's someone you care about who's having trouble or you wouldn't have brought it up. i think it's a good idea, and i hope she accepts.

i'm a little surprised that you don't trust yourself in that way. you seem . . . i don't know. used to taking care of yourself?

[She's fairly certain Scathach would object to that particular adjective, but there's no argument from her. If the shoe fits...

There's hesitance, however, as he fishes for further explanation. She doesn't really want to elaborate, those sour feelings she has whenever she thinks too deeply upon herself bubbling to the surface, but she doesn't imagine it would make Giorno very happy if she were to back out now.]

Myself, yes. It is when another person is added to the equation that I find myself having doubts.

I am well aware of the kinds of consequences my actions can have, and how wide they can reach. It is a thought that haunts me often, especially around those I come to care for.

[Oh.]

[The difference between sympathy and empathy — that's what marks this echoing feeling. This is empathy, truly, and undercurrents of guilt. Over his own actions, over bringing up something that hurts that way, even if he is genuinely curious. She is responsible for so much. He has no idea the depths of it, but he knows it's deep.]

i think i understand.

is there anything i can do to

no. actually, i think what i want to say is that i want to help. i . . . want to be able to help you. even if i don't know that i can. all i can prove is that when my safety was on the line, you kept me safe.

[Hm. That's... different. There are many reasons she is so hesitant to go into detail about her past, not the least of which that it is simply quite painful for her to do so. But also... who could possibly understand? The weight of destiny laid upon her and Link's shoulders alone - to explain would earn her little more than pity she has no use for, in her mind.

But for a second, she thinks she would get more than that from Giorno. Not so strongly that she suddenly feels safe dumping everything at his feet, but... enough to put the thought in her head that it might be okay, one day.]

Most would not say that about someone who held them at knifepoint.

[She writes, lightly, an attempt to say that she's okay, really. At least for now.]

But I appreciate the sentiment. Truth be told, I do not know what could be done that would ease this uncertainty I have, at least not off the top of my head. I would only ask that you keep yourself away from undue danger, when possible.

[...]

And perhaps be a little easy on teasing me when these worries show themselves around you.

["is that all" GOD--]

[There’s a faint pulse of amusement and fondness at once, the emotional equivalent of a chin laid delicately in the palm of one’s hand. All right, all right. She’s fine for now, then.]

you held me at knifepoint for my own good. i need someone willing to do that sometimes, you know? i’m not always good at knowing my limits, in case you hadn’t noticed.

but i will try to be better about it if it will help you. i’m not used to [Hm.] having people worry about me. [That’s better than having people around to worry about me, isn’t it? A little?] and i will try not to tease you now that i understand a little better.

[..........................]

not about this, anyway [Oh No]

[It's not better, exactly; nothing has been well and truly fixed. But being a little broken seems... okay, in this moment, and even as he commits to teasing her about other things, it only gets an enduring sigh.]

I shall appreciate your attempts at restraint.

Thank you, Giorno.

ic inbox ( ǣfenglōm )

my newest flex is to go into a fugue state for the second half of november

time. is fake.

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