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[...What she's saying makes sense, but... That's the problem. It's logical. There's no processing behind it. Is Liz holding herself back? He's quiet for a moment, deciding on how he wants to respond, then settles into a frown and decides to throw a fry at Liz instead, with no further explanation for his actions.]

[ She's not expecting that, and she gives a start before she glances at him with a small frown. ]

I suppose you bought the food, so it's your right to waste it if you want, but... what was that for?

You're gonna worry anyway, aren't you?

[There goes another fry, right at Liz. (He's economical about his fry throwing, and tries to aim where it will at least land in her lap and not go to waste.)]

You know where being calm about this stuff got you? A dozen people shoved all their denial and insecurities on you.

[And another fry--]

[ Throw all the fries you want, she's not gonna throw them back— ]

They would've still done that even if I hadn't been calm. [ Being cool and casual about it didn't get Dave any denial and insecurities, but he hadn't said everything either— ] It was because I reported everything we learned, not how I delivered it.

So that's it, then? You're just gonna sit down and take it?

[Aoi looks so concerned, what the hell is going on here-]

Even now, when there's no one around to impress?

[This fry manages to stick a landing in her hair--!]

I'm not trying to impress anyone, Silver.

[ Look, there, you got her to sound a little pissed. She turns her head away, reaching up to delicately pluck the fry out and twist it in her fingers. ]

I'm simply handling this the way I've always handled things. [ A moment where she holds her breath, then lets it out in one smooth, soft sigh. Her tone's... less neutral when she speaks, but not as angry as before. Frustrated at best. ] If I can't do anything about a situation, then I don't waste my time trying to think of ways to do that—I just acquiesce to it until I can do something.

Just like turning eighteen. I knew what I wanted to do as soon as I became an adult—I wanted to find somewhere I wanted to live, and I wanted to settle down, and I wanted to just... stay there, instead of shifting from place to place every couple of months or half year. [ Recollé is probably the longest she's stayed in one place before, actually, and that's because she's decided she's getting her education finished up here. Once she's done with university, she's out. She wants to leave and find somewhere she wants to be. She... doesn't know where that is, but she'll find it, she's sure. ] So I bid my time and let my family shuffle me around, and... now I'm here, and in a few years, I won't be anymore. I'll be somewhere else, in a place of my choosing, and I'll be happy with it.

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

Is any of that what you wanted to hear? [ Are you satisfied, she means, with the reaction he's managed. ]

[I'm here, and in a few years, I won't be anymore.

He manages to take what she's dealing out without trouble up until those words; he flinches, visibly, but keeps any comments on the matter to himself. What does he care? He's only known Liz for a few months. For all he knows, she'll forget all about everything before that's a problem anyway. Doesn't he want to get out of this dump too? So why...?]

It's frustrating.

[He's not even trying to mask his irritation, and his words follow that up nicely, but he keeps his voice level as he speaks. He's not here to yell at her.]

Screw acquiescing. This is bullshit. You know this is bullshit, too. Why are you denying yourself that frustration? Because it won't change your circumstances?

[It's passive. Defeated. Complacent. He can't stand to listen to it.]

Then at least get mad at a couple of fries.

[...He says it, but he doesn't reach to throw another one at Liz, instead tossing it into Feraligatr's mouth. (He is still very concerned and very confused.)]

[ He's not here to yell at her, but she's obviously getting scolded, and it burns. Damn straight she's denying the frustration because it isn't going to help—she can yell and scream all she wants, if she wants, but it isn't like it's going to change anything. It'll be catharsis and nothing more, and while catharsis is all well and good, if she's going to do it, she'll do it on her own.

She's an adult, so she can take care of herself and deal with things in her own way—it's childish to throw a fit about what you can't control, and... maybe she is trying to impress someone, or impress that onto everyone. That she doesn't need help—that she absolutely has everything under control.

Elizabeth gently pushes most of her food aside and focuses on her ice cream, unable to keep herself from pouting around the spoon. ]

The fries don't deserve that.

[ ...which is the stupidest sentence ever, she's aware. ]

...The fries don't deserve that.

[He'll concede that much and. Stop throwing the fries, for starters. Realize just how hungry he is and shovel the rest of his food down his throat, for another.

He's being too hard on her. After everything that's happened? He's being much too hard on her. And who the hell is he, anyway? He shouldn't just decide they're close and act accordingly. Not after a few short months.]

Sorry. If you do ever want yell about this stuff with, I'll hear you out.

[But I won't push you anymore is the implication.]

I'll keep it in mind. [ It's delicately said, high and detached, though she... deliberately softens her voice after a bit, glancing at him. ] Thank you, Silver; your apology is accepted. And... I'm sorry for snapping at you as well.

[ ...snapping, yes, that's what she did. ]

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