Audience - Jacopo

[holyspirits]

Comments

[batterypack]

[ looks at her men back home. ]

That's an interesting outlook to it. [ judging by the tone, it's one she likes though. so okay, she drops what's in her hand and nudges him gently to usher him out of the herbalist. ]

Then you and I will go on a treasure hunt and see what we find along the way. Forests always have secrets, after all.

[obdure]

[ let them die.

he isn't as allergic to touch now, so this is fine. He's ushered out? ]

We're done there? [ Granted, Jacopo couldn't read any of the papers if there were any. ] If you're expecting me to remember how we got here, we're out of luck. So you know.

[ he couldn't read the signs, either. ]

[batterypack]

We don't have to be, but you seem like the type of man who likes to move and keep uncovering things. We can always come back later after we stretch our legs a bit.

[ she is wondering if jacopo does not know how to read at age 22 or whatever he currently is. ]

Do you think I'd let us get so lost so easily?

[obdure]

[ education is for the clergy and nobility, so... yes. ]

I don't know how I feel to be read like that, but it's hard to argue when you're right. [ A hand on hip as he looks at her. ] It would be embarrassing if you did.

[batterypack]

[ you know what that's fair. ]

See? [ there's a grin because she does like being correct. ] I can think of a few people who would agree with you anyway. [ out of the herbalist we go, heading onward to the dark forest. ]

I happen to have an excellent sense of direction. Besides, you're really only lost if you admit you're lost.

[obdure]

That is definitely not how it works.

[ Just saying, but he'll follow. ]

[batterypack]

Oh? Then how would you say it actually works? [ walking, walking. ] I'm the navigator here.

[obdure]

It's when you don't know where you're going, obviously.

[ But he will let her navigate. ]

But I can be quiet while you're navigating.

[batterypack]

And when did I say that I wanted you to be quiet? [ marching on... ] You really do seem to think the worst of yourself when it comes to talking to me, I've noticed.

[obdure]

[ Okay, he's a bit confused about this. ]

I—didn't mean it seriously. I meant it as a joke.

[ Like because she's driving, he shouldn't backseat drive. ]

[batterypack]

Oh. [ she at least looks apologetic for assuming for once. ] Well... my point stands. I would hate to lead you somewhere you don't actually want to go. This is an adventure for both of us.

[obdure]

[ it is back to being awkward ]

[batterypack]

[ no! ]

...Jacopo. [ she turns to frown up at him. ] Don't actually clam up on me, that will make the journey more dull for the two of us.

[ also... a joke. but also please. ]

[obdure]

[ HElP ]

I'm not doing anything on purpose—I'm just thinking?

[batterypack]

About what? [ this is more of a prompt to talk if he wants rather than a demand to tell her. into the woods we go. ]

[obdure]

[ It takes another moment as they explore some more before he starts. ]

Things... Are okay between us?

[batterypack]

[ oh. buddy. she actually looks a little confused with the question before she remembers men are stupid. ]

Of course they are. [ but she can take a shot in the dark what this is about. ] Is this about our conversation last week?

[obdure]

[ listen..... he feels guilty... even though it wasn't quite him, but it's still him. ]

It is... I was acting so erratically to you. I don't know why, but I still shouldn't have done that.

[batterypack]

You were, but considering the situation you're all in I'm surprised more of you aren't acting erratically. And besides, they were only questions.

[ very fucked up questions, but questions nonetheless. ]

I don't mind questions so long as you don't mind I may not be able to always give answers you want.

[obdure]

... Right, but still. That was a lot, you have to admit.

[ Jacopo doesn't say it, but it seemed insane and some of it maybe manipulative. ]

[batterypack]

Oh, it was. I'm not absolving you completely. [ she's not that nice, unfortunately. ] But I do think some of them are mildly understandable.

... are you willing to have a conversation now, or would you like to pretend you never asked those questions to begin with?

[obdure]

Okay, you're not, but you could have definitely told me to stop or taken a step back!

[ PLEASe. She's asking complicated questions a past self personality him has a hard time answering. ]

I just wanted to say sorry.

[ That's what it ends up being. ]

[batterypack]

You're forgiven then. [ GOD. further into the woods they go... but. ]

I could and should have told you to take a step back, but I also don't know if that would have benefitted you, or if it would mean you asked yourself those questions and speculated on your own. Our job here is to guide you, remember?

[obdure]

It is, but I don't think it means you need to sink with us.

[ is it funny how self-loathing shows up in a different channel. into the woods. ]

... But thanks.

[batterypack]

Don't thank me. [ there's a lull though as she thinks, folding her hands behind her back as she leads them onward. ]

I don't think I would allow either of us to sink. I'm a very strong swimmer. [ metaphors... ]