I... [Bethany has done some heavy thinking of her own, of course, and so she's spent the past couple of days preparing herself for this conversation. They would talk things over, like they are doing right now. And he would let her down gently, and perhaps she would be a little hurt, but then they could both move on with their lives, forget all this happened, and continue to be good friends.
This scenario has played in her head a hundred times, and she's managed to convince herself that this was how things would go down.
So that statement, naturally, takes her by surprise. She opens and closes her mouth a few times, trying to find something, anything to say.]
[Nathaniel is the most serious and genuine person she knows. This isn't a joke; he isn't teasing her. Even so, even knowing that, she has a hard time believing him. This isn't another hallucination, right? This is actually happening? IS THIS THE REAL LIFE.
So, no, she's as far from angry as she can get. If anything, she looks hopeful.]
[There's a long moment of stunned silence before a tiny smile starts to tug at her mouth. And it's not one of resigned sadness, like before — she actually looks happy.]
I've spent all week trying not to get my hopes up.
[Oh, Maker, she is too happy for words right now. She's just waiting for something to go horribly wrong. Or to just wake up. Or her terrible siblings to show up and ruin everything forever something.]
We're in agreement, then. [She grins.] Good to know.
Who will run up to Bethany and Nate the moment she spots them and demand attention???
THIS GUY!!!]
Hey, you two.
[Hawke walks up to them with his usual friendly grin, that kind of falters a little when he takes in the blushing and the derpy smiles and his sister's hand on Nate's arm.
They can probably see the gears shift as he slides into OVERPROTECTIVE BIG BROTHER MODE.]
...Having fun?
[Meanwhile Pearl is panting and huffing and dancing on her back feet trying to get either Bethany's or Nate's attention...either one will do, she's not picky!]
[Bethany slowly, casually (...she hopes) unlinks her arm from Nathaniel's and takes a step back, before bending down and scooping Pearl up in her arms for puppy cuddles.
She knew, of course, that this conversation was inevitable, but she had hoped to put it off for a little while longer. A month, maybe? Or is that hoping a little too much? Yes it is, Beth, keep dreaming. Garrett's shift into Overprotective Big Brother mode is plain to see, and she suppresses a groan. Please, big bro, not today. Not now.]
Hi, Garrett. [SO CASUAL. She cradles the dog in her arms, thankful for a reason to avoid looking at either of them.] Yes, hello, sweetheart. Are you out for a walk today, hm?
[SO MUCH CONFLICT because he likes Nate; Nate is a good man. But he's not sure he likes Nate liking his sister. Bethany don't you know you're not supposed to grow up and like men you're supposed to stay Hawke's babby sister forever!!]
I'm not interrupting anything, am I?
[This is asked with an ingratiating smile. For a man with all the social grace of a stampeding bull, he sure does choose the worst times to display some sense of awareness, doesn't he?]
[ SIGH. Nothing is ever going to get said at this rate, and he's well aware that the timing could have been better, but it is what it is. He'd rather not dance around the issue for another half an hour. ]
If you've something to say, Garrett, please say it.
[Bethany glances back and forth between Nathaniel and her brother a few times before settling a level gaze at Garrett. Her comment comes out maybe a little bit snippier than she'd intended, but... well, actually, she doesn't really care if she hurts his tender manfeelings. In fact, it's a warning: do not ruin this, big brother.]
[BETHY, HOW COULD YOU HURT HIS TENDER MANFEELINGS--!]
I--
[For once in his life, Hawke thinks before he speaks, mostly because the look Bethany is giving him could melt iron and/or freeze a high dragon cold.]
...Nothing at this moment, no.
[BUT HE GIVES NATHANIEL A LOOK. It is a LOOK from one brother-of-a-sister to another, that is probably universal, or if it isn't it should be, but Nathaniel's a smart guy so he'll probably get it. We'll talk about this later figures heavily into it. There's also a good helping of, If you hurt my sister in any way shape or form I will set you on fire in there too, for good measure.]
[ ALL RIGHT THEN. A very brief glance is all he gives Bethany to show his surprise, but that look Garrett is giving him quickly gets his attention.
He gets it. He's given that look to a couple of his sister's suitors in his day. He gives Garrett a little nod. Yes, they will talk later. And no, he would never dream of hurting Bethany- and he is perfectly aware of what will will happen to him if he does. ]
[Bethany's eyes widen — she's just as surprised as Nathaniel is — and she beams triumphantly. She sees that Look that the two of them are exchanging, though; she's pretty sure she's seen Carver give it to some of the boys back in Lothering. She knows what's going on. Hopefully it won't end violently.
But yes, Garrett can have his furball back. She gives Pearl a scratch behind the ears one last time before setting her back down on the ground, and steps closer to him, laying her hand on his arm.]
All right. We'll talk later, Brother. [And she'll tell him everything he wants to know. (...Within reason.) After a moment's hesitation, she steps up onto her tiptoes and kisses his beard cheek. Then she lowers her voice to a whisper:] Thank you.
[And then she steps away, back to Nathaniel's side, still smiling. She really hadn't been expecting the death glare to work, but it did, and it's kind of great. Their date is not completely ruined, hurrah!]
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[ Long pause. He had to think long and hard to come to this conclusion, but if nothing else, he owes it to her to be honest. ] Not entirely, no.
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This scenario has played in her head a hundred times, and she's managed to convince herself that this was how things would go down.
So that statement, naturally, takes her by surprise. She opens and closes her mouth a few times, trying to find something, anything to say.]
What?
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Still, best to tread carefully. ]
I... may have not been acting entirely on the whims of the drive.
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So, no, she's as far from angry as she can get. If anything, she looks hopeful.]
You... meant all of that?
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[ Drive or no, he doesn't just flatter people. ] Every word.
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I've spent all week trying not to get my hopes up.
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[ She got all flustered when he called her on using the word "date", after all. He really wasn't sure how she'd react.
Ah, but speaking of dates ] I was wondering if, perhaps, you'd like to join me for dinner?
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[She got flustered because she never thought her silly little crush on him would ever actually go anywhere, okay.
The dinner offer causes her to brighten even more. Best day ever? Best day ever.] I'd love to.
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[ Her smile is catching, because he's wearing one of his own. ]
I'm glad, but it would be a shame not to take advantage of being in the park in the meantime.
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I wouldn't mind walking around some. Especially now that I have comfortable shoes again.
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Just don't go losing one of them, hm?
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[Laughing, she takes his arm, annnnnnnd we're walking~]
...Well, so much for boredom, I suppose.
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her terrible siblings to show up and ruin everything foreversomething.]We're in agreement, then. [She grins.] Good to know.
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Did somebody summon a terrible sibling? :DGuess who else is taking a walk in the park???
With a little fluffy dog???
Who will run up to Bethany and Nate the moment she spots them and demand attention???
THIS GUY!!!]
Hey, you two.
[Hawke walks up to them with his usual friendly grin, that kind of falters a little when he takes in the blushing and the derpy smiles and his sister's hand on Nate's arm.
They can probably see the gears shift as he slides into OVERPROTECTIVE BIG BROTHER MODE.]
...Having fun?
[Meanwhile Pearl is panting and huffing and dancing on her back feet trying to get either Bethany's or Nate's attention...either one will do, she's not picky!]
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Garrett. [ A nod. ] Taking the dog for a walk?
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She knew, of course, that this conversation was inevitable, but she had hoped to put it off for a little while longer. A month, maybe? Or is that hoping a little too much?
Yes it is, Beth, keep dreaming.Garrett's shift into Overprotective Big Brother mode is plain to see, and she suppresses a groan. Please, big bro, not today. Not now.]Hi, Garrett. [SO CASUAL. She cradles the dog in her arms, thankful for a reason to avoid looking at either of them.] Yes, hello, sweetheart. Are you out for a walk today, hm?
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[SO MUCH CONFLICT because he likes Nate; Nate is a good man. But he's not sure he likes Nate liking his sister. Bethany don't you know you're not supposed to grow up and like men you're supposed to stay Hawke's babby sister forever!!]
I'm not interrupting anything, am I?
[This is asked with an ingratiating smile. For a man with all the social grace of a stampeding bull, he sure does choose the worst times to display some sense of awareness, doesn't he?]
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[ SIGH. Nothing is ever going to get said at this rate, and he's well aware that the timing could have been better, but it is what it is. He'd rather not dance around the issue for another half an hour. ]
If you've something to say, Garrett, please say it.
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[Bethany glances back and forth between Nathaniel and her brother a few times before settling a level gaze at Garrett. Her comment comes out maybe a little bit snippier than she'd intended, but... well, actually, she doesn't really care if she hurts his tender manfeelings. In fact, it's a warning: do not ruin this, big brother.]
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BETHY, HOW COULD YOU HURT HIS TENDER MANFEELINGS--!]I--
[For once in his life, Hawke thinks before he speaks, mostly because the look Bethany is giving him could melt iron and/or freeze a high dragon cold.]
...Nothing at this moment, no.
[BUT HE GIVES NATHANIEL A LOOK. It is a LOOK from one brother-of-a-sister to another, that is probably universal, or if it isn't it should be, but Nathaniel's a smart guy so he'll probably get it. We'll talk about this later figures heavily into it. There's also a good helping of, If you hurt my sister in any way shape or form I will set you on fire in there too, for good measure.]
Carry on.
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puffballdog back now, Bethany?][ action ]
[ ALL RIGHT THEN. A very brief glance is all he gives Bethany to show his surprise, but that look Garrett is giving him quickly gets his attention.
He gets it. He's given that look to a couple of his sister's suitors in his day. He gives Garrett a little nod. Yes, they will talk later. And no, he would never dream of hurting Bethany- and he is perfectly aware of what will will happen to him if he does. ]
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But yes, Garrett can have his furball back. She gives Pearl a scratch behind the ears one last time before setting her back down on the ground, and steps closer to him, laying her hand on his arm.]
All right. We'll talk later, Brother. [And she'll tell him everything he wants to know. (...Within reason.) After a moment's hesitation, she steps up onto her tiptoes and kisses his
beardcheek. Then she lowers her voice to a whisper:] Thank you.[And then she steps away, back to Nathaniel's side, still smiling. She really hadn't been expecting the death glare to work, but it did, and it's kind of great. Their date is not completely ruined, hurrah!]
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