[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!]
[She has him wrapped around her little finger. He totally melts a little when she kisses his beard cheek, but he's still not happy!!!!! Don't think this is over yet, Bethany!!!!!!!
If it had been anyone besides Nathaniel, she wouldn't have got off this easily. Not that she's getting off easily. Excuse him, he needs to go commiserate with the only person who will understand his painas far as he knows]
Behave yourself.
[This warning to Bethany is delivered with kind of a sappy smile. Garrett, your woobie is showing. But his expression returns to some semblance of 'normal' when he looks over to Nate, though he doesn't have any verbal warnings or farewells for him, only a nod.
Then he whistles to Pearl and continues on with his walk to go find Marian!!!!.]
[Bethany quietly watches Garrett leave, a dumbstruck look on her face. What is today even. Once he's gone, she turns to Nathaniel with a shrug.]
I've only delayed the inevitable, I'm afraid. He's going to kill you later. [She pauses to let out a sigh and rub her temples.] After he gossips to my sister.
I'd like to hope I'm at least a little prepared for whatever your siblings can dish out. I'd also like to hope that either of them wouldn't just outright kill me.
No one is ever prepared for the wrath of a couple of overprotective siblings. I don't think Marian will want you dead, at least. She's more likely to thank you.
[And then a pause, during which her face flushes a little.] For giving me a chance to be happy. I'm sure she thinks I don't enjoy myself nearly enough.
[ Aw, Beth ] It's hard to enjoy yourself when you're stuck doing the most thankless work under the sun. Harder still when suddenly you're someplace where you can't even do that.
But you deserve every chance at happiness you can get, so if nothing else, I'm glad I can give you that.
Siblings, what obnoxious siblings? There is no one else in the world that matters except for the two of them, right now.] I'm glad. It's nice to know that there's still some good to be found, in all of... this.
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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.
[Can he have his
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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beardcheek, but he's still not happy!!!!! Don't think this is over yet, Bethany!!!!!!!If it had been anyone besides Nathaniel, she wouldn't have got off this easily. Not that she's getting off easily. Excuse him, he needs to go commiserate with the only person who will understand his pain
as far as he knows]Behave yourself.
[This warning to Bethany is delivered with kind of a sappy smile.
Garrett, your woobie is showing.But his expression returns to some semblance of 'normal' when he looks over to Nate, though he doesn't have any verbal warnings or farewells for him, only a nod.Then he whistles to Pearl and continues on with his walk
to go find Marian!!!!.][ action ]
That was not how I expected that to go.
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I've only delayed the inevitable, I'm afraid. He's going to kill you later. [She pauses to let out a sigh and rub her temples.] After he gossips to my sister.
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... Thank me? Why?
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[And then a pause, during which her face flushes a little.] For giving me a chance to be happy. I'm sure she thinks I don't enjoy myself nearly enough.
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But you deserve every chance at happiness you can get, so if nothing else, I'm glad I can give you that.
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Siblings, what obnoxious siblings? There is no one else in the world that matters except for the two of them, right now.] I'm glad. It's nice to know that there's still some good to be found, in all of... this.
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