[ Aether opens his mouth to respond, say that it's fine and Albedo can ask away. When the other mentions things troubling him, he hesitates. For a moment, he feels his heart quicken, and there's a desire to blurt it out, because it's been so frustrating to hold back and keep it away from the others.
He thinks Albedo is truly the first person to have noticed it beyond his sister (or, at least, has made aware he senses it), and his initial conflict ricochets between telling a secret he's not sure he wants to burden his friend with and indulging in the ability to finally be able to confide in someone who knows him. The conflict eases, though, upon realizing how relieved he is to finally simply have someone here like this. Someone evening taking too him, saying such a thing to begin with. Someone that can notice his behavior, can tell him when he's acting wrong or out of his usual self.
There's a soft sigh and he smiles a bit before drinking more of the hot beverage in his cup.] ... Yeah. There are a few things, but... you're here, so I think they all just have started mattering that much less. If they become too much, though, I'll come to you with them.
[ he's feeling better, if nothing else. It doesn't seem to be fleeting, either. ]
Now... you are sure you don't want to ask those questions? Would you mind if I spend the afternoon with you, anyway?
[ he almost wants to ask how so; would aether feel otherwise if albedo's memories of the traveler were readily replaced with his sister instead? but those thoughts dissolves into a different train of thought, something light-hearted, less thought-provoking; it isn't albedo's place to insist on a topic beyond alchemical discussions. so he doesn't, and will simply take aether's word for it instead. ]
While I do not mind, and you may have many more of my afternoons to come — [ his sketchbook and charcoal stick appears in his hands. with his gaze now downcast, he begins his little draft. if aether decides to take a peek, he may find a familiar pair of eyes ( aether's, specifically ). ]
I do want to ask you something in particular. Would you consent to your sister being the main subject matter of a conducted research?
[ it sounds absolutely silly; there is a tonal change that almost suggests that he's joking. deep within though, albedo seeks aether's authorization, like he's hoping for some sort of penance for having to keep a certain secret from him. if aether happens to decline, the most he'll do to ensure he wouldn't overstep that boundary is to at least watch over her, try to find remedies that would cause the least interference with her lest it somehow manages to calm whatever currently perturbs her, however slight. ]
Ah, uh—?[ Aether shows his surprise openly at the question, none or not. How unexpected a question?! ] I... uhm, if she's okay with it, I don't know if I can stop her, anyway. I guess I wouldn't be okay with it if she's not, obviously. But, otherwise, you know... she's gonna do what she wants, ah heh. [ He has no idea what Albedo may even be referring to, and his train of thought just immediately goes to along similar ideas of what he's tested with Aether. Lumine went through those same things, so it's not like he'd be protecting her from anything if he didn't give his consent, as far as he knows.
All he knows for sure is that what he says is only a formality, at best, anyway. He doesn't have any push or pull on anyone's decisions, and that's most of all true with his his sister. That's what happens when no one knows who you are. Your influence, if you ever had any to begin with, goes poof.
In the case of Lumine, though, it's all the result of just typical sibling stuff. ]
As you've said, Traveler, she will do as she wishes. Then, are you implying that I may behave similarly by dismissing what you most covet solely because I was given her hypothetical approval?
[ albedo carries on with his harmless charade. he didn't come here for this, really; the question is more of an afterthought than something predetermined. but aether's answer is unsatisfactory, strongly emphasizing on his sister's personal decisions and nothing more. ]
Aether is starting to sweat, admittedly. These are questions he isn't prepared to answer and when Albedo words then as he does, Aether is uncertain about his previous answer. At the very least, the alchemist is very good at getting Aether to agree with him that his previous answer wasn't good enough and he didn't even have to give his opinio on it. ]
T..hat...uhm, hm. [ the Traveler clears his throat gently as he thinks on this before ultimately craning his neck to look back at Albedo. ] I mean, isn't this the part where I trust you're not going to do anything that I would freak out about you doing because we're friends...? I can trust you with my sister...??
[ ... yes. yes, you can, aether. he's just kidding. don't kick him out of your life —
but his mug is splendidly empty after he reaches for it once more, belly full and warm. the ceramic itself sits by the edge of his side of the table, like a silent insistence that he'll be washing it on his own before he makes his little departure from aether's home. for now: albedo does not return to his sketch, almost halfway to completion; he decides it might be more interesting to simply observe his friend. ]
Perhaps the better question to deliver is: what will cause you to conveniently... 'freak out'?
[ that might yield a more personalized answer compared to a moment ago. hopefully?? ]
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no subject
He thinks Albedo is truly the first person to have noticed it beyond his sister (or, at least, has made aware he senses it), and his initial conflict ricochets between telling a secret he's not sure he wants to burden his friend with and indulging in the ability to finally be able to confide in someone who knows him. The conflict eases, though, upon realizing how relieved he is to finally simply have someone here like this. Someone evening taking too him, saying such a thing to begin with. Someone that can notice his behavior, can tell him when he's acting wrong or out of his usual self.
There's a soft sigh and he smiles a bit before drinking more of the hot beverage in his cup.] ... Yeah. There are a few things, but... you're here, so I think they all just have started mattering that much less. If they become too much, though, I'll come to you with them.
[ he's feeling better, if nothing else. It doesn't seem to be fleeting, either. ]
Now... you are sure you don't want to ask those questions? Would you mind if I spend the afternoon with you, anyway?
no subject
While I do not mind, and you may have many more of my afternoons to come — [ his sketchbook and charcoal stick appears in his hands. with his gaze now downcast, he begins his little draft. if aether decides to take a peek, he may find a familiar pair of eyes ( aether's, specifically ). ]
I do want to ask you something in particular. Would you consent to your sister being the main subject matter of a conducted research?
[ it sounds absolutely silly; there is a tonal change that almost suggests that he's joking. deep within though, albedo seeks aether's authorization, like he's hoping for some sort of penance for having to keep a certain secret from him. if aether happens to decline, the most he'll do to ensure he wouldn't overstep that boundary is to at least watch over her, try to find remedies that would cause the least interference with her lest it somehow manages to calm whatever currently perturbs her, however slight. ]
no subject
All he knows for sure is that what he says is only a formality, at best, anyway. He doesn't have any push or pull on anyone's decisions, and that's most of all true with his his sister. That's what happens when no one knows who you are. Your influence, if you ever had any to begin with, goes poof.
In the case of Lumine, though, it's all the result of just typical sibling stuff. ]
no subject
[ albedo carries on with his harmless charade. he didn't come here for this, really; the question is more of an afterthought than something predetermined. but aether's answer is unsatisfactory, strongly emphasizing on his sister's personal decisions and nothing more. ]
no subject
Aether is starting to sweat, admittedly. These are questions he isn't prepared to answer and when Albedo words then as he does, Aether is uncertain about his previous answer. At the very least, the alchemist is very good at getting Aether to agree with him that his previous answer wasn't good enough and he didn't even have to give his opinio on it. ]
T..hat...uhm, hm. [ the Traveler clears his throat gently as he thinks on this before ultimately craning his neck to look back at Albedo. ] I mean, isn't this the part where I trust you're not going to do anything that I would freak out about you doing because we're friends...? I can trust you with my sister...??
[ more than Childe anyway? Right? Probably? ]
no subject
[ ... yes. yes, you can, aether. he's just kidding. don't kick him out of your life —
but his mug is splendidly empty after he reaches for it once more, belly full and warm. the ceramic itself sits by the edge of his side of the table, like a silent insistence that he'll be washing it on his own before he makes his little departure from aether's home. for now: albedo does not return to his sketch, almost halfway to completion; he decides it might be more interesting to simply observe his friend. ]
Perhaps the better question to deliver is: what will cause you to conveniently... 'freak out'?
[ that might yield a more personalized answer compared to a moment ago. hopefully?? ]