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[withintenfeet]

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[hippie_ninja]

[He chuckles] I don't know, I think the Admiral was booted out of control in this world.

What makes death so hard on a Paladin?

[withintenfeet]

Right, yes, because he can't drive.

[ He sounds more fond than annoyed, but don't tell anyone.

Besides, his expression turns grim again very quickly. ]

Divine magic can harm anyone, or protect anyone. But it's most effective against two things: fiends... [ And he gestures up at his own horns with his spoon. ] And the undead.

[ Not a bucket list he really wanted to finish. ]

[hippie_ninja]

[He winces in empathy but he doesn't fully understand it.]

So you were without your magic entirely?

[withintenfeet]

...My magic, yes.

[ He swallows hard, then remembers he should probably be eating right now so -

Well, he only meant to take a spoonful before continuing but he finishes three. ]

This is amazing.

[hippie_ninja]

[Jesus grins at him]

It's meant to pack in calories. Lots of energy for fighting walkers and building a new society. But since we're here on the Barge maybe we could just burn it all off in the Enclosure together...?

[withintenfeet]

Less satisfying but much safer.

[ It feels strange, to be smiling like this after a life that ended so horribly and a death that he made everyone else's problem and all of the deeply unfortunate echoes in there. ]

[hippie_ninja]

That's not a no. [He's chuckling] All right. Come explore with me. We'll hunt dragons and demons and walkers.

[withintenfeet]

All at once? [ There's a glint in his eyes. ]

[hippie_ninja]

All at once! A...banquet!

Like a date.

[A pause, a nervous grin]

Could we call this a date?

[withintenfeet]

[ His eyes widen, and for a moment he looks -

Well, like a ram in headlights. ]

I -

[ He can't help but imagine it even as he blanches from the idea, and his expression turns wistfully strained. ]

I haven't...done that, for a while.

[ It isn't a refusal, and there's more yearning than he'd like in how he says it. ]

[hippie_ninja]

[A soft, nervous laugh]

I haven't either. And I think in the old world I wouldn't ask for a date out hunting monsters. But-

That seems right now. It seems fun. I want to have fun with you. That's what makes this trip...special.

So- is that a yes?

[withintenfeet]

[ He doesn't actually realise it, because it's been such a long time since it even happened and he runs hotter these days to begin with.

But he is definitely blushing. ]

That - does sound like what I'd want a date to be.

[ It's not like he doesn't remember. Of course, that's part of why he's floundering right now, anxious and awkward and painfully uncertain.

May as well just take the plunge. ]

Is it - strange. To say that I know that Evandrin would like you?

[hippie_ninja]

[He feels victorious but dammit he's blushing, too. He can feel his ears burning]

Only if it's strange to say I really hope that's true.

[withintenfeet]

[ He did not expect the relief he feels seeing that, strained and delicate as it is. ]

Well. [ His mouth has gone dry, just gonna...lick his lips and try again. ] You're kind, and stubborn, and you can laugh at yourself. You kept a community going after the world crumbled. You aren't intimidated by mystical nonsense. You didn't let me starve myself in self-indulgent melodrama.

[ Oh hey! That stew is still here. It's not going cold, the bowls see to that, but it is suddenly very important that he focuses very hard on eating some more of it. ]

[hippie_ninja]

[A soft laugh] I like you and your melodrama. It reminds me how much things matter. But no, I won't let you drowned in it. At least, I'll try to help you out of it.

Tell the truth--does it need more salt? I think it needs more salt.

[withintenfeet]

[ He takes a thoughtful sip, as if he didn't know his answer immediately.

With an entirely straight face: ]

You made it on the Barge, so I think it's salty enough by default.

[ He has, perhaps, spent too much time around bards. ]

[hippie_ninja]

[Startled laughter]

Well fine you're not wrong.

[Who taught Zerxus about salt??]