[She can read and -- maybe she's getting caught up in her own feeble excuse her. That's not the first time that her words would've failed her but still.]
I believe in etiquette for the sake of paying people the respect and consideration that they are due--
But if you insinuate even once more that I partake in pandering or falseness, I will then take issue with it. I don't recall having done anything to deserve such insult!
[Look, Lili, this is one of Leon's Issues, and whether she says she's not intending to lie or pander at all, he's still going to just go ahead and snap right back:]
That is what such things are. You told me that you wished to know what I like due solely to etiquette. I don't intend to further explain myself to someone who merely wishes to know about me because her sense of politeness tells her she must.
[And it won't have been the first time. People schmoozing up to him due to his position, people attempting to flatter him solely to get something out of him... being polite solely because they felt they needed to for whatever they wanted to gain on their own--it was all false, it was all unnecessary, and he'd been burned one too many times by it to trust it now.
(Alternatively: Leon believed in Lili's bluster and really shouldn't have.)]
[Unfortunately all Lili knows in terms of relationship building is etiquette.
Pretending to be the General's well-behaved daughter (whether she succeeded at it or not) was her one role to play and if nothing else, she could use etiquette in order to get close to others in the capitol even if that's not what she really wanted to accomplish. Admittedly it's not why she wanted to get to know Leon but -- how was she supposed to know that he would react like this?]
If you would clear your strange prejudices for a moment you'd understand that even if I'm asking politely, that can't be the sole driving factor!
[And is she fudging up her own explanation? Yes, yes she is. But at least she's too caught up with defending her character to even notice that she's letting it slip.]
Extrapolating further would just be -- [embarrassing, mortifying, vulnerable] -- strange!!
[ . . . but now she has to share that answer, right. That's it. What.... reason she has besides.... etiquette that makes her want to know what he likes.
(She appreciated his help. She really did. Kashuu seems to enjoy pretty things - giving something to him wouldn't be difficult at all. Rapunzel seems like the kind of girl where giving her anything, probably legitimately anything would make her jump for joy. But when it comes to the other person who helped her through both times without offending her terribly, she doesn't even have the slightest clue what to give him.)
How am I supposed to give you something that you would appreciate if you refuse to tell me what you actually like?! Don't make me waste my time and effort with some shoddy attempt at something useless! That would be bad for both of us!
[He's trying to move on the conversation but hold on, she heard something she didn't like so she's going to fixate on it as she does. So she'll take care of something first--]
No.
I'll do what I wish.
[Oh okay then. And then reeling it right on back.]
But what you like is important. What could convince you that it isn't....?
[What could convince him that it isn't...? All of his life he's realized that it doesn't matter what he likes or wants. He's been a tool all his life, from the moment he was born to the moment he died, and nothing will ever change that. What he wanted, what he liked, what was important to him--
None of that ever mattered.
Naturally, Lili is not going to get any of that.]
You are making a fuss over nothing. If that is all you contacted me for, consider it noted. You no longer have any obligation to do anything.
[Pathetic? What is he supposed to do when his interests are what makes him pathetic in the first place? Sweets, learning new things, reading books, gaining knowledge, Marian's tea--
. . . and she feels bad once the indignation subsides. That's not.... what she expected. It takes her a few minutes after the fact to realize what she said to make him angry--
Then she still can't be stopped.
It takes some looking around but she's eventually able to figure out how to have things delivered. There's some awkward fumbling as she realizes she doesn't know where he lives - but she's not against doing a bit of digging around. At least she can collect information, even if it's just basic mail delivery.
So should Leon ever check his mail, there's a small box containing simple gold earrings (plural, because normal people wear two). She had one of her pieces of jewelry exchanged.
And a note:]
I didn't mean to imply that you were pathetic.
You're not.
[ . . . and she likes to tell herself that that's good enough.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice painfully
I believe in etiquette for the sake of paying people the respect and consideration that they are due--
But if you insinuate even once more that I partake in pandering or falseness, I will then take issue with it. I don't recall having done anything to deserve such insult!
[like what the fuck, bruh]
voice resignedly
That is what such things are. You told me that you wished to know what I like due solely to etiquette. I don't intend to further explain myself to someone who merely wishes to know about me because her sense of politeness tells her she must.
[And it won't have been the first time. People schmoozing up to him due to his position, people attempting to flatter him solely to get something out of him... being polite solely because they felt they needed to for whatever they wanted to gain on their own--it was all false, it was all unnecessary, and he'd been burned one too many times by it to trust it now.
(Alternatively: Leon believed in Lili's bluster and really shouldn't have.)]
voice distressingly
Pretending to be the General's well-behaved daughter (whether she succeeded at it or not) was her one role to play and if nothing else, she could use etiquette in order to get close to others in the capitol even if that's not what she really wanted to accomplish. Admittedly it's not why she wanted to get to know Leon but -- how was she supposed to know that he would react like this?]
If you would clear your strange prejudices for a moment you'd understand that even if I'm asking politely, that can't be the sole driving factor!
[And is she fudging up her own explanation? Yes, yes she is. But at least she's too caught up with defending her character to even notice that she's letting it slip.]
Extrapolating further would just be -- [embarrassing, mortifying, vulnerable] -- strange!!
no subject
Excuse me?
[???]
Then you are saying that you have another reason entirely for asking, but you will not say what it is.
no subject
. . . . . and she's just going to
pause for a really
really
really
really long time
did she hang up?]
I....
Is it really that important?!
[stop changing the debate, Lili]
no subject
Stop wasting my time. Either you have an answer or you don't.
[1/2]
I do.
[ . . . but now she has to share that answer, right. That's it. What.... reason she has besides.... etiquette that makes her want to know what he likes.
(She appreciated his help. She really did. Kashuu seems to enjoy pretty things - giving something to him wouldn't be difficult at all. Rapunzel seems like the kind of girl where giving her anything, probably legitimately anything would make her jump for joy. But when it comes to the other person who helped her through both times without offending her terribly, she doesn't even have the slightest clue what to give him.)
It's an embarrassing reason.
She inhales.]
no subject
[YEAH.
PUT THE BLAME ON HIM.
SOUNDS LEGIT.]
[1/2]
You--
no subject
Why would she even--
And so, inelegantly and rather befuddled, it's Leon's turn to look utterly ridiculous.]
...What?
no subject
I'm not repeating myself.
Tell me what you like.
Who's wasting time now?!
[Lili's new hobby might as well be throwing Leon's words back at him.]
no subject
Shut up.
[Ah. Yes.]
Why would you even want to do something like that? [???] There's no need for it. [Also now he's just uncomfortable.]
no subject
Will you question every intention I have? Why does it matter so much to you?
[Nevermind that she's just as suspicious of everyone....
Whatever.]
no subject
Because you have no reason to do something like this. People don't act out of altruistic motives.
[Probably.]
no subject
[SHE WANTS TO GIVE HIM SOMETHING.... and explaining any further might actually kill her.]
Why are you being so difficult about it? Do you truly hate sharing information about yourself that much?
no subject
... It... isn't important.
[What, Leon.]
What I like has no bearing on anything.
[What, Leon.]
So it does not matter.
no subject
What are you talking about?
Of course it's important.
[???????
Even Lili's speechless. Leon is reigning tsun champion, hot damn.]
no subject
It isn't. If you are feeling some misguided desire to repay me for the ViViD level, don't bother. I didn't do any of what I did for you.
[Sure, Leon......]
no subject
No.
I'll do what I wish.
[Oh okay then. And then reeling it right on back.]
But what you like is important. What could convince you that it isn't....?
no subject
None of that ever mattered.
Naturally, Lili is not going to get any of that.]
You are making a fuss over nothing. If that is all you contacted me for, consider it noted. You no longer have any obligation to do anything.
[Problem... solved????]
no subject
Especially since Lili is still? Confused?]
It's not.... nothing? I just don't understand - you have to like something and I care to know what it is. You can't tell me even one thing...?
[?????]
no subject
[Oh.
Well.
Ok then.]
Are you listening to a single word I've been saying?
no subject
I could ask you the same question, you know.
Not even a color? A season? You can't be that pathetic--!!
[oh for fuck's sake, Lili]
no subject
[Pathetic? What is he supposed to do when his interests are what makes him pathetic in the first place? Sweets, learning new things, reading books, gaining knowledge, Marian's tea--
All such delicate, childish things.
He hangs up.
Oh. That went...well....]
no subject
. . . and she feels bad once the indignation subsides. That's not.... what she expected. It takes her a few minutes after the fact to realize what she said to make him angry--
Then she still can't be stopped.
It takes some looking around but she's eventually able to figure out how to have things delivered. There's some awkward fumbling as she realizes she doesn't know where he lives - but she's not against doing a bit of digging around. At least she can collect information, even if it's just basic mail delivery.
So should Leon ever check his mail, there's a small box containing simple gold earrings (plural, because normal people wear two). She had one of her pieces of jewelry exchanged.
And a note:]
I didn't mean to imply that you were pathetic.
You're not.
[ . . . and she likes to tell herself that that's good enough.]