[As far as she's concerned, the festival's a pretty big hit. Lili put a lot of work into organizing it, and all of the people who had set up booths and discussed the logistics of the whole thing really helped to pull it together. It's for that reason she's out and not manning her booth (it's not time yet!), looking at all of the stalls.
She gets caught up with a merchant trying to persuade her into playing a game and she's walking backwards to try and politely tell them no, she's not interseted but thank you very much. The problem with walking backwards though is the fact that she can't see what's exactly behind her until it's almost too late. She sidesteps, but she still manages to bump into Leon and send him stumbling a little forward even as she instinctively grabs his elbow to keep him from faceplanting.]
I'm really sorr--oh. Hey. [...awkward...but okay. Rise, you can probably unhand him any time now.]
[As ever, Leon's here because Stahn dragged him here; he's not happy about it, but at the same time, he'd assured Stahn he wouldn't leave immediately, so even though they were separated temporarily by the crowds, he can't exactly... leave...
So he's trapped.
And then someone bumps into him, sending him staggering a little, and he whirls immediately at both that and the hand at his elbow, fierce.]
Don't touch me--
[... Oh. Wait. He knows her.
This is awkward.
He pulls his arm away a...little more gently than he would have from anyone else, and then. Hesitates. Right.]
[Wow. That was certainly some reaction and even as tells her not to touch him she's immediately letting go even before the last syllable is out of his mouth. It's awkward, but probably not for the reason Leon thinks. Was he just particularly fussy or was there a true reason for an outburst like that? Regardless, she's quick to bow her head in apology.]
I guess that's what I get for not looking, isn't it? [She glances back at the stall attendant in apology for making a scene before returning her attention back to Leon.] Are you okay? I didn't mean to step on you or anything.
[This is only one of many Issues, Rise... welcome to the Issues Pile that is Leon Magnus.
He's quiet in response to her apology, before nodding shortly.]
Of course I am. It would take more than that to harm me. [Which makes his over the top reaction all the dumber, of course, but... well. He'll probably never be able to handle people touching him without warning.]
... Regardless. If they are pestering you, tell them so. [Stop being so polite... Leon sure will tell them so!] She is clearly not interested in what you are selling--stop being unnecessarily pushy and return to your work.
[The vendor looks pretty put-off by Leon's attitude and mutters something about dumb teenagers, but Rise herself is busy biting back a grin. Somehow this doesn't surprise her in the slightest, but she manages to keep a straight face when she speaks again.]
I think you're a little more threatening than I am when it comes to these things. [And speaking of:] I didn't think festivals interested you.
I don't think he's really doing it on purpose, you know. And I wouldn't really call him dim-witted. [...] Sheltered, maybe, but he seemed pretty smart when I met him. What's wrong with wanting to spend time with someone he likes?
You're going to take it back, Leon. [Look at her trying to be just as intimidating. It's definitely not working but she's a little frustrated with him.] You can't just say things like that to people!
[He's used to people getting irritated and frustrated with him over what he says--at the very least, this is easier to deal with than when she brushes it off and smiles at him anyway. That's just confusing, but this is normal.
And, as per usual, he scoffs.]
Don't tell me what to do. You have no right to do so.
[That's the first thing he addresses.]
I can say whatever I want, and I will do so, regardless of whether I have your permission or not.
Tell me instead, then--for what reason should I be needlessly polite to these people?
[Leon just crosses his arms, meeting Rise's eyes.]
There are too many people who would like nothing more than to be in my good graces for no reason but to get something from me. If someone is going to be put off by some harsh words and a lack of false politeness, then I have no interest in dealing with them anyway.
[It was probably just another person who wanted to use him and his position--that's what he thinks.]
Have you ever considered maybe trying real politeness? [Like she's doing right now, clearly.] And no offense but why would they need to really be in your good graces anyway?
[Rise is clueless, it's fine.] Not everyone is out to get something from you. A lot of people are, sure, but that's why you have people on your side to help you fend off those people.
[She is... but it's not her fault, it's Leon's fault for being a vague little punk.]
You must be joking. That is all anyone has ever wanted from me. [Except...for Stahn and the rest of the party, after awhile.......
But they're exceptions.]
I am the son of a wealthy, influential man, a person of status and a knight of renown. That was all it ever was--the fawning, the faux politeness, the fake kindnesses. They were all attempts to get something from me, and I hate people like that.
[Y'know... Issues.]
I don't have time to waste with people and their self-serving lies.
[Oh. Well that...certainly changes a lot of things. (And kind of sounds like why Lili isn't into the idea of people really befriending her. How does this keep happening?) Most of her anger fizzles out after that and she looks at Leon carefully before she frowns in consideration.]
If there's one thing I've learned about people like that? They give up after the first or second time you shut them down because they don't want to bother wasting their time either. You're right. They're self-serving. [The paparazzi who'd tried to crowd around the tofu shop for a glance at her were all self-serving and she ignored them well enough.] But when people keep trying even after that I don't think it's about wanting something from you. At least not status-based or anything you can heavily influence because of who your family is or what your job is.
[Leon your Issues are bigger than you are, it's so strange to her.] You eventually figure out which people are self-serving and which people actually care.
[This is why the Tsuns are always so Tsun.... eternal Issues. But the things she says are all things he already knows; he crosses his arms simply, huffing.]
Do you think I don't know that? It is simple enough to find out whose intentions are less than sincere.
[The problem is that he's a paranoid kid after all of this, so....well, it's hard to believe that anyone's intentions could be pure.]
Anyone who keeps trying for no apparent good reason is a fool, and nothing more than that. [A fool... but maybe a sincere fool, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. He doesn't understand why someone would keep trying, so it's hard for him to feel entirely negative about it despite his words.]
Maybe it's foolish for people to be so trusting, but I don't think it's a bad things to try if the person's proven themselves to be trustworthy. Don't knights value determination and stuff like that?
[This is such a losing battle...but she can't walk away from Leon and let him win!!!]
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6/9 at the festival, makes self comfortable in cal's inbox
She gets caught up with a merchant trying to persuade her into playing a game and she's walking backwards to try and politely tell them no, she's not interseted but thank you very much. The problem with walking backwards though is the fact that she can't see what's exactly behind her until it's almost too late. She sidesteps, but she still manages to bump into Leon and send him stumbling a little forward even as she instinctively grabs his elbow to keep him from faceplanting.]
I'm really sorr--oh. Hey. [...awkward...but okay. Rise, you can probably unhand him any time now.]
puts out snacks for ty
So he's trapped.
And then someone bumps into him, sending him staggering a little, and he whirls immediately at both that and the hand at his elbow, fierce.]
Don't touch me--
[... Oh. Wait. He knows her.
This is awkward.
He pulls his arm away a...little more gently than he would have from anyone else, and then. Hesitates. Right.]
... Be more careful.
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I guess that's what I get for not looking, isn't it? [She glances back at the stall attendant in apology for making a scene before returning her attention back to Leon.] Are you okay? I didn't mean to step on you or anything.
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He's quiet in response to her apology, before nodding shortly.]
Of course I am. It would take more than that to harm me. [Which makes his over the top reaction all the dumber, of course, but... well. He'll probably never be able to handle people touching him without warning.]
... Regardless. If they are pestering you, tell them so. [Stop being so polite... Leon sure will tell them so!] She is clearly not interested in what you are selling--stop being unnecessarily pushy and return to your work.
[thanks leon]
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I think you're a little more threatening than I am when it comes to these things. [And speaking of:] I didn't think festivals interested you.
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But in response he just huffs vaguely, focusing on her question instead of the observation that is obvious to him.]
They don't.
[Oh. Right. Because Leon hates fun.]
I am not here by choice.
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Are you here because Stahn wanted to come? [It's a stab in the dark, but hey.]
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Leon's quiet for a moment at that, before he huffs under his breath shortly, and finally shows his aggravation.]
That--dim-witted, aggravating country bumpkin...! He does not even hesitate to make my life difficult!
[UGHHHH]
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I don't think he's really doing it on purpose, you know. And I wouldn't really call him dim-witted. [...] Sheltered, maybe, but he seemed pretty smart when I met him. What's wrong with wanting to spend time with someone he likes?
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Ugh!!!]
Don't-- talk about things that you do not understand!
[IT'S NOT LIKE HE LIKES STAHN BACK OR ANYTHING.]
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You didn't answer my question~
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[Now he's just getting even more flustered...this sort of thing is difficult!!]
Now stop pestering me!
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Do you really think everyone who talks to you is pestering you?
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[Harsh, Leon.......
but on the other hand, yeah, that's practically everyone.]
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... Hmph. Take it however you want. I won't take it back.
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And, as per usual, he scoffs.]
Don't tell me what to do. You have no right to do so.
[That's the first thing he addresses.]
I can say whatever I want, and I will do so, regardless of whether I have your permission or not.
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[Leon just crosses his arms, meeting Rise's eyes.]
There are too many people who would like nothing more than to be in my good graces for no reason but to get something from me. If someone is going to be put off by some harsh words and a lack of false politeness, then I have no interest in dealing with them anyway.
[It was probably just another person who wanted to use him and his position--that's what he thinks.]
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[Rise is clueless, it's fine.] Not everyone is out to get something from you. A lot of people are, sure, but that's why you have people on your side to help you fend off those people.
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You must be joking. That is all anyone has ever wanted from me. [Except...for Stahn and the rest of the party, after awhile.......
But they're exceptions.]
I am the son of a wealthy, influential man, a person of status and a knight of renown. That was all it ever was--the fawning, the faux politeness, the fake kindnesses. They were all attempts to get something from me, and I hate people like that.
[Y'know... Issues.]
I don't have time to waste with people and their self-serving lies.
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If there's one thing I've learned about people like that? They give up after the first or second time you shut them down because they don't want to bother wasting their time either. You're right. They're self-serving. [The paparazzi who'd tried to crowd around the tofu shop for a glance at her were all self-serving and she ignored them well enough.] But when people keep trying even after that I don't think it's about wanting something from you. At least not status-based or anything you can heavily influence because of who your family is or what your job is.
[Leon your Issues are bigger than you are, it's so strange to her.] You eventually figure out which people are self-serving and which people actually care.
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Do you think I don't know that? It is simple enough to find out whose intentions are less than sincere.
[The problem is that he's a paranoid kid after all of this, so....well, it's hard to believe that anyone's intentions could be pure.]
Anyone who keeps trying for no apparent good reason is a fool, and nothing more than that. [A fool... but maybe a sincere fool, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. He doesn't understand why someone would keep trying, so it's hard for him to feel entirely negative about it despite his words.]
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[This is such a losing battle...but she can't walk away from Leon and let him win!!!]
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