[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!!!]
[It's such a losing battle...her determination really does do her a lot of credit though. Even if Leon won't ever admit that either.]
Do not attempt to tell me what a knight should be focused on. [Though he seems almost amused more than irritated at that. Honestly, Rise, you're an idol. He's hardly the best of knights, but please.]
My rank is one of the reasons people seek me out for those less than genuine purposes. I have the right to protect myself and my reputation.
[And just like that, Leon gets another almost playful smile. She really should be more bothered by him but it's easier these days to let things roll off her back.] Well I wouldn't really know. I've never met a knight before. Maybe the rules are different.
[But she gives him a mildly perplexed look.] Of course you have the right to protect yourself. But like I said, if people are still trying? They're most likely the ones who won't be there to take advantage of you. [A shrug.] Stahn seems nice enough.
Except for an example of being foolish? [Leon, you're not making your case well. She doesn't think Stahn's foolish at all.] He hasn't run into real trouble with you has he?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
Are you here because Stahn wanted to come? [It's a stab in the dark, but hey.]
no subject
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]
no subject
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?
no subject
Ugh!!!]
Don't-- talk about things that you do not understand!
[IT'S NOT LIKE HE LIKES STAHN BACK OR ANYTHING.]
no subject
You didn't answer my question~
no subject
[Now he's just getting even more flustered...this sort of thing is difficult!!]
Now stop pestering me!
no subject
Do you really think everyone who talks to you is pestering you?
no subject
[Harsh, Leon.......
but on the other hand, yeah, that's practically everyone.]
no subject
no subject
... Hmph. Take it however you want. I won't take it back.
no subject
no subject
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.
no subject
no subject
[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.]
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
[This is such a losing battle...but she can't walk away from Leon and let him win!!!]
no subject
Do not attempt to tell me what a knight should be focused on. [Though he seems almost amused more than irritated at that. Honestly, Rise, you're an idol. He's hardly the best of knights, but please.]
My rank is one of the reasons people seek me out for those less than genuine purposes. I have the right to protect myself and my reputation.
no subject
[But she gives him a mildly perplexed look.] Of course you have the right to protect yourself. But like I said, if people are still trying? They're most likely the ones who won't be there to take advantage of you. [A shrug.] Stahn seems nice enough.
no subject
Why.
Leon immediately tenses, scoffing.]
He is a buffoon who does not realize that being so open and friendly is only asking for trouble. He should not be used as an example of anything.
[Because Leon's pretty sure he's one of a kind.]
no subject
Except for an example of being foolish? [Leon, you're not making your case well. She doesn't think Stahn's foolish at all.] He hasn't run into real trouble with you has he?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)