Excuse me--! [ Calling out to the clerk, then. ] Can I get a few samples of... let's see, the mint and mocha truffles, and the double chocolate? And... hm, anything else, Leon?
[ Soon enough, they're being given a handful of little pieces of truffles, which Otome is mostly handing over to Leon. To test his opinion, of course. ]
[He's getting the sneaking suspicion that this has been far, far too easy... like he should be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But it doesn't.
So he'll go ahead and try the other flavors too.
He does wrinkle his nose a bit at the mocha flavor before he can stop himself; the bitterness of the coffee is a sharp contrast to the sweet that he'd been indulging in before, and as much as he tries to pretend to be an adult, he doesn't like coffee. It's bitter--he drinks tea.
But he straightens out his face as quickly as possible.]
These all seem to be fine as well. [Mint was interesting. Double chocolate was good. He appreciates all of this (except the mocha).] Any of them would be an acceptable gift for someone who enjoys sweets.
You did happen to offer me your very valuable opinion, and I'm grateful. Just remember, these are likely to be extremely sweet, so don't eat them all in one session, or you'll get a stomachache.
... Ah, and make sure to brush your teeth thoroughly afterwards, too.
[This is so much!!! Otome, this is so much. He doesn't really think that he did anything worth receiving a gift for, and there's still a part of him looking for the ulterior motives behind this, but...
It would be rude to not accept it, right? (As if he's ever cared about being rude.) But...he wants it.
Finally, he reaches up to accept the box.]
... I see. [No he doesn't.] If that is the case, I will accept it. [Gratefully. Even if that's not escaping him yet.
[ Just the simple act of acceptance is enough to make Otome's smile brighten-- but she's not about to comment on it. It's a minor victory, but she'll take it. ]
That should be enough for me... did you want to keep looking?
[She looks incredibly happy, and it makes him feel really awkward; he looks away, box clutched in his fingers, and clears his throat.]
No. I didn't want anything to do with this place in the first place. [There isn't a lot of bite behind those words, though. They're more out of a need to keep up appearances than anything.]
I don't want anything. [...more than what he was just given.]
[You're so cheerful all the time, Otome... but he finds that he doesn't really mind it that much at the moment. The chocolate probably helps his mood, though.
As soon as they're outside of the shop, he pauses, glancing around.]
...Right. [Okay!!! They're done here? They're done here. He shifts a little awkwardly, before:] I'll be off then.
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[ Work with her, you're doing beautifully. ]
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Honey vanilla?
[That sounds FULL OF CAVITIES AND SWEET.]
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[ Soon enough, they're being given a handful of little pieces of truffles, which Otome is mostly handing over to Leon. To test his opinion, of course. ]
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Wow... when was the last time he just sat and had some chocolate? He really can't remember, but this all seems pretty..fantastic...
It doesn't strike him that he's being too eager until after he's put a piece in his mouth. Chew. Swallow.]
... I... [It's delicious.] ... suppose it's acceptable. If you enjoy things like this.
[can he eat the rest..... he's hesitating for a moment. Should he eat the rest...]
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[ Go on, Leon, she won't stop you. ]
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But it doesn't.
So he'll go ahead and try the other flavors too.
He does wrinkle his nose a bit at the mocha flavor before he can stop himself; the bitterness of the coffee is a sharp contrast to the sweet that he'd been indulging in before, and as much as he tries to pretend to be an adult, he doesn't like coffee. It's bitter--he drinks tea.
But he straightens out his face as quickly as possible.]
These all seem to be fine as well. [Mint was interesting. Double chocolate was good. He appreciates all of this (except the mocha).] Any of them would be an acceptable gift for someone who enjoys sweets.
[except the mocha]
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Mm, that settles it! I think I'll take two boxes of assorted truffles, then-- and two of the honey vanilla ones.
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Okay, no, he's got nothing to do with any of this, so he's going to just curiously inspect the other truffles while Otome does her thing.]
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And here you are! As thanks for your help.
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The silence extends for almost an uncomfortable period of time as he tries to just... process this.]
...What?
[Eloquence!!
But he really does want it. It was delicious, and... well, it's a gift, isn't it? (when has he last gotten a gift? Without ulterior motives?)]
What are you doing? [Why are you giving this to him?]
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... Ah, and make sure to brush your teeth thoroughly afterwards, too.
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It would be rude to not accept it, right? (As if he's ever cared about being rude.) But...he wants it.
Finally, he reaches up to accept the box.]
... I see. [No he doesn't.] If that is the case, I will accept it. [Gratefully. Even if that's not escaping him yet.
also you can't make him brush his teeth, mom.]
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That should be enough for me... did you want to keep looking?
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No. I didn't want anything to do with this place in the first place. [There isn't a lot of bite behind those words, though. They're more out of a need to keep up appearances than anything.]
I don't want anything. [...more than what he was just given.]
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[ Leon, you're not fooling anyone. ]
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[He might too, if he can work up the gumption to go into this place by himself.
... Maybe not. He doesn't want to run into her here again, it'd give him away (please, Leon. She figured you out 20 comments ago.)]
Let's go.
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All right, I'm coming. [ Out the store, yes. ] That was a nice little detour!
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As soon as they're outside of the shop, he pauses, glancing around.]
...Right. [Okay!!! They're done here? They're done here. He shifts a little awkwardly, before:] I'll be off then.
[b...bye!! Okay he's retreating now.]