Thalassa
The passion and certainty in his dark eyes isn't something she can stomach, shame and self-pity clogging her throat and the deprecating words that manage to squeeze through when she exchanges his gaze for her empty hands. "Others would disagree with you." As much as the knowledge weighs against her, it's nothing in comparison to the hollowness that had plagued her, and she's too selfish to regret his choice. She's not sure Asta truly understands what kind of personal hell he'd freed her from. Still, she turns her eyes back to him, the gratitude thick in her quiet voice, "But thank you."
His shark-tooth grin is hard to argue with, tension and panic leaking from her with his familiar humor and insistence interlaced with warm laughter. It's so disorienting how normal it is, and she shakes her head. "It's a good thing you're stubborn." A genuine smile finally forms on her lips, something she hadn't done in weeks. It almost overwhelms her with how easy it comes, a laugh nearly bubbling out with the presence of something she wasn't sure she'd ever experience again: joy.
But the shift in topic immediately has her deflating, shrinking as she's reminded of everything she'd screwed up. The smile falls along with her head like a scolded child, a wince making her glance away. She knew it would catch up to her - that she'd have to answer for all her actions even if they'd been externally influenced - but she'd hoped there might be a few more minutes to process, a bit of time to recalibrate and reconnect with Asta, to enjoy not feeling like total shit. Apparently that was too much to hope for, even from a friend.
Sighing heavily, Thal shakes her head, dark hair framing the ache in her eyes as she tries to convey her regret. "That... wasn't exactly what I'd meant." What exactly she'd meant was hard to tell, but she'd only wanted to make the party easier for Asta, whether that was ripping the muzzle from his face or keeping him company so Danta could mingle. Instead, she'd offended and miscommunicated, pushing a wedge between them that she hadn't intended, jeopardizing the few friendships she's lucky enough to have.
A shrug of her shoulders lets her focus on reassuring Asta, doing her best to repair what she can. "I knew you didn't need rescuing - not from Danta at least." There's a small quirk of her lips, willing him to understand when she says, "He makes you too happy." And she wouldn't dare compromise that.
It doesn't change the fact that she had compromised that. She'd somehow made Danta - the unflappable and eternally confident Theocrat - upset, and besides Asta, he'd be the first person on her list to visit. So, her nod is slow and resigned, knowing what she needs to do even if it's something she not necessarily comfortable with. "I'll talk with him." An apology might be too much to ask for, but she'd at least explain what she'd meant and hope to clear the air.
His shark-tooth grin is hard to argue with, tension and panic leaking from her with his familiar humor and insistence interlaced with warm laughter. It's so disorienting how normal it is, and she shakes her head. "It's a good thing you're stubborn." A genuine smile finally forms on her lips, something she hadn't done in weeks. It almost overwhelms her with how easy it comes, a laugh nearly bubbling out with the presence of something she wasn't sure she'd ever experience again: joy.
But the shift in topic immediately has her deflating, shrinking as she's reminded of everything she'd screwed up. The smile falls along with her head like a scolded child, a wince making her glance away. She knew it would catch up to her - that she'd have to answer for all her actions even if they'd been externally influenced - but she'd hoped there might be a few more minutes to process, a bit of time to recalibrate and reconnect with Asta, to enjoy not feeling like total shit. Apparently that was too much to hope for, even from a friend.
Sighing heavily, Thal shakes her head, dark hair framing the ache in her eyes as she tries to convey her regret. "That... wasn't exactly what I'd meant." What exactly she'd meant was hard to tell, but she'd only wanted to make the party easier for Asta, whether that was ripping the muzzle from his face or keeping him company so Danta could mingle. Instead, she'd offended and miscommunicated, pushing a wedge between them that she hadn't intended, jeopardizing the few friendships she's lucky enough to have.
A shrug of her shoulders lets her focus on reassuring Asta, doing her best to repair what she can. "I knew you didn't need rescuing - not from Danta at least." There's a small quirk of her lips, willing him to understand when she says, "He makes you too happy." And she wouldn't dare compromise that.
It doesn't change the fact that she had compromised that. She'd somehow made Danta - the unflappable and eternally confident Theocrat - upset, and besides Asta, he'd be the first person on her list to visit. So, her nod is slow and resigned, knowing what she needs to do even if it's something she not necessarily comfortable with. "I'll talk with him." An apology might be too much to ask for, but she'd at least explain what she'd meant and hope to clear the air.
Don't ask questions you don't wanna know
Learned my lesson way too long ago
Learned my lesson way too long ago
