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[ okay, warner does have good looks. there is no denying it. as for being attracted to him, nah... athena's never really cared about physical appearance, anyway. ~~by the way, merlin, are you projecting and trying to ask personal questions by pretending you're interested in the movie~~ ]

He's handsome, I guess? [ she's definitely started to feel better now, shown by how curiously she pokes her moon earring. it rocks back and forth, though since it's on the other side of her face, merlin wouldn't be able to see it. ] What's a nice face when he's so arrogant and selfish, anyway?

[ she'd hate to spoil him, but... ] You'll never guess what he'll do later on.

[ Probably for the best, because he's being a jackass right now from the looks of things. ~~And no, this is a defense mechanism to deflect from himself, thank you very much. aka yes.~~ ]

See, it's things like that I try and tell Arthur when he's being arrogant. [ He keeps his eyes on the screen, even when he follows up with. ] Not everyone can be as lucky as I am though. [ Slap him.

At least with her hint of the future happenings in the film he looks back at her, one eyebrow raising just slightly. ] Probably something bad? ...or something good? [ Is this a trick question???? ]

[ she rolls her eyes and shakes her head, moving it to look at him. ]

I cannot believe you said that with such a straight face. [ now who's being the arrogant jerk?!

but she doesn't look at him for too long as she grabs the box of pocky. she's definitely never seen a snack like it before, but hey. it looks sweet, so it's probably good?! it doesn't take her long to open it and stretch open the plastic inside. ]

You'll see. [ she says it as more of a mumble, then she takes a bite from the treat. ]

I can't believe you thought I was being serious.

[ Look, he said it with a straight face, but he was dying to smile on the inside. At least he wasn't being 100% serious, though it's kind of difficult to tell when he's nudging his knee against hers and reaching to steal of of the pocky sticks once she has the packet open. ]

I guess I'll have to wait, then. [ That means he has to pay a little more attention than he has been though, and even now he ends up shifting on the couch as he tries to get comfortable. Useless. ]

[ she nudges right back, a bit rougher this time... this girl is truly violent. gomen...

guess it's time to focus on the movie now, though, but as she chews on a stick of pocky, she leans to the side until her head is resting by his arm. not weird, just... warm. and relaxing. . . and it's nice. ]

Hey. If we ever have something like a prom here again, we should dance. [ a beat, and she continues, even more mellow this time: ] It's not like anybody would want to dance with an arrogant jerk, so I'll throw you a bone just once.

[ >:T!!! ]

[ A small wince follows that, before he nudges his foot against her this time. Stop that. At least the tickling punishment he gave earlier wasn't harsh. Even the nudge he gave her just then wasn't... #JustAthenaThings

It's when her head sinks to rest by his arm that he freezes up in place, trying to remain casual and not like he jumped at all. ]

I don't know, a few people might want to line up to dance with the Greatest Sorcerer of All Time. [ Athena you can blame Alice and Ema for this... people who talked him up before. Thankfully he's half laughing as he says it-- ] Even if I'm an arrogant jerk. [ Sadly, there's more coming.

Only it's a lot more embarrassing as his laugh dies down and he takes a deep breath. ] I'd choose you to dance with over anyone else though it's a shame I'm probably terrible at it.

[ athena's head might be soft, but her body's completely stiff, as well. she would have rested her head on his shoulders but the guy is too damn tall. also, this seemed like a better idea in her head. maybe she shouldn't have pushed through with it... smh...

but whatever. it's not like they'll be focusing on this whole thing for close to two hours. she's definitely trying not to be so self-conscious about this, now that she's done it. ]

I called it. [ she has zero faith in him on this. ] That's a pity, then.

[ the way she says it is very monotonous, though lbr, she'd still want to try it anyway. ]

[ He reaches with the arm she isn't resting on for the popcorn, then smushes a handful against her mouth to quieten her. Now who is being rude??? ]

It's not like I'd go unprepared. [ It's a very quiet admission. ] Take classes. Though who knows how I'd afford those at the moment.

[ she wasn't even being loud?!?!?! god... she resists the urge to bang her fist on his leg... he got lucky this time. concentrate on the movie, athena...

once she's finished eating the popcorn in her mouth, she just gives him a suggestion. no witty retorts from her this time. she's busy watching the movie, after all. ]

You could always find people on the network to teach you. [ she says mindlessly. ] There's a lot of people here who would offer their services for no payment at all.

Maybe you'll get lucky.

[ He probably did, but the more she keeps talking about this the more he wants the ground to swallow him whole. Will another prom even come up? Will she even remember this conversation? It's hard to tell, honestly.

One minute she's hot, the next she's cold. It's not wonder he's struggling to work out even how he feels in this situation. He bites his tongue to try and squish any weird conflict on the matter, attempting to shut it out before she can properly notice--

--only to yell in pain and smack his free hand against his own mouth. 2smooth. ]

If something comes up maybe I'll look into it. [ He speaks but it sure is muffled as hell. ]

[ well, that's that. she stops talking and focuses on the movie, and will probably end up finishing all the pocky unless merlin gets some more.

it's really good. she's going to have to buy some once she has some extra money to spare. for now, she'll probably try to find a third job to help pay the bills for rent. besides, ai buys enough snacks as it is. she shouldn't be picky on what to eat.

her eyes move to look up at him briefly when he hits himself, though she doesn't move. sorry, merlin. she's ended up like a cat now. ]

What are you even doing?

[ she's judging him again. ]

[ Ai is truly the snack hoarder. Queen of puddings and all things yummy... Really Athena shouldn't need to worry about getting delicious items in the future.

It's fine that she doesn't move though, even the one hand he smacks to his mouth when he tastes blood isn't able to do anything. He shifts his hand, covering his cheek with it as he tries to make it at least a little less sore...

It doesn't work, obviously. ]

I bit it. [ It comes out muffled as he twists his head towards his hand now, still keeping his eyes on screen. ]

[ with a sigh, she gets up from her seat and then turns to look at him. with a hand on her hip, she says: ]

I'll get you something cold to drink.

[ and she should have thought about doing this sooner. what kind of host is she? tsk.

not even waiting for him to respond, she heads back to the kitchen to grab some juice. she serves it with a ton of ice, so merlin can suck on it or something. it would definitely help with the bleeding, even if it's not much. ]

You look like an apple [ athena?!?!?!? ] so here's some apple juice for you, [ she says as she serves it on the table. and once she sits back down—with some distance between them now—she takes a sip from her orange juice.

orange juice is the best. ]

[ The worst kind of host--but not really. He wants to tell her that it's fine. He's fine and that she doesn't really need to get anything but when she's already up and saying that, it'd be weird to protest.

He looks over his shoulder as she moves to the kitchen, flexing his jaw a little once she won't be looking because ow... what an idiotic thing to do, yet somehow it seems fitting. The ache is dulling down now, at least.

Only he has to double take at what she says. ] I--what? [ And you think of him as strange???

He reaches for the glass, taking a sip. It stings a little, but it helps get rid of the taste of blood in his mouth. ]

[ she laughs hard, but not to the point of being boisterous. once she's set back her glass on the table, she beams at him rather proudly. ]

An apple. Because of your hair-- [ and she stops. she's realised how childish she's being, and then she shakes her head. ] Nevermind.

[ What is even going on anymore? His hand reaches up for his hair, wondering if some of it is sticking up or something and just???

He's a little offended. ] There's nothing wrong with my hair?!

[ oh god, she didn't mean to offend him, so she backtracks. waving her hands defensively, she shakes her head. ]

There isn't! Just- the shape of your hair is- [ and she lets out a very loud grumble. ] can't I have this one? I meant it in a good way!

[ How on earth does anything you burst into laughter for be meant in a good way? He slowly shakes his head, looking at her as though she's crazy. ]

Whatever pleases you... [ Weirdo. ] ...even as something as strange as that.

[ He hasn't let go of his hair now though, not really. One hand is still trying to brush it aside or something. ]

It wasn't an insult.

[ and she won't stop saying it until he gets it through his thick skull. she really didn't mean to say anything bad about his hair. ]

Apples are cute.

[ ?!?!?!?!

then she just looks away, cheeks puffed. ]

[ Return of Squirrethena...

He freezes in place when she says that then turns away. It really has taken him these long five to ten minutes for it to sink in that she actually didn't mean it in a bad way. Who thinks of being called like an apple as a cute thing though?

He can't help it, he drags his hand down his face to laugh into his palm, trying to muffle it. ]

What kind of compliment is that?

What did you want me to say?!

[ in an attempt to hide how uncomfortable she is with this, she begins to play with her hair. her fingers run through her ginger hair, and as if she's forced-- ]

I already said you look nice.

[ Ah... this went in a circle to the start of this and last time he let her just move on. It's a bit difficult to do that now though, considering it's like there's an elephant in the room when she finishes with that and the only noise is the television playing the movie.

He sucks in a breath, which is probably ineffective as his hand is still covering his mouth. Other than that he doesn't really move, but his heart is racing now, thudding hard against his ribs and his lungs feel tight.

It hangs in the air.

He lets his hand drop, pulls up his knees to rest his wrists on the top. He can still see the tv through a gap but... this is more to cool his own nerves. ]

Thanks. [ It's still super silent, and really this might make things worse but. ] I had help. I needed help. Uh-- [ It's way too rushed compared to how he started talking. ] Apparently.

[ Yes, that's the word he chooses to end with. ]

You know, [ she clears her throat.

okay, she's trying to act confident to settle her nerves. she's already told him that he looks nice, but saying it again just felt stupid. and this is probably going to be one of those moments that she thinks about at night and it's the reason why she can't sleep. because she's a doodoo brain. ] there's this guy in the movie who gets a complete makeover, too.

[ YEAH, SWITCH BACK TO THE MOVIE. clearly the best way to get rid of the uneasiness in the air. ]

Looks like you can relate to this movie by a little bit!

[ no athena... why do you have to keep mouthing weird things... ]

[ Well the good thing she probably could tell from that is that it's something he likes to hear. He suffered a lot for this, Athena. Please understand that. Vietnam is a slave driver. ]

As long as it isn't the jerk, that isn't too bad.

[ Sorry he's just as useless right now. ]

[ it's not suffering when you end up looking fabulous in the end, though?!?!?!? ah... thank god these are in brackets.

she pulls her bangs back to show her forehead, and then she says-- ]

No way, you'd look like this if you did.

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you're being so rude after all the effort vietnam put into this (nottalking)

oh really

sweats

sweats just as much...

lays down

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