fandomhighdorms | Chupacabra Campfire [Tuesday Evening]

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Chupacabra Campfire [Tuesday Evening]

One workshop on explosions, one more day spent avoiding Luke and Gavin's back at the campfire. He's not hiding this time, but he's still prepared to run should anyone mention quarters or tigers or 'angels.'

After his workshop, he'd gone into town and picked up ten bars of chocolate. Yes, ten. Look, they might taste different, okay? Of course, Gavin's not thinking of chocolate plus fire equals a mess. He's too busy trying to decide which to try first.

[Oooooooooooooopen!]

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"Yes, I can see that would cause problems," he said, turning it over in his head. He noticed the blush, and he was wuite curious about what might be prompting it, but he was not going to ask. "Setsuna, is it her problem to resolve or is it yours?"

Setsuna drew in a breath. "I feel...that the ball is in her court now, so to speak, but I'm sure she is feeling the same about me. Either way, she made a request of me; I fulfilled it to what I felt was sufficient. I...worry that this was not how she expected it to be and, because of that, she feels as though I have not fulfilled it at all..." As she spoke, slowly and thoughtfully, she was wondering if there could possibly be a more circular approach to explaining this, and it didn't look like there could be....So she hoped Karal could at least follow it a little.

Which was an odd coincidence, as her wondering mirrored Karal's thoughts quite closely. "There has been a misunderstanding between you as to what was expected," he ventured, trying to work it out. "And so hurt feelings on both sides, her because she thinks you did not do what you promised, and you because you tried to give her what she wanted, only to be told it was not good enough." He sighed. "And both thinking you're right and the other is wrong, at least in part. I know no way to resolve that except talking, and if that fails, time for the hurt to ease."

Setsuna was feeling relieved that Karal seemed to be following her side of things quite well, until his suggestion came up. Her shoulders slumped, arms hanging between her knees. "The problem," she said, "is talking about it. I'm...not one to..."

She dragged off, blinking. What was she doing now, after all?

"Well," she was blushing pretty fervently now, looking confused at the same time, "usually I don't talk about my problems...."

Greatly daring, Karal reached out to touch her shoulder in what he hoped was a reassuring way. "Listening, attempting to help, is some of what I've been trained to do, Setsuna. I cannot see someone hurting and not try and help. Besides," he looked down, likely blushing to match hers, "I like you. I don't want you to be unhappy."

Again, Karal seemed to be saying things that lead Setsuna into a feeling of security in his words; she didn't even so much mind the hand on her shoulder. Probably because she was so worn out from the encounter with Ami at the gym that it was just nice to have someone not being awkward and antagonist toward her...

...and then out came that last part, and she stiffened and jerked away. A second later, she scolded herself for the harsh reaction. She'd just met this person, so he couldn't possibly have meant like in the same way that Ami meant like, right? Which just made her chastise herself more for overreacting, but then her thoughts drifted into what if she wasn't overracting, and....

She let out a grunt. She had enough problems right now without worrying about that. She decided to just forget that last part and go back to the first. She could handle the first; and the first helped support the idea that this friendliness was all just a part of the training.

"Well...I've been trained to not be heard, not be seen, not be noticed. This opening up and talking thing was something I was always told not to do."

Karal pulled his hand away as if it had been burned and his face fell. "I am sorry," he said quietly. He'd thought perhaps Setsuna was someone who might be a friend. Obviously he had been wrong. Taking a small breath, he made himself project a calm presence and kept his voice very neutral. "I am a Priest of Vkandis Sunlord. As such, I am more than willing to listen should you wish to talk, and you have my word I will say nothing of our conversation to anyone else. In some situations having another perspective can be useful in finding a solution."

...and now the title Karal apparantly bore was making Setsuna uncomfortable as well and retreating in a darker place that tried to get her association with him to end. Which the more sensible side of her explained was ridiculous, as the faiths were so different that she should rarely fear such things... Now she knew for a fact she was getting too deep into things with this whole talking bit. "I...thank you for the offer, Karal, but I don't believe I wish to speak on the matter. I'm sorry..."

"No need to be sorry." He folded his hands in his lap, not sure how he'd managed to read the situation so very wrong. "It was merely an offer."

"Which is appriciated," Setsuna offered, trying to be assuring. His demenour now was so withdrawn that it made her feel terribly guilty. "Even knowing that someone is willing to be there to talk about it, especially even if I don't know them very well, is a great help, even if the desire to talk is not present. One does not always need to see the sun rise to know that a new day has arrived."

Karal nodded and smiled a small smile. "This is true, and the offer remains, should you wish to avail yourself of it," he said. Even if she didn't wish to be his friend, she might still allow him to help.

Setsuna's head bobbed in a nod. "I will put some thought to it," she said. "Perhaps, in a different light, I might feel a little more wont to turn to some advice..."

She drew in a small breath. "Although...might I ask you just one question about the matter?"

He nodded again. "Of course you may, and I will attempt to answer it as best I can."

"Well...your offer to listen," Setsuna started carefully. "Did you offer because you're actually concerned, or is it merely because you felt you should, as an obligation, a...duty?"

It was what he'd tried to convey when he'd said he liked her, which had obviously been an unwise thing to say. He couldn't lie, though, and he hoped her reaction would not be as bad. "My offer was because I am concerned," he said quietly, looking at his hands. "However, even were I not, I would still attempt to help."

"I..I see," Setsuna said and she, too, was now looking down at her own hands in her lap. Well, then, she'd have to just trust that what Karal said was true, that he wasn't doing it just because, and that he meant it when he said he was concerned. He wouldn't have admitted that he would have still attempted even if he weren't concerned unless he was, right? Unless he was trying to lure her into a false sense of security; but why would he do that? Then again, she hadn't suspected Kabuto would do that, and he did...

It was a thought process that just left her thinking back on her trust issues, her talk with Alphonse. She would just...have to trust more. And, if it backfired, she could pick herself up from them, just like he always did...

She nodded, resolutely. "Thank you, then, Karal, for caring. And being honest with me."

...She hoped, anyway, that that was true.

He just gave her a bright smile - or as bright as he could manage - and said, "You're welcome, Setsuna, but truly, no thanks are necessary."

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Chupacabra Campfire [Tuesday Evening]

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