[Good because Joss would be very weirded out if Sagi dug into his plate without asking.
He's just going to nod and hum agreement before starting to eat as well, his attack a lot more subdued than Sagi's moderately tempered foodlust. Not that he's judging. He knows how hungry teen boys can be.
Sadly, he has no reason to talk about his god trauma, because he's just eating his waffles in silence. Also because he can't think of a conversation topic to have *while* eating waffles. It's hard being bad at conversation.]
[Surprising himself a little, Sagi relents before his plate is completely clean. It's not because the pancakes aren't good, they really are - simple yet hearty, the best kind of occasional comfort food. It's more that after a while, sitting and eating across the table from someone else starts to remind him of who he isn't sitting with. He wonders why. It may not be something he's gone out of his way to do in the past few months, but eating alone never gives him trouble.]
Hmm... It's different than it was back then, too. Travelling, I mean. Not just because every new place feels so cut off. I guess it's... quieter.
[His gaze wandered up to somewhere left of Joss's shoulder while he was, in his mind, thinking that. A second later, when he realises, he hastily redirects it back to his plate.]
I lied, have a tag bc I want this thread to move along
[Joss notices the stare. He slowly, delicately puts his fork down, his mind racing with ways to phrase what he's about to say in what he hopes is a concise, inoffensive manner.]
... Because your friend isn't here?
[His tone is neutral, his expression free of judgement. He doesn't know Sagi has spent most of his life feeling alienated in some way or another, but considering how touchy the subject seemed when he'd accidentally intruded into Malpercio's memories he can't help but feel the teen must have had some rough experiences with the way people perceived his difference.
Sometimes, all people need is a little acceptance. Fury knows Joss can relate to that.]
[The clinking sound from Sagi's side of the table is him momentarily losing focus as he went to pick his fork back up and driving it slightly too hard into the side of the plate.]
...Yeah. When you put it like that... yeah.
[He doesn't look up. It feels like he's been waiting to admit something like that for a long time, and he can't begin to pinpoint where a feeling like that might have come from. For one thing, it hasn't been a long time since he woke up alone, objectively. For another, just waiting around for stuff to happen isn't like him.]
Is it that obvious?
[So obvious that even Joss could put words to it - but not him, apparently. Until just then.]
[Joss slightly shakes his head. He'd initially just thought Sagi likes to think aloud, for no particular reason.]
Only since my accidental intrusion. I'm sorry.
[Joss isn't the type to pry... but as much as he avoids doing it himself, he knows that sometimes talking about hurts can help. He likes to think that for all his communication flaws, he at least makes an adequate listener.]
Uh huh. Ever since I was - small, he's been living in my heart.
[The gap in that sentence isn't long at all, because he only rethinks it as it's already on his tongue and immediately decides it's true enough. It does compel him to add:] It's complicated.
[In roughly the same way he imagined Joss's thoughts on that one knight crest he drew to be complicated. Not a secret, but too tangled up with other things to be worth picking out in detail.]
[Joss nods with a hum. He doesn't know in what exact way it's complicated, but it's fair of Sagi not to want to dwell on it when it's supposed to be a nice moment.]
I see. Thank you for telling me.
[That said... The situation does bring to mind some things he's had to deal with, personally. Though Sagi's ethereal friend might not rebel and start wrecking an entire military camp, and Joss guesses he has better friends to confide in already, he figures he may as well offer.]
Master Sagi. Should you need an ear... I'll be there.
[Sagi looks back up at Joss in surprise, but the look quickly resolves into an earnest smile.]
That's really kind of you, Joscelaint. Thanks.
[While he may not feel like reeling off his whole life story right here and now, or ever, he means it. His gratitude does nothing to make him look any less babyfaced.
He returns to his food with a little more gusto than before. Presently, the rest of the pile of pancakes joins the extremely short list of his successful assassinations. No further migraines nor invasively relived second-hand memories interrupt either of them before the food is paid for and they're getting up to leave.]
Oh, hey, Hythlodaeus. Were you here for lunch too?
[Sagi is now hemmed in on both sides by tall people before he can exit the cafe. If Hythlo were to burst into tears without warning, he might drown. Fortunately, the man seems to be in a more jovial mood today, so instead he exacerbates their height difference by leaning down to pet the Espurr on the head. Soft.]
[Sagi already asked the question lingering on his mind, so he's just going to stand there, the little Swablu plushie safely tucked between his oversized collar and his shoulder.]
[Sagi would just glance up at Hythlo while petting the cat, but he'd prefer not to break his neck, so he has to stand up instead. It's clear that he has no idea where this is going.] What is it?
[Joss can't help but feel a slight sense of dread at the tall man's unbridled good cheer, but... Well, this is a conversation between Sagi and Hythlodaeus. Maybe he shouldn't listen in...]
[It happens so suddenly that even Sagi turns a little pink with embarrassment. This isn't a secret, so he isn't perishing on the spot like Joss undoubtedly will soon, but wow, really? In the middle of a cafe? His teenage heart can only stand so much whiplash.]
I, well... You didn't ask. Where did this come from?
[...He still can't help feeling faintly happy about admitting it, though.]
[Joss is only moderately perishing for now, torn between not intruding on what will undoubtedly be a somewhat private conversation and avoiding the awkwardness of leaving without a word - especially since Sagi didn't say anything about wanting him gone.
He's just going to silently overthink this while Hythlo and Sagi continue their conversation.]
[Unfortunately, Sagi only brightens up once the initial surprise wears off. If he made physical contact with the quietly suffering Joss right now, it would probably annihilate both of them.]
I do. She's back home in the sky, though.
[The sky thing is something he may have neglected to mention to Joss, but surely this is fine and won't produce any weird cryptid trains of thought much later.]
[Sagi heard Joss mumble something but has no context for guessing what, if anything, it means. He would simply ask, but Hythlo bringing his girlfriend up unexpectedly means his train of thought has well and truly pulled into a station.]
Who knows if we'll get the chance, but if we do, I'll take you to meet her. She likes meeting people.
[That said, he thinks that's about all there is to say on the matter if Hythlo isn't interested any more. Unless one tree or another blocks the exit somehow, he'll quite happily just carry on walking out of the cafe.]
[Insofar as he thinks ahead at all, which isn't much, Sagi mostly expects Hythlo to burst into tears for nebulous reasons. He's unbothered by having to stop and turn around, though. He's in a good mood now.]
Well, she saved my life. We were getting chased by soldiers, and all of a sudden, she drove them off for us.
[The version of the story that he likes to tell acquaintances (and indeed complete strangers) omits the parts about the murder attempts and the spying. It's fine.]
After that, we started travelling together. That's how I got to know her.
[Joss doesn't have any blank magnus, but even he can feel the waves of Mushy Feelings emanating from Sagi.
It's kind of cute... if a little embarrassing, and even if he can't help but feel a pang of bittersweetness.]
Cherish the moments you spend with her, Master Sagi.
[Not to be pessimistic or anything, it's just you never know when your loved one might get a STD (Spear Through Diaphragm) or die from some fantasy plague.]
no subject
He's just going to nod and hum agreement before starting to eat as well, his attack a lot more subdued than Sagi's moderately tempered foodlust. Not that he's judging. He knows how hungry teen boys can be.
Sadly, he has no reason to talk about his god trauma, because he's just eating his waffles in silence. Also because he can't think of a conversation topic to have *while* eating waffles. It's hard being bad at conversation.]
no subject
Hmm... It's different than it was back then, too. Travelling, I mean. Not just because every new place feels so cut off. I guess it's... quieter.
[His gaze wandered up to somewhere left of Joss's shoulder while he was, in his mind, thinking that. A second later, when he realises, he hastily redirects it back to his plate.]
I lied, have a tag bc I want this thread to move along
... Because your friend isn't here?
[His tone is neutral, his expression free of judgement. He doesn't know Sagi has spent most of his life feeling alienated in some way or another, but considering how touchy the subject seemed when he'd accidentally intruded into Malpercio's memories he can't help but feel the teen must have had some rough experiences with the way people perceived his difference.
Sometimes, all people need is a little acceptance. Fury knows Joss can relate to that.]
no subject
...Yeah. When you put it like that... yeah.
[He doesn't look up. It feels like he's been waiting to admit something like that for a long time, and he can't begin to pinpoint where a feeling like that might have come from. For one thing, it hasn't been a long time since he woke up alone, objectively. For another, just waiting around for stuff to happen isn't like him.]
Is it that obvious?
[So obvious that even Joss could put words to it - but not him, apparently. Until just then.]
no subject
Only since my accidental intrusion. I'm sorry.
[Joss isn't the type to pry... but as much as he avoids doing it himself, he knows that sometimes talking about hurts can help. He likes to think that for all his communication flaws, he at least makes an adequate listener.]
You must have been together a long time.
no subject
[The gap in that sentence isn't long at all, because he only rethinks it as it's already on his tongue and immediately decides it's true enough. It does compel him to add:] It's complicated.
[In roughly the same way he imagined Joss's thoughts on that one knight crest he drew to be complicated. Not a secret, but too tangled up with other things to be worth picking out in detail.]
no subject
I see. Thank you for telling me.
[That said... The situation does bring to mind some things he's had to deal with, personally. Though Sagi's ethereal friend might not rebel and start wrecking an entire military camp, and Joss guesses he has better friends to confide in already, he figures he may as well offer.]
Master Sagi. Should you need an ear... I'll be there.
no subject
That's really kind of you, Joscelaint. Thanks.
[While he may not feel like reeling off his whole life story right here and now, or ever, he means it. His gratitude does nothing to make him look any less babyfaced.
He returns to his food with a little more gusto than before. Presently, the rest of the pile of pancakes joins the extremely short list of his successful assassinations. No further migraines nor invasively relived second-hand memories interrupt either of them before the food is paid for and they're getting up to leave.]
no subject
Sagi! Oh, and master Joscelaint, too!
[Guess who's here, with his Creepy Eyes Cat who instantly turns to stare at the two of them.]
no subject
[Sagi is now hemmed in on both sides by tall people before he can exit the cafe. If Hythlo were to burst into tears without warning, he might drown. Fortunately, the man seems to be in a more jovial mood today, so instead he exacerbates their height difference by leaning down to pet the Espurr on the head. Soft.]
no subject
Master Hythlodaeus.
[Sagi already asked the question lingering on his mind, so he's just going to stand there, the little Swablu plushie safely tucked between his oversized collar and his shoulder.]
no subject
I was! Ah, what a pity we hadn't seen each other earlier, else we could have dined together.
[He directs Sagi a sly look, almost vibrating with good cheer.]
In fact, there is something I've been wanting to ask you about, Sagi!
no subject
no subject
I can leave. If you wish me to.
no subject
I believe the decision should be up to Sagi! Although, of course, I would be curious to hear from you as well, master Joscelaint.
[He claps his hands together.]
But what I meant is--Sagi, I was completely unaware you have a young lady!
no subject
I, well... You didn't ask. Where did this come from?
[...He still can't help feeling faintly happy about admitting it, though.]
no subject
He's just going to silently overthink this while Hythlo and Sagi continue their conversation.]
no subject
Hythlo seems to entirely ignore Joss's awkwardness, engrossed that he is in bullying Sagi.]
Fai mentioned it to me the other day! Milly, yes? He said you care for her greatly!
no subject
I do. She's back home in the sky, though.
[The sky thing is something he may have neglected to mention to Joss, but surely this is fine and won't produce any weird cryptid trains of thought much later.]
no subject
Oh. This is why Sagi has wings. He lives in the sky. Floating landmasses maybe? Like...]
Vanu Vanu...
[He's just muttering to himself, it's fine. Carry on.]
i tried to think about what that could have been misheard as but my first mistake was thinking
Va nous?..
no subject
Who knows if we'll get the chance, but if we do, I'll take you to meet her. She likes meeting people.
[That said, he thinks that's about all there is to say on the matter if Hythlo isn't interested any more. Unless one tree or another blocks the exit somehow, he'll quite happily just carry on walking out of the cafe.]
no subject
I would love to meet her, indeed! How did you meet?
no subject
Well, she saved my life. We were getting chased by soldiers, and all of a sudden, she drove them off for us.
[The version of the story that he likes to tell acquaintances (and indeed complete strangers) omits the parts about the murder attempts and the spying. It's fine.]
After that, we started travelling together. That's how I got to know her.
no subject
It's kind of cute... if a little embarrassing, and even if he can't help but feel a pang of bittersweetness.]
Cherish the moments you spend with her, Master Sagi.
[Not to be pessimistic or anything, it's just you never know when your loved one might get a STD (Spear Through Diaphragm) or die from some fantasy plague.]