[ Hehe...! That brings a giggle out of her. Oh, if only that were true...! ]
It would be girlfriend, but our relationship isn't like that! I was summoned by her to be her Servant. I aid her in combat and improve our teamwork while at it!
[ She's fond of Ritsuka, loves her, but she's not among those who would fight for her attention. Marie loves everyone indiscriminately, after all. ]
[ He idly scratches the side of his head as he listens to her explain. ]
Something like partners instead then?
[ He keeps trying to put it in simple terms he understands, but he's getting the feeling that whole being dead before thing makes it all more complicated than that. Please let there be a simple rough analogy he can wrap his head around instead. ]
[ Watching him squirm is pitiful and adorable. Instead of furthering that and lead the conversation somewhere disastrous, she'll toss another bone at him. ]
Exactly. We're partners. There are others like me serving her, so that makes us a nice big party!
[ There's a moment, just a moment, that Ryuuga feels disappointment settle deep in the pit of his stomach. It is a shame to not have someone he can rely on here too, but...
He smiles, it's a little wistful, but it is genuine. ]
I'm glad for you.
[ He sighs and crosses his arms. ]
It's good to have friends in a situation like this.
[ His tone still doesn't suggest a pity party, not exactly at least. He worked hard on his character to get to the point where he could be completely sincere congratulating other people's luck when his own isn't that great. ]
[ In fact, she doesn't sense so much sadness from him, which is a nice trait to have! The fact people put themselves down while praising others is such a common thing to deal with, and even she gets worn out by that attitude sometimes. A smile shining his direction will be his reward. ]
You and I could become friends right now! I don't see a reason not to, really!
[ There's a subtle shift in his expression, from wistful to amused. He can't even say friendships aren't made overnight, because he's definitely become close to some of his friends at a pretty accelerated pace, but... ]
Shouldn't I know your name first before calling you a friend?
[ He knows about her weird life situation, and the fact that she was a queen at one point, but somehow that detail was skipped. ]
[ It should ring a bell considering everything else she's told him, but he's not exactly on the up and up with French history. Queen Marie somehow does sound right though. ]
Banjou. Ryuuga Banjou.
[ He's not trying to sound cool and James Bond-y with that introduction, it's just what feels natural. ]
[ Chatting made her forget about her wine and that's a pretty good thing, all things considered. It meant she had been honest the entire time without the need of alcohol. ]
Good about what? [ She feigns ignorance, chuckling. ] We only talked a bit, didn't we? If it made you feel any better, then we ought to do this more often.
[ Certainly overly honest whispering would not have led to as pleasant a conversation as the one they ended up having.
And if even Ryuuga can see past your act, it's not a very good one. Though it doesn't seem like she's trying that hard. He crosses his arms, nodding slightly. It's a strangely closed off gesture for someone who is honestly finally letting just a little tension go from his body. ]
[ He nods his head in what is almost, but note quite a polite little head bow. It mostly just looks like a half-assed nod. ]
You too.
[ Though he already admitted to not having friends here, so he might as well just stick around for now. At least the atmosphere is a little less heavy than before. ]
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@ Banjou
[ Hehe...! That brings a giggle out of her. Oh, if only that were true...! ]
It would be girlfriend, but our relationship isn't like that! I was summoned by her to be her Servant. I aid her in combat and improve our teamwork while at it!
[ She's fond of Ritsuka, loves her, but she's not among those who would fight for her attention. Marie loves everyone indiscriminately, after all. ]
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Something like partners instead then?
[ He keeps trying to put it in simple terms he understands, but he's getting the feeling that whole being dead before thing makes it all more complicated than that. Please let there be a simple rough analogy he can wrap his head around instead. ]
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Exactly. We're partners. There are others like me serving her, so that makes us a nice big party!
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Mm. I'm in a similar situation.
[ Well, except-- ]
I never died though...
[ Big and important key difference there. ]
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[ She now swirls the glass of wine still held in her hand, idly observing it. ]
Have you got a team of companions you care for, then?
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As for the question he nods slightly. ]
Yeah.
[ A pause. ]
On my planet.
[ His new planet, considering he just finished up helping to make a very unusual merger before he showed up here. By himself, no friends in tow. ]
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[ Her utmost bizzarre planet that had so much going on and nearly lost all of its humanity so many times.
But his wording concerns her a bit. ]
Have you arrived here alone, then?
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The question surprises him though. ]
Uh... You mean you didn't?
[ Was he just supremely unlucky? ]
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[ Though that means their mission is put on hold indefinitely... but she's still got her nakama, so yay! ]
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He smiles, it's a little wistful, but it is genuine. ]
I'm glad for you.
[ He sighs and crosses his arms. ]
It's good to have friends in a situation like this.
[ His tone still doesn't suggest a pity party, not exactly at least. He worked hard on his character to get to the point where he could be completely sincere congratulating other people's luck when his own isn't that great. ]
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You and I could become friends right now! I don't see a reason not to, really!
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Shouldn't I know your name first before calling you a friend?
[ He knows about her weird life situation, and the fact that she was a queen at one point, but somehow that detail was skipped. ]
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[ She daintily places a hand on her chest. ]
I'm Marie! You may only call me that. What is yours?
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Banjou. Ryuuga Banjou.
[ He's not trying to sound cool and James Bond-y with that introduction, it's just what feels natural. ]
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[ Marie kind of figured he was from the East, but japanese is a nice discovery. She knows loads of japanese Servants! ]
Either way, I'm pleased to meet you. I hope we have these pleasant chats some more in the future!
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Yeah, me too.
[ He glances out at the trees, suddenly realizing he'd been pretty distracted from his moody reminiscing by all of this. ]
You're good at stuff like this, huh?
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Good about what? [ She feigns ignorance, chuckling. ] We only talked a bit, didn't we? If it made you feel any better, then we ought to do this more often.
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And if even Ryuuga can see past your act, it's not a very good one. Though it doesn't seem like she's trying that hard. He crosses his arms, nodding slightly. It's a strangely closed off gesture for someone who is honestly finally letting just a little tension go from his body. ]
Yeah, we should.
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[ With that said, she'll pack the food she didn't consume and then stand up, fixing her dress and hat. ]
I must go now. There are some others in my world I would like to catch up on. It was extremely nice chatting with you, Banjou!
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You too.
[ Though he already admitted to not having friends here, so he might as well just stick around for now. At least the atmosphere is a little less heavy than before. ]