[That evening, he sits in the mini coffeehouse. He's not there to drink first and foremost, though he nurses a cup of non-caffeinated tea for the sake of keeping his hands busy. When the suites are shared between ten individuals, even a small room like this is better for gathering one's thoughts. His expression is muted, but not gloomy.
The Hello Kitty bandaid still sits innocently under his right eye.]
It's a serious subject. I don't want to attend more classes than I have to, so I need to choose carefully.
[He sips the tea. It's pretty dark in the coffeehouse, simply because he didn't bother to light anything. And it just so happens to hit that threshold of darkness now where the words faintly glow through the pink bandaid.
For Maya, who's looking carefully, the words are clear enough to be perceived once Sieghart sets the cup down: DEATH BEFORE REVENGE.]
[ she pulls one of her arms behind her back self-consciously, but if he squints he can make out something in glowing letters.... im making you wait one tag out of suspense ]
[ but that wouldn't be fair, would it.... she's seen his, when he was clearly trying to hide it. and it's him.... if she wants to get to know him better, then maybe she has to take the first step]
[ she bites her lip, then shows it to him. ]
[ BEING A BURDEN/BEING USELESS is glowing through her kimono ]
It's not a sentiment he understands very well. From birth, he's been hailed as a genius—the most promising scion of a family of gladiators who achieved legendary status at a young age. He's never had to worry about being anything less.
So he can't understand such a fear. But he can understand how he feels about someone like Maya being held in its vice grip.]
[ she fidgets under his gaze, increasingly self-conscious as he stares ]
No. [ yes. ]
We all have things we worry about though, right? A-And, well, I worry about this. 'Cause I need-- I want to be helpful, especially in a situation like this. I told you about Nick, right? I'm his assistant [ wow no claiming he's the sidekick ], but.... I don't know a lot about law, and one time I couldn't channel sis, when he needed her, so.... I always worry, a little bit, about not being able to help.
Week 1: Monday
The Hello Kitty bandaid still sits innocently under his right eye.]
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What's on your mind, Mr. Sieghart? [ and what happened to his face... ]
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[His smile widens as he greets her.]
I'm just thinking about what class I should attend tomorrow.
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[ maya is perceiving his face... ]
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[He sips the tea. It's pretty dark in the coffeehouse, simply because he didn't bother to light anything. And it just so happens to hit that threshold of darkness now where the words faintly glow through the pink bandaid.
For Maya, who's looking carefully, the words are clear enough to be perceived once Sieghart sets the cup down: DEATH BEFORE REVENGE.]
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[ maya squints at the words. despite herself, she can't help but read them out loud ]
Death... before revenge?
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The bandaid is still there.]
What did you say?
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That's.... your fear?
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My fear?
[He gapes. Is that what this is?]
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[ .... ]
Is that what you're afraid of...?
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If I don't . . . I'll never be able to . . .
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[ she worries her hands together, too ]
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[ she doesn't press, but, quietly: ]
I didn't think.... you'd want something like that....
[ revenge ]
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Sorry. I know it sounds eerie.
[That's why he covered it up in the first place. He didn't want the kids to see and feel frightened.]
But how did you know?
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[ but it's not that she's frightened of it, it's just a shock, coming from laid back mcdad. ]
[ there's a lot she doesn't know about him... after all ]
Uhm, it's glowing through your cute little bandaid....
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But there's no point in hiding the words anymore. Maya's looking at them right now through no fault of her own. Sieghart leans back with a frown.]
Tsk. How troublesome.
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[ she's still kind of looking at the spot it was at ]
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. . . Does that mean you also have one?
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Uhm, yeah, but it's not really... a big deal....
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I won't look if you don't want to show me.
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[ but that wouldn't be fair, would it.... she's seen his, when he was clearly trying to hide it. and it's him.... if she wants to get to know him better, then maybe she has to take the first step]
[ she bites her lip, then shows it to him. ]
[ BEING A BURDEN/BEING USELESS is glowing through her kimono ]
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It's not a sentiment he understands very well. From birth, he's been hailed as a genius—the most promising scion of a family of gladiators who achieved legendary status at a young age. He's never had to worry about being anything less.
So he can't understand such a fear. But he can understand how he feels about someone like Maya being held in its vice grip.]
Do you believe that?
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No. [ yes. ]
We all have things we worry about though, right? A-And, well, I worry about this. 'Cause I need-- I want to be helpful, especially in a situation like this. I told you about Nick, right? I'm his assistant [ wow no claiming he's the sidekick ], but.... I don't know a lot about law, and one time I couldn't channel sis, when he needed her, so.... I always worry, a little bit, about not being able to help.
[ she's not quite looking at him as she rambles ]
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He doesn't keep his gaze on her for long. For her sake, he breaks it by taking another sip of tea before he answers her.]
. . . You're downplaying your achievements. If you only think about what went or could go wrong, you'll never stop worrying.
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