[ Sounds like Dusty is not only nice, but knows a ton of nice people as well. Devo's starting to wonder if people from other worlds might just be... kinder, in general. He'd known kind people in Founder's Wake, of course, but everyone he's met here so far seems to give kindness so freely. ]
Well, gentle teasing I do not mind so much, as long as it is not... uh, you know, the way some people will say something pretending it is joking, but really everybody can tell it is because they do not respect you and they want to make you feel small and that is the thing that makes them laugh?
[ Devo looks studiously anywhere that's not Dusty's face, as if avoiding his gaze will do any good. It's so obvious, from the way he'd said it, that Devo has been on the receiving end of that kind of 'joking' more than a few times. He blows out an annoyed puff of hair, wondering if he should just hide away somewhere he can't embarrass himself until this is over.
But then Dusty offers to stay with him, to "hang out", and the truth is much too eager to leap from Devo's lips. ]
Yes, I would like to stay with you, if I am not annoying you to death, and I would like some food. There are many things over there that I did not try simply because I had no idea what they might be and I wasn't feeling brave enough to just take the leap.
[ Well he wouldn't have chosen to phrase it that way without the potion but it's not THE most humiliating thing he's said...
...because that honor belongs to his accusation, and Dusty's immediate, hurt confusion over it. Devo can see the surprise on his face, and the pain, and his own shoulders sag, the suspicion draining out of him. Either Dusty is an incredible liar, or the idea that such generosity and patience would seem like a trap would never have occurred to him.
Quietly, Devo murmurs. ]
Ah, shit. I've really fucked it up now, haven't I, huh?
[ Devo's mouth curls down, a small lopsided frown as he rubs at his own arm awkwardly. At least the potion will help make it clear his apology is sincere- but that doesn't change the patterns of thinking behind all of it. ]
I am sorry, Dusty. I did not mean to offend. We can blame that one on the crappy magic teachers, too. It is still hard for me to believe that... someone would be so good, with no agenda and- no secret strings attached. This is something that I should uh, work on learning.
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Well, gentle teasing I do not mind so much, as long as it is not... uh, you know, the way some people will say something pretending it is joking, but really everybody can tell it is because they do not respect you and they want to make you feel small and that is the thing that makes them laugh?
[ Devo looks studiously anywhere that's not Dusty's face, as if avoiding his gaze will do any good. It's so obvious, from the way he'd said it, that Devo has been on the receiving end of that kind of 'joking' more than a few times. He blows out an annoyed puff of hair, wondering if he should just hide away somewhere he can't embarrass himself until this is over.
But then Dusty offers to stay with him, to "hang out", and the truth is much too eager to leap from Devo's lips. ]
Yes, I would like to stay with you, if I am not annoying you to death, and I would like some food. There are many things over there that I did not try simply because I had no idea what they might be and I wasn't feeling brave enough to just take the leap.
[ Well he wouldn't have chosen to phrase it that way without the potion but it's not THE most humiliating thing he's said...
...because that honor belongs to his accusation, and Dusty's immediate, hurt confusion over it. Devo can see the surprise on his face, and the pain, and his own shoulders sag, the suspicion draining out of him. Either Dusty is an incredible liar, or the idea that such generosity and patience would seem like a trap would never have occurred to him.
Quietly, Devo murmurs. ]
Ah, shit. I've really fucked it up now, haven't I, huh?
[ Devo's mouth curls down, a small lopsided frown as he rubs at his own arm awkwardly. At least the potion will help make it clear his apology is sincere- but that doesn't change the patterns of thinking behind all of it. ]
I am sorry, Dusty. I did not mean to offend. We can blame that one on the crappy magic teachers, too. It is still hard for me to believe that... someone would be so good, with no agenda and- no secret strings attached. This is something that I should uh, work on learning.