LYRR VIVA TOU CONQUIETA AETERRNO AMORA ♠ private

Perhaps she could have played along with him, but the outrageous disrespect had encouraged Inglisse to do just the opposite. She called him out on his behavior, seeing that there must have been an ulterior motive to his demeanor and actions. He was hiding something, and while she did not demand he tell her, she still would not put up with his condescending words in his fairly pathetic attempts at hiding motives. If anything, however, he had enabled her to easily prove her intelligence to him and show she was not to be meddled with in that regard. And sure her simply tanking his attack could prove she was a bold individual; not that she cared too much what he thought, but a smart would at least would take note of it and either deem it daring or reckless. She could handle either label.

Finally, her simple words stirred a stark reaction which triggered the boy to begin walking back towards her, away from the frozen tree. She allowed him to finish his little rant, seeing it as more of a demand than a call out. She was not hiding anything, after all. “Yes,” the blonde answered simply, her facial expressions having never changed once from the tranquil but confident grin she had held this whole time. Inglisse paused for a few moments, allowing the atranoch to react to her simple answer before continuing. “Look at it this way, I’m not going to demand you stick by my side at all hours, nor am I going to demand and force you to fight for me. If I’m ever in a fight, I will welcome your fighting alongside me. You may also take this looser form of relationship between summoner and summon as an opportunity; you said you had a goal, did you not? Without being required to see to my every need, you will have more chances to fulfill said goal, and depending on what it is, I might be able to assist,” she answered gingerly.

“The other option is you could find a way to go home and wait for some “worthy” fighter to summon you. But in a time of relative peace, you won’t find many fighting for noble causes. Unless terrorism strikes your fancy, I’m afraid there’s not much that can be done. The academy I attend has combat courses and training fields if you want a spar, however~” she answered honestly, not really answering “why” she only wanted him for research purposes, but instead offering him another perspective. She wished to see how he would take it. The glacial atranoch seemed to have tunnel vision of expectations, so how would he react to rather fair alternatives?

Good, she had gotten him to explain the details she wanted to him, just like that. He was solidifying their bond by saying it aloud, making it known to her and basically reaffirming it for himself. He mentioned them finding some sort of ‘balance’, which amused the girl who had yet to really make a single demand. She personally had no goals she wanted his help in, other than her continued observation of him, which was passive. The snowy-haired boy, however, was quite full of demands and particulars. It amused her that he would threaten to kill her, but even if he did, well, she had a remedy for that. Hopefully such a thing would not befall them too quickly, however. She really did have no intention of fighting him.

She had not yet explained her reasons and the “why” behind her answers simply because she had not yet been asked. Why waste breathe and give extra information that had not been asked or paid for? “What’s strike two~?” Inglisse asked with a smirk, leaning in towards him. He had been the one summoned, yet he was quite an idealist on just about everything so far. She had nothing else to add yet, and was satisfied just to hear him talk and ramble on. Were other atranochs similar? She would have to take note of this one and compare it to another one day should she ever find the chance.

He was keen enough to catch on, but was it not obvious by this point? She had chosen the honest route, and here someone was, angry at the naked truth. Nobody ever liked the sharp and ugly sting of lies. The soft sweet feeling of lies certainly did feel better. Inglisse, however, had enough respect for the atranoch to not resort to dishonesty. Besides, the reaction to the truth could be far more interesting. She noticed the temperature getting colder, but was doing her best to resist it both by sheer willpower and some help of an unknown. Claiming he was no research subject really was none of her concern; if something existed, it could be studied. It was not like she was about to take him to a lab and try out a whole line of new serums on him, no. That was not her intention. And never had she claimed she wished to use him as a tool; she had even made it explicitly clear she did not need his help and had no intention of ordering him around. Quite a jumpy fellow, to assume such things without having known her for more than a couple minutes. Well, she would let him continue to assume his fantasies when the situation was not what he had wished for. She had no reason to prove anything to him or go on the defensive.

Oras asked his question and would be met with the blonde repositioning herself, no longer leaning towards him. “Wouldn’t you like to know~?” she mused with a small intentional tease, holding onto her little research book with fresh notes from both that afternoon along with her research on the mulberry plant over the last few weeks. “Of course I have goals and ambitions. I’m not aimless. And I certainly would not mind some help sometimes,” Inglisse added generally, giving a small shrug. She saw no reason to divulge in her own goals, hopes, and dreams, when he could not give her that or even his last name. What more did he want from her?

So, he finally came around. Inglisse half expected him to lash out and was fully prepared to defend herself. Fortunately, it appeared she did not have to. He sheathed the blade and stopped dropping the temperature; which was good, as she had begun to shiver slightly from her bare skin exposed to the cold. Sure, she could curb it to a degree, but she was in no hurry to use an obvious talent. He mentioned equivalent exchange, which brought another knowing smile to the girl’s face. It was a rough but slightly flawed concept she understood and could accept. It was the realm of most social sciences to a degree. “Fair enough,” she stated as he mentioned helping her with her goals. There was only so close she would allow him to get, but she would not mind some general help from time to time.

He then apologized and asked they work like partners. Only now had he truly come full circle. He had led them off on the rabbit trail, one that likely had left him somewhat mentally and emotionally exhausted. They could have wrapped up these agreements earlier, but only now were they finally coming to light. His conclusion was what she would consider something of a mildly aggressive hook, but it only made the atranoch that much more interesting. “Well, I accept your apology and I have no objections,” Inglisse answered, deciding against mentioning how they could have come to this agreement much sooner had he not been acting like a foolish prick. Nitpicking and criticizing would get her nowhere in this situation. “Now, why don’t we turn the temperature back up and perhaps head back to my dorm? I can make us some tea, and if you absolutely want crumpets, I can buy some on the way~” she said with a warm smile followed by a teasing giggle on the idea of crumpets, as he had mentioned in his malicious response to her introduction.

His sarcastic remark made it evident that he did not perceive the good will in her words, even if she was teasing just a little. He certainly did leap to conclusions quickly, she noted, and appeared to be a bit jumpy overall. Perhaps he had a reason for it, as if his snarky behavior was some sort of defense mechanism. Well, she would find out in due time. If it were as simple as that, it would not take too long to confirm.

“Well I was being serious. But if you don’t want ‘crumpets’, we can settle on some pastries I have at my dorm,” Inglisse said with a smile as they walked, dismissing his remark. She could be snarky back, but did not necessarily feel this was the time nor place. Besides, it seemed to throw him off that she could remain cordial despite his behavior, and that alone was satisfying enough for the blonde. “I’ve already made preparations in the dormitory for you to have your own room. It isn’t very big, but it’s nice and homely, with a few essentials and a desk. If you want, you can attend my classes with me or register for your own nearby if you prefer.”

Indeed, the rooms of the Sage dorms often had a small fridge and microwave, along with a lamp and some electrical outlets. Inglisse personally used an electric burner to boil water in her teapot in her own shared dorm with her roommate. If it was not already obvious to him, she was certainly a college student. Hopefully he knew a thing or two about the famous academy she attended. “By the way, Oras, you can just call me Lissy. That’s what others call me around here,” she said as she walked, deciding to lose the formality and hopefully break the ice a little more, no pun intended.

Inglisse had no intention to gain his favor persuade him to highly respect her. That would imply she actually cared a lot about what he thought. While she liked the idea of being treated as an equal, he was an amusing one no matter how he thought or treated her. It would be up to him if he wished to stick by her side or not. “I don’t usually have crumpets, but if you so wish for them I’m willing to buy some,” she gently corrected as he turned his head. At least he seemed pleased that there was a joke to be made of it. The bit of information he had to give her concerning atranochs and their diets certainly was interesting and something worth noting to write down later.

He made note of her planning. Really, Sage had plenty of open dorms. She only had to reserve the possibility of one being open. Not that the staff minded, really. He mentioned he did not need sleep either, which was fairly curious. Well, he could entertain himself while she slept, certainly. He would not be allowed in the girls’ side of the dorm, but she would allow him to figure that out himself, rather than restrict what he could or could not do thus far. “Humans? Untrustworthy and cruel? It’s more likely than you think~” she joked, affirming what he said as they walked, a small giggle in her voice. He once more mentioned her name sounding like some sort of language. It must have been some language she had not heard of, really. But of course, he had lived longer and likely experienced traveling to more places. He could have easily learned of a language she had not yet heard of. There were many tongues out there-- tribal, isolated, dead, dying, and overall just rarely spoken.

However, he turned to a more serious note before she could respond to his tease. “I can do my best,” she responded as she continued to walk, not turning to him or making eye contact. She merely retained the same grin from before. “What it is that would make you regret that, beyond what you’ve already told me, I wouldn’t know. But I suppose the least I could do is try. Does that satisfy you?” Inglisse asked as she walked, no snarky or demeaning tone in her voice; but rather, sincerity.