[Well those aren't concerning brackets at all!! But also yeah it's fine. The picked the nicest (?) Harbinger.]
I didn't think you would. [And if they did, they'd probably put up a good fight about it, which would still be a win for him. Awful. But no, Lust doesn't strike him as the type, with the buffer of acknowledgment that all of this could be an act.
(He fell for it with Zhongli, after all. He won't be making the same mistake twice.)
Speaking of trust, though... he just hums, picking up his tea again.]
If I'm going to ask anyone, it'll be you. Quite frankly, you're the one who matters most to me in this place. [Because they're right. Childe may be hyperaware of feeling like a pawn in a game, but ultimately, he's used to that, and he'll do it gladly if it means he gets what he wants out of it. No matter what alliances he forms or which people he taps to gather information for him, he's prioritizing his own interests above all else. It's fine if Lust is manipulating him, so long as he gets what he came for.
There's a lull, as he swirls his tea around, debating. He remembers their first conversation, and how Lust behaved. So, a little more quietly--]
I can't say it's trust, exactly. [Because he doesn't trust anyone, at the end of the day. He simply can't afford to. If anything, the fact that he's saying it out loud is a show of trust in its own way. A peek at the cards he's holding to his chest.] But I do enjoy spending time with you. I would do so even if we weren't aligned.
[childe has seen at least half of them now, do they look like someone who could put up a fight? the answer is no, lust is kind of small and petite in stature. nevertheless, they don't really interrupt while he's talking and instead they watch him, a thoughtful hum of reply when he says that they matter the most.
and in a way, it's...nice? they wouldn't even mind if childe didn't trust them, they prefer honesty over everything else. lying to them and pretending to care would really just kind of piss them off. but they can choose to at least believe what he's saying.]
...that means a lot to me. [it's hard to interpret what that means, but their tone is nothing short of grateful and pleased.] I like spending time with the other Avatars a lot, don't get me wrong. But spending time with you is different. So I'll do what I can to help you in this race.
[Look Klee comes up to his kneecaps and could blow up mountains purely on accident okay LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING. Also Lust has the power of Making Friends which Childe doesn't.
Something that he himself has been utilizing here, mostly in the manner of letting people believe what they want about him. But he's pretty good at reading people, and that's the vibe he's been getting--that Lust would rather him tell an unpleasant truth than a sweet lie, which suits him perfectly well. He prefers honesty too.
He'll reach out to take their hand and squeeze lightly, if they allow it.]
I believe you. [That they'll genuinely do what they can.] You're sure there's nothing else I can do for you, in return?
[Besides indulge, and sit back to let people pick off the weak apparently.]
[they will allow it! they absolutely allow it and let their hand curl around his briefly because it's a gesture they appreciate.]
There isn't really much I can ask for, no. Playing along and indulging and getting ahead are the only things I want from you right now. I don't think that'll change either.
[Childe does not deserve this cute handholding. LUST your BAD DECISIONS
But he'll nod, at that.]
Very well, then. [If it'll get him his wish, then he'll do it; whatever it takes.] Let me know if that changes. [He smiles, nudging their cloak lightly with his elbow.] Pride did insist I be kind to you, after all.
[Just doxxes Pride's squishy feelings all over the place]
You bet! You'll be the first to know if I decide I want something else, how about that? [what an honor. but uh. childe says that and they met get the sense lust is blinking in surprise before there's a laugh.]
Let me guess. They made it sound like they didn't actually care?
Promise! [it's fine. but pinky promise!! they immediately link their finger with his and sort of shake on it. a promise.]
Pride's difficult, but they're easier to talk to if you know how to handle them. They don't like a lot of people and trust even less but I think sometimes it's because trusting people can be really complicated for them. They'd probably be happier doing everything alone, but I'm not gonna let them. They're really nice when you can get them to talk to you. That's what matters to me.
[He almost, almost says "Well, trusting people is for fools", but. Lust reminds him too much of one of his siblings, so he just squeezes their pinky lightly and drops his hand.
Instead--]
Trust is a complicated thing. [Boy does he know that firsthand. Haha!!!] But I like them too, for what it's worth.
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I didn't think you would. [And if they did, they'd probably put up a good fight about it, which would still be a win for him. Awful. But no, Lust doesn't strike him as the type, with the buffer of acknowledgment that all of this could be an act.
(He fell for it with Zhongli, after all. He won't be making the same mistake twice.)
Speaking of trust, though... he just hums, picking up his tea again.]
If I'm going to ask anyone, it'll be you. Quite frankly, you're the one who matters most to me in this place. [Because they're right. Childe may be hyperaware of feeling like a pawn in a game, but ultimately, he's used to that, and he'll do it gladly if it means he gets what he wants out of it. No matter what alliances he forms or which people he taps to gather information for him, he's prioritizing his own interests above all else. It's fine if Lust is manipulating him, so long as he gets what he came for.
There's a lull, as he swirls his tea around, debating. He remembers their first conversation, and how Lust behaved. So, a little more quietly--]
I can't say it's trust, exactly. [Because he doesn't trust anyone, at the end of the day. He simply can't afford to. If anything, the fact that he's saying it out loud is a show of trust in its own way. A peek at the cards he's holding to his chest.] But I do enjoy spending time with you. I would do so even if we weren't aligned.
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and in a way, it's...nice? they wouldn't even mind if childe didn't trust them, they prefer honesty over everything else. lying to them and pretending to care would really just kind of piss them off. but they can choose to at least believe what he's saying.]
...that means a lot to me. [it's hard to interpret what that means, but their tone is nothing short of grateful and pleased.] I like spending time with the other Avatars a lot, don't get me wrong. But spending time with you is different. So I'll do what I can to help you in this race.
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Something that he himself has been utilizing here, mostly in the manner of letting people believe what they want about him. But he's pretty good at reading people, and that's the vibe he's been getting--that Lust would rather him tell an unpleasant truth than a sweet lie, which suits him perfectly well. He prefers honesty too.
He'll reach out to take their hand and squeeze lightly, if they allow it.]
I believe you. [That they'll genuinely do what they can.] You're sure there's nothing else I can do for you, in return?
[Besides indulge, and sit back to let people pick off the weak apparently.]
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There isn't really much I can ask for, no. Playing along and indulging and getting ahead are the only things I want from you right now. I don't think that'll change either.
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But he'll nod, at that.]
Very well, then. [If it'll get him his wish, then he'll do it; whatever it takes.] Let me know if that changes. [He smiles, nudging their cloak lightly with his elbow.] Pride did insist I be kind to you, after all.
[Just doxxes Pride's squishy feelings all over the place]
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You bet! You'll be the first to know if I decide I want something else, how about that? [what an honor. but uh. childe says that and they met get the sense lust is blinking in surprise before there's a laugh.]
Let me guess. They made it sound like they didn't actually care?
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Promise? [Pinky finger, extended!! He'll be very upset if you don't follow through, Lust. He kept his!]
Ahaha, exactly right! You really do know them quite well.
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Pride's difficult, but they're easier to talk to if you know how to handle them. They don't like a lot of people and trust even less but I think sometimes it's because trusting people can be really complicated for them. They'd probably be happier doing everything alone, but I'm not gonna let them. They're really nice when you can get them to talk to you. That's what matters to me.
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Instead--]
Trust is a complicated thing. [Boy does he know that firsthand. Haha!!!] But I like them too, for what it's worth.
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I did. [And then gmail lost my notif again and now it's Sunday night so I'm too embarrassed to go backtag orz] I found them refreshing.
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That doesn't surprise me. You're both very intelligent.
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I'll take the compliment, but I have a feeling you could say something nice about everyone here.
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Not everyone! But most people. The other Avatars are fine but some of you are kind of weird.
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[there are so many options to choose from...]