[Yeah, that's about as intense as she might have expected from a memory like that. Dara's words align with what Kotone had felt during that memory, too -- revenge. She can't say she doesn't get it.
More importantly than that ancient history that Dara isn't worried about-]
What's this for~? [Dancing backward, just in case Dara might think about stealing it back, Kotone sneaks a peek inside. How basic is the advice at a glance?]
[The sputtering fizzles out into...still something anxious but leaning more towards a timid nature. Obviously this bothers a lot more than parricide!]
...Well...I was thinking........ [UGH. Dara hesitates while putting on her obi as a silent excuse.] W-What if someone isn't sure if the person they like likes them the same way...Not that it really matters, right? I mean, for me. I'm just, uh, looking into it as a curiosity.
[Too bad the only time she's good at lying is when it involves murder.]
[A much better topic than parricide! Way easier to talk about (for Kotone), no need to think about the weird meld of memories and feelings.]
Ooooh... [Yeah, this is definitely about someone else... definitely not about Dara at all... Kotone keeps her attention on the book, though, as if totally fooled, and adds,] I always just asked.
[As if it were the simplest thing in the world. Just ask!]
[She glances over at Dara and mercifully sets the book down, instead coming over to help smooth out some of the wrinkles. Sorry about the lack of personal space, but Kotone's never really been one to worry too much about things like that.]
Anyway, I think it's easier not to say anything no matter what somebody is like.
[She leans up on tip-toe to adjust Dara's collar whether she wants her to or not, offering the goddess a smile.] But most good things aren't easy, are they?
[Dara is just thankful that the book has been returned! If it means Kotone getting in her personal space, so be it. She even lets her take over to keep from moving around and making more wrinkles.
Also, she hates that she's right. Dara practically pouts at the wall in front of her, silent while chewing on a thought in mind. Maybe...she could let Kotone know. Would it be so bad? She doesn't seem like the type of person to openly mock people if they didn't succeed at something..........]
Do you...happen to know..........i-if Shinjiro is against dating?
[Kotone doesn't get surprised easily. When she does, it's usually pretty subtle! But this time, Dara's treated to the younger woman's wide eyes and dropped jaw because oh?! Luckily, the surprise quickly shifts into delight, because while Kotone might have had a crush on the Shinjiro back in her world, that had been a long time ago and isn't even the same Shinjiro as the one Dara's talking about.]
No idea! [she informs brightly, which probably isn't the answer Dara is looking for, so she continues quickly,] But you gotta try! I'm pretty sure he's not the type to make the first move, so you gotta just, [and she claps her hands together to mime a sudden action,] Go for it! He won't hold it against you if he's not interested, but I bet he will be!! Who wouldn't be?
[Like damn for all of her talk about ~not being attractive~ Kotone's absolutely certain that Dara definitely is. And hey, even if Shinji's not interested in dating, it's always nice to be asked!]
[It's actually a surprise that Kotone is surprised! Not to say that Dara hasn't been trying to keep things on the downlow, BUT she's always so easygoing and unruffled. The sudden uptick in energy throws the god off, and the extra compliment at the end makes it worse. Which is why Dara turns towards Kotone and places her hands on her shoulders, head slightly bowed.]
Okay, I get it. Don't push yourself with trying to make me feel better.
[Cannot compute people wanting to date her. Sha-Ming does not count.
The ordeal of having to be the one to make the first move...which you are also DEFINITELY not the kind of person who makes the first move! Shinjiro lucked out. (Unless their fake date during the party counts, which she doubts.)]
[Honestly, part of it is just that Kotone deeply, truly wants Shinji to be happy. That there's someone out there who does care for him enough to want to date him -- how can she not be thrilled? Especially if it's somebody like Dara, who's genuinely a good person.
Taking both of the goddess's hands in hers, Kotone squeezes them gently. It's a little difficult to tone down the enthusiasm, but she'll manage in the interest of making sure Dara knows she' serious about this.] If you really like him, you gotta just go for it. Make the most of the time you have together, right?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
More importantly than that ancient history that Dara isn't worried about-]
What's this for~? [Dancing backward, just in case Dara might think about stealing it back, Kotone sneaks a peek inside. How basic is the advice at a glance?]
no subject
N-nothing! Just some book I found!!!
[Liar. Dara doesn't lunge for Kotone, but she's quickly becoming red in the face.]
no subject
[No mercy! Kotone keeps flipping through it, skimming it with an ever-widening smile. It's kind of cute, honestly!]
It's nice you're putting in the work to learn! Can I help at all?
[Maybe it's a little rude to think that someone a literal sliver of Dara's age can be helpful, and yet, she doesn't think it's that far off...]
no subject
...Well...I was thinking........ [UGH. Dara hesitates while putting on her obi as a silent excuse.] W-What if someone isn't sure if the person they like likes them the same way...Not that it really matters, right? I mean, for me. I'm just, uh, looking into it as a curiosity.
[Too bad the only time she's good at lying is when it involves murder.]
no subject
Ooooh... [Yeah, this is definitely about someone else... definitely not about Dara at all... Kotone keeps her attention on the book, though, as if totally fooled, and adds,] I always just asked.
[As if it were the simplest thing in the world. Just ask!]
no subject
[Does that devalue her opinion? Who knows. Dara continues to tug the fabric lightly to help perfect the creases and flatten out wrinkles.]
Maybe it's easier to not say or ask anything. For someone who doesn't have your qualities.
no subject
[She glances over at Dara and mercifully sets the book down, instead coming over to help smooth out some of the wrinkles. Sorry about the lack of personal space, but Kotone's never really been one to worry too much about things like that.]
Anyway, I think it's easier not to say anything no matter what somebody is like.
[She leans up on tip-toe to adjust Dara's collar whether she wants her to or not, offering the goddess a smile.] But most good things aren't easy, are they?
no subject
Also, she hates that she's right. Dara practically pouts at the wall in front of her, silent while chewing on a thought in mind. Maybe...she could let Kotone know. Would it be so bad? She doesn't seem like the type of person to openly mock people if they didn't succeed at something..........]
Do you...happen to know..........i-if Shinjiro is against dating?
no subject
No idea! [she informs brightly, which probably isn't the answer Dara is looking for, so she continues quickly,] But you gotta try! I'm pretty sure he's not the type to make the first move, so you gotta just, [and she claps her hands together to mime a sudden action,] Go for it! He won't hold it against you if he's not interested, but I bet he will be!! Who wouldn't be?
[Like damn for all of her talk about ~not being attractive~ Kotone's absolutely certain that Dara definitely is. And hey, even if Shinji's not interested in dating, it's always nice to be asked!]
no subject
Okay, I get it. Don't push yourself with trying to make me feel better.
[Cannot compute people wanting to date her.
Sha-Ming does not count.The ordeal of having to be the one to make the first move...which you are also DEFINITELY not the kind of person who makes the first move! Shinjiro lucked out. (Unless their fake date during the party counts, which she doubts.)]
no subject
[Honestly, part of it is just that Kotone deeply, truly wants Shinji to be happy. That there's someone out there who does care for him enough to want to date him -- how can she not be thrilled? Especially if it's somebody like Dara, who's genuinely a good person.
Taking both of the goddess's hands in hers, Kotone squeezes them gently. It's a little difficult to tone down the enthusiasm, but she'll manage in the interest of making sure Dara knows she' serious about this.] If you really like him, you gotta just go for it. Make the most of the time you have together, right?