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@blcdeforge 
            
            "ah  —  apologies  ,  if I made you uncomfortable. I don't quite control where my eyes focus when in thought." with a bit of an apologetic smile he walked forward. "I recently acquired a blade  ..  but the condition of it is poor  ,  to say the least. you've been recommended to me multiple times so I was hoping you'd have a look at it."

ID.  @BARCODES-
            
            && why have you been following me ,  val ?  aren't you zaunites supposed to be sneaky ?

@piltcversprcmise 
            
            he gave a slight shrug, "I suppose you've got me there. hm .. you've piqued my interest so I'll give you something  ,  at least. although it's not my name  —  most people refer to me by val."

ID.  @barcodes- 
            
            i see .  well ,  a simple question doesn't always require a direct answer -- however appreciated .

@zaunbats 
            
            he offered a wry smile  ,  hands positioned on the countertop so he could lean forward. "yes  ,  the gangs. I feel bad is an  ..  understatement  ,  considering the situation. but if making you come all the way here proved to be such a hindrance then I   /  suppose   /   I should keep the knowledge to myself."

@bloodfists 
            
            sometimes valerian wished he was not so inept on the way of lies  ,  if only so his immediate sympathy would be shadowed by skepticism. instead of thinking much more on it he merely raised a brow and let out a sigh. "well ..  you still didn't answer me. you know how to clean or not? I'm getting something out of this and that's as low as I'll go."

"i don't want a different one,  alright?  this one has sentimental value,  and i don't even understand how you got it in the first place."   vi didn't want to argue,  let alone make a big deal out of this,  but she was being honest,  what she was trying to retrieve had sentimental value,  at least in her eyes.    "it wouldn't be the same,  alright..?"

@bloodfists 
            
            "  ..  someone sold it to me." he answered after a moment. "look I can't just give it to you but  ..  if you know how to work a mop and broom  ,  maybe I'd be willing to tell you where you can steal another one." the offer was more than he'd typically give. although he could sell the item for a hefty price  —  information was something equally as valuable.

@heraldedtech 
            
            "I think   /  anyone's  /   head should be too small to hold that much information." as much as he's learned from the other  ,  there were still things he couldn't quite grasp on to. it was like viktor was his own textbook  ,  in valerian's eyes. "have I? is that you admitting to being deceived by my looks? in what ways would that be?" curiosity instantly peeked at the implication of the words.
            
            the familiar flow made it easy to relax back into their previous back and forth. it was like he was settling back into his own skin  ,  even though he had not been fully aware that he had left it. an odd feeling to say the least. "if it reassures you any  ,  it will be of no difference to me. you'll still feel the same  ,  assuming that is the only change. regardless  ,  I myself only see you going in greater directions." praise that he did not give out to just anyone. as someone who based the picture of others solely on feeling he did well to speak honestly on it.

[  viktor chuckles, the sound so genuine that he catches himself by surprise.  he lifts one shoulder toward his ear in a half-shrug, his words coy.  ]      what ,  you believe my head is too small ?   looks can be deceiving .   you’ve shown me that .
            
            [  though he’s certainly not the most expressive with his own emotions, it’s easy for viktor to catch the shift in val’s demeanor.  his brow furrows, mouth pursing into a slight frown.  he certainly hadn’t intended to make the other uncomfortable.  he racks his brain for something to say, desperate to soothe the tension as quickly as it had risen — but val is faster than him.  he exhales through his nose, a small smile returning.  ]      hm ,  yes .   i’m progressing backwards now ,  though .   you may pass me up yet .      [  it’s true.  the more viktor’s back worsens, the more he’s forced to slump.  the leather of his brace is an unwelcome reminder.  ]

@heraldedtech 
            
            "and you say I have an ego .. " which  ,  if he really thought about it  ,  probably just proved the others credibility. his own grin grew at the thought. "I suppose I can't argue with that though. you've proved yourself  ..  quite a few times  ,  actually. sometimes I wonder where you keep all that knowledge stored." it was just as confusing as it was impressive.
            
            before he could give a response  ,  the question faced back at him made his mouth snap back shut. his forefinger and thumb wrung at the fabric of his shirt in a small way to dispel the rising feelings the question brought forth. "not much different than yours  ,  I suppose. a lot more running into things as a substitute to limping though." his smile grew slightly strained  ,  somewhat forced. then as a way to alleviate the growing pressure in his chest  ,  he raised a hand above his own head  ,  smile taking back it's teasing tint. "I do think it's quite clear who did more of the growing though .. "

(   curious pls ???  )  

/   im so late BUT UHMMM CURIOUS !!!

/   confused or suspicious   < 3

@magichides    /     THANK YOU!! YOU'RE SO SWEET SBSJS

@zaunbats    /     thank yoouu!! inflating my ego tbh

@heraldedtech    /     THANK YOU!! making me kick my feet