[Considering sharp looks and positive reinforcement is what happens in the Hamada household often enough, she's definitely got him pegged. He respects her opinion, too. That helps. His lips quirk up a little at the word "boyfriend" and also at Rei's descriptions of the two of them.]
I mean Athena's a lawyer. I didn't think she'd have that much experience but Merlin's a wizard. [He has no idea who Maya is, but he's nodding all the same.] We'll all just have to be a lot more careful next time. [He leans back a little to think out his offering, hands moving a bit as he describes.]
Well…Occidi didn't like that the flowers we brought were dead. So I started doing some research and planted some mint? You can grow new life from a sprig of it you can get at a grocery store, so I shoved it into a pot in my window. It's not growing really fast but…it's something? And it's meant for protection and won't require a ton of upkeep. And when Korra and I went to see Maris she brought some incense to light so I figured that might be okay, too? Sage seemed the most inoffensive so…[A shrug. He still doesn't quite know if that's the right way to do this, but he's definitely put thought into it.]
[Rei shakes her head.] Merlin doesn't deal with spirits of any sort. We've gone over it at length, and he's...smart but still kind of clueless.
[She'll leave it at that, and nod thoughtfully before giving him a very impressed look. Her lips peel back into a genuine, delighted smile.]
That is incredibly thoughtful of you. Mint is one of those things that will grow forever, given half the chance. Incense is another thing that should help, and sage is a fairly basic thing to use. Though, I'm not actually sure if a synthetic stick would be better or not. Ah...if she was bothered by dead plants, something maybe made from an extract might be better, so it's not harming anything and merely being used.
[...you know, it's sort of nice to know that Rei has strong opinions on everyone and that his is mostly positive. It's funny that people like Merlin get the words "clueless" attached to them, but he won't bring it up.
Instead, he's far too pleased that Rei approves of his idea, ducking his head in slight embarrassment.]
I've been trying to do the best I can to learn how everyone and everything works here. That includes all of the spirits and offerings and stuff. We have some shrines back home but I've never visited them. So...thanks. I didn't think about the synthetic part of it. If I can find something else I'll use it but I might have to take my chances. You really think she'll like it?
[Merlin is clueless. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t respect or care about him, but she’s rather brutally honest in her opinions. Particularly about Boys. And Merlin is one of those. For now. Soon he’ll just be a Wizard, but for now? Boy. Totally a Boy.
And, she has to admit that it’s kind of funny to see him preening at her compliments. She appreciates the affection he shows, after all. Friends are treasures, and he’s certainly that.]
I think that it’s possible she will but I won’t commit to a definite yes. [She’s smarter than that and doesn’t want to risk coming off as arrogant. Still, she feels like this is probably the way to go. It’s the only thing she can think of, at any rate, and with the clues they already have it’s what she thinks lines up best. And there’s always a chance she’s wrong, which she will admit.] I don’t really know for certain, because I’m not her, and we don’t exactly share an element. But if my experience with spirits of the Earth at home is any indication, she’ll think favorably of it. You did offend her, and reparations have to start somewhere, after all. It’s not like she can get more upset with you, really.
I didn't mean to offend her. [It's almost a whine but not quite. He tried really, really hard not to do that but at least he's making some progress.] But I'll let you know how it's received when I give it to her. Maris was kinda ambivalent to the offering Korra and I brought him, but he still showed up. As long as I never have to see my own skeleton again I think I'll take that as progress.
I think I'm gonna have to pass on letting you see that. [There's a half-grin at his crappy joke.] I did mention she was pretty mad at our last offering, right?
[Or she was mad at them continuing to press for answers. One of the two.]
That part didn't hurt, but she definitely was trying to literally freeze us out before then. I guess that was her last resort when we weren't leaving. She was pretty serious about doing things on her own.
You don't agree with her, do you? Or any of them for thinking like that? [He knows she doesn't but...the fact that it's understandable doesn't settle well either.]
That we're beneath notice? Of course not. They underestimate every single person here, and it's a line of thinking that reminds me of the enemies I had at home. [With not taking the girls seriously.]
Think about the common thread everyone here has, and tell me why I should agree with any of them.
Because even with everything we've done and everything we've been forced to do, we're no closer to getting answers than they are. [It's a pessimistic outlook, but he's a little discouraged by everything lately.] But other than that I've got nothing.
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I mean Athena's a lawyer. I didn't think she'd have that much experience but Merlin's a wizard. [He has no idea who Maya is, but he's nodding all the same.] We'll all just have to be a lot more careful next time. [He leans back a little to think out his offering, hands moving a bit as he describes.]
Well…Occidi didn't like that the flowers we brought were dead. So I started doing some research and planted some mint? You can grow new life from a sprig of it you can get at a grocery store, so I shoved it into a pot in my window. It's not growing really fast but…it's something? And it's meant for protection and won't require a ton of upkeep. And when Korra and I went to see Maris she brought some incense to light so I figured that might be okay, too? Sage seemed the most inoffensive so…[A shrug. He still doesn't quite know if that's the right way to do this, but he's definitely put thought into it.]
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[She'll leave it at that, and nod thoughtfully before giving him a very impressed look. Her lips peel back into a genuine, delighted smile.]
That is incredibly thoughtful of you. Mint is one of those things that will grow forever, given half the chance. Incense is another thing that should help, and sage is a fairly basic thing to use. Though, I'm not actually sure if a synthetic stick would be better or not. Ah...if she was bothered by dead plants, something maybe made from an extract might be better, so it's not harming anything and merely being used.
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Instead, he's far too pleased that Rei approves of his idea, ducking his head in slight embarrassment.]
I've been trying to do the best I can to learn how everyone and everything works here. That includes all of the spirits and offerings and stuff. We have some shrines back home but I've never visited them. So...thanks. I didn't think about the synthetic part of it. If I can find something else I'll use it but I might have to take my chances. You really think she'll like it?
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And, she has to admit that it’s kind of funny to see him preening at her compliments. She appreciates the affection he shows, after all. Friends are treasures, and he’s certainly that.]
I think that it’s possible she will but I won’t commit to a definite yes. [She’s smarter than that and doesn’t want to risk coming off as arrogant. Still, she feels like this is probably the way to go. It’s the only thing she can think of, at any rate, and with the clues they already have it’s what she thinks lines up best. And there’s always a chance she’s wrong, which she will admit.] I don’t really know for certain, because I’m not her, and we don’t exactly share an element. But if my experience with spirits of the Earth at home is any indication, she’ll think favorably of it. You did offend her, and reparations have to start somewhere, after all. It’s not like she can get more upset with you, really.
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...See your own skeleton?!
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[Or she was mad at them continuing to press for answers. One of the two.]
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Think about the common thread everyone here has, and tell me why I should agree with any of them.
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Why do you always know what to say even when I don't want you to? [Thanks Rei.]