TLV IC Inbox

[falkeditupagain]

[It seems someone has decided to change his voicemail following graduation. Hes trying so hard to sound professional, business like, but Hanna's usual enthusiasm bleeds through easily.]

You have reached the mailbox of Hanna Cross. If you don't have an appointment, my secretary will follow up with a return message shortly. [a short pause.] meaning me. I'll get back to you, don't worry.

And if this is an emergency what are you doing on the phone? Cardio is your friend. byyyye!

Comments

[falkeditupagain]

Some people don't, at least not the brutally honest kind, so wording it that way might help.

[Which makes him feel like maybe he should bring up that thing he did that one time that made him super uncomfortable.] Speaking of, you remember when we were on that beach, hell if I can remember what that island was called...the one with the boats?

[artistinexile]

I do.

[Thrawn remembers everything, it's a bit scary]

[falkeditupagain]

You chose just then, when I learned something about you that made you uncomfortable, even if I didn't really have much of a choice in learning it, to make me uncomfortable. And kind of framed it in a way that made me feel bad if I didn't give you more information.

Was that like, just to make me feel uncomfortable and entirely on purpose, or what was the thought process there, cause I try to be fucking subtle and I know I'm not the best at it, but you kind of caught me off guard and It wasn't the greatest thing ever?

[artistinexile]

Ah.

I wished to shut down all discussion of Batonn, and chose a tactic of intimidation as my opening salvo.

It is a source of great sorrow and embarrassment, even mourning.

[falkeditupagain]

Yeah, well that absolutely worked, but you know what else would have worked and probably not made me super uncomfortable?

'Hey Hanna, Batonn is a source of great sorrow, can you shut the fuck up?'

[artistinexile]

You truly needed me to say those exact words? I felt my posture, expression, and language would have spoken volumes already.

[falkeditupagain]

[He shrugs, he can be a little slow on the uptake when curiosity is guiding his bullshit.]

Not those words exactly, but I dunno if you noticed, I'm kind of an idiot? My levels of awareness are dependent on quite a few factors, and unfortunately curiosity brings it down to like, a fucking one, and that's being generous.

[artistinexile]

Hmmn.

Perhaps we both suffer from a lack of situational awareness.

I apologize for my actions at the boats.

[falkeditupagain]

That's probably fair. I think this is why I suck at talking to women...you'd think it'd be fine, but it absolutely isn't sometimes. But, apology accepted. [And now it's your turn Hanna.]

I- I'm sorry that I kept asking you questions about something that upsets you. I wasn't trying to be mean, just honestly curious, but that doesn't make it any better.

[artistinexile]

[suuuch an eyebrow raise]

Why women, specifically?

Apology accepted, Hanna.

[falkeditupagain]

Probably because I get distracted by how cute they are? And then I go and say dumb shit like 'can you go track this down cause you're like a dog' or 'You have to take that off right now, it's cursed and you could die' and they really don't like that.

[artistinexile]

Ah.

Perhaps you have not spent enough time around them. I believe most of your nervousness may be attributed to novelty.

....Then again, perhaps not.

[falkeditupagain]

[That gets a snort out of him.] Ouch, you know you're great at the sick burns when I'm pretty sure you're not even trying.

But I dunno, I've always been like this? Wasn't like I was trying to impress girls in the fourth grade, but they just seemed like they would never make any sense to me.

[artistinexile]

[a slight smile of his own]

My apologies.

Perhaps if you reconsidered your approach. What is your objective?

[falkeditupagain]

Naw, it's cool. That's what buddies do anyways, casually make fun of each other.

[He's sure he'd know if Thrawn was trying to insult him.]

Uh...be friends? Not make a fool of myself?

[artistinexile]

And you find this more difficult with women specifically?

[falkeditupagain]

Back home, definitely. I think the ladies here are a little more forgiving, more used to weird. That and I have been trying to not be so bad at it.

Especially since I'm pretty sure that one new lady could literally set me on fire if she wanted to, and Sokie has threatened to kick my ass and curse me to oblivion before... It's a little higher stakes than just getting slapped around here.

[artistinexile]

Would you welcome some advice and experience?

I have had the pleasure of working alongside and underneath a great many terrifying women.

[falkeditupagain]

I mean, if you think it'd help? Sure. Fire away.

Though I am a little curious what you would consider terrifying since you kind of fit that description yourself, just...Drop the wo.

[artistinexile]

Focus inward first. Ask yourself why they would wish to be friendly, and what you offer them. It will solidify your position and your self esteem, and remind you when you are feeling nervous that you are, for example, a powerful magic conduit and a loyal, clever person.

I think of people as assets. It helps.

[falkeditupagain]

[Well, that sure was a nice thing to say about him, but...]

Dude... You know you could be friends with some one just because, right? It's like, not against the rules or what ever.

[artistinexile]

I am aware.

[falkeditupagain]

Well...good. Just checking.

[...]

You have any of those kind of friends currently?

[artistinexile]

No. I believe friendship comes from a place of mutual benefit and respect.

[falkeditupagain]

I- [Well...There isn't anything wrong with that. He opens and closes his mouth a few times as he tries to figure out how to explain something he can't quite nail down.]

But like- [There is a soft sound of frustration, nope. He can't come up with words, or at least the right ones.] Man, when you say it like that it sounds like you're doing it wrong even though I completely agree with you. Maybe you're like...taking the benefit part too seriously. Or something. I don't fucking know.