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[sortileges]

"--a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Is that it? How do I tur--"

Comments

[emotive]

[It's fine, Ai is versed in the art of food-in-mouth language.]

I like sharing with others! At our place, I always make sure to have some on hand because Athena likes pudding too.

You probably come from a place where something like this hasn't been made yet, right?

[sortileges]

[ Probably for the best ... he isn't stopping until this pudding is completely gone. ]

Has anyone ever told you how nice you are? I can't imagine sharing this with anyone. [ He glances up at her final question to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand. A shake of his head, then: ] If we want something sweet we have berries.

[emotive]

Ah... Well... People have mentioned it before. More than once. I just don't really think of it all that often until someone brings it up, but that's just the way I've always been.

[sortileges]

So you're modest as well. [ He stops stuffing his face with the pudding for this at least. ] You must have a lot of admirers. [ i'm so sorry................. ] Especially if you're giving out free pudding to your friends.

[emotive]

A-Admirers?! [now that's just silly!! Ai waves her hands in front of herself and shaking her head to refute the notion]

I-I wouldn't know about that a-and I don't think it's true!

[sortileges]

You heard me. [ Victim #4 tbh. In all seriousness though, Ai is charming, helpful and looks out for others. He can't see why she wouldn't. Maybe she doesn't notice, but that's something else. ]

The next time we're on shift together I'll prove it.

[ Is he going to try and make a bunch of male customers jealous to prove a point? He sure is. ]

[emotive]

[does she truly deserve this!! She looks genuinely confused at his proposal, eyebrows furrowed together to create a perplexed expression.]

Is that really necessary? That seems a little... [you should worry about getting back credits merlin!]

... A little overzealous?

[sortileges]

Well if you're not going to believe me... [ He trails off, giving her a look of disappointment while shaking his head. ] Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[ She doesn't deserve this though, no. Luckily all she has to do is tell Athena and she'll slap him for you, Ai. Never forget that. ]

[emotive]

Compared to what we just went through, I'm not sure if I would label this as a desperate situation...

[like she's a mess, but not a hot mess...]

[sortileges]

[ Ai... please. He tilts his head, giving her a look for that. ] It's an expression.

[emotive]

I know, but it's still a bit of an exaggeration.

[she'll fight him]

[sortileges]

You aren't going to let this go, are you?

[ Why won't you let him have him fun, Ai? :c ]

[emotive]

[behave you bum!]

I'll let it go if you do?

[sortileges]

[ Oh he definitely looks disappointed. ]

Because you gave me pudding, I suppose I'll have to. You really should believe in yourself more though.

[emotive]

[She pauses at what he says... Because it's a reminder if nothing else. Ai had a tendency to downplay almost everything she does, even now. But she's been getting better, sort of. She can at least believe in that.

So Ai nods, giving Merlin a small smile.]

I'll do my best! I forget, I shouldn't be so harsh on myself.

[sortileges]

[ At her smile and lo' and behold optimistic words he gives her a double thumbs up. There isn't any sarcasm when he says: ] You can do it.

[ Granted, it looks stupid considering he's still holding a spoon trying to balance the pudding cup on his lap. ]