I might've heard some of your speeches here and there.
[ Those in the pit, of course, and despite the teasing: they were both needed and effective. They'd gone a long way towards helping (even with the heckling from those who'd heard them quite a few times) when that initial fear of what might have been to come was all they had to go on. That's also not to say anything of what'd come later.
Steve earns another laugh at not keeping one's thoughts to themselves, however. ]
Nah, I think that just means I've found the right person considering I'm sure the same's been said about me. But where's the fun in keeping your thoughts to yourself all because someone doesn't want to hear them? Better to get everything on the table, really.
[ Or other such methods; he's sure there's a lord or two (or more) who would've preferred he not step forward to do what he saw as needing to be said and done. If that's another thing the two of them share in common, he'll absolutely take that.
The teasing fades as soon as Steve's expression shifts to something with more gravity since for all that Claude likes to have fun with what others say whether the moment calls for it or not, respect for the other man far outweighs that instinct. What's said is all the more important, and the smile on his face isn't a placeholder but something entirely honest. ]
I appreciate that, and probably more than I'll have the words to tell you. [ The lack of them isn't from being put on the spot or from a lack of them. Rather, it's that what Steve's said is a sentiment far more touching because of everything. Enough so that he reaches out to clap a hand onto the other man's shoulder to hold it briefly, just to make it clear this isn't the joking 'gratitude' from mere moments ago. ] Thanks, Steve.
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[ Those in the pit, of course, and despite the teasing: they were both needed and effective. They'd gone a long way towards helping (even with the heckling from those who'd heard them quite a few times) when that initial fear of what might have been to come was all they had to go on. That's also not to say anything of what'd come later.
Steve earns another laugh at not keeping one's thoughts to themselves, however. ]
Nah, I think that just means I've found the right person considering I'm sure the same's been said about me. But where's the fun in keeping your thoughts to yourself all because someone doesn't want to hear them? Better to get everything on the table, really.
[ Or other such methods; he's sure there's a lord or two (or more) who would've preferred he not step forward to do what he saw as needing to be said and done. If that's another thing the two of them share in common, he'll absolutely take that.
The teasing fades as soon as Steve's expression shifts to something with more gravity since for all that Claude likes to have fun with what others say whether the moment calls for it or not, respect for the other man far outweighs that instinct. What's said is all the more important, and the smile on his face isn't a placeholder but something entirely honest. ]
I appreciate that, and probably more than I'll have the words to tell you. [ The lack of them isn't from being put on the spot or from a lack of them. Rather, it's that what Steve's said is a sentiment far more touching because of everything. Enough so that he reaches out to clap a hand onto the other man's shoulder to hold it briefly, just to make it clear this isn't the joking 'gratitude' from mere moments ago. ] Thanks, Steve.