[ Somehow this is easier when he's having to teach, and made easier still by the fact that she's a friend and teammate. For better or worse, the song seems to go on for a long while, so he has time to teach her a few basic steps that they can chain together into something like a swing dance.
He'll have to thank Christina for making him practice with her before she went out on dates. The things he does just to catch a break on rent. ]
[Marianne is a bit stiff and awkward at first, watching Juzo's movements and taking great care to follow his instructions. As the song plays on, however, she starts to get the hang of it and relax. Surprising even herself, a laugh even rises out of her chest as they dance together and occasionally stumble over each other.]
[ This is sure better than Chris yelling at him for stepping on her feet. They're both novices and it shows, but that kind of makes it sweet in its own way. ]
[Marianne blinks up at him in surprise. She gets what he's getting at, but the statement still takes her off-guard. It's remarkably close to a compliment, and she never knows how to handle those.]
I, um. Thank you. It's nice to have an occasion to laugh, after everything...
[Marianne's dancing slows to a stop. That would explain his reaction to her talking about her own wartime experience a few days ago.]
I see. And... I'm sorry.
[For once, it's not an apology. It's an expression of understanding, of sympathy. And, pointedly, she's not asking him to say more if he doesn't want to.]
[ The jukebox is still merrily playing away, but it's clear the dance is over. Juzo reaches over to give it a good whack with the side of his fist. The machine jostles and the music fizzles out. ]
Don't worry about it. The war ended five years ago. Just been makin' my own way ever since.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Offers a hand! ]
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[Marianne was not the Dancer in her playthrough!
She accepts his hand.]
Shall we dance?
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[ Somehow this is easier when he's having to teach, and made easier still by the fact that she's a friend and teammate. For better or worse, the song seems to go on for a long while, so he has time to teach her a few basic steps that they can chain together into something like a swing dance.
He'll have to thank Christina for making him practice with her before she went out on dates. The things he does just to catch a break on rent. ]
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... Glad to hear you laugh, Marianne.
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I, um. Thank you. It's nice to have an occasion to laugh, after everything...
[LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT HER OKAY]
You're an excellent teacher, Juzo.
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[ TOO BAD she can have another compliment. He gives her a little twirl. ]
You think so? Guess I can add "dance instructor" to my list of services.
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[Twirl!]
What sort of services do you usually provide?
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I think helping people is a good career to have.
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Used to be a soldier, though.
[ He'll just let that hang there, since they haven't talked about her experience with war since it came up briefly a few days ago. ]
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I see. And... I'm sorry.
[For once, it's not an apology. It's an expression of understanding, of sympathy. And, pointedly, she's not asking him to say more if he doesn't want to.]
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Don't worry about it. The war ended five years ago. Just been makin' my own way ever since.
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[She wrings her hands and looks down at them.]
The war in Fódlan just ended. I'm still not sure what I'll do with myself, now that it's all over.
If I get to go home, that is.
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I'm no expert, but if there's anything I can do to help you figure stuff out, all you need to do is ask.
Besides, I'm not ready to believe that we're all just stuck here forever.
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I appreciate that, Juzo. Truly. Thank you.
And... I'll choose to believe that we'll get out of here as well.
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And, until then... glad to have you on the team.