[ John accepts this with good grace, mild and resigned in contrast to Asriel's animated fury. ]
The worst thing I can think of is likely to involve more viscera than the worst thing you can think of, I suspect. Cultural backgrounds, and all.
[ This is said concerningly deadpan. But he leans in over the table again, settling the way he might when faced with a research problem. He smooths and resettles his fingertips against the back of Asriel's hand, a thoughtless little motion of self-reassurance. ]
We've had any number of curses that press for... metaphorical closeness. Secrets, fears, confessions. I can only think of one that wanted, you know, a physical solution, and even that didn't have a one-size-fits-all. [ If he makes it sound awkward, it's because it was awkward. ] Which brings us back to trust falls.
no subject
The worst thing I can think of is likely to involve more viscera than the worst thing you can think of, I suspect. Cultural backgrounds, and all.
[ This is said concerningly deadpan. But he leans in over the table again, settling the way he might when faced with a research problem. He smooths and resettles his fingertips against the back of Asriel's hand, a thoughtless little motion of self-reassurance. ]
We've had any number of curses that press for... metaphorical closeness. Secrets, fears, confessions. I can only think of one that wanted, you know, a physical solution, and even that didn't have a one-size-fits-all. [ If he makes it sound awkward, it's because it was awkward. ] Which brings us back to trust falls.