@erasedstar said: flopped dramatically on verso's floor, legs kicked up in the air while she scribbles furiously in her little notepad, alicia frowns. "do you think her being able to slay dragons without the help of knights is ridiculous?" she glances up from her story notes, curious and eager for her brother's reaction. "they're there, too... but she's stronger!"
verso turns his eyes from his piano with a breath of a laugh. good-natured and indulgent. the sheet music he's been scribbling into all but forgotten, collected in one hand, resting atop a crossed leg. he tilts back slightly on his stool and regards her over his shoulder. fond and amused; it's good to see her so passionate about something.
❝ ... it sounds like you already know the answer to your question. what do you need me for? ❞ the upturn of his smile is gentle, infinite in his patience for his sister's dramatics. of which clea would surely blame his influence, anyway.
but she’s here asking his opinion — as she has many times before. ever since he read her her first story. and then, ever since she first picked up the pen for herself. verso can see the gears working behind her fiercely pensive look. so he gives a thoughtful hum, matching her serious look and tapping his pen against his jaw.
❝ well — why wouldn't she be able to? ❞ he queries, instead, earnest and un-pointed. brows arching in light question. ❝ does she have any experience in dragon-slaying? or does she seek to prove herself to her comrades? ❞ his true aim, of course, is allowing alicia the space to explore these prompts for herself. he had every faith she would come to a conclusion that suited her.
verso shifts himself around to face her now, to announce his full attentiveness to her conundrum. pen now turned idly between his fingers as he ponders alicia's story for himself. then, he poses it a different way; ❝ how about... start from the end, and work backwards. will she be fighting the dragon at the very end — or will she fight an even greater foe? ❞