♢ — @mlodic said: Reunions were dull. There's nothing of actual interest to the Damselette, nor anything she could actually do for the Fatui, other than... being there. That was her duty. That was her promise. Until the right time came. Delta was one of the very few who actually noticed or even cared to approach her now and then. Whether to satisfy his own curiosity or something else she didn't care for a long, long time. Until now, when he stayed behind with her, after everyone have left already. ' I thought you had work to do. ' like everyone else. But, oh... well, he had his other segments to follow up with that, was that the reason for him to indulge in curiosity? It makes her ponder. Yet, before he can conclude that she wanted no company, Columbina swiftly approached, quietly pulling the Doctor into a tight hug, burying her face into his chest. She wouldn't like to stay alone again... yet. EXPERIMENT IN PROGRESS: UNPROMPTED ASKS INSPIRED BY DARE TO HUG THE DOCTOR
Another meeting comes and goes. By all accounts it serves as one of the more TOLERABLE and peaceful meetings by Harbinger standards. Although that may in large part be due to Pierro's dramatic speech that could rival the gilded lectures Pantalone or Pulcinella were capable of delivering. Delta had less so been actively listening to the entirety of the speech and moreso alert to key words or change in speakers where he would assess the contents of the address. It wraps up without too much of note - an activity Dottore suspects it meant to forge weak chains of camaraderie that simply will not exist among the Harbinger ranks. Their truces are for Her Majesty or the profits they could gain and not much else. Maybe. Some people have more conflicts than others ; ambitions that will crush those in opposition.
" I always do. " Delta confirms, though there lies a heavier emphasis on the word I - a signature habit that all the segments do when speaking of I as in Dottore as a whole rather than the INDIVIDUAL SEGMENT. Dottore does. DELTA may or may not, a fact that can only be revealed by his own decisions. " I have a meeting with Pulcinella in about two hours. It's not worth trying to resume my projects until afterwards. " He doubts that the third truly cares for the details of the matter. Perhaps she simply wishes for him to MAKE HIS PRESENCE SCARCE like so many of their colleagues would prefer? It falls in line with what he would expect. " Already so eager to be rid of me? It hasn't even been a couple minutes. " The corner of his lip lifts ever so slightly - a smile not of joy or delight but bitter expectation. She is not the first to wait for his disappearance. She will not be the last. Still, his voice does not change from the lighter tone. " That must be a new reco- "
ABRUPTY, HIS VOICE IS CUT OFF. It is a rare feat to make the second harbinger speechless, yet he is rendered exactly that with a simple act. A slender, small hand that wraps around the thick coat he wears for these meetings and yanks him closer when he otherwise would not move. Such a cold action alone would be enough to stun him, much less the arms that surround him or how she buries herself against his chest without hesitation or fear.
Of all the segments, Delta is the most familiar with physical contact. Yet that too is left sparce, entertained only by gloved handshakes in most cases. Few would dare wish to be close to Dottore, and even Chi at the tender age of eight has long abandoned the idea of physical contact with others - the older segments are even worse off. He can feel the heat seeping from her form to his, how confident her arms are to wrap around his form beneath the coat. He half expects to feel pain, to feel a weapon jabbed into him through muscle and potential organs. DOTTORE KNOWS PAIN WELL AND HANDLES IT ACCORDINGLY. He is already thinking of which segment to contact when he realizes there is no pain.
He does not know what to do with this moment. He does not know what to make of it when Columbina's touch is only gentle, what strength displayed seeking only to keep them connected as if afraid she might be torn away rather than trying to HARM him. SHE WANTS TO BE CLOSE, NOT FAR AWAY. What is he supposed to make of that?
Delta's hands linger in the air with a level of inaction and uncertainty that The Doctor does not typically express ; where they can dissect or heal with certainty, or where they can build blasphemous inventions with confidence, they now hover like hummingbirds darting over flowers. Assessing, contemplating - and finally, they settle loosely around her. Is this right? What a preposterous question. Yet DELTA, nor Dottore, has never been hugged, and it feels unnatural. Is it nice? Do not entertain what is not his to enjoy. Still - he allows his arms to settle around her with a quiet commitment, letting her hold onto him without attempting to pry her off. Slowly, one hand lifts to delicately rest against the back of her head and over fine hair, while his other remains around her.
" It seems my assessment of motive may have been incorrect. " Delta finally speaks, quieter than the previous remarks. He tilts his head downwards to her, but otherwise does not attempt to move nor separate her from where she's clung to him. " Is everything alright? This is a deviation from what I've observed before. " Where he likes it or not he does not say. He finds himself quietly surprised at the amount of warmth another person gives off. Science gives you the numbers, but not the sensation. It is only now that he finds himself enlightened to a new experience.
