[Amber... You go girl, cut his heart right in half. Diluc stares at the eagle a moment longer, cognizant now of the way it accepts his warmth and holds onto it before setting it down. How such a warm, heartfelt gift could leave him this painfully aware of his own loneliness is... well, incredible in its own way, isn't it?
But he hadn't known that same loneliness was one Amber felt just as keenly. Diluc is aware that her grandfather passed a few years back, but he didn't know she lived alone, didn't know how much loneliness affected her. Someone so bright, cheerful and kind? How could he ever suspect she struggled from a pain just as potent as his own?]
Amber... I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt that way.
[Had he known, he would have surely invited her to the winery and offered her some company. His work keeps him busy, but loneliness is a staple of Diluc's life— one he would wish upon no one.]
It seems I've misunderstood you. I couldn't have imagined someone like you being lonely. Someone who brings so much light and warmth into other people's lives. For what little it's worth... I understand your pain well.
( This isn't the reaction she was expecting. And yet, her heart brightens over his statement that she brings light and warmth to others. That's absolutely what she strives for, and to have Master Diluc recognise this, means more than she can express. But ... his status and importance to Mond aside, it's because it came from him. Amber knows that she wouldn't care if he was a penniless bard wandering the streets of Mondstadt. She can relate to him like none other, as they've learned. And with him around, she really hasn't felt as lonely. What is this brightness in her chest...? )
It's okay. I'm ... used to it. ( Which doesn't really make it better, but-! )
I'm sorry you know how it feels. Looks like we've both walked a similar path, haven't we?
( Losing an influential guardian figure with a connection to the Knights. She knows all about that day he quit, and he knows that she's not as favourable towards them as she may seem. That Amber lives her life trying to start positive change from within, almost out of spite.
Slowly, she approaches him. )
I've felt a lot happier getting to know you here, though. I think that's why I really wanted to spoil you on your birthday. ( Her lips curl into a small smile. ) Getting to know you has been great. There's so much more to you than I imagined. To think we had all this in common ... ( Heh. ) Thanks for giving me the chance to know you closely and be your friend.
[Looks like we've both walked a similar path, haven't we?
Had he not been so blinded by his quest for revenge, only brought to heel by a land so far divorced from the problems of his own, Diluc would have realized this commonality between them sooner. He's foolish, he supposes, but even that comes as little surprise to Diluc. If being here has taught him anything, it's that he's even more of a fool than he'd realized.
Is it too late for a man like him to turn his life around? Is it too late for him to seek comfort in the commiseration of a friend? More than that, he ought to thank Amber for the company she's blessed him with and the gifts she thoughtfully prepared.
As she approaches him, he seizes the opportunity to take her hand and bring it up to his lips, dusting her knuckles with a kiss.]
The feeling is mutual, Amber. Thank you for making me see the value in my own birthday for the first time in years. Were it not for you, I'd be even more desperate to find my way back home.
[But with company as amicable as Amber's, he can settle here a while longer, he thinks.]
( When he kisses her hand, she makes a noise akin to a soft 'oh', taken by genuine surprise from the gesture. Shortly after, Amber's cheeks burn into the most delightful shade of scarlet. Does this woman have her hand kissed often by gentlemanly types? The answer would be no. Absolutely not. Of course Master Diluc is a well-mannered, well-respected, wealthy gentleman - this is probably normal. It must be normal. Right?
Then ... why is she so dizzy and lost for words? )
O-Of course! ( She chirps, a little bit more awkwardly than she intended. ) I'm happy to ... you deserve it. You mean a lot to me. ( She feels ready to combust. )
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But he hadn't known that same loneliness was one Amber felt just as keenly. Diluc is aware that her grandfather passed a few years back, but he didn't know she lived alone, didn't know how much loneliness affected her. Someone so bright, cheerful and kind? How could he ever suspect she struggled from a pain just as potent as his own?]
Amber... I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt that way.
[Had he known, he would have surely invited her to the winery and offered her some company. His work keeps him busy, but loneliness is a staple of Diluc's life— one he would wish upon no one.]
It seems I've misunderstood you. I couldn't have imagined someone like you being lonely. Someone who brings so much light and warmth into other people's lives. For what little it's worth... I understand your pain well.
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It's okay. I'm ... used to it. ( Which doesn't really make it better, but-! )
I'm sorry you know how it feels. Looks like we've both walked a similar path, haven't we?
( Losing an influential guardian figure with a connection to the Knights. She knows all about that day he quit, and he knows that she's not as favourable towards them as she may seem. That Amber lives her life trying to start positive change from within, almost out of spite.
Slowly, she approaches him. )
I've felt a lot happier getting to know you here, though. I think that's why I really wanted to spoil you on your birthday. ( Her lips curl into a small smile. ) Getting to know you has been great. There's so much more to you than I imagined. To think we had all this in common ... ( Heh. ) Thanks for giving me the chance to know you closely and be your friend.
no subject
Had he not been so blinded by his quest for revenge, only brought to heel by a land so far divorced from the problems of his own, Diluc would have realized this commonality between them sooner. He's foolish, he supposes, but even that comes as little surprise to Diluc. If being here has taught him anything, it's that he's even more of a fool than he'd realized.
Is it too late for a man like him to turn his life around? Is it too late for him to seek comfort in the commiseration of a friend? More than that, he ought to thank Amber for the company she's blessed him with and the gifts she thoughtfully prepared.
As she approaches him, he seizes the opportunity to take her hand and bring it up to his lips, dusting her knuckles with a kiss.]
The feeling is mutual, Amber. Thank you for making me see the value in my own birthday for the first time in years. Were it not for you, I'd be even more desperate to find my way back home.
[But with company as amicable as Amber's, he can settle here a while longer, he thinks.]
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( When he kisses her hand, she makes a noise akin to a soft 'oh', taken by genuine surprise from the gesture. Shortly after, Amber's cheeks burn into the most delightful shade of scarlet. Does this woman have her hand kissed often by gentlemanly types? The answer would be no. Absolutely not. Of course Master Diluc is a well-mannered, well-respected, wealthy gentleman - this is probably normal. It must be normal. Right?
Then ... why is she so dizzy and lost for words? )
O-Of course! ( She chirps, a little bit more awkwardly than she intended. ) I'm happy to ... you deserve it. You mean a lot to me. ( She feels ready to combust. )