Retainer. Not servant. [There's a faint sniffle as Douman fights with himself. He doesn't want to take the help- doesn't want to appear weak. If he has learned one thing ever since he was all on his own, then that you mustn't appear weak. But Sakura is also right. His foot right now is no good. But will it be more shameful to take the help or to stay stubborn and it really gets worse?]
Retainers are like big name warriors or samurai. They choose to stay with and listen to a lord, and the lord looks out for them in return. [He'd always wanted to have tons of them - super-skilled people who like him and are happy to stay with him, and who he could support and make happy in return.
After a long pause he climbs on that back.] ...But if you're not a good lord, they'll leave. And I don't even have anything to pay the doctor with. I don't wanna be a burden.
[Unlike his usual cocky tones his admissions are soft and subdued. Douman isn't used to admitting his weaknesses. All he knows is that he doesn't want anybody else to hear.]
[ sakura waits patiently until douman is properly on top of his back. his arms go behind douman, secure before he stands up and starts walking. he's done this so many times that it's second nature to offer his back. ]
Tch, what's with you being all sad. You're gonna be the greatest lord ever, right?
We'll get your foot fixed and you'll be on your way. Everyone hits a bump now and then. Doesn't mean you're weak.
Mmn. [Douman just buries his head against Sakura's shoulder, envying its strength while his shame bites deep. He knows that it's unlikely that he'll ever get to be the lord he dreams of being. He knows that it'll probably be a little miracle if he just manages to make it long enough to become an adult. But that doesn't mean that he'll give up on those dreams.] Why are you so nice to me?
I do. [Right now he is as subdued as a kitten nestled into Sakura's jacket's pocket, but there is still a tinge of pride and self-assurance in his voice.]
You're much stronger than me. You could have just blown me off at any time you felt like it. Instead you played this game with me and are even going out of your way to help me now. That's so nice, it's icky!
What's a public school? [That's about eight centuries after this kid's time. He's also slowly inching toward the corner of that bed.]
You know, my parents got me a good teacher and they also taught me lots of things. So if you want to learn how to read and write, or how to speak Chinese, I could teach you! ...but not instruments, I'm terrible at music.
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Retainers are like big name warriors or samurai. They choose to stay with and listen to a lord, and the lord looks out for them in return. [He'd always wanted to have tons of them - super-skilled people who like him and are happy to stay with him, and who he could support and make happy in return.
After a long pause he climbs on that back.] ...But if you're not a good lord, they'll leave. And I don't even have anything to pay the doctor with. I don't wanna be a burden.
[Unlike his usual cocky tones his admissions are soft and subdued. Douman isn't used to admitting his weaknesses. All he knows is that he doesn't want anybody else to hear.]
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Tch, what's with you being all sad. You're gonna be the greatest lord ever, right?
We'll get your foot fixed and you'll be on your way. Everyone hits a bump now and then. Doesn't mean you're weak.
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I'm just fulfilling my orders. Right?
[ he IS being nice. and he gets that pride is on the line here. when you're alone and have so little, pride is all that keeps you afloat. ]
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You're much stronger than me. You could have just blown me off at any time you felt like it. Instead you played this game with me and are even going out of your way to help me now. That's so nice, it's icky!
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[ sakura doesn't see the point of acknowledging that. he's not nice. he's just . . . the way he is. ]
Anyway, we're nearly there. I'll put you on one of the beds.
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Tell me what you want first.
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What kinda question is that?
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Focus on getting healed up first, you little brat, before you go spouting off like that.
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Then I'll wait until that happens!
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And now let me down!
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[ though he suspects this kid won't remain a kid for that long. since sakura met his adult self.
sakura drops him off at the bed. ]
Now let the doctors do their job.
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[He's not scared of being examined, you are!]
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A deal's a deal, right?
I'll stick around.
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[He can't try to escape before the doctor comes if Sakura's still around!]
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Just lay there and rest already.
[ was he ever this bad when he was sick? maybe. granted, no one was ever around to see it. ]
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Now you're acting like a teacher.
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No way a teacher would even bother.
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It's just me. It's always just been me.
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And it's not just you anymore!
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[ that other bit, he won't say anything. it's good if douman feels that way, though sakura wonders what'll happen when he grows up. ]
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You know, my parents got me a good teacher and they also taught me lots of things. So if you want to learn how to read and write, or how to speak Chinese, I could teach you! ...but not instruments, I'm terrible at music.
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I think this is a good spot to wrap?
sounds good!