[He says with some wryness, some humor, even as he tries not to shy away from the staring himself. It makes him self-conscious, and while Teshima isn't exactly the epitome of confidence, he's pretty decent at faking it.
Like he is now.]
It would depend on your definition of worse, but a story will cost you.
[He has to be honest, he is. Even if yes, he's aware that not wanting to talk about his own scars while prying at Teshima's makes him a) full of it, and b) probably not that good of a friend, there's curiosity. A lot of it.
He can't help but make a small hum when Teshima mentions a cost. ...Weird. Not too long ago, their stances would be reversed.]
...I don't know. [Faint pause. A tap of his boot on the asphalt. Yes, he's playing along. And gasp- Teshima! ...He's actually! trying! to make a joke!!]
...I might go into it expecting something worthwhile for the fee. Like another hour-long story about cycling, full of words I don't understand. You might turn around and say something like you got it fighting.
[...He tried to joke, anyway. It's not his forte, pls no judge.]
[It plays through his mind to say something to the contrary, that you can't exactly judge how tough someone is by how they look, but.. well, Teshima starts talking about stories. He lowers his gaze, and shifts vaguely, from foot to foot, bringing his arms around himself even tighter.]
I don't know how I got the one through my chest. ... I... challenged someone before I got it, sure. But I don't remember it happening. And I don't know how I lived through it, either. So I can't tell you anything about it.
[An exhale. And as his eyes move away...]
The ones on my knees... I'm ashamed of 'em. You'd be ashamed of yourself if you did what I did to get them, too.
[His gaze doesn't move back. Perhaps a story of your own might make him come out with it, Teshima?]
[He's not surprised at the hesitation, given the kind of character Cloud is from his observations. He wonders if he should coax a story out of him, especially since he seems to be reluctant to share.
He decides not to push it, not for now. He might feel more comfortable later, and if Teshima shares something, maybe it'll help.
So instead, he goes ahead and taps at the glowing on his knuckle, offering a wry smile.]
Wanna hear the story behind this one? It's my most recent one, and the scars are still there.
[Which is true. The scabs may be gone, but the marks are still there underneath the glow, not very visible at the moment]
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no subject
[He says with some wryness, some humor, even as he tries not to shy away from the staring himself. It makes him self-conscious, and while Teshima isn't exactly the epitome of confidence, he's pretty decent at faking it.
Like he is now.]
It would depend on your definition of worse, but a story will cost you.
no subject
[He has to be honest, he is. Even if yes, he's aware that not wanting to talk about his own scars while prying at Teshima's makes him a) full of it, and b) probably not that good of a friend, there's curiosity. A lot of it.
He can't help but make a small hum when Teshima mentions a cost. ...Weird. Not too long ago, their stances would be reversed.]
...I don't know. [Faint pause. A tap of his boot on the asphalt. Yes, he's playing along. And gasp- Teshima! ...He's actually! trying! to make a joke!!]
...I might go into it expecting something worthwhile for the fee. Like another hour-long story about cycling, full of words I don't understand. You might turn around and say something like you got it fighting.
[...He tried to joke, anyway. It's not his forte, pls no judge.]
no subject
[He laughs, and he sounds genuinely pleased at the fact that Cloud attempts a joke, before he shakes his head.]
Why don't I tell you one, then you can tell me a story that's worth the same. I bet some of those scrapes aren't as serious, right?
[And Teshima was nothing if patient, when it comes to people opening up to him.]
no subject
I don't know how I got the one through my chest. ... I... challenged someone before I got it, sure. But I don't remember it happening. And I don't know how I lived through it, either. So I can't tell you anything about it.
[An exhale. And as his eyes move away...]
The ones on my knees... I'm ashamed of 'em. You'd be ashamed of yourself if you did what I did to get them, too.
[His gaze doesn't move back. Perhaps a story of your own might make him come out with it, Teshima?]
no subject
He decides not to push it, not for now. He might feel more comfortable later, and if Teshima shares something, maybe it'll help.
So instead, he goes ahead and taps at the glowing on his knuckle, offering a wry smile.]
Wanna hear the story behind this one? It's my most recent one, and the scars are still there.
[Which is true. The scabs may be gone, but the marks are still there underneath the glow, not very visible at the moment]
no subject
... You collided with something. Right? Another racer, or a lamppost, or a mailbox.
[It's the most reasonable explanation! His tone is vaguely dry, but... he's interested. It's viewable in his eyes.]
no subject
[Despite what he says, he just seems amused, even as he shakes his head at that.]
Guard rail, actually, in the middle of a race. I got played.
[He thinks about it, before he shrugs.]
Want to find somewhere to sit? I might as well relax if I'm gonna tell this one.