[There's no immediate response, and he remains entirely still like a statue, watching her.
...but although he can't just trust her on her word, he doesn't sense any killing intent, or hostility. No, she seems...okay.
So he relaxes, straightens his posture and sits back down where he had been. He expects her to just keep going on her way, so doesn't acknowledge her further.]
[Oh no, that's not about to happen. He must be nice after all. Anyone who loves animals is a good person. And if he's here in France, then he's either one of her citizens, or a guest - either of which should be treated with nothing but the best appreciation and hospitality! Rider smiles and goes right ahead, inviting herself to take a seat beside him. Maybe if she's quiet the animals will come back. She sits quietly for a while, picking at wildflowers within armsreach until there's a few piled up in her lap.
Finally she turns to him, stands up, and fixes a flower into his mane. She still doesn't say anything though, so the animals won't be scared.]
[It's unexpected, but he's hardly going to stop her; ain't his forest. Berserker is more than happy enough to sit quietly even with her there, especially because she doesn't disturb the peace. Of course it means the animals do return as well now that the atmosphere has calmed down, but slowly; a single deer returns, but as it does his attention is taken by the feeling of something disturbing his mane. And when he turns around to see her putting flowers into it.
Well.
The holes on the front of his helmet light up gently accompanied by a softer growl than before, once again more of a rumble.]
...pretty.
[His voice is somewhat strained, but most berserkers would love to have even that amount of clarity, lbr.]
[Oh. He's cute. Especially how his helmet lights up. She grins, combing his hair with her fingers as she scatters more about. He will be a lovely flower bush by the time she's done.]
[What a small, affectionate friend. It's something he's entirely unused to; during his time spent in the labyrinth Asterios himself was his sole company, aside the day he was killed. And heroic spirits are basically summoned to kill. Stuff like this doesn't happen.
Very good, as do I! I think everyone must love nature. Lilies are my favourite, as flowers go, they're the flower of my country and state, and lovely besides. And robins! Especially the ones with the orange bellies, they're smaller and extra cute. And you?
[Oof...what a talker. He has no problem listening at least; it's when she asks he's at a loss. Names? Birds, flowers...he doesn't know.
How little he really knows.
So rather than try to force himself to give an answer, he shifts in his spot and stands up - almost double her height, and definitely many times her size - and reaches down to just...pick her up with both hands. He is careful with her however, like she's as delicate as she appears (not that servants were) and starts walking through the forest.
Eventually he stops, looking up to a taller tree at...something. Apparently sure of whatever it is he sees, he lifts her up over his head. If she looks at the tree he was focusing on, she'll see a bird perched on a tree branch.
And he calls up, after a second:]
There.
[...............that's his favorite bird, apparently.]
[There's a small bit of a startled yelp, but it's only for the surprise of being up so high, so suddenly. No matter what he is, if skittish animals trust him, he must be gentle, and he's very quickly proven that, so Marie is sure she doesn't have anything to fear.
But she's a Rider so it's definitely not so bad to ride...in his hands. She can just dangle there like a rag doll no problem. La reine, elle est très petite et mignonne!
When she spots the bird, she almost claps her hands together in excitement of it all - but remembers just in time that it will only make the bird fly off, and panic. So instead she admires it for a moment before beaming down at Aster.]
It's lovely! Look how very bold he is, what a fine colour! You have great taste, monsieur- ah, what's your name? I'm Marie.
[Monsieur...? That's a word he's never heard. He looks up at Marie and tilts his head, staring for a moment, then decides first thing's first: if she's seen the bird already, then he ought to put her down, which...he does. But he remains hunched over briefly, staring again, to make sure she's okay. It's not like anything happened, but this is a guy one use of monstrous strength away from EX rank strength and the limited mental faculties that might cause him to be careless. Ever since he got out of the labyrinth he's learned to be careful when handling anyone.
But she seems okay, so he stands back up straight.]
[Yes she heard the 'ios' after, but she is deciding right here and now that's his nickname and that's what she's going to call him.]
It's perfect for you, did you know that's a kind of flower? A very beautiful one, if I find any, I'll make a crown of them for you, how does that sound?
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...but although he can't just trust her on her word, he doesn't sense any killing intent, or hostility. No, she seems...okay.
So he relaxes, straightens his posture and sits back down where he had been. He expects her to just keep going on her way, so doesn't acknowledge her further.]
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Finally she turns to him, stands up, and fixes a flower into his mane. She still doesn't say anything though, so the animals won't be scared.]
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Well.
The holes on the front of his helmet light up gently accompanied by a softer growl than before, once again more of a rumble.]
...pretty.
[His voice is somewhat strained, but most berserkers would love to have even that amount of clarity, lbr.]
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Do you like flowers? It looks very handsome!
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But it's nice.]
I- [Words are hard.] I-...like.
[He nods once or twice, slowly.]
Flowers...trees...animals...
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How little he really knows.
So rather than try to force himself to give an answer, he shifts in his spot and stands up - almost double her height, and definitely many times her size - and reaches down to just...pick her up with both hands. He is careful with her however, like she's as delicate as she appears (not that servants were) and starts walking through the forest.
Eventually he stops, looking up to a taller tree at...something. Apparently sure of whatever it is he sees, he lifts her up over his head. If she looks at the tree he was focusing on, she'll see a bird perched on a tree branch.
And he calls up, after a second:]
There.
[...............that's his favorite bird, apparently.]
no subject
But she's a Rider so it's definitely not so bad to ride...in his hands. She can just dangle there like a rag doll no problem. La reine, elle est très petite et mignonne!
When she spots the bird, she almost claps her hands together in excitement of it all - but remembers just in time that it will only make the bird fly off, and panic. So instead she admires it for a moment before beaming down at Aster.]
It's lovely! Look how very bold he is, what a fine colour! You have great taste, monsieur- ah, what's your name? I'm Marie.
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But she seems okay, so he stands back up straight.]
Marie...Ast...Aster...ios.
[Or the Minotaur, depending on who you ask.
Not that you can.
Cause they're probably dead.]
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[Yes she heard the 'ios' after, but she is deciding right here and now that's his nickname and that's what she's going to call him.]
It's perfect for you, did you know that's a kind of flower? A very beautiful one, if I find any, I'll make a crown of them for you, how does that sound?
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Where? Where??
[HE'S VERY CURIOUS PLEASE SHOW HIM HIS FLOWER NEW FRIEND.]