[He's retort to the first bit a whole lot faster if not for that squeeze and tilt. Honestly, it's so relaxing that he nearly lets the jab go entirely—he doesn't, however. Instead, he waits till Hythlodaeus is quite finished with what he has to say, and that other tilt and stretch of his neck and shoulders.
Taking a exact moment it finishes to glance back at him.]
First off all, Hythlodaeus, were I operating under normal circumstances, I would not question my ability to make a man lust after the taste of my loins, but let me remind you that mere moments ago I was made to weep upon your chest like a babe fresh from the womb.
[In other words, he really isn't wanting to rush or press something that could possibly be a problem when right now he wants stability. His emotional state, his general state of being is not at its best, and he'd like a chance to recover before being put to some test that is far more a benefit to Hythlodaeus' own ego, than Hades himself.
Call him selfish, or hypocritical, but he'd like a little peace for once.]
As for your embarrassing floundering when dealing with Dirk, you and he suffer the same problem. Well, problems, really.
[As he continues, he gestures with his hands, as he is wont to do.]
Both of you want control of all aspects of any given situation. Both of you do not pick up on certain social cues, not to mention your stubborn streaks when either of you believe your position to be infallible, which is absurdly often. These alone are damning, but where you lack in true emotional affect, he is particularly emotionally susceptible. You do not frustrate nor fray, while he frays all too easily.
You threaten his sense of security being how you are, and while I would not say that you should lie down and concede, you must needs be gentle. However, he is a proud man, much of his accomplishments he has done more or less on his own, and a fragile heart makes for a fragile ego, and he will not suffer being pitied. This would insult his integrity.
[Finally he sighs, turning his face away from Hythlodaeus as he rubs at his temple, eyes slipping closed.]
In short: you must be clever in your approach, this is a perilous path to tread if you do not know how to appease a man's ego without sacrificing your own dignity in the same breath. He needs not be trampled, but lead, and the less he knows of the leash the better. He has suffered in solitude, but used it as his shield for far too long.
[And well does he know how it can both protect and harm you. How believing yourself the only voice of reason, the only right one in the room can make it difficult to hear the voices of others.
Damn, maybe Hythlodaeus was right about him projecting a little bit. No matter.]
He does not trust easy, and attempting to wrest control from him is only going to force him to shut you out all the more.
no subject
Taking a exact moment it finishes to glance back at him.]
First off all, Hythlodaeus, were I operating under normal circumstances, I would not question my ability to make a man lust after the taste of my loins, but let me remind you that mere moments ago I was made to weep upon your chest like a babe fresh from the womb.
[In other words, he really isn't wanting to rush or press something that could possibly be a problem when right now he wants stability. His emotional state, his general state of being is not at its best, and he'd like a chance to recover before being put to some test that is far more a benefit to Hythlodaeus' own ego, than Hades himself.
Call him selfish, or hypocritical, but he'd like a little peace for once.]
As for your embarrassing floundering when dealing with Dirk, you and he suffer the same problem. Well, problems, really.
[As he continues, he gestures with his hands, as he is wont to do.]
Both of you want control of all aspects of any given situation. Both of you do not pick up on certain social cues, not to mention your stubborn streaks when either of you believe your position to be infallible, which is absurdly often. These alone are damning, but where you lack in true emotional affect, he is particularly emotionally susceptible. You do not frustrate nor fray, while he frays all too easily.
You threaten his sense of security being how you are, and while I would not say that you should lie down and concede, you must needs be gentle. However, he is a proud man, much of his accomplishments he has done more or less on his own, and a fragile heart makes for a fragile ego, and he will not suffer being pitied. This would insult his integrity.
[Finally he sighs, turning his face away from Hythlodaeus as he rubs at his temple, eyes slipping closed.]
In short: you must be clever in your approach, this is a perilous path to tread if you do not know how to appease a man's ego without sacrificing your own dignity in the same breath. He needs not be trampled, but lead, and the less he knows of the leash the better. He has suffered in solitude, but used it as his shield for far too long.
[And well does he know how it can both protect and harm you. How believing yourself the only voice of reason, the only right one in the room can make it difficult to hear the voices of others.
Damn, maybe Hythlodaeus was right about him projecting a little bit. No matter.]
He does not trust easy, and attempting to wrest control from him is only going to force him to shut you out all the more.