[Austria blinks away the paranoia.] For a moment, I did think that. I don’t, anymore. [Not strongly, at least, not any more so than he’d pondered offhand the possibility that none of this was real.]
I...
[He's staring at that lantern, too, distracted from forming words.]
Of course I was worried...!! I was worried sick, and upset, and [this is far too much to admit, his normal self is going to be livid when Iris is over] and... I know this place has the ultimate say in who stays and goes but there were too many...
[Unanswered questions, unsaid words. When Spain had gone, he grieved, but trusted he was home safe. There were no unknowns with Spain; that part of their relationship had already cycled past. This?]
Everything had been cut at the quick. Of course I was angry.
[It's uncomfortably quiet until he gets fed up, reaching for the booklet that came with the lantern.] Give me that. [And he snatches it away, eyes looking like a typewriter reading and rereading and trying to process and his breath is shallow and he throws it down onto the ground.
No eye contact.
Finally he grabs the lantern and stands up, posture waffling until he spots an unsuspecting goat-like woman and runs up to her. Here. If I may borrow you for a moment. Put your hand on the lantern. ... Blue. Blue was annoyance, wasn’t it. Am I annoying you? ... Well, good, because it just so happens that I don’t care what you think!
And he storms back to the bench, standing, shifting his weight again.] Launch? You’re supposed to just throw it? Good. [With that he chucks it with all the force he can muster, and it floats away gently, leaving him with a letdown like trying to slam a swinging door.] It probably wanted us to have a moment but good riddance!! I don’t want a moment.
[He refuses to sit down on the bench again, instead opting to stand, inert and frantic, staring worriedly at France. And despite his best efforts... it does feel like a moment.
no subject
I...
[He's staring at that lantern, too, distracted from forming words.]
Of course I was worried...!! I was worried sick, and upset, and [this is far too much to admit, his normal self is going to be livid when Iris is over] and... I know this place has the ultimate say in who stays and goes but there were too many...
[Unanswered questions, unsaid words. When Spain had gone, he grieved, but trusted he was home safe. There were no unknowns with Spain; that part of their relationship had already cycled past. This?]
Everything had been cut at the quick. Of course I was angry.
[It's uncomfortably quiet until he gets fed up, reaching for the booklet that came with the lantern.] Give me that. [And he snatches it away, eyes looking like a typewriter reading and rereading and trying to process and his breath is shallow and he throws it down onto the ground.
No eye contact.
Finally he grabs the lantern and stands up, posture waffling until he spots an unsuspecting goat-like woman and runs up to her. Here. If I may borrow you for a moment. Put your hand on the lantern. ... Blue. Blue was annoyance, wasn’t it. Am I annoying you? ... Well, good, because it just so happens that I don’t care what you think!
And he storms back to the bench, standing, shifting his weight again.] Launch? You’re supposed to just throw it? Good. [With that he chucks it with all the force he can muster, and it floats away gently, leaving him with a letdown like trying to slam a swinging door.] It probably wanted us to have a moment but good riddance!! I don’t want a moment.
[He refuses to sit down on the bench again, instead opting to stand, inert and frantic, staring worriedly at France. And despite his best efforts... it does feel like a moment.
Christ he hates feeling this helpless.]