[hr][center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjk2LmNlZjU4Zi5SWEpwY3lCVFlXMWhaV3csLjQA/mafakanev.regular.png[/img][/center]
[hr][indent]

Bashful was not a word in Eris' vocabulary. What did that even mean, anyway? Okay, he knew the dictionary definition but that wasn't what he was trying to say. Eris was just feeling a little weird and reluctant to admit things, and maybe he was a little vulnerable right now, but [i]bashful[/i]? Really? Was he? This was just one of the strangest nights in his life, further cemented when he dared himself to look at Max and was met with a weird sort of grimace. Buddy, no need to look at him all weird, Eris was mighty tempted to jump back in the shower and scrub himself clean of this feeling.

Honestly he was tempted to just laugh it off and say it was some sort of joke, but the thought made Eris tired. Well, he was already tired. Maybe he was just tired. Keeping a neutral expression, he gave Max a dismissive wave. [color=ccff99]"As much as you barely tolerate the minimum interaction thing we have going on, I need to know this sort of thing,"[/color] No games, no lying, just a straightforward response. That wasn't weird, right? Right. [color=ccff99]"Investing in your future and developing you as I see fit means I need to know the paths and decisions you decide to make. Since, you know, it'll look real weird if I lend you out to someone promising them you can make something in gold and instead you're better suited for skewering someone."[/color]

Not that the kid cared about anything like that, of course, but it wasn't about what he wanted, it was about what Eris wanted. And Eris wants to make sure to never embarrass himself in front of anyone important--bad enough that Sunny knew more than he did, but he'd be damned if he wouldn't do his best to change that. Besides, it would get Ismene off his back for not 'trying enough' and 'alienating him' or whatever the hell her last complaint was.

Of course, even he recognized that Max had zero incentive to do as instructed, so Eris decided to add, [color=ccff99]"And that entails all the goodies: extra tutoring, better magical items, connections with higher learning institutes..."[/color] He shrugged, rubbing his sore shoulder. [color=ccff99]"And whatever else. I mean, I guess if you chose not to say anything I can just annoy the shit out of you until you give me what I want, but that sounds like too much work and I have better things to do."[/color]

And now to address the weird thought. [color=ccff99]"The only reason I'm even bringing any of this up is because the whole point of the practical was to bring vampire and mage closer together,"[/color] He stated, almost huffing as he rolled his eyes. [color=ccff99]"I'm not being weird. Everything I said was perfectly valid."[/color] He couldn't help but mutter the second half, feeling like he was trying to justify it more to himself than Max.

[/indent][hr]
[sub][right]Blah blah blahing with [@Scribe of Thoth][/right][/sub]