Look, it's not like she isn't affectionate to some people...she doesn't particularly enjoy it, but she knows there're just some people she can't say no to. Yuuko, for obvious reasons. Anya, because she reminds her too much of her own little sister to deny her.
But Yato? Definitely not one of those people.
So she tries for a few seconds to push herself out of this gross homeless man hug, and then-]
She smooths out her clothes (which is pointless, considering they're scruffy to begin with) and in the meantime, said pupper emerges at the sound of her name. She trots on out into the room and looks up at the pair of them...
[ Speak of the pooping devil... When Souji appears, Yato perks up and crouches to one knee. He extends both arms like he's beckoning for a hug... or is he readying himself to receive a charging monster. ]
[Souji regards Yato in a way befitting its breed; that is to say, she doesn't give away how she feels about this at all. They don't give off tells like other dogs do.
So after a moment she just...trots towards him...
Then dashes forward to headbutt him in the stomach.]
[ Heh!!!!!!!! A lesser man would be caught off-guard, but not Yato. He's tangled with this beast enough to know to expect the unexpected! He pivots on his heels when Souji rushes in, redirecting all of that momentum into a spin as he scoops her up and twirls her around. He expects her to put up a fight, but it's fine. This is real tough love!! ]
As spirited as ever, aren'tcha?! Good! Keep it up if you wanna be top dog someday!
Because she just reaches up with a front paw and doggy punches him in the face instead. What is with this scrappy dog, who knows.
Of course dogs aren't designed for punching, so she just kinda pushes at his face. A soft pupper paw against the cheek might feel kinda nice actually.]
The truth is, she feels the same way. Maybe if everyone was that earnest, even she could be more forthright. But people are that way because of the people around them, who in turn act that way for the very same reason. Is there truly a way to break that kind of convoluted cycle?
It's not something she ever thought about before.]
I suppose in the end, it's unreasonable. Most people can't afford to be that way.
You think so? What currency do people pay in? Money? Popularity? Dignity? Maybe those are prices worth paying, for what they stand to gain.
[ He pokes Souji on the head. ]
When Souji stands by you like a little terror, she obviously doesn't care about making peace or getting pats from strangers. But in exchange, she's absolutely sure that she'll always have you, and you'll always have her. It's not much in the grand scheme of things, but I'm sure it's enough for her.
If you ask me, it isn't that people can't afford to be earnest. It's that they think they can't afford it. Whether they have a lot or a little, they'll always be afraid to give up any of it. I guess it's only human.
The longer she listens to Yato talk, the angrier she becomes, really. Not on the outside of course; everything about Nobu is carefully measured, from her expression, her body language and her voice. At all times, she takes every step she can to control what the other person can tell about her. If she's being Scary™ it's only because she thinks she can afford to show that part of herself.
Of course, there are instances where she lets her feelings get the most of her, like the shock collar incident, but..
Well, as someone who is the way she is to guard herself, who had to close herself off to avoid being hurt or manipulated by A Certain Someone, she takes this all far more personally than she should. She imagines being told all of this in response to everything she put up with and just imagines it'd relieve a lot of her anger if she just stabbed him with her new sword.
But she also isn't that kind of psycho (yet) so a fantasy remains a fantasy.
Instead, she just clicks her tongue once he's finished being zen.]
No wonder you and Anya get along. Neither of you live on this planet after all.
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[Geez...]
I just...know you aren't, that's all. You couldn't be.
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Akiii! These feelings don't lie! These are the palpitations of friendship!
[ And now he's edging around the table. He's!! gonna hug her!! ]
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TO PUSH HIM AWAY.]
What're you doing?
[She doesn't care he's too close dO NOT]
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I'm gonna hug you! It's what friends do!
[ He circles left. Circles right. FEINTS HARD LEFT AND CLOSES BACK IN FROM THE RIGHT FOR A BEAR HUG ]
1/2
Look, it's not like she isn't affectionate to some people...she doesn't particularly enjoy it, but she knows there're just some people she can't say no to. Yuuko, for obvious reasons. Anya, because she reminds her too much of her own little sister to deny her.
But Yato? Definitely not one of those people.
So she tries for a few seconds to push herself out of this gross homeless man hug, and then-]
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[ 5... 4... 3... 2... aaaandlettinggo. ]
I'll hug Souji too. We have a bond!
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She smooths out her clothes (which is pointless, considering they're scruffy to begin with) and in the meantime, said pupper emerges at the sound of her name. She trots on out into the room and looks up at the pair of them...
will you hug this savage beast]
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Pooper! Come at me!
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So after a moment she just...trots towards him...
Then dashes forward to headbutt him in the stomach.]
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As spirited as ever, aren'tcha?! Good! Keep it up if you wanna be top dog someday!
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Because she just reaches up with a front paw and doggy punches him in the face instead. What is with this scrappy dog, who knows.
Of course dogs aren't designed for punching, so she just kinda pushes at his face. A soft pupper paw against the cheek might feel kinda nice actually.]
You really took a shine to her, huh?
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She speaks my language! A dog like her is all in, all the time. She just wants to protect you. What else could you ask for in a friend?
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[She sounds like she finds it hard to believe. Aki stands up from her chair and walks over to the pair of them, leaning a little closer to Souji.]
I still think she's just naturally violent.
[Although she neither says it disparagingly or with any kind of concern...
She's made it clear already she loves this dog just as she is.
Souji, meanwhile, just kinda doggy punches Yato a few more times.]
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Is there a more efficient trait in a protector?
[ He playfully boxes Souji around the muzzle with his fingers, exchanging blow for blow. He's just asking to get bitten, honestly. ]
Animals don't understand embarrassment or malice. There's no overdoing it for a dog. It might be nice if people could be that earnest.
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[She's quiet.
The truth is, she feels the same way. Maybe if everyone was that earnest, even she could be more forthright. But people are that way because of the people around them, who in turn act that way for the very same reason. Is there truly a way to break that kind of convoluted cycle?
It's not something she ever thought about before.]
I suppose in the end, it's unreasonable. Most people can't afford to be that way.
[She couldn't, either.]
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[ He pokes Souji on the head. ]
When Souji stands by you like a little terror, she obviously doesn't care about making peace or getting pats from strangers. But in exchange, she's absolutely sure that she'll always have you, and you'll always have her. It's not much in the grand scheme of things, but I'm sure it's enough for her.
If you ask me, it isn't that people can't afford to be earnest. It's that they think they can't afford it. Whether they have a lot or a little, they'll always be afraid to give up any of it. I guess it's only human.
[ And humans are greedy. ]
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The longer she listens to Yato talk, the angrier she becomes, really. Not on the outside of course; everything about Nobu is carefully measured, from her expression, her body language and her voice. At all times, she takes every step she can to control what the other person can tell about her. If she's being Scary™ it's only because she thinks she can afford to show that part of herself.
Of course, there are instances where she lets her feelings get the most of her, like the shock collar incident, but..
Well, as someone who is the way she is to guard herself, who had to close herself off to avoid being hurt or manipulated by A Certain Someone, she takes this all far more personally than she should. She imagines being told all of this in response to everything she put up with and just imagines it'd relieve a lot of her anger if she just stabbed him with her new sword.
But she also isn't that kind of psycho (yet) so a fantasy remains a fantasy.
Instead, she just clicks her tongue once he's finished being zen.]
No wonder you and Anya get along. Neither of you live on this planet after all.
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I'm being put in the same category as Anya? What should I do~?
[ He sing-songs and presses a hand to his cheek, obviously not taking this as an insult. ]
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Instead she will just let them fester. It's fine. It's good.
So living in the now, she reaches up and grabs Yato's ear to twist it.]
Stop overstaying your welcome. Didn't you say you have a late shift or something?
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How does happiness end so soon. Yato whines and bends toward the offending hand. ]
Akiiii! Fine, I'm going, I'm going!
[ He SHOULD go... he guesses... time flies by when you're having fun. ]
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She lets go...]
...yeah, well. Thanks for coming around on such short notice.
[...what a tsundere.]
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[ He says grudgingly... He swipes a chicken tender for the road and opens the door to leave. But before he goes-- ]
... Thanks for sharing.
[ The food, the sword, or all of the above... He slips out, closes the door, and then he's gone.
(the answer is C) ]