Claude

Ingrid

Well, hello there. If it isn't Claude. Always a pleasure.

You put in a fine performance in training today! I must redouble my own effort!

By the by, do you have a moment to spare? I have been meaning to ask for your input on some new strategies.

Oh, goodness. Only if you think someone as lowly as myself might be of service.

But of course. I value your skills more highly than most any other!

OK, time out! Listen, Ingrid... Do you really have to say "oh goodness" every couple of seconds?

What do you expect? Speaking to me as you were, I only responded in kind!

What? Do I sound that strange? I thought I was acting earnest and industrious.

I mean...yes! You do. You sound nothing short of ridiculous.

Sheesh! Have you looked in a mirror lately? You're the one who's been walking around like Queen Uptight.

Excuse me?! I'll admit it was a bit forced, but it certainly doesn't warrant such a title.

Look, this was fresh and fun for a while, but... Maybe it's time we called it quits. Acting like this isn't us. We're just going to make everyone think we've gone mad.

I agree. I must say I have an easier time getting on with you when you're you in all your you-ness. Come to think of it, you've always been more reliable than most anyone I know, when it really mattered.

Ha, well, thanks for saying that. I think I liked you better when you were a bit pricklier too. I've gone so long without hearing on of your lectures, I'm almost starting to miss them.

Uh, I didn't mean you need to go all out or anything. A little restraint would still be nice.

My "lectures", as you call them, only persist as long as is necessary.

Ooh... I think I'm coming down with a stomachache. We'll talk later, OK? OK! Seeya!

You honestly expect me to believe that? Come back here, Claude!

Hi, Ingrid. That was a great training session today, wasn't it?

It was indeed, Claude. It's so nice to see you.

Things have been pretty busy lately, though. I hope you're taking the time to rest whenever you have the chance.

I thank you for the concern. You are ever so kind.

I've finally got a free day tomorrow, so I was planning to sleep through the morning and laze around all day...

That sounds so lovely. Perhaps I should do the same.

Ingrid... Will you just stop it already? Are you still doing that schtick?

Are you feeling all right? You're acting so...demure. It's kind of creeping me out.

You can't be serious. I always knew you were a layabout, but I see now you are also an insensitive nitwit too. If I lecture, you complain. If I act pleasant, you also complain!

Please, tell me how to behave! At least if you're commandeering my behavior, I'll get less of an earful of your complaints. Have you ever once considered thinking before you speak? And you wonder why people so rarely trust you!

Ah... Right. I'm sorry. I guess that was kind of insensitive.

Wow, quite the apology. Sounds a lot like one of your myriad excuses. Do you really expect empty apologies to help you get your way?

I'm... Suddenly I'm feeling dizzy. Sooo dizzy. We'll have to talk about this later.

There you go again! You and your excuses! ...I thought if I made extra efforts to be pleasant, he and I might finally interact without bickering. I just don't know what the best approach is with him.

Were you listening to everything I just said? Ugh. I thought you'd run off!

I told you before, didn't I? You're better off as your normal, prickly self. I don't mind getting lectured by you. So keep on doing that from time to time, OK? Just maybe not all of the time. Anyway. Ooh, the dizziness... Bye!

As if an occasional lecture could ever cut it...

Listen... I know you and I don't always get along. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry if my way of being is upsetting to you.

If anyone should be making apologies, it's probably me. I've been overly harsh toward you on more than one occasion. I am close friends with someone who has caused me no end of trouble since we were very young. You remind me a bit of him, and I think I've projected my annoyances at him onto you, at times.

Huh. Am I really similar to this friend of yours?

Not in every regard, no. You certainly seem to treat those of the opposite gender with quite a bit more respect, for one thing.

Well now! I'll take that as a compliment.

You also speak to me in a much more amicable manner than my dear friend ever does.

Hmmm. OK, I have to ask you something. But only if you promise not to show me your angry lines again. Doesn't that straitlaced personality of yours make life harder than it needs to be? I feel like there are plenty of people who'd like to get to know you better, but who are scared off by your... well, intense attitude.

Really. I'd say that especially applies to most of the folks you go around giving lectures to. We're all friends here, Ingrid. We all trust each other with our very lives on the battlefield. Shouldn't we try to accept each other?

I sure do. Besides, with a cute face like yours, I bet you could win over anyone if you just threw out a smile now and then.

I've got better things to concern myself with. In any case, you speak as though you know so much about wooing the masses. But I would wager that many of our classmates find it difficult to trust one as slovenly as yourself.

Oh, another lecture. I see you took my words to heart. Look, let's just call a truce, shall we? How about we agree that we could both learn something from our chat today? If you'll make an effort to smile more, I'll try my best to set a better example for everyone.

That seems like an unreasonable thing to ask of you. I wonder if you're capable of such a thing...

And it's perhaps equally wild to ask an ice block like you to melt. But let's give it a try. What do you say?

I suppose it's only virtuous to ask as much of myself as I'm asking of you. Very well. I accept your challenge!

Hm? What's on your mind, Ingrid? Actually, it it's something troublesome, can it wait a bit? I am positively exhausted today, so I was gonna turn in early. Don't try to stop me, you hear?

The sun just barely dipped below the horizon, yet you're already preparing for bed?

Rising with the dawn and setting with the sun...Isn't that how a life is meant to be lived?

I'm almost certain you have never been awake at sunrise, Claude.

And how would you know that? You haven't been peeking into my room every morning, right? I'll have you know I like to rise early for my daily meditation.

Uh-huh, sure. And I've decided to quit my pursuit of knighthood. At least try to make you excuses more believable. And that yawn just now—you didn't even bother covering your gaping mouth. One would never know you're of noble birth, with how you conduct yourself.

You need to relax, Ingrid. Deep breaths, OK? A yawn can't hurt, I swear it. Really, you'd better get a hold on that attitude of yours, otherwise that pretty face is going to get all twisted up with angry lines. Guys don't like gals who are always griping at them. Try a smile every now and then. Here, let's practice. On three. One... Two... Three!

You're actually telling me to smile more, aren't you? How common! Hmm, since you're so insistent on telling me what my face should be doing, perhaps my blade can restructure your face with a more permanent smile. All jokes aside, are you not our house leader? As a leader, you should set a shining example. A position such as yours comes with responsibilities! See that you consider them more carefully in the future.

And just how long do you plan on lounging about, yawning like a slob? At least lounge in your own quarters!

Wow. Somebody needs to teach that girl to lighten up.

Triangle Attack