toku matsudaira, geezermancer (giri) wrote in emillion, |
He offered a small smile and a nod as she spoke. Considering how reserved Riyeko usually was with other people, he could not help but be honored by that avalanche of words. He had not seen her speak so freely with anybody other than Peony and himself. Still, he could not help but worry that one day that high-strung personality would give her an ulcer. "The show has been wonderful so far, as expected of the Bards' Guild." He gave the slightest bow. "The performers have great talent, though I am sure their skill has been able to shine thanks to the support of their peers backstage." Riyeko might be more used to working in the workshop, but it was undeniable that without her and her colleagues' collaboration, putting together a show of this magnitude would have been nigh impossible. She seemed to be in a hurry, but surely she had earned a few minutes' rest, to replenish her strength at least. "Try not to rush through your meal. I am sure your colleagues will understand if you take a few minutes." A rush of thoughts streamed through her head about how the performers could likely stand half naked on a street corner, and still look wonderful, but that probably wasn’t at all what Toku wanted to hear. “Good!” Riyeko chirped instead. “I’m really happy that you like it so far. I hope it stays as good for the second half of the show.” Though his next words - an admonition of sorts in her mind - caused her nerves to dip away, and a sort of uncomfortable shame to seep in. Of course he’d try to tell her how to take care of things, she’d never been so good at handling a lot on her own, and of course he was right it was… “Oh, um, right, yes, thank you.” A bow of her head was offered, eyes not fully rising up again as they dipped down to her food. Riyeko always felt so bad when she made people that cared about her worry. It had to one of the absolute worst feelings in the world as far as she was concerned. “I am sure the performers will outdo themselves in the second half,” Toku said. “I quite look forward to it.” The expression on her face did not go unnoticed. The last thing he had intended was to make Riyeko feel guilty, and so he tried to set her at ease, by offering a small smile and the words, “There is nothing to thank me for. Simply enjoy your meal, Riyeko. Things will be all right, I assure you.” He knew a thing or two about becoming immersed in one’s work, to the exclusion of all else—which was why he felt qualified to give such advice. In the end, he knew, one’s tendencies could not be cured so easily; but if Riyeko could at least relax for a few minutes right then, before returning to the flurry of work, then that would have to be enough. |