"I am sure that the contribution to her cause and research was appreciated in spirit, if not entirely the manner by which it came into her possession." Why does that seem to apply to an awful lot of conversations she's had with Church? "You have the whole Gallows to compete with now, are you up to the challenge?" She'll be your hype man Church. Because do you know what helps to work out tensions with people? Duels. Duels are good. Duels are always good and you could probably fight the Gallows if you really put your mind to it. Maybe. Look it takes time to craft a narrative they'll have it at some point.

Sometimes stars in their eyes becomes something more dangerous, but Araceli doesn't-- well she does know how to word it. She just doesn't know if she wants to say it to Church. There are things some people understand and things some people try to but won't quite get and she doesn't know. Perhaps she doesn't want to be hurt or to say something out of turn. "Just. Be careful? There are people that collect butterflies and put pins through them, keeping them behind glass. Or other people that want someone kept away from the rest of the world just for them, a private treasure they can pore over or where the price of admission for others to stare at is the cost of their company." Her eyes don't quite meet his, voice tight but steady. Still steady.

"I'll be twenty-two soon." Congratulations Church you are the second person that isn't Korrin that she's told her actual age to. Look at this tiny youth. Also everyone over their mid-twenties automatically falls into the positively ancient to her eyes bracket, even if they only look that way so there's that. "Lying about it already? Tut tut, it's only rude to ask it of a lady--"

Whatever other smart reply she had is lost when she tries to stifle the laugh. For about three seconds. Then it explodes out of her.