Being as perceptive as she was after her life of never-ending struggles and woes (plus her heightened senses given her draconic body), she did notice a brief facial change. Was he somehow… confused? Could he not possibly imagine the idea of someone seeing her as a monster or some other evil being? Or was it that he couldn’t quite understand what exactly it meant to be the Warrior of Light? Griffin’s Bane? Eikon-Slayer? She’d long lost track of the multitude of titles she’d earned over time, both as just another dragoon of Ishgard and as the bloody Savior of Eorzea. Or perhaps it was something else entirely. Maybe some sort of combination of reasons. Selenie didn’t know-she didn’t know a thing about his world. The only thing she was mostly certain of is that he definitely wasn’t from hers.
And then, he shook his head in obvious disbelief. At least he seemed to grasp that his intense fascination, despite it being for an innocent-enough reason, was unnerving for someone like her.
“Honestly, at this point, I’d say it probably has more to do with what I’ve done than my looks. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are still some bastards out there who take one look and think that I’m a monster without knowing anything else, but I think it has more to do with the fact I’ve slain literal gods and helped take back not one, but two nations from those Imperial bastards, among other things.” She admitted. There was some pride in her listing off her accomplishments, but her own internal turmoil and tragedy kept her from showing it beyond a noticeable change in tone. A brief fanged smile crossed her features under her helmet.
As she began to think about it, she began to wonder if Yusuke’s view of her-as some sort of “true beauty”, to quote the young man-may have more to do with the fact he was an artist. She didn’t know that much about the fine arts (she could sure as hells sing and could play a piano, but she could not work from sheet music-she instead worked from ear followed by trial and error), but she did know that anything was possible. Even the idea of portraying what looked to be a monster as some sort of diamond in the rough was not necessarily outside the realm of reason, she supposed.
His intentions were innocent enough, and, besides, should he try anything, she was sure she could take him with ease. Her claws and fangs were still quite sharp, after all. What was the harm in indulging him a little bit? It wasn’t like there were any primals to deal with, nor any sign of the Empire being a threat here. Besides, it was nice to just be able to relax and be painted instead of having to go soaring off to deal with some new threat that only she, as the legendary Warrior of Light, could deal with. She would never completely let her guard down, for that would be foolish, but she didn’t need to be as tense as she would be if she were to be forced to fight that mad prince again.
“Well, I sure as hells hope not!” She said, though her now-devious smirk and shift in posture made it plain that she was merely being playful. She was sure she wouldn’t regret it. If anything, it made her happy that she could help this young man with something so simple.
But gods, was he clearly proving to be the type to wax poetic. It made her laugh.
“I’m no artist myself, so who in the hells would I be to judge? I’m sure you’ll do great. If anything, you’ve got the passion, and that’s half the battle. Who knows-maybe even Aymeric would be interested in buying some copies to hang up around Ishgard to help people continue to understand that not all dragons are evil-help prevent a second Dragonsong War from starting. He’s got more art sense than I do by malms, however!” She told him.
She then began to think, pacing back and forth a bit.
“Hm… getting to know me, huh? Well, I sadly don’t have my true spear with me, and whatever powers rule this strange land have managed to seal off most of my trademark dragoon abilities, so there may not be much to actually show….” A brief pause, and then, she stopped, turning back to face him.
“But I could tell you some of my stories! There’s a little bit of everything, since I’ve dealt with a whole carriage-load of shite! Would that help you at all?” She proposed. After all, there wasn’t too much she did on the island currently outside of flying about and occasionally stopping in open areas to self-train, so surely telling him any number of stories, ranging from her first-ever encounter with a primal to the time she finally bested Zenos in the palace, and then their prompt battle with him commanding Shinryu like the draconic primal was some sort of magitek device and her unleashing all she had, taking place in that odd space that the prince had seemingly created for the sole purpose of a “private stage” for them to fight to the death on…
Oh, that last one might serve to inspire him for years to come. That tale might just be the one to tell. It truly was an experience, after all.
Really, the more Selenie speaks to him, the much more interesting she becomes. Yusuke cannot even begin to fathom the spectacular feats that she says that she has accomplished. It all seems rather surreal, honestly. But he knows better by now that such things are not to be unexpected in a city that was a huge cultural melting pot such as this. Many people from different worlds came together and though they all looked different, most of them were the same on the inside. They were all people from different walks of life, though some had suffered more than others, that much was clear.
To have slain Gods and restored two nations to their former glory, no one in their right mind would take what she says for a fact. Most would be skeptical of her claims but Yusuke accepts it all. After all, there's no reason for him to doubt anything that she says. With such a unique appearance, her experiences fit the bill of what he considers to be acceptable and so he listens on to her vague explanations, hanging on every word with the interest of someone who will never in his life get to experience them except the account of someone who was there. Truly, they haven't even begun to get to know each other in as much detail as he'd like, but this will do just fine for a start. Though at her mention of one of her comrades wanting to buy copies, well, he hadn't thought that far ahead...or even considered that fact that someone would want to buy his art or at least this particular piece in general.
"...If someone whom you are close to wishes to own a copy for themselves, I am sure something can be arranged." He supposes, anyhow. He's not fully keen on the idea of there being multiple copies flying about of what he will consider to be his own personal masterpiece, but if it's what she wanted and if she were fine with it then who was he to deny anyone? Besides, it could be good publicity...more than the small amount that he's had. Sketches had only gotten him so far and he wasn't intending to let this opportunity pass him by. It's a shame however that she isn't in possession of her weapon or most of her abilities as he's sure that would make for good additions to the portrait, but he'll make due.
"They would, yes." Stories would be just fine. They can serve quite a bit of inspiration and were also a way of getting to know her personally. "Through your stories, I will be able to create something more authentic and true to your personality. I already have vague ideas about what it is exactly that I wish to do, but yes, knowing of your personal experiences will be a huge help, Miss Selenie." As much as he'd like to pick her brain now, though, there were be plenty of other opportune times for them to discuss at length everything that she felt comfortable sharing with him.
"If I may...would you be comfortable in giving me your address? We will be seeing a lot of each other from this moment on, of course, you will have mine as well. I would ask for your number but as you may already well know, we have a directory on our devices and your name should be quite easy to find."
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