@contingentce said: Ares had the sort of presence that was difficult to ignore. Still, his approach to Seliph was quiet and unassuming today, out of some manner of respect. It was difficult to kindly give well-wishes to him of all people, but this is what Ares would manage. "I am glad today finds you well," he said, with a nod. "Another year of experience. May it serve you for the next." (@contingentce)
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As rude as it is, Seliph’s gaze moves past Ares and beyond his shoulder. The well-wishes aren’t odd, to him. Even if Ares is often stand-offish and aloof, the odd part isn’t that he’s here to offer Seliph some kind words, it’s the fact that he’s there at all. Surely some one informed him of the significance of the day, and it definitely wasn’t Seliph himself. He’d been doing his utmost to prevent others from learning and even more to prevent his childhood friends from remembering the date and making a fuss out of it.
So surely some one had informed Ares, and they were waiting for Seliph to lock eyes with them for them to giggle... But no one was standing behind Ares ( at least no one Seliph could see; the infamous ‘ Black Knight ’ was much taller than he ).
The smile he turns back to Ares with is a little awkward -- a silent apology for thinking this was some prank or joke on another’s behalf. In a way, it makes Ares’ words mean more, and that warms Seliph’s heart.
" Thank you, Ares, ” he replies at last. “ I appreciate it. ...If it’s not too much trouble, I’d rather not make a big deal of it, so please don’t let any one else know. ”
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