cotton corset

"Do people find you off-putting, Aegaeon?"

"I have been told this often," Aegaeon replied without missing so much as a beat.

Dunban nodded, not just seemingly but indeed obviously awash in his own thoughts now that he'd satisfied his curiosity for the moment. This happened quite often for him, and for Aegaeon as well. They got as close to openly not paying attention as anyone could without being outright rude. And yet, they still managed to follow the threads of conversation. Mostly. Usually. Mostly, usually.

They always stood in the same position, one hand on hilt of katana and the other straight stiff at side. Of course, Dunban did this because his unused arm was disabled. Aegaeon could have limp-wristed with his free arm, but he didn't. He was always stood at attention to nothing. They both were.

"But you seem normal to me," Dunban pointed out, when he finally felt like rejoining. Aegaeon nodded in turn, because he found it agreeable to resume the conversation at this same departed point. Dunban nodded back to him. They nodded together.

"I believe they find me easy to dismiss," said Aegaeon, not actually in answer or much direct relevance to Dunban's remark. "There is little to which to object when I do not make myself present in the present exchange."

"But if you were to speak?"

"If I were to speak about my interests, in the deliberate ways that come naturally to me, I would be ignored."

"That's right."

Dunban wasn't sure he minded it. Everyone seemed to love his quirks as pertained to him being the dashing hero more than they resented dealing with them. They assumed things about him that he didn't necessarily appreciate, but Aegaeon understood that just as well.

"Do they ask you about sex?"

"They do not."

"Ah - lucky, that."

They thought him unknowledgeable, most likely. They happened to be right.

"Look at the time...we'll be late for dinner, dear."

And then they didn't link arms, and walked away.