Annotated X14-4
A picture of Daniel and his relationship with E-Merl is beginning to emerge here. He’s not the smoothest fellow ever, but he’s definitely less awkward than his avatar, less inclined to wear his heart on his sleeve (“I think it’s a little late for me to do the bit where I pretend I don’t care,” E-Merl once said). But his invitation to let Lia wear his heart has not gone unnoticed. He downplays it as much as possible, not wanting to put her on the spot. But she knows him, and men, too well to miss this signal.
I think that in Daniel’s eyes, E-Merl is a representation of who he was when he was younger, too: insecure emotionally and probably financially. Now he’s secure enough that he can laugh at who he used to be and throw some money to artisan friends when he wants, something my wife enjoys doing too.
Looks like the metalworker used our archive button for reference.
Reading this the first time, it was not clear (to me) that E-Merl was payed by Daniel, but now that it is — sooo, these two players’ characters had a thing, and then one of them pulled back (possibly to avoid signalling a RL romantic potential?), but now Daniel one is giving her a heart, so … it never occurred to me that Daniel could have a thing for Lia (so, yeah, I totally did miss the signal), and my impression was that there is a considerable age difference between them, too. Which does of course not mean that they couldn’t become a couple, but … is that how it’s meant? I read his use of too many words more as trying to avoid romantic undertones because of course this is about Rachel, and the Heart of All seems an immensely fitting gift for the occasion.