D's Character Q&A, Part II

Hey all! There was no voting for Q&A this month since D was the only left haha. If you haven't read Part I of their Q&A yet, you can find it here.

Bit late this week since I'm busy writing, so tier 3 will get the romantic snippet tomorrow instead. Tier 2+ will also get the character snippet on Friday instead of Saturday since that's the last day of June this month. Somewhere between tomorrow and Friday I'll also have the A/R snippet up.

Anyways, onto D's Q&A!!

What's your favorite outfit?
"My ar-"

Armor doesn't count.
"In that case, I have several sets of linen robes I enjoy wearing when it's hot out, on the rare occasion when armor isn't needed it. They're simple in design with subtle embroidery, and pleasantly lightweight."

Xelef/Xelara asked me to ask you: does it show much skin?
They roll their eyes. "Unless you're scandalized by my calves and elbows, no, it doesn't show much skin."

What about your favorite season?
"Spring. The weather is temperate and pleasant."

Favorite thing to do when you're not working?
"Training, physical exercise."

Okay, what about an activity that has nothing to do with fighting?
"Tending to my weapons and armor." 

Let me rephrase: an activity that does not involve anything that could be remotely connected to your work.
"Hmm... playing backgammon. Whittling. Swimming. Fishing. Enjoying music." 

Music, really? What's your favorite song or story to hear in a tea house?
"I like instrumentals more than the poetry of the songs. Being able to empty my head and simply listen to the strumming of a tembûr is much more pleasant than trying to follow along with whatever grand tale the storyteller is weaving. They always leave on a cliffhanger, too, because they know it'll fetch them the most coin. It's frustrating."

When is the best night's sleep you've ever had?
"Whatever the last time was that I slept in a proper bed, which would be whenever I stay in a city. I don't need much to have a good night's rest. I tend to need less sleep than most people to begin with." 

Have you ever courted anyone in the past?
"Of course."

How many?
A thoughtful pause. "Three. Four, if you count the one that lasted all but a week."

Really, a week?
"It wasn't a serious courtship. Back when I was a soldier, a close friend and I, together with our group, were cornered into some tunnels by outlaws. We honestly thought we weren't going to make it, and one of her regrets was that she never courted anyone before. So I offered."

And you broke it off after a week?
"We escaped the tunnels after a week once reinforcements arrived and cleared out the outlaws. So, yes, after that it ended. We remain good friends."

What about more serious courtships? Why did those end?
"In some instances because we weren't well-matched. Sometimes you don't find out that you're unsuited for each other until the courtship phase, when you discover more about each other's quirks and habits.

"In other instances, it was an issue of time and distance. Aside from the week-long pretend courtship I mentioned, I never courted anyone in the army. My previous lovers were all civilians, and I don't think I have to tell you how having your lover away all the time can wear on a relationship." 

Do you tend to take the initiative when you're interested in someone, or is it the other way around?
"I've always taken the initiative. Sitting around and waiting for someone to notice me doesn't suit me. Subtlety tends to waste time." 

You're not a romantic, then?
"I didn't say that. I only said I wasn't subtle. You can still be romantic in a more direct way, rather than twirling your hair and making eyes across the room at someone, quietly hoping they'll somehow notice and read your mind." 

Speaking from experience?
"You don't want to know the number of love confessions I've been subjected to from people who were confused by my surprise, because they thought gazing longingly at me from a distance somehow made their feelings perfectly clear on the matter. I wish people would be more straightforward." 

What's the worst love confession you've ever received?
"That would be from a total stranger, who apparently only ever saw me from a distance, yet somehow fooled themselves into thinking it was love at first sight. It was more infatuation and obsession than anything else. I tried to let them down easy, stating that we hardly knew each other, and they said, 'I know everything about you, Dildar'."

They called you by the wrong name?
"As I said, they hardly knew me. They only knew that I was the general, and that I was handsome, and that was good enough for them. It took a stern talking to before they finally got the message that I wasn't interested. A little creeped out, even." 

So, you like taking the initiative, but it also sounds like you prefer your partner to be more assertive too?
"Not necessarily assertive. Just honest. I don't enjoy playing games. I'm perfectly fine pursuing someone who's more shy, so long as they aren't too coy about it."

(Assuming the Crown is romancing D:) Why aren't you as assertive with the Crown?
"Aside from the colossal scandal that would result from the Crown courting their own general? I was rather distracted by the fact of having a Crown to begin with, to really consider whether I was attracted to them.

...I'm still trying not to consider it."