[Oof. Rejected? His anxiety is outmatched only by his need to not appear like a complete loser; that need is being neglected, because he really, really does not want to be alone in this place - even if this particular corner of it does look like Home.
[It feels polite to argue and say something along the lines of, "No way, Val. I would still totally think you were cool no matter what world we were in." It feels disingenuous. Maybe she's insane. Maybe she's trying to destroy her world. Maybe she's a super scary villain who just happens to be kind of nice. Better than a super scary villain who's also really mean.
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[Valerie blinks. Jabs a thumb at herself.]
Me?
[Points at the sky, waves around.]
Here?
[And finally, at Dera.]
With you?
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[Besides. He likes Val.]
You know. If you want, yeah. We could hang.
I'd like you to.
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[Val stares at him for a moment longer.]
[Promptly, flicks herself in the side of the head.]
[It does not wake her up.] You’re not kidding!
Wow, I’m sorry! [Sounds more stunned than apologetic, but it’s not false.] You know, no one’s ever asked me to stick around before!
[Is this actually happening?]
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Hmmm. [She glances aside for a moment.] If you were in my world you would not think that!
However… seeing as we are not in that world… [Probably, anyway....]
[Val folds a hand behind her back, and she dips her head in a little bow.]
I would be honored to keep your acquaintance, Dera~!
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[The bow is very charming. Evil super villains don't do cute little bows like that-- although, maybe.]
Sweet deal. We're buds, then.
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[Why not any/all of the above? That Dera is not fake-polite only endears Val to him more, frankly.]
[She goes for a firm, affirmative handshake.]
And so we are buds.