[Laurent, on the other hand, is far more aloof about his course-jumping partner; at least after accidentally making eye contact once while also trying to sneak looks at Damen. Well, he's soundly convinced not to do that again.]
Is it surprising? [He doesn't return the gaze, still recovering from the mortifying ordeal of being perceived. But the statement catches him off guard nonetheless, so he-] Raise your standards.
[He turns to survey the next jump, and remembers that these rocks are the ones that sway and disappear, ending Damen's last attempt. Annoyance briefly flashes across his face; he has this knack for impeccably bad timing.]
...raise your standards later. Do you think… that this is just an issue of timing?
[Read as: help he's not confident about making this one]
no subject
Is it surprising? [He doesn't return the gaze, still recovering from the mortifying ordeal of being perceived. But the statement catches him off guard nonetheless, so he-] Raise your standards.
[He turns to survey the next jump, and remembers that these rocks are the ones that sway and disappear, ending Damen's last attempt. Annoyance briefly flashes across his face; he has this knack for impeccably bad timing.]
...raise your standards later. Do you think… that this is just an issue of timing?
[Read as: help he's not confident about making this one]