[In general, van Zieks doesn't mind long silences. He himself is given to them, always has been, with both of his closest relations (his brother and then Albert) being far more talkative, and he willing to simply listen.
However, he also usually uses them to imagine the potential responses, and in this case, it's mostly negative. There's good reason Albert is the only one left, and while he can no longer attribute it to their distance, with how Albert had continued to call him a friend even after reuniting, he can certainly attribute the lack of others to his personality and reputation. People don't want to associate with the Reaper. Even Naruhodou had been put off by him without even knowing the Reaper's Curse.
But so far, his impression of Kaspar is that of an unflinchingly polite man, even in the face of van Zieks' rudeness. Surely, his explanation gave Kaspar ample excuse, and he was simply finding a polite way to rebuff him, or simply even excuse himself. A small part of him, though, waits in hopeful anticipation, and is surprisingly rewarded.]
I- [he hesitates, simply out of surprise. Once his brain catches up he's got several different ways to shoot this down, and a few short weeks ago he would have. But...] Well, if you're sincere in your asking, I hardly have any reason to say no. [So yes, he'll shake that hand.]
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However, he also usually uses them to imagine the potential responses, and in this case, it's mostly negative. There's good reason Albert is the only one left, and while he can no longer attribute it to their distance, with how Albert had continued to call him a friend even after reuniting, he can certainly attribute the lack of others to his personality and reputation. People don't want to associate with the Reaper. Even Naruhodou had been put off by him without even knowing the Reaper's Curse.
But so far, his impression of Kaspar is that of an unflinchingly polite man, even in the face of van Zieks' rudeness. Surely, his explanation gave Kaspar ample excuse, and he was simply finding a polite way to rebuff him, or simply even excuse himself. A small part of him, though, waits in hopeful anticipation, and is surprisingly rewarded.]
I- [he hesitates, simply out of surprise. Once his brain catches up he's got several different ways to shoot this down, and a few short weeks ago he would have. But...] Well, if you're sincere in your asking, I hardly have any reason to say no.
[So yes, he'll shake that hand.]