[it's true, if there were ever a duo who could figure out how to literally bullshit someone to death, it'd have to be them. the Ryuji-Dave ... x2 combob.]

[but he does see those fists, bro. he knows those protective instincts when he sees them — the urge to jump into the fray without reading up on the boss stats beforehand, because there's someone you care about either standing directly in the heat, or just too close to the line of fire for comfort.]

[he knows it because the feeling's mutual. he's smacked someone in the face with a shitty weapon that's more Comic Sans than it is sword to protect Ryuji before, and even if he's currently pretending the SORD..... doesn't exist, he's ready to do it again.]

Stand-up comic. Or maybe — no, wait, I'm cool with that idea. And flower picker. Like a weirdass florist that tells you jokes while putting together your funeral arrangement.

[Dave is literally just running his mouth at this point, hoping to weird her out enough to provide an opening to escape. and ... well, she isn't deterred just yet. a bit weirded out, yes! but not deterred.]

[keep trying.]