[ Well this sure was out of the blue, huh. It takes them a second to work out who it is - but well, it's a distinctive username, so that's not too hard. ]
Hello to you too.
Oh no.
Did someone set the cafe on fire again?
I swear, that robot's going to end up putting someone in the medical bay sooner or later.
Hello to you too.
Oh no.
Did someone set the cafe on fire again?
I swear, that robot's going to end up putting someone in the medical bay sooner or later.
sometime in week 2 of june, after the sharkening and subsequent Bad Decisions
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dialetheism
2019-06-15 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ So. Lyrabar. A beautiful city, full of wonder and mischief and people who perhaps really do mean well in the long run, if only they'd stop it with the money laundering and rampant capitalism. A month isn't long enough to see all that it has to offer, let alone a week.
It's such a shame about the local wildlife. Such a shame indeed.
This is... after that. How long after is hard to say, exactly, as time stopped making sense when they woke up. Which is probably bad? Like how the strange not-quite-hole in their memories is classifiable as 'bad', especially since they don't know what it was, only that it was- important, an anchor keeping a box of glass shards swept safely out of reach. Being alone makes it worse, but finding him didn't-
they couldn't-
and the thought of testing the Oath and hearing nothing but silence was too awful to risk. So the next best thing was just waiting it out, somewhere near enough to people that they'd follow along out of reflexive habit, or at the very least be watched for further signs of Stupidity. If they can just hold on for a little while, they can find him and work out what happened. Right?
Yeah, bad idea in hindsight. They didn't need reminding of that, thanks much, Qrow. And the longer that conversation went on, the worse that feeling got, until the bubbling anger and shame-worry-fear and everything else threatened to become something truly Unfortunate - so they left! Hid like a bad dream and ran all the way home.
This leads to now, where there's a muffled thump against a particular door in a particular part of the royal guard apartments. The kind of thump that comes from someone not seeing a door at all until it very rudely stopped them. ]
It's such a shame about the local wildlife. Such a shame indeed.
This is... after that. How long after is hard to say, exactly, as time stopped making sense when they woke up. Which is probably bad? Like how the strange not-quite-hole in their memories is classifiable as 'bad', especially since they don't know what it was, only that it was- important, an anchor keeping a box of glass shards swept safely out of reach. Being alone makes it worse, but finding him didn't-
they couldn't-
and the thought of testing the Oath and hearing nothing but silence was too awful to risk. So the next best thing was just waiting it out, somewhere near enough to people that they'd follow along out of reflexive habit, or at the very least be watched for further signs of Stupidity. If they can just hold on for a little while, they can find him and work out what happened. Right?
Yeah, bad idea in hindsight. They didn't need reminding of that, thanks much, Qrow. And the longer that conversation went on, the worse that feeling got, until the bubbling anger and shame-worry-fear and everything else threatened to become something truly Unfortunate - so they left! Hid like a bad dream and ran all the way home.
This leads to now, where there's a muffled thump against a particular door in a particular part of the royal guard apartments. The kind of thump that comes from someone not seeing a door at all until it very rudely stopped them. ]
[So, you know. Shit's rough. The mission was a struggle and they failed to retrieve the relic. The fact that the city and sea of fallen stars aren't completely destroyed are about half a silver lining, tempered by the fact that the Hunger will probably be on their ass soon because of the relic fuckup.
...Suffice it to say, Shinji's a little bit stressed. But, well, he's still Shinji, which means he's not going to talk about it with anyone; that'd just be silly. Instead, he's blowing off some...well, not-quite-literal steam, because there's no steam when it comes to baking. But he's definitely making a whole mess of muffins, even wearing a cute apron he picked up at some point, when Lion happens to walk past.
And Shinji, being aggressively a dumbass, is kind of oddly embarrassed about his cooking adventures, so he.... definitely startles upon seeing them. Look at that great deer-in-headlights action as he stares at them, still holding an oven mitt.]
..........Hey.
...Suffice it to say, Shinji's a little bit stressed. But, well, he's still Shinji, which means he's not going to talk about it with anyone; that'd just be silly. Instead, he's blowing off some...well, not-quite-literal steam, because there's no steam when it comes to baking. But he's definitely making a whole mess of muffins, even wearing a cute apron he picked up at some point, when Lion happens to walk past.
And Shinji, being aggressively a dumbass, is kind of oddly embarrassed about his cooking adventures, so he.... definitely startles upon seeing them. Look at that great deer-in-headlights action as he stares at them, still holding an oven mitt.]
..........Hey.
[ Lyrabar was, to put it kindly, a mistake.
It's not the city's fault. They all knew this was going to be a difficult relic to recapture, even if nobody probably took the risk seriously after their miraculous successes in the past few attemps. But miracles don't last- eventually, the luck runs out, and you're left to deal with the fallout.
But that's rather morbid, and they can't allow themself to be anything less then optimistically perfect, even now. So it's up to them to think of ways to help everyone bounce back. Nobody's allowed to sink into despair on their watch, no sir.
Stumbling across Shinji in the midst of a localised kitchen apocalypse, however, was not something they could've accounted for in any possible sense. ]
... Hello, Shinji-san. [ A conversation for the ages, truly. ] I didn't know you baked.
[ There's a noticable lack of annoyance, here. Just the mild suprise of finding out something new about someone that you really didn't expect. ]
It's not the city's fault. They all knew this was going to be a difficult relic to recapture, even if nobody probably took the risk seriously after their miraculous successes in the past few attemps. But miracles don't last- eventually, the luck runs out, and you're left to deal with the fallout.
But that's rather morbid, and they can't allow themself to be anything less then optimistically perfect, even now. So it's up to them to think of ways to help everyone bounce back. Nobody's allowed to sink into despair on their watch, no sir.
Stumbling across Shinji in the midst of a localised kitchen apocalypse, however, was not something they could've accounted for in any possible sense. ]
... Hello, Shinji-san. [ A conversation for the ages, truly. ] I didn't know you baked.
[ There's a noticable lack of annoyance, here. Just the mild suprise of finding out something new about someone that you really didn't expect. ]
[Normally, this would be the part where he made some kind of excuse or an attempt at deflection and then dig his heels in and attempt to sink with the ship up to the point where got red truthed out of all his excuses.
Unfortunately, he's been caught rather red-handed here, so Shinji just kind of. Continues to stand there frozen for a minute, before he shrugs a shoulder and looks off to the side, rubbing at his neck. Ironically, turning to look away reveals a smudge of flour on his cheek.]
I, uh. ...Yeah. [Truly a scintillating exchange.] Passes the time and shit, s'whatever.
Unfortunately, he's been caught rather red-handed here, so Shinji just kind of. Continues to stand there frozen for a minute, before he shrugs a shoulder and looks off to the side, rubbing at his neck. Ironically, turning to look away reveals a smudge of flour on his cheek.]
I, uh. ...Yeah. [Truly a scintillating exchange.] Passes the time and shit, s'whatever.
[ Aw, he's embarrassed. Whether it's over baking itself, or just being caught, they don't know, but it's honestly kind of adorable. For someone so grumpy, he sure is easy to read. ]
Ah, I'm glad. [ He's trying to play it off, but they Know. Stress Baker 1, meet Stress Baker 2. ] I was beginning to worry that you didn't let yourself have any hobbies at all.
[ ...Okay so they couldn't resist a bit of gentle teasing, but look. It wouldn't surprise them if he just refused to do anything for fun whatsoever. ]
Though I'm a little jealous, I must admit. I haven't been able to find the time to practice recently myself. [ Lion that's because you keep throwing yourself into the library. Lion please. ]
Ah, I'm glad. [ He's trying to play it off, but they Know. Stress Baker 1, meet Stress Baker 2. ] I was beginning to worry that you didn't let yourself have any hobbies at all.
[ ...Okay so they couldn't resist a bit of gentle teasing, but look. It wouldn't surprise them if he just refused to do anything for fun whatsoever. ]
Though I'm a little jealous, I must admit. I haven't been able to find the time to practice recently myself. [ Lion that's because you keep throwing yourself into the library. Lion please. ]
[hdu lion, he is not adorable he is a bad scary man grr argh!!!
He huffs slightly at the teasing, and they're honestly rewarded by a faint dusting of pink at the edges of his ears where they're not buried by his shaggy mess of hair.]
T-tch....everyone has hobbies. We're just busy most of the time.
[Wait shit that's implying that he does this often. He hecked up!!! Shinji tries to shove his hands in his pockets, but he's still wearing the oven mitts so that looks even more ridiculous....he yanks them back out of his pockets almost angrily, and he's about to toss them off and FLEE LIKE THE WIND before he remembers he needs to actually. Take the muffins out of the oven.
And sloooowly, as if he's some kind of stop-motion animation in real life, he turns toward the offending appliance and opens it, allowing the delicious baking smell to waft out as he removes the tray.
...
....
......]
...........I got some leftover batter. If you want.
He huffs slightly at the teasing, and they're honestly rewarded by a faint dusting of pink at the edges of his ears where they're not buried by his shaggy mess of hair.]
T-tch....everyone has hobbies. We're just busy most of the time.
[Wait shit that's implying that he does this often. He hecked up!!! Shinji tries to shove his hands in his pockets, but he's still wearing the oven mitts so that looks even more ridiculous....he yanks them back out of his pockets almost angrily, and he's about to toss them off and FLEE LIKE THE WIND before he remembers he needs to actually. Take the muffins out of the oven.
And sloooowly, as if he's some kind of stop-motion animation in real life, he turns toward the offending appliance and opens it, allowing the delicious baking smell to waft out as he removes the tray.
...
....
......]
...........I got some leftover batter. If you want.
[ Sorry, Shinji, they've seen way scarier. He don't rate. A+ for effort though.
Whatever they might say on downtime or the lack thereof is lost in the wake of watching him run through idle animations by accident, and they're so, so glad for the years of tutoring in the art of keeping a straight face at all times because laughter would likely just be the thing that makes him Outright Die. Even if they want to- not out of malice, but just. It's such a drastic change from how he normally acts. In a good way.
... That does smell nice, though, dang. ]
I- ah, only if you don't mind me intruding? The company would be nice, as would the practice.
[ There's a little bit of a chuckle creeping into their voice, but hopefully it comes across as warm. ]
But I can come back another time if you'd prefer the silence instead. [ Fair is fair. People cope differently. ]
Whatever they might say on downtime or the lack thereof is lost in the wake of watching him run through idle animations by accident, and they're so, so glad for the years of tutoring in the art of keeping a straight face at all times because laughter would likely just be the thing that makes him Outright Die. Even if they want to- not out of malice, but just. It's such a drastic change from how he normally acts. In a good way.
... That does smell nice, though, dang. ]
I- ah, only if you don't mind me intruding? The company would be nice, as would the practice.
[ There's a little bit of a chuckle creeping into their voice, but hopefully it comes across as warm. ]
But I can come back another time if you'd prefer the silence instead. [ Fair is fair. People cope differently. ]
[The thing is. Shinji does prefer to be alone when he's in a brooding mood like he has been. It's easier than being around people, who try to be comforting, when he doesn't tend to believe he deserves any such thing.
There's an uncomfortable feeling, too, that runs down his spine at the comment about how company would be nice, because his kneejerk reaction is still that he's unpleasant to be around and they should find someone better if that's what they're after. But he can't actually bring himself to say it, because the irony is he's trapped himself in his own dumbass awkwardness, where being asked to be left alone to stress-bake in peace is about a thousand times more embarrassing than having been caught baking in the first place.]
...It's fine. Do whatever you want.
[Sorry for the thugdere up in here, Lion.]
There's an uncomfortable feeling, too, that runs down his spine at the comment about how company would be nice, because his kneejerk reaction is still that he's unpleasant to be around and they should find someone better if that's what they're after. But he can't actually bring himself to say it, because the irony is he's trapped himself in his own dumbass awkwardness, where being asked to be left alone to stress-bake in peace is about a thousand times more embarrassing than having been caught baking in the first place.]
...It's fine. Do whatever you want.
[Sorry for the thugdere up in here, Lion.]
[ Welp. On one hand, they're not completely oblivious - Shinji wants to be alone, but doesn't want to say it. The correct, tactful thing to do would be to allow him the out, leave, and find something else to do in a way that doesn't bother him.
On the other- ]
Thank you. I'll try not to get in your way, Shinji-san.
[ -Lion has far, far too much practice under their belt by now to be deterred by someone being sullen in their general direction. They're a professional worrier, specialised in dealing with Tall Grumpy Bastards. He'll just have to try harder to throw them off if that's truly what he wants.
It's not long before they've re-adjusted their ponytail into a loose bun, with their bangs tucked away - look, they're not expecting anyone to actually eat these, but food safety is important - and hands washed. Oh, and the ring gets... safely tucked away too, because if it survived everything else only to become Surprise Muffin Filling, they would actually, legitimately die.
Step one done, even if there's probably no spare aprons around. Oh well. ]
... Though I will have to bother you for where the batter is, if you don't mind. [ oops. ]
On the other- ]
Thank you. I'll try not to get in your way, Shinji-san.
[ -Lion has far, far too much practice under their belt by now to be deterred by someone being sullen in their general direction. They're a professional worrier, specialised in dealing with Tall Grumpy Bastards. He'll just have to try harder to throw them off if that's truly what he wants.
It's not long before they've re-adjusted their ponytail into a loose bun, with their bangs tucked away - look, they're not expecting anyone to actually eat these, but food safety is important - and hands washed. Oh, and the ring gets... safely tucked away too, because if it survived everything else only to become Surprise Muffin Filling, they would actually, legitimately die.
Step one done, even if there's probably no spare aprons around. Oh well. ]
... Though I will have to bother you for where the batter is, if you don't mind. [ oops. ]
[It's weirdly awkward, sharing this particular kind of space. He's known Lion for a while now, and though he's generally comfortable around them (inasmuch as he's comfortable with anyone), there's something more -- intimate? about showing them this side of him. He couldn't explain why; they're not even the first person to know about it, or the second, because he's a terrible liar and often gets caught in his own bullshit when he ends up cooking for people, or he blurts out something about cooking when he's flustered or distracted for other reasons.
Lion asking for the batter shakes him out of that awkward mental loop of not really knowing what to do with their presence. He moves automatically for the bowl he set aside; it's obvious from how neat the area still is despite the muffinpalooza he's created that Shinji is not an amateur indulging a passing whim. Things have been measured out precisely, and whatever he's not using is put away.]
Here. It's uh, basic chocolate-flavored. You wanna add anything? There's nuts in the cabinet over there, and there should be dried fruit in the one below it.
Lion asking for the batter shakes him out of that awkward mental loop of not really knowing what to do with their presence. He moves automatically for the bowl he set aside; it's obvious from how neat the area still is despite the muffinpalooza he's created that Shinji is not an amateur indulging a passing whim. Things have been measured out precisely, and whatever he's not using is put away.]
Here. It's uh, basic chocolate-flavored. You wanna add anything? There's nuts in the cabinet over there, and there should be dried fruit in the one below it.
[ It's been a long month.
Well, objectively, time moves at a linear rate despite any illusions or time perception problems, so all months are equally long. But bringing that up in conversation makes you an asshole. The proper reaction, in terms of interpersonal relationships, is to let the person who's had a long month sit on your couch and bitch up a storm. (But complaining as a coping mechanism is really unhealthy) Let's not.
Really, let's not.
Lion isn't really complaining either. It's been a few hours of the occasional passive sigh, five instances of spouting regrets, two angry complaints about how no class takes up the one that got dropped, one specific moment of considering blowing all their money on badminton equipment to put in the quad, and seventeen variations of 'why do you not have any food in the house'.
It's only seventeen because number eighteen gets cut off by- ] Stop. You're hyper-focusing. Pick one thing and we'll fix it. One.
Well, objectively, time moves at a linear rate despite any illusions or time perception problems, so all months are equally long. But bringing that up in conversation makes you an asshole. The proper reaction, in terms of interpersonal relationships, is to let the person who's had a long month sit on your couch and bitch up a storm. (But complaining as a coping mechanism is really unhealthy) Let's not.
Really, let's not.
Lion isn't really complaining either. It's been a few hours of the occasional passive sigh, five instances of spouting regrets, two angry complaints about how no class takes up the one that got dropped, one specific moment of considering blowing all their money on badminton equipment to put in the quad, and seventeen variations of 'why do you not have any food in the house'.
It's only seventeen because number eighteen gets cut off by- ] Stop. You're hyper-focusing. Pick one thing and we'll fix it. One.
[ They're blameless. Innocent of all sin. Completely perfect in every way. Because any normal, less wonderful person would likely have spontaneously combusted by now from the sheer volume of various topics and stressors that they are completely refusing to think about in any way, shape, or form. This unstated number has recently swelled to include the entirety of what happened in Lyrabar. This is probably dangerous to their mental health, but who cares, they're functioning. Kinda. Mostly.
Honestly, it's probably a good thing that Will is an angel, debatably retired or otherwise. One would need the patience of a saint to not throw them off the moon for the amount of times they've accidentally repeated the same exact sentence in the past few hours.
For example: five seconds ago, aborted by one very irate partner. Oops. ]
I'm not hyper-focusing.
[ Like bloody hell they're not. ]
I just- I could've sworn I left something here, and I highly doubt either of you came back solely to eat it.
[ They've said that one at least five times already. ]
Honestly, it's probably a good thing that Will is an angel, debatably retired or otherwise. One would need the patience of a saint to not throw them off the moon for the amount of times they've accidentally repeated the same exact sentence in the past few hours.
For example: five seconds ago, aborted by one very irate partner. Oops. ]
I'm not hyper-focusing.
[ Like bloody hell they're not. ]
I just- I could've sworn I left something here, and I highly doubt either of you came back solely to eat it.
[ They've said that one at least five times already. ]
Ushiromiya, you've said that six times. Five, if you ignore the one where you stopped what you were saying halfway through to ask if I wanted coffee, which you've asked three times.
[ There are so many insults in that sentence it's hard to pick which one to focus on. Lion even gets two seconds to find something to bitch on, when they get conversation sniped again. ]
Answer the demand. Pick a problem.
[ There are so many insults in that sentence it's hard to pick which one to focus on. Lion even gets two seconds to find something to bitch on, when they get conversation sniped again. ]
Answer the demand. Pick a problem.
[ The first retort is discarded mid-thought, as are the two that immediately try to follow it. This is totally not because they know what the response would be, and also because they said one of them already, and nobody can prove otherwise.
This earns the long-suffering huffy sigh that he knows so well, of a brat who knows they can't win if they say what they're currently thinking so they have to sulk instead.
Jerk.
But fine, if he's going to be pedantic and demand that they focus on one thing in particular, they'll focus, alright. ]
-Can you teach me how to fight properly?
[ There's a pause, as they give up on the useless cupboard and politely slam it shut for emphasis. Despite the snappish tone to their voice, it is actually a topic they've given some serious thought to. Y'know, before he throws that out there. ]
I mean- would you. [ Correct grammar is, as always, important. ] If I took it seriously.
[ Again, before he snipes them for only saying it because they're bored. ]
And yes, I am perfectly aware of your inclinations towards being a relentless teacher, before you try that one.
[ One, two, three strikes, without even looking. They know each other far too well. ]
This earns the long-suffering huffy sigh that he knows so well, of a brat who knows they can't win if they say what they're currently thinking so they have to sulk instead.
Jerk.
But fine, if he's going to be pedantic and demand that they focus on one thing in particular, they'll focus, alright. ]
-Can you teach me how to fight properly?
[ There's a pause, as they give up on the useless cupboard and politely slam it shut for emphasis. Despite the snappish tone to their voice, it is actually a topic they've given some serious thought to. Y'know, before he throws that out there. ]
I mean- would you. [ Correct grammar is, as always, important. ] If I took it seriously.
[ Again, before he snipes them for only saying it because they're bored. ]
And yes, I am perfectly aware of your inclinations towards being a relentless teacher, before you try that one.
[ One, two, three strikes, without even looking. They know each other far too well. ]
Edited 2019-07-27 18:31 (UTC)
[ They both know how the game works by now. Especially Lion, considering the immediate grammar correction. Well-played, he was about to snipe them for it. The answer is a hypothetical yes, but they're easily distracted and wouldn't take it serio-
Cut off. There's a flash of annoyance, maybe. Okay, hypothetically, if he would teach them assuming they took it seriously, there's still the problem of Lion being a petulant child and him being rele-
And again.
The smile they get is less a smile, more the annoyed wince that crosses someone's face when the light of their existence makes them look like a moron in public, but at the same time being infinitely proud of them for finally learning what comebacks are.
Dammit. ]
...I get it. Take the point and shut it.
[ Lion can mark that down as two points: one that he just gave them, and another for making him give it in the first place. Maybe half of a third one, since it means - even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes - they've gotten good enough at reading their partner that it's actually throwing him off. Lion isbeautiful no, wrong, they're a menace. ]
Weren't you in a class for that?
Cut off. There's a flash of annoyance, maybe. Okay, hypothetically, if he would teach them assuming they took it seriously, there's still the problem of Lion being a petulant child and him being rele-
And again.
The smile they get is less a smile, more the annoyed wince that crosses someone's face when the light of their existence makes them look like a moron in public, but at the same time being infinitely proud of them for finally learning what comebacks are.
Dammit. ]
...I get it. Take the point and shut it.
[ Lion can mark that down as two points: one that he just gave them, and another for making him give it in the first place. Maybe half of a third one, since it means - even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes - they've gotten good enough at reading their partner that it's actually throwing him off. Lion is
Weren't you in a class for that?
[ It's a pity they didn't turn to watch him. The change in expression would be worth a third point all on it's own.
As it stands, they allow a brief moment to feel both smug and surprised - hey, it actually worked! - before they do turn around. Mm, glorious spitepoints. ]
Hypothetically, yes, but even ignoring the rest of the problems with that class-
[ For example: it's too big, it wasn't planned for, it only covers the bare minimum, they hate learning something hard in front of people who might look up to them... ]
-you and I both know that neither the style of learning nor the actual method of teaching would make any sort of lasting impact on me.
[ Which is a really polite, if prickly, way to phrase "they're not using a gunsword and nobody can make them". ]
As it stands, they allow a brief moment to feel both smug and surprised - hey, it actually worked! - before they do turn around. Mm, glorious spitepoints. ]
Hypothetically, yes, but even ignoring the rest of the problems with that class-
[ For example: it's too big, it wasn't planned for, it only covers the bare minimum, they hate learning something hard in front of people who might look up to them... ]
-you and I both know that neither the style of learning nor the actual method of teaching would make any sort of lasting impact on me.
[ Which is a really polite, if prickly, way to phrase "they're not using a gunsword and nobody can make them". ]
[ A moment is taken to picture Lion trying to use a gunsword. It's hilarious. Except they'd probably blow someone's head off with it and that's slightly less hilarious. Slightly.
But it never shows in expression. Even if it's Lion, which means the kneejerk instinct is to roll over to whatever petty demand they have as long as it makes them happy, this one has to be taken seriously. Their answer is initially followed only by the muffled 'tnk' noises of metal tapping on a countertop, a metronome timed to consideration.
Take it as a request from anyone else. And the voice is dropped a pitch. ]
Doubt you could use a sword like mine. You're better with a gun than I could ever be. What are you expecting?
But it never shows in expression. Even if it's Lion, which means the kneejerk instinct is to roll over to whatever petty demand they have as long as it makes them happy, this one has to be taken seriously. Their answer is initially followed only by the muffled 'tnk' noises of metal tapping on a countertop, a metronome timed to consideration.
Take it as a request from anyone else. And the voice is dropped a pitch. ]
Doubt you could use a sword like mine. You're better with a gun than I could ever be. What are you expecting?
[ Don't preen at the offhand complement, Lion, you're trying to be serious for once.
Ahem. ]
I highly doubt I could even lift a sword like yours.
[ The idle joke buys them time to line up the rest of the thought. Because... well, what are they expecting? It's not a passing whim - they wouldn't ask if it was, they established that, don't re-tread the same ground - but it's no big secret that they're not the most combat-y person ever. For good reason, actually. Even the gun is borderline too far. ]
... I won't lie and say I had a particular idea in mind, because I don't. [ And he'd nail them for it if they tried pretending otherwise. ] But looking at it from a purely practical standpoint? If I'm in a situation where the rifle doesn't work, I'm defenseless.
[ '45 is a good girl, but at the end of the day, the rifle is a weapon from a different genre entirely. The fact that Garfield even sells bullets for it is nothing short of miraculous. And that's not even covering what happens if it breaks, or they go into the desert again, or underwater- actually no fuck that last one.
They don't mention using magic instead, despite Sacred Flame being right there, because if the gun is almost too far... ]
Practicing something else - even if I end up being laughable at it - is better then just blindly hoping that I'll never need to worry.
Ahem. ]
I highly doubt I could even lift a sword like yours.
[ The idle joke buys them time to line up the rest of the thought. Because... well, what are they expecting? It's not a passing whim - they wouldn't ask if it was, they established that, don't re-tread the same ground - but it's no big secret that they're not the most combat-y person ever. For good reason, actually. Even the gun is borderline too far. ]
... I won't lie and say I had a particular idea in mind, because I don't. [ And he'd nail them for it if they tried pretending otherwise. ] But looking at it from a purely practical standpoint? If I'm in a situation where the rifle doesn't work, I'm defenseless.
[ '45 is a good girl, but at the end of the day, the rifle is a weapon from a different genre entirely. The fact that Garfield even sells bullets for it is nothing short of miraculous. And that's not even covering what happens if it breaks, or they go into the desert again, or underwater- actually no fuck that last one.
They don't mention using magic instead, despite Sacred Flame being right there, because if the gun is almost too far... ]
Practicing something else - even if I end up being laughable at it - is better then just blindly hoping that I'll never need to worry.
[ Saying they're surprised by the careful order of the borrowed kitchen would likely sound like an insult, so they don't verbalise the thought. But they do make note of it, quietly, in the midst of tying up their hair and generally trying to not be a nuisance - not so much because they're alarmed, but because they're trying to get better about understanding the people around them. You can learn a lot from someone's habits. And Shinji is someone worth understanding, even if he's incredibly prickly and would, probably, rather they don't bother.
They almost feel a bit embarrassed themself, truth be told. It's certainly important to him, and while baking is one of their fonder passtimes, it's just that- a hobby they can pick up and put down without much thought. But there's a lot to unpack there, regarding their whole damn life, so let's... not, for now. ]
Chocolate is fine by me, though I might add some of those nuts just to be different.
[ Variety is the spice of... something something. Also they totally don't have a sweet tooth, shut up. ]
... Though it just occurred to me that it might be a little different then I'm used to. [ Surely muffins can't have changed that much in... however long a gap is between 1986 and whenever he's from, ontop of the possibly-medieval possibly-futuristic cookware. Oops. ]
They almost feel a bit embarrassed themself, truth be told. It's certainly important to him, and while baking is one of their fonder passtimes, it's just that- a hobby they can pick up and put down without much thought. But there's a lot to unpack there, regarding their whole damn life, so let's... not, for now. ]
Chocolate is fine by me, though I might add some of those nuts just to be different.
[ Variety is the spice of... something something. Also they totally don't have a sweet tooth, shut up. ]
... Though it just occurred to me that it might be a little different then I'm used to. [ Surely muffins can't have changed that much in... however long a gap is between 1986 and whenever he's from, ontop of the possibly-medieval possibly-futuristic cookware. Oops. ]
It's not that heavy.
[ This isn't even said in a mocking manner. It's only like nine-ish kilograms, that's nothing. Also for the sake of the narrative's sanity, we're not gonna bother with extended metaphors or narration. There is simply a long expanse of silence, weighing pros and cons, options, possibilities, and at that moment Lion can see where some people get nervous around him. It's like being set on a scale and weighed against something they aren't even aware of; would never even know how they rate against it. It extends long enough to turn nervousness into panic before- ]
I can try.
[ Well shit guess they'll have to- wait what??? A yes??????? ]
[ This isn't even said in a mocking manner. It's only like nine-ish kilograms, that's nothing. Also for the sake of the narrative's sanity, we're not gonna bother with extended metaphors or narration. There is simply a long expanse of silence, weighing pros and cons, options, possibilities, and at that moment Lion can see where some people get nervous around him. It's like being set on a scale and weighed against something they aren't even aware of; would never even know how they rate against it. It extends long enough to turn nervousness into panic before- ]
I can try.
[ Well shit guess they'll have to- wait what??? A yes??????? ]
[ 'Not that heavy', says man who casually disrespects proper usage of a zweihander on a daily basis. But bickering about the difference in perspective would only detract from the point, so they don't.
They're not concerned about the Silence. Why would they be? Will is Will, and it only proves that he's taking their request seriously. Even if he says no, they can trust that there would be a reason, even if he probably wouldn't give that reason to anyone, ever, like a jerk. ]
Trying is all I ask.
[ From anyone else, that'd be a very confused "wait, really???" instead. ]
After all, it's not exactly a simple request, or an immediately pressing one.
[ It would be simple if it wasn't either of them. But that's why they asked rather then doing something hilariously stupid like trying to self-tutor swordplay or something. ]
They're not concerned about the Silence. Why would they be? Will is Will, and it only proves that he's taking their request seriously. Even if he says no, they can trust that there would be a reason, even if he probably wouldn't give that reason to anyone, ever, like a jerk. ]
Trying is all I ask.
[ From anyone else, that'd be a very confused "wait, really???" instead. ]
After all, it's not exactly a simple request, or an immediately pressing one.
[ It would be simple if it wasn't either of them. But that's why they asked rather then doing something hilariously stupid like trying to self-tutor swordplay or something. ]
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