stakesthesame | IMEEJI INBOX

What up, dorks! You know who it is. Leave a message!

[ frowns, deeply ]

There's a difference between intentionally putting you in a situation where you might get hurt and being thrown into one by circumstance!

The second is whatever, that's just how this place IS, but the first-- that's not "getting by" that's willfully disregarding your safety. I would never shrug off your help if I needed it! But I'm not gonna ring you up at 3am and be like "hey meet me at the station so I can murder Lucifel, kinda felt like watching you bleed out in front of me tonight even if we do succeed."

I care too much about you to want that. And I get you feel the same way, but-- ... I dunno.

I do know. I got one skill, and it's being stabbed, so may as well take advantage of that for something worth something for once!

[...takes a breath to (somewhat) rein herself in, wrapping her arms around herself more tightly]

Look-- I know sometime stuff just--happens. I'm not saying you gotta go outta your way or anything, I just-- I can help, okay? I been practicing, I won't slow you down.

It's not that I think you'll slow me down or anything. It's just that the idea of you getting hurt fucking sucks.

[ reaches over to lightly touch one of her hands. ]

... next time I'll bring you with me. Okay?

[hesitates, as if uncertain what she's good to do with it]

...I mean, I know you can take care of yourself. But you don't have to. ...I want-- You can depend on me sometimes, okay?

... I know. I know I can.

[ quiet for a moment ]

I will. M'not gonna intentionally throw you in harm's way, but. Y'know.

Would rather you weren't in harm's way too much either, but...

[looks away; gives a tight shrug. hesitates again--reaches for her hand, gently]

Luckily I'm usually not. Less than you, anyways.

[ takes it, threading cool fingers with nem's warmer ones and honestly looking PRETTY jazzed about it ]

[business before pleasure!! her hand is kinda clammy but she curls her fingers, secure. hesitates again]

...Uh. We finally get everything for now? Guess we can like. Check back in in like...two weeks? To see if this stuff feels okay?

I think we covered everything? ... check in with new people if we wanna do something with them before we do it, shoot a text if we need to, so on and so forth...

[ seems honestly way more relaxed now that she's got some point of contact with her. ]

Put stuff back on the table in a bit and see if it's still working sounds good to me.

[Nemesis does as well, surreptitiously having shuffled closer so that their legs bump even though she's still standing]

And okay. Sounds like a plan, then. Maybe..."talking" isn't so bad after all.

[ ♥♥♥♥♥ nudges against her knee with one of her own ]

Better than nothing, at least. Right?

Yeah...guess we'll see.

[flushes a little, expression closer to hopeful this time, however]

...Um. You got plans after this? Or, uh, could we...?

[ smile broadens a little. hopeful, but maybe for a different reason. ]

-- you wanna do somethin'? Yeah, I'm good! I got the whole day for you.

[careful, oh-so-casual]

Oh yeah? I mean, we could go out if there's something you wanna do. But uh. Didn't know if you wanted to, uh. Stay in for a little.

If I didn't know any better I'd say you were coming on to me.

[ teasing, squeezing her hand briefly ]

... I wanna show you the rainy day room. If you wanna hole up somewhere soft.

...Didn't wanna be pushy about it, but, uh.

[will take that slight change of subject]

A-anyway--it rains in there?

Nah, I just call it that. Cuz of the thunder and stuff.

[ getting up. and opening the window? ]

... maybe I can get rain for it though... anyway, let's get going.

[Is already standing, but tugs on Req's hand before she can actually float out]

Hey...

[ pauses ]

What's up?

[hesitates, then

goes up on tiptoes to press a light kiss to her mouth]

[ ........... ah,

is this what forgiveness feels like ]

[ if only her heart still beat. maybe the tightness in her chest wouldn't feel so painful.

leans down a little to make that easier for her after that second of freezing up and to press a gentle kiss back, just... brief, and nervous, her face entirely red when she draws back. ]