He looks a little surprised to see her there with boxes of takeout in her hands, but he ushers her inside anyway. His room is about the same as it's always been, the standard furniture dotting the room and little else, along with a small stash of tea supplies and various other knick-knacks taking up one side of his desk-slash-table set up. ]
[ her voice gives a little more of her current condition away, even as she smiles; it's softer, and malkuth sighs as sits everything down. ]
You're gonna have to deal with what I got, too -- it's March's usual order we have when we're feeling gross and hungry as pigs, but we're, um. [ ... ] On break right now.
[ The rise of his voice with that last syllable coincides with the click of the door shutting closed, but the rise of his eyebrows skyhigh more than makes up for it. ]
I didn't know the two of you could go [ vague hand gesture ] 'on break'.
[ let's see... rice, some different kinds of sauced chicken, noodles, beef and vegetables, some small desserts too. in large quantity. ]
It's just for a few days. Maybe... hopefully. I forgot she doesn't want to talk to me right now-- but I promise you're not just like, my rebound or anything, me and March have already talked about what I wanted to update you on today.
[ Hopefully is not definitely. But he'll wait for her to spill the beans at her own pace, ambling over towards the table to survey the goods being laid out before him. ]
You can come over anytime, rebound or not. [ Though if it's for a few days... ] Should I expect to see you here tomorrow and the day after?
[ About that… His lips thin momentarily as he scoops up some beef onto his plate. ]
There might be.
[ Ishmael's volatile temper combined with her antagonism towards Malkuth. (Although, are they still on bad terms with each other? He'll have to ask later.) ]
But rest assured that's not a reflection of how I feel about you. [ If he were still single and ready to mingle, she could come over any time. Anyway, speaking of feelings, ] Do I get a hint?
[ Can't believe Malkuth is going to be the third person he's willingly talked about his relationship with. Also, they've talked about several people?? Though her coworkers probably don't count...
He stabs a piece of beef to chew on while he thinks. ]
Are you coparenting with this person, by any chance?
[ Oh. People come and go all the time, but it's a little disheartening to hear that it'd been a friend of hers this time. ]
You tend to like most people, Malkuth. [ Though maybe not derive fake engagement backstories and adopt ducks with most people? Speaking of, ] Do you need help with the ducks?
[ she does, to her detriment, and she shakes her head after a moment. ]
No, I can handle them both, but thanks for asking. They're sharing a bed in my room at night now and it's so cute.
[ her new wallpaper for sure. ]
... He just made me feel like... I wasn't who I am? If that makes sense. Mostly because I never told him about, you know. [ mm. ] My other jobs. And stuff. It was nice.
[ not having to worry about that, or it being in the back of someones mind when she's with them. the people who know too much... have a different feel, not bad but something she's found she prefers to be without. when it comes to certain parts of a relationship. ]
[ It does make sense. To be judged solely for the personality presented upfront rather than the years of history baked into your bones. He can understand it.
Do you miss him, he wants to ask but that's a stupid question. Instead: ]
Did you tell him that before he left?
[ Presumably she wouldn't be here telling him this if she had, but sometimes it's nice to dream. ]
[ it's rude, but she's pointing at him with her food. ]
Yes. Until I found myself alone, and then I started thinking about it again, and then I had to smile until my face hurt so that no one would know that anything was wrong with me on an otherwise wonderful set of shows.
[ ...
that's a little real, maybe, and she pops the chicken into her mouth, turning her face away. she misses talking to march. ]
I'll... be fine. I'm just remembering that it sucks to like, like someone.
[ They are in a private setting, she can do whatever the heck she wants. Include point at him with her food. It's just too bad that he has so little experience with offering romantic advice. ]
You can be as unfine in here as you want. I promise I won't tell anyone.
[ Not like he would have told anyone anyway with how closemouthed he is most days. ]
It's always hard, forming attachments only to lose them, and yet we all keep doing it anyway. [ Like a bunch of fools. ]
[ ... she can, huh. it takes a moment, but she reluctantly steps back closer and leans on him. ]
This is enough.
[ a little contact, that's all. friend to friend. unlike... what bit her in the ass before. ]
And you're telling me. I'm not as used to loss as someone like Gebura is, so I don't really know how to protect my heart from it... at the same time, I don't really want to? I like getting to know people, even if it makes me an idiot. I like liking people, even if it's a mistake. That's what living is to me.
[ growing attached, learning something new, and remembering them no matter if they're still around or not. ]
[ She leans on him the smallest bit and he lets her. There's not much he can do for her but if this is one of those things then he'll gladly offer it up. ]
You shouldn't have to get used to it. I wouldn't wish that feeling upon anyone.
[ Speaking from experience. He takes a few more bits of food, chewing in silence. ]
For the record, I think you're just fine the way you are now. The fact that you make the most of the opportunities given to you instead of hide because you're afraid is what draws so many people to you. A bright light that fills up the room. [ ... ] Though you shouldn't feel forced to maintain it at all times.
[ plenty of people have described her as that, too. a bright light. someone who shines. she always feels more like a candle, but
it is nice that he adds on that at the end. it's an obvious thing, and it only hurts others when she has forced herself anyone... old habits die harder than she ever will though. ]
... Thanks. I'll be fine with some time, it's not like I'm lacking in hands to hold or friends to turn to. [ for better and worse. ] And helping everyone through LILITH's sure to keep my mind busy enough anyway.
[ maybe busy enough to simply pin the Other Things She's Dealing With to the side too and then she definitely won't be accosted by them in the future,
nonetheless malkuth's turning her head up she's tired of talking about herself!!!!! she needs to know this one thing!!!!!!! ]
But tell me! Your good news, Wrio! Who's the lucky person in your life, huh?
[ Enough about her, turning back to him, and this one time he'll accept the spotlight that's been turned to face him instead of reflexively trying to find a way to weasel away. ]
What, you don't think every person in my life is lucky to have me around?
[ Okay, maybe some of the reflex is still there. ]
[ Is that truly luck or is it a stroke of bad fortune....
She digs back into her Chinese food and he watches her, more interested in making sure her little upward lift in mood stays. ]
Sadly, I'm no fairy tale prince, able to fall in love at first sight. [ Even if he occasionally gives off enough green flags to be one. Anyway. ] It's Ishmael.
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[ why, is she gonna be there?
...
yeah, she is, with takeout. ]
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He looks a little surprised to see her there with boxes of takeout in her hands, but he ushers her inside anyway. His room is about the same as it's always been, the standard furniture dotting the room and little else, along with a small stash of tea supplies and various other knick-knacks taking up one side of his desk-slash-table set up. ]
We could have gone out, you know.
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[ her voice gives a little more of her current condition away, even as she smiles; it's softer, and malkuth sighs as sits everything down. ]
You're gonna have to deal with what I got, too -- it's March's usual order we have when we're feeling gross and hungry as pigs, but we're, um. [ ... ] On break right now.
[ yeah. okay. ]
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[ The rise of his voice with that last syllable coincides with the click of the door shutting closed, but the rise of his eyebrows skyhigh more than makes up for it. ]
I didn't know the two of you could go [ vague hand gesture ] 'on break'.
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[ let's see... rice, some different kinds of sauced chicken, noodles, beef and vegetables, some small desserts too. in large quantity. ]
It's just for a few days. Maybe... hopefully. I forgot she doesn't want to talk to me right now-- but I promise you're not just like, my rebound or anything, me and March have already talked about what I wanted to update you on today.
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You can come over anytime, rebound or not. [ Though if it's for a few days... ] Should I expect to see you here tomorrow and the day after?
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[ chicken and rice for her, even if she'll just be picking at it for a bit. ]
Anyway, I realized I had feelings for someone last month! You... will not be surprised to hear who, so go ahead and guess.
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There might be.
[ Ishmael's volatile temper combined with her antagonism towards Malkuth. (Although, are they still on bad terms with each other? He'll have to ask later.) ]
But rest assured that's not a reflection of how I feel about you. [ If he were still single and ready to mingle, she could come over any time. Anyway, speaking of feelings, ] Do I get a hint?
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[ hmm. ]
It's someone we've talked about before.
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He stabs a piece of beef to chew on while he thinks. ]
Are you coparenting with this person, by any chance?
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[ two birds, one stone. she picks at the rice. ]
Coulda seen that coming a mile away, huh?
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You tend to like most people, Malkuth. [ Though maybe not derive fake engagement backstories and adopt ducks with most people? Speaking of, ] Do you need help with the ducks?
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No, I can handle them both, but thanks for asking. They're sharing a bed in my room at night now and it's so cute.
[ her new wallpaper for sure. ]
... He just made me feel like... I wasn't who I am? If that makes sense. Mostly because I never told him about, you know. [ mm. ] My other jobs. And stuff. It was nice.
[ not having to worry about that, or it being in the back of someones mind when she's with them. the people who know too much... have a different feel, not bad but something she's found she prefers to be without. when it comes to certain parts of a relationship. ]
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Do you miss him, he wants to ask but that's a stupid question. Instead: ]
Did you tell him that before he left?
[ Presumably she wouldn't be here telling him this if she had, but sometimes it's nice to dream. ]
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[ so. wild guess, wriothesley. take it. ]
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Unfortunate timing. [ To say the least. ] Did the dating shows help keep your mind busy for a bit?
[ Now that he's putting two and two together. ]
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Yes. Until I found myself alone, and then I started thinking about it again, and then I had to smile until my face hurt so that no one would know that anything was wrong with me on an otherwise wonderful set of shows.
[ ...
that's a little real, maybe, and she pops the chicken into her mouth, turning her face away. she misses talking to march. ]
I'll... be fine. I'm just remembering that it sucks to like, like someone.
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You can be as unfine in here as you want. I promise I won't tell anyone.
[ Not like he would have told anyone anyway with how closemouthed he is most days. ]
It's always hard, forming attachments only to lose them, and yet we all keep doing it anyway. [ Like a bunch of fools. ]
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This is enough.
[ a little contact, that's all. friend to friend. unlike... what bit her in the ass before. ]
And you're telling me. I'm not as used to loss as someone like Gebura is, so I don't really know how to protect my heart from it... at the same time, I don't really want to? I like getting to know people, even if it makes me an idiot. I like liking people, even if it's a mistake. That's what living is to me.
[ growing attached, learning something new, and remembering them no matter if they're still around or not. ]
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You shouldn't have to get used to it. I wouldn't wish that feeling upon anyone.
[ Speaking from experience. He takes a few more bits of food, chewing in silence. ]
For the record, I think you're just fine the way you are now. The fact that you make the most of the opportunities given to you instead of hide because you're afraid is what draws so many people to you. A bright light that fills up the room. [ ... ] Though you shouldn't feel forced to maintain it at all times.
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it is nice that he adds on that at the end. it's an obvious thing, and it only hurts others when she has forced herself anyone... old habits die harder than she ever will though. ]
... Thanks. I'll be fine with some time, it's not like I'm lacking in hands to hold or friends to turn to. [ for better and worse. ] And helping everyone through LILITH's sure to keep my mind busy enough anyway.
[ maybe busy enough to simply pin the Other Things She's Dealing With to the side too and then she definitely won't be accosted by them in the future,
nonetheless malkuth's turning her head up she's tired of talking about herself!!!!! she needs to know this one thing!!!!!!! ]
But tell me! Your good news, Wrio! Who's the lucky person in your life, huh?
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What, you don't think every person in my life is lucky to have me around?
[ Okay, maybe some of the reflex is still there. ]
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[ and she can just as easily nudge it away, appetite coming back a little as she picks at her food. thank goodness chinese is good cold. ]
So? Someone you've known for a long time? I can't imagine you're the sort that falls head over heels.
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She digs back into her Chinese food and he watches her, more interested in making sure her little upward lift in mood stays. ]
Sadly, I'm no fairy tale prince, able to fall in love at first sight. [ Even if he occasionally gives off enough green flags to be one. Anyway. ] It's Ishmael.
[ May as well just come right out and say it. ]
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