[Hm. Well. This sounds like Royce, so he can't even be too mad about it. HE'S CONCERNED. But. It's familiar. He still frowns at the last part, though.]
I'm going to have to deck Royce? [He's kidding. He tips her head up out of the way by the chin. Glad there's no bruising or marks. He's satisfied.] I don't think Lepus is the kind of person who enjoys talking to other people much less someone being nice to them.
[her expression sours when cloud gets on her about it, and then jason joins in and her ear flicks violently.]
I didn't know they were going to do it. I didn't ask for them to slam me into a wall! I was -- [she looks very unhappy.] I was trying to tell them they're not alone and they attacked me.
Maybe I shouldn't have pushed, but you don't get anywhere with people if you don't push.
[ HE DOESNT WANT TO BE THE MOM and he has some Thoughts about people and pushing, but he stays quiet and shakes his head after a bit, because admittedly. these circumstances seem Specific. ]
The staff isn't keeping their distance and the mystery up because it's fun. They're hiding a lot. More than you or me ever had to hide. [ that one is admittedly a guess, but it's fine ] I'm pretty sure we push the wrong way, or they say one thing too much, and consequences won't be good for anyone involved. The memory stuff seemed to freak them out the most.
Maybe it was the only way Lepus could think to make you stop. Seems to be their reflex with anything anyway.
[Both of his hands reach up to cup Lup's face in them. He doesn't hold it firmly or rudely or anything.]
Hey. I know. I get it. Just be careful, okay? You already know how people like Lepus are with others being kind or getting close. It's worrying for them. Go easy.
[He lowers his hands and glances at Cloud briefly.]
[it is a good thing for jason because lup starts to puff up angrily at that. she knows! there are so many things she couldn't say, too! this wasn't even pushing that hard other than saying they were friends, which she has said to other npcs! also that shouldn't be their reflex!!!
these are all things she's getting ready to shout about, but jason takes her face in his hands and the fire sort of just. leaves her, instead. she bites the inside of her cheek, looking frustrated and kind of upset.]
You don't have to explain it to me, I'm not an idiot. [she says, finally, voice snippy.] I wasn't trying to get at their secret identity or anything they're hiding. All I wanted to do was tell them they're not trash.
[and she pulls away and goes to the simulations panel, ears pressed down. her feelings are hurt.]
[ well. it is a good thing for jason because cloud is bad at this, huh. ]
That's not what I... [ he was trying to say because lepus is an idiot that was their reflex when they panicked because of aforementioned reasons, so lup isn't to blame and also fine, cloud won't kick their ass, but clearly that got lost somewhere.
he's frowning and looking down, arms crossed before he sighs ]
Never mind. Forget it.
[ he is. turning around and leaving though i'm sorry he's like this ]
[WHAT IS HAPPENING. JASON IS NOT--WHY. HELP. Gotta be the white bread in this PB&J to keep it together, I GUESS.
he
CLOSES HIS EYES BRIEFLY FOR REAL and starts to reach up to rub his them, but then notices Cloud TRYING TO LEAVE. He grabs Cloud by the crook of the arm.] Hell no, you're not leaving me with your mess. [Turning Cloud right back around. He TAKES CLOUD'S OTHER HAND because he doesn't trust Cloud not to try walking off again.] Next time, give the gift after the argument, jackass. [He cannot BELIEVE THIS.
Anyway, Cloud has no choice because Jason has a beefy arm, he drags Cloud over toward Lup and the panel. He puts a hand on her back.] Scootch over. [Shut up, he'll do the damn simulation first.
Imagine he takes them somewhere bad because he's irritated. (no)]
lup glances over her shoulder to see cloud like, trying to leave, and she's going to say something, but jason beats her to it. he puts a hand on her back, and she blinks a few times at him in confusion before moving over just a little. okay.
[ it's honestly a good thing jason takes cloud's other hand because after the initial turn around he absolutely moved his arm away to object and STILL LEAVE ANYWAY, but then he's dragged instead. both because it is not that far and because he does not actually want to pull a lepus and physically fight jason, he doesn't. physically fight him until they get there! then they get there and he tries to wrench his hand away anyway look it's COMPLICATED ]
I wasn't-- [ leaving him with the mess because clearly he's the mess, and lup isn't talking and he wants to go more, actually. ] There's no mess, let me go.
[ yes this is exactly going to give him what he wants ]
[Absolutely, it is. Jason doesn't let go of his hand.]
Just shut up while you're ahead. [As he's trying to work the simulation panel.] I'm not staying in here with Lup pouting because you were an idiot who said something stupid trying to care about her and then walked out.
[He is AWARE of these flaws because he has them. Will he see them in himself? No.]
Here we go.
[CLOUD HAS NO CHOICE.
They jump ship metaphorically. They can get this lil snippet of memory with the location on the boot up, too. Enjoy. It looks like this.]
[well, all the anger melts out of her immediately when she sees their new surroundings. her eyes light up, and she immediately drops her hand to take jason's, holding it tightly. there's a second where she just takes it in, and then:]
-- Don't go. [to cloud, abruptly, looking over at him.] Don't go?
[ fuck you, jason, that's not the ONLY reason he was gonna walk out! he is a multifaceted angst bucket. they were all shitty reasons but he had Many.
but he doesn't have time to answer before they're out here after that split second memory, and he looks around a second for himself. it is pretty for sure. and then there's lup, taking him by surprise because he's an idiot, and he's looking away immediately. ]
... I'm not. Going.
[ relenting. wondering if it's a good idea to do so but relenting anyway because it's two against one. ]
[He will take Lup's hand. He's the meat again for the moment. These two are so dumb.]
He's not. He hasn't even had a chance to be bored to tears yet.
[He nudges Lup's side with his and her hand.] Not much happening here, sorry. But the view isn't bad. We can walk around the lake, I guess. Lead away. [He will be in the middle for now, holding their hands until they act like they have some sense.]
[she says, softer, when cloud says he isn't leaving.
but then she's nudged, and she just starts walking, leading them along the bank of the lake. there isn't much happening, but that's okay. there doesn't need to be. she likes being outside, and it gives her a second to cool off and think. she's still running on a couple hours of sleep.]
... Sorry. [she says, finally, glancing over her shoulder at the two of them. she adjusts the flower in her hair.
she does really want to spend time with them both, not ruin it with her dumb protag energy.]
[ it's a nice lake. cloud's a country boy at heart, so he doesn't mind the location at all. he feels a little stupid to be in a constant state of literal handholding over the weekend, but it's low on the list of things he feels stupid for.
another good example is lup apologizing, and he looks back at her with a frown ]
No, I... It's fine. [ frowns, but deeper ] Don't apologize. I wasn't trying to...
[ he hates talking. throw him in the make believe lake. ]
[Well, he isn’t sure why Lup is apologizing to him (he’s stupid), so he doesn’t say anything.
Being the third wheel in a threesome when the other two are arguing……nice. Digiku energy.
It’s fine. He keeps walking with them while they sort it out, only finally letting go of Cloud’s hand after. But Cloud can’t escape because he tugs Lup back and between them. Time to hold Lup’s hand now.
Maybe some weirdly cherry blossom looking fall tree leaves will blow over them.]
[Look at that, Lup has herself a city boy and a country boy.]
I should have booted up Colorado for you.
[Lup can feel the lack of tension in his hand; all his high alert status has been pushed to the back for a moment.]
Don’t know how long it’d take me to get used to all the quiet out here, but maybe I could. I’d have to trade my bikes and car in for an ATV and a truck, though.
[Both of Lup’s men have bikes at some point. Hate that.]
[balanced... she is neither, she's an airship kind of gal.]
Sometimes the quiet is nice. [she says, absently, staring up at the sky. she pauses them in walking so that they can stand at the edge of the lake - the wind blows gently and ruffles through their hair. she sighs out slow, holding their hands tightly.
don't look her ears are pink.]
I didn't really grow up anywhere. [she says, finally.] But I like this. You put, uh, you put a big cozy cabin out here with heating and I'd be set for life.
It's not as quiet as you'd think, anyway. You're just used to hearing louder stuff.
[ it's idle. cloud's not going to mention that the idea of stopping to just settle down anywhere seems a bit wild to him currently, because that is a bummer and a half. also he's stupid and noticed lup blushing and kind of looks a little curious before squeezing her hand back. please help me. ]
"With heating". What, like a fireplace? I don't think you're getting electricity around here.
[ [cloud voice] there's not even a mako reactor in sight how would you get power ]
Yeah, like the bugs and birds that never shut up. And cicadas? Loud.
[This is where I live.
He hmms inwardly at “didn’t really grow up anywhere” because that’s fucking sad. Where’s her stability? Probably the same place his is which is nonexistent.
He stops when she stops them, lacing their fingers because she grips his hand so tight. He glances over her head at Cloud with his eyes because her ears are red. Then he looks away around the lake.]
You mean, like that heating?
[He lifts their joined hands to point a little ways down at the corner of the lake. Surprise! It’s a lil campfire with some vertical logs around it.]
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I'm going to have to deck Royce? [He's kidding. He tips her head up out of the way by the chin. Glad there's no bruising or marks. He's satisfied.] I don't think Lepus is the kind of person who enjoys talking to other people much less someone being nice to them.
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You should deck Royce regardless. [she tells jason. a beat.] The provocation was they told me to say I wasn't giving up on them again, and I did.
[she wrinkles her nose.] They're not allowed to kill guests, so.
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That the line, then? It's fine whatever happens so long as you don't die? [ honestly he doesn't even sound mad just unimpressed ]
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[He seems wryly amused by Cloud's Mom Scolding. Why does he have to be the dad here?]
Cloud's not... wrong. Just because they can't kill guest doesn't mean you should test whether or not they can hurt them. Try not to rile them up.
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I didn't know they were going to do it. I didn't ask for them to slam me into a wall! I was -- [she looks very unhappy.] I was trying to tell them they're not alone and they attacked me.
Maybe I shouldn't have pushed, but you don't get anywhere with people if you don't push.
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The staff isn't keeping their distance and the mystery up because it's fun. They're hiding a lot. More than you or me ever had to hide. [ that one is admittedly a guess, but it's fine ] I'm pretty sure we push the wrong way, or they say one thing too much, and consequences won't be good for anyone involved. The memory stuff seemed to freak them out the most.
Maybe it was the only way Lepus could think to make you stop. Seems to be their reflex with anything anyway.
[ that last part is pensive. ]
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Hey. I know. I get it. Just be careful, okay? You already know how people like Lepus are with others being kind or getting close. It's worrying for them. Go easy.
[He lowers his hands and glances at Cloud briefly.]
You're gonna give blondie a heart attack.
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these are all things she's getting ready to shout about, but jason takes her face in his hands and the fire sort of just. leaves her, instead. she bites the inside of her cheek, looking frustrated and kind of upset.]
You don't have to explain it to me, I'm not an idiot. [she says, finally, voice snippy.] I wasn't trying to get at their secret identity or anything they're hiding. All I wanted to do was tell them they're not trash.
[and she pulls away and goes to the simulations panel, ears pressed down. her feelings are hurt.]
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That's not what I... [ he was trying to say because lepus is an idiot that was their reflex when they panicked because of aforementioned reasons, so lup isn't to blame and also fine, cloud won't kick their ass, but clearly that got lost somewhere.
he's frowning and looking down, arms crossed before he sighs ]
Never mind. Forget it.
[ he is. turning around and leaving though i'm sorry he's like this ]
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he
CLOSES HIS EYES BRIEFLY FOR REAL and starts to reach up to rub his them, but then notices Cloud TRYING TO LEAVE. He grabs Cloud by the crook of the arm.] Hell no, you're not leaving me with your mess. [Turning Cloud right back around. He TAKES CLOUD'S OTHER HAND because he doesn't trust Cloud not to try walking off again.] Next time, give the gift after the argument, jackass. [He cannot BELIEVE THIS.
Anyway, Cloud has no choice because Jason has a beefy arm, he drags Cloud over toward Lup and the panel. He puts a hand on her back.] Scootch over. [Shut up, he'll do the damn simulation first.
Imagine he takes them somewhere bad because he's irritated. (no)]
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lup glances over her shoulder to see cloud like, trying to leave, and she's going to say something, but jason beats her to it. he puts a hand on her back, and she blinks a few times at him in confusion before moving over just a little. okay.
she doesn't say anything just yet.]
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[ it's honestly a good thing jason takes cloud's other hand because after the initial turn around he absolutely moved his arm away to object and STILL LEAVE ANYWAY, but then he's dragged instead. both because it is not that far and because he does not actually want to pull a lepus and physically fight jason, he doesn't. physically fight him until they get there! then they get there and he tries to wrench his hand away anyway look it's COMPLICATED ]
I wasn't-- [ leaving him with the mess because clearly he's the mess, and lup isn't talking and he wants to go more, actually. ] There's no mess, let me go.
[ yes this is exactly going to give him what he wants ]
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Just shut up while you're ahead. [As he's trying to work the simulation panel.] I'm not staying in here with Lup pouting because you were an idiot who said something stupid trying to care about her and then walked out.
[He is AWARE of these flaws because he has them. Will he see them in himself? No.]
Here we go.
[CLOUD HAS NO CHOICE.
They jump ship metaphorically. They can get this lil snippet of memory with the location on the boot up, too. Enjoy. It looks like this.]
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-- Don't go. [to cloud, abruptly, looking over at him.] Don't go?
[):]
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but he doesn't have time to answer before they're out here after that split second memory, and he looks around a second for himself. it is pretty for sure. and then there's lup, taking him by surprise because he's an idiot, and he's looking away immediately. ]
... I'm not. Going.
[ relenting. wondering if it's a good idea to do so but relenting anyway because it's two against one. ]
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He's not. He hasn't even had a chance to be bored to tears yet.
[He nudges Lup's side with his and her hand.] Not much happening here, sorry. But the view isn't bad. We can walk around the lake, I guess. Lead away. [He will be in the middle for now, holding their hands until they act like they have some sense.]
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[she says, softer, when cloud says he isn't leaving.
but then she's nudged, and she just starts walking, leading them along the bank of the lake. there isn't much happening, but that's okay. there doesn't need to be. she likes being outside, and it gives her a second to cool off and think. she's still running on a couple hours of sleep.]
... Sorry. [she says, finally, glancing over her shoulder at the two of them. she adjusts the flower in her hair.
she does really want to spend time with them both, not ruin it with her dumb protag energy.]
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another good example is lup apologizing, and he looks back at her with a frown ]
No, I... It's fine. [ frowns, but deeper ] Don't apologize. I wasn't trying to...
[ he hates talking. throw him in the make believe lake. ]
I don't think you're stupid.
[ yes. perfect. settled. throw HIM IN THE LAKE ]
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Being the third wheel in a threesome when the other two are arguing……nice. Digiku energy.
It’s fine. He keeps walking with them while they sort it out, only finally letting go of Cloud’s hand after. But Cloud can’t escape because he tugs Lup back and between them. Time to hold Lup’s hand now.
Maybe some weirdly cherry blossom looking fall tree leaves will blow over them.]
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she lets jason tug her back, and if cloud will let her, she takes cloud's hand again.]
I know. My temper has been bad this weekend. [she says, tiredly.] It's pretty here, Jason.
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... Like I said, it's fine. [ refuses to explain his own behavior ♥ ] But she's right. It's a nice place.
[ ... ]
I grew up in the country, but Nibelheim was up in the mountains. Not a lot of fields like this around.
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I should have booted up Colorado for you.
[Lup can feel the lack of tension in his hand; all his high alert status has been pushed to the back for a moment.]
Don’t know how long it’d take me to get used to all the quiet out here, but maybe I could. I’d have to trade my bikes and car in for an ATV and a truck, though.
[Both of Lup’s men have bikes at some point. Hate that.]
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Sometimes the quiet is nice. [she says, absently, staring up at the sky. she pauses them in walking so that they can stand at the edge of the lake - the wind blows gently and ruffles through their hair. she sighs out slow, holding their hands tightly.
don't look her ears are pink.]
I didn't really grow up anywhere. [she says, finally.] But I like this. You put, uh, you put a big cozy cabin out here with heating and I'd be set for life.
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[ it's idle. cloud's not going to mention that the idea of stopping to just settle down anywhere seems a bit wild to him currently, because that is a bummer and a half. also he's stupid and noticed lup blushing and kind of looks a little curious before squeezing her hand back. please help me. ]
"With heating". What, like a fireplace? I don't think you're getting electricity around here.
[ [cloud voice] there's not even a mako reactor in sight how would you get power ]
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[This is where I live.
He hmms inwardly at “didn’t really grow up anywhere” because that’s fucking sad. Where’s her stability? Probably the same place his is which is nonexistent.
He stops when she stops them, lacing their fingers because she grips his hand so tight. He glances over her head at Cloud with his eyes because her ears are red. Then he looks away around the lake.]
You mean, like that heating?
[He lifts their joined hands to point a little ways down at the corner of the lake. Surprise! It’s a lil campfire with some vertical logs around it.]
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