continuations

[tenebraecious]

Comments

[mind_blown]

Nah, we said this evening right?

[he offers a slight grin]

I may not look it, but I try to keep my word.

[tenebraecious]

No, you look it as well, but you did not respond. I feared I had asked too much.

[mind_blown]

I’ll respond next time, if it’ll make you feel better.

[they really are dancing around this]

My brother already yelled at me about it. It’s just a bad habit.

[tenebraecious]

The next time we make an appointment to speak with each other once more?

[it's a joke, see, she can make a joke]

Ah, I see . . . I apologize for my remark, then. I did not mean to chastise you.

[mind_blown]

[he sees that joke.]

You didn't chastise me. Trust me. But yeah, I'll communicate more the next time we make a communication date.

[tenebraecious]

It would help . . .

[considering him, forcing herself to relax]

Jay, I do not know why you approached me, then. I believed that I did, but I realize I may not now.

[mind_blown]

... Yeah, let me level with you-- as plain as I can.

I wasn't expecting what happened. By all rights? I should have been pissed at you, but I wasn't. And I sure as hell wasn't expecting you to kiss back.

I just didn't know what was going on. That's all.

[tenebraecious]

[and she lasted about a minute for not keeping her hands together, slow as she holds a finger thoughtfully]

It was — Nice. To be kissed. I was unaware for a moment.

[mind_blown]

... That's why?

[he edges away from the wall, and closer to her.]

[tenebraecious]

[glancing at him then down again]

As far as I can discern. Does it trouble you?

[mind_blown]

No. It's just surprising.

[tenebraecious]

[genuinely surprised herself]

How so?

[mind_blown]

Well, there are a couple of reasons. Number one is, well. I'm kind of an asshole. You could do better.

But number two, I guess I thought that you had-- options?

[how does he explain this well...]

I guess... I don't think you'd have any trouble getting kissed-- even if you only wanted to be kissed by people who genuinely cared.

[tenebraecious]

[even while her cheeks are coloring, holding her hands firmly, no fidgeting]

I disagree, with how you view yourself and your assertion that you do not care. And whatever my options are, you were the first to attempt without invitation.

[mind_blown]

...

[he finally looks more firmly at her, offering something of a smile at that.]

You could probably be mad at me for that.

[and he edges slightly closer.]

[tenebraecious]

[staying firmly where she is, what are you going to do huh!!!!]

I am not. I was only uncertain of your reasons.

[mind_blown]

[he can be perfectly respectable!!! he just!! doesn't want to be so distant. when she's still charming him.]

... You ever get a dumb impulse? It's a little like that.

[tenebraecious]

Mine are only to scale buildings, wield spears, and clear an entire card of bingo. But I can understand the sentiment.

[mind_blown]

Weild spears?

[it's light when he asks-- but it's the only one he can't quite square with the rest.]

[tenebraecious]

Where I come from, it is dangerous to venture too far without the means to defend yourself. Someone saw that I was taught well.

[mind_blown]

Ah.

[he weighs this for a moment...]

... Sounds less like an impulse than the other two. And more sensible.

Impulsive would be learning how to climb buildings because why not.

[tenebraecious]

Here, there are no daemons. There are, however, those who would scale buildings. To me, the latter seems a more sensible skill to learn given the circumstances.

[mind_blown]

Well, most people will point out the stairs.

But it's a pretty learnable skill.

1/2

[tenebraecious]

Mm, and I hope to learn it. With a proper teacher.

[tenebraecious]

[sighing]

Truly, I would like to enjoy your company, whatever form it may arrive in. Still, I hold onto that wish. But I cannot— No, do not want you to restrain yourself, so our friendship would be fraught, Jay. I do not fear this, only trust that it would.