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[spysinspades]

[He leaned his chin on one hand, lounging against the dirty wall of the alley like a king on a gilt throne.]

You'd think that, wouldn't you?

Comments

AHAHA I was seriously considering tagging an Ester to that Braid God

[spysinspades]

My apologies. I clearly misspoke.

The numbers would think that, wouldn't they?

I encourage this \o/

[adversed]

Clearly. [There's her flash of teeth like a frenetic smile, her limbs twisting painfully to bring her around to face him again from her perch against the wall opposite.] They have to. They're never wrong.

Oh good. Cuz I just made that account~

[spysinspades]

Statistics always lie, my dear.

[He shows teeth in his own brand of smile, but it's really just a gentle tease.]

So fabulous. \o/

[adversed]

[She Adores David. With every fiber of her being, she's essentially Compelled to love him, even if she doesn't understand why.

That doesn't mean she's not going to Glower now.]

Wheeee \o\

[spysinspades]

[He waves a hand. No harm meant, no harm meant.]

Thought you found yourself a nice inside, little digit.

[adversed]

...no.

[She Had, yes. For a while. But when was Stability really a part of her Life?]

You're right. It's-- horrible. Being made to stay.

[spysinspades]

Mm...

[He wants to be noncommittal. Wants everyone to find their Home somewhere.]

Different things for everyone.

[He won't tie her down with the chains that affection always seemed to create, but damned if she won't always know she's welcome.]

[adversed]

One right thing for me. [Which isn't Him. Which isn't Not Him.

It takes a second of skittering, long limbs and a tangle of skirts, before she sketches her way to leaning against his wall, not close enough to touch.]

Can't escape the numbers.

[spysinspades]

[He'll extend a packed of french fries to her.]

Wouldn't want to escape them, then they'd be gone.

[adversed]

[There's a quiet Calculation before she plucks one out, toys with it absently rather than eating.] Can they be gone?

[spysinspades]

Have you ever asked them?

[adversed]

[Well, that'll hush her for a moment. But that'll also require her to lean slightly closer, drift her head carefully to his shoulder.

Asking The Numbers, after all, is both Exhausting and Dangerous. Requires resting--and being with someone who'll keep her Safe.]

[spysinspades]

[Ah, well. He can keep her safe for a while. It wasn't much of a hardship.

And her head, planted delicately on his shoulder... it was a nice kind of chain. One they'd broken before.

He'll pat her hand lightly, and continue eating his snack.]

[adversed]

[It's just that her Focus has to change. Her World has to turn Inward. Everything has to become Sharp Lines and Hard Numbers.

Coming back from the daze means gulping air into her lungs like she'd forgotten to breathe.]

...can't. Can't not exist.

[spysinspades]

There you have it, then.

[Simple enough, hm? He'll scoop up her hand and give her a kiss on the knuckles.]

[adversed]

[...oh. That... makes her feel Safe.

Her fingers curl tighter around his.] ...you too.

[spysinspades]

Indeed. And any knowledge is worth having.

[adversed]

...really? Any knowledge?

[spysinspades]

Any knowledge.

[He thinks. Probably.]

[adversed]

...th' knowledge of your favourite colour?

[spysinspades]

Teal.

[A laugh for her, and a gentle finger tucked beneath her chin.]

And yours? [An answer for an answer, darling?]

[adversed]

[Teal. She doesn't know why it makes her so happy to hear a Single Word. Her breath catches happily as he catches her chin, eyes actually flashing with something cheerful.]

...grey.

[spysinspades]

How formal, my lady. [A thumb grazes the back of her hand, all charm and amusement.]

[adversed]

...is that not acceptable?

[spysinspades]

Of course it is, my dove. Perfectly you.