IC ♪ ADSTRING VOICEMAIL

[mellowyellow]

If I'm not answering, it must be because I'm living with the baddest babe this side of the inner city! Go ahead and leave a message if you're not too overcome with jealousy! Kthxbai!

Comments

[nukeoleptic]

[ And Jade's expression goes from thrilled to concerned in a flash. ]

Kida! What the hell happened to you?!

[mellowyellow]

I told you it was a crazy event!

[He tosses her question aside with a casual wave of his hand and a chuckle.]

It shook everything up! I'm a thing too, yanno.

Shouldn't I be the one asking you that? Are those ears really real?

[nukeoleptic]

Yes, they're actually real, but they're just dog ears, it's not like there's anything super special about them considering Adstring.

[ Pardon her while she simply tries to circle him, checking for further injury. ]

[mellowyellow]

There is always something super special about dog ears when they're not on a dog!

[He watches her watching him, shifting uncomfortably under her scrutiny. While very few other injuries are visible, he's stiff, and even though she's been gone a week, he's not reaching out for any sort of physical contact.]

Totally doesn't change when you hop dimensions. Infallible law of nature.

[nukeoleptic]

[ That's exactly why she's not reaching out for him, either. She knows he has to be in pain, and that makes her frown.

Also? She's almost as tall as he is now. ]

I guess so.. they are pretty cute dog ears.

[ But she's still frowning. ]

[mellowyellow]

And they're not the only thing that grew out, hmmmm~?

[Yeah, that's a smirk right there. Jade must know where his line of sight now leads.]

[nukeoleptic]

[ Jade flushes crimson. And then, to make a point and with utmost gentleness, she lifts him with her telekinesis, turns him around, and puts him back down. ]

[mellowyellow]

[Amber eyes widen as his whole body tenses, his mind flashing back to a man who had moved his body against his will. It takes a moment and a deep breath for him to remind himself that the event's over, and this is only Jade doing exactly what he asked her to do. By the time his feet are on the floor again, he forces a small laugh and spins back around.]

No way.

Animal ears, a few extra years, and moving stuff with your mind. All you're missing now is a maid outfit.

[nukeoleptic]

[ It doesn't occur to her that it could be troubling, traumatizing-- she just knows that when John or Davesprite would get in her way on the ship, she'd pick 'em up, move 'em, and carry on. Maybe later she'll realize, apologize. ]

A maid outfit? -- what does that have to do with anything, Kida?

[mellowyellow]

You are still young, grasshopper.

[That's the only explanation she's going to get.]

[nukeoleptic]

And you're still exactly as weird as I remember.

[ Said fondly. ]

I'm so happy to be back.

[mellowyellow]

Really?

[Genuine surprise washes that smug grin off his face for a moment. Right now it's hard to believe anyone would really miss this place.]

I don't believe it. You're just too humble about your glamorous celebrity life back home.

[nukeoleptic]

[ The surprise surprises her, but she just meets it with a sheepish little smile. ]

Oh yes, I am definitely interested in spending another year with my super cranky brother and the guy who just broke up with me even if I understand his reasons and it totally makes sense and no other people period.

[mellowyellow]

[Omai.]

You were right and I was wrong!

[Instant admission as he throws his hands in the air in surrender.]

[nukeoleptic]

-- hey! You're hurt! You sit down and rest and I'll pick things up!

[mellowyellow]

[Slowly his arms drop back to his sides, that huge, toothy smile melting into a lopsided grin as his shoulders droop. He closes the door and points her in the direction of the fallen table with the side of his head.]

Follow me, fair maiden, to the last remnants of the lamest event in Adstring history.

[nukeoleptic]

[ She follows behind him, moving to consider the table. ]

It was..

[ Hazarding a guess: ]

A table-flipping event and you got caught in the crossfire?

[mellowyellow]

War is a horrible thing. It changes people.

[He says, with a perfect straight face.]

[nukeoleptic]

Come here. I want a real hug.

[ A very gentle one. ]

[mellowyellow]

[He stays right where he is.]

You didn't say anything about getting paid for your services! If you're gonna be like that, you really will need a maid outfit!

[nukeoleptic]

[ She stares at him, ears simply drooping again. ]

[mellowyellow]

[Oh. Oh, no. Anything but that. That's not fair. Not with those ears.

Gradually, his smile droops and his shoulders sag under an invisible weight. With a sigh, he finally holds out his arms for her.]

[nukeoleptic]

[ She cracks up visibly at that, slipping over to him and pulling Kida into the lightest hug on the planet. ]

You'll get a real one when you're not so broken.

[mellowyellow]

[He wraps his arms around her hesitantly, but when she calls him broken, he stiffens. Instantly, he reminds himself she means bones, but that doesn't stop the bubbling uselessness that rises from the pit of his stomach to the back of his throat.]

No big. Just think of me like a jigsaw puzzle.

[nukeoleptic]

[ Obliviousness is the name of the game with Jade today-- she's just glad to be back. So when he hugs her back, she just leans up - not as far as she used to have to - to kiss his cheek, pulling back carefully. ]

You'll text me if you need anything, right?