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

[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?

[mellowyellow]

[He can't decide whether he's relieved or lacking when she pulls away, but he gently squeezes her hand before letting go. It's not her that's bothering him, so it's best that she's oblivious.]

I'll text you if I find a sexy duster.

[nukeoleptic]

I'm not dressing up in costumes for you!! Kida, you're like my little brother, you can't start hitting on me now!

[mellowyellow]

Aaaw, who is this costume for then, huh?

[He gestures toward the witch get up with a smirk, thankful for any distraction.]

'Cause, you know, I can be the older brother too....

[nukeoleptic]

It was for none of your business. And you will always be the little brother!

[ She flashes a smile at him, amused. ]

But I had a boyfriend! A for-real one. Are you proud?

[mellowyellow]

You got a boyfriend and then you ditched him! I couldn't be more proud!

[He circles his pointer finger through the air knowingly before pointing at her with a smirk.]

So did you dump him 'cause his name was Noneofyourbusiness?

[nukeoleptic]

[ Jade snickers at that, shaking her head. ]

That was absolutely it!!

-- nooo, we both just decided it was time to end it.

[ aka he dumped her ]

[mellowyellow]

[Masaomi staunchly refuses to believe it. Nobody dumps Jade.]

That means you passed the time to end it by a whole week! You gotta speed up if you wanna be on top.

[nukeoleptic]

[ Dave does! :C At least one iteration of him. ]

-- speed what up?

[mellowyellow]

If you had dumped him a week earlier, he wouldn't have expected it! Then he'd still want you.

[nukeoleptic]

Oh.

[ ... Kida that is TERRIBLE. ]

It actually wasn't super mutual.

[mellowyellow]

[His smirk softens to a smile as he lifts that offending pointer finger to his lips.]

Sh.

Completely mutual.

[nukeoleptic]

[ She cracks up a little bit, shoulders sagging. ]

I really missed you.

[mellowyellow]

I really missed you too.

[And not the least bit embarrassed to say it either.]

[nukeoleptic]

What if I disappear and come back another two years older? I'm gonna leave you behind, Kida!

[mellowyellow]

Then I'll just have to disappear and come back four years older! The correct order of the universe will right itself for great justice and older brothers alike!

[nukeoleptic]

[ Gently and correctingly: ]

Younger brothers.

[mellowyellow]

I maintain any and all seniority that comes with technical age.

[nukeoleptic]

Kida.

You still think poop jokes are funny.

[mellowyellow]

Objection!

Jokes about anything that comes out of your ass are timeless and should not be taken into account in the final decision!

[nukeoleptic]

Burps are acceptable. Anything below the belt? Gross.

[ ACCUSINGLY. ]

[mellowyellow]

The only reason you can say that.

Is because you're the sister.