Maya Hart (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
finewithhalf) wrote2016-07-02 05:42 pm
finewithhalf) wrote2016-07-02 05:42 pm
ic inbox ;;
If you're looking for me, I'm out. Drop me a message, and I'll get back to you when I feel like it.
I don't know what you're talking about.
[She curls in slightly.]
[She curls in slightly.]
You're human, Maya. Caring doesn't make you weak. Just means you're a decent person. Just means you can understand your friend enough to be there for her. You don't want to stop feeling.
[If he was anyone else, he might have reached out to put a hand on her shoulder by this point, but instead he just pats himself down and pulls out a pack of gum to hold out for her.]
[If he was anyone else, he might have reached out to put a hand on her shoulder by this point, but instead he just pats himself down and pulls out a pack of gum to hold out for her.]
And it's okay to not be fine, too. Even if you say you are.
[She'd been listening. And she finally decides to add her own two cents, because while she's had a hard time coping herself, she knows when Maya isn't doing too well too.]
[She'd been listening. And she finally decides to add her own two cents, because while she's had a hard time coping herself, she knows when Maya isn't doing too well too.]
Well good morning to you too, Bubblegum.
[The greeting is stiff and tight-lippedas she accepts the offered gum, though she'll stop to raise an eyebrow at it because really, Lenny?]
[The greeting is stiff and tight-lippedas she accepts the offered gum, though she'll stop to raise an eyebrow at it because really, Lenny?]
[What was Maya expecting, a hug? He doesn't do those, contrary to prior evidence.]
Morning.
[He nods at Riley, than puts a piece of gum into his own mouth.]
Did you ever have self-defence classes at school? Do they teach anything useful?
Morning.
[He nods at Riley, than puts a piece of gum into his own mouth.]
Did you ever have self-defence classes at school? Do they teach anything useful?
[She doesn't pay much mind to the tone of Maya's greeting.]
No. They probably existed, but they weren't really required.
No. They probably existed, but they weren't really required.
I know.
I wish it didn't happen anyway, though.
I wish it didn't happen anyway, though.
Riley's.. not always the best when it comes to things that require movement.
[She means it kindly, really. It's also a convenient way for the conversation to shift away from her.]
[She means it kindly, really. It's also a convenient way for the conversation to shift away from her.]
Me too.
[She squeezes Riley more tightly then.]
I think it's over though. And then it'll go back to the way it was.
[She squeezes Riley more tightly then.]
I think it's over though. And then it'll go back to the way it was.
Sure, I get that.
[But since he's not one for kiddie gloves...]
Seems like more of a requirement in a place where your evil self can step out of any mirror and attack.
[But since he's not one for kiddie gloves...]
Seems like more of a requirement in a place where your evil self can step out of any mirror and attack.
Someone offered to teach self-defense, but I really... didn't think it'd be something we'd have to do.
You don't have to, Riles.
[Maya straightens then, watching Riley's expression intently.]
You just stay with me and I'll worry about keeping you safe, okay? That's my job.
[It might be the only one she'll ever take seriously.]
[Maya straightens then, watching Riley's expression intently.]
You just stay with me and I'll worry about keeping you safe, okay? That's my job.
[It might be the only one she'll ever take seriously.]
[He turns his focus on Maya, frowning a little. There's something familiar about her stance, about that intent in her eyes. He nods, more to himself than anything, and looks at Riley again.]
You shouldn't worry. Maya can keep both of you safe.
[If he has anything to say about it.]
You shouldn't worry. Maya can keep both of you safe.
[If he has anything to say about it.]
I... I want Maya to stay safe too, though. I don't want that to just be a thing she has to worry about.
[It's said stubbornly, a frown on her face as she considers... everything. That this even has to be a thing is way beyond anything she ever imagined or wanted from a place like Wonderland.]
[It's said stubbornly, a frown on her face as she considers... everything. That this even has to be a thing is way beyond anything she ever imagined or wanted from a place like Wonderland.]
And then... it'll probably happen again sometime, won't it? If it can happen once, there's nothing stopping it from happening again.
You're not a thing, Riley. Okay? And -- and Lenny's here and there's lots of people who can worry about you too. So you don't have to worry, all right?
We can -- we can go back to the gardens and make sure that little guy with the dumb name is doing okay. That's normal, right?
We can -- we can go back to the gardens and make sure that little guy with the dumb name is doing okay. That's normal, right?
She's staying safe, Riley. I know how to keep people safe.
[The way he looks, dressed all in black, it should be easy to believe even without any further knowledge of him.]
I'll check on you if things go down again. You can hit me up too.
[He shrugs, looking down for a moment before continuing.]
It's calm right now. Normal. So relax.
[The way he looks, dressed all in black, it should be easy to believe even without any further knowledge of him.]
I'll check on you if things go down again. You can hit me up too.
[He shrugs, looking down for a moment before continuing.]
It's calm right now. Normal. So relax.
[Oh, it is. Riley hasn't had any reason to necessarily distrust anyone here so far... and anyone that's here to check on them can't be a bad person.]
Okay. I just—I don't want that kind of thing to happen again. To anyone.
Okay. I just—I don't want that kind of thing to happen again. To anyone.
text; I AM ALSO GETTING BACK TO THE REST OF THINGS, but I didn't want to forget this
catchacold
2016-10-27 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Princess. Check outside your door.
[What's outside her door, in a paper bag, is this, a golden chain with a golden pendant in the shape of a snowflake on it, encrusted with diamonds. Obviously he couldn't buy or steal it, not at a place like this, but he put a lot of thought into the choice. The shape, the colour, the diamonds.
And the hope that it might be enough to just jolt her into talking to him again.]
[What's outside her door, in a paper bag, is this, a golden chain with a golden pendant in the shape of a snowflake on it, encrusted with diamonds. Obviously he couldn't buy or steal it, not at a place like this, but he put a lot of thought into the choice. The shape, the colour, the diamonds.
And the hope that it might be enough to just jolt her into talking to him again.]
[It's beautiful. It's the kind of thing she's always wanted and never deserved, something pretty and sparkly that means someone thought she mattered enough. It's everything, and her first instinct is to put it on and never take it off. Except at a time like this? There's something weird about it.]
If you're asking me out, that would be really weird right now. I don't do May/December.
[She's totally a fan of May/August, but December is a bit of a reach.]
If you're asking me out, that would be really weird right now. I don't do May/December.
[She's totally a fan of May/August, but December is a bit of a reach.]
Damn, princess, that would be January/December three decades apart, don't creep me out.
[Never has he ever be so relieved that even his younger, lost one self wasn't going to go there.]
Forget what this place makes us be sometimes. Just a gift from me to you. No weirdness.
[Never has he ever be so relieved that even his younger, lost one self wasn't going to go there.]
Forget what this place makes us be sometimes. Just a gift from me to you. No weirdness.
[That's the biggest relief, but she's not quite buying it yet.]
People don't just give out diamonds for no reason. What's the angle?
People don't just give out diamonds for no reason. What's the angle?
Smart. Love the cynicism.
[That's not sarcasm, he really does.]
When I was twenty-something, I robbed a small antiquity store near where I lived. Not a big deal, actually a very small deal. I tend to go after bigger targets. But they had earrings there. Looked a little like what I just got you. Gold, snowflakes, the diamonds were fake, but you get the picture.
Used to walk by there when I took my sister to the park. She really liked them. Has a thing for gold, my sis. She was going through a rough time then. About your age and not a lot of reason to smile in my family.
You like the necklace?
[That's not sarcasm, he really does.]
When I was twenty-something, I robbed a small antiquity store near where I lived. Not a big deal, actually a very small deal. I tend to go after bigger targets. But they had earrings there. Looked a little like what I just got you. Gold, snowflakes, the diamonds were fake, but you get the picture.
Used to walk by there when I took my sister to the park. She really liked them. Has a thing for gold, my sis. She was going through a rough time then. About your age and not a lot of reason to smile in my family.
You like the necklace?
[She knows that feeling. It's hard to walk past a store every day and see something that doesn't belong cooped up in a glass case. Things deserve to get out into the world and be loved.
Is that what he wants her to do with this?
It's complicated and difficult to think about.]
I don't hate it.
Is that what he wants her to do with this?
It's complicated and difficult to think about.]
I don't hate it.
Then I want you to have it.
And you don't hate me, either?
And you don't hate me, either?
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