thoughtformed | [text]

[She doesn't want to push him away; well, figuratively at least. She just prefers to keep her heart a safe distance away from the people around her. Though it probably doesn't do her much good, she also prefers to handle this particular thing on her own.]

You can't help; I know that sounds shit, but it's probably true. It's between me and him. There's a lot of bullshit that needs to be cleared up.

[She quiets for a moment, those words resonating in her ears. "We're friends." It's a phrase she hasn't heard in a long time; her friendships have either been shallow or the bond went unspoken. There's something about hearing it though; it almost hurts. Her gaze travels down again, away from the video screen.]

I'm not much of a friend, I hate to tell you.

[There's a long pause as he considers her words, turning them over in his head. Maybe he really can't help. No amount of wanting to is going to change that, but most important was the last bit.]

I'm not, either. But I'd like to learn how to be a good one.

[She finally looks back up at the video.] Guess we both get to start on about square one, yeah?

[There's a momentary hesitation as she purses her lips, debating with herself.]

And if it makes you feel any better, if I run into any trouble while talking with him, I'll give you a call.

Guess we do.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment, but nods in agreement.]

Yeah. You should. If anything goes wrong... yeah. You can call me. I'll come help.

[Though she's quiet again, a small but genuine smile crosses her lips.]

...Thanks. I really mean it. I dunno wot I'd do if I was touched again.

[That earns her a curious look. All she's told him, so far, as that no one should touch her. Keeping his hands to himself is easy enough, even without explanation, but he can't help asking.]

Is that why things got bad? He broke your rule?

Yeah, you could say that.

[Her defensive walls are back up; it's much easier getting on with people -people whom she figures would have no reason to touch her- when her power stays unknown than it is having the truth out in the open. Frankly, she's wary again about giving away too much.]

I won't ask any more right now.

[He grimaces. He doesn't like secrets, but he hasn't forgotten what she said when they first met.]

I remember you don't like to talk about that.

Yeah, I really don't. [Especially with what happened with Rudy; though a bit of time had passed, it's still at the front of her mind.]

...Thanks. For remembering, that is.

You're welcome. There might be a lot of things I don't understand... but I understand that, I think.

[He gets it, or he's pretty sure he does. When something hurts, it's not something you can bring yourself to talk about easily.

Like Holtz. Ever since it happened... he's never been able to talk about Holtz's death. His father's death. And yet it was so easy for everyone else to talk about Holtz like he was some demon, some monster. He was the only father Connor had ever known, until recently. Why did people want to punish him for something that was beyond his control?]

...Guess we're not entirely different, are we?

[To be honest, common ground with Connor wasn't something she ever expected to find. She offers a quick, grateful smile.]

[He smiles at last -- a real, honest-to-goodness smile, the first genuine one since he's gotten his memories back.]

Yeah. Not as different from each other as we thought we were.

[It's... actually quite wonderful to see that smile again. And here she thought she wouldn't see it anytime soon.]

I guess so. It's kind of nice knowing that, yeah?

Yeah. It makes me feel a lot less lonely.

[The smile fades just the tiniest bit, but it's still there, still distinct.]

Most people don't understand me. Most people don't even try.

Well, you're certainly not alone now.

[She can't do much beside lend an ear, but she's there if he needs her.]

Most people are retarded, I hate to tell you. Proper bunch of twats.

[He smirks. Is this -- is this sarcasm? Clearly, Connor is learning.]

Yeah, I figured that part out for myself. People are jerks.

Most are, yeah. Best you try to either avoid or ignore them.
That usually does the trick.

It's the mental ones you have to watch out for; people not right in the heads. Those ones that you can't really walk away from or pretend aren't there.

Sometimes I think I might actually be one of those, but not the way you originally thought. There's so much about this world I don't understand. I feel lost.

I probably shouldn't, but... I'll help walk you through things if you need it.

Might actually give me something to do around here. Something a lot more pleasant, at least.

Really...?

Yeah. I'd... I'd like that. Thank you.

Well... we are friends, yeah? Though you already know I'm not that great of one, I'm pretty sure that's wot friends do.

I mean, you even offered to make him "regret" it. That's a lot more than anyone's done for me in a long time.

I'll keep that promise. If he does anything, if he so much as lays a hand on you, he'll regret it. I mean it.

[She'd rather not have Connor beat the snot out of Rudy, but the sentiment is really sweet.]

Thanks. Hopefully he won't, though; I like to think he wouldn't once I explain things.

I hope it goes well, then. It sounds like it could be a hard conversation to have.

If we're able to put aside our past history, it shouldn't be too bad. If.

[video]

waywardboy - 2013-01-12 06:33 (UTC) - Expand

[video]

easy_a - 2013-01-12 06:45 (UTC) - Expand