IC Contact + Overflow

[gunslingerqueen]

Wanna continue a TFLN thread? Wanna text or call Nariko, or just play in general?

Here's the place to do it!

Comments

[gunslingerqueen]

Handsome? Dashing? Heartthrob in the making?

[Okay, okay, she should have picked a word a boy might like better than 'cute' but she does try to make up for it!]

Yeah? What's she like?

[And, for once, there is mindful hesitation, an invitation to sidestep it entirely. Nariko is ... Hardly the one to go around asking people about their mothers, given her own.]

[hairrowing]

[continues to just Make Faces because he's a boy, and boys are just. BOYs


his expression sobers into something contemplative]

She's very intelligent. And beautiful. A powerhouse.

[gunslingerqueen]

[She tries so hard not to snicker at him and probably only succeeds because of the resulting topic - teasing it put on hold in favor of ... well, that.]

Huh.

[Not the most satisfying response, admittedly, but it's just also how she'd describe her own mother so it's A Lot.]

Is she a good mom to you?

[hairrowing]

[he pauses, brow furrowed as he contemplates]

Not for a long time, no.

[gunslingerqueen]

[Oh, Gladion ...]

I'm sorry for that, then.

[Not an it was my responsibility apology or it's going to be okay one, because maybe it won't be, or still isn't.

It's just a pure, honest you shouldn't have to carry that weight, and I am sorry its had to make you strong, variety.]

[hairrowing]

Mmmm.

[just a grunt, a sigh. there's not much he can do for it at the moment....just keep trying to find a way to, to stop her.]

[gunslingerqueen]

Is this why you ended up joining a gang?

[Look, Nariko will buy a house if he actually needs somewhere stable to live! That is too much!!]

[hairrowing]

I needed to be stronger...and I thought they'd help me.

[it did not help, actually it was Worse]

[gunslingerqueen]

Doesn't sound like it worked out.

[Gentle, assessing and then:]

So, you still have unfinished business to deal with?

[hairrowing]

Mmm. I can always be stronger.

[a little shrug]

Yeah.

[gunslingerqueen]

[Hm.]

Let me help.

[hairrowing]

With-- with the gang? [worried]

[gunslingerqueen]

I mean, yes? If you need it? You shouldn't even be in a gang!

[Where were your after school programs!!!]

But I meant, let me help you get stronger. So you can deal with the unresolved stuff.

[hairrowing]

[well, true]

Stronger how? The only way I know is by battling.

[gunslingerqueen]

Oh, I have no idea!

[Look just try to stay with her here.]

But I don't think I could have even had the strength or resolve to make the choice that I did without my Leah, at least.

[To be fair, she chose very badly, but if her hindsight keeps him, or anyone, from making the same mistake, then it is worthwhile.]

In the end, it was my responsibility to deal with but I couldn't have faced her without Leah at my side. So, I think sometimes you just figure things out better when you aren't in it alone.

[hairrowing]

Mmm...I guess that's true. But how can you find someone who understands the situation? The same way you do?

[he isn't going to drag Namine into something she doesn't want to be involved in]

[gunslingerqueen]

Well...

[Porque no los dos.meme, Gladion!!!]

There are some things you can't figure out just by thinking about it, right? Better to move forward awkwardly then be fixed in the same spot.

[Her chin goes onto one palm, but the other is offered to him.]

It might just be me for a bit, but let's stumble together, okay?

[hairrowing]

[let's stumble together....

Gladion can admit to himself he doesn't really have a great plan, and yes, maybe he's been stumbling along with just his Pokemon this whole time.

But while he just doesn't get while she wants to help, she does.]

....Okay.

[he takes the offered hand. another person he wants to protect]

not me thinking i'd already replied like days ago wth dw!!!!

[gunslingerqueen]

[Yes, another person that she can protect, after all this time. The grip is surprisingly reliable and firm but this time she doesn't take advantage of the contact.]

Thank you.

[For listening! But also:]

... Weren't we supposed to order food or something?

[Their waiter has probably been glaring at them for a while.]

RIP DW!!

[hairrowing]

[the waiter is probably incredibly used to weird and serious and stupid conversations at this time of the night by various drunken folks

it's all in a days work.

blinking to realization, Gladion colors slightly, and nods, starting to order. just something yummy and warm, of course]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Look she does her best to look drunkenly adorable/apologetic regardless!

And after all of this, of course she gets a giant burger and a milkshake. The tired eyes are bigger than the nauseous stomach, and all that.]

You know, I'm really happy I met you.

[hairrowing]

[there's a slight...worry she won't be able to hold it down, but they'll come to that when they get to it]

Hmmm? Really?

[gunslingerqueen]

Mmhm! It feels kind of like Fate.

[Just like drinking this gigantic milkshake was a matter of destiny.]

Which is weird since I don't know that I completely believe in that sort of thing.

[hairrowing]

Fate...or inevitable I guess. Maybe we just needed each other.

[gunslingerqueen]

[That's so ...]

Honestly ... [Her straw dances around in the drink for a bit. Needed each other ...] yeah, I think you're right.

[And it's not so bad, is it? Or at least for the moment.]