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]

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.]

[hairrowing]

It isn't weird.

[it's more of a statement than a question. well, maybe it is strange, since they're so different in temperament and whatnot]

Happy holidays/merry xmas/all those things!!!

[gunslingerqueen]

It might be a little weird.

[Their first meeting alone was a hell of a time.]

But, like, in a good way! I thought I wouldn't ever see you again.

[Teasing him in a Denny's and getting his number hadn't necessarily guaranteed anything, after all.]

<333 hope you had a wonderful day, boo!

[hairrowing]

Really? The world isn't as big as you'd think. There's a chance we would have found each other again.

[though slim, very slim]

I did and same to you <333!!

[gunslingerqueen]

You are right, but I usually have terrible luck! I didn't even think you'd text me back to begin with.

[Her smile is a very difficult force to contain, and she's given up on the burger in favor of snacking on some of the bacon.]

I'm glad you did, though. I still need to earn that hug.

[hairrowing]

Did I seem that...unwilling?

[he's curious. even as he stuffs his own face]

Mmm.

[gunslingerqueen]

Not anymore than your cool attitude requires!

[brb shoving a handful of fries in her mouth, which she covers with one hand when speaking becomes easier.]

I think I'm just used to being the one who is called, instead of doing the calling! Or, maybe I had terrible friends who never listened.

[It's the latter, but she's not ready for that conversation.]

[hairrowing]

Mmm, not necessarily. I'm sure your friends are probably okay.

[he wouldn't know, and frankly he just. feels like she's the type to call? or get called a lot??]

[gunslingerqueen]

I think they did their best, but honestly, I wasn't always a superstar at asking for help.

[Yes, she's the one that gets calls at three in the morning, with something exploding in the background.]

Not even when things were genuinely, hopelessly shitty.

[hairrowing]

You don't say.

[he raises a brow at her, but the corners of his mouth are soft, layered in a smile]

Not a good habit.

[gunslingerqueen]

You wouldn't recommend it, huh?

[A bashful sort of pout, the irony isn't lost!! But damn, that smile is one for the record books. ]

But you know I'm literally your cosmic friend forever, now. You've adopted me!

[hairrowing]

Cosmic? Forever?

[the smile does widen now, into a real one]

I'd like that.

[gunslingerqueen]

Good. Then it's a promise.

[And then...! Well, she eats! There's a content air despite the growing migraine, the fact that half of this dinner is coming back up at some point like a threat, and the matter of getting back to her hotel safely. None of that matters.

It's nice to have a friend again.]

[hairrowing]

[it's...really nice to have friends again. of course he has his Pokemon, they're his family, his lifeline and anchor, and they can communicate but. this is different. and it's nice. a nice, contentment in this silence, it stretches around them, warm]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Her own comfort with the lack of noise for its own sake is a rare hallmark. Once upon a time in her life, silence was the promise of a threat, the prelude to violence, and its presence had made her skin crawl, back then.

But in the present, Nariko finishes eating and is no less animated! Chin in both hands, the smears in her pile of ketchup threaten to tell her fortune. Fall asleep somewhere random? Find company for the night? The slow and dreary process of removing her makeup and slithering into boring pajamas, flopping under hotel sheets.

Bleh.

She decides to bend over and try to get her shoes back on, assured of her increasing sobriety until the corner of the table and her forehead kiss violently! Her eyes cross a little,]

Nnngh...

[It is still going to be a long night. But at least one shoe is on!]