 "un/finished") |
FERN |
Ooo slang part the second |
|
FERN |
i think we just shared electrons, because i'm feeling a covalent bond between us |
|
LANCE |
Pidge, I need your help. I gotta send a meme to Chloe but ... |
|
DIPPER |
Hey Varian. You know those crazy alchemy bombs you used... |
|
PETER |
Hey Varian, this is Peter. Um, Peter Graham. |
|
USAGI |
Soooooooo~ How'd the date go? |
|
MAKO |
Varianβ Checking in. |
|
SHIRO |
i think one of us put a chicken patty in my toaster |
|
EDDIE |
Hey. We need to talk. |
|
MELIUS |
π»πΎ. πΌ ππππ πΎπ πππππ πππΎππΉ πΆππΉ πΎπ πΎπ πππ ππ½πππ |
|
EDA |
Hey, kid. I... owe you an apology. |
|
LUZ |
Valentines |
|
MAUL |
I have a proposition for a project I think you'll be interested in |
|
USAGI |
I LOVE YOU |
|
FERN |
DUDE you still have your bandana! |
|
BUZZ |
Morning. I heard from Fern you wanted to go out into the blizzard. |
|
FERN |
dude your profile changed |
|
USAGI |
Ruby told me about the breakup. |
|
GLITCH |
Varian, I'm gonna go live somewhere else for now |
|
MAKO |
A "nerd" is somebody smart... |
|
MAUL |
Gifts |
|
FERN |
heeyyyy quick question |
|
FERN |
Christmas is coming up!!! |
|
CHLOE |
god who the FUCK ever thought emojis were a good idea??? |
|
KRISTOFF |
Varian,It's getting colder so I thought you could use this |
|
FERN |
heyyyy Variable |
|
RAPUNZEL |
okay not to put you on the spot but... |
|
EDA |
Potion time |
|
NEO |
Dude, I can mine antidote shit here! |
|
GLITCH |
Got this in my basket. |
|
EDA |
hey smart kid |
|
TEN |
Hallo |
|
ADAM |
Hey, k-- uh, Varian. I just wanted to check in |
|
USAGI |
I'm sorry I worried you and fainted on you yesterday. |
|
AMARA |
i lived, bitch |
|
NEO |
Debatably good news, asshole |
|
USAGI |
Hey Varian! It's Usagi |
|
OSCAR |
I'm sorry, Varian. Tell me what you need |
|
FERN |
a dark past huh |
|
MAUL |
Varian. I am in great need of your assistance |
|
FERN |
Varian VARIAN I CAN EAT FOOD |
|
USAGI |
How much moon essence do you have? |
|
USAGI |
VIVI-KUN, VIVI-KUN GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT! |
|
RICHIE |
well I promised |
|
FERN |
A TOTALLY INCOMPLETE LIST OF OOO WORDS 'N SLANG |
|
GLITCH |
VARIAN ARE THERE BUGS IN THE WATER?!
|
|
USAGI |
To help with restless nights and the... |
|
VIRA-LORR |
Little alchemist. I have a gift for you. |
|
MARTIN |
Hi, Varian. This is Martin. I wanted to reach out... |
|
USAGI |
Hi Varian, sweetie! I have a question for you. |
|
GLITCH |
varian I need to talk to you. it's important. |
|
USAGI |
I need you not to panic after what I tell you. |
|
FERN |
dog you have so many vests |
|
IRONHIDE |
HONK HONK |
|
USAGI |
... I'm sorry I couldn't help you better, Varian |
|
EMERALD |
Hey, V. Not that I care that much or anything... |
|
FERN |
tell me when you're alive |
|
FERN |
Varian i stabbed two people |
|
AMARA |
hey weirdo i have something for you
|
|
FERN |
is the Rapunzel in town your Rapunzel? |
|
PENNY |
Salutations!! You do not know me, but my name is Penny Polendina |
|
YANG |
Hey, is this Varian? I think we've met once before. |
|
FERN |
hey can we talk |
|
FERN |
you told ruby |
|
MAUL |
Surviving another year is always an occasion worth celebrating |
|
USAGI |
Hey I wanted to apologise |
|
USAGI |
VARIAN-KUUUUNNN!!!! |
|
FERN |
birth |
|
MAUL |
Look what just arrived for me. |
|
KATHERINE |
Do you want to get paid to make more purple goo things? |
|
FERN |
ok i know you're good with plants but what about animals |
|
FERN |
dog interested in means girls or guys |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
droptheious) wrote2020-03-11 08:22 am
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
cawaii
no subject
She grins seeing him laugh like that and it brightens up her own smile.]
It was something alright, sonny boy! But maybe a little rest would be good for these old bones!
[She pulls off her cloak and looks for a clear lot where she can rest it over the snow. She moves to plop down on to it and pats down at the ground.]
Jeez yeah, don't miss those crazy cultists that March had. I could probably go another round with the Orcs though, they were fun to fight.
no subject
[It takes him a little while to get down. Sitting and standing up again on the floor is still a tricky manoeuvre for him, even as he gets used to the prosthetic. Once he gets down next to her, he huffs out a little laugh. ]
That does not surprise me. And yeah, I'm glad the townspeople have kept their human sacrifices to a minimum since then. I'm still not a fan though. That wasn't a fun time.
no subject
Yeah, I know. I don't blame you. I mean it's not like I'm looking to get stuffed in anymore burning buildins, but that happens sometimes.
And it wasn't all bad. We started hanging out more after all that? Sometimes you have to take the good times with the bad.
no subject
Yeah, if we can avoid being kidnapped by cultists in the future, that would be great. I don't regret a second diving into a burning building to save you, but let's not make it a yearly thing.
[He smiles all the same. Because as much as the bad really is very bad here, there is good in it too.]
I guess so. As much as any of us can, anyway.
no subject
Fine, fine. I think I can promise that-
But only if you promise not to get caught up by any weird giant snake-
-Wait, actually cutting off that things head was kind of awesome. Don't make a habit of it, but I would totally cut off another snakes head for you.
-And I'll still try and avoid the cult thing. Should be easier considering the person who helped put me in that mess is kind of not trying to pull things like that anymore.
[It was weird. Actually being able to be upfront and talk about Neo thing. After so many months of dancing around the topic while it was happening. To... Actually being able to talk through things with the other girl.]
It gets a little all consuming if you just focus on the bad.
no subject
[Neo would normally be an extremely sour point between them. But even Varian has to admit, things have been... better there.]
...I have noticed she's been trying to be better. I think Em's really having an impact on her.
[His smile fades, just a touch as he picks at the metal on his leg a little.]
Yeah, it does. And we've had a heck of a lot of that lately. Deerington's not great at letting up on that, huh?
no subject
And I would always kill a giant snake monster for you for, it's a high honor.
[Honestly she never expected to be able to talk about Neo like this either. She was all about trying to find and bring out the best in others but it was hard to believe they had gotten as far as they had. It... Made her heart feel oddly warm to know they could actually work things out.]
Yeah. We actually talked last month. No prompting or no town forcing us into things. It was weird. It was nice.
I think Emerald and this place are actually having a good effect on her. I guess it really goes to show just what are home and the circumstances can do to some.
[Her silver eyes catch his smile fade and she moves to let her hand run across his metal leg.]
It's been a lot, and it doesn't know how to let up. ...But just give it time. You're going to pick yourself up and you'll be stronger than you were before. I know it.
no subject
[That's... weirdly comforting to hear. Not only because it means there's one less person who wants to actually kill Ruby in this place, but it's also further proof that no one is beyond redemption. For someone like him... well, it's just nice to know. ]
I'm glad. I don't think we're going to be best buds any time soon, but she did help me with my leg- found some supplies for it. She didn't even try to stab me for them or anything.
[And he didn't try to murder her either. A Christmas Miracle. He looks at her hand, frowning softly. He hasn't really put time aside to properly deal with the entire leg situation and he's getting beyond the point he can ignore it. Honestly, he was beyond the point a month ago.]
...I'm not so convinced on that one. [He pulls his actual leg up to rest his chin on it, brow furrowed. She deserves some honesty, at least. If anyone does.] I'm just... tired, but I don't have the luxury to sit back and relax here. Not the way this town works. But it's hard. Everything's just... hard.
no subject
[Ruby didn't think anyone was beyond redemption as a whole. ...But it required a work to get there and that person had to be willing to put that work in. Neo and Varian had both always shown that they were willing to put in that work to her.]
Honestly that's a lot of progress for her. I don't think she's become anti-stab or anything but she's being more choosy about who she wants to stab. And that's a good thing.
I don't blame you for not wanting to be best buds with her or anything either. I'm definitely not there either but we're beyond where we were at and that's something. I'll hold onto that for now
[Look at those two. Making progress.
She blinks but she can't say in her heart of hearts that she's surprised to hear that. She knew the last two months had been hard for him and he hadn't even been caught under the town's influence. She wasn't going to make it sound like staying positive in the face of tragedy was easy, she had watched it slowly chisel away at so many people back where she was from and here.
She raises a hand and let's it rest on his shoulder. She knew he still had a long way to go but she didn't think he was out of the fight yet.]
It is. You're not wrong. I don't think any of us actually have the luxury to relax here, some of us just make it look easier than others.
Maybe. Maybe you just need to find a new balance, a different way of doing things. Which I know isn't easy when you're already going through as much change as you are.
no subject
[Maybe it's because back home he had all that trauma with the red rocks. Maybe Sodder knows exactly the right way to get at him. Rude.]
These things take time. Honestly, there's still moments when I have people I really want to stab. She... asked me to keep a vial of that poison I was working on to use against her. In case what happened between you guys in July happened again. I think she does genuinely regret it. Which is the first step forward.
[Em is a lot easier to talk to about concerning these things. Em is closer to where he is. Neo is... a little further behind. She's a reminder both of how far he's come and how difficult the first months of redemption really were. ]
...Yeah. I guess so. That's- it's a good point. I guess you can only keep doing the same thing enough times and expecting it to come out different and finding it never does before you realise that thing isn't working. The...uh. Balance.
[His shoulders sag a little under her hand. He's not the biggest pro with social cues, but even he can see where this conversation is going. They've been heading towards this for months but knowing that doesn't make it any easier. He's torn between trying to desperately steer this away from the inevitable pile of jagged rocks their little ship is headed towards and just... letting it be. He knows what the better option for both of them is. The less selfish option, the one they have a better chance of surviving as individuals- but it's not the same one that lets them survive as a couple. Both don't exist on the same plane of existence. He sucks in a shuddery breath, before finally turning to look at her properly. ]
...It's that time we talked about, isn't it?
no subject
[Because gosh was she tired of watching her friends turn on her every few months.
She blinks. She remembers when Varian first mentioned that in June and well... she hadn't really thought about it much since then. It had been too chaotic and she honestly didn't realize Neo and him were going to such efforts to prevent it from happening again.
It didn't set well with her but she did understand where they were coming from.]
I think I understand. I mean- I know it's not easy to let things like that go.
But I know she does... And I want her to do better from here out.
And I guess thank you both. For trying to keep me safe.
[The methods were not really something she could agree with but she knew the thought was counted and that Deerington could easily make a mess of things enough to justify that use.
She didn't like it but she knew what they were going for.
She let's out a breath. This wasn't an easy talk to have, not when they've gone through as much as they have. Not when they were both still hurting in their own ways. But... Maybe that's why they needed to have that talk.]
It's... not. And- I really wish it could or would work out. But I don't think either of the pieces really fit together in that sort of way.
[A pit forms in her stomach when she feels his shoulders sag. She hated this more than anything. She would really love for it to work out and to find a way to make it work. But sometimes the best way for it to work out was to put some distance between the two of them. So they didn't grind away at one another like they had been.
When he turns toward her she gently moves to let her free hand move to rest up on his other shoulder.]
I think so. I... I wish it was any other time, I really do. But I don't think this is what we wanted when we said we'd be with each other to the end.
...And just because it's the the end of something, doesn't mean that it can't also be a new beginning.
It's just a different from what we originally pictured.
no subject
[He raises his shoulders in a shrug. He's been less keen to use it, as time has gone on. But he's also very aware of what this town is capable of. Both he and Neo are aware of that. There's no guarantee it wouldn't make them turn on anyone else here again. ]
I'm not itching to use it on her any more. It's more... a safeguard than anything else. Just in case.
["I don't think either of the pieces really fit together in that sort of way." That... put it into words better than he could. He's been struggling to word it right for a while. Something sharp wrenches in his chest, deep and unpleasant. He doesn't want this, as much as he is very much aware that it's inevitable. That they're just going to keep hurting each other if they carry on the way they are. He doesn't want to make her miserable, and he's well aware that's what he's been doing.
Still, he moves one hand up to grip her arm gently. This hurts. It hurts a lot, but equally, it feels like a weight very slowly being lifted. ]
No... it's not what we wanted. I- I want you to be happy but I don't think I can do that for you anymore. Not like this. I'm not- [his breath catches and he sucks in a breath, trying to keep it together] ... the pieces just don't fit together any more, huh?
[He's surprised this hasn't churned up his usual feelings of self-loathing. Oh, they're still there, but they're little whispers this time instead of a dull roar. Maybe it's because this feels like the right thing to do, and for once he's not going to ignore that for the easy option.
This still sucks a lot though. ]
I - I'd like that. A new beginning. I... Ruby, you still mean the world to me. I don't want that to go away forever. Even if it can't... shouldn't be this any more.
no subject
[That's all she really say to that. She's known too much cruelty both here in Deerington and in her own world. The chances of things not getting worse seemed slim and that bothered her more than anything. It was something she'd always fight against, the injustice of it all.]
Being prepared isn't a bad thing. It's why we still have our promise, that's never going to go away.
[She would always be there to stop him from sinking down in to the pits of despair that his old ways brought. Anytime the town threatened to bring those back.
Her hand slides down from his shoulder and lightly touches his. She felt a few tears well up in her eyes but she fought them down. This... This was harder than she'd ever admit but... It wasn't the end. She knew that. It would never be that.]
I want the same for you. And I think you can get there. I know you can, I've seen the way you run toward it, the way you strive to make things right. You can get there even if you can't see it all the time.
[She smiles gently and releases his other shoulder so she can fetch the bundle against her back. She takes it and removes the cloth to reveal the Rhodium Raps. Just as it had been before.
No. That wasn't accurate. There were still signs of the breakage on it, but the cracks were filled and reattached with a material made out of a rose gold that highlighted the breakage, Made it something beautiful instead of an ugly sign of the past.]
They don't... But that doesn't mean they can't become something new. That they can't still flourish in their own way.
I'm calling it the Rozen Rhodium Raps, but that can be a mouthful so you can stick with the Rhodium Raps. I want you to have it back. So it can keep you safe around here.
Sodder left the rose gold stuff, said to use it on something that had been broken.
[The Rhodium Raps will now repair itself after a week of being broken should that happen again.]
It means everything to hear that Varian.
...You mean the world to me too, you've helped me out and taught me so many things while I've been here. Deerington wouldn't be the same for me without you brightening it up the way that you do.
So let's do that. Let's start from scratch, or where ever it we are now is now. And just find a new, but different way to let things shine.
[And she feels those tears start to run down her cheeks. She knows this is for the best, she knows this is what they both need to hear right now. It doesn't make it any less hard to say. Not after all they've been through.]
no subject
[More than he can put into words. He needs to know he has that safety net. He doesn't want to be a threat to this town, to his loved ones ever again. He wants to know he has someone who'll stop him, and Ruby's proven she'll do that. As much as he hates to rest that on her shoulders, he knows she can trust her with it.
He doesn't argue with her. There are days where he doesn't feel he deserves that. Where he doesn't think he'll ever be truly better. Ever truly be a good person again. But those days are getting fewer- some days, he actually believes it might be true.
He starts when she pulls out the Rhodium Raps. Thanks to her video, he knows she was rebuilding it, but it's still a wonder to see it again, after so long. His hands are shaking a little, as he reaches out to run his fingers over it- tracing the lines of rose gold. ]
...Ruby, this- this is incredible. It's beautiful. [He's struggling to find words and his voice wavers a little. He looks up at her and the tears are starting to prick at his eyes. ] Thank you, I'll- I'll treasure it.
[He means that. It got destroyed for a very good reason and the fact it's been put back together now is... well, the symbolism has not escaped him. Everything still hurts a lot, but at least it doesn't feel hopeless. It feels like the opposite of that. Not a bleak darkness, but... something else. Something positive to move towards. ]
Likewise. You're- you're really important to me. I don't want to lose that...you. Even if- if it's not the same as it was before.
[He rubs at his own eyes, dashing away the tears that are spilling out from them. He lets out a soft, sad laugh.]
I still need someone to throw robots at once in a while, after all.
no subject
[It wasn't a promise that she took lightly. It was a heavy burden to bear but it went along with the code of being a Huntress. It was her job to protect people until the bitter end, sometimes that included protecting them from themselves. Deerington had made it clear to her that was just as important as fighting any monster.
She grins but can't stop the tears from falling down her cheeks as he examines the newly repaired weapon. It... It had been a special symbol when she had made it for him originally. She hoped in it's reborn state it could mean something new, or something more than it had before.]
Aw-Thanks~ It's... Well it's the first piece I made here and I thought it was important to not let that go.
Just let it protect you when things get tough here.
[She wipes away the tears and well she lets go of the staff for him to hold onto and to take.]
You wont, and I wont lose you either. As long as we can still move forward we can find whatever this new thing that we'll be is.
I'm pretty confident it'll be great.
[She blinks once or twice than grins wide and gives him a nudge with her elbow.]
Yeah! You promised and I'm not going to let you weasel your way out of that one!
I still need help figuring out Kyoko's arm too. We're just getting started around here.
no subject
[This is one he can keep, so he makes it. He can't promise he'll never turn it against someone- should this town turn him into that person again. But he has faith in her to prevent him from hurting people with it. If it came to that.
She's always been more confident, more optimistic than he is. His world is drenched in heavy cynicism and has been since the amber took his father. He's usually pretty resistant to her Ruby Rose Brand of optimism. But even he can hold onto it- because he desperately wants to. He wants things to be okay between them, even if it's not... what it used to be. ]
Yeah. I- I sure hope so. That's what I want.
[That gets a chuckle out of him, followed by a soft sniff. Okay. Okay/]
I'm not about to start breaking promises. You can have your robot battle. I already made my first move against Stan, he's not retaliating yet. Like a coward.
And yeah, of course. That's important to get done.
no subject
Then that's what we'll work toward.
[It was hard to cut a tie like this, but she'd work to hold onto what they still had. There was too much to be done to let something like this divide them.]
He hasn't called on me to make a move or anything against you. So maybe he's biding his time? I don't know, he doesn't seem like the elaborate scheme type either.
no subject
[It hurts a lot, and he'll probably feel the full weight of it once he's alone in his lab and ache for the loss of this part of his life. But they both know this is for the best- it's the only real way to move forward. ]
I don't think he has the follow-through, honestly. But we'll see.
no subject
[She isn't looking forward to the looming hurt that she can feel either. But she'll find a way to keep moving forward, she always did and she always would. She was just glad they realized it now and not later when there might not be something left in the end.]
Well-He was smart enough to let me jump on board? He can't be completely hopeless.
It might have been a spur of the moment decision though.
no subject
["Really glad" might be an overstatement. But it's... better. It's healthy, at least, he's sure of it. And they should be doing more of the healthy stuff. He offers her a sad little smile. ]
For what it's worth- I don't regret a second of it. Thanks for one heck of a ride, Ruby Rose.
[Even if it's something that has to change now. That much is still very true.]
I think you're hoping an awful lot for a confirmed shyster honestly.
no subject
[It was an overstatement but it's one they could share at least. She moves to reach over and put a hand on his shoulder. She hesitates for just a second because- with how the conversation was going she wasn't sure how proper this was anymore. But she lets her hand rest on his shoulder briefly to give it a squeeze then pulls back.]
I wouldn't take back one moment of it, Varian. Here's to the future, one where we can keep moving.
[She grins a little.]
Maybe? I've put my faith in worse and got better results. Maybe he just needs a chance to shine?
no subject
Yeah. I think we can do that. Keep moving.
[Far better than the alternative, anyway. The thought of losing her completely is a terrifying thought. This is at least something... workable without utterly destroying both of them in the process. ]
If you say so. I'm sticking to the shyster theory unless proven otherwise.