catchall mineo

[alteracion]

Comments

[alteracion]

Sort of? It had tusks, so it wasn't quite a normal tiger, but close enough.

[sengokus]

Why - oh, is it related to this train thing you were talking about...?

[alteracion]

Yep. The train has a lot of weird-- denizens on it.

[ ignore the pause before denizens it's fine ]

[sengokus]

[he's taking his own pause and then]

Denizens...

[just

parroting her]

[alteracion]

[ there's a deliberate pause, like she's mulling over how to explain ]

They're ... beings that are from the train. Some are more dangerous than others.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . ]

Can I ask a little more about it...? Have you talked to Harrowhark-san?

[alteracion]

Right, she mentioned you told her to talk to me about things. [ she's back to seeming relaxed, stretching a little ] You can ask, I don't mind.

[sengokus]

Oh - yeah....

Just 'cause she's been in a situation like this too. Getting kidnapped, being promised something, possible danger...

It sounded a little bit like how you weren't super thrown off by all this? Sorry if it was meant to be a secret or anything - you told me pretty quick so...

[he figured it might help to connect people?]

[alteracion]

No, you were right. We do have similar backgrounds. It was pretty interesting. [ she tilts her head a bit ] But I wasn't kidnapped, I boarded the train willingly. Sort of like this place.

[ as in, she agreed and had no idea what she was agreeing too, which is fine, ]

[sengokus]

Oh - you get along? Cool! Harrowhark-san's whole aesthetic is pretty sick, and she's nice to talk to too.

[he stans one bone lesbian even if he hasn't told her yet]

But ah... yeah! Were you still stuck on the train before all this...? Were you supposed to get what you wanted out of it too?

[alteracion]

The bone thing is pretty hardcore, but she pulls it off.

[ but, pft ]

I'm not stuck. I want to be on the train. It's my right to be there. [ a little intense as she smiles, but it drops as she looks away ] I didn't agree to come here for myself. I like the train and the life I have there. What I want is... to help a friend. She's in trouble right now, and I want to fix that for her.

[sengokus]

[he looks a little surprised honestly - he definitely made a few assumptions there along the way. probably because he can't imagine living his life on a train happily but... well, if it works for her.]

... you gave up that info pretty easily. You okay with that? I won't tell anyone but...

[most people here have been a lot more guarded]

dw my notifs.

[alteracion]

[ she huffs a little, stretching out ]

Of course. I've got nothing to hide. We're all here for a reason, aren't we? [ she nudges him with a shoulder ] And we're friends, right? I don't mind you knowing. Unless you think it's a bad reason.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . she's so easygoing, but there's something in his expression that's still a bit guarded

and then, a little quieter]

... you want to be friends with me?

[alteracion]

[ it's her turn to look a little surprised, and this time when she smiles she looks both a little fond and a little bewildered ]

Of course. [ ... then, a little teasing: ] You offered to protect my honor and you don't think we're friends?

[sengokus]

[ . . . . he looks away a little bit - but sometimes you're just used to being a meat shield and a guardian without expecting anything in return.]

... yeah. It's what I'd wanna do.

[just. admitting that. and he seems to think about it for a little longer before he just nods]

... mm. We can be friends.

[alteracion]

[ hm. there's definitely some concern from her there but she doesn't linger on it and instead reaches up to ruffle his hair ]

You almost sound reluctant! I'll have you know I'm a great friend.

[sengokus]

[sdlfkjsdf HIS HAIR!!! he tries to duck away but lmao]

That's - not what I was doubting...!

[just whether she'd be a great friend to him]

Hey...!

[alteracion]

[ she stops when she has ruined his hair only. rip ]

But you were doubting something. [ he has admitted that much, which is a trap ] Wanna talk about it?

[sengokus]

[his HAAIIIRRRR he's just grumbling a little and going to look for a reflective surface to fix it. HIS STYLE, GRACE

and not because he doesn't want to face her when she asks that question either]

... trust doesn't come easy.

That's all. You're probably a good person and all, it's just -

... nothing personal.

[but he'll at least try to be honest with her about that much. they can still be friends - he's just... guarded.]

[alteracion]

[ if he can't find any nearby she will be nice and offer him her compact mirror. do your make up, mineo.

but he says that and she doesn't look offended, just... a little sad? ]

You've been hurt before, haven't you? By someone you trusted.

[sengokus]

[oh - he looks surprised at the offer, but nods his gratitude out as he redoes his stupid high samurai ponytail. stupid.

though he

also very obviously flinches when she says that]

.... sorry.

I don't like talking about it.

[she's right - he's just. not ready to unpack it.]

[alteracion]

It's okay. [ she sounds like she means it, too, looking at him with concern still ] You don't have to. I get it. Stuff like that... it stays with you.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . . but does it stay with people the same way it stays with him? to the point that he—

he straightens up once he's done with his hair, clearing his throat]

Anyway -

How about we play a game?! Like friends. That's good for bonding, right? I bet I can give your score a run for its money.

[alteracion]

[ she clips her mirror closed and smirks. she is willing to let it go! she said he didn't have to talk about it and she means it, so she's back to casual ]

You think so? I'm really good at games.