infreefall | redacted ★ claude

[ meanwhile ochako's wearing a sundress because it's also mini-event day and she's not doing that in a swimsuit, thanks! but she's here... not sure if it was a good idea, but she's here. ]

I wanted to see if I could catch whoever actually wrote that letter. Don't they usually hang out somewhere close to watch when this happens on TV?

[ like claude would know ]

I would say, so a sundress is better? But a FEmble is the last person who can judge outfit choices.)

Do they?

He's looking around? He doesn't television, okay. But he does get the idea of setting people up and hiding in the shadows to observe.)

Did Rabbit give you your letter too?

Yeah, but Rabbit-san's probably just the messenger.

[ they're too nice to pull this kind of stunt on their own? ]

Kinda hard to believe someone would think we'd both fall for it, though.

Yeah, I think so, too. We could probably get it out of them but...

That feels mean? Rabbit is so soft... Hm. Rabbit lives for now.)

Well, we're both here, aren't we?

[ there's a soft hum of agreement. ]

Maybe not for the reason they were hoping, though. So why did you come?

How could I let our dear Rabbit down after they went through the trouble?

Also its a Wednesday so what can go wrong on a Wednesday besides you know everything it's fine.)

I don't think Rabbit would do anything mean so this was either a harmless trick or a chance to see you. Looks like I got lucky.

You can see me anytime you want, Riegan-san - no tricks necessary.

[ you know with certain other characters this curse would be fine? but right now i am suffering. ]

(SO FAR THIS IS FINE???)

I know that. (They're friends!!) Since we're here though... it'd be a shame to let this opportunity go to waste, don't you think?

(When a cursed flirt and a natural charmer meet. HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE FERRIS WHEEL?)

You mean you actually want to humor them?

[ somehow she just seems amused by this instead of the usual levels of embarrassment... it's fine. they're friends now. ]

Sure, why not? Have you been on a ferris wheel before, Riegan-san?

If they've gone through all this trouble and are watching, we might as well give them something.

(He doesn't mind. Let them watch!!)

Never. This will be my first time.

Oh, so I get the honors of introducing you to it?

[ well. guess she's taking claude's hand and gently tugging him toward the ferris wheel, then. ]

I've never been before this week, either. But it's kind of fun to be able to see everything from the top!

(Ochako..............

Usually he's the one leading people so this is a twist! The fact that it's Ochako of all people is also ???

...)

Oh, the honor is all mine.

(He's rolling along with this but. Ochako?)

Shall we go to the top, then?

[ she just! beams as she takes a seat! there is nothing at all wrong here! ]

To the top!

(Someone help Ochako, please.)

To the top!

(Whoever is watching... can tell they're having fun, okay? But once they're both taking a seat across from each other and the door behind them closes, the Ferris wheel starts up! Give it a bit and once they're a few cars up, he'll just say,)

I don't think anyone will really be able to see or hear us once we get higher.

Mm, probably not. Maybe they'll get bored and leave before we make it back down.

If they went to all this trouble, I think they'll stick around.

(Hah. But. Right.)

... Sorry.

[ she was watching the beach slowly recede, but that pulls her eyes back to claude. ]

What for?

This is a set up, isn't it?

(Someone is trying to set them up?)

Well, yeah, but it's not like it was your idea.

I know but... well.

(How does he put this.)

You like me. (It's obvious. No one gets this flustered just because they have a normal friendly relationship. ) And I like you.

(He can admit that much.)

But it seems like some people have certain ideas.

[ just having it laid out there like that makes her cheeks flush, and ochako looks away, hands curling into fists around the hem of her dress. there's no running when they're on the ferris wheel, but she focuses instead on watching the boardwalk and the beach get further smaller as the ride climbs. ]

...I know. I keep telling them that we should focus on more important things instead of... [ whatever this is supposed to be?? ] ...but maybe I should've tried harder to get them to listen. I didn't mean for you to get dragged into something like this.

[ so really, if anyone should be apologizing, it's probably her. ]

(...)

Don't worry about it. I don't think there's anything we can really do to stop them and I don't mind.

(It hasn't caused him any trouble and really? He's just gotten a cute date out of it so it's been fun.)

Maybe if circumstances were different... (A little wistfully,) But you're a sweet girl.

You're cute, your sharp, and you're really strong too. (Just gonna... touch his face and r e m e m b e r .) But you're also really kind and thoughtful. I admire you a lot.

(And she definitely deserves a lot better.)

[ she'd read that "i like you" to mean as friends and now claude is saying all of this and it kind of makes her want to scream? she doesn't, but she's blushing even harder so she just drops her head into her hands with a groan. ]

You're not making it any easier, Riegan-san!

(HE'S LAUGHING...)

Sorry, sorry. (He holds up a hand to show he's stopping,) What I'm trying to get at though... is that I'm not exactly the best guy here. Really, I'm a whole lot of trouble...

You deserve a lot better.

I know you are, but...

[ slowly, she lowers her hands. ]

I told someone before that I think people like you - the ones who lie a lot, and hide who they are - are the ones that need people the most. I still believe that.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject