[ He's vibing with an umbrella on the boardwalk, actually, because he's a ghost and hates the sun but this is a good place to people watch. ]
Nope. [ popping the p ] I sent him a letter asking what I was supposed to do with it, if Hansa's forgotten he's a cyborg as much as he has. Bucky's also a fair bit shorter than me so it would've been uneven with my other arm.
[ when you are a small girl who everyone expects to be weak, you learn some underhanded tactics to claim the win. ]
He can't be that mad when he didn't even send instructions. But yeah, I think we all will be... Though Xie Lian-san will be happiest if you live the whole way through.
[ Sometimes Ochako is a little shady, and he enjoys it, to be honest. But he straightens up, giving his umbrella a little spin. ]
For as much of an ass as I am, I think we've reached the point where I'll make it. [ He can think of a few people who would want to have words with him from the graveyard, though. ] The alternative is not something I want to put gege through.
[ but that isn't important right now, is it? they're almost at the end, after all. ]
He deserves to be happy. [ there's a quiet conviction in those words, but she says them as easily as if they were talking about the weather. ] You both do.
[ Why do all these people like him? (Because you opened up, stupid, stop being obtuse on purpose.) ]
Gege has always deserved happiness. [ The good humor softens into something else, and he starts walking along the boardwalk, looking at her before ahead again. Come, let's meander, Ochako. ] After all that he's been through, that's all I ever really wanted to give him, when I finally found him again.
No, I won't tell anyone. Your reputation is safe with me!
[ she follows easily enough! there was no destination in mind for her today. ]
Mm... I agree. I've seen how he smiles sometimes - like he's sad, or hurting, but he doesn't want anyone to worry about him. He's strong to be able to do that, but I don't think he should have to be.
I want to see him smile for real more often, when he's really, genuinely happy.
[ You say this but teenagers drag him routinely, Ochako. Not that it bothers him, he thinks it's funny, considering. ]
... en. For a long time, gege was alone - and he still thinks, sometimes, that's for the better. You can always see it in his eyes, if you're looking. Right before he shutters it away. "If I am unlucky, then I should be alone, to keep people from getting hurt." If he smiles, then people won't worry, and they won't look any deeper.
I don't think he's really realized that so many people are looking, though, and can tell when his smiles don't reach his eyes. How many people care about him.
[ yea and she's one of them, also because she thinks it's funny.
she smiles at hua cheng, though, pleased and yet unsurprised that he's been able to see that, too. but of course he would. he's as dedicated to xie lian as anyone could be. ]
I think he's starting to, at least. So all we have to do is keep telling him that he's not alone, and that's okay - that we want to be here with him, and support him like he does us.
But he stops at one of the milk jug game booths, turning the umbrella briefly with his hand against his shoulder while he considers that. ]
Considering how long it's been, it did take a little time for him to start noticing, didn't it? Enough that he could stop thinking it was a fluke, or only a few people. [ a huff ] But it's what he deserves, at least. To know he's not alone, and there are people who will listen, and spend time with him.
I guess it must be hard, when you've been alone for such a long time.
[ she doesn't actually know how long it's been, or anything like that. ]
Yeah. I'm really glad he's starting to get that Whatever he's been through before... it's made him strong and all, but he should get to be happy, too. That's why I'm glad he has you - because even if we can't visit each other after this ends, he should have someone who makes him happy.
Edited (i just fucking noticed) 2020-11-15 23:53 (UTC)
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infreefall) wrote2020-10-19 07:32 pm
week 6, thursday
Never figured out the arm thing, huh?
[ the fact that bucky thought a ye olde could handle this ]
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Nope. [ popping the p ] I sent him a letter asking what I was supposed to do with it, if Hansa's forgotten he's a cyborg as much as he has. Bucky's also a fair bit shorter than me so it would've been uneven with my other arm.
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Well, we can't say he didn't try. At least it hasn't held you back that much.
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Annoying as it can be sometimes, it's not something I can't manage, for the most part.
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[ ochako would be startled if someone started waving a disembodied arm around, at least? ]
It's supposed to end this week, though, isn't it? Then maybe we can finally bring everyone back.
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Just throwing an arm into someone's face as a distraction. The thing's heavy enough it might even knock them down after catching them off guard.
[ Good tactic. He likes it. ]
En, it is. I'm sure he'll be cross with me for being "ungrateful," but I'll just be glad to reach the end.
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[ when you are a small girl who everyone expects to be weak, you learn some underhanded tactics to claim the win. ]
He can't be that mad when he didn't even send instructions. But yeah, I think we all will be... Though Xie Lian-san will be happiest if you live the whole way through.
no subject
[ Sometimes Ochako is a little shady, and he enjoys it, to be honest. But he straightens up, giving his umbrella a little spin. ]
For as much of an ass as I am, I think we've reached the point where I'll make it. [ He can think of a few people who would want to have words with him from the graveyard, though. ] The alternative is not something I want to put gege through.
no subject
[ but that isn't important right now, is it? they're almost at the end, after all. ]
He deserves to be happy. [ there's a quiet conviction in those words, but she says them as easily as if they were talking about the weather. ] You both do.
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You're going to ruin my reputation.
[ Why do all these people like him? (Because you opened up, stupid, stop being obtuse on purpose.) ]
Gege has always deserved happiness. [ The good humor softens into something else, and he starts walking along the boardwalk, looking at her before ahead again. Come, let's meander, Ochako. ] After all that he's been through, that's all I ever really wanted to give him, when I finally found him again.
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[ she follows easily enough! there was no destination in mind for her today. ]
Mm... I agree. I've seen how he smiles sometimes - like he's sad, or hurting, but he doesn't want anyone to worry about him. He's strong to be able to do that, but I don't think he should have to be.
I want to see him smile for real more often, when he's really, genuinely happy.
no subject
... en. For a long time, gege was alone - and he still thinks, sometimes, that's for the better. You can always see it in his eyes, if you're looking. Right before he shutters it away. "If I am unlucky, then I should be alone, to keep people from getting hurt." If he smiles, then people won't worry, and they won't look any deeper.
I don't think he's really realized that so many people are looking, though, and can tell when his smiles don't reach his eyes. How many people care about him.
no subject
she smiles at hua cheng, though, pleased and yet unsurprised that he's been able to see that, too. but of course he would. he's as dedicated to xie lian as anyone could be. ]
I think he's starting to, at least. So all we have to do is keep telling him that he's not alone, and that's okay - that we want to be here with him, and support him like he does us.
no subject
But he stops at one of the milk jug game booths, turning the umbrella briefly with his hand against his shoulder while he considers that. ]
Considering how long it's been, it did take a little time for him to start noticing, didn't it? Enough that he could stop thinking it was a fluke, or only a few people. [ a huff ] But it's what he deserves, at least. To know he's not alone, and there are people who will listen, and spend time with him.
no subject
[ she doesn't actually know how long it's been, or anything like that. ]
Yeah. I'm really glad he's starting to get that Whatever he's been through before... it's made him strong and all, but he should get to be happy, too. That's why I'm glad he has you - because even if we can't visit each other after this ends, he should have someone who makes him happy.