007 | Audio | Day 95

[tryingitall]

I'm back, just in case anyone was wondering; it's possible you weren't, of course, since I have no idea how long I was gone.

But someone has clearly been watering my garden, so thank you for that! And the radishes are ready.

Comments

[undomesticated]

No, I don't think that's it. Maybe you'll have to do something to refresh my memory. [She laces her fingers with his and beams down at him, glad to have one of the few people in here she was attached to back, even if it meant they were back.]

[tryingitall]

[It looks like he's forgiven--not that he had any doubt--so Balthazar holds onto her hands and sits up, dumping her further back on his lap.] What did you have in mind? Are we talking about flowers and a foot massage, or more like a fishing trip along the beach?

[undomesticated]

Maybe both. I'm not letting you get off lightly, mister.

[The idea of a massage, or any kind of extended physical contact was what appealed to her the most, but she'd love to have Balthazar join her on one of her fishing expeditions. She had a feeling he'd get a bit of a laugh with the way she fished.

She moved to drape her arms over his shoulders, sitting comfortably in his lap.]

You're really okay, though?

[tryingitall]

Flowers and a foot massage on the beach. Got it. [He chuckles softly and lets her resettle in his lap, bracing her with a hand on the middle of her back.]

I'm fine. I don't remember a thing, which is unsettling in its own right, but I'm not going to fret over it just now.

[undomesticated]

Yeah, you probably don't have to. I went and 'fretted' all the fret there was to fret for you.

[She's looking down at his her hands in his, fingers winding around and tangled together.]

I'm glad you're okay, though. Really.

[tryingitall]

[His hold on her hands tightens subtly.] Outside my own family, I don't think there have ever been many people who would be that worried about me. I'm...quite touched, you know.

[He means it. Evidently Riley wasn't the only friend who was concerned by his absence, but there's something heartwarming about being tackled hello.]

[undomesticated]

Maybe it'd happen more often if you'd let people in, goofball.

[That being said, she kept her hands in his, but pushed up with her toes, rising over him and tugging on the hands he held.]

Come on. Let's get you up and dusted off so no one comes by and thinks I'm trying to either have my way with you or beat the crap out of you.

[tryingitall]

I don't let people in? [He sounds surprised. It's true he's openly friendly, after all, but she's right that he doesn't often share what he's feeling, or look for support from others. At least not outside his family.

He rises when she pulls on him, smiling again.]

I'm not sure anyone would be surprised.

[undomesticated]

Not if our dream chat was anything to go off. I mean, you said you, um, preferred groups to single people because you didn't want to get attached. I'd sort of figure that would extend to other sorts of attachments.

[Her arms go around his neck and she gives him a quick hug before she draws back, straightening out his clothes.]

Probably not. If they thought I was kicking your ass, they'd probably also know you deserved it.

[tryingitall]

Oh. [He falls silent for a moment as he considers this, returning the hug absently and not quite registering her dusting him off.] I hadn't really thought about other attachments, in all honesty. I've had clients and drinking buddies. Perhaps here is the first chance I've really taken to pick up real friends.

[His gaze refocuses on her, warming up again, and he beeps her nose lightly.] Yes, generally when a young woman takes it upon her self to kick my ass, I've asked for it. If I give you some produce, will you promise not to hurt me with it?

[undomesticated]

[She wriggled her nose at the tap, smiling up at him.]

I suppose I could avoid maiming you with it. Wouldn't want to waste food, right?

[She taps his chin in return, then looks over at the garden.]

It's a good thing for you I like radishes.

[tryingitall]

Precisely! Food is a precious commodity just now. Oh, but I have a bit of basil, too, if you'd like. It might be good with fish.

[He pats her shoulder and moves past her toward the garden. There's a pile of large radishes on the bench, and the basil plants, while still smallish, look healthy. There are also other things sprouting--peppers and dandelions--but they're nowhere near ready.]

[undomesticated]

I wish you'd actually eat with me some time. I know you don't have to, but a lot of people in my house have gone, seemingly for good, and it's a little lonely.

[tryingitall]

[He hesitates, putting a hand on her shoulder.] I didn't realize. I'm sorry, Riley.

...I drink coffee and tea. I'd be happy to share that with you. Or cook with you and take a bit home for my housemate.

[undomesticated]

[She shrugged, looking down.] It's no big deal. I never got to know them really well, but it's just making me wonder if... maybe if I'm going to go to wherever you were taken to.

[The idea of being poked and prodded at by the people that were keeping them here didn't appeal to her in the slightest. In fact, she might have a bit of a fear about it.]

I'd like that, though. Coffee or tea or something. And I wouldn't mind giving you something to take to your housemate. I just don't want to feel like I'm only looking after myself.

[tryingitall]

[He doesn't like the idea of her being dragged off for experimentation, either. It chills him, actually, even though he can't remember what it was like and for all he knows they gave him all the ice cream and bourbon he could eat after pulling on his wings.

Frowning, he puts an arm around her shoulders protectively.] Well, let's plan on regular tea parties, then. And we can certainly walk and forage together any time you like.

[undomesticated]

Maybe if you're up for it, we can go for a real run in the woods. If you think you can keep up.

[She looked up at him, giving him a small grin as she picked up on his discomfort as well as her own. No, that place was not somewhere she wanted to go and she hoped she could avoid it as long as possible.]

[tryingitall]

[He makes a face at her, happy to latch onto the distraction.] I can't match your speed without cheating, but I guarantee you my endurance is phenomenal.

[Wow, that sounded dirty. His lips quirk and he clears his throat.] I mean, because of the angel thing. We don't get tired walking or running.

[undomesticated]

[She gives him a drop-jawed look before swatting at his shoulder.]

Oh my god, Balthazar. I think I knew that already, thanks to that lovely dream of yours.

[Oh, yes. She was going to tease him about that for as long as she could. She saw your naughty bits, Balthazar. She was corrupted forever.]

[tryingitall]

Ow! [He whines, although it doesn't actually hurt. Grinning, he shakes his head and gives a little flail of his hands.] I'm sorry, I think terrible innuendo has become reflexive with me. By all means, smack me whenever I get too fresh.

What I meant though was that I can run all day, literally. I just can't run as fast as you can.

[undomesticated]

Oh, stop it. I'm not even trying to hurt you, you big baby.

[But she still smoothed her hand over where she'd tapped at him.]

It really doesn't bother me. Two older brothers, remember? If I haven't gotten used to ignoring things that come out of the mouths of boys that I shouldn't hear by now, then maybe this'll be a good opportunity to learn.

I'll keep it slow for you, then. Or come back and make sure the velociraptors aren't nipping at your toes.

[tryingitall]

I have delicate skin! [He's laughing now, but he crouches by the edge of the garden to prod at some of the radishes still in the dirt. He selects a small handful slowly, pulling them up and tapping them on tuffets of grass to knock loose the extra soil.]

I still think someone ought to farm velociraptors for eggs. The only trouble would be building a coop they couldn't break out of.

[undomesticated]

That and maybe trying to feed them. Those claws are nasty and they're quick.

[Aww, look at that. He was picking her fresh radishes. Wasn't he a sweetheart.]

But hey, if you want to work out some way to do that, fine by me.

[tryingitall]

We could build a crane thing like in Jurassic Park, I suppose, but I haven't seen any cows around here at all.

[They are lovely and hand-selected just for her.] Do you eat the greens? If you don't want them, I might try cooking them myself.

[undomesticated]

Sometimes, yeah.

[She grew up with the 'waste not, want not' mentality, learning to use most if not all of what she hunted and gathered for herself.]

Would you eat them if you cooked them? Or would you just stand there with cooked greens and a proud little smile on that smug face of yours?