PIXIELED - inbox

[maellum]

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action;

[deprime]

spoilers possible within, proceed with caution!

(( ooc: continued from here. ))

We could do that with something else. That—this ship is a marvel, Maelle. There's a lot of things here that are really beautiful.

[ Gustave is nervous, but he's less afraid. At least right now. What he's focused on is just getting Maelle away from the castle and the rest can be dealt with after. He chuckles as she pulls him along. ]

You pull any harder and you're going to take my other arm off.

[maellum]

continued

[He likes it here. Good. There are so many people that want to return home, and Maelle once more feels like she's on the outside looking in. She wants to stay here forever, with Gustave, no matter how strange this place is.

She looks up at him at his remark about his arm. With an inhale, she at least slows her pace for him, still hugging his arm closely to her. Just as she once held his fabricated arm, keeping it safe.]

Sorry.

[That can't be all she says.]

I forget the elderly aren't very fast.

[deprime]

cont.

[ Returning... it, well. Gustave knows there isn't anything to return to. For him at least. He had reached the end of his journey, his expedition, and going back was just going to be...

Clearly his throat, he decides not to think along those lines for now. That's for quiet contemplation later, another walk around the lake.

Instead, he laughs as she insults him because it's utterly charming. ]

Not all of us are sixteen with the joints to match you know. I think I'm very spry for my old age.

[maellum]

continued

[Despite her teasing, despite all that happened, he's still the strongest person she knows. He is spry. He's strong and fast and so very, very intelligent.

He's everything.

Maelle can't ever lose the light he brings to her life ever again.]

Yeah, well, you'll have to duel me regularly to stay that way. Use it or lose it, right?

[It's a struggle to joke, but she has to try. For him.]

[deprime]

cont.

[ Really, he's joking about spry, but he's not going to argue if she agrees with him, knowing tomorrow she might not. That was just the way kids were, but that's just another thing to admire. Fleeting but honest.

Gustave isn't thinking about going anywhere for as long as he can manage it. If they have more time, he wants to take every second. ]

How regularly is regularly?

[maellum]

continued

[Every day. Their duels were always fun. Another way to play, while both honing their skills for the expedition. It didn't save him, in the end, but nothing really could, could it? Maelle was no help.]

Hmm. Seeing as you don't have anything better to do [nor does she!], it might have to be daily.

[deprime]

cont.

Daily. [ Gustave laughs, makes a show of the dramatic way he sways and the rise of his eyebrows. ] Merde. You're going to run me into the ground.

What—and why were you so confident I have nothing better to do? I could have... No, I couldn't even finish that lie convincingly enough in my head.

text — un: demain;

[deprime]

What do you say to getting out of the castle? Go on a trip into the forest, or down by the beach.

[maellum]

I like the forest more than the beach.

Less chasms, either way.

[deprime]

Good, because I hate trying to get sand out of... anything.

I've got a few things left to pack, but we can go anytime.

[maellum]

I can help you. I don't really have anything to bring.

[deprime]

Sure. I can show you how to fold up the tent and pack it all into the bag. It's an art, you know.

[maellum]

Wow. An actual tent? Not just bedrolls?

Fancy.

text, @riposte

[pantin]

[ Look who figured out his Leaf! ]

Hi! 👋🫶🦾🦗

[ ... somewhat. ]

[maellum]

Pinocchio? 🙂

[pantin]

Yes. 🥸 I didn't think this would actually work. It's pretty fun.

What court did they put you in?

[maellum]

I'm glad we can talk this way. I'm not very good at charades.

I'm in Spring. You?

[pantin]

Better than most people. You'd be surprised by some of the things I've heard.

Great! I'm in Autumn. We won't have to jump over that huge gap in the floor. ☺️ Is your roommate nice?

[maellum]

Bad guesses or cruel ones?

My roommate is a lot of fun. Her name is Rikku. Yet another person that might be able to help with your arm when you need it. Probably. She's smart.

[text] un: obscured

[monochromous]

This is Alicia.

Please be aware that I understand entirely if you decide to turn down this invitation, but my family has acquired the space for a private atelier within the castle. To help bridge the divide between your family and my own, I wanted to invite you to join me there tonight.

[maellum]

Is your father going to be there?

[monochromous]

Yes, he will be in attendance.

But it's spacious. You won't have to see or speak with him.

[maellum]

Do you know what he did?

[monochromous]

I do.

And I am so very sorry for it.

[maellum]

Your father took away the only family I had. The fact that he's alive here doesn't undo any of it. It doesn't make it okay.

There's no bridge big enough to span that divide.