tsunderebunny | Appointments -- Luceti

Oh, yes, that's right. But I wonder when we met.

[Was it a little while ago, or was it a long time ago? She just doesn't know.]

Miss Grune. That hardly helps.

[He was starting to become more concerned underneath the flat affect. Was Grune really that forgetful, were people lying to him, or had something damaged his memory far more than anything Maverick had done-- as far as he was aware.

What was the extent of this?

For all he knew, it was another life.]

I'm sorry. [And either she's perfectly sincere or an amazing actor, because she's leaning forward, her expression touched with concern. She really does look sorry.] What can I do to help you?

[He didn't doubt her sincerity for a second. Her eyes were too innocent, which only started to paint a very different picture of this woman in his mind. Grune didn't strike him as a woman who would knowingly lie...and that was all he needed for the moment.

Unable to bear her gaze, he glanced away.]

I'm just looking for information. You're not the first one who knew something about me.

[Her concern for him melts away for the moment as she smiles--and, unfortunately, is thereby derailed.]

Oh, did you find more of your friends?

[She sounds genuinely hopeful.]

[Her hopes may have been a little too high. Barnaby sighed, tempted to simply side step the issue at hand, but this stranger was too valuable a resource for him. There was no chance that she could tell him anything if he didn't level with her first.]

I'm not certain, Miss Grune. I don't exactly remember being here anytime before the last month.

Well, that's all right. [She smiles.] Even if you can't remember them, that just means you can become friends all over again.

[He sighed, defeated by her optimism.]

I hope you're right. Not many people have stepped forward yet.

[She blinks a couple of times; clearly, that isn't what she had been expecting him to say.]

Haven't they? Do you think they're shy?

...maybe.

[It wasn't quite the word he would have chosen. Luceti, it seemed, was wrapped up in a conspiracy that forced him out of the loop. Clearly there was information somewhere, but he wasn't able to find any of it.

Damn that redheaded woman. Barnaby planned to launch an interrogation at her if she showed her sly smile once again-- and that was only what he had planned. He didn't know what kind of distractions or evasions she would make, and that took away his ability to plan their next encounter properly.

If they ever had another encounter.]

I'm sure that must be it. But don't worry--once they come out of their shell a little, you'll have lots of friends to go on picnics with.

[Isn't that what everyone does with their friends?]

[She earned a confused look from him.]

Picnics?

[He never went on a picnic with any of the other heroes. He constantly argued with his partner, even though it was mostly out of habit, and quietly teased everyone he counted among his friends with such subtlty that they didn't realize it until it was too late.]

[She hasn't quite worked out that this is an unfamiliar concept just yet. Give her time, though.]

Yes, that's right. There are lots of lovely places to have picnics in Luceti.

[There will be plenty of time for her to figure things out.]

Unfortunately, I'm not exactly in the habit of going on picnics.

[And yeeeeeeeeeeep. There it is: the look of complete bewilderment.]

You aren't?

[Just. Staring. They've clearly hit a wall.]

No, I'm not.

Oh, my. Then we should go on a picnic together as soon as possible.

[Fly you fool you know not your peril.]

[No, he does not...but he's not going to fly yet. That's impolite.]

That's really not necessary, Miss Grune.

[She shakes her head. She's not taking any of your politeness, nope.]

It would be a lot of fun! I'd love to go on a picnic with you. We could make all our favourite foods and find the perfect spot.

[But...politeness. She knew his name, and was a link to Sternbild and the information that he needed-- if he could somehow get her to talk straight.

If she was capable of doing so.

Barnaby wasn't sure how to take her smile, but it might be easier just to go along with her offer.]

I'm not sure how well cabbage rolls will travel, but there might be something else.

[It wasn't a confirmation that he would go with her, just a suggestion that he might consider it.]

[Unfortunately for him, she's going to take that as a confirmation regardless. Once again, she looks as though he's just made her day when she answers.]

Oh, I'm sure it will work out. Do you have a favourite recipe for them?

[...he had no idea what he just roped himself into.]

To be honest, I never did figure out how to make them.

[He's about to find out, though!]

That's all right. We can just pick a nice one together.

...

You really are serious about this, aren't you?

Oh, yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be serious?

[She genuinely looks as if the thought never crossed her mind to joke about this. Unless she's really great at faking it, she is 100% earnest in her desire to take him on a picnic.]

It's...strange.

[He truly believed that she wasn't lying about her intentions, not with how open she's been this entire time. He just had never had anyone so casually insist that he join them on a picnic.]

[Her confusion continues to grow.]

Why is it strange?

[They were talking in circles now. He could feel it.]

We barely know eachother, Miss Grune. But--

[There was no use fighting it.]

We can do something sometime. I've an open schedule.

Why don't we go today? That way, we can get to know each other much better.

[After all, why put off time with a friend?]

I've got other things to do today.

[Like figure out the fire and the wings. He didn't like fire.]

Could I take a raincheck on it?

A raincheck?

[Automatically, she looks up at the sky. Wrong kind of raincheck, Grune.]

It doesn't look like rain...I don't think.

[Barnaby followed her gaze and automatically understood the problem.]

A different kind of raincheck, Miss Grune. Perhaps we can arrange for a different time...?

Oh, all right. [She still doesn't quite understand what he means, but that's okay.] Then I hope we can go sometime soon.

[She huffs and folds her arms at the name, but she doesn't look actually offended.] There's too much to do than sit in a library all day. You'd probably end up with more papercuts than you could count on two hands and feet. I wonder what you'd look like with your hands all bandaged up from one too many close encounters with an encyclopedia.

[Aka: you're a nerd, Barnaby.]

Encyclopedias are hardly a danger. Try spending days in the engineering labs someday and then talk to me about dangerous.

[Translation: damn straight he's a nerd, and he's proud of it.]

Hmmmm, I'll take needles over that any day. It sounds much safer than blowing myself up in a lab. [The hospital is what she knows, and she will stick to that thank you very much!]

[He smiled, quietly amused.]

I thought you might say something like that.

...it's not bad, honestly. I'm working on something that might be helpful on the farm, if you want to know the truth. It's just not going very well so far.

Really? Like what? [She gives a small concerned look, as to why it might not be going so well. She doesn't want him to hurt himself, and his prior comment does bring some worry.]

It's the numbers and the materials. Something isn't quite syncing, and I can't figure out what it is yet.

[It was nothing so dangerous that he would hurt himself, but it was frustrating enough for him to continually camp in the library and check his math time and again.]

Appointments -- Luceti

[Possession Event, 26th]

[Possession Event, 26th] ilu~

[Possession Event, 26th] ilu and your patience 2

[Possession Event, 26th] hey, I'm doing the same thing atm. No worries <3

[Possession Event, 26th] Good thing, that! <3

[Possession Event, 26th] Good thing, that! <3

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