Re: EMOTION

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
Because... I'm living somewhere where lots of sad things happen, right now. So it wouldn't be a good thing for that person to be there. ...And maybe I only want to see him because I want somebody to fix the sad things for me.
libraryofbabel: (iris 4)

Re: EMOTION

[personal profile] libraryofbabel 2021-08-28 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, well..." She shrugs, lightly. "You're very kind, to have second thoughts about wishing that someone you care about would be where you are. But—I think if that person cares about you, too, even if you wouldn't want them to come to harm... they'd still want to find a way to support you."

She really likes kids, ok.
counterlighting: (〇10)

1/3

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
...mm. He does, and he would. So-

2/3

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
I hope I don't see him again for a long time.

[Now Nyx sounds like he's about to cry.]
counterlighting: (〇12)

3/3

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
Um, I-

I'm going to keep reading, since I'm supposed to write something, and not be late.

[He'll stay in the general area so the nice lady isn't Alone for now but get back to his books.]
libraryofbabel: (iris 4)

Re: 3/3

[personal profile] libraryofbabel 2021-08-28 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
"Um, if you're sure, but—"

She stands up, a little shakily, before he heads further.

"Would you like a hug?"
counterlighting: (〇2)

Re: 3/3

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
Huh? Um...

[The answer is both "yes" and "no", because he's always thirsty for The Hugs, but also feels bad and awkward about receiving them-
-but on the other hand this lady said she wanted company and was sad, so, it's not entirely for him, right? Right. So, it's okay if he goes over just a bit closer and offers his arms for Hug, clearly. (*He's holding the book so that it won't get squished)]
libraryofbabel: (iris 4)

Re: 3/3

[personal profile] libraryofbabel 2021-08-28 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Boy: huggèd.

It's not a warm hug—she has strangely little body heat—but it's a gentle and soft one. She smiles a little more than she has previously.

"Hold onto that love, all right?"

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[This isn't weird at all, clearly. At least, Nyx genuinely doesn't find anything unsettling about it. He'll hug back, gentle in kind, before letting go.]

...yes, ma'am.

[Maybe it's only a token agreement, since he's not sure of his own "love". But he doesn't have any reason (or excuse) to say no.]
widenessofthesea: (like the beam)

[personal profile] widenessofthesea 2021-08-28 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
He gets a pat on the head. And, oddly, when he looks up, there's a different face looking down at him—the woman from the front desk, although she's dressed a little more professionally, like she's going to work. The intonation feels kind of the same, though, like it's the same person talking.

"Thank you, young man."

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
?

[Why is he being thanked. Clearly that's the most mystifying thing happening here.]

I didn't do anything...?
widenessofthesea: (saying sometimes)

[personal profile] widenessofthesea 2021-08-28 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
To share one's love and one's grief... to look for mutual understanding is one of the biggest parts of love there is, after all.

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
...that's "love", too?

[Oddly, that makes a lot of sense to him. For some reason he can't recall.]
widenessofthesea: (and bowing)

[personal profile] widenessofthesea 2021-08-28 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
"It is. So—go in peace, and love, young man."
counterlighting: (〇2)

[personal profile] counterlighting 2021-08-28 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
Mm... you too, "big sister".

[Is that just a generic word to use for an older lady, or is it a reference to what he's read? A mystery. Today isn't a day he can quite manage a smile in return, but his tone isn't unfriendly.]