burndownforwhat | [ARCHIVED] IC Inbox for recolle

That's... really all I wanted.

[She leans back against the back of the couch with a sigh.]

It's been a long time since I've been alone in this apartment. After Victoria left, Dante stayed to keep me company and make sure I was okay. Wasn't long after that we started dating and he just moved in.

[ Jen turned in place, giving Vera her full attention while propping her head up on her arm. ] I did find myself wondering how you two got together after all this time. I only kind of remember meeting him a couple of times. [ she furrowed her brow a moment. ] Nothing formal. I feel like you were there, but the memory's kind of hazy.

I've... actually known him for a long time, before I even moved to America. He's the son of one of my father's old business partners, so we had tons of play dates as kids. We didn't always get along, but he had his sweet side, even then.

Mother told me once that Father always hoped the two of us would end up together. Even if it was only in a "unite our houses" kind of way, it made the decision easier when he started sticking around.

[ that all. definitely conflicted with her fuzzy memories of Dante, but now was really not the time to get into that. it's not like they were friends or even really good acquaintances from what Jen recalls. just that they happened to be in the same place from time to time. a big overlap in broad social circles.

strange.

Jen nodded. ] That sounds romantic. Like, in a classic sense.

It... kind of is, isn't it? I mean, I know that I'm mostly into girls, but there was something special about him that made me love him anyway. I don't know if I'll ever be able to explain it.

You shouldn't have to explain it. As long as you felt it, that's all that matters. [ she will just. leave that other tidbit alone. for now. ]

From the way you talk about him I can see why he'd be a tough act to follow.

[Her smile fades as the meaning of that line sets in.]

Y-yeah... he will be. It's going to be hard to find anyone like that again.

[ her hand immediately settles on Vera's closest shoulder. ] Hey. The situation won't be the same, but that's not to say you won't find someone you can depend on like that ever again.

People I can depend on are few and far between.

[She leans into Jen's hand.]

I already don't have many friends as it is.

Don't take this the wrong way, but, going by your work ethic and how focused you are on your company, that ...doesn't surprise me.

Well... yeah. This company has been my whole world for pretty much my entire life. Before I met you guys, this was everything I knew.

Sometimes it feels like I have to... learn how to be a person, I guess?

[ Jen smiled a bit. ] It's never too late for that. I've had to learn how to live away from my mother, and even after a year, I'm still figuring a lot of stuff out about all that. [ her smile turned crooked. ] Even if now I have to learn to live without her money, too...

[Vera reaches up to squeeze the hand on her shoulder.]

I know you don't like to hear it, but if you ever need help, I'm here.

Thanks, Vera. I wouldn't up and take your money just like that, no matter what. It's just not how I operate. [ she bobbed her head back and forth a bit. ] Buuut... if you ever felt like taking more yoga lessons and tipping me, I'd find some way to pencil you in. Maybe.

[ was it time for a little humor? maybe. the atmosphere needed some serious lightening up. ]

[A chuckle manages to escape, even if it comes out like a gasp at first. She clears her throat and wipes her eyes.]

Fine, I need an excuse to relax sometimes, and I can be a generous tipper when I want to be.

[ Jen's smile brightens right back up. ] Great! You won't be disappointed. And hey, maybe if you end up actually liking it, you could join up with a class. Or do it outside at the park. Meet some people that way.

I'd need to be able to do it without making an ass of myself before I even begin to think about doing it in public.

...But, maybe someday.

You just leave that part to me. I'll have you flexing backwards like a pro in no-time.

I'm sure you are...

[Scooting a bit closer, she rests her head on the taller girl's shoulder.]

And if we're lucky, I can use that to impress a cute girl.

[ Jen wrapped her arm about Vera's shoulders. ] That's the spirit. Just go with the flow.

[Vera takes a deep breath as she closes her eyes. This is more comfortable than it has any right being.]

God, I wish you had told me you had a girlfriend... [She practically mumbles it out, like she doesn't entirely want to bring it up.]

[ ahah, yeah, that isn't an elephant in the room but it was out there a lot sooner than she wanted to bring it up. ] Well, like I said, it's really lowkey. Neither of us are going around advertising it, and I probably shouldn't even put a label on it. It's. I don't know. I'm still figuring all this stuff out about myself. I never really had the freedom for it back home, you know?

It wasn't - We hadn't talked about it before the last time I visited, if that makes you feel any better. I know that was kind of a, uh, intimate situation.

"Intimate" doesn't begin to describe it. I mean we literally felt each other's souls for a moment there, and that doesn't even get to me falling asleep in your arms.

[She takes another long breath, making the effort to keep her eyes closed. Calm, Vera.]

But... it's a relief to know at least you weren't thinking about someone else while it happened. And trust me, I completely understand the lack of freedom.

Yeah... when you put it that way, there's no good word for what happened. Not without getting into that new wave transcendence... stuff. [ a beat. ] Look, one of my exes was into it. Don't ask.

But no, you're right. You were there for me in a way no one else could be that night, and even though you were not subtle about wanting me to go home - [ she allowed some playfulness into her tone there. ] I get it. It wasn't the kind of thing you just walk away from when it's over.

[Her eyes flit open as she turns slightly to look up at her.]

Look, when you keep me up all night against my will, I'm going to be a little cross. At least I took you to breakfast in the morning?

[ARCHIVED] IC Inbox for recolle

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject