CXLVIII.

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[somehow, this opens up on a conversation between Zelman and the white-haired, red-eyed kid with no name.]

Not at all?

Nuh-uh. You're not scary.

Oh? But I'm a monster, you said so yourself.

You're not scary!

What if I grind up your bones and drink all your blood.

[but it's said seriously. calmly, coldly, a little threatening. the child sounds unsure.]

Nuh-uh, you won't eat me.

Ha, that's what you think. I'll gobble you up for dinner if you keep being bad.

Nuh-uh, no you won't. You won't--!

[the kid shrieks and runs off in a sudden clatter of noise. furniture's shoved around, Zelman laughs, and the child lets out another loud shriek before he...

...starts giggling. flailing around. trying very hard to get Zelman to stop tickling him.]

I told you I'd get you.

[that kid puts up a valiant struggle, but just keeps laughing. Zelman eventually lets the kid go so that he can roll off and onto his little feet again, still in stitches.]

Chase me again, chase me again!

I'll get you again! Get over here--

No way!

[and they do it again. and again. they're making a right mess of the lobby, but hey.]


[ooc: oh god please feel free to run into them wrestling somewhere in the lobby. this may never happen again in anyone's lifetime. :|b over the journal is welcome too.]

Comments

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

What's that face for?

[the kid trots on up to Asuka and clings onto her shirt a little.]

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

I think you know what it's for!

[she was about to go on, but the kid suddenly... being all up in her grill derails her train of thought]

What do you want?

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[auntie Asuka is the person to ask for this sort of thing!]

I think it's unfounded.

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

Zelman, get it off me--

[oh, she's srs. She used his name :/ ]

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

Hey, kid. Over here.

[the kid looks over at Zelman before trudging obediently back and clinging onto his shirt instead.]

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

[BRUSHES HER SHIRT OFF]

Why doesn't he go to YOU for ice cream?

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

He does. He just knows I'm more likely to say no.

[the kid nods his head.]

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

I'm not a pushover!

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

I didn't say you were.



[Zelman puts a hand on the kid's head.]

You're irritable today.

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

Are you SURPRISED?

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

No, but this occasion seems particularly unfounded.

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

Maybe I've just reached my limit with you.

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

Hm. Hey kid, if you put the couches back, we'll go get ice cream.

[the kid's face brightens and he scurries off behind them to start trying to remember how everything went and telling the ghosts to help him figure it out. Zelman never takes his eyes off Asuka, though, and when the kid's out of earshot and sufficiently distracted, Zelman moves the conversation out of the way.]

What are you talking about?

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

[at least she has the decency to lower her voice a little...]

Are you that dense? Your little dramatic stint--which I'm STILL surprised didn't wind up with any stupid idiots trying to kill you--and Dante coming back, this little bastard child...

What next?

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[...and maybe it's all this fatherly affection rubbing off on him (then again, he did this with Sayuka, too), but he puts a hand on her shoulder and talks to her in that weirdly assuring tone of his.]

Relax, Asuka. I know it's difficult now, but I'm handling what I can. The kid'll be gone in a week. Dante will fit back in or cut himself off, and that'll be the end of it.

You've been doing really well, despite all of it. You're the biggest reason I'm in any state to even say this to you. So don't give up on us yet, alright?

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

[... well.

That was pretty much what she wanted to hear.

He's good. B(

She blinks a few times, then nods dumbly.]

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[well, his job here is done. he takes his hand back.]

Want to come with us for ice cream? Or are you finally sick of that stuff by now...?

1/2

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

[You know how she sometimes does something really impulsive and quick? Well, she's doing that now.

Just a hug. A step forward, arms around him, brief squeeze and then she's stepping away...]

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

[... and putting her hands on her hips like nothing happened.]

I guess I could go for a sundae.

Good thing I have a fantastic metabolism!

1/3

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[WHAT WHY IS THERE A HUG HERE]

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[he should be used to this by n--

oh. hug is over.]

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[what just--no, no. recovering coolness.]

Right.

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

[smiles... with the sliiiight edge of a smirk? maybe?]

Problem, Bloodsucker?

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

No, no problem at all.

[adjusts his hat. calls over his shoulder.]

You done yet, kid?

[hatesdolls.livejournal.com]

[just keeps smiiiiiling B) SHE KNOWS, ZELMAN. It's coo']