♛ 43

[emit.livejournal.com]

[Backdated to the first group returning from the trip]

[Even as the ding of the elevator signals their arrival on the third floor, Kallen still doesn't wake from her nap as Rookie carries her piggyback out of the lift. She mumbles a bit, but ultimately stays unaware of her surroundings.

Welp.]

Comments

[emit.livejournal.com]

[She nods, catching the change in tone.]

What is it?

[helljumped.livejournal.com]

Ah. It's -- [Nothing, is what he wants to say, but.] -- just that I know there's some people who don't have much time back where they're from, so...

[Falling silent and looking ridiculously embarrassed, because he didn't really mean to draw attention towards that topic. But she did ask, and he was curious.]

[emit.livejournal.com]

[Kallen takes a moment to get what he means, and when she does, a soft smile appears as she shakes her head.]

First of all, don't look like that. You were curious, and we're friends; you have a right to ask that stuff. If you have questions about my life at home, just ask, and I'll only answer if I want to, okay?

For this one, no, I don't mean me. As far as I'm aware, I have a nice long life ahead of me. I'm talking about people I care about who have... well, they're not so lucky.

[helljumped.livejournal.com]

[There's a slow, understanding nod. Even if he still didn't plan on prying into her personal life too much. At least, not without a very good reason, but it did prove to make that tension in his shoulders dwindle a little as he returned that smile.] Sounds fair.

But that's... [Awkwardly shifting his weight, because lol this conversation.] Good to know. That you have something to go back to, I mean.

[emit.livejournal.com]

[She sits forward a bit and reaches over to swat him lightly on the arm. When she's sure he's paying attention now, she looks him right in the eyes.]

Why are you so uncomfortable? If it's something I did, tell me.

[helljumped.livejournal.com]

[The smack causes Rookie to flinch away out of reaction, but it worked in terms of grabbing his attention. At least long enough for him to quickly shake his head, seeing as the question obviously caught him off guard.]

Kallen, no, that's not -- [A sigh, before he's raising a hand to ruffle his hair.] You did nothing wrong, I promise.

[emit.livejournal.com]

[She blinks, then nods, but responds before sitting back.]

Sorry for the smack, but you'll tell me if I ever do. [It's not a question.] You're not comfortable with the conversation, so you try and pick a topic.

[helljumped.livejournal.com]

[Quirking a smile, because yeah he can tell.] I will.

[Then he sort of goes silent, because he's not really sure where to start when it comes to decent topics. What with all the jumbled up thoughts in his mind at the moment.]

[emit.livejournal.com]

[Kallen gives it another minute before she speaks up, urging him on a little.]

Okay, what's on your mind right now?

[helljumped.livejournal.com]

Nothing I want to talk about. [He sounds a little rueful as he leans back in the chair, placing a hand over his face.] But I'll think of something. Give me a sec.

[emit.livejournal.com]

[Kallen sighs involuntarily and sort of sinks back in her seat. Good job, Rook.]

Forget it.

[helljumped.livejournal.com]

[Aaah, no wait fawk.

He blinks, peering past his fingers to give her a confused look before dropping that hand completely. He didn't mean to make her angry, but now he's definitely at a loss on what he should say.]

... Kallen.

[emit.livejournal.com]

[She's not angry, exactly. It's more a combination of resignation and a little exasperation. Probably some tired thrown in, too.

She doesn't acknowledge her name right away, and when she does, it's not with much response.]

Hm?

[helljumped.livejournal.com]

[Having to wait did very little to set him at ease, but then again there was nothing about how this conversation was developing that did. So when she finally did respond, Rookie gave a small sigh.]

Look, it's... [A shift of his weight again, seeming stuck somewhere in between wanting to apologize or pretty much just saying nothing at all.] It's not because I don't want to talk to you.

You know that, right?

[emit.livejournal.com]

I-- [A pause of her own.] Yeah, overall I think I do.