♛ 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 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.