Gaius (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
stickyfingers) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
futurology2016-10-04 01:32 pm
stickyfingers) wrote in futurology2016-10-04 01:32 pm
video/text: un: saccharine
[The video startup seems pretty normal at first, until you realise that a certain freckled ginger isn't actually paying any attention whatsoever to the camera. He's sitting on one of the saloon beds, taking inventory of... snacks. Cookies, candies, fruit--even little wrapped bars of chocolate. He's talking to himself about something about 'not having enough for such a long trip', and it's only then that he realises that his bracelet is flashing with some... sort of irritating light.
He frowns, a look on his face that's pretty offended as he moves to put a hand down over it, and the video cuts off for a second, only for the screen to flip instead, to text.
Were ALASTAIR's clever little (magic?) bracelets not programmed with a thought-to-text function, it might be alright, but of course--Gaius has pretty poor luck, so instead:]
[Someone really has no idea how these things work, being from the dark ages is utter bullshit with all this new tech.]
He frowns, a look on his face that's pretty offended as he moves to put a hand down over it, and the video cuts off for a second, only for the screen to flip instead, to text.
Were ALASTAIR's clever little (magic?) bracelets not programmed with a thought-to-text function, it might be alright, but of course--Gaius has pretty poor luck, so instead:]
Just what I need in my life, weird gods-be-damned enchanted jewelry making eyes at me when I'm in the middle of something important.[Someone really has no idea how these things work, being from the dark ages is utter bullshit with all this new tech.]
text;
[Gaius-san... oh, that's... what that little girl had called him, hadn't it? Was that her on this... thing? He's truly baffled.]
What, no! Of course not. We traded Fairly and Squarely, Tiny.A man who does take-backsies on things like that isn't worth their weight in cocoa.
no subject
[ because it's important to her. on the other hand: ]
I don't think it counts as take-backsies if it's freely given, does it?
no subject
Yes, alright, true--you do make a point but at the same time. I'm also not a guy who takes things for free. Even if they're in good faith.
'sides. You've just got that one and I've got way more. I think you should be concerned about your own small stockpile of sweets, right?
no subject
Sweets are nice, but they're treats, so it's okay if I don't have a bunch of them around. I'm not used to needing to have a stockpile of anything around. It makes camping kind of big to think about.
no subject
That's right, kiddo. Equal trades and mutual agreements. That's the kind of guy I am.
Yeah they're treats, and I love them myself. So much that trust me when I say I'm pretty useless as a person without a sugary boost around, you know? Gonna' have to find a way to replenish my stocks sooner or later.
Stockpiling for camping, huh. Do you do that sorta thing often?
no subject
Um, I've never been camping? Ever.
no subject
...Oh, whoa. Really? I used to camp out all the time when I was a kid.[Gaius, you were homeless. That's not the same thing.]
Well, maybe while you're working with the Audentes, you'll get your chance.no subject
You've got to be really good at camping then!
I hear the mission before this one had lots of camping. So yeah, I think you're right? I kind of want to practice, but I'm not sure how that works. Right now it's more like... like... going away to a camp. Or visiting a relative you don't know well and doing homework assignments and helping with chores.
no subject
You bet I am. I know how to make tents better than most people when we march, and I could make them outta tree branches, too, if there weren't any tarps to be had.
Tell you what, Tiny. If the chance comes up where we gotta go camping during this little excursion, I'll show you how to make a proper tent, and maybe even how to make a fire.
no subject
Mm, how about we make a chance when it's a good time for you, and I'll stop reminding you my name is Chihiro every time you say Tiny? My name's really important to me, but I mean, I can compromise in exchange for other important things.
[ her actual unfiltered thought, which is the problem here. Her returned memories are fresh enough that the stark terror of having near forgotten her own name, of having it taken away from her, makes her defensive about hearing her name be used when talking about her. Even though nicknames should be fine. ]
no subject
In any case, he takes a moment to respond, likely because he actually had to contemplate the kid's reply before actually giving his own. Were she an adult he'd probably play his usual 'I don't care if you don't like my nicknames, you're stuck with it' bit, but.
Hey, maybe he does know how to be a little bit nice. Don't bring attention to it.]
Hey, if your name is that important to you, I can drop the nickname.Most people brush it off after a while. Just my way of teasing people, usually.
['My name is really important to me', hah. Of all the things to say.]
But in any case, we'll make a plan for the real near future, Chihiro.no subject
She pauses in turn, because part of her can see why it's harmless, and she logically knows it is, and when her memories had been fuzzy of her time right before arriving here, she'd have simply blinked and carried on. Homesickness compounded with that clarity of recollection means that instead, his kindness makes her curl in on herself and feel warm. Happy, because it's really stupid, but it does matter to her. Talking about thievery, as she had before, theft of a name was one she couldn't believe in. Taking on a new name by choice is so very different to her than being stripped of your name because it keeps you bound to another. Knowing it was necessary to save the people she loved most didn't make it easier. It simply made it unavoidable. #ohghibli ]
I know it's silly of me, and I don't think you mean anything bad. I, um... Thank you, Gaius-san.
[ For both things. Using her name (it's what leaves her chest feeling a little less tight), and for saying he's willing to make a plan to teach her the mysterious ways of camping (and maybe even fire!) in the near future. Even if it never happens... the offer alone feels really good. ]
I'll make sure to pay really good attention when we go! I learn fast.
no subject
He gives his head a small shake, a laugh escaping him as she replies. She really was a good kid, and he knew she probably shouldn't be learning anything off a thief of all things, but...
Hey, it was a different world. He could make a different impression on the people here, separate from who he used to be. It was a good chance to make good after all the bad he'd done in his life, so... why not start out by helping out a girl who'd lost her toothbrush and was displaced in an outrealm far from home?]
No problem, kiddo.
Being a fast learner is the most a guy can ask for. I promise once you learn how to do proper tent knots, you'll make a tent faster than any of the people here on the team ... 'Audentes', was it we were called here?
no subject
She's got to be. ]
Yes, Audentes! It reminds me of pasta for some reason.
Thank you. I'll be the best student I can. I'm getting pretty good at being a good student in all kind of extracurricular activities!
[ There are no curricular activities. It's a kind of sad statement in its own way. ]
no subject
Pasta, huh? I can see where you're coming from.
I'll catch you later, then, kiddo. See if I can't rustle up some real supplies.