weenwoon | Imeeji IC Inbox

If there are no other vehicles on the road, it isn't that difficult. Provided also there isn't a sharp drop on one side of the road.

[He shrugs.]

You seem a bit subdued. Would you care to speak your mind?

[There's a brief moment of strangeness to his expression before he gets a grip on himself. Sorry, Emet, now Levity is the one trying to be a cagey bastard.]

Well, it's not like I have been responsible for any sharp drops as of late. And... don't worry about it. Just a bit of tiredness, that's all.

I was more referring to those very high roads. The ones that are a few stories in the air.

[He taps his chin.]

If you decide to speak your mind, even if it is jumbled, I will listen. But I promised a more exciting outing than this. Come.

[He will go to the passenger side.]

I don't have the best directions so we might have to circle a few times.

[He's just, going to quietly ignore the invitation to speak his mind and instead climbs into the driver seat and starts the car.]

Well, that shouldn't be too much trouble. It's not like we are low on time or fuel. Where did you have in mind?

A scenic view in Tokyo-F. A spot of trees between the buildings. How does that sound?

Quite good. Do you know of one, or are you suggesting we simply look for one? Given that you seem uncertain where it might be.

Oh, I have a place in mind. It just might take a few takes getting there. Did you think I would not put in the effort for you?

[It's probably telling how he hesitates at that question.]

... No, it's not that. It's just that looking for a place together sounds like something you would do, too. Maybe your main objective was getting me out of the dorms.

[He does not bring attention to it but squirrels that piece of information away for later.]

My main objective was to spend time with you and check up on you. Whether we search for new greenery or select which I have found is up to you.

[There's another moment of silence, though shorter this time; he thinks back on what Lily told him earlier, that Emet and Cosmo wouldn't bother with him if they didn't want to. He's not sure he believes it, but... not being sure is a step up from being certain they shouldn't bother.]

What you picked is fine. We can always go exploring some other day.

I will look forward to that day as well.

[He will guide him --- with a few directional mishaps -- to here.]

I know it is not as vast as other places, but I found it to be quite serene.

[OH NO THAT'S A CUTE PLACE... Levity does seem cheered up by it a little! Success?]

... It is quite lovely.

[Once again he looks torn, like there's some inner struggle going on. But after a few moments of somewhat awkward silence he adds:]

It looks like the kind of place you'd choose for a nap.

Or a place the two of us would attempt to skip stones.

[He pats him on the back and sits down.]

But you are right. It would be a good place for a nap. How dreadful that is what I am most known for now.

[But he seems more amused than anything.]

[He gives a small, quick smile at that first part - right now, thinking about the past is harder than he can manage. But he does sit down next to Emet, letting his legs dangle over the stream.]

What would you rather be known for?

[Leaning back on his hands.]

What a question? Truthfully, I am not sure. A connoisseur of fine arts? The slightly grouchy neighbor that tells the neighborhood children the best stories but enjoys sending them back home to their parents when the evening is over?

How about you?

[Oh that's kind of cute.]

Are you a connoisseur of fine arts?

[He looks down at the water, pondering his own answer.]

... I don't know. I'm sorry.

I would be were there fine arts to consume.

[He hands him a small pebble.]

Perhaps simply start small. 'Acclaimed stone skipper' is a title still yet unclaimed.

[... okay he can't actually stay gloomy at that. He chuckles, taking the pebble, takes aim and sends it skipping.]

Do I have to be good at skipping for that, or merely do it a lot? I could travel the city, finding the best places to skip stones, I suppose.

[He watches the stone as it hops across the surface of the water.]

Keep a little journal with pictures? I can see it. If the title is your to define and conjure, who can dispute it? Rules of your own making.

[He has to sit up straight to do it --- perish the thought! --- but he does lean up and kiss the top of his head.]

[He chuckles in response and reaches for another stone - but even relaxed as he is, the kiss catches him by surprise, to the point he drops the stone.]

Oh--

[Well, turns out several days (weeks, months?) of depression and running himself into a corner in his own mind have not been good for Levity. He feels tears start to well up and blinks rapidly in order to hide them. How is he supposed to deal with things when Emet is being nice to him???]

S-Sorry, you startled me.

[He reaches over to pick up the stone he just dropped tossing it up and the air and catching it.]

My devious scheme to challenge you for your title. Wouldn't do if you didn't have a little competition.

[He skips it across the water.

And he does see him blinking back wetness, but he's not going to bring that into focus. At least not yet.]

[thanks emet you're a pal

He manages to smile, picking up another stone.]

I thought you wanted to be a connoisseur of art, not a stone skipper.

[He raises a hand to send his stone flying - but there's a pause, tension suddenly filling his body. Just as suddenly, he gives a self-deprecating chuckle, letting his hand drop and looking away.]

... I couldn't measure up to you, anyway.

I can act better than you. And Cosmo better than I.

Don't take it too personally. Not many have had the opportunity of practice as we have.

[He stares at the pebble in his hand, still unable to look at Emet.]

... Is acting all it is?

More than I care to admit. Five has called me out more than once on my shortsightedness. As has Cardinal, Vergil, Cosmo. Even Absinthe.

But that is part of the journey. Learning. You'll not know it all as you start. I daresay you won't even at the end of that journey.

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