IC Inbox for empatheias

[housewareshero]

(Give me your threads, your birds, your huddled telepathic thoughts yearning to be heard. Positive reception is not guaranteed. This IS Ash, after all.)

Comments

[torsion]

[ She's still got a temper. A lot of unchecked anger, especially from the more recent things in her life. She values a lot of things, including his friendship, and she doesn't get huffy or pissed if someone isn't worth it. She's unaware if anything happens on the other end, but she might soften and apologize if she knew. ]

Hey.

[ She feels bad. She feels really bad about it even if he wasn't being direct with her, even if she could feel some accusation -- but maybe she was assuming it? -- in his words. Maybe it's just what she thought he thought. It's not easy. When has it ever been, though? ]

...thanks.

I just value directness. Which isn't fair because I wasn't. I know I kind of dumped this on you out of nowhere, but it's not like I didn't tell you that you can crash any time at my place and that still stands.

You could've just asked about him. Only met him a handful of times. He knows Chris' sister and I'd like to think you know me well enough to know I'm not gonna drop everything just because someone I know pops up. Is that it?

[ This is so awkward. This is so awkward and she's not entirely sure what to ask, say, or assume. She knows what she teeters on, but she'd rather not address it. She knows it bothers her so much because she cares. ]

I'm sorry for being an asshole. Kinda known for being a bit aggressive sometimes, in case you haven't noticed.

[housewareshero]

[he can't do this brain-written stuff anymore. it's too weird, especially when they're talking about something so emotionally charged. she'll hear his voice now, loud and clear. a little tired. a little scared.]

Nah, y' weren't. But I figured if you had someone from your place to talk about all your shit with, then -- they'd get it better than me. I mean - I'd get that, if you did. If that was - I mean -

Fuck. I pegged you wrong, but not 'cuz I think yer an asshole. I'm - I'm used t' everyone else in the world bein' an asshole. It's ... y'know. Reflex. Shoot first, think never.

[torsion]

[ She follows suit because she likes him. Normally she'd carry on in the text, allowing herself to carry on with that curtaining her. She's strained and exhausted on her own end, unsure how to progress but unwilling to be silent. ]

Yeah, that's it. I'll ditch your ass and spend all day and night with a guy who works for the government and has the hottest boy band haircut. [ A chuckle slips out, but it's clearly just for his benefit. ] I might keep my friendship circle small, but I don't let people in without intending to keep them here. Sorry to break it to you, but you're kind of stuck.

[ She makes another sound, this time more genuine. A little huff; not quite a laugh. ]

I'm not always as forthright as I wish I was. I never know how to approach my feelings or... affection or, well, intimacy. But I don't use people. I'm too old for that shit, Ash.

[ There is a long pause, but there's that strange, alive crackle like when you're on the phone and someone is on the other end. ]

Hey, what do you call a ship that doesn't sink?

[housewareshero]

[he gives a small, tired, laugh, too: because he knows this one. GOD, it's bad, too, but he knows it, and the best way to get them past this is to be a wiseass about it. she can hear his grin in his voice, clear as day]

Not the Titanic!

[torsion]

[ At least he seems to take her backwards, exceedingly awkward apology well enough. She's not sure how much -- or if -- he really believes her, but it's the best she's got. ]

...cute. But the answer is a friendship.

[ Embarrassing. ]

[housewareshero]

Yeah, yeah, I knew that, I just had to give you a hard time.

[honestly, Jill, please hear that smile. he even chuckles a little. he knows how awkward feelings are. let's avoid them as much as possible, right? we cover up with bad jokes and ribbing and shoulder punches and noogies, that's how this thing works. OH and of course, changing the subject, too]

Those cake things are amazing, where the hell did you find 'em?

[torsion]

You could stand to learn a bit of subtlety, you know.

[ It's there in hers, too. That one-two punch from earlier that she thought was her being subtle has all but dissipated. She's more than glad, though to ignore the blossoming feeling in her chest, like sparklers going off and trickling throughout her. ]

Oh! I made them. It's, ah, been a while. So I was a little worried they might end up soggy or with bad texture. [ She nearly stumbles around her words. ] Figured if I'm going to do something nice it should have meaning behind it.

[housewareshero]

Why?

[no, really, Jill, what's the point of that? he doesn't get it]

You ... you made them? Seriously? Holy cow. You cook like that all the time, or just when yer sendin' me notes I fuck up on responding to?

[torsion]

Funnier that way.

[ She has her priorities sorted out, obviously. Although a little subtlety can be charming, too, she's not going to say that. ]

Occasionally, yeah. Kind of hard when you spend so much time traveling. [ She pauses before offering more clarification. ] My father had one of those small early morning bakeries, the sort that closes around noon whenever it sold out.

[ She can only disregard his actual question and a real answer for so long. ]

I was kind of an avoidant asshole. It's an... apology. Like I said, I don't... talk about myself or the past a lot -- never, actually. I shut down on you. I'll make it up to you if you'll let me.