[ AUDIENCE: CROW ARMBRUST ]

[dormheads]

Comments

[azuta]

[ . . . . .

it keeps striking her as odd - to see memories involving herself that have never happened. even if the thoughts are her own, what's going on? so it takes her a moment and she wonders if she should just - go? if perhaps it'd be better to just excuse herself before crow is subjected to any more of this, whether it be her own stubbornness or the confusion of it all.

but he holds his hand out to her.

she hesitates, so obviously, but will slowly reach out to place her fingertips against his palm]

...

You don't have to stay.

[he's the one insisting but she feels like she should still say it, just in case]

[chevaliered]

You told me we were going skating.

[ he shifts his grip a little to catch her hand and give her a small tug forwards. ]

You're not calling it off now, are you?

[azuta]

... you'd scold me if I did, wouldn't you?

[she'll let him hold onto her hand and after another long moment, gives his hand a squeeze back as she steps forward]

I don't think I'm fond of the idea of you having anything to hold over me.

[chevaliered]

I'd be disappointed, which might just be worse?

[ well, at least she's moving towards him, not bolting in the opposite direction. ]

I think we have a fair amount on each other right now, so let's just keep it to ourselves and give each other a swift verbal kick to keep us on our toes.

[azuta]

... well I can't have you being disappointed in me.

[she'll walk with him now, off to get skates. she will not take her hand back because that is in and of itself a show of weakness]

... and I won't tell anyone either.

[chevaliered]

[ me doing the ratshake gif at iris ]

Good thing I’m so easily pleased.

[ he nods ]

Yeah. None of that’s mine to tell anyway, Vio.

[azuta]

[she watches him for a moment, eyes trained on his response and reaction as if evaluating. like she's still performing risk assessment even now.

. . .

she lets her hand hold onto his a little more confidently as her shoulders relax]

Anyway, you've never skated before? It's true that you seem ill-suited for the weather.

[he's still a SLOOT]

[chevaliered]

[ heck yea. ]

Stop, it was like… early fall where I came from. This is appropriate for the weather there. And no, if I did it would’ve been when I was pretty young, so it’s not like I remember it.

[azuta]

There's a place to get new clothes now, Crow... Please make use of it. Or at least use the scarf I gave you all the first week.

[her CASHMERE SCARF GIFT

but she'll head over to where the selections of skates are, looking through to pick some out for both of them]

Regardless, I suppose I shall be your instructor today.

[chevaliered]

I’ve just been diligent about cleaning my stuff? But, sure, I’ll figure some winter appropriate clothes just for you. [ crow. ]

Guess I’m in your hands then. Please don’t laugh too hard when I slip and fall.

[azuta]

Please figure out winter appropriate clothes for yourself more than me.

[foolish.

but she'll find skates for them both, handing one out for crow to take, getting another pair for herself before pulling him to an area where they can put their skates on]

You think I'd do that? Laugh at one of my dear Winters when they're struggling with something new? What kind of person do you take me for?

[she would never do that.

she would laugh at crow specifically. yes]

[chevaliered]

I can multitask.

[ maybe he wants to make sure everyone can see his tits, i don’t judge him. i should though. ]

All right, clarification: I think you’d laugh at me specifically. [ gonna call her out on that one ]

[azuta]

[she'll weasel her hand out of his just so she can pull her winter booties off and replace them with skates]

... you make me seem so mean...

[she's not denying it]

[chevaliered]

[ right, skating boots are necessary ]

I know a lot of people who enjoy teasing me. It’s only fair, given I tend to tease back. You’re fine.

[ but she is gentle bully. he’s into that. ]

[azuta]

You tease? Since when?

[well, at least her spirits are back up enough that she can play a bit more]

[chevaliered]

Only to people I like. Otherwise I'm probably just rude.

[ hey, at least he's honest. but he doesn't hold a candle to ash in terms of rude. ]

[azuta]

Are you meaning to say you like me? I wouldn't have guessed.

[now she's just being mean - but she'll move to stand once her skates are all laced up, turning back to him as she walks gracefully on knife shoes]

Think you're set? Make sure they're tight - it'll help keep your balance.

[chevaliered]

Yeah people I like don’t tend to know, really. [ he tugs the laces on his own knife shoes a little more and stands up, testing his weight on the shoes ]

This really doesn’t seem like a situation you want your feet slipping around in, no.

[azuta]

It isn't - but I feel like you'll manage alright.

[she'll give him the benefit of the doubt! and she'll move to head over to the rink itself, taking familiar gliding strides, turning easily so that she can face him.]

Do you need to hold onto my hand?

[chevaliered]

I’ve got a pretty thick head, so I think I can take a few slips.

[ he is more stilted, but he is a fighter, so his steps aren’t like a newborn foal’s. there’s balance there, and sure footing… it’s just unfamiliar. he glances over at her when she makes her offer, and then grins. ]

You gonna make sure I don’t embarrass myself straight out the gate?

[ you can’t offer to hold his hand and then escape, violiris. he holds out his own hand and makes a little, comical grabbing motion. ]

[azuta]

[



honestly,]

I feel less generous when you want it so badly.

[she skates in a circle around him instead, neatly tucking her hands behind her back

bully]

[chevaliered]

[ pffffffff—- ]

I’ve been abandoned.

[ he watches her feet more than anything, as she skates around him in a way that makes it seem easy. it feels like it’s going to be more complicated than she makes it look. ]

Left to fend for myself in the icy wilderness of the school grounds.

[azuta]

[she's just laughing at that - but well, she doesn't actually want him to fall. she just also couldn't resist the call of the bully. so she'll glide her way over to him then, slowing to a neat stop and turning so that she can offer both of her hands out, palms up]

Here.

Think of them more like long strides than steps.

[chevaliered]

[ well, he has nothing to lose whether he falls or not so he rests his hands on hers and then tilts his head at her. ]

Long strides, got it.

[ time to give it a try. ] It seems I'm literally in your hands then.

[azuta]

[give it a try!! she'll give his hands one reassuring squeeze as she laughs. when he moves, she'll match his strides, steady and slow]

Well.... as much as I tease, I do hope you know that I always intend to take care of you.

You're still part of Winter Dorm - and so you are precious to me too.