passive | ☀ ic contact.

[ Just... gonna wait for him to get out of sight then, before turning to Bethany ]

That was not how I expected that to go.

[Bethany quietly watches Garrett leave, a dumbstruck look on her face. What is today even. Once he's gone, she turns to Nathaniel with a shrug.]

I've only delayed the inevitable, I'm afraid. He's going to kill you later. [She pauses to let out a sigh and rub her temples.] After he gossips to my sister.

I'd like to hope I'm at least a little prepared for whatever your siblings can dish out. I'd also like to hope that either of them wouldn't just outright kill me.

No one is ever prepared for the wrath of a couple of overprotective siblings. I don't think Marian will want you dead, at least. She's more likely to thank you.

I am an older brother. That has to give me some sort of advantage.

... Thank me? Why?

Perhaps, but they're nothing like you.

[And then a pause, during which her face flushes a little.] For giving me a chance to be happy. I'm sure she thinks I don't enjoy myself nearly enough.

[ Aw, Beth ] It's hard to enjoy yourself when you're stuck doing the most thankless work under the sun. Harder still when suddenly you're someplace where you can't even do that.

But you deserve every chance at happiness you can get, so if nothing else, I'm glad I can give you that.

Mm. Best to find our pleasures wherever we can. And... [She reaches out to hold his hand] Well, I hope I can give you that happiness, too.

[ He laces his fingers with hers, giving her a smile ] You do, Bethany. You do.

[aaaaaaaaaaah

Siblings, what obnoxious siblings? There is no one else in the world that matters except for the two of them, right now.] I'm glad. It's nice to know that there's still some good to be found, in all of... this.

I've found it crops up when you least expect it, and I'm not about to complain.

☀ ic contact.

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]