[It's languid and drawn out, and there's no effort from Anon's end either to make it any less teasing or less anything; he doesn't need to be lulled by their closeness or the far-off rhythm of waves to feel at ease here, opening one eye to aim a mock-experimental nudge at the boy next to him.
His grin is equally soft and silly.]
Maybe you're even a little sturdier than me right now.
[Not that it was an especially big advantage when they tried it out for real (or sort of for real, because their attempts at sparring still haven't gone terribly far yet), but that's not the important thing right now. The important thing here is that they're closer yet because of the nudging, Anon crowding in unrepentantly.]
But there's totally flowers that can melt anything because that's how this island works. We could take 'em if we had to, though.
[Not sure how this became flower wars but it's not like he's worrying about it.]
Maybe you're right. But there's probably only one way to know for sure. [ There's just the slightest waver in Natsuno's voice which he channels into nudging Anon back. With both his eyes open he can appreciate everything fully, even if he's not really sure where to look—the silly grin, bright red eyes, soft pink braid and festival of flowers all are competing for his attention. ]
Mmnn, that makes me wants kakigoori. [ He's getting worse and worse at controlling his impulses, especially the increasingly greedy ones. ]
[He stirs a little at the concept of challenge the way he always does, or perhaps because he's intrigued by the changes in Natsuno's voice in their bandying of hypothetical scenarios -- but Anon settles back down, grin widening a little at the nudge back. He watches Natsuno back, because of course he does. He's never been shy about staring: not when they first met, and certainly not now.
Those flowers and braids still in his hair catch his gaze easily, and he lets it linger and soften his expression further, almost sleepy but not quite. He's at once comfortable enough to drift away and completely in the moment, fingers a little restless. He gives Natsuno another nudge in lieu of reaching up for those braids.]
Speaking of which, I don't know if we can get proper kakigoori right now, but I wonder if we could make the goats climb up here to serve us, anyway.
[That's just his shitstirring life speaking. But the thought is pretty great, and he's also always been the greedy one here.]
Yeah, it is. [ This he states boldly; he knows just how much Anon loves challenges by now and he's (unconsciously or not) banking on it. The accompanying feeling in his chest is strange, he's not sure how to deal with it, and a part of him is also afraid of what it might be. But if he keeps moving forward he can't actually think much, which is as far as he can commit himself, at least for tonight. (There's something to be said too about ruining a good thing and their pace is pretty breakneack already).
All of this still doesn't help him one bit in knowing where to look, but eventually his gaze settles on the red which mirrors his own. Natsuno's never been shy either, and there's only one choice if he doesn't choose to back down (which he's not, he won't ever do that with Anon), to meet him head on. Of course this means he nudges him back without missing a beat, winding up irrevocably closer. ]
You'd have to yell, because the goats never listen to me. [ Nudge. ] But if they did, I probably wouldn't have talked with you at all when we first showed up on the island.
[A bold challenge deserves a bold answer, as always -- and there's something about the way Natsuno slams it down right there that gives him a little thrill, at once similar to every other time he's taken up one of their ridiculous harebrained ideas and somehow completely different. There's no fear here, even when there probably should be; he's had his share of unease over the way they've gotten all tangled up together somehow, even if his share still isn't an especially big share.
Tonight, holed up together on the rooftop with only the sky and the sea for company, isn't the time for that. It's the time for closing his eyes (not literally, though, not right now because he wants to keep looking) and laughing in the face of everything and together, Anon shifting a little in response to all the nudges but never away.]
The goats aren't real good at listening at all. But-- [there's a brief nudge back because he can't help himself, before he rolls over and actually just bellows, Hey, Amber, I want some kakigoori here, okay? into the stars] --there. If they're going to be helpful goats, they should be helpful all the way.
[There's definitely some kind of shuffling and commotion going on down below, so he's probably been heard (it would be hard not to), but seriously. He didn't even remember to specify a flavor so who knows what's going to happen here. Anon rolls back in with a cocky grin.]
Besides, we would have run into each other eventually. It's hard to get away from anyone on this island.
[ Because of their proximity he flinches at the shouting briefly; it's nothing close to the clamor he'll have to deal with a few weeks later during the Hunt, but it's still pretty loud. He did ask for it though, so the most he does is rub at his ears with an assuaging grin. ]
You know the goats by name, huh. [ That's both ridiculous and logical at once and he huffs out a short laugh. He has no expectations for what the goats will bring, so a surprise is fine. ]
I guess that's true because you probably would have chased me down in the rafters.
[ It's not exactly what he meant, but his true intention is too hard to put into words. His first discussions with most people on the island were him just disengaging as fast as possible, but that wasn't possible with Goat Gate. ]
[Natsuno certainly did ask for it, and there's just an additional tick up in Anon's shit-eating expression even if he does quiet his voice back down a little to where they were before -- the only unfortunate casualty is the cozy atmosphere, and they'll have to bear with that until the goats really get their goat going. Judging by the way things have gone quiet, they'll be waiting a little while yet.]
Well, I think they also just answer to Goat, and Hey You, and Five Sandwiches! But I'm trying to learn the names so it doesn't feel like there's just one goat following me around.
[That's probably not the reason. And it's debatable whether he actually knows most of the names, judging by his answer, or whether he's literally just yeeting random names at random goats for his own entertainment.
At any rate, it's a work in progress, just like the rest. There's a little hum as he thinks over Natsuno's hypotheticals -- Anon isn't much of one for what-ifs, unless you want to hash out all the ways a fight or a competition could have gone better with him, like a sports match. One day they'll figure out the disconnect, but for now Anon just gives a little laugh.]
Right, the rafters. You really like high places, huh?
Five sandwiches...I should try that one. [ Maybe they'd actually listen?
A quandary for another night, because Natsuno's never at a loss for topics to get lost in: the past, regrets, what if's, he's very much a creature of history and hypotheticals unless the present is so pressing that he can't be. Lately, that's been happening more and more. The exact reason why is something he's also wondered about, but he's been content enough to chalk it up to no longer being trapped in a sleepy town full of gossiping old ladies. Exploring more could be dangerous, and he has better things to do. ]
Yeah, I can be far enough away from everyone but still keep an eye out. My vision's probably better than a bird's even, but it's not like I can fly to check.
If you really want sandwiches, it's pretty handy. 'Course, I always forget to say what kind of sandwiches, so I end up getting five different sandwiches sometimes, or one of them is just bread...
[Relying always on the goats to figure out their own culinary things is sometimes a crapshoot, is the point here. But Anon is always stubbornly planted in the present unless the past has something to offer -- entertainment, practical use in fights or other things, and other things in that vein -- and otherwise he simply lets it be or tosses it aside. The road already traveled; looking back only slows you down, and especially when there's little to nothing and no one behind you.
(There's nothing wrong with leaving those left behind to fend for themselves. That's probably what he still believes.)
More importantly, though, in terms of kakigoori -- this means that when the dark and slightly frazzled goat head pops up over the edge of the roof (goats are good at climbing, luckily...?), there's just the one very large shaved ice for the pink guest that they know to be a glutton and it's drizzled in several different flavors and garnishes just to satisfy a curious palate. Sometimes you learn from the past and sometimes you end up with a goat's best guess at a frosty midnight snack--]
Rose! I forgot to say there's two of us, but the flavors do look pretty good...
[He's popped up to go after that shaved ice. The goat looks fairly disgruntled, either because it's being given incomplete or terrible orders or because its name is probably Ambrose. Rest in pieces, goat butler.
Anon doesn't seem to notice, he's already taken a big bite and made a ridiculous noise at the inevitable brain freeze that he didn't even try to avoid. He'll just put the shaved ice in between them for now. Amber-Rose has scurried off and may or may not bring a second one -- but for now there's certainly enough to share.]
Mmm, this really is good like this. [a stretch to try and shake off the freeze as he peeks out at the view from the rooftop while he's sat up before he flops back again] But this view doesn't compare with flying at all.
[ He snorts. ] They could at least put mayonnaise on it something.
[ Or maybe something more appealing on it's own like honey? Too bad Natsuno has just about zero skills in culinary as Anon has seen. Sometimes this is a good thing though, like now when he perks up at seeing the frosted delicacy the goat has brought for them. Even if it was Wednesday night, and even if his stomach wasn't grumbling for human food on top of blood lately, his mouth would be watering anyway. The flavors aren't supposed to be mixed like this (does coconut really go with apple?), but pretty much everything works when you're still growing into your tastebuds. ]
They really went all out... [ Impressed and distracted, his opinion of the goats just went up one whole point. This kakigoori is big enough to share, but there's one small problem; of course Amber-Rose only brought one spoon. There's an obvious solution to this, and after glancing over at Anon once he's flopped back Natsuno just goes for it.
Is it really that weird to share a spoon when you've already shared flowers, braids, countless touches, world destroying urges, and a disastrous pizza? The answer is— ]
Melon and dango too... [ Of course Natsuno took a big bite, and it's reasonable that he might have gained some color to his cheeks as his body tries to correct the brainfreeze just like it would with a cut. But, the truth isn't always reasonable is it? ]
Heheh. I think the goats aren't bad cooks-- [granted, nobody can be as bad at them at this point] --but they totally mess up if there aren't proper recipes or orders. Like robots? Kind of?
[Since we're just dragging Wheatley in every thread now, this is definitely a callback to the time they had a completely fish-themed afterparty complete with fish granola bars and shit. What even was that. More importantly, though, Anon rolls over lazily onto his belly and props his chin on his hands -- all the better to eat with, and it gives him a good vantage point for watching Natsuno vs. kakigoori, too.
It's pretty entertaining? There's a little pleased edge to his grin when Natsuno glances up, but he seems perfectly content with the appreciation and the spoon sharing and everything. He's still learning all these different types of touches and interactions, but sharing food is something relatively normal, at least.
This is something they haven't done as much of, the two of them, because dietary differences, right? But it still tickles him to get to do it anyway; lack of dragons or not.]
I didn't even recognize some of those flavors! Which one is melon and which one is dango... and the other ones, too? Show me.
[He'll shuffle in a little more, peering curiously down at the muted colors all over the ice in the dark. It's a mess that is definitely hard to make out this late, even at this proximity or for someone used to the kakigoori life. Maybe Natsuno's night vision is cheating, though. He hums while he waits.]
And I had wings back home, of course. The Foundation messed that up somehow, but that's the Foundation for you.
[ Natsuno's mouth is full, but he does hum out approval for the Wheatley dragging. Fishy granola bars would be awful, so that's one banquet he's glad he missed out on. ]
'Kay. [ Is it still cheating if he shares the information (cheat sheet!). Popping the spoon out of his mouth, he points at the track of light green ice. ]
This one's melon, and the orbs at the top are dango. Some people eat them seperate but I like to get a piece of dango with every bite. [ This is his past gluttony speaking for once, because frozen treats were a legit way to bribe him before. Moving on to the next flavor he points at with his spoon, it's red. ] This is apple, with coconut flakes on top. I think this is a goat creation but the taste isn't that bad.
I haven't tried this one yet. [ Gesturing to a light pink one, he swipes some onto the spoon along with the clear gelatinous cubes on top and noms thoughtfully. ] The topping is aloe jelly but the flavor is...I dunno. Maybe you will? [ Without a second thought he scoops another spoonful like the first and puts it up to Anon's mouth. Hand feeding redux 2.0? ]
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[It's languid and drawn out, and there's no effort from Anon's end either to make it any less teasing or less anything; he doesn't need to be lulled by their closeness or the far-off rhythm of waves to feel at ease here, opening one eye to aim a mock-experimental nudge at the boy next to him.
His grin is equally soft and silly.]
Maybe you're even a little sturdier than me right now.
[Not that it was an especially big advantage when they tried it out for real (or sort of for real, because their attempts at sparring still haven't gone terribly far yet), but that's not the important thing right now. The important thing here is that they're closer yet because of the nudging, Anon crowding in unrepentantly.]
But there's totally flowers that can melt anything because that's how this island works. We could take 'em if we had to, though.
[Not sure how this became flower wars but it's not like he's worrying about it.]
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Mmnn, that makes me wants kakigoori. [ He's getting worse and worse at controlling his impulses, especially the increasingly greedy ones. ]
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[He stirs a little at the concept of challenge the way he always does, or perhaps because he's intrigued by the changes in Natsuno's voice in their bandying of hypothetical scenarios -- but Anon settles back down, grin widening a little at the nudge back. He watches Natsuno back, because of course he does. He's never been shy about staring: not when they first met, and certainly not now.
Those flowers and braids still in his hair catch his gaze easily, and he lets it linger and soften his expression further, almost sleepy but not quite. He's at once comfortable enough to drift away and completely in the moment, fingers a little restless. He gives Natsuno another nudge in lieu of reaching up for those braids.]
Speaking of which, I don't know if we can get proper kakigoori right now, but I wonder if we could make the goats climb up here to serve us, anyway.
[That's just his shitstirring life speaking. But the thought is pretty great, and he's also always been the greedy one here.]
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All of this still doesn't help him one bit in knowing where to look, but eventually his gaze settles on the red which mirrors his own. Natsuno's never been shy either, and there's only one choice if he doesn't choose to back down (which he's not, he won't ever do that with Anon), to meet him head on. Of course this means he nudges him back without missing a beat, winding up irrevocably closer. ]
You'd have to yell, because the goats never listen to me. [ Nudge. ] But if they did, I probably wouldn't have talked with you at all when we first showed up on the island.
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[A bold challenge deserves a bold answer, as always -- and there's something about the way Natsuno slams it down right there that gives him a little thrill, at once similar to every other time he's taken up one of their ridiculous harebrained ideas and somehow completely different. There's no fear here, even when there probably should be; he's had his share of unease over the way they've gotten all tangled up together somehow, even if his share still isn't an especially big share.
Tonight, holed up together on the rooftop with only the sky and the sea for company, isn't the time for that. It's the time for closing his eyes (not literally, though, not right now because he wants to keep looking) and laughing in the face of everything and together, Anon shifting a little in response to all the nudges but never away.]
The goats aren't real good at listening at all. But-- [there's a brief nudge back because he can't help himself, before he rolls over and actually just bellows, Hey, Amber, I want some kakigoori here, okay? into the stars] --there. If they're going to be helpful goats, they should be helpful all the way.
[There's definitely some kind of shuffling and commotion going on down below, so he's probably been heard (it would be hard not to), but seriously. He didn't even remember to specify a flavor so who knows what's going to happen here. Anon rolls back in with a cocky grin.]
Besides, we would have run into each other eventually. It's hard to get away from anyone on this island.
[But especially him, is probably implied here.]
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You know the goats by name, huh. [ That's both ridiculous and logical at once and he huffs out a short laugh. He has no expectations for what the goats will bring, so a surprise is fine. ]
I guess that's true because you probably would have chased me down in the rafters.
[ It's not exactly what he meant, but his true intention is too hard to put into words. His first discussions with most people on the island were him just disengaging as fast as possible, but that wasn't possible with Goat Gate. ]
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Well, I think they also just answer to Goat, and Hey You, and Five Sandwiches! But I'm trying to learn the names so it doesn't feel like there's just one goat following me around.
[That's probably not the reason. And it's debatable whether he actually knows most of the names, judging by his answer, or whether he's literally just yeeting random names at random goats for his own entertainment.
At any rate, it's a work in progress, just like the rest. There's a little hum as he thinks over Natsuno's hypotheticals -- Anon isn't much of one for what-ifs, unless you want to hash out all the ways a fight or a competition could have gone better with him, like a sports match. One day they'll figure out the disconnect, but for now Anon just gives a little laugh.]
Right, the rafters. You really like high places, huh?
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A quandary for another night, because Natsuno's never at a loss for topics to get lost in: the past, regrets, what if's, he's very much a creature of history and hypotheticals unless the present is so pressing that he can't be. Lately, that's been happening more and more. The exact reason why is something he's also wondered about, but he's been content enough to chalk it up to no longer being trapped in a sleepy town full of gossiping old ladies. Exploring more could be dangerous, and he has better things to do. ]
Yeah, I can be far enough away from everyone but still keep an eye out. My vision's probably better than a bird's even, but it's not like I can fly to check.
[ Just an idle thought. Flying would be cool. ]
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[Relying always on the goats to figure out their own culinary things is sometimes a crapshoot, is the point here. But Anon is always stubbornly planted in the present unless the past has something to offer -- entertainment, practical use in fights or other things, and other things in that vein -- and otherwise he simply lets it be or tosses it aside. The road already traveled; looking back only slows you down, and especially when there's little to nothing and no one behind you.
(There's nothing wrong with leaving those left behind to fend for themselves. That's probably what he still believes.)
More importantly, though, in terms of kakigoori -- this means that when the dark and slightly frazzled goat head pops up over the edge of the roof (goats are good at climbing, luckily...?), there's just the one very large shaved ice for the pink guest that they know to be a glutton and it's drizzled in several different flavors and garnishes just to satisfy a curious palate. Sometimes you learn from the past and sometimes you end up with a goat's best guess at a frosty midnight snack--]
Rose! I forgot to say there's two of us, but the flavors do look pretty good...
[He's popped up to go after that shaved ice. The goat looks fairly disgruntled, either because it's being given incomplete or terrible orders or because its name is probably Ambrose. Rest in pieces, goat butler.
Anon doesn't seem to notice, he's already taken a big bite and made a ridiculous noise at the inevitable brain freeze that he didn't even try to avoid. He'll just put the shaved ice in between them for now. Amber-Rose has scurried off and may or may not bring a second one -- but for now there's certainly enough to share.]
Mmm, this really is good like this. [a stretch to try and shake off the freeze as he peeks out at the view from the rooftop while he's sat up before he flops back again] But this view doesn't compare with flying at all.
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[ Or maybe something more appealing on it's own like honey? Too bad Natsuno has just about zero skills in culinary as Anon has seen. Sometimes this is a good thing though, like now when he perks up at seeing the frosted delicacy the goat has brought for them. Even if it was Wednesday night, and even if his stomach wasn't grumbling for human food on top of blood lately, his mouth would be watering anyway. The flavors aren't supposed to be mixed like this (does coconut really go with apple?), but pretty much everything works when you're still growing into your tastebuds. ]
They really went all out... [ Impressed and distracted, his opinion of the goats just went up one whole point. This kakigoori is big enough to share, but there's one small problem; of course Amber-Rose only brought one spoon. There's an obvious solution to this, and after glancing over at Anon once he's flopped back Natsuno just goes for it.
Is it really that weird to share a spoon when you've already shared flowers, braids, countless touches, world destroying urges, and a disastrous pizza? The answer is— ]
Melon and dango too... [ Of course Natsuno took a big bite, and it's reasonable that he might have gained some color to his cheeks as his body tries to correct the brainfreeze just like it would with a cut. But, the truth isn't always reasonable is it? ]
Mmn?
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[Since we're just dragging Wheatley in every thread now, this is definitely a callback to the time they had a completely fish-themed afterparty complete with fish granola bars and shit. What even was that. More importantly, though, Anon rolls over lazily onto his belly and props his chin on his hands -- all the better to eat with, and it gives him a good vantage point for watching Natsuno vs. kakigoori, too.
It's pretty entertaining? There's a little pleased edge to his grin when Natsuno glances up, but he seems perfectly content with the appreciation and the spoon sharing and everything. He's still learning all these different types of touches and interactions, but sharing food is something relatively normal, at least.
This is something they haven't done as much of, the two of them, because dietary differences, right? But it still tickles him to get to do it anyway; lack of dragons or not.]
I didn't even recognize some of those flavors! Which one is melon and which one is dango... and the other ones, too? Show me.
[He'll shuffle in a little more, peering curiously down at the muted colors all over the ice in the dark. It's a mess that is definitely hard to make out this late, even at this proximity or for someone used to the kakigoori life. Maybe Natsuno's night vision is cheating, though. He hums while he waits.]
And I had wings back home, of course. The Foundation messed that up somehow, but that's the Foundation for you.
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'Kay. [ Is it still cheating if he shares the information (cheat sheet!). Popping the spoon out of his mouth, he points at the track of light green ice. ]
This one's melon, and the orbs at the top are dango. Some people eat them seperate but I like to get a piece of dango with every bite. [ This is his past gluttony speaking for once, because frozen treats were a legit way to bribe him before. Moving on to the next flavor he points at with his spoon, it's red. ] This is apple, with coconut flakes on top. I think this is a goat creation but the taste isn't that bad.
I haven't tried this one yet. [ Gesturing to a light pink one, he swipes some onto the spoon along with the clear gelatinous cubes on top and noms thoughtfully. ] The topping is aloe jelly but the flavor is...I dunno. Maybe you will? [ Without a second thought he scoops another spoonful like the first and puts it up to Anon's mouth. Hand feeding redux 2.0? ]