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[Sakamoto smiles in her direction, the expression softer, more timid. What a rare side of him to see.]

Oh, better! I just... I guess I got cold feet! Haha.

I apologize for actin' so silly. I've never been out with a girl as forgiving and tolerant as you.

[He rests his elbow on the table.]

So, you cook? And you can lift a man of my size! Amidst other fantastic things. Honestly, what can't you do?

[Sakamoto sings her praises, not noticing how damn happy he looks when he talks about her.]

Edited 2015-06-19 03:49 (UTC)

It's alright. I'm glad you're feeling better.

[ she notices that and it brings back those feelings from earlier. a swooping, aching sort of feeling that makes her nervous. she doesn't understand it, doesn't know what it is, and she's still not sure if she really likes it.

but she likes the way he smiles, likes the way they soften his face and make him look younger, more carefree. ]

There are a couple things. I can't sing, for one.

Who says?

[Jokingly:]

Anyone can sing! Even if you're off-key. Music is different in different cultures- On some planets, the music of certain peoples may sound harsh or unharmonious to people on Earth!

But in their homeland, it's beautiful. If you think about it like that, things like being able to sing...

That doesn't really matter, right?

[ oh no. she doesn't mean to be discouraging, but: ]

You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, I'm physically incapable of it.

[Is that why she wears the mask and speaks through text? But he could've sworn he heard her voice at least once...

Perhaps some damage has been done to her mouth, or perhaps she doesn't have one. He's met aliens like that.]

Ah. I see! Well, this whole evening, you've been asking me questions! And, while I don't mind telling you all there is to know, I've been more curious about you.

What is it that you love, Celty-san? Is there anything that makes you particularly happy?

[And if he can procure it and send it to her, he will.]

Edited 2015-06-19 04:13 (UTC)

[ what makes her happy?

she doesn't respond for a while, helmeted gaze lowering to the table in thought. there are things she likes, people she likes as well, but she's never really thought about what made her really happy.

eventually: ]

I haven't found it yet.

[Holy shit.

Sakamoto doesn't know what to say, all he knows is that he's gone and said something wrong. She doesn't know what makes her happy?! Perhaps that's why she puts up with his nonsense.

He remembers once, in passing, what someone on the crew had told him- That when he smiled, he looked like he had found the secret to everlasting happiness. Sakamoto is easily satisfied, why, just being here with her makes him-]

For what it's worth...

I'm very happy! Tonight.

[He clears his throat, still trying to recover from the unexpected shock of that answer.]

Because I get to spend time with you.

Edited 2015-06-19 04:32 (UTC)

[ oh, did she upset him? she didn't mean to offend him. it's probably not very normal for someone to say they haven't found what makes them happy. perhaps she should have lied, made something up. but sakamoto has been nothing but earnest the whole night and at the end of it, she's doesn't want to make up things anymore. ]

It's very sweet of you to say. I enjoyed spending time with you as well.

[ she should... she should say more than just that. ]

I hope to be able to spend more time with you like this in the future. If you're willing.

[Someone wants to spend time with him? Even after all that, all the stupid things he said...

He's not used to this brazen kind of honesty. While he knows that he attracts followers for a reason, they're typically gruff with him, frustrated with his lesser qualities. She might be lying to him, but he's an optimist.]

Oh.

Sure, sure! I'd love that. R-really.

Edited 2015-06-19 04:42 (UTC)

Thank you.

[ the line of her shoulders eases and she visibly relaxes. sakamoto is kind, if a bit silly, but she's never met anyone like him before. ]

I apologize for earlier, I didn't mean to startle you. I haven't found what really makes me happy, but I'm still searching. For now, I'm fine the way I am.

Many people don't know! It was a stupid question.

At least you can still appreciate things. See life for all it's beauty! I know people who can't even do that. It's good to be satisfied with who you are, too. A lot of folks don't even have that straight! Ahaha.

[Sakamoto rests his chin in his hands.]

Ahhhh, but I'm the lucky one, really! I'm lucky~!

That you don't have a boyfriend.

Edited 2015-06-19 04:50 (UTC)

[ her helmet tilts to one side, confused. ~~hoe don't do it--~~ ]

How does that make you lucky?

Maybe I'll get to be your boyfriend, someday.

[HE'S FUCKING JOKING]

If we keep meeting like this.

[ there's a vague panic in her, shoulders tensing a little again. he doesn't know what he's saying, she tells herself, he's being silly again. he doesn't know what he's getting into, he doesn't know what she is.

if he knew, maybe he would realize his mistakes.

there's an ache in her chest, more poignant than before. she doesn't know what to do with it. she's gotten too close, too fast. ]

Maybe.

[Sakamoto is unprepared for what her response. She doesn't brush him off or deny him, she doesn't force him out of her home with anger and recompense, but instead...

He too feels a similar ache. The frightening notion that things have moved way too quickly. Perhaps it was the way she's saved him from every single terrible predicament in this place, the way she puts his heart at ease with her soothing way of "speaking" and gentle manner.]

Celty-san?

Could it be that... What you're searchin' for...

Is someone who will love you?

[His heart beats vivaciously again, perhaps he's asking too many questions. This is dangerous because he can't commit, love is a terrible nuisance that gets in the way of productivity...

He might run from it.

And yet he still takes her hand, holding it gingerly.]

There's so much to love. About you.

[He should shut up, but he can't hold his tongue.]

[ There's so much to love. About you.

is there? what is there left to love? she's not human, she has no eyes to convey emotion, no mouth to vocalize and solidify her feelings. she's a guide for the dead. a monster. and that's okay, that's okay but, knowing you exist and knowing you can be loved are different things. there are people who care about her, just as there are people she cares about. but those relationships were fostered for a long time, weeks, months, years.

she has hardly known sakamoto for a month, but he's already talking about love. and she feels it, in the way he holds her hand so carefully. gently, as if she were delicate. there are so many feelings he evokes in her, some that she's too nervous to attempt to identify. ]

Tatsuma, [ for once in her life, she's glad she can't speak. ] there are things that you don't know about me. I'm not as grand or as wonderful as you think I am.

Edited 2015-06-19 06:07 (UTC)

Let me guess.

[He doesn't let go of her hands.]

You killed someone? Committed a crime? Ah, I wonder what it was! Embezzlement, fraud, perjury? Whatever! I've definitely done all of those things at some point in my life.

There are things you don't know about me either. But don't regret what you've done- Just keep from doin' the same thing in the future! The world is a beautiful place, but it can be cruel sometimes too.

And when it's bein' mean and nasty... That's when you have to beat it at it's own game.

Edited 2015-06-19 06:59 (UTC)

[ she doesn't expect him to say those things, but aside from the initial surprise, she doesn't pull away. perhaps it's because she thinks he needs this too, this confession right in the middle of her apartment. she doesn't judge him for it, nor does she think less of him either: it takes courage to own up to the things you've done, and she has a feeling he's been repenting for them his whole life.

he's strong, determined, with a will that she's seen in only a few people. he deserves someone who burns as brightly as he does. ]

Tatsuma, there's something I need to show you. Afterwards, I think you'll understand.

Edited 2015-06-19 07:11 (UTC)

[Flatly:]

Is there a dead body in here?

You've hidden it so well! I can't even smell it.

[WHY ARE YOU GIVING HER A THUMBS' UP?!]

Edited 2015-06-19 07:21 (UTC)

[ christ. in some ways, she's thankful for it, takes a little edge off the tension in her.

but she doesn't let it deter her, hands reaching up to grip her helmet and tugging it off. ]

[ black smoke rises steadily from her neck as she sets her helmet down in front of her, bracing herself for the backpedaling. or worse, the scream. ]

[At first, Sakamoto is still, but he doesn't scream. It may seem more alarming to her that such a loud person is suddenly so silent. His posture is stiff, and his eyes are wide. The only words that come out of his mouth are:]

Is that it?

[Instead of screaming, he clutches his head as he laughs riotously, the sound echoing throughout the apartment. As if this is the most hilarious thing he's heard all evening, and in his mind, it is.]

[In fact, it just seems so funny that he has to double over with laughter, face hitting the table as he continues to chortle away.]

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