4.1

[sighsheavily]

I can't believe this... I actually like these.

[these being reference to what clothes she's picked at within the room they're holed in for hours indeterminate. she's pulled on a pastel gown and finished fiddling with the fiddlier bits, smoothing out the drapery in front of the floor-length mirror.]

The color is a shame, and I doubt this'd be of use if I get dropped in that bloody maze again, but still...

[it's nice. it feels nice! no more denim and excess buttons...

gads, the rhinestones making cactus blossom patters are kind of tacky, though. she oughtn't complain; it's a step in the right direction.]

Comments

[sighsheavily]

[her mouth curves up just faintly, apologetically.]

We’ve both work to do in that regard, I think. Mm?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Hey, I'll have you know that I think I'm pretty amazing most of the time~

[sighsheavily]

[she Squints.]

Is that so.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What, you can't see it? Do I need to give you some kind of demonstration~?

[sighsheavily]

[her mouth twitches, unable to keep from smiling at least a little bit before turning her head to look back outside.]

You are rather remarkable, it's true...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He moves behind her to wrap his arms around her waist.]

It...helps that you say things like that. It keeps the dark thoughts from taking hold.

As confident as I am, knowing there's someone who believes in me that much...it gives me strength, y'know?

[sighsheavily]

[she shifts her focus to the dim reflection of themselves, easing into the hold bit by bit despite the relentless tingling at her shoulders.

looking down, she gingerly touches at one of the scars on his forearm.]

I don't mind being that reminder. [because she's not the source; she can't move him for himself, but if her voice can encourage him to try...that's worthy work, isn't it?

familiar work.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You've come a fair way yourself.

I can remember a time when even me touching your shoulders had you recoiling.

[sighsheavily]

[with faint amusement in her tone:] Well, you did throw me a considerable height upon first encounter, I think I was well within my right to be unnerved.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh come on! It was an accident! And we were trapped!

[sighsheavily]

I'm well aware! But facts are facts. A body doesn't just forget such a thing so easily, thank you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

So, you're saying I need to do something to overwrite that?

[sighsheavily]

I'm saying it takes time.

[beat.]

And positive reinforcement.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I can do that. Hell, I'm practically made of positive reinforcement...

[He leans in to kiss her cheek.]

[sighsheavily]

[on cue, she turtles up a bit with a little noise, tickled, shrinking against him and managing to lift her head and peck at his jaw.]

Made of more than that, but! It's not wrong per se--

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He turns a little more to catch her in a real, proper kiss.]

Yeah? What else would you say I'm made of~?

[sighsheavily]

[she hums against his lips before they part and is slow to answer. she'd rather actually consider it than just murmur platitudes, after all.]

I wonder... Is it simple enough to say spirit? That which keeps your eyes forward in the dark, looking for the dawn. [her expression waxes contemplative.] Maybe that's flame in of itself. Indomitable spirit...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You...always make me sound so much cooler than I actually am, you know that...?

[He scratches his cheek bashfully. Is...is he blushing?]

[sighsheavily]

[wait, IS he?? she has to tilt her head a bit to see at this angle, eyebrow arching.]

What do you mean? Am I not saying something you would've said yourself? [...] ...Perhaps with more forging metaphors? But I'm no craftsman, you know.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I mean...yeah, I guess...!

[He is ABSOLUTELY blushing.]

I think...you make me sound a lot more...heroic...

[sighsheavily]

[she squints, mouth quirking on one side.]

What did you think you were when saying such things yourself, dear? If you say anything remotely close to 'charlatan,' you're going to have to give that lecture you gave me to yourself...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I just...! It gets me hyped up...! That's all...!

[sighsheavily]

[her mouth splits into a more genuine smile, endeared.]

But you weren't being a liar, were you?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

N...No! I mean...! I may have been...exaggerating a bit but...!

But that's how you hype people...! It's hyperbole...!

[He's getting more and more red by the second.]

[sighsheavily]

[the tables do turn like this sometimes, but rarely for so long. Cecelia turns around in his slackening grip as he flusters, barely blinking as she peers at the beautiful oddity of his fussed face.

she wants to paint it to memory.]

Do you really find it so silly? That it's possible it's not? I mean, considering all of your feats so far...