heart of plastic

[Candace reddens with embarrassment. Any prior guilt pales in comparison to this new wave of emotion, and she flushes bright red with the shame of it.]

S— sorry, I didn’t mean to— I mean, I won’t ask anything about it—

[Reaches out to lay his hand upside on the table for her, smiling more to one side of his mouth.] Hey, I can’t keep something from you, right? That’s a good thing, I think. I don’t like lying, anyways-- I won’t do it.

…

[The cat in her lap very suddenly has less room to exist in, and (perhaps sensing her sudden tension) decides to jump down and go looking for a comfortable spot to ball up in. Candace doesn’t blame him.]

[The word “trust” sticks to her ribs the wrong way, however, and Candace shifts her unbelieving look to the inside of her mug— feeling suddenly very guilty. He trusts her, but she can’t give him the same in return? (It’s not her fault that his answer felt so shady, though, right?)]

[And settling in for a longer sigh into his tea, staring across his table to the wall with a look of consternation with himself, mumbling.] ... sprites, I’m not very good at this, am I? Bleh...

[Takes a longer drink from his tea before shaking his head and looking to her apologetically before lifting his head as though taking in all of his manly strength to admit:] Alright, truth is - I’m going to go get you a present. [Blinks, spilling now that the well was broken and catching himself:] But-- I can’t tell you what, though. Because that part ruins the surprise. Right? Right.

I’ll be happy to take you up on that offer! [Then he blinks, surprised by Chase’s assessment of the corporation.] Well— I assume they’re designed to check on the town’s resources. I haven’t been able to really figure it out just yet, actually. A lot of them are set to self-destruct if they’re tampered with. But I would assume that they’re made to report back to headquarters about things like.. oh, I don’t know..

[Nods, already thankful to be rid of anything he’d left stored in his attic - and already mentally going over anything he could remember about this corporation. Not much, it turns out - who cares about corporations out here, anyways? Casts a brief look to the other man as he continues working the stir fry in the pan.]

Self-destruct? Sprites-- that’s pretty weird for just testing soil. [Quietly serves the stir fry into a plate, turning to bring it over to his friend with the wine bottle in his other hand.] Here-- I’d almost say you’ve already had too much to drink, talking like that, heh. [Grins, lifting up his own wine glass after setting the plate to him and sliding over a fork as though it were a reflex.]

[She sips her tea again, pleased now to understand why the small black cat is so drawn to the tea (that she is no longer offering him the chance to sniff at), before turning her attention back to Chase more fully.]

Well, I-- I haven’t been there before, so I can’t really tell you. [Smiles, more assured as he finds something else to say instead - and thankful to not have to actually lie, now that he thinks about it.] A place nearby I just needed to stop by, but-- well, I wasn’t sure how long it’d take me to get there and back. I gotta get something, but-- then I’ll be right back, heh--

You don’t wanna cuddle with me right now, Chase.. I’m all sweaty. [She giggles.] Also I’m a mess cos my bun fell out halfway through my jog. Lemme take a shower first, okay? I’ll wash my hair and I’ll see you in your coat and then maybe I’ll think about cuddling with you. If you behave. ♥

[Sips the tea.] … Stranger. ♥

[Chuckles, eyes falling to the cat fondly with a tilt of his head.] Huh-- yeah, I forgot about that. Catnip’s a little minty, I think. He nibbled some of the last bunch I brought in, actually - I was pretty mad at him, but man. Look at him, he doesn’t even care. Heh.

[Takes the tupperware into her hands, bringing it up near her face.] You had me at pumpkin, actually. And you made them? Then they must really be yummy. [Gosh, all the little treats she’s getting lately are making her feel a bit spoiled. It’s the best.] 

[Blinks, looking briefly caught off guard and glancing around to the benches before nodding.] Oh-- right, yeah. That’s fine. We probably should sit, actually. I, uh-- [Pauses to resituate his hat now that his hands were free, starting towards the bench a few steps ahead and glancing aside to her, smiling awkwardly in his sincerity as though it were a new kind of smile he were trying on.] I’ve been needing to talk to you for a while, actually. I guess. I, uh-- I’m not very good at it, sorry--

[When she approaches she snuggles into her scarf, wanting to feel some warmth against her face. The air was really chilly the higher up a person went, huh? Stares up at him, still feeling like this is all in all, pretty weird. She shrugs.] I’m not to picky. It’s nice to get some fresh air. 

Heh, sprites-- no, I wasn’t-- [Scratches the side of his head where his cap presses to his skin - hesitating before shaking his head.] Eh, this is kinda weird. I don’t really talk to you much, I guess. But it’s really important I do-- right? I’m not really used to the whole... sibling thing, it just seems sorta important that I do.

[Sips at the wine a little, still pursing his lips each time he does.] Hmm— mostly the things people bring me. Sometimes I’ll find things myself. Funland’s been leaving— hmm, drones is too ambitious of a word, I think, with too many militaristic connotations— more accurate to call them automatrons, I think. Funlands been leaving them all over the place, and sometimes I’ll find them deactivated and take them home to look at their construction. The inventor on staff in Funland HQ is an absolute genius. It’s sort of like a— crash course on robotics, for me.

Drones? [Pauses, looking over his shoulder for a moment at that word and pulling a face. Even the correction does nothing to fix his expression. Sets the cutting board aside and lifts the wine, pouring an amount into the skillet and listening with an unsure expression.] ... huh.

Oh, sheesh.. [Rolls her eyes at his continued flirting— leaning down to pick up the small black cat once he’s done dodging Chase’s feet. The cat curls up in her lap once she sets him there, and she turns her attention to the mug Chase brought her a moment later (ignoring the way the cat seems intrigued by it, as well.)] Thank you, it smells wonderful..