the starring role

I'll give you a big hint. It's currently in a very visible, very tall place.

"Alright, alright. And I’m barely even near twenty." He got various things out of his backpack, using what little he had to make the small fort. Sadly, he didn’t have much to work with. If given pillows and a couple more blankets, he could possibly make something grand. But for now, he’ll have to deal with a stacking bottles and empty food cans, along with the bag itself to cover with his blanket to make a somewhat well standing fort. “Okay, I think we’re ready here."

The fact that he was able to make a fort at all was impressive, considering the lack of supplies. Saionji was used to magnificent forts with fluffy pillows and lush blankets galore, but this would do in a pinch. Not that she'd let him know about her mild approval, of course-- giving him a hard time was much more entertaining. "This is the best you can do? How sad. Maybe hair gel seeped into your brain and scrambled your ability to make decent forts. You're lucky I'm too impatient to make you try again."

"Ha?"

"Are you so sure about that?"

{x} [ He really hoped her hands didn’t get stuck or anything, there’s no way in hell he would walk around with a small child dangling from him pompadour. No way. ]

[She beamed up at him, all sickeningly sweet smiles and wide eyes with a sugar-coated voice that didn't quite match her intentions.]

"Uuuuck, there’s so much hope followin’ me ‘round lately."

"Hope? Ewww, you sound like Big Bro Komaeda! Did you catch his disease or something? Gross."

"… You play a hard game, kid." He sighed, soon shrugging before pulling his blanket out of his backpack. “Fine, shadow puppets it is." As embarrassing as putting on a shadow puppet play would be, some food and a flashlight could be useful.

"I play the best game." She countered, plopping down to sit cross-legged and fish for her flashlight. "Remember, don't suck. Stuff like bunnies? Amateur. Unless you make one that talks with a lisp and cries all the time-- That could be funny. Other than that, just be creative!" Once she found it, she held it up in the air, waving it around. "Now, are you gonna make a fort with that blanket or not? Don't keep me waiting, grandpa."

{x} [ Oh no. She’s crying. Mondo sort of panics for a moment, putting his palms up in shame and looking around. ]

[Her completely real and not-at-all fake tears dried up instantly, and she clapped her hands together, grinning widely.]

"Let’s see… I got some ammo for a gun I don’t have, a couple bottles of water, and a blanket."

"Boring." She deadpans with a sigh, mulling over her options.

squishtheanties has been encountered

"That depends. Do you have something worth exchanging for food?"

[She changes her tune quickly, sniffling with watery eyes.]

asknaegi