#eplefroet

@eplefroet - from dis

“Don’t touch that--!” 

He’s already shoving them away in time, the small device that had been sitting on the tabletop giving a surprisingly laser-ready explosion. A bit too close for comfort, but that was on Jayce for forgetting that he had been working on refining the laser. 

@eplefroet - from dis thing

❝ you were holding hands with him! i saw it!! ❞ - @eplefroet

“Well--yeah, I was. The ferrule broke off his cane, so I helped balance him back to the lab. It’s not a big deal.” Yes, it very much was a big deal because why the hell was that the first thing that came to his head? Broken ferrule? After finding Viktor’s hands to be so nice to hold? 

Come on, Jayce, you’re better than this. 

“Besides, Jingyan, I don’t see why you have to shout about it.” It’s probably a miracle he was able to remain straight about it, probably something to thank all of those horrendous public appearances for. “I was—just doing the right thing.” 

i saw someone in the woods. - @eplefroet

“Big and fluffy means it’s Sasquatch.” It’s a joke, of course, one meant to try and steer things away from whatever was going on because that... was never anything good. Ever. Shit, he thought he got all of them the other night. 

This probably wasn’t a good sign... 

“How ‘bout you pull your nose away from the window there. You stare any harder and the trees are probably gonna be starin’ back.” Some gentle encouragement, though he couldn’t help looking over the sightline to double check. Lighting where the camp was... 

Yeah. He definitely missed one. 

s that really you? - @eplefroet

“No.” 

It would’ve seemed crueler to keep the facade, keep the forced lie going for someone who looked absolutely devastated to find him. Not that Verso could blame her, even looking in the waters did nothing more than pull up disgust. 

“They all want me to be him, but I’m not cruel enough to do that to you.” A sigh, he flicked the chroma in his hand away. Disarmed, a show of peace. There were many things Verso was willing to do to keep finding his answer, but he wasn’t about to let her become a part of this. 

I want to know him. He looks like he makes really good breakfast burritos. - @eplefroet

“He does. He was also arrested twice for drunk and disorderly.” He half expected the inevitable look while calmly finishing up his half of the fries. “I don’t handle those, I just happened t’ be on both times when he got rolled up for another thing.” 

Unfortunate side effects when it came to living somewhere the population could be counted on one hand. 

“Decent sort though, good head, just unfortunate impulse problem but he’s been workin’ on it.” There’s a moment of consideration for the remainder of his half of the tray before shoving it off. Kid looked worn, like they weren’t taking care of themself. They definitely could use the food more than he actually needed it. 

Sure, a shitty burger and friends wasn’t good but sometimes it’s what mattered. 

@eplefroet - from dis

“I know it seems ridiculous, but what do you think?” He had swiped at one of the low hanging lollis to pass over, grabbing one of the orange ones for himself. It was perfect, sketchy, but pink and innocent like the land was always meant to be.  

Even the multitude of Esquies flying on by seemed extra atmospheric. 

“I started when I was a child, I think she’d make amazing adventures in this place... make even her own hideaway from Clea. But she’d need a friend here... not Esquie, he’s already doing too much.” A pause and Verso was chewing idly on the lollipop with a hum. 

what if they don't like me? - @eplefroet

“Already having second thoughts?” It’s a pretty poor attempt at trying to be comforting because honestly? They had every reason to be nervous and Verso would be the first person to admit that. His family was... a lot. Too much sometimes. 

“Well... if we’re lucky, Clea might not even be home right now. Arguably she’s a bit more intimidating than maman is.” A quiet squeeze of the hand to hopefully help, and he smiled. “They’ll love you. And Alicia would be absolutely thrilled to have someone else she can call a big sibling.” That was the easy part. 

Papa and Clea on the other hand...