@morealist sent:ㅤ'' ya ya, '' her voice is lilted at the end, claudette is in a good mood, '' let's go get dinner together? i, um, i saw that this new place opened up recently. it's - it's supposed to have really good burgers, '' but she is too nervous to go alone - && what if it were good? she would want to bring them. '' we could rent a movie, bring it - um, home, maybe. make a night of it? ''
ㅤinquisitive noise rising from the couch at the call of their nickname, byan's head soon appears over the armrest. they're sprawled across the cushions on their stomach, toes touching the opposite end, their phone tucked against their chest so they can place their full attention upon claudette. already pleased to hear her voice sounding so cheerful, they only perk up more at the suggestion of dinner.
ㅤㅤ" yeah? i'm down. could go for a good burger. "ㅤand a fun evening with claudette, but that's a little harder to say so bluntly. still, there's an eagerness in the way they shift, picking themself up off the couch cushions to climb off over the arm.
ㅤㅤ" just lemme get dressed 'n we can go. promise i won't take forty minutes to get ready this time. "ㅤflashing a playful grin, byan takes off for their room at a quick pace, only to skid to a halt as they reach the hallway. amusement plays across their features when they turn to face claudette again, something teasing, albeit gently so, in their voice when they open their mouth;
ㅤㅤ" y'know we rent movies digitally now, right? i dunno that it's even possible to rent 'em physically anymore. "ㅤ...but that's one of those big changes to the way things work in the world that claudette completely missed out on while she was in the fog for so long, isn't it? it's something they grew up familiar with, but she... she had already disappeared, hadn't she? the realization causes their smile to falter slightly, though they pick it back up before it's too noticeable.
ㅤㅤ" —but we can decide what we wanna watch on our way home! i got a couple suggestions, but you always let me pick. it should prob'ly be your turn this time. "ㅤbringing themself to an abrupt pause before they can continue on that thought, however, byan raises their arms, waving them around as though to physically stop themself from saying anything more.ㅤ" —we can figure that out later though. i'm gonna get dressed. five minutes, tops, an' we'll go. okay? i'll be right back. "