[Sometime during AU week]

[the_ex_in_xp]

[meanwhile at the dorms, a half-pirate and some girl who managed a +3 lockpicking skill in her bag of tricks are trying to break in to "their" room]

This lock is way more sophisticated than the others. You'd think they were worried about unsavory people trying to break in...

Comments

[the_ex_in_xp]

[looking over a little to gauge her reaction before smiling in a way that's both soft and conflicted]

I'm sorry. I should have been more careful about bringing up gross bodily fluids to the only person I know who doesn't snigger at the word "poop deck." I feel totally terrible...

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[smiling back, all warmth and appreciation for you even being here to be her shoulder to literally lean on right now]

Apology accepted.

[the_ex_in_xp]

[...oh, oh no, that face is also dangerous, because she wants you to be able to lean on her without falling over from her being gone...metaphorically that is, literally she's not a dick enough to ditch in this moment and even maybe putting an arm around your waist]

Does that mean I can stop feeling awful about it and go back to making gross comments?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[❤❤❤]

Yes to the first half of the sentence and no to the second half.

[the_ex_in_xp]

[stop that, stop being super endearing darn you]

So you've accepted my apology and yet still choose to punish me. Now what am I going to talk about when I'm buzzed?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[can't stop, won't stop]

Don't think of it as a punishment! Think of it as a challenge.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Upping the challenge would be more alcohol, not more cutesy talking points. Which, by the way, got me in trouble in the first place. I blame the adorable puppies.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Hey, I didn't say the talking points had to be cutesy.

[the_ex_in_xp]

You didn't say it, but I know my target audience.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Oh, c'mon, that's just what I like best. I'm totally capable of talking about other things.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Yeah, but maybe I like talking about stuff that makes you all dorky happy. So, cute stuff. Seen anything cute in this place?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

I dunno, I haven't really been out exploring much. So, I mean, obviously the rabbits...

[the_ex_in_xp]

The rabbits were a given, and sort of yours. And I assume you found that whole Star Wars photoshoot insanity adorable...

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Yes! That was the best. I even sketched the dogs!

[the_ex_in_xp]

...of course you did.

D'you still have them or did you give them away?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

I gave one of them to Cosima but I did a second one.

[the_ex_in_xp]

That sketch will probably make an interesting story for your co-workers. I don't know if the circumstances that got you there or the photo shoot itself will be weirder.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Hey, pet cosplay is like the in thing on the internet right now. All I really have to say is "I got online and thought hey, what if I drew a dog in a wookiee costume?

[the_ex_in_xp]

[looking mock scandalized]

Roxie Richter, you would lie about your artistic inspiration?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

... I mean, okay, I probably wouldn't. But I could.

[the_ex_in_xp]

[smirking, looking a little doubtful of that]

You have an unfortunate honesty streak, Buttercup.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

If by "unfortunate" you mean "awesome and much-appreciated" then yeah.

[the_ex_in_xp]

I meant "likely to get you into awkward backstory territory" but if you're already admitting to finding dogs in Star Wars costumes a thing you'd look for on the internet, there's no saving you.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Hey, it's kind of my job.

[the_ex_in_xp]

I know, and they find you awesome and much-appreciated. So we're both right.