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Heyyyy Loop. Just wanted to check in and see how you were doing?

[It's a bit of a wait before he gets a reply. Not because Loop didn't notice the new page with their name on it, of course! They're just leaving him on read.

... but they can't ignore him forever, so...]

I'm doing just fine, Fighter! ✧
Did you need something?

That's good to hear!

[ Wasn't like he wasn't staring at the pages for a bit waiting for a reply haha but. ....Right. ]

Not exactly? Mostly I just wanted to see how you were doing! That you were feeling better after our last.. encounters.

Oh, after that? Perfectly fine! Nothing a bit of Healing Craft can't fix~ [in retrospect that probably contributed to the Craft Exhaustion, oops

... and they'd love to just leave it at that and not say anything about their current situation, but. considering it was the Researcher who had to drag them to the clinic... it's better to come out and say it and not act like it's a secret, right? It's not that big of a deal.]

I had a bit of a scuffle with the dragon the other day, so I'm staying at the clinic for now. Our fluffy little healer can be so fussy! But it was nothing serious, so you don't have to worry. I'm pretty tough!

That's true.

[ How much easier off they'd be if Mirabelle was still here with her own Healing craft but. For a moment, he debates adding more to it, saying something else until more words appear and huh??? ]

A dragon??? I mean, you do seem pretty tough from what I've seen, but it's still hard not to worry, y'know? Do you need any extra blankets at the clinic? Anything to make your stay a bit more comfortable?

Nope! I'm good!

[They know he won't give up easily, though. Time for a tactical maneuver.]

So! How are things going with stardust, hmmmmmmm? I hope you're not taking up too much of his time, don't forget to leave some for me~

Are yo

[ Yes, he's already in the middle of writing before that question comes up and uhhhhh. Probably NOT good to mention that Isabeau plans to have a talk about the loops with Siffrin soon soooo. ]

With Sif? Things are.. fine?? And I wouldn't monopolize his time, that wouldn't be fair!

They better be! Don't forget what I said before, okay? I really meant it~ [mad at him for being mushy with Sif, but also mad at him if he isn't mushy with Sif, truly there is no winning here for Mr. Fighter]

Say hi to him for me! [he can literally read this himself????] I'll see you around, Fighter!

Edited 2024-09-29 04:26 (UTC)

[ Man, they're REALLY trying hard to run away, not that it wasn't already beginning to be obvious but M'dame was not putting it lightly at all. Just not paying close attention to all of that except those final words there. ]

Yeah, you will! You said the clinic, right? I'll come by in a bit!

[ Change, they're making it difficult to work with them here. ]

Oh, now wouldn't be a good time, actually!
I'm in the middle of something! Star business, you'd find it terribly boring, sorry~
Maybe some other time! [like never]

Really? It sounds interesting to me.

[ This bonding is inevitable. He Will keep trying. ]

It's really not. You'd be bored out of your mind and then you'd feel guilty for pretending to be interested!
You might hurt my feelings, Fighter! Have some sensitivity!

Did you know there's a tailor shop here? You should go check that out instead.
The one who runs it knows a lot about colours, too! He's a nice guy, I'm sure you'd get along.

[ ... ]

Is that what you think of me? I'm not pretending to be interested, Loop. I really do want to get to know you and understand you more. And yeah, heard of it, and I'm sure he is, and I probably will check it out sometime but. That's not what I'm trying to do right now.

Have you tried taking a hint?

[... it's a little more scrawled and messy there, compared to the slow and deliberate handwriting before it. stars. they take a breath.]

I'm not interested. I'm busy, you can find someone else to entertain you today!

[ Ouch. At least the good thing about this being on the netbook is they don't see him flinch at those words. The next words are written quickly - ]

Sorry. I'll leave you alone.

[ because right after that Isabeau is just closing the book and leaving it at that. ]

[They stare at the page for a long time, pen hovering.

He doesn't write again. Doesn't add anything else, or show up at their door. And why would he? Well? This is what they asked for, isn't it? Good job, Loop! You did it! You chased him off, maybe for good!

They don't feel good about it, though. As much as they dread any sort of conversation with him, knowing it'll always be irrefutably different... turns out pushing him away feels just as bad. They don't want to be hated, can't stand the idea of drifting further and further out of reach... what else are they supposed to do, when everything they do makes them feel awful? Do they just have to live like this forever, pretending everything is fine? Who are they even doing this for??

If he checks again later, he'll find a single dot of ink dropped below his last message, and nothing else.]

[ It isn't the greatest feeling. Hits at some of his fears, poking at those insecurities he tries to keep buried under. There's no way he can write any more without likely having something they both regret saying come up.

..But it feels worse to leave it at that. Yeah, maybe he's being overbearing, pushing too much, but it feels even worse to not try. Even if he does need some time alone to think. And this is almost enough for him to leave them alone entirely, because yes the hint is taken and he will respect someone's wishes but.

Maybe he did see that dot. Maybe he thinks that there's probably more to it. Maybe he feels that same kind of familiarity in when you try to push people away and. Well, he doesn't reply still, he's respecting that distance. But in the clinic lobby there will be a bag dropped off dedicated to be given to Loop. All that's inside is a warm soft blanket with a note written: "You can keep it, or give it back to me once you've recovered from the clinic. -Isabeau"

That way the option is left with them on what they want to do. ]

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