[ PSYCH CAT PLANET of course he's busy, but he's busy going Everywhere! Aqua counts as everywhere. ]
omg I haven't been there yet stay there I'm in the park
[ Which park? There's like four. Nevermind he's heading back to the museum campus ASAP. If she waits, it isn't long before Sigma's trotting his way down the street toward her. She sticks out like a sore thumb, but at least this time it's well in their favor. ]
Aqua!
[ He waves enthusiastically with one hand, the other steadying a grey feline draped over his shoulder. Is it a kidnapped denizen?? No, just Pepper. Dumb, fat, and happy Pepper. ]
This is for last time!
[ GET READY, 'cause he's not stopping. He's barreling right into her for a big old bear hug. ]
[ Her magitek suddenly decides to start working double-time, transcribing all her thoughts and half-thoughts: ]
'omg'..? Oh wait, I do know that one— [ She blinks at his next text. ]
You're at the park?
[ Assuming he means the one right across from her—'omg' he does mean the park literally right across from her. She sees him waving and responds in turn, smile stretching extra across her face when she notices his fluffy friend in tow. Her reaction is only slightly dampened with confusion when she hears his declaration. ]
What do you mean— [ ?!?!?!?!
She's practically clotheslined into his embrace, and lets out a noise of surprise that quickly turns into a laugh. ]
[ Maybe Pepper isn't so happy by the time he's bashing into a friend, but dumb and fat as she is, she somehow manages to stay clawed to his shoulder with only a little prrp of protest as Sigma nearly hoists Aqua off her feet. It's gotta be extra good. ]
[ When he finally sets her free, he's laughing a little too. ]
Sorry, I've been holding that in since the hospital and then everything went to hell.
[ And then between vehemently trying not to barf and helping out around town, he'd lost even more track of everything before they ended up here, and then here happened, and he's been barely intelligible ever since. tldr he's a human disaster nothing is new. He leaves a hand on her shoulder if only to give it a good pat. ]
[ She tries to contribute to the hug too, her own noodle-y arms squeezing tight around him as much as noodle-y arms can manage, though in the end he's still doing 90% of the work. Regardless, it's certainly a proper one to make up for lost time (so much lost time), maybe even a little crushing but only in the best way. ]
Don't be sorry.
[ She's certainly not! Her smile softens at the edges with his next question, and she bobs her head in response. ]
...Enough of them, anyway.
[ (There's the 'long story'... There's even a little sigh to accompany it. Does it look like she needs another hug already? It looks like she needs another hug already.) ]
[ Hey, any contribution at all makes a hug 50/50 in their heart of hearts. He's only sorry because she's such a squishable noodle, but she seems to come out of it unscathed! ... Which is good, because she's probably gonna need a dozen more after Woodhurst. ]
... Yeah, pretty sure everyone lost a couple chunks back there. Physically or otherwise.
[ Or in some lucky cases, both! He rubs the side of his neck with one hand, but the other's still on her shoulder. He puts it to use and slides it around her to pull her against his side again. ]
[ It's strange for her to open up to someone like this, but then again her friendship with Sigma has always been an odd mix of comedic timing and dire circumstance. But after being carried out of the ashes of Nalawi, how could she not trust him? She may not know everything about him, but she can say with certainty that she understands him—or at least she understands full well that he is genuine, and caring, and loyal.
(...He's a true friend, and that does make a world of difference here.)
A moment passes, before she tips her head to rest against his shoulder. Just for a moment... ]
Thank you, Sigma. I don't know what to say, really...
[ ...But she tries, straightening her posture again to bear her own weight. ]
...Someone I care about nearly died. [ (And someone else I care about nearly killed me.) ] ...It's not the first time.
[ With her current track record she's starting to doubt it'll be the last, hence the source of her current conundrum. ]
I just... I thought I'd be able to protect my friends better than this.
[ It's been a long year with ALASTAIR, and it's been a difficult one. She isn't one to buckle under adversity, always stubbornly clinging to hope, but she's become observant enough to know when to reevaluate her present reality. ]
[ Their relationship so far has been built on a lot of saving each other's asses, and from his experience, that forges a scaffold stronger than steel. He'd be lying if he said she isn't still a bit of a mystery to him, but she's kind and honest and endearingly straightforward, and that's about everything he could ask for in a truly great friend. ]
[ It makes it twinge even worse to see her so beaten up over the debacle of last mission. Everyone took a beating, but some took it hard. The loyal, caring ones come to mind... He gives her shoulder a squeeze when she rests her head, and lets out a commiserative almost-laugh. Been there... ]
[ She's undoubtedly not as used to the feeling of hopeless trudging onward in the face of impossible, nebulous threats as he might be, but the last thing that does devalue her suffering. Losing close friends is one of life's most terrifying prospects. And when you should be better equipped than most to save them, keyblade master or esper, it makes everything feel so much heavier. ]
Hey, sometimes... Sometimes shit just happens way out of your control, no matter how strong or smart you are. Sometimes the only thing you can do is roll with the hits til something breaks in your favor. And it sucks, but... That's all we could do.
[ He smiles a little down at her. Wearily. Knowingly. He'd done a lot of kicking himself, too. Maybe they both need it said. ]
Don't be too hard on yourself for not being able to punch a virus. If it was something we could've all punched, we'da been out of there in hours.
[ She laughs softly at that last statement, though the sound comes across... not hollow, exactly, but somewhat detached. (Because she agrees with his words, it's just that her heart hasn't fully caught up yet. Logic is a thin string that tries to pull it along, but it always feels like something's bound to snap from the weight of all that melancholy.)
...Pepper seems to notice, and Aqua suddenly feels something warm and rotund and fuzzy tickle against her neck, a small cat-tongue trying to groom her face. (She blinks, effectively startled out of her gloomy mood.) ]
Why, you're very sweet, too.
[ There's a much more light-hearted chuckle this time, one hand reaching over to stroke the feline's ears.
To Sigma, ] ...Where did you find her? —Or him?
[ They definitely haven't been introduced before!! ]
[ Easier said than done, but at least it's out there. The distraction is a welcome one, honestly, it leaves all that to... digest in the background. When Pepper shuffles on his shoulder to reach out to Aqua, he leans reflexively, almost instinctively to shift her a little closer for ear scritches. The gesture merits a small prrp from the cat: acknowledged and appreciated. ]
Oh yeah, this is Pepper...
[ At a break in the headpats, Sigma slides a hand under the tubby tabby and scoops her up, trading out his precarious shoulder for settling her in his arms like a baby. She squirms a little, settling into something that looks either comfortable or resigned, it's hard to tell. She definitely gets this treatment a lot. ]
Couple missions ago, I just found her on my bed in Oska and she never left. [ If she was anyone else's, well... She's not anymore. ] She's been clawstered away in a tiny bedroom for like a month, since things really started going downhill back there, so I'm trying to whisk'er everywhere.
[ WHAT AN ADORABLE FATTIE. Aqua is obliged to rub it's generously-sized tummy... (It's... good to be reminded that not everything has been bad and worse around here, and she can feel her woes gradually melt away with each cat sound she procures from her new acquaintance.) ]
It's nice to meet you, Pepper. ...You have a very caring father.
[ She grins a little up at Sigma. ]
...That's an interesting way of saying it. I didn't know you were a cat person?
[ (Here she would've put her money on dogs...)
And because one cat isn't nearly enough for this thread, she notices a few more curiously padding their way, all young kittens from the looks of it. ]
[ And what noises she procures. Pepper rumbles like a tiny motor, eyes blissfully wavering on the brink of closing. Disney princess animal hypnosis magic at work. ]
[ He grins back down. What's an interesting way of saying it?? ] I get that a lot... Purretty sure I've been a cat person since I could walk.
[ Dogs are great too! They're excitable and you can run around with them, but cats are The True Ideal. Speaking of, look! Here comes some more! When Sigma notices the kittens congregating nearby, his eyes undeniably widen with a touch of (slightly shameful) awe. How cute is this planet????? ]
Hey! [ He kneels down almost immediately. Hopefully these kittens aren't too stranger danger about pets. ] What's up?
[ It's hard not to reach out a hand and click his tongue for them, but he refrains; they're sentient beings! Anyway, without the magnetic pull of Aqua bellyrubs, Pepper loses interest in being scooped up, and she writhes gently out of his arms in favor of eyeing the approaching felines. ]
[ Is he doing that on purpose?? Well either way it gets a chuckle out of her. ]
Please, Sigma...
[ (She thinks he's doing it on purpose, not that she particularly minds the puns.) ...And clearly she isn't the only one that's easily amused; she notices his eyes grow to the size of miniature dinner plates as their cat collective increases by a few furry bodies.
The kittens seem much more keen on being lavished in physical affection than their adult counterparts, one of them marching right up to Sigma to slyly demand pets with a soft headbutt right into his palm. Another youngling paws at Aqua's ankle, and she carefully kneels down to comply. (Soon, they've got both hands preoccupied dispensing ear scritches and neck ruffles...)
Somewhere in this most pleasant of burdens, she glances up at Sigma to give him a quiet smile. (She hadn't quite managed to voice it before, and so she does so, now...) ]
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no subject
she laughs lightly at the barrage of texts flooding her magitek, though her own jewelry omits the 'heheh' ]
...It's a long story, but I'm doing fine. [ sounds like they'll be catching up in person, so she doesn't elaborate too much... ]
I'm just outside the Astronomy Museum. You?
[ THEY'RE IN CAT WORLD NOW!!! PSYCH!!!!!! ]
no subject
[ PSYCH CAT PLANET of course he's busy, but he's busy going Everywhere! Aqua counts as everywhere. ]
omg I haven't been there yet stay there I'm in the park
[ Which park? There's like four. Nevermind he's heading back to the museum campus ASAP. If she waits, it isn't long before Sigma's trotting his way down the street toward her. She sticks out like a sore thumb, but at least this time it's well in their favor. ]
Aqua!
[ He waves enthusiastically with one hand, the other steadying a grey feline draped over his shoulder. Is it a kidnapped denizen?? No, just Pepper. Dumb, fat, and happy Pepper. ]
This is for last time!
[ GET READY, 'cause he's not stopping. He's barreling right into her for a big old bear hug. ]
no subject
'omg'..? Oh wait, I do know that one— [ She blinks at his next text. ]
You're at the park?
[ Assuming he means the one right across from her—'omg' he does mean the park literally right across from her. She sees him waving and responds in turn, smile stretching extra across her face when she notices his fluffy friend in tow. Her reaction is only slightly dampened with confusion when she hears his declaration. ]
What do you mean— [ ?!?!?!?!
She's practically clotheslined into his embrace, and lets out a noise of surprise that quickly turns into a laugh. ]
—Oh!
no subject
[ When he finally sets her free, he's laughing a little too. ]
Sorry, I've been holding that in since the hospital and then everything went to hell.
[ And then between vehemently trying not to barf and helping out around town, he'd lost even more track of everything before they ended up here, and then here happened, and he's been barely intelligible ever since. tldr he's a human disaster nothing is new. He leaves a hand on her shoulder if only to give it a good pat. ]
Got out of there with all your pieces, at least?
keysmashes tag before vanishing for work
Don't be sorry.
[ She's certainly not! Her smile softens at the edges with his next question, and she bobs her head in response. ]
...Enough of them, anyway.
[ (There's the 'long story'... There's even a little sigh to accompany it. Does it look like she needs another hug already? It looks like she needs another hug already.) ]
same
... Yeah, pretty sure everyone lost a couple chunks back there. Physically or otherwise.
[ Or in some lucky cases, both! He rubs the side of his neck with one hand, but the other's still on her shoulder. He puts it to use and slides it around her to pull her against his side again. ]
You wanna talk about it?
no subject
(...He's a true friend, and that does make a world of difference here.)
A moment passes, before she tips her head to rest against his shoulder. Just for a moment... ]
Thank you, Sigma. I don't know what to say, really...
[ ...But she tries, straightening her posture again to bear her own weight. ]
...Someone I care about nearly died. [ (And someone else I care about nearly killed me.) ] ...It's not the first time.
[ With her current track record she's starting to doubt it'll be the last, hence the source of her current conundrum. ]
I just... I thought I'd be able to protect my friends better than this.
[ It's been a long year with ALASTAIR, and it's been a difficult one. She isn't one to buckle under adversity, always stubbornly clinging to hope, but she's become observant enough to know when to reevaluate her present reality. ]
no subject
[ Their relationship so far has been built on a lot of saving each other's asses, and from his experience, that forges a scaffold stronger than steel. He'd be lying if he said she isn't still a bit of a mystery to him, but she's kind and honest and endearingly straightforward, and that's about everything he could ask for in a truly great friend. ]
[ It makes it twinge even worse to see her so beaten up over the debacle of last mission. Everyone took a beating, but some took it hard. The loyal, caring ones come to mind... He gives her shoulder a squeeze when she rests her head, and lets out a commiserative almost-laugh. Been there... ]
[ She's undoubtedly not as used to the feeling of hopeless trudging onward in the face of impossible, nebulous threats as he might be, but the last thing that does devalue her suffering. Losing close friends is one of life's most terrifying prospects. And when you should be better equipped than most to save them, keyblade master or esper, it makes everything feel so much heavier. ]
Hey, sometimes... Sometimes shit just happens way out of your control, no matter how strong or smart you are. Sometimes the only thing you can do is roll with the hits til something breaks in your favor. And it sucks, but... That's all we could do.
[ He smiles a little down at her. Wearily. Knowingly. He'd done a lot of kicking himself, too. Maybe they both need it said. ]
Don't be too hard on yourself for not being able to punch a virus. If it was something we could've all punched, we'da been out of there in hours.
no subject
...Pepper seems to notice, and Aqua suddenly feels something warm and rotund and fuzzy tickle against her neck, a small cat-tongue trying to groom her face. (She blinks, effectively startled out of her gloomy mood.) ]
Why, you're very sweet, too.
[ There's a much more light-hearted chuckle this time, one hand reaching over to stroke the feline's ears.
To Sigma, ] ...Where did you find her? —Or him?
[ They definitely haven't been introduced before!! ]
no subject
Oh yeah, this is Pepper...
[ At a break in the headpats, Sigma slides a hand under the tubby tabby and scoops her up, trading out his precarious shoulder for settling her in his arms like a baby. She squirms a little, settling into something that looks either comfortable or resigned, it's hard to tell. She definitely gets this treatment a lot. ]
Couple missions ago, I just found her on my bed in Oska and she never left. [ If she was anyone else's, well... She's not anymore. ] She's been clawstered away in a tiny bedroom for like a month, since things really started going downhill back there, so I'm trying to whisk'er everywhere.
no subject
It's nice to meet you, Pepper. ...You have a very caring father.
[ She grins a little up at Sigma. ]
...That's an interesting way of saying it. I didn't know you were a cat person?
[ (Here she would've put her money on dogs...)
And because one cat isn't nearly enough for this thread, she notices a few more curiously padding their way, all young kittens from the looks of it. ]
no subject
[ He grins back down. What's an interesting way of saying it?? ] I get that a lot... Purretty sure I've been a cat person since I could walk.
[ Dogs are great too! They're excitable and you can run around with them, but cats are The True Ideal. Speaking of, look! Here comes some more! When Sigma notices the kittens congregating nearby, his eyes undeniably widen with a touch of (slightly shameful) awe. How cute is this planet????? ]
Hey! [ He kneels down almost immediately. Hopefully these kittens aren't too stranger danger about pets. ] What's up?
[ It's hard not to reach out a hand and click his tongue for them, but he refrains; they're sentient beings! Anyway, without the magnetic pull of Aqua bellyrubs, Pepper loses interest in being scooped up, and she writhes gently out of his arms in favor of eyeing the approaching felines. ]
no subject
Please, Sigma...
[ (She thinks he's doing it on purpose, not that she particularly minds the puns.) ...And clearly she isn't the only one that's easily amused; she notices his eyes grow to the size of miniature dinner plates as their cat collective increases by a few furry bodies.
The kittens seem much more keen on being lavished in physical affection than their adult counterparts, one of them marching right up to Sigma to slyly demand pets with a soft headbutt right into his palm. Another youngling paws at Aqua's ankle, and she carefully kneels down to comply. (Soon, they've got both hands preoccupied dispensing ear scritches and neck ruffles...)
Somewhere in this most pleasant of burdens, she glances up at Sigma to give him a quiet smile. (She hadn't quite managed to voice it before, and so she does so, now...) ]
...Thank you.