InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Go see...Banana Fish."

Anew Returner (lodestar) wrote in marinasylum,
@ 2012-02-18 22:40:00

Entry tags:

:action, anew returner, neil dylandy

[Action] Backdated to just after lights out
[Given the events of the day, Anew isn't exactly oblivious about where she's going, but being that the light have only just gone out, it's harder to see the little flying bots than it was a few moments ago.]

[But she's determined not to let it ruin her mood. A few uncomfortable experiences shouldn't matter when she has something this good to look forward to, right?]

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target_acquired
2012-02-19 03:48 am UTC (link)

[ There is always a momentary distraction found in the dimming of the artificial sun. His eyes are on the tall buildings across the dome, waiting for the tell-tale flickering of the projector's lights; a sign that everything was running smoothly without them attending to it.

It's that habit that has him standing in the middle of the road, tote bag hanging from his right hand even as his other rests on his brow, shielding his eyes from the glare of the lamp-post as he looks onward and away. He doesn't even hear the footsteps nearby... ]

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	lodestar 2012-02-19 03:50 am UTC (link)
	[Anew sees someone there, but she doesn't realize until she's right next to him that it's her soon-to-be brother. She's carrying food home to make dinner, but she can't just walk by without speaking. Surely nothing would happen.] Neil? Good evening. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 03:52 am UTC (link)
	[ He turns rather quickly, but drops the hand casually as he sees who it is. ] Oh, hey Anew. [ Smiling as his eyes flicker to her grocery bag. Hm. He must have just missed her in the store. The man raises his own bag. ] Out shopping, too? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 03:54 am UTC (link)
	Mmhmm. I was trying to get home before dark, but I seem to have lost track of time. I was trying to find a ripe cantaloupe. [It took longer than it should have.] Have you forgiven Lyle yet? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 03:56 am UTC (link)
	You and me both. [ Though he was also taking a longer way, to avoid people, so... ] Forgiven...? [ Neil thought about it for a moment, then he chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. ] Ahh, you know, I wasn't really all that mad. Just worried about misunderstandings and being out of the loop. [ A common problem. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 03:58 am UTC (link)
	[She's smiling now, and can't even try to hide it.] I know you weren't, it's just his sense of humor. I don't think he was telling anyone because he didn't want to upset me. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 04:11 am UTC (link)
	[ For a second he thought he was in for a lecture of some kind, but he's glad to see she's not pulling the strings as his sister-in-law just yet. ] More like he wanted to surprise you, but it's like he doesn't even trust me to keep a secret. [ And he should know better than that. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 04:13 am UTC (link)
	[She blushes a little, but it may be hard to see in the dark.] All the same, I appreciate what you did with the stars. It was beautiful. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 04:16 am UTC (link)
	[ Don't underestimate his eyes. He grins a bit in turn. ] You're very welcome, Anew. Good to know I could help out even that little bit. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 04:19 am UTC (link)
	Mm! [If Neil wasn't with Lacus he might never have seen a woman this purely happy before.] In that case, I hope you won't mind if I ask for your help again? It's nothing big, but... (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 04:20 am UTC (link)
	[ He's lucky that way. ] I don't mind. Just name it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 04:23 am UTC (link)
	Well... I've never planned a wedding before. I've never even been to one. And I thought you might know a little about what sort of things I should do, family traditions maybe? Something special for a surprise. [She knows they aren't the closest of brothers, or weren't for a long time, but they grew up together, and she really wants to make it special.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

target_acquired
2012-02-19 04:26 am UTC (link)

Oh! Ah, well... I don't mind but... [ Neil takes a deep breath, looking upward a bit as he thinks. ] My guess is he'd want a good old Catholic wedding, and the church has enough space for something of a decent size, but for specifics, I just can't think of anything off the top of my head.

[ But he doesn't want to disappoint her, so. ] I'm sure I could point out something if I saw it in a book, though.

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	lodestar 2012-02-19 04:29 am UTC (link)
	That's what Lacus thought too. She even already found a priest to marry us. [Anew waves her hands a little, she hopes he won't think she's disappointed.] Ah, that's perfect. I've been looking at books myself, although... [some self-deprecating chuckling] not all of them were helpful. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 04:36 am UTC (link)
	She works fast. [ A little laugh. ] I'm sure I can help you sort through the chaff. Just name a time and I'll—[ That is NOT the sound of a robot hovering overhead. It's just not. Neil tenses and looks up in a mild panic. ] Ah, damn it. [ Way to pay attention, guys. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 04:38 am UTC (link)
	[-- and here Anew thought the worst thing that could happen to her this week was all those horribly housewife books. She looks up, jaw dropping, as does her shopping bag from her fingers.] I -- I'm so sorry, I completely forgot... [oh no, and she'd just gotten through with the discomfort of what happened with his "double"...] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 04:42 am UTC (link)
	[ Neil spins on a heel, taking one long stride— ] It hasn't said— [ "Kiss!" Wham, goes his forehead into the barrier, and the man drops his own bag to clutch his forehead. ] Ow, shit! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 04:43 am UTC (link)
	[Wincing, and forgetting her own discomfort (mostly) in favor of his, Anew leans over to him,] Goodness, Neil, don't hurt yourself. Are you all right? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 04:45 am UTC (link)
	Fine. [ He didn't mean to snap that, but given the rising irritation with those stupid robots, and the pain, it's sort of a given. Neil lowers his hand and sighs. ] I'm alright. Can't believe I didn't keep an eye out for those things. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

lodestar
2012-02-19 04:47 am UTC (link)

[She lives with Lyle, a little snap is nothing. She steps back, the unfortunate realization of what they're going to need to do rising inside her.] It's all right. I should have been more careful. I had it so firmly in my mind and then I started going on about -- well. [it's hard for her to think properly about anything else but Lyle for any extended time these days.]

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	target_acquired 2012-02-19 04:49 am UTC (link)
	And I just got done with— [ ...no. On second thought, saying who his last encounter was with was not high on his list of Good Ideas. ] ...this is only awkward if we make it, yeah? [ Fat chance of avoiding that, given their history. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 04:51 am UTC (link)
	[And a little late at that. She already can't look at him, but for the most part it's just flat out anger at these stupid robots for ruining everything.] ...Right. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 05:27 am UTC (link)
	[ Sadly, he can't even say "close your eyes and pretend I'm someone else" because there's a limited number of options for her imagination that he can think of, and they're all pretty much wrong for this. Another sigh, and a moment spent messing with his hair. ] Guess we should make it quick before... [ The barrier nudges him. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 06:49 am UTC (link)
	[She nods, the movement jerky and uncomfortable. She can't think of a thing to say and just wishes she were anywhere else. How could be be so stupid?] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 07:08 am UTC (link)
	[ He doesn't like seeing her like that. This is almost like going backwards a step. His thoughts drift toward that "other" Lockon and Neil elbows the barrier lamely. ] So much for Acumen capturing all of these from last time, huh? [ He smirked humorlessly. So much for their great and reliable warden. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 07:12 am UTC (link)
	[Her mouth doesn't want to move, but Anew also doesn't want Neil getting the idea that she's mad at him.] M-maybe he'll get it right this time... [She almost gets it out before her voice starts wobbling, and she turns away. Damn, she didn't want to cry.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 07:16 am UTC (link)
	[ ...okay, he's going to have a talk with Acumen personally after this and IF there is a next time, he's going to find a high vantage point and pick these off one at a time, for everyone's sake. ] Anew. [ He says rather firmly, to catch her attention. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 07:18 am UTC (link)
	I'm sorry. [She wipes at her eyes, trying in vain to get herself together.] I'm sorry, I just never wanted -- I was so close to just forgetting about -- I'm sorry. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 07:20 am UTC (link)
	[ Neil rests a hand on her shoulder with the faintest reassuring pressure. ] I'm sorry, too. [ He steps up, coaxing her to turn and face him. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 07:21 am UTC (link)
	[She turns, because she really does trust him, and she doesn't want to give him the impression otherwise.] It's not your fault. You're not even the one who made me so... [well, you know.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	1/2 target_acquired 2012-02-19 07:23 am UTC (link)
	[ Ducking his head in close, voice quiet, he cuts her off. ] That's not what I'm sorry about. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	2/2 target_acquired 2012-02-19 07:25 am UTC (link)
	[ This is. Neil slips a hand behind her head, just to make sure she doesn't pull away before this is done with. After all, they don't want to have to do it twice, right? ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

lodestar
2012-02-19 07:30 am UTC (link)

[She knows its coming, so she doesn't move, or breathe, or do anything but coil herself tightly enough to pretend she can't feel it. It's not even that she's guilty or disgusted in the slightest, she just doesn't want to go back to not knowing what to say around him.]

[And if she knows the Dylandy brothers, he might be planning to run off once it's over with, and she doesn't want that. So once he's done, she throws her arms around his shoulders and just -- clings.]

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target_acquired
2012-02-19 07:42 am UTC (link)

[ One Mississippi. She's tense, and he can feel it. It's almost like kissing a warm statue.

Two Mississippi. No, it's more like a realistic doll, which works as a better analogy with her beauty in mind.

Three Miss-- Okay, he can't do this anymore. Once again his mind drifts to what-ifs and he pulls away, even though it's apparent she won't let him go far.

The robot, satisfied with their little show, spouts off something about their compatibility rating and then zooms off, leaving them alone in their... whatever this was, now. ]

[ Silently, he slips an arm around her shoulder and just stands there, chin up and breathing calm. ] I really hate this place sometimes.

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	lodestar 2012-02-19 07:48 am UTC (link)
	[She nods, relaxing by the second. It wasn't as world-ending as she thought, really.] I hate it for this, but... It gave me Lyle back, and it gave you each other. [And now she's teary for an entirely different, and much better, reason.] It gave me a chance to meet you, and be your sister. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 07:53 am UTC (link)
	You're right. [ It was a much better emotional response by far, and his expression softens. His other hand comes up to give her a pat on the head. Which just sets other thoughts in motion. ] I can't say no to family. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 07:57 am UTC (link)
	[She wipes at her eyes, finally smiling now, and pulling back.] I'll remember that when Lyle refuses to get a clog out of the sink. [It may be a terrible joke, but maybe lightening the mood a little?] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 07:59 am UTC (link)
	Hah! [ Neil grins. ] Or when the hot water heater's on the fritz? [ Little in-joke there of his own. ] Absolutely. [ Then he looks down at their bags and their spilled contents. ] Ahh, what a damn mess. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 08:02 am UTC (link)
	Eh -- [He's right, everything's all over the place. Her fruit was going to be all bruised...] [But there are worse things.] ...Avocados? [She hadn't expected him to be getting those, for some reason. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Stalker :P target_acquired 2012-02-19 08:03 am UTC (link)
	[ He crouches to begin to pack things up into the tote bag again. ] Hm? Oh. Guacamole. [ Bit of a smile. ] Trying something new. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hey, I like realism~ lodestar 2012-02-19 08:05 am UTC (link)
	Oh, I see. It sounds good. [She bends down to pick up their items, smiling.] Add some cumin, it'll be even better. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Not a complaint! You know me and details target_acquired 2012-02-19 08:07 am UTC (link)
	Cumin, huh? [ A nod. ] We've got to have some of that around. [ He hopes. Their spice rack should be well-stocked, right? ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	^_^ lodestar 2012-02-19 08:11 am UTC (link)
	[If Anew taught Lacus anything, yes! Which she did.] I'm sure you do. And it will be delicious. Sisters know these things. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 08:30 am UTC (link)
	Heh, alright. I'll take your advice. [ Finished, he looks to see if he can help with any stray items out of her own reach and then finally stands back up again. ] Speaking of dinner, we should both probably get around to that, yeah? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lodestar 2012-02-19 10:28 pm UTC (link)
	Yes, I suppose so. [She stands, her groceries intact.] Don't be a stranger, all right? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	target_acquired 2012-02-19 10:32 pm UTC (link)
	I'd never dream of it. Have a good night, Anew. [ He thought about tacking on a "don't tell Lyle" onto that but... he has a feeling she wouldn't anyhow. Or he'd be getting a somewhat irate call from his brother tomorrow. One of those. He gives her a two-finger salute and heads off for home; home to the other person whom he is going to pointedly not ask about today. ] (Reply to this) (Parent)