[ and okay, not all of them are brats — sandalphon and percival and vane are old enough, and also the only few actual adults from the crew not including himself. vane's likely the best at babysitting though, so maybe it was a good thing he went off with them and elmott stayed behind. anyway, if he'd left, this whole night wouldn't have happened so. maybe it's not so bad after all. ]
Dogs? [ he shrugs. ] Guess so. Depends on the girl, doesn't it? Don't some of them like cats, or somethin'.
Ehehehe... [That sheepish laughter as he kicks the floor can only mean one thing.]
Relax, it's a robot! A real one's too much to spring on someone for a surprise. I don't wanna force that responsibility on anybody. [His smile falters. Even now, he wonders if he imposes too much on the people at Chaldea, Pyra... Everyone he's met here.] Uh, the robot doesn't just do flips or whatever, okay? It's pretty useful, too! It can play fetch and do my taxes! Not that I pay my taxes. Do we have to pay taxes?
[ yq probably fucks for money, don't front. not that elmott's judging at all — you gotta do what you gotta do. and maybe yq needs to steal stuff too; this place isn't home no matter how fancy it tries to be with its technology and everything. elmott knows he'll never get used to this place. sometimes people just need to find ways to get back to their roots somehow.
but anyway, his tone softens from its deadpan. ]
Sorry, [ for lecturing. ] Old habit. [ he rubs his palm over his face briefly, setting down the staff from yan qing next to his lantern near the couch. ] Who's it for?
[Yan Qing finds himself chuckling before he can stop the sound in his throat. It's fine. He knows he's not the best person. He'll keep doing whatever feels right — that's just how he is. But if someone will fuss over him like this, it means they haven't given up on him yet.]
It's okay. [He settles back down on the couch, looking up at the ceiling as he lets himself sink into the cushions.] It's for someone important. I don't like owing anybody anything, but I dunno... Feels like nothing I do will ever match up. Not that she's bullying me or anything like that! It's just...
[Yan Qing is always boasting about being the best, the greatest, the most talented. Right now, Elmott doesn't see any of that.]
—Sorry! Got too real for a second there. Yeah, it's for a really good friend of mine. But uh, just forget it, you know? I'm worrying about this too much, hahahaha!
[ it's too loud to be natural — elmott clocks it before he even hears the first peal of laughter that yq forces out. he's quiet for a while as he reaches over to grab his cigarettes from the end table, taking his time to shake one out, cups his hands around the end to conjure up a flame to light it. he sinks back into the cushions next to yan qing and takes a deep drag, watching the smoke unfurl up towards the ceiling in a thick plume.
i don't like owing anybody anything.feels like nothing i do will ever match up. he gets it because it's the same things he'd said once, before djeeta found him, before he started teaching. just because he says it less now doesn't mean they don't linger at the back of his mind. but that's the thing about thoughts like that: they linger, festering like an old wound that's scabbed over that he can't help picking at sometimes. ]
You can get as real as you want. I don't mind.
[ elmott doesn't like to push unless he has to. yan qing isn't one of his students back in mysteria; it's not his place to do so. but he remembers what it's like to have someone reach out to him, even if he may not deserve it. ]
If you gave it to her, I think she'd understand. [ if she's really as close as he says they are — ] Even if you don't think she would. Even if you don't feel like it's enough.
[ there's a heavy exhale of smoke before he offers the pack to yan qing. ]
[ His lips part at Elmott's words, how easy it is for him to listen to a man he hasn't known for too long. Maybe that's why Yan Qing slipped. Maybe he felt that Elmott would listen, even if he didn't know it. And maybe Elmott is stupid for letting him in his home in the first place — one day, Yan Qing's sure he'll have to save him from the danger Elmott's type attracts. Nevertheless, part of him is thankful. He's never had a family, and friends are hard to come by, so opening up has never been his strong suit. But when he talks to Elmott like this, it feels like he's known him for a long time. ]
Sounds like something you're both good at.
[ Yan Qing takes a stick, uses his own lighter. Takes a drag just as deep. He exhales smoke along with the rest of his worries, certain they will linger long after this moment. It's not Elmott's job to heal him, Yan Qing knows. He's just glad someone's willing to give him their time.
...
But then he says shit like: ]
You sure you haven't had a girlfriend? I can hook you up.
Maybe. [ he can't say for certain about his friend, but— ] I teach, remember? It's part of my job.
[ family and friends are rare commodities, luxuries that few can afford. elmott doesn't remember his birth family, nor does he want to; he remembers living a lonely life out in the wilderness with nothing but the warmth of his flames to keep him company. it wasn't until he joined the crew that he remembered what it was like to care about people and things beyond himself, to let people in and allow them to care about him, too. it's funny, how things can change in such a short amount of time; even funnier still, is how he finds himself in this particular situation.
he hasn't lived for very long in the grand scheme of things. twenty one isn't very old at all, he isn't qualified to be giving advice about these things. but he's been on both ends of the spectrum now, knows what it's like to be the one to take the hand and to offer it, and maybe that's more important. he listened when others would not, reached out when others refused to, and sometimes that's really all it takes.
it got him to where he is now. maybe that counts for something. and maybe he should have expected yq to say shit like that too, but it startles a laugh out of him anyway. ]
Hell no, [ embarrassment tints his cheeks pink, wishing for the couch to swallow him whole. ] I ain't cut out for that stuff.
[ He laughs and it's genuine, teeth showing and eyes sparkling without the aura he seems to have around him, all mystery and danger. He wonders if Elmott ever saw him that way. Elmott seems like a down-to-earth sort of guy, so Yan Qing thinks he shouldn't expect too much. But if that's what keeps Elmott true to himself and the others around him, maybe Yan Qing should stick around and learn a thing or two. ]
Coulda charmed the pants off me.
[ He doesn't let his sidelong glance linger for too long, choosing to watch the wisps of smoke in the room and let them cloud his senses. Even being here feels like a dream. Not a lot of places make him think of home. ]
Trust me, you're a lot better than you think you are. Clean up and you're a total catch. [ Or maybe he's overstepping some boundaries again. He snorts. ] I'm just being honest. You don't gotta listen to me.
[ he clicks his tongue, a disgruntled expression on his face softened only by yan qing's more genuine laughter this time. he's always had a nice voice, but it's nicer when he's not fronting like he normally does. elmott can feel his eyes on him though, even if he doesn't let them linger, and he rubs his nose a little, leaning forward to tap his cigarette against the ashtray with an embarrassed shut up. ]
This is me cleaned up. [ friends (is that what they are now?) probably don't say this kind of stuff to each other and no matter how yan qing says he's just being honest, elmott can't find it in himself to really believe it. but that's less on yq and more his own issues. ] Look, I'm being honest too. People see me an' they cross the street, alright?
[ he closes his eyes and takes another long drag, a heavy exhale directed up above them. ]
This ain't about me. When're you gonna give it to your friend?
[He snorts and shakes his head in amusement. Elmott's got more reason to brag than Yan Qing does, he's sure. The humility is refreshing, though. Better than some guys who only have their pride going for them — guys like him. Elmott can't see how good he is now, but that only means Yan Qing has a reason to keep trying.]
Tomorrow. [His turn to tap his cigarette. As he reaches for the ashtray, his sleeve revealing more of the dragon scales tattooed around his arm. Elmott never seemed to care about it the way others do, so Yan Qing's not going to start.]
I think— I think she'll like it. It's cute. She's cute. She likes animals. I like animals. You know?
[Desperately trying not to sound like someone who's never had a steady girlfriend.]
[ yan qing sounds so unsure it's almost funny, and elmott doesn't bother to hide his chuckle at it. it's less derisive and more light ribbing than anything; yan qing's teased him enough by now that he thinks it's about time he gave him his due. ]
Sure. [ elmott's never had a steady girlfriend either, so. ] But hey, it's from you. She'd probably like it no matter what it was.
[ it's the thought that counts, or something like that. elmott's certain that the gift giving would go fine, but he figures a little nervousness is warranted. he remembers feeling that way whenever he had something to give to djeeta; it's not the same, but it's the closest he's got. ]
[ Elmott's laughing. Great. He's officially not the cool friend. But Elmott's smiling and reassuring him that everything will be okay, and if a cynical guy like Elmott can tell Yan Qing things like that with a straight face, then he can believe it too. At the very least, he wants to think he knows Pyra enough to make her happy, however temporarily. ]
Yeah... you're right. [ A pause, a deep breath. ] Thanks, haha.
[ But when he drags a hand down his face, it's for something completely different. ]
Fuck, I'm older than you. I should be the one dispensing life advice and waving a cane at the kids.
[ he's always cynical except when it comes to others. people are capable of growth and change and he wants to lift them up, let them see the potential they can achieve. it's one of the best things about teaching, he thinks, being able to watch his students grow and accomplish whatever they set their minds to. he may not have had that growing up, but being along for the ride is enough to make up for it.
what he doesn't always realize is that he's changing in the same ways. ]
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[ and okay, not all of them are brats — sandalphon and percival and vane are old enough, and also the only few actual adults from the crew not including himself. vane's likely the best at babysitting though, so maybe it was a good thing he went off with them and elmott stayed behind. anyway, if he'd left, this whole night wouldn't have happened so. maybe it's not so bad after all. ]
Dogs? [ he shrugs. ] Guess so. Depends on the girl, doesn't it? Don't some of them like cats, or somethin'.
[ he's squinting now. ]
Did you take a dog too?
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Relax, it's a robot! A real one's too much to spring on someone for a surprise. I don't wanna force that responsibility on anybody. [His smile falters. Even now, he wonders if he imposes too much on the people at Chaldea, Pyra... Everyone he's met here.] Uh, the robot doesn't just do flips or whatever, okay? It's pretty useful, too! It can play fetch and do my taxes! Not that I pay my taxes. Do we have to pay taxes?
no subject
[ yq probably fucks for money, don't front. not that elmott's judging at all — you gotta do what you gotta do. and maybe yq needs to steal stuff too; this place isn't home no matter how fancy it tries to be with its technology and everything. elmott knows he'll never get used to this place. sometimes people just need to find ways to get back to their roots somehow.
but anyway, his tone softens from its deadpan. ]
Sorry, [ for lecturing. ] Old habit. [ he rubs his palm over his face briefly, setting down the staff from yan qing next to his lantern near the couch. ] Who's it for?
1/2
It's okay. [He settles back down on the couch, looking up at the ceiling as he lets himself sink into the cushions.] It's for someone important. I don't like owing anybody anything, but I dunno... Feels like nothing I do will ever match up. Not that she's bullying me or anything like that! It's just...
[Yan Qing is always boasting about being the best, the greatest, the most talented. Right now, Elmott doesn't see any of that.]
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[ His laughter is far too loud to be natural... ]
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i don't like owing anybody anything. feels like nothing i do will ever match up. he gets it because it's the same things he'd said once, before djeeta found him, before he started teaching. just because he says it less now doesn't mean they don't linger at the back of his mind. but that's the thing about thoughts like that: they linger, festering like an old wound that's scabbed over that he can't help picking at sometimes. ]
You can get as real as you want. I don't mind.
[ elmott doesn't like to push unless he has to. yan qing isn't one of his students back in mysteria; it's not his place to do so. but he remembers what it's like to have someone reach out to him, even if he may not deserve it. ]
If you gave it to her, I think she'd understand. [ if she's really as close as he says they are — ] Even if you don't think she would. Even if you don't feel like it's enough.
[ there's a heavy exhale of smoke before he offers the pack to yan qing. ]
Some people are good at seeing past the bullshit.
no subject
Sounds like something you're both good at.
[ Yan Qing takes a stick, uses his own lighter. Takes a drag just as deep. He exhales smoke along with the rest of his worries, certain they will linger long after this moment. It's not Elmott's job to heal him, Yan Qing knows. He's just glad someone's willing to give him their time.
...
But then he says shit like: ]
You sure you haven't had a girlfriend? I can hook you up.
no subject
[ family and friends are rare commodities, luxuries that few can afford. elmott doesn't remember his birth family, nor does he want to; he remembers living a lonely life out in the wilderness with nothing but the warmth of his flames to keep him company. it wasn't until he joined the crew that he remembered what it was like to care about people and things beyond himself, to let people in and allow them to care about him, too. it's funny, how things can change in such a short amount of time; even funnier still, is how he finds himself in this particular situation.
he hasn't lived for very long in the grand scheme of things. twenty one isn't very old at all, he isn't qualified to be giving advice about these things. but he's been on both ends of the spectrum now, knows what it's like to be the one to take the hand and to offer it, and maybe that's more important. he listened when others would not, reached out when others refused to, and sometimes that's really all it takes.
it got him to where he is now. maybe that counts for something. and maybe he should have expected yq to say shit like that too, but it startles a laugh out of him anyway. ]
Hell no, [ embarrassment tints his cheeks pink, wishing for the couch to swallow him whole. ] I ain't cut out for that stuff.
no subject
Coulda charmed the pants off me.
[ He doesn't let his sidelong glance linger for too long, choosing to watch the wisps of smoke in the room and let them cloud his senses. Even being here feels like a dream. Not a lot of places make him think of home. ]
Trust me, you're a lot better than you think you are. Clean up and you're a total catch. [ Or maybe he's overstepping some boundaries again. He snorts. ] I'm just being honest. You don't gotta listen to me.
no subject
This is me cleaned up. [ friends (is that what they are now?) probably don't say this kind of stuff to each other and no matter how yan qing says he's just being honest, elmott can't find it in himself to really believe it. but that's less on yq and more his own issues. ] Look, I'm being honest too. People see me an' they cross the street, alright?
[ he closes his eyes and takes another long drag, a heavy exhale directed up above them. ]
This ain't about me. When're you gonna give it to your friend?
messes with the timeline, I don't give a fuck
Tomorrow. [His turn to tap his cigarette. As he reaches for the ashtray, his sleeve revealing more of the dragon scales tattooed around his arm. Elmott never seemed to care about it the way others do, so Yan Qing's not going to start.]
I think— I think she'll like it. It's cute. She's cute. She likes animals. I like animals. You know?
[Desperately trying not to sound like someone who's never had a steady girlfriend.]
hell yeah
Sure. [ elmott's never had a steady girlfriend either, so. ] But hey, it's from you. She'd probably like it no matter what it was.
[ it's the thought that counts, or something like that. elmott's certain that the gift giving would go fine, but he figures a little nervousness is warranted. he remembers feeling that way whenever he had something to give to djeeta; it's not the same, but it's the closest he's got. ]
So don't stress out over it.
no subject
Yeah... you're right. [ A pause, a deep breath. ] Thanks, haha.
[ But when he drags a hand down his face, it's for something completely different. ]
Fuck, I'm older than you. I should be the one dispensing life advice and waving a cane at the kids.
no subject
what he doesn't always realize is that he's changing in the same ways. ]
Maybe start actin' like it, then.