[ And he's just going to stand up to finish off his cigarette, dispose of it at the nearest bin and light up another as he comes back to take his place beside his sister again.
Quietly smoking now. Because he doesn't want to read too much into that silence. Not just yet. ]
Tossing Cindy a Look that starts out amused before it just mabages to slide towards a little helpless -- the good kind.
Looking down at his hands now. ]
He's... [ remembering the way they'd been that morning, the hours before, that exchange at Relik and Hyve before that. ] He's one of my best friends, Cinds.
[Seeing him like that and hearing him say those words is oddly reassuring. If anyone else had told her that they were gunning for the Blade King (with the possible exception of Inquisitor Aria Skye, because yes, Cindy is aware of the history between those two), Cindy would have been incredibly cynical.
That, and this is her brother. Joshua Lee Brennan never does things half-baked, especially if they pertain to human relationships.]
You certainly appeared to be one of his, for a while.
[Yeah, she keeps close tabs on the people who matter. She's also very observant.]
[ He knows you like he knows himself, Cindy. That is something he is happy hasn't changed -- at least the core of it. You're still the kid he helped raise, the little girl who kept him on his toes, who served as his anchor to all things good.
Smiling now, and reaching over to tweak his little sister's nose. ] Ask.
And yes. I am. [ There's a shy look as he smiles. He's clearly thinking of that one. ] He does.
[ He is not even going to acknowledge that statement with an answer and is going to attempt to steer the conversation elsewhere. ]
Are you going to start making me regret never censoring your reading material, young lady? [ Because seriously, there has got to be a line that a body doesn't cross where it concerns stuff like this. At least where it concerns family. ]
Hey. [ Looking back now though, all seriousness. ] Let me figure out how to tell Dad first, okay?
[ It's not a matter of his father taking issue with him falling for another guy, because that kind of thing was never an issue in their family. ]
[ This, among other reasons, is why he loves you. Very much.
Laughing now, even as he bites his lower lip. ]
After a fashion.
[ With his mouth. Before they were interrupted.
A sober look crosses his face though. ] I'd never seen him so thrown. Or torn. It was like he was so convinced that... [ Shaking his head now. ] I get it though.
[A light shrug, like it's no big deal at all that her brother's apparently dating the Wolf of Zangyaku, and - if she's going to take his word for it - said Wolf of Zangyaku is rather taken with him.]
It's always a work in progress, right? Relationships.
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Excuse your sister, Joshua Brennan, as she turns away and just. Stares out towards nowhere, looking utterly shell-shocked.
This is a bit of a surprise. Just a bit.]
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Quietly smoking now. Because he doesn't want to read too much into that silence. Not just yet. ]
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Well.
[Um. Turning to give you a funny sort of smile?]
You always did aim really high, bro.
[And Hikaru Shinta, Blade King of fucking Zangyaku, is probably the highest target in the Fifth World.]
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Tossing Cindy a Look that starts out amused before it just mabages to slide towards a little helpless -- the good kind.
Looking down at his hands now. ]
He's... [ remembering the way they'd been that morning, the hours before, that exchange at Relik and Hyve before that. ] He's one of my best friends, Cinds.
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That, and this is her brother. Joshua Lee Brennan never does things half-baked, especially if they pertain to human relationships.]
You certainly appeared to be one of his, for a while.
[Yeah, she keeps close tabs on the people who matter. She's also very observant.]
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Yeah. [ A shrug. ]
And then he ran. Or was trying to, until I cornered him.
[ A pause and smile. ] Figuratively speaking.
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-- then again, given the premise that they were both starting on, it was starting to make more and more sense? Huh.]
Well, if this really makes you happy, then...?
[Turning to him with a smile, and a querying look.]
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Smiling now, and reaching over to tweak his little sister's nose. ] Ask.
And yes. I am. [ There's a shy look as he smiles. He's clearly thinking of that one. ] He does.
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[She's trying very hard not to smile too much. You know her, ah, preferences as an anime, manga and video games fan. Don't you?]
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Sis, really?
[ Thank God it's dim, because Josh can feel the beginnings of a flush creeping up the back of his neck. ]
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[It's terrible, but... her brother and the Blade King? That's. Well. Kind of hot?]
famous last words, josh
And a twitch from one eyebrow before he's turning away to light up another cigarette. ]
I'm never going to bring him to the house while you're around.
LOL
[Have some Mock Seriousness, Joshua Lee, because your little sister is having way too much fun at your expense.]
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Are you going to start making me regret never censoring your reading material, young lady? [ Because seriously, there has got to be a line that a body doesn't cross where it concerns stuff like this. At least where it concerns family. ]
Hey. [ Looking back now though, all seriousness. ] Let me figure out how to tell Dad first, okay?
[ It's not a matter of his father taking issue with him falling for another guy, because that kind of thing was never an issue in their family. ]
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If you need help...?
[She's got your back.]
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After that though: ] I swear to God, this blind-sided me.
[ Yes. Honesty Hour with the Brennans. ]
I was the last to know.
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Then, in an attempt to make you feel a bit better:]
If it helps, you're not REALLY the last? I mean, I just found out now from some common friend who's just too happy to share the news.
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I'm just glad I caught him before he ran.
[ He pulls back at that. ] He said i deserved better. That I could have better.
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... :\]
Did you smack him for it?
[She sure hopes you did.
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Laughing now, even as he bites his lower lip. ]
After a fashion.
[ With his mouth. Before they were interrupted.
A sober look crosses his face though. ] I'd never seen him so thrown. Or torn. It was like he was so convinced that... [ Shaking his head now. ] I get it though.
Things have been hard.
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[A light shrug, like it's no big deal at all that her brother's apparently dating the Wolf of Zangyaku, and - if she's going to take his word for it - said Wolf of Zangyaku is rather taken with him.]
It's always a work in progress, right? Relationships.
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[ Fiddling with his lighter now. ]
So... you're okay with this, right?
Because it matters. To the both of us, that you are.
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[Why wouldn't she be? o_o]
Do let him know, though, that I reserve the right to punch him if he screws up with you.
[Protective little sister is protective...]
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I think he's afraid of that.
[ That's said quietly. ]
Screwing up.
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[That is her opinion, anyway, but she has a lot of proof for it.]
And if he's just a little more afraid than he should be... [Looking up at you now, all earnest.] It's a good thing he fell in love with you.
[You do, after all, have a way with people.]
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