ic contact;

[coexistent]

"I'm not around, so... leave a message, I guess."

Comments

[coexistent]

For Hiro?

[he didn't event consider that. it's not a bad thing, even if he's hoping that it doesn't mean he has to try and teach two people. one is going to be difficult enough.

but it's hiro, and he's their friend. so leaving him out is not an option, especially if it's something mary wants to do.]

We could do that. I don't know if he'll want to... but it sounds like a good idea.

[immobileyes]

[ To be fair, Hiro would probably pick things up faster... Mary is likely going to be the problem student, sorry Roxas. ]

If not, then we'll have an extra bat, so it'll be okay.

[ SOMEHOW... but she's definitely taken to the idea, as she heads inside. ]

[coexistent]

[she may end up being the problem student, but roxas is still going to be the problem teacher. he's not meant to be a sensei, okay.]

It could always be a backup... in case we lose it or something. [can they even do that? who knows.]

[immobileyes]

... I hope we don't, if they cost a lot, but I'll try to be careful.

[coexistent]

I guess we won't know how much it costs unless we... try to buy them, huh.

[instead of standing outside the store like two clueless puppies.]

[immobileyes]

Then let's go!

[ ... By which I mean Mary will go in, someone will say hello, and she'll instantly duck behind Roxas. ]

[coexistent]

[at least roxas is prepared for that. not that roxas really knows what to do with a three-headed alien with a different sports helmet on each head...

but whatever, it's fine. he'll just ask where the bats in the window are and get a kind point in the right direction. this isn't so hard at all...

look at roxas, getting slightly better at interacting with people.]

[immobileyes]

[ He's doing so well, and Mary ought to learn more from him, but for now... awkward shuffling behind him. One day... one day she'll be better. ]

[coexistent]

[this is fine, he'll just lead mary to where the employee pointed. past the wooden bats, the aluminum bats, the wiffle bats, the nail bats (wait, why are those here?) and on to the foam bats.

which, fortunately, are pretty cheap.

he'll pick one up and hand it to mary with a smile.]

They're pretty light!

[immobileyes]

...! [ That's way lighter than she was expecting, honestly. ]

I don't think this would hurt my arms at all! [ Unlike the... nail bat. ]

[coexistent]

It's perfect for practicing then, right?

[this seems like they've come up with a good plan... somehow.]

[immobileyes]

Mm, definitely! This was a good idea, Roxas.

[ GOOD JOB. Mary's definitely excited to give this baby a whirl.

... Not against giant monsters yet, thankfully. ]

[coexistent]

[hopefully not ever against giant monsters, honestly.]

I guess we'll see when we actually start but... I think it'll be okay.

[immobileyes]

[ Mary could totally take them on.

Except no, not really, but it would probably be a fairly hilarious sight. ]

Yeah... um, I should have enough to buy them.

[ Since she was the one who brought it up. ]

[coexistent]

We can always split it. I'm gonna be using it too...

[besides, they split things enough anyway, living in the same apartment. it's not all that much of a big deal to roxas.]

[immobileyes]

... If that's okay with you? [ Look, she's not chivalrous enough to argue the point. ]

[coexistent]

I don't mind... it makes more sense, doesn't it?

[immobileyes]

I guess so... then let's take them up.

[ Pictured: a tiny medusa holding three foam bats shyly sticking close to a blond kid. ]

[coexistent]

...You don't have to hold them all, you know.

[also pictured: blonde kid trying to help the tiny medusa.]

[immobileyes]

But I'm doing okay!

[ She hasn't dropped one yet, so isn't that impressive?? ]

[coexistent]

I could at least hold what I'm going to pay for, right?

[that seems fair... he won't try to take away from her small victories, okay.]

[immobileyes]

Yep, you can.

After I get them on the counter.

[ THIS IS A FORM OF ARM STRENGTH. ]

[coexistent]

You really wanna carry them, huh...

[it's kind of hard for him to argue, in that case.]

[immobileyes]

Of course I do!

[ She has to show Roxas she's tough-- it makes sense in her mind. ]

[coexistent]

[he literally doesn't even care if she's tough, though.]

Then... I guess I can't stop you.