ic contact;

[coexistent]

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

Comments

[coexistent]

[he listens pretty intently at her words...

and they resonate with him somewhat strangely. that... that's familiar to him. the idea of those feelings, the idea of a friend that is so important to him that he can't find the words for it—that he knows it's not a "best friend," but still some special.

someone he wants to be happy, someone who makes him sad when they're not happy. someone who makes him smile because they're smiling. the ache in his chest, and the lack of understanding. the thumping in his chest when that person is smiling...

his hand almost instinctively clutches his chest, just over his heart, and he draws in a quiet breath.]

That's... what it feels like?

[because...

when he thinks about mary, all of those things happen.]

[immobileyes]

Yeah... [ And Mary all but wheezes that out, as though she's just run some kind of marathon. An exhausting, talk-about-crushes-with-your-crush-without-outing-yourself marathon. ]

At least, to me. And Hiro said it was like that for him. I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but...

[ Maybe it is. She honestly doesn't know. All she knows is that she somehow managed to explain it, and Roxas looks more pensive than confused, so maybe he finally understands? ]

[coexistent]

[he's not looking up at her yet, because... he's still thinking about it. all of those feelings, they're... what he connects with her. does that mean—]

I believe you. If you Hiro both say it's true... I believe you.

[he doesn't think they would lie about that. especially not when he can feel those things too. his gaze meets mary for a second, and because he's thinking about what everything means... his cheeks start to flush just a little and he shifts his gaze away.

a crush... on mary?

could that really be what this is?]

[immobileyes]

[ As he shifts his gaze away, Mary's grows lightly puzzled. Between the two of them, she tends to turn pink way more often, and so to see the slightest bit of color in his face-- she doesn't even pause to consider that it might be due to the topic at hand. Is he feeling sick? Had she made him uncomfortable? ]

Roxas? [ she'll just ask then, tentatively. ] Are you okay?

[coexistent]

I...

[he doesn't know what to say, or how to say it, either.]

Yeah, I'm okay. [is he, though?]

[immobileyes]

... Did I make it sound too weird again?

[ Maybe he hadn't understood. ]

[coexistent]

No... that's not it.

[it's actually the exact opposite of that, mary.]

I get it.

[immobileyes]

W-wait, really??

[ She brightens first-- and then there's a smaller part that wonders if he gets it, because he's felt that, and an even smaller part whispers oh forlornly, because of course it'd be like that, he's amazing, someone must have realized that too. ]

... That's great, Roxas!

[ But she smiles anyway. ]

[coexistent]

Ye... yeah.

[this is awkward. she's smiling and he can feel that pounding in his chest again.

what is he supposed to do? he can't? should he tell her?]

[immobileyes]

[ ... this is so awkward, and Mary eventually just-- softly clears her throat, because thinking about this is getting increasingly painful.

Crushes suck. ]

Um... I think I'm ready to keep going.

[coexistent]

[yeah, maybe that's for the better... even if it's not for the same reason mary thinks.]

Oh... yeah, right. Sorry.

[immobileyes]

You don't have to apologize! That was just enough time for a good [ hella awkward ] break.

[coexistent]

Right... then let's practice a little bit longer before we stop for the day.

[that's what they should do, right?]

[immobileyes]

Yeah! I won't hold back...!!

[ With this... foam... weapon... ]

[coexistent]

Right!

[he'll pick up his bat and hold it in his normal defensive stance for her to attack with, at least.]

[immobileyes]

[ ... It's still not very impressive when she goes in for a swing, but hey. At least this time the bat didn't go sailing out of her grip this time. ]

[coexistent]

[it's improvement, and roxas notices that, so he'll give her an encouraging smile. she can keep hitting, he'll hold steady while she tries to figure this part out in a way that works best for her.]

when you realize that sentence was hella redundant

[immobileyes]

[ She's definitely learning, even if it's not as fast as she'd like. Roxas is patient with her, which is really all she can ask for, but after a few minutes-- Mary huffs under her breath. ]

I can't break your guard... is that what it's called?

was it... i don't notice things apparently

[coexistent]

Yeah, that's what it's called.

[he's still encouraging, at least.] It'll be easier once you get used to swinging. It's about... a balance between how hard you hit and how fast you swing. I think that's the best way to explain it.

mine was, lord

[immobileyes]

...

So I have to hit as hard and fast as I can?

[ He didn't say that, Mary. ]

i didn't notice, it's fine

[coexistent]

No... not exactly. It's more like, you need know when to hit really hard and when to hit really fast.

[kind... of. a teacher, he is not.]

[immobileyes]

Um... how do I know?

[ SHE HAS NO IDEA. Does the opponent give signals?? ]

[coexistent]

Here... just try it. Hit a little harder, and a little faster.

[he'll demonstrate, even if it's going to probably be a bit forced.]

[immobileyes]

O-okay...

[ She'll just trickle some additional strength into her next swing. Not that it's much, but it's a little more at least. ]

[coexistent]

Okay, good. Now, try to do that three or four times without stopping.

[he thinks she can handle that much.]