video; un: d.larusso

[miyagimagic]

[ Though the video feed may be started with Daniel’s username, it seems like the man isn’t the only person visible when the message starts. Robby is right there next to him, the man with a friendly smile on his face and the boy smiling, though not as brightly. ]

Hello, everyone! As I’m sure many of you have experienced yourself, suddenly arriving in this place on the train can be more than a little disorienting. And though many people here are incredibly kind and willing to help, Robby and I thought that it would also be nice to have a place where new people can be directed to in order to get some information, a warm welcome, and some equally warm food. So we’re planning on clearing out a space somewhere near the main train station to turn it into a welcome diner of sorts.

We know people are arranging clubs and have regular meet-ups, [ speaks up Robby this time, ] so we thought they'd be a good place to advertise them. Let them know who's running clinics, who to ask about the kiosk or the city. Share what's happened here, too.

[ There's the faintest shift in Robby's tone at the mention of that, but he quickly adds: ] Oh, yeah, and we know there's been talk about how supplies are doing. The food's gonna be packaged and good to take out if people want it–if you wanna help with recipes, or help out with the idea in general, let us know.

[ Daniel is definitely smiling like a proud dad sensei the entire time he’s listening to the boy speak. Please don’t mind a man being very embarrassing, even ruffling his hair once Robby is done speaking. The highest form of humiliation a teenager can suffer. ]

Really, Robby deserves all the credit. He really does always have the best ideas. Everyone, make sure to befriend him, alright?

[ There's a very teenage huff from behind Robby, and the video feed is moving as: ] Okay, I think we're done.

[ Yes, that's Robby reaching for the phone to end the post. Freedom!!!! ]

Comments

[strongroots]

[ She definitely looks better from the outside at least, when you can't see her shirt clinging to her. She still has to put up that herself, but know what she also has to put up with?

Robby, raising an eyebrow at her. ]

You know you can just take me out like a normal person without the life-threatening angle, don't you?

[ He's not serious, but also, please, Tsuruno. ]

[fanstheflames]

[ Don't do this to Tsuruno, this is worse than yelling at her, because she can at least process one of those things.

As it is, she has to take a few seconds to ponder what that statement even means, and Robby will be able to tell the precise second she Gets It, because she goes from looking mildly perplexed to her face flushing pink and her voice escalating to incredulous and flustered squeak.

Someone also completely missed the fact that he's teasing. ]

I--! It's not about taking you out!! S-saving your life is completely different from spending time with you just because I really like doing that!!

[strongroots]

[ A person's reaction can say a lot about them. If Robby's words had gone over their head, or they had seen the funny find of it...

....and then there's Tsuruno's reaction, which. Oh.

Oh. Yeah, sorry, Tsuruno, but Robby is now grinning. ]

It is? [ Hmm, Robby needs the pointing finger out for this. ] So you don't wanna sweep my feet off as a friend, but as something else? But it really sounds like you wanna sweep me off my feet in a special way...

[ Look, none of what he's saying actually has to make sense.

Just let Tsuruno hear these words and reach her own conclusions. ]

[fanstheflames]

[ This is outright bullying and poor Tsuruno is turning even redder, because she is not equipped to handle any of this. This is not the kind of teasing she's used to and the look she shoots Robby now is both petulant and exasperated. ]

You--you knew exactly what I meant! And you know it's not like that, I'd just--

[ Hnnngh. ]

You're lucky I'm not trying to sweep you specially, you wouldn't be able to handle me!!

[ Honey. Honey, that's not how you win this. ]

[strongroots]

[ He's grinning from ear to ear now, trying to contain this amusement he's being so easily supplied. But those last words? Robby's looking at her with something that first hits with surprise, and then curiosity when he looks away, to make sure he doesn't walk into anything.

Robby needs a second or two to think, see. Where this stops being a complete joke, but that doesn't mean this needs to be deathly serious, either.

But eventually, he does look back at her. ]

We can always find out, if you want. But I think you're the one who needs to figure out what she can handle.

[ Considering Tsuruno looks like she's about to experience a volcanic eruption... ]

[fanstheflames]

[ He's not wrong. She's having a full day of Experiences. And she's a little overwhelmed, honestly, and definitely looks like it, on top of sheer surprise.

At least he's no longer grinning (which is fine on its own, but they both know it was entirely at her expense). Still, the considering look he gives her is almost worse because Tsuruno doesn't know how to process that either. Is that a challenge? Encouragement? Why would he be--

She forces herself to take a deep breath before she makes herself dizzy from her own thoughts, momentarily burying her face in her palms. Okay. Breathe. ]

You're the one who needs to stop picking on cute girls...

[ It's a quiet mutter, but oh. Look. Her apartment building. FREEDOM. ]

Anyway--!! I'll get this back to you once I clean it, thanks for the shirt and not letting me drown and yelling at me I guess, see you later!!

[ She's. Bolting. There's no other way to describe what she's doing right now except for "fleeing". ]

[strongroots]

[ Wow.

That's one way to describe all this: wow. From how they got here, where they ended up, and even just the way Tsuruno leaves the situation: rushing off with even a rushed parting. Robby just stands where he's been left, hands in his pockets, trying to take it all in, process....

...

He'll consider being nicer to her, the next time he sees her. Maybe. She's probably going to need it, right?

(But maybe she can do with a harmless date too, if this is how she acts at the mere suggestion of one.) ]