familyproblem | Ryslig inbox

[...Fascinating. Leo is talking about this in terms of being friendly, but what he's describing is, like...power.

What Gladion considers the key element here hasn't come up yet, though. His brow furrows a little.]

Is "having enough leverage to keep them from complaining" the same thing as actually being friendly with both of them?

[To Leo, it isn't really power, as much as everyone just kind of getting along generally. And being fine with backstabbing.]

I guess? I mean, they complain plenty. Mostly Drax. [He shrugs casually.] Drax is more settled into human society, dealing with working as a lunch lady, yadda yadda. Donnie and I don't like Drax much, but we're nice to him, he's nice enough to us.

Big Mama mostly complains about Pops not coming back to fight as her champion, but, thats their own thing. I'm not getting involved in that. Big Mama will deffo betray us at some point, but, we'll beat her, easy enough.

[Chin in hand, he sort of mouths "lunch lady..." after that's said, but. Okay. Yeah, sure, that's life.]

But you haven't been...forced to pick one of them. It's a situation where your alliance with one doesn't have to mean anything to the other. [Or...? No?]

[One day, Gladion will understand the majesty of lunch ladys, who happen to be alchemist goats.]

When things get really dire, they kinda just pick us. We always pick both of them if we can. Really depends on the situation. [He mulls the thought over, trying to think of an example.]

Big Mama unleashed the Shredder on New York, tried to take it over to turn it into a battle nexus, yadda, yadda, she was betrayed by her own guy, its a long story- but when push came to shove she wanted to come with us.

[taking mental notes.]

Do you have a plan for what happens when that's not the case? [His gaze flicks to Silvally for a moment. (It is a mutual eyeflick.)] There's going to be cases where being friendly with one monster is a dealbreaker for another. Or where being wishy-washy loses you someone else's trust.

Edited 2023-03-02 04:17 (UTC)

[He scrunches his snout vaguely. He is thinking it over at least.]

For here, honestly gonna be a long game of watching and waiting. Seeing who knows who and playing my hand carefully. [He says this whilst getting crumbs on his plastron. He makes a face at the feeling. Being a spider means he's intensely meticulous.] Its about having a strategy that's flexible.

I already realistically know I can't be everyone's bffsie, but I can at least get myself known and build a circle. Make sure my brother, and Bucky are safe.

[He picks off the crumbs carefully.] And y'know, I wanna actually make friends with people.

Edited 2023-03-02 05:00 (UTC)

[If Gladion wasn't a weenie, he might indicate that he is, perhaps, talking about himself a little. That, maybe, he's taking this as a reminder to not muddle up respect and trust, or even different kinds of trust; because it's a fact of life that you can be someone's fifth or sixth priority, which still might be better than nothing. Leonardo is smart, perceptive, and well-meaning, but likely to be spread too thin to rely on, unless their households were to depend on each other as whole units. And he - like Gladion, to be perfectly fair - may not have fully come to grips yet with what conflict is worth in this world.

....This turtle is dropping crumbs on his floooooooor, sigh.

He can pretend he does not see it, and instead give Leo a nod...of approval? Of acknowledgment? Of something. It sure is a deliberate nod.]

It's a worthwhile goal to have.

[Is that the closest to an outright compliment he's gotten? Genuinely I have not been keeping track]

[If this was not Gladion's floor, Leo would just stick the crumbs to himself, #teenage boy. Mild decorum and Cool Dog keeps him from acting on his worst impulses.

The compliment does make Leo grin a little, He Saw That.]

I'll see where I get with it. Right now, I'm just Chillin'. Figuring out what I wanna be.

Starting with real friends, and seeing how that goes before I do anything particularly bigger. [The grin turns into a smaller smile, something a little quieter and gentle before its gone as he shoves food in his mouth.

Friendship Declared.]

[Cool Dog lifts its head and eyes the two of them in turn, for a moment, then puts its chin back down on the arm of the couch and closes both of its eyes.

Gladion continues to chew on that, attention rising for a moment in the middle there as well to meet Dog's.

Hm, he says. Hell of a choice of "real friend" - who barely talks to him, who hasn't told him much of anything about himself. But maybe that's just what Leo expects from a friendship. Or, from Gladion's friendship.

Which...well, hey. Rather this without pretense than empty promises. Gladion's expression stays solemn and resolute.

Figuring out what I want to be, though, that rings relatable.]

That's a never-ending project. [He glances back at his tailoring. What can he even say about all that? And that's just about the least heavy of all the...monster topics.

Back at Leo...and thoughts jump from clothes to appearance to, ah.]

How's arachne?

[If either of them communicated properly, there would certainly be less confusion. The solemn look to Gladion's expression isn't quite what Leo expected. It actually makes him hesitate a little.

He did try to make a promise to Gladion he'd be less... in the other teenager's face. More open in general, opposed to the easier option of being abrasive Faceman. He's openly now a little self-conscious. ] Sorry, is- uh, the friend thing too much? I just thought, you know...

[The safer topic is within reach, he's gonna just tentatively grab onto that to give them both an out.] Spider-y. Having an exo-skeleton is weird, but means its harder to really get a good bite on me. My brother has tried.

[His ears flick back in...confusion is a bit strong of a word. But yeah, maybe it's confusion, mild and muted. Leo's obvious nervousness puts him a little off-center - sure, this is Leo holding back again, but there's something else about this that feels important enough to frustrate that he can't...quite pick it out by name?

(It's the sense that Leo genuinely wants his approval. Gladion can identify what having the power to disappoint or inconvenience or intimidate someone looks like. Feeling that someone wants to get in closer like this is almost completely unfamiliar.)]

It's not. [As in, not too much. Although that thought, oh so this just doesn't mean much, is wobbling wildly now with doubt. Then...what? He feels pinched in some kind of contradiction. And reluctant to be harsh in trying to sort it out - and, really, he can be better by now than to turn his own uncertainties into accusations - but also not keen on trying to lie and say it's nothing when obviously Leo has seen something in his face.

Augh! This is stupid and awkward!!! Gladion has glanced away for a second, or perhaps two or three, resisting the siren song of his own stupid distraction bait until it's been just a little too long to back out of Saying Something. His small, pensive frown persists, becoming more pensive without becoming more frowny. There's seriousness in his face as always, but not...severity.

"I'm not sure why you consider me 'real friend' material" (insecure, ew) -> "You're not very selective huh" (this is an insult. behave) -> "Your lack of standards for your 'real friends' worries me" (noble but uncool) -> ???? ]

It just feels more like I should be asking you that.

[yay.]

[The longer the silence goes on, the more awkward Leo feels. He sinks into his chair wonder if he's like make things weird.

Well, yeah, of course he has, duh.

Maybe Gladion really just kind of tolerates him after all. Wouldn't be a surprise, really. Outside of his brothers who really wants to hang out with him? If there is one thing Ryslig has taught him, its the fact he's kind of irritating to people. He's not really a hero, or a cool ninja. He's just kinda here.

No magic, just one of his brothers, and apparently he's dead in the future.

Things are complicated and weird. Leo never wanted any of that.

He fiddles on the wrapper of his snack, sticking and unsticking his claws to it. Then Gladion speaks and its a genuine relief that takes some of the tension out of Leo completely for a solid moment. He brightens briefly before its snuffed out again as Gladion continues.]

...Huh-? Why?

[How can he...elaborate...

There is not a graceful way to elaborate.

Gladion is trying to remain as stoic as ever, but his gaze darts once. Or twice.]

You don't expect more from your real friends?

[Someone unobservant might take this, terse as it is, as a judgment. But while he keeps his voice stern, there's a sharp edge missing from it.]

[Uh-Oh, called out. He is also avoiding meeting Gladion's gaze for a long moment.]

Well, to be honest.

I've never had friends who weren't my siblings? [April counts as his sister forever and ever, thank you.] I've always just made it up as I went along.

[Well.

Um.

He does remember what sounded a lot like a lifetime of isolation, on the basis of not (quite?) being welcome in human society. And this bustling family of his, in the meantime, which kept any of it from sounding relatable at all.

So this isn't, exactly, new information. But. He doesn't know, it hits a little different right now, and (Silvally please stop staring at him) suddenly he feels a lot more and a lot less escapably awkward about it!]

...Sure, that makes two of us, [if Leo acts surprised about this then Gladion may have to bite HE KNOWS HE'S NOT SUBTLE] but, still? You're hardly pressed for options.

[He's stern and cool and unaffected!

(A mumble is creeping up into his voice. Might Gladion be...perhaps....embarrassed??)]

Oh, same hat I guess. [Have some slang, poke-grandpa. Leo laughs a little nervously, on the verge of shoving the food wrapper into his mouth to silence himself.

This is so awkward, ohmigosh.]

I mean, I picked you though? Like... if I wanted to, I could've left you alone after the fight we had. I still picked you?

[He pauses with another nervous kind of laugh.] Sorry, that's weird isn't it-?

[????????]

It's not. [In a reprise of how he said that like thirty seconds ago! Stop That. Calm Down. (He'll take his own advice EVENTUALLY.)

And, you know what, this is awkward enough that Silvally can't just lie here pretending not to be paying attention anymore. Dog intervention! It rolls off the couch with a slightly alarming thump and wanders over to loaf up on the floor, not quite between the two but close enough. Forming a bit of a triangle. Hello fellow weirdos are we feeling strange today? It chirps and yawns.

...Thanks, buddy.]

Alright, [Gladion sort of sighs, because what else is he gonna do? Ask but why the hell did you do that? like some kind of nerd baby?? No! He's gonna cope with reality! Leonardo, for some unfathomable reason, actually wants to have something here! Okay! Fact established!

Man, what.

Mired in awkward, failing to take that anywhere, crossing his arms so he can pretend he's not COMPLETELY at a loss as to what to do with this information:] Alright.

[Silvally is scooting slowly and subtly towards Leo.]

Uh, alright. Cool, we're friends.

[What is he supposed to say to that kind of reaction? Leo has absolutely no idea. He will assume this is good? Hopefully?

Oh shit, its Cool Dog. Play it cool for Cool Dog. He briefly looks at Silvally, wiggling his fingers in greeting.

The two sit in silence for what feels like a long time, Leo not sure what to say.

He flicks his attention back to Gladion. Time to change the topic! Cake!]

Uh. I wasn't... sure what flavor you liked for cake. So I kinda got basic bitch chocolate. I didn't know what your Cool Dog looked like either, so I kinda drew a normal dog and trains? Well, icinged it? Iced it? Dunno how you say that.

[This is...yeah, good, he guesses? Even more awkward coming off of the active thought of he's going to run into Mother before too long, then, and then things will get difficult, which is still this big, looming uncrossed bridge.

But. Uh.

....YEAH, UH, CAKE]

I'm not picky. Neither is Emmet, as long as it's sweet. And Ingo doesn't usually go for modern, processed stuff, but he usually makes exceptions for gifts. [That wasn't exactly the question. But it does give him some time to consider the cake again, dredge back up his original questions, and apply the new information to answer some of them. That's, uh. That's a lot of effort actually? He blinks in the cake's direction, kind of fighting the urge to pull back under a veneer of grouchy stoicism, even though success just leaves him stranded in a sort of wasteland of awkwardness instead of pulling back a curtain to reveal a Relaxed Gladion.] And, uh. This is for...

[What...occasion? Just a spontaneous congrats on the dog thing? He still thinks something Ingo did is a way more likely cause.]

Okay, cool, cool, cool- I am glad. I didn't wanna like get the wrongest flavor ever. [The reassurance has Leo buoyed back to something closer to his normal level of comfort and confidence.] Maybe next time I can get a more... fruit-y cake that'd Ingo would be more into.

You know, cake reasons. I know you guys moved, and I just wanted to get you a cake? Also, see your Cool Dog.

And you know, hang out reasons.

[So many reasons!!]

Edited 2023-03-05 19:43 (UTC)

[Next time????????

actually hang on-]

If you really want to do something he'd like, bring a recipe and ingredients. Or ask him to show you something he knows how to make. He likes teaching...and learning. [Although now that he's said that, he feels a little twinge of...jealousy? Maybe?? Which is stupid, be mature.

Silvally has scooted closer...and closer....close enough to sit up a little and rest one big foreclaw on the arm of Leo's chair.......

(Gladion is furiously spinning mental gears about what Hanging Out activities he can offer this turtle.)]

Ohoho- now that is a good idea. [Leo mimes taking notes with his clawed hand.] I'll shoot him a message later and see what his sched is like.

[Leo has noticed Cool Dog's approach. He is trying to not stare at Cool Dog.] Figure next time we can play basketball or something, you know? Or skateboard? Do you like skateboarding? Man, what if we taught Cool Dog how to skateboard?

Mm...not really, [he says, instead of volunteering that well he's never tried it. That's Max's thing, he can't steal Max's thing, also (more excuses)...

There is

a second

foreclaw on the chair.

Helloooooo it's staring at your arms Leo. Don't mind it it just wants to have a look.]

So, we're definitely playing b-ball or skating then. I can find you a cool board with skulls on it. [Gladion has not said no, he has signed himself up for it.

Leo gazes at Cool Dog, arching an eye ridge to some degree.

He offers out a spikey arm to be sniffed. Maybe gnawed on. Leo never knows with animals. Mayhem, April's own weird dog thingy could do either on a whim.]

[wait what (browfurrow)] Shouldn't I at least check to see if I'm any good at it before you "get me" anything...

[Ohoho yes Silvally will gently tap its beak on that thank you. And perhaps. If that is well received...perhaps chew on it a little. Gently. Click click click it makes such a satisfying click against its upper jaw...]

Ryslig inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)