Halloween II, for Ilsa and Nall.

[velesdonnersen]

[Tarvek has been busy-busy-busy making costumes.  He's got one for Ilsa, a beautiful knight's armor, weapons and accessories for Nall, and he's working on his own costume, chuckling over the details.]

[The house is now occupied once more by drones and Tarvek, and he's taken advantage to convert every bit of space he can reasonably ransack to his work, but the main costume shop is in the garage.  He's taken over the drone Betty-Luka's sewing machine, her iron and ironing board, he's usurped her laundry area.  He's got dummies he's constructed all over the place.

Today he's sitting cross-legged on his own workbench, tailor-fashion, as he carefully creates the graceful curve of a coat lapel for himself.]

[He's expecting Ilsa, and possibly Nall to come on over and see what he's up to.]

Comments

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa nods. ] I know there are going to be people who have tunnel vision about getting home, but that's not a great option for some people.

[ Like for your girl, when she showed up. ]

As a second line of inquiry, taking control might be another option. I won't turn that down. But, if I can get home, and take anyone that wants to go with along...

[ Ilsa shrugs. ]

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

I'd like to know the answer, no matter what. I think the worst part -- for me and for everyone -- is having no idea what the real situation is.

[Head ducks over his work, as he tries to cover his own disturbance. He doesn't even know what he'd do if he could escape. It might depend on exactly that that meant. Even if all his theories are wrong, and he could return to a Europa that had a space for him...would it have a place for him? Or just some air to breathe and dirt to stand on while waiting for one of a gazillion factions to remove him from life, this time permanently?]

If I didn't go home...

If...

Would you...

[He falls silent, stitching fiercely.]

[ooeeooahah]

Tarvek?

[ Her voice is quiet. ]

If there's a way, would you like to come home with me?

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Scowls and hunches in tighter. He's NOT good at being this form of willingly-vulnerable. There are a million ways he's insanely courageous and open, but telling someone he's scared, and wants to be wanted, and that he's dependent, and that he has no idea where he's going or what any of it will mean... that's the sort of thing he never dared let anyone know, and he's not going to get past that easily.]

[He sets his stitches with such firm, precise thrusts. He gives a grunt, that may be some form of "yes," but then it could just be indigestion.]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Gently, hoping to not startle him, she puts a hand on his shoulder. ]

I'd like for you to meet my parents.

[ She has no idea what that would mean in his world, but it does have a bit of meaning to her family. ]

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[He melts. Setting aside his sewing, he leans over and wraps his arms around her waist, pressing his face into her tummy. He holds her like that for awhile, his shoulders shivering slightly with the intensity of his reaction. Only after a bit does he relax, and then very suddenly chuckle....]

I hate to say, but even if my parents were still available to meet, I don't want you to meet them. They had a history of being rather hard on young women...

[He pulls back, smiles a crooked, wobbly smile, and removes his pince-nez to clean them.]

Thank you. I'd... be honored.

Um..

I don't know how things are done in your world. In mine that sort of introduction would require that I spend a few hours with them explaining my intentions, circumstances, future prospects, and waiting for permission to pursue my interest with you.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She relaxes when he finally sets aside his sewing and embraces her. ]

It means little in my world, these days, but in my family, it usually means a weekend of food, punctuated by some subtle grilling and interrogation.

[ She chuckles and kisses the top of his head. ]

So, about the same, but less intense and hopefully less stressful.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[He's not sure what he thinks. He's not slow to commit -- but it's still a huge step off a tall cliff. Taller, because it's all tied to another world, another culture, a strange family... But he does adore her.]

It... I...

If it happens, and we can go through, then... yes. I'd like to try. But....

[small voice]

I don't know if I will be any good at it, you know.

[And the truth is, he doesn't think it will happen. But he does think that, here, given half a chance, he will stay beside her forever, if she lets him.]

[ooeeooahah]

[ She pulls him up to her level, chuckling. ]

You're rather good at what you've applied yourself to so far.

[ She gives him a slow, soft kiss that promises a lot of forever, no matter where they are. ]