spandexisyouth | Third Lotus

But I do not wish to stand here all day! I must get new clothing! [Youth shakes his head.] I did not mean physical distance! I meant that you are being mentally distant when we could learn more!

[That just cemented things all the more. But why would this man be a part of his dream? What was it that made Bell stand out? The name Bell didn't even do a thing for Youth. This made no sense. But perhaps if he tried to explain Bell would stop being so... aloof. That didn't seem very likely.]

I think... [He lowered his voice. That is to say, he was talking in a VERY LOUD whisper. He didn't want to risk being blown up by an acorn. Appleseed. Thing.] I think you were part of my dream.

Or you could spare the sphere and not? [Bell didn't reply. Learning more about Youth? He would rather not.]

[Bell waited a moment, as if expecting something to happen. People who learned things got censored on the journals--Youth could be courting his own version of ink-blotting-out by voicing such a thing. If Bell was part of Youth's dream, and if the dreams were connected to their own personal truths, they were treading dangerous waters just talking about this. Bell would rather an acorn not smoosh Youth either. Just the thought of it made Bell's left eye sting painfully.]

Hm. You don't sound too sure. Maybe it was another Bell.

Not get clothing? I will be doing that later when I go to the beach! It will be-- I got distracted. My point was... [Wait. What was his point? Oh, right! He didn't want to be stuck here all day. How would he fix that, though? Everything he knew said things had to be mutual, and Bell seemed content to just read. Perhaps it was time to get creative with the truth.] If you are certain we can wait! Though I believe a hug would be more to your interests than a kiss! Or perhaps you do not know. If we wait too long, we will be forced into that! [Hah! That would do the trick. Especially with a guy that covered up his mouth. Soon he would have clothing that was comfortable.]

[Nothing happened. There was no punishment. Youth patted his head. Good, no snakes.] No. It is not your name. It is that you look familiar, and then that you are... [He kept using the word over and over. But if it fit, well.] Aloof. I am sure. [Mostly. Sorta. Kinda. A little. Okay, maybe not sure. He was still new to this. What if it was like that thing with Moon? The memory that wasn't his?]

[Eyebrow cocked, Bell looked mildly disturbed, if vaguely interested in that tangent. And then it was back to the hug thing, and Youth kind of lost him again, until the bit about being forced. God, he hoped it didn't come to that. His tone was teasing, but relatively dull.] Ah...shame. But I believe in waiting. I happen to like long courtships. You wouldn't rush into things, would you?

[In the book, they were trying to figure out if the pig was radiant or not. Bell decided Youth was just a little more interesting at the moment. A connection between them, however, was still too vague to go off of.] So just because I'm aloof, I'm the man of your dreams? You aren't very particular about these kinds of things, are you?

[That didn't work? The person who didn't like people wouldn't just hug him to get out of more contact and being stuck with him? Then again, maybe this wasn't the worst scenario ever. He could try to work on Bell's friendship more! He had a captive audience!] I think I would, actually. I think I am exactly the type of person to rush into things. But if you are certain you do not wish to be free, we can stay here. If a manly hug is too intimidating, then we will remain stuck!

[Youth shook his head.] It is not just that. It is also that you look familiar and the entire attitude matches. It is... I do not have a word for it. But I am choosy and particular! There are several here that are aloof! You are in a different way!

Edited 2009-10-20 08:24 (UTC)

[Captive in the most literal sense of the word, too. Bell was just trying to avoid the hug--ignoring Youth would be easy, he was sure of it. He was sure it was a skill that came naturally to him.] Stuck is fine with me. I have reading material, remember? What are you going to do for however long this takes?

Lucky me. [Deadpan.] I'm the one stuck with you, then, hm? Because I'm the right blend of looks and attitude?

[Youth did not like to be ignored, and he was skilled in making sure he was not ignored. Though Bell did seem to be particularly talented in this area.] I could read over your shoulder! I did not read it, though I glanced at it! I had to make sure it was in a readable shape, otherwise there would be no point in bringing it to you!

Exactly! You are! [Completely missing the sarcasm here.] We are both lucky! We have found out something important! I am glad of this!

[Bell was not comfortable with someone looming right over his shoulder like that, reading, though it could be doable...to avoid a hug.] But the book is mine now. Maybe I don't want to share.

We don't know how important it was, really. [Another thing Bell found came relatively easily: being a ~~downer~~ realist.] You weren't in my dream. You're blowing our association way out of proportion on only a hunch and circumstantial evidence.

[He stared for a moment, unsure about how to deal with this man. He couldn't get free, but Bell wouldn't even share? Hm.] Very well! I do not see that I have other options other than to try hugging you! It would be silly to stand still while you read! [Saying that, Youth reached for Bell, intent on wrapping him up in a giant hug.]

But my hunches are important hunches! You... There was nothing about me at all? But you thought there was something familiar about me! You cannot deny that!

[Bell tensed, but could not move away as he would have liked. He was forced to stand there stiffly through a hug and hope that all this at least freed them from the mistletoe before he decided he might want to kill Youth.]

Nothing about you at all. Maybe I was mistaken.

...And you can let go now.

That is cold! Perhaps you are simply too stubborn to admit things!

[Youth released him, attempting to step away. He could let go, but he couldn't go any farther.] Apparently it must be mutual! I thought so! Are you scared of the thought of a manly hug, Bell? I have hugged several people due to this event! It is harmless!

I don't know what you expect to hear instead. You weren't in my dream... ['Your cool hip attitude is really pissing me off.'] ...Anywhere. But, if you'd like to pretend we knew each other, go right ahead.

[Even Bell could feel the tug when Youth stepped away and the gravity of the mistletoe set in again. He just crossed his arms and didn't look huggable in the slightest.] You do get around, don't you.

Edited 2009-10-22 09:19 (UTC)

You are trying to aggravate me! But do not worry. I am not easily angered! I will not just give up! I am determined! I believe you are simply challenging me to get at the bottom of this! And I shall! [He gave Bell a thumbs up, unable to do the full arm-extension when he was this close to the other. There was something about the distant people in this place that made him just want to break down their prickliness. It was as if their attitudes were cries for help, cries for him to help.]

[Now Bell looked cranky, and Youth had no idea why. He was only trying to free them.] We had become trapped! One was during a game of Frisbee, another was a small girl who stuck mistletoe in her hair! And then there was Fred! You have not hugged anyone? That is a shame! Hugging can make your mood better! [He debated hugging and holding on. Sooner or later, Bell would have to hug back, right? Even if it was just a twitch? Maybe that would make Bell more angry. Youth 'hmphed' and folded his own arms. He could be aloof too. Totally.]

[Bell blinked at the thumbs up in front of his face and remained neutral in expression. Maybe, though...if there was a connection between Youth's "aloof" person, and the voice in Bell's dream... But he didn't want Youth to go looking into it. The idiot was liable to stumble upon enough to get himself killed.] ...If that's what you want to believe...

No, I haven't hugged anyone here. And I highly doubt that it'll improve my mood. [He didn't see how hugging Youth would make his mood better, though he was beginning to think they might just as well do it and get out of here, and maybe he wouldn't have to put up with him after all... But when Youth decided to try and match him in stubbornness and "aloofness," something stirred in him and he couldn't just give in. He was going to win this one. Or, more importantly, he wasn't going to let Youth win this. Bell's mood was improved already, even if he failed to show it.]

And no, that's not an invitation to try it.

[He couldn't get any sort of reaction from Bell, and that was annoying. Everyone reacted! Even if it was to get pissed off at him. Bell just didn't seem to care. It was like Bell thought he was better than Youth. He fixed Bell with a Very Stern Look.] It is not simply what I believe! It is what I know and shall do! And you cannot dissuade me!

Hugging makes people happy! It is proven! But I can be just as anti-social as you! I have a great deal of stamina! [It was on. He could be just as tough as anyone. Being happy and enthusiastic wasn't a weakness! And at the end of the day, he would get his hug. They had no other options.]

Sooner or later! You will not win this one! The mistletoe decided that!

[Bell was unfazed by Very Stern Looks.] I wasn't trying to dissuade you. Why would I waste the effort? Would you even listen to me if I tried?

[Two could play at this game. Bell turned away from Youth and opened up his middle-of-some-book randomly to a page, effectively tuning Youth out. Let's see how long he lasts, Bell thought of his competitor. There was no way Youth could be that patient. The enthusiastic man would give up being anti-social eventually; he just couldn't stay quiet and aloof for long.]

I thought you were trying to be anti-social...? Or do you forfeit already?

[This was discouraging, but Youth did not believe his Very Stern Look could fail for long. He kept it up, raising his nose just a little.] Do not attempt to use reverse psychology! I would not listen to you but I do not think it matters! Or maybe I would! You might be important!

[Youth realized this was not working well. If Bell's back was to him, his Look was ineffective. At the very least, though, he shouldn't waste this! It could be used to work out! Youth switched over so he was standing on his hands. Hah! He could stay like this for a very long time!]

Forfeit? Forfeit what? I remember saying nothing along those lines! Just because I am not hugging you does not mean I have given up!

Now there's a thought. If I'm important, maybe you should listen to me...hm? [Bell suspected that was why he was still sort of listening to Youth: the chance that Youth might say something important again. Like the thing about the dream. Youth needed to watch what he said, though. People got killed for knowing/voicing too much.]

[Bell glanced back over his shoulder, just to see what Youth was up to now. He was greeted with the sight of Youth's legs up in the air. He shook his head. What kind of idiot was he stuck with, anyway? Did he want to think that he knew this weird man?]

Face it. You're too outgoing to be anti-social. You've already lost this challenge. Just...give up. [He turned back to his book, wondering why a spider and rat would be helping out a pig.] You'd have more luck getting a mutual hug than being anti-social.

There is nothing to say that I listened to you before... before! [Youth has been inked, he knows to be somewhat careful. But his mouth likes to run off with him. And he likes to run off with his mouth, too.] Perhaps I am important and you should help me!

[He grinned as Bell looked back at him. Clearly he wasn't that easy to ignore. He would triumph in the end!]

I made no claim to be anti-social! But if this is a challenge, then I shall not give up! It is not right to give up on a challenge! I stayed quiet, did I not? I won that! Besides, I am getting a workout. You are only reading!

I'm sure you did... [Actually, he wasn't sure. This was a very strange but familiar dynamic. But he was mostly sure he was the one doing the not-listening most of the time.]

[Arguing with Youth was pointless, Bell decided. It went around in circles. It was probably better to change direction and try to cut him off at the pass.]

I'm "working out" my mind. But here's a challenge for you: sit still and stay quiet for the duration of...oh, the rest of this book, and I'll give you a hug, hm?

Aha! I have trapped you! If I was not in your dream at all, then you would not be sure I did! [Youth grinned widely, feeling very clever indeed. All he knew for sure was that he didn't like to be ignored, and therefore surely he wouldn't just let someone ignore him whenever they wanted.]

[Youth scrutinized Bell, thinking. The duration of the book? Maybe it would be fair if it was ten, twenty pages. But there were a good hundred pages in that. Stay silent the entire time for a hug? But he could bargain.]

The mind is a good thing to work out! But I do not think I like the idea of waiting for the entire book! What of half? I will accept half! And I do not care to sit. I cannot get any stronger by sitting.

Don't get so worked up. It's just a hunch. [Like everything in this place--mere conjecture, guesses about apples being apples or not, why strange things take place, who they were before. Everything was a guess, but the more Bell thought over and tried filling in blanks on this particular guess, the more he was fairly certain. Maybe.]

[But it wasn't just any hug, it was a hug for freedom.]

[Bell watched him over the top of the book.] You sit quietly the whole time, and I'll drop it to a third.

But hunches are all we have to go on! So hunches are very important things! Hunches and logic! This place is a gigantic puzzle! [And he didn't have many pieces, and even if he did, chances are he wouldn't be putting them together right. But he was enthusiastic about them. And enthusiasm counted for much!]

[Yes, it was a hug for freedom, but he would get it sooner or later somehow. Surely Bell would not want to risk dehydration!]

[Youth looked up at Bell, considering.] You are a skilled bargainer! I will... [Sit silently while he read that much? What a waste. But he would get free.] I accept! [So he lowered himself back to the ground, and started trying to figure out ways to keep training while sitting. With a grin he planted his palms on the ground and lifted himself off the ground, still in seated position. He could do a form of pushup! Surely that was fine. He was still seated, sorta.]

[What did Youth know about logic, anyway? That was the problem. If this was a puzzle of sorts, could Youth avoid the poisoned puzzle pieces, or would he find himself on the underside of an acorn one of these times?]

[Bell settled down with his book in hand, almost in his lap, opposite Youth. He continued to read until Youth's movement interrupted him. Oh god. The idiot didn't give up, did he? Still training. Bell managed to keep his disturbed amusement in check through a couple reps before he had to say something, and more out of a sheer need to make a comment on it, and not because he was all that uncomfortable with it. He raised his eyes.] If you distract me, it'll only take me longer to read.

[Youth might not be the best at logic, but he did know to try to not wind up dead. It was hard keeping some thoughts quiet, but for the sake of survival he could manage. It was just a matter of watching and thinking and doing a little less yelling.]

[He opened his mouth to object, but then stopped and beamed. Bell was sneaky, trying to get him to speak, but Youth was resolute! He considered what Bell had said, though. On one hand, they would be free sooner and Bell would learn that hugs could be enjoyable! But on the other, he would simply be sitting still, doing nothing. That could be boring. Youth did not like boring. And chances were trying to read over the other man's shoulder would not go so well. So he shrugged and kept working out. Eventually Bell would be done reading.]

Third Lotus

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[Quicklog] - let's see if I can actually clear AC and null my hiatus

[Quicklog] - The power of Youth compels you! Or something.

[Quicklog] - Or something, yeah. We never finish these, do we?

[Quicklog] - No, but maybe this time...

[Quicklog] - YOSH!

[Quicklog] Almost... there!

[Quicklog] The finishline is in sight!

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[Quicklog] Which we might actually reach this century!

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