spandexisyouth | Third Lotus

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.]

[He almost had Youth there. The fact that he didn't, though, was saying something. Bell sighed and shook his head and went back to reading. Youth was persistent, he would give the other man that. It was an...admirable trait, really. Bell would keep that thought to himself, though, and remained somewhat aloof and put upon about Youth's exercise through the rest of the book. He ever read a farther than the allotted amount, just to spite him, and to see how far he could push this.]

[Finally, bored with that and deciding to save the pushing the envelope for next time, he closed the book and waited for Youth to finish ...whatever he wanted to call that move.]

[Somehow he managed to stay pretty much put and completely silent the whole time Bell had the book up. Perhaps that was just another form of training, only this time he had been working on patience instead of a muscle! It wasn't going to be his favorite form of training, by any means, but he could call it that.]

[When the book went down, he stopped doing his seated push-ups and raised an eyebrow at Bell. The book stayed down. Hm. And it looked like Bell had read a good deal. Perhaps... Youth rubbed his chin, considering. He decided Bell must have finished.]

Excellent! So now we can enjoy a manly hug for the sake of freedom! And then you will be free to be aloof if you choose to be, and I will be able to go order clothing! Better clothing.

Mm...I guess. Though I've had a lot of time to think about it. Maybe I've changed my mind. [He tucked away the book and looked indifferent to the fact that they were still stuck, as if maybe, now that Youth had been silent all this time, Bell was contemplating reneging on their agreement.]

But I suppose I do have other things to do. [A sigh, mostly for show.]

So, go ahead. Get it over with. [And so he sat, not looking any more hug-ready than before, waiting. He certainly wasn't going to initiate the hug.]

[Youth's eyes widened. Bell would go back on his word after... well, maybe he hadn't exactly given his word. But it had been close enough!] I have been silent all of this time! To change your mind would be very unreliable!

[He scrutinized Bell. Was he being teased? He wasn't sure, but it didn't matter too much. Bell was consenting to a hug at last. They could go free, and Youth could go see about ordering his outfit. Though a seated hug was odd. Oh well. Youth shrugged and scooted over.] I will have you know that a hug is not an unpleasant thing to be gotten over with! But I do not need to say it! I shall show you!

[So saying, he leaned over and embraced Bell firmly. It was a manly hug, there needed to be strength behind it. Besides, it seemed like Bell didn't know how good hugs were, which meant he didn't get hugged often. Youth could help make up for that!]

[He smiled.] Well, I'd hate to be thought "unreliable."

[With a cringe, Bell endured the hug for a second before deciding to hug back, returning it with a firm, if still somewhat aloof, embrace. It was awkward, and maybe they should have done this standing, but he had consented with the intention of getting it over and done with as soon as possible. So sitting would have to do.

And it wasn't wholly unpleasant, despite the awkwardness. Youth was kind of familiar. Maybe Bell had to put up with a Youth hug before, in another lifetime.]

Okay, okay. [He patted Youth's back a little, indicating he was done with the hug.] Think that was enough?

[He wasn't certain, but it looked like Bell was smiling. It was hard to tell, with the scarf.] Good! It is not proper to be unrelaible!

[For a few moments Youth wondered if Bell was going to hug back or just sit there. They'd already established that wouldn't free him; was he really so against hugging? Clearly it meant Bell needed more hugs in his life. Hugging brought happiness, after all.

When Bell patted him, Youth hugged for a brief bit more. After all, it paid to be certain! Then he pulled back with a decisive nod.] It may have been! Let us see!

[He hopped up to his feet and stepped away successfully.] Yes! We are free!

[Youth fixed Bell with a stern look.] For someone who is so reluctant to speak to me, we could have been free much sooner! Your persistance did not make much sense. But we are now free.

[Bell wasn't so sure about that. He could get by without being reliable enough to show up on time...]

[Finally. Finally they were done hugging and free. He felt relief and yet just a bit sorry to see his nuisance go so soon. A moment after Youth declared their freedom, Bell rose to his feet slowly, dusting himself off and ignoring 90% of what Youth was babbling about.]

Yeah, now we're free. [He gave Youth one last look before tucking the book-part under his arm and turning to go. He gave a little casual wave.]

Well, see you around.

[Youth believed in being reliable! It was a good strong sign!

He blinked as he was apparently ignored. He did not know why Bell kept doing that, but it felt... usual? It wasn't welcome. But... well, maybe it was. It was annoying, that much was for certain.]

Yes! I am certain we will run into each other again! Let us do it next time without mistletoe.

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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