spandexisyouth | Third Lotus

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Third Lotus

The clothing store did not have what I was looking for. BUT DO NOT FEAR. I will still find a proper outfit! I believe there is a custom clothing store in the marketplace? And I did find the shop with glitter! Though I have a feeling that might be obvious.

The beach sounds like an exciting place. I do not know why so many are bothered by it. Your body is a natural thing! There is no need to be ashamed! I am making a note to myself so that I do not forget to see it.

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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.

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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!

[Quicklog] And it is a magnificent finish line!

[Quicklog] Which we might actually reach this century!

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