abnormalizes | Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

[Good. She feels better having Jyoti in her arms. She squeezes her tightly, a physical reminder that she’s here, with Evangeline, now.]

Welcome back.

[ The reminder's very appreciated. She's had far too many dreams get this far, only for her to wake up and remember that she's still capable of feeling heartbreak. ]

This better be the last time you say that.

[ The frustration in her words isn't directed at Evangeline, of course. ]

I was bored out of my mind back-... [ "home"? No. It's where she was born, sure, but if she had to call a place home, it wouldn't be Liche City. ] there.

[She knows. They both know Evangeline would keep her here.]

I bet. I'll have to work extra hard to entertain you to make up for it.

You will. [ It's a declaration of both intent and faith. That Evangeline will be helping her make up for lost time, thanks, but also that she knows the time spent with Evangeline will ease some of this ache.

(she's got even less reason to be optimistic now than before, but maybe she'll be able to have that much.)

Her hold loosens enough for her to tug Evangeline inside and close the front door - and to finally notice the outfit she's wearing. ] ... it still fits well. [ like, of course it does, it's her work, but also!!!!! it's been a while, okay, ]

[For some reason, that comment breaks through her serious countenance and makes her giggle after she steps inside.]

That's the first thing you comment on? Like, "good job, Evangeline, you haven't gained weight"?

[It's clear she's not offended at all and just finds that funny.]

[ She continues tugging her along until they're settled on the couch. ]

More like "good job, Evangeline, it's not damaged".

[ But yeah, fair, that came out a little worse than she intended. Were she in her shoes, she'd be so offended. ]

Of course it's not damaged, it's from you. I take good care of your clothes.

[Even if it's not a gift, it's still From Jyoti.]

[ She practically puffs up with pride. ] As you should.

[ And good girls get kisses! mwah. ]

Once I rebuild my fabric collection, I'll make you something new. [ And that's a promise! ]

[Kisses, her favorite! Smooch!]

Really? I'm super looking forward to it. I've had to go shopping other places but your boutique is still my favorite.

[ smooch!!!! ]

Good. I plan on reopening, so you better start saving. [ She'd planned on doing so last time she was here, too, but... well. Maybe it's for the best she didn't, when she didn't get to stay for very long. ]

I will! I've been wearing clothes that aren't my EGO suit outside way more often now, so I'll be able to show off your work properly.

[ Oh. That's... ] I'm glad. [ Because she knows what that means - that Evangeline's slowly but surely feeling more safe and secure here. It's... something she can't quite imagine for herself, but she still feels a warmth in her chest, hearing those words. ]

... Guess I really missed a lot.

You sure did. So many things happened that I wanted to tell you about that now that I have the chance, I don't know where to start.

[Some good, some bad, some important, and some just silly, but all of them things worth sharing with her.]

Start wherever you want. [ She's not going anywhere. Not if she can help it. ]

[Deep inhale.]

So after a long character arc, being read for filth and having a minor mental breakdown, various stages of denial, and a lot of encouragement... I'm dating people now.

[ For a moment, Jyoti just blinks at her, as an ugly yet familiar feeling rises in her chest. It's something she's felt time and time again with Evangeline - that despite all their similarities, despite every way they simply get each other in ways it feels no one else possibly could, Evangeline... is better than her. In every single way. She has no idea how to process these emotions.

So she does what she does best: shoves them away and pretends they don't exist. Like everything's normal, and they're just an ordinary pair of friends gossiping about their totally regular love lives. As you do. ]

... Who? [ It's people. Plural. At least things haven't changed so dramatically that Evangeline's now monogamous. ]

[Evangeline interprets that blinks as surprise. Why wouldn't she? It's a big jump for her.]

Chipp, Fajra, Barghest, Rider. [Four people.] It's... been a lot to adjust to. Still very much a work in progress.

[Evangeline isn't any kind of amazing. She struggles with things normal people find easy. She's just lucky enough to have people who support her enough to try the things that she struggles with - a luck that not everyone has.]

[ A luck that Jyoti doesn't have, apparently. ]

I haven't met any of them.

[ Does she want to? At the moment, she's unsure. So that, too, gets shoved out of sight and out of mind, in favor of a more normal question. ]

How long have you been dating?

Mayish? So... about four months? Not all that long.

[It's still a very new and uncertain development.]

[ On the contrary, four months sounds like a long time. At least to be dating. ... Not that Jyoti has any genuine experience in that department. ]

I'm happy for you.

[ Jealousy aside, she knows how hard that must've been. To open her heart up to something that'd hurt so much to lose. ]

Thank you. -I hope you're in a place to do that too someday. If you want to.

[For all she knows, Jyoti doesn't want that at all.]

I doubt I will. [ file this under Things That Make Jyoti Look Like A Clown In Retrospect ] ... But thanks.

[ Even if she can't see that future for herself, she understands where those words come from. And it's... kind. A kindness she doesn't know how to handle, but doesn't push away because it's Evangeline. ]

[Evangeline acknowledges the thanks with a hum, thinking of what else to say.]

-One time people started aging up or down for some reason and I was a little kid. I wish I had photos for you, I was adorable.

[ Oh thank god, a shift in topic. Jyoti can breathe a little easier. ]

I can picture it. [ She doesn't like kids all that much... but, again, Evangeline. ] How long did that last?

Like four days or so? I accidentally pulled my scythe out of my purse and it was bigger than I was.

Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

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