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[nerine]

UN: Monts
text; voice; video; action

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[nerine]

[She makes a sideways glance, mildly agitated.]

"Things" have happened. And no to the second question.

[You know what, if he's gonna make her talk, she's going to indulge in snacks and beer any way even if it does nothing to her. So Monts goes over to the couch, using both of her hands to effortlessly put it back in place, and then sits down grabbing a beer can.

Without looking at him, she calls over to Abel while cracking open the tab.]

It's not that interesting of a story.

[expio]

[ he remains where he is for just a beat or two, but... seeing as how she’s making herself comfortable, it seems silly not to do the same.

he’s gently sitting a comfortable distance beside her on the couch, but he doesn’t immediately go for the temptation of snacks and sugary drinks, yet, his eyes resting on his company. ]

Is it common where you’re from...? I know, things are. Well. Different everywhere, so...

[ maybe it was normal for people where she calls home? ]

[nerine]

[She takes a large swig of beer, wrinkling her nose as she swallows. Ah, that's cheap. Her head shakes in reply.]

When I said no one knows, that means there's no one else that has my condition.

[That's just the facts. Iona had asked around and as far as the witch knew, it wasn't related to any magic or supernatural force found on earth.]

But, we know it's not a bug.

[expio]

[ he thinks this over, briefly... before he’s reaching for a bag of pretzels from the table and leaning back into the sofa. ]

And you’re okay with it?

[ is it dangerous to her? has she just accepted it, by now...? he wonders what it feels like - if it feels like anything at all... ]

I guess what I mean to ask, is... are you okay?

[nerine]

[There's a sigh of resignation. Monts doesn't look at the priest as she takes a smaller sip this time.]

I've made it this far haven't I?

[The remote is on the floor, but she doesn't move to pick it up yet.]

Although to make it clear, it's not like I was hiding this deliberately. Some people here already seen it since it's not something that can stay hidden.

[It's plain as daylight and its presence is unnerving to those who have stronger sixth senses.]

So what I know is that I lack a sense of pain, my physical strength is way too much... And the last thing.

[expio]

[ “I’ve made it this far, haven’t I?”

it isn’t reassuring. it only makes the uncomfortable pit in his stomach settle with more definition... hmm...

and he isn’t making any moves for the remote, either — it seems he’s all but forgotten about what he came here for. as it turns out, Abel is quite easily distracted, especially by the plights of others. ]

...the last thing?

[nerine]

[And very simply put, without much emotion, she says:]

I heal quickly.

[She almost said, "I can't die," but her doors are remain shut, and saying that would reveal too much in so little words.]

My grandfather told me this when I was a kid; the reason why people feel pain is so that they understand that they're in danger and that they need to take care of themselves.

You saw it already when I had tea at your house. I forget that there are things that can hurt me, but I can barely tell. And even if I notice, I'm patched up again and it's like nothing ever happened.

[expio]

[ he isn’t sure what he expected, and if this response is better or worse than most she could have offered, but... he hesitates only a second before nodding his understanding ]

And what is the cost?

[ because there is always a catch, isn’t there? he is eerily familiar with situations of this nature — and no matter how prettily dolled up something might seem on the surface, there were always flaws beneath. “if something seemed too good to be true,” then...

... ]

[nerine]

...

[Holding the can by the top, she makes a circular motion, dawdling on her answer before shrugging.]

I don't know.

[The cost only comes about in the most extreme of circumstances and so far she's only experienced that once. Was it a cost though, or a sweet release by justification, unhindered by conventional reason?

She doesn't want it to happen again anytime soon but would it be so bad if it happened again?]

The witch I told you about, the one I work for, helped me work through... Whatever this is. She told me that she'd help me live a peaceful life for as long as she was around.

[And Monts truly believed it, believed her even. It's not an impossibility.]

[expio]

[ there’s a lot hanging unspoken, isn’t there? he can feel it, but... he feels this subject matter is a delicate one and he doesn’t want to upset her by prying too deeply. ]

She sounds like a good friend... and, for what it’s worth— it’s good to hear you have people like that at home with you.

[ to watch her back, and help her sort through it. whatever it was. ]

It doesn’t sound like the sort of thing you’d want to figure your way through alone.

[nerine]

No. No, it isn't.

[Her eyes look distant as she stares at the blank TV screen.]

I suppose I'm used to it though.

... What about you? Are you used to being lonely or do you like bothering everyone you meet?

[expio]

...You don’t have to be.

[ ‘alone’ and used to it. his look is a surprisingly sincere and sober one.

but he lets it pass; the offer remains unsaid, though he’s sure she got the message regardless. fool though he might be, he would be around if she ever needed anything. ]

Hm. That question is a little loaded, isn’t it? Are you trying to insinuate I’m a bother? That isn’t very nice, you know.

[nerine]

[She is and she isn't. It took too long for her to realize that she didn't have to be around people who would hurt her heart and can be instead be surrounded by those who cherished her and didn't want to see her suffer inwardly.

But she'll be alone in never knowing what exactly is in her body and how and why her mind is the way it is. That said, Abel's words are a comfort even if she won't reply to it directly.]

You are very troublesome. You woke me up to go watch anime and then grabbed my neck. Although you're kind of right. I'm not totally nice.

[expio]

[ he shoots her a Look at that - but decides that instead of giving her a lecture about it, he's going to shove a handful of pretzels in his mouth instead.




except apparently, around a mouthful of food, he's decided to still lecture her: ]

Really...? That's what you take away from that? You're not listening at all, are you? Is everything I say going in one ear and out the other? Honestly, maybe I should just write it down instead.

[nerine]

[Her can of beer is polished off and she swallows before answering him.]

If I'm listening, I probably won't let you know. What I can tell you is that I will be holding a low burning grudge for every slight you've performed against me.

[And she crushes the can with one hand for good measure as if to emphasize her point.]

[expio]

[ ...Monts.

he swallows the contents of his mouth, and looking at her like she might be some kind of snake preparing to bite his head off. ]

Ah. That’s... very reassuring. I’m suddenly very glad you told me that, because it’s done wonders to put me at ease. Thank you.

[nerine]

[She holds up the remote right after smiling as if everything was okay and she didn't crush an aluminum can in her hand.]

So! Anime?

[expio]

[ ..........why are the women in his life like this

he nods, jerkily, with a TOTALLY convincing laugh that sounds absolutely normal and not forced. ]

O-oh, absolutely~! I’m so ready, like — the most ready for this! Excited! Eager~! Let’s get started...!

[nerine]

[LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO, but seriously Abel does this to himself!!

That said, the next hour or so, Monts is pretty quiet as they watch the cute shoujo baking anime. She's not much for commentary and just watches the screen with a pensive gaze as a dramatic scene of making chocolate chip cookies ensues.

All in all, it's a miracle they've been able to steer back from that little incident as the pile of DVDS and the fallen shelf lays behind them.]

[expio]

[ he absolutely does this to himself, it's like he enjoys this kind of suffering or something...

WELL, Abel is that kind of guy who likes to makes comments loudly with his mouth full of food everytime something interesting happens so Enjoy That, Monts -- she's never going to invite him to do things with her again after this. but after a while he's getting more wrapped up in the plot (???) and starts getting quieter, thank God......

...by the end of that first hour, he's actually engrossed?? hello??? he is enjoying this more than he thought he would... please tell him she wants to have a conversation about the love triangle happening between three of these junior chefs, ]

[nerine]

[Will Ichigo-chan choose the light-haired smiling prince, or is the dark-haired and scowling boy going to come in for the swoop? The stakes have never been higher as the baking and pastry competition intensifies and the sweets get sweeter!!

Monts is mildly surprised that Abel quiets down for a bit so she assumes that he's finally letting the anime speak for itself. She'll only speak up when the credits for the 10th episode start to play over the cutesy ending song.]

Well! That was a lot more drama over a strawberry shortcake than I expected.

[expio]

[ Abel is 100% invested, his desperately romantic heart falling hook line and sinker for this sordid love story!! he gives a little start when Monts interrupts his Deep Thoughts about how Ichigo is faced with such a difficult decision... how could anyone POSSIBLY make a choice between these two cuties?! ]

...I had no IDEA cooking animes were like this, I-- I would've started watching them so much sooner...!! And now I really want chocolate chip cookies, by the way.

[nerine]

Mm-hm. Chocolate chip it is...

[It is a reply with the tone and power of a disinterested mom. She glances at Abel to take in his reaction... What a lively priest he is, even after being thrown into a shelf full of DVDs.]

So what do you think? The nice boy or the one who keeps negging her?

[expio]

[ disinterested mom voice, ah, he's well acquainted. Caterina uses it on him far too often, so he takes it into stride as he roots around through what's left of their snack pile. ]

Oh, that's basically an impossible decision, if you ask me. I mean-- [ he sticks a cookie in his mouth -- it isn't chocolate chip, but beggars can't be choosers ] --she has good chemistry with both of them, you know? And she's really seemed to bond with Koharu, who has that whole prince charming aesthetic going for him. He's the type of guy who would definitely treat her right... you could see him being the thoughtful and really respectful kind of boyfriend, couldn't you? But there's something about the rough-around-the-edges type... like, it's a thrilling sort of relationship where he's prickly on the outside, but he would come flying out of nowhere and beat up anyone who tried to mess with her! [ he punches

the air. demonstratively. ]

He's passionate~! That devotion can't be taken lightly, either... u-ugh, how on earth do you choose in that situation...?!

[nerine]

[She had slowly working on her second can of beer as well along with the bag of salt and vinegar chips. Monts shakes her head in disbelief at his dissertation of the love triangle conundrum.]

You are way too invested in this.

[But instead of chiding and talking down to him this time, she really does sound amused. Perhaps, she's even having a little bit of fun?]

Personally speaking, I don't think I have a preference for which guy she could choose over the other.