audience: emma perkins

[cyclists]

Comments

[cyclists]

Does he like you, you think? [Just. Going to nod along and make note of that, and there's maybe an ulterior motive here...]

[foodbin]

I think so.

[...]

Why?

[cyclists]

Just curious. [Yup.]

...does he know about your role in all of this? [As a Nova.]

[foodbin]

[She shakes her head.]

No, he doesn't.

[cyclists]

Would you ever tell him?

[foodbin]

I want to. It's not that I don't trust him. But... Sometimes knowing more can put you in danger, you know? If the wrong person finds out somehow.

[cyclists]

He's already partnered with Hisoka. Is there somebody else you're worried about?

[foodbin]

Trust me, I know.

[Ugh.]

...What if there's someone who he trusts one week, but who ends up corrupted the next?

[cyclists]

That's a risk no matter who he knows or who you know. Are you going to stop talking to everyone just because of that? [He sounds like he's pouting…]

…given what I've seen of him? He might surprise you. Could be worth telling him. And if he knows and something does happen...he might help. He seems like he wants to.

[…] And it'd guarantee getting a hand for you. [An equal exchange, no? It's a risk, but it's something that may work.]

[foodbin]

[She doesn't seem like she minds, but all the same:]

...Is there a reason you want him to know?

[cyclists]

You guys are supposed to be building bonds. Doesn't this count? [A wave of a hand.] If he gets mad at you or something you can blame me.

[Read as: other people get mad, so it's fine.]

[foodbin]

...Why would he get angry at me?

[cyclists]

Maybe not angry but...if you're worried about whatever reaction he might have, I mean. [Hm.]

[foodbin]

I'm not worried about his reaction. I'm just worried about him.

[But anyways.]

...I'll tell him.

[cyclists]

Okay. [There's a little nod following.]

Then you can worry about each other and look after each other.

[foodbin]

...I'll try my best to, at least. He's - ugh, I don't want to get all gross and sappy, but he's important to me.

[cyclists]

A little late because that's pretty gross and sappy. [Teasing.]

...but I don't think there's anything wrong with having people that are important to you. Especially in situations like this. Sometimes they make the whole thing worth it.

[foodbin]

[She looks up at the ceiling. It's overdramatic enough that it's clear she's joking.]

I can't believe a teenager is calling me out like this.

[cyclists]

[There's a laugh.]

Hey, you kinda made it easy. [This is an Emma he prefers, thank you.] But I'm right, aren't I?

[foodbin]

...Maybe. It's hard to remember we haven't known each other for too long, you know? It seems like too much has happened for it to only have been two and a half weeks.

[cyclists]

I think that's the kind of thing that brings people together though. [There's a thoughtful tone.] ...when I had another job to do, I started training with two other people. We only knew each other for a little bit, but they became my best friends.

I think what I mean is don't worry so much about the time. If it's too little or too much. Just because your worlds are frozen doesn't mean this one is.

[So don't waste it.]

[foodbin]

Right. Bonds forged through fire or whatever the saying is, huh?

[After a moment:]

Either way... I think for now, we both just want to wait and see what happens naturally.

[cyclists]

Yeah, something like that. [And now he just sounds amused for some reason.]

I've never been great at the waiting part. [He's getting there, though.] Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. But...whatever it is will probably be the way it's supposed to work out.

[That aside:] I think that should also be enough to get a replacement hand.

[foodbin]

[She nods, but:]

What tier of replacement hand are we talking? Like, a wooden one that I have to tape on, or do I get a cool cyborg hand if I tell him?

[cyclists]

I am not asking for a cyborg hand for you. [...] ...probably not, anyway.

[He's still...a teenage boy, mostly.] But it'll be functional and at last look like a hand instead of a block of wood. How's that sound?