Ezra didn’t react to Ivy’s pizza order, because it could have been a coincidence, and even if it wasn’t a coincidence to react would be to admit guilt, to provide incontrovertible evidence that he had wants and preferences regardless of his wishes to the contrary. And he couldn’t do that.
He didn’t react when the pizza arrived, either, and the pepperoni and onion pizza went mysteriously untouched by anyone’s hands but his. Same reasons, more or less, though he rapidly started to feel worse about it. He ate two pieces, wanted four, knew full well he would be taking six home. Knew his mother would scoff and say something about how he could have had a perfectly good home-cooked meal if he had come home earlier or ideally not gone out to begin with and there wasn’t room in the fridge for this over-processed crap, excuse her language, and he would apologize, and she would shrug. And he would eat however much he could, under cover of his own room, cold, and toss whatever he couldn’t stomach. And that would eat at him, too.
He didn’t react, particularly, visibly, to Vivian pulling him aside for the (Calculus) Practice That Was Promised, a bit sooner than he was anticipating, but if he had an actual page of actual notes to show his mother when he got home she might give him a pass for having spent a whole day with friends (girls, he could hear in her mock-horror voice). So he accepted. Took notes, listened, digested (pizza more successfully than concepts), finished his homework in passing condition, somehow. Mostly by his own hand, somehow.
Vivian had her way of making concepts that seemed impossibly esoteric sound as simple as they must be to her, and in a way that didn’t come off as condescending. His brain, of course, twisted her words in knots and shoved them through a translator that output nothing but what are you, stupid on loop, but he ignored that. He could ignore it for her, at least. His brain could tear him down all it wanted, but he wouldn’t let it slander his friends.
He did react—instantly, embarrassingly—to the voice coming from Ivy’s speaker phone.
“That’s my ride,” Ezra said unhelpfully to Vivian by way of explanation, after he had already practically leapt from his seat. Setting aside that it would have been rude even if that was the full truth of the matter, Rissa had openly invited everyone outside, which made his rush extra pointless, and how was he already embarrassing himself, as though he hadn’t been embarrassing himself all day.
Either way. His stuff was already packed, minus the calculus textbook that he promptly slid into his backpack (black, stitching wearing at the seams, unchanged since middle school, “I don’t see why you would need a new one"). He slowed his limbs just enough to slide from desperate to eager, maybe, hopefully, and managed a sincere smile for Vivian.
“Thanks again”, no goodbye because they were all going outside together, but it seemed like the right moment for a thank-you, at least. A touch quicker than the others, Ezra was the first one to the front door. Deep breath for courage. And—
“Ah-”
Too big!
Instinctive thought that shot through his head multiple times a week, because having known Claude for years now had yet to triumph over some vague evolutionary instinct, possibly evidence that giants did indeed once walk the earth. Always felt weird and bad to have that reaction, Claude having done nothing to earn it; not like they were best friends or anything, but the baseball team had an unforced camaraderie that hadn’t wavered in years despite certain people’s lack of talent, feats, usefulness, etcetera.
Explained why Rissa had invited everyone out, too. Some things even Ezra wasn’t oblivious enough to miss.
“Hey Claude,” Ezra said with a small smile and a half wave, ignoring how weird it always felt to have to crane his neck to make eye contact. Stepped aside, both to clear the doorway for the rest of the house and to meet the eyes of the person he’d expected first to see.
“And hey, Rissa.”
Locked the corners of his smile in place so they wouldn’t stretch any further. Normal expression, normal level of enthusiasm, he let his thoughts race faster so that they jumbled into wordlessness, better than focusing on anything specific. Very much not opening his mouth lest something extremely stupid tumble out.
He absolutely did not let his eyes drift to his car, very much parked within eyeshot. He was simply not going to bring it up, and if he didn’t bring it up perhaps Rissa wouldn’t notice, and perhaps he wouldn’t have to think of a good excuse, because it occurred to him at this exact moment that despite several hours of lead time he still didn’t have one.
This was fine!
live good, east coast, west coast, worldwide
Study group for those aiming for the best colleges. Open if you got APs for daaaays. (Feb 8)
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LYourLocalAutist
- Posts: 309
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- Location: IN YOUR HEAAAAD IN YOUR HEAAAAAAAAD ZOMBIE, ZOMBIE, ZOMBIE-E-E
"Vivi, it's fiiiiine. Let's just enjoy our break."
She slid lithe and neat off her chair and began to bounce over to join the rest of the group in the kitchen. Bright "It's okaaaaay" smile and expression on full blast as gang was approached, mostly directed at the present mom friend. Surface-level, attempted discouragement of the Vivi from souring incoming pizza time(!!!) with even more academia. Inwardly, holy crap she was tired of essaying and corrections et cetera forever. She didn't put too much into the expression-as-persuasion tactic, mostly out of some underlying knowledge that it flatly wouldn't work and she'd be getting grease all over her explanations as to the mid-20th-century changes to the American legal systems in a few minutes. Not much use in embarrassing oneself, after all. It was probably better to make it known that it wasn't something worth apologising over, firstly and foremostly.
And then, pizza !!!!!!!!!!
Sylvie snacked her favourite pizza which Vivi had ordered for her without asking because of course she did omg thank you thank you hehe with an unfiltered jubilation. Savoury stuff always went the best with pizza, as she insisted while sharing around slices of hers. The slower pace properly set in as yaps about work and reviews of essays began to meld with the meander of friendship dynamics and chitter-chatter over pizza. The true high schooler experience. Legs kicked up on another chair (Ivy said it was fine !), listening to the Ivy go on about the senior trip. Man, was the end of the (school) year already that close? Sylvie's eyes trailed somewhere else as her mind wandered off at the thought. High school was that close to being over. Simple as. Soon everyone would go their separate ways, and she would see very few of her closest friends ever again.
What the hell was she meant to do?
Ting!
Bad thoughts interrupted, abrupt return of focus on Sylvie's part. Almost like a flashbang, repurposed for the forces of good. Thanks a lot, Clarissa. Our GOAT indeed. Our GOAT with... some sort of surprise special person? Sylvie raised an eyebrow as she let her shoes fall right to the floor. What kind of person warranted an announcement? Sylvie decided to put little thought towards it, most of her brain power going into the packing-up process. Seemed like the ride (C) of the people (E) had arrived. It was just a hop, skip and a jump to this mystery reveal anyway, no need to put thinking fuel towards a puzzle which would be solved momentarily. Ezra had the right idea with his thanks, she thought as the group began their march out the door. She'd better get one in herself. Only polite.
"Yeah, really thaaa-"
The syllable hung in her mouth juuuust a bit. Just long enough that it was noticeable, but caught just in time that it didn't become weird. Eyes widened, pupils dilated et cetera. That man had entered the battlefield.
"-aanks Claude???"
She felt her cheeks redden and her posture straighten up just so. What was- why- okay, alright, breathe. She hadn't made a fool of herself yet, but it could very well happen with him and her in front of all of these people. Man, he was in his cool car and wearing the cool clothes and everything, what was bringing him all the way (read: like, two blocks) out here?? Tiny zip of neurons in her trying-not-to-fry brain: stick on that! That's a cool and normal conversation topic. Small fiddle with a stray lock with the right hand as she recomposed herself and posed the simplest of questions.
"Uh- sw- sso... what're you doing here?"
...Recomposed by Claude-proximity standards, anyhow.
She slid lithe and neat off her chair and began to bounce over to join the rest of the group in the kitchen. Bright "It's okaaaaay" smile and expression on full blast as gang was approached, mostly directed at the present mom friend. Surface-level, attempted discouragement of the Vivi from souring incoming pizza time(!!!) with even more academia. Inwardly, holy crap she was tired of essaying and corrections et cetera forever. She didn't put too much into the expression-as-persuasion tactic, mostly out of some underlying knowledge that it flatly wouldn't work and she'd be getting grease all over her explanations as to the mid-20th-century changes to the American legal systems in a few minutes. Not much use in embarrassing oneself, after all. It was probably better to make it known that it wasn't something worth apologising over, firstly and foremostly.
And then, pizza !!!!!!!!!!
Sylvie snacked her favourite pizza which Vivi had ordered for her without asking because of course she did omg thank you thank you hehe with an unfiltered jubilation. Savoury stuff always went the best with pizza, as she insisted while sharing around slices of hers. The slower pace properly set in as yaps about work and reviews of essays began to meld with the meander of friendship dynamics and chitter-chatter over pizza. The true high schooler experience. Legs kicked up on another chair (Ivy said it was fine !), listening to the Ivy go on about the senior trip. Man, was the end of the (school) year already that close? Sylvie's eyes trailed somewhere else as her mind wandered off at the thought. High school was that close to being over. Simple as. Soon everyone would go their separate ways, and she would see very few of her closest friends ever again.
What the hell was she meant to do?
Ting!
Bad thoughts interrupted, abrupt return of focus on Sylvie's part. Almost like a flashbang, repurposed for the forces of good. Thanks a lot, Clarissa. Our GOAT indeed. Our GOAT with... some sort of surprise special person? Sylvie raised an eyebrow as she let her shoes fall right to the floor. What kind of person warranted an announcement? Sylvie decided to put little thought towards it, most of her brain power going into the packing-up process. Seemed like the ride (C) of the people (E) had arrived. It was just a hop, skip and a jump to this mystery reveal anyway, no need to put thinking fuel towards a puzzle which would be solved momentarily. Ezra had the right idea with his thanks, she thought as the group began their march out the door. She'd better get one in herself. Only polite.
"Yeah, really thaaa-"
The syllable hung in her mouth juuuust a bit. Just long enough that it was noticeable, but caught just in time that it didn't become weird. Eyes widened, pupils dilated et cetera. That man had entered the battlefield.
"-aanks Claude???"
She felt her cheeks redden and her posture straighten up just so. What was- why- okay, alright, breathe. She hadn't made a fool of herself yet, but it could very well happen with him and her in front of all of these people. Man, he was in his cool car and wearing the cool clothes and everything, what was bringing him all the way (read: like, two blocks) out here?? Tiny zip of neurons in her trying-not-to-fry brain: stick on that! That's a cool and normal conversation topic. Small fiddle with a stray lock with the right hand as she recomposed herself and posed the simplest of questions.
"Uh- sw- sso... what're you doing here?"
...Recomposed by Claude-proximity standards, anyhow.
The V9 Children themselves:
The Machininst - Raya Loux The Petite - Sylvie Rattray-Aubert The Forlorn - Céline Sharpe The Tough Guy - Manuel "Mañana" Hernández And here's outdated info about them plus where (not all of) their relationships are: viewtopic.php?t=9024
The Machininst - Raya Loux The Petite - Sylvie Rattray-Aubert The Forlorn - Céline Sharpe The Tough Guy - Manuel "Mañana" Hernández And here's outdated info about them plus where (not all of) their relationships are: viewtopic.php?t=9024
Two steps behind and one step to the left of Sylvie and Ezra, there was a Vivian: unfussed, unstung, unhurt by the eagerness with which Ezra had left her behind. A Vivian knows better than to take things personally, so this one didn’t. A carefully unbruised smirk playing across her lips, she tilted her head, side-eyed Sylvie, carefully avoided side-eyeing Ezra. Silent giggle. Little wave at Clarissa. No math in this one’s head, for C was here and it was for her eyes that its expressions were intended. Besides, nobody needed the Vivian who was good at math anymore. It was time for a change.
Sylvie, choking on her own voice. Ezra, unable to remain seated upon hearing Rissa’s. Ivy, still unable to keep her eyes off Ezra. Only one in three was actually a good idea. They couldn’t help themselves, and the thought made Vivian feel wistful; butterflies had never taken up residence in her stomach. Instead there was the ache of envy, or perhaps guilt. She loved Ray, she did. But she’d never felt that she couldn’t help but love him.
Still, it was a feeling she could enjoy vicariously. And it happened that the good idea of the three was looming in front of her. So it was with a shit-eating grin and genuine delight that she said: “Isn’t it obvious? He’s your ride, Sylves.”
Sylvie, choking on her own voice. Ezra, unable to remain seated upon hearing Rissa’s. Ivy, still unable to keep her eyes off Ezra. Only one in three was actually a good idea. They couldn’t help themselves, and the thought made Vivian feel wistful; butterflies had never taken up residence in her stomach. Instead there was the ache of envy, or perhaps guilt. She loved Ray, she did. But she’d never felt that she couldn’t help but love him.
Still, it was a feeling she could enjoy vicariously. And it happened that the good idea of the three was looming in front of her. So it was with a shit-eating grin and genuine delight that she said: “Isn’t it obvious? He’s your ride, Sylves.”
“I’m here for Ezra.”
Ezra was Claude’s teammate, Ezra was Michael’s teammate, Michael was Johnny’s teammate, the baseball team took the form of many beloved men in Clarissa’s life. Boys she’d dated once, boys she had dated multiple times even. Liiiike, y’know, Clarichel had been happening for almost three weeks now. Was that a monthiversary she was sensing, impending on the horizon? Probably cringe, but still sounded kind of fun in one of those ways where Clarissa couldn’t tell if she was taking it seriously or not. She’d ask him at some point. Shout out <3, with the two hands half-heart shaped put together and all.
All of them, the boys who trusted her with their lives, with her hands at nine and three on her steering wheel. It was a whole thing, niiiiice and casual.
“I’m gooood. Sylvie might be hungry, but Vivian and Sylvie and Bee sent me pizza pics, so.” Maybe she could’ve summarized that better. They’d all sent her pictures. Succinct! Except Ezra. He tended to not message her all that often.
Ingrid’s front door opened. A lazy driveway became
Ezra was Claude’s teammate, Ezra was Michael’s teammate, Michael was Johnny’s teammate, the baseball team took the form of many beloved men in Clarissa’s life. Boys she’d dated once, boys she had dated multiple times even. Liiiike, y’know, Clarichel had been happening for almost three weeks now. Was that a monthiversary she was sensing, impending on the horizon? Probably cringe, but still sounded kind of fun in one of those ways where Clarissa couldn’t tell if she was taking it seriously or not. She’d ask him at some point. Shout out <3, with the two hands half-heart shaped put together and all.
All of them, the boys who trusted her with their lives, with her hands at nine and three on her steering wheel. It was a whole thing, niiiiice and casual.
“I’m gooood. Sylvie might be hungry, but Vivian and Sylvie and Bee sent me pizza pics, so.” Maybe she could’ve summarized that better. They’d all sent her pictures. Succinct! Except Ezra. He tended to not message her all that often.
Ingrid’s front door opened. A lazy driveway became
Chaos of the battlefield. Teen hearts and minds and also Vivian and also also Rissa, above the fray in a very very different way than Vivian was. Mmm, y’know. Read between the lines, flip ahead a few pages, and Ivy was about to become the sole person on that driveway still single. Suited her just fine. Also, it was Claudvie. The Agenda, as Clarissa so reverently called it, bless her random yearslong fixations on words she thought were funny. The promised moment hadn’t happened for a very statistically significant amount of time[1] out of all of their lives. Maybe it’d stay not happening.
Rissa revved for a moment. In a world where some things didn’t change, Clarissa was most of said things[2]. Her physical affection PEMDAS was something like: if not Raya Loux, then Sylvie, else Vivian Marcy Bee[4], and so on. Ivy observed as Clarissa worked in that order. Offered Sylvie a hug.
Next,
[1] shout out her 5 in AP Statistics last year. Like, if she thought long and hard she could almost recall what she had learned out of context. Almost. Cumulative probability of forgetting, year on year.
[2] eyewitness accounts[3] that Clarissa had used to be a very different person. Ivy could imagine it, vividly even, but she certainly could not verify it from a first-person perspective.
[3] Sylvie
[4] for Ivy: If not Bee, then Ivy, else Ingrid. Extra option if your legal name is Sheila Hyatt slash your Briar household name is Mom.
Rissa revved for a moment. In a world where some things didn’t change, Clarissa was most of said things[2]. Her physical affection PEMDAS was something like: if not Raya Loux, then Sylvie, else Vivian Marcy Bee[4], and so on. Ivy observed as Clarissa worked in that order. Offered Sylvie a hug.
Next,
[1] shout out her 5 in AP Statistics last year. Like, if she thought long and hard she could almost recall what she had learned out of context. Almost. Cumulative probability of forgetting, year on year.
[2] eyewitness accounts[3] that Clarissa had used to be a very different person. Ivy could imagine it, vividly even, but she certainly could not verify it from a first-person perspective.
[3] Sylvie
[4] for Ivy: If not Bee, then Ivy, else Ingrid. Extra option if your legal name is Sheila Hyatt slash your Briar household name is Mom.
Left foot right foot left foot right. Not many steps to count. Then she was embracing the Bee. Wordless, as it had been after her first few weeks of getting to know Ingrid in a cozy always too-warm classroom in a middle school few kids from the Red Rock ecosystem knew much of. Ingrid’s arms around Clarissa’s shoulder blades, Clarissa’s around Ingrid’s waist, a bit of squish, a vapor of apple and sweat, a loose bounce and sway to both of their heels.
As always.
The words followed a second later. Rushed in to fill the lonely void that Clarissa acutely felt the moment there was no hug left.
“Did you listen to the latest—?”
As always.
The words followed a second later. Rushed in to fill the lonely void that Clarissa acutely felt the moment there was no hug left.
“Did you listen to the latest—?”
“-—It’s already on my driving playlist. I dunno, I like Alchemist’s production well enough.”
“Tity Boy always hits too.”
“Yeah. Like his cadence on slower tracks? Crops watered and dusted, like—”
“Tity Boy always hits too.”
“Yeah. Like his cadence on slower tracks? Crops watered and dusted, like—”
Soooooo
Vivian was also offered a hug. If she wanted one. If she didn’t, Clarissa would respect it. Not her favorite thing to not do, as opposed to homework, which was definitely her favorite thing to not do. But it wasn’t like Clarissa needed too many hugs in a day to recharge anyways. She mostly saved them for the people who she needed to vampire drain happy vibes off of. Or like, to put it a more friendly way, share the happy vibes with. Give and take and equal and opposite reaction. One of those cool physics ideas she couldn’t translate into the attached numbers and variables very well, but, like. She always got perfect marks on the multiple choice parts in Physics though! That part definitely counted for something, and she was definitely proud of it.
Her eyes drifted lengthwise across the driveway, and then onto the street. She hadn’t immediately noticed it since it had been street parking, she’d thought it had been a guest at the neighbors.
San Marino Red (ask Ingrid if you wanted to know the paint code, cause she knew those sorts of things). ‘17 Honda Accord. Off the lot, the 2.4 liter with the optional CVT. An entry level car that could put up near sports car levels of handling. Reliable, affordable, well-designed interior that comfortably fit all but the tallest of Red Rock kids (including the one drifting around deep in her periphery vision). Serviced five times since purchase, twice at The Car Doctors, September 2022, July 2024, no major issues on log.
Ezra’s car.
Like… huh. So he needed her to give him a ride when his ride was, like, right there. Did two and two add up to four? Clarissa briefly entertained the thought that she was being gaslit because that was a random word that came up in conversations often since she’d gotten Older. She kind of had an idea of what it meant, something or another about being lied to but with extra steps. She dismissed the thought as quickly as it came up. It was a mean thought with words Clarissa wasn’t inclined to attribute to any of the present company she called friends. More likely, it was just one of those things she didn’t get, right? Happened all the time. Something was afoot, shenanigans, agendas, and she was simply out of the loop because nobody needed her to be in it.
No point worrying about it. She got to drive a friend home, that was all that mattered.
No hug for Ezra. Clarissa didn’t really offer guys hugs. Was always willing to reciprocate if asked.
Vivian was also offered a hug. If she wanted one. If she didn’t, Clarissa would respect it. Not her favorite thing to not do, as opposed to homework, which was definitely her favorite thing to not do. But it wasn’t like Clarissa needed too many hugs in a day to recharge anyways. She mostly saved them for the people who she needed to vampire drain happy vibes off of. Or like, to put it a more friendly way, share the happy vibes with. Give and take and equal and opposite reaction. One of those cool physics ideas she couldn’t translate into the attached numbers and variables very well, but, like. She always got perfect marks on the multiple choice parts in Physics though! That part definitely counted for something, and she was definitely proud of it.
Her eyes drifted lengthwise across the driveway, and then onto the street. She hadn’t immediately noticed it since it had been street parking, she’d thought it had been a guest at the neighbors.
San Marino Red (ask Ingrid if you wanted to know the paint code, cause she knew those sorts of things). ‘17 Honda Accord. Off the lot, the 2.4 liter with the optional CVT. An entry level car that could put up near sports car levels of handling. Reliable, affordable, well-designed interior that comfortably fit all but the tallest of Red Rock kids (including the one drifting around deep in her periphery vision). Serviced five times since purchase, twice at The Car Doctors, September 2022, July 2024, no major issues on log.
Ezra’s car.
Like… huh. So he needed her to give him a ride when his ride was, like, right there. Did two and two add up to four? Clarissa briefly entertained the thought that she was being gaslit because that was a random word that came up in conversations often since she’d gotten Older. She kind of had an idea of what it meant, something or another about being lied to but with extra steps. She dismissed the thought as quickly as it came up. It was a mean thought with words Clarissa wasn’t inclined to attribute to any of the present company she called friends. More likely, it was just one of those things she didn’t get, right? Happened all the time. Something was afoot, shenanigans, agendas, and she was simply out of the loop because nobody needed her to be in it.
No point worrying about it. She got to drive a friend home, that was all that mattered.
No hug for Ezra. Clarissa didn’t really offer guys hugs. Was always willing to reciprocate if asked.
Why does love always feel like a battlefield? A battlefield? A battlefield?
The earworm was digging. The Sylvie stood flashlight in the eyes, deer in headlights. The Vivian stood smug, picking out a smile sharp enough to gouge out eyes from her wardrobe of relevant expressions[1]. The Clarissa stood staring right at the guest car in a muted R94 that would have told her what was really afoot, but Ivy knew Clarissa well enough to know that she had a way of snatching wrong from the jaws of her right instincts. Ezra… something. That one was a blindspot Ivy had no interest in verifying either way.
Ivy let her personal soundtrack continue to softly chime in the background where nobody else could hear it. Beautiful sunset to watch a bunch of teenagers fumble around, wasn’t it? And Ivy got to be one of them, even.
[1] Vivian had let Ivy borrow them a few times. Okay fit, unfortunately didn’t make anyone hate her any more than they already did.
The earworm was digging. The Sylvie stood flashlight in the eyes, deer in headlights. The Vivian stood smug, picking out a smile sharp enough to gouge out eyes from her wardrobe of relevant expressions[1]. The Clarissa stood staring right at the guest car in a muted R94 that would have told her what was really afoot, but Ivy knew Clarissa well enough to know that she had a way of snatching wrong from the jaws of her right instincts. Ezra… something. That one was a blindspot Ivy had no interest in verifying either way.
Ivy let her personal soundtrack continue to softly chime in the background where nobody else could hear it. Beautiful sunset to watch a bunch of teenagers fumble around, wasn’t it? And Ivy got to be one of them, even.
[1] Vivian had let Ivy borrow them a few times. Okay fit, unfortunately didn’t make anyone hate her any more than they already did.
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Magnum 0pus
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:44 pm
Pizza? Of course! He should have taken that into account when it came to after-school study groups that took place in someone's home, "Pizza during a study session sounds like a vibe." Indeed it was as he imagined the overall chill atmosphere of studying together in someone's home. "Nice nice. I hope Ezra had a chill time with everyone else!" Claude took another sip of his hot chocolate, letting out a relieved sigh as he continued to be all warm and toasty in this cold climate.
The sound of the front door being opened caused his ears to perk up as he looked up and watched every one that was previously inside the mansion start to walk out the door. "Hey Ezra!" A reciprocated head nod and a small wave was given to his teammate that noticed him and instinctively recoiled, a reaction that he had grown all too used to from him and many people. As a result, Claude chuckled at the reflexive reaction from Ezra. But he had his attention snatched when he saw her. Sylvie. 'How adorable.' He thought to himself the moment he saw her, "Oh you know, I'm just here as your ride–we can go for a ride around the block and hang out somewhere for a bit if you're down for that?" Claude smiled with warmth and kindness towards the girl, a visible confidence within him that had become unanimous with him, "Like I told Clarissa earlier, there are some snacks in the car if you still feel a bit hungry or if you suddenly feel hungry when we get on the road." Sylvie still being a fair distance away from him and his car and being a short person, Claude knew that she obliviously wouldn't be able to see what he had in stock. So, he began to make his way around the car to the driver side to get in.
But before he did that, the young man quickly waved at Vivian and Ivy, "Also, hey Viv! 'Sup Ives" Referring to Vivian by a shortened nickname and Ivy by a nickname and a small smile before finally opening the door and entering the car. The windows were rolled down and the passenger side door had already been unlocked, so it would be smooth sailing from here, "Come on, Sylvie! We can even drop by and get some burgers on the way if you want!"
He had no idea why he was feeling a certain way about all this. But Claude tried so hard to not think much of it as he waited for Sylvie to get in the car.
The sound of the front door being opened caused his ears to perk up as he looked up and watched every one that was previously inside the mansion start to walk out the door. "Hey Ezra!" A reciprocated head nod and a small wave was given to his teammate that noticed him and instinctively recoiled, a reaction that he had grown all too used to from him and many people. As a result, Claude chuckled at the reflexive reaction from Ezra. But he had his attention snatched when he saw her. Sylvie. 'How adorable.' He thought to himself the moment he saw her, "Oh you know, I'm just here as your ride–we can go for a ride around the block and hang out somewhere for a bit if you're down for that?" Claude smiled with warmth and kindness towards the girl, a visible confidence within him that had become unanimous with him, "Like I told Clarissa earlier, there are some snacks in the car if you still feel a bit hungry or if you suddenly feel hungry when we get on the road." Sylvie still being a fair distance away from him and his car and being a short person, Claude knew that she obliviously wouldn't be able to see what he had in stock. So, he began to make his way around the car to the driver side to get in.
But before he did that, the young man quickly waved at Vivian and Ivy, "Also, hey Viv! 'Sup Ives" Referring to Vivian by a shortened nickname and Ivy by a nickname and a small smile before finally opening the door and entering the car. The windows were rolled down and the passenger side door had already been unlocked, so it would be smooth sailing from here, "Come on, Sylvie! We can even drop by and get some burgers on the way if you want!"
He had no idea why he was feeling a certain way about all this. But Claude tried so hard to not think much of it as he waited for Sylvie to get in the car.
No hug for Ezra. That was fine with him, let him keep his racing heartbeat tucked in his chest where it belonged. He hadn’t hugged Clarissa since… he didn’t remember, now, some unexpected success in cheer where the jubilation was so widespread that his arms had wrapped around one friend after another in joyous succession, where he hadn’t had time to process more than her warmth and the smell of her shampoo before she was on to the next.
That was months ago. He’d never ask. Obviously.
Clarissa and Ivy chatted, Sylvie lit up predictably but no less sweetly for it the moment Claude entered her line of sight, Vivian hovering comfortably on the periphery as she often did. Ezra wished he could do the same instead of hovering as he always did, bouncing on his heels, anxiously, surreptitiously, hopefully. Like a lost hummingbird, stomach full but no destination in mind. Specific memory, actually. Calliope, in his garden, out of season, did not end well, why was he thinking about this right now.
Anxious feet took him right back to Vivian like he’d left his life jacket in the house. Embarrassing, if she ever took any steps to let him feel embarrassed. Embarrassing anyway.
“Thanks,” he said, again, under his breath. More earnestly, this time, less of an apology and more of an actual earned sentiment, tinged with guilt, should have been properly said the first time, Vivian wouldn’t care even if he did.
“I think the chain rule is—mostly, making sense?” Hastily added “mostly”; Ezra did not like lying (he thought as his eyes slid unconsciously back toward his car, then back to Clarissa, then following Clarissa’s eyeline… back to his car, immediately looking away, it would probably be fine??)
“And I forgot to mention, I’m glad Ray liked the flowers!”
Unforced smile this time. Not the most creative bouquet, mostly pansies (thoughtfulness, remembrance) but not much else pretty grew in the Nevada winter. He thought he had done a good job, given the short notice! He was sure Vivian would have thanked him just the same if he hadn’t, which made it sort of hard to judge his capacity, but he liked to believe that in this one singular realm he was capable of something. Something with some meaning. Maybe that was delusional too, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
“I’ll—”
Text you if I need more help, he did not say out loud, because that, too, would be embarrassing. If she ever, anyway, all of that.
“—See you next time?”
At whoever’s house, soon enough, to do it all again. Ezra kept looking forward to it, even with all the ways it stung.
That was months ago. He’d never ask. Obviously.
Clarissa and Ivy chatted, Sylvie lit up predictably but no less sweetly for it the moment Claude entered her line of sight, Vivian hovering comfortably on the periphery as she often did. Ezra wished he could do the same instead of hovering as he always did, bouncing on his heels, anxiously, surreptitiously, hopefully. Like a lost hummingbird, stomach full but no destination in mind. Specific memory, actually. Calliope, in his garden, out of season, did not end well, why was he thinking about this right now.
Anxious feet took him right back to Vivian like he’d left his life jacket in the house. Embarrassing, if she ever took any steps to let him feel embarrassed. Embarrassing anyway.
“Thanks,” he said, again, under his breath. More earnestly, this time, less of an apology and more of an actual earned sentiment, tinged with guilt, should have been properly said the first time, Vivian wouldn’t care even if he did.
“I think the chain rule is—mostly, making sense?” Hastily added “mostly”; Ezra did not like lying (he thought as his eyes slid unconsciously back toward his car, then back to Clarissa, then following Clarissa’s eyeline… back to his car, immediately looking away, it would probably be fine??)
“And I forgot to mention, I’m glad Ray liked the flowers!”
Unforced smile this time. Not the most creative bouquet, mostly pansies (thoughtfulness, remembrance) but not much else pretty grew in the Nevada winter. He thought he had done a good job, given the short notice! He was sure Vivian would have thanked him just the same if he hadn’t, which made it sort of hard to judge his capacity, but he liked to believe that in this one singular realm he was capable of something. Something with some meaning. Maybe that was delusional too, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
“I’ll—”
Text you if I need more help, he did not say out loud, because that, too, would be embarrassing. If she ever, anyway, all of that.
“—See you next time?”
At whoever’s house, soon enough, to do it all again. Ezra kept looking forward to it, even with all the ways it stung.
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LYourLocalAutist
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There was some manner of churning going on in Sylvie's head, as was common when that man war around; thoughts barging against each other in the (war) theatre of the mind. Everyone was around and it was embarrassing and oh god why now why here and what was he thinking and why was he doing this and oh she'd have to call her parents and oh what was he thinking and why was he here and oh why why why why in the world was he here right now. Sylvie's head ran amok with deduction and justification. It... could just be one of his random stints! Claude was one for frivolities and whims, for doing as he liked (to most reasonable capacities, at least) was the prime rule in his playbook. He just wanted to hang out with his friends... but then why wasn't anyone else coming? If there was anything he was big on, it was his friends, so it couldn't just be that... the spiral continued as Sylvie lost more and more of herself to herself. Maybe it was a prank, or some manner of—
Snap!
The shadow of a Vivi looming right over her gave her some lucidity, and despite the blush-igniting words which came from the woman's mouth, Sylvie felt more clarity than she did most times when Claude was nearby. Her head turned up towards the man, his big, implacably caring grin and his eager promises an unabashedly carefree time; her eyes widened in a small shock, small awe, the cute red in her cheeks framing that look of realisation. There was no trick here, and no way she could justify this simple fact away with all the spiralling in the world: Claude wanted to go out with her, and it was as simple as that. The shy little panic in her heart began to ply and give way as something began to shine through. Pure and true excitement spread from that once-grey centre, a sunny feeling gradually spreading to the tips of her hands and feet, then up to her face, lighting it up with a smile like a sun in and of itself. Driving and burgers and closeness just with him. Felt like a perfect end to a day like this, a relief sent by some higher power who saw her essay-wrought pain. Thanks, girl. A stutter still lied prominent in her voice, but it wasn't of tripping around and crying like some pathetic little thing. Moreso the kind of trip experienced by a little kid running as fast as he can. The kind immediately shrugged off so that the jubilation could be resumed.
"Oh- uh- I mean- I'd love to!"
Hoisting her pack of academic loadoff with her, she skipped cheerfully off to the car (her chariot) and, overcome by the warm little excitement that'd seized her, didn't bother to wait for the man to open the door, hopping right up and executing a vault into the front seat. A little acrobatics here and there was always a good time, especially when this was the kind of thing it could help. it was only then, nestled right into that warm leather and getting right ready to squee at the proximity to that man when another timely realisation seized her; right! She, uh, wasn't all alone with him yet. Her head turned to her companions, explicitly NOT having forgotten them (
) and she continued to beam. Wider a smile than any she'd shone during the session, though that could be well understood. Outstretched went an arm, and wagwagwagwagwag went a wave, not simply blanketing each of Sylvie's comrades with the statement she was about to make, but precise and suffused with enough of that sheer sunniness that it was sweet and tailored towards each and every one of the motley crew. She let out a soft, yet resounding:
"See you all soooon~!"
Before settling back into her spot, giggling just enough for the adjective "maniacal" to fail to apply. She shuffled a bit closer to Claude, and didn't think about how she'd need to call mom and dad (not to mention Clarissa the minx (extra props to her in the goodbye wave for the setup (lowkey))) for a bit. She just thought of the present moment, and just enough of the future that she could draw even more of that warmth. Blush on her cheeks, of course, ever present. Even that was slightly warmer with that sheer, tingling excitement.
Oooh, how she couldn't wait.
[Sylvie Rattray-Aubert continued elsewhere...]
Snap!
The shadow of a Vivi looming right over her gave her some lucidity, and despite the blush-igniting words which came from the woman's mouth, Sylvie felt more clarity than she did most times when Claude was nearby. Her head turned up towards the man, his big, implacably caring grin and his eager promises an unabashedly carefree time; her eyes widened in a small shock, small awe, the cute red in her cheeks framing that look of realisation. There was no trick here, and no way she could justify this simple fact away with all the spiralling in the world: Claude wanted to go out with her, and it was as simple as that. The shy little panic in her heart began to ply and give way as something began to shine through. Pure and true excitement spread from that once-grey centre, a sunny feeling gradually spreading to the tips of her hands and feet, then up to her face, lighting it up with a smile like a sun in and of itself. Driving and burgers and closeness just with him. Felt like a perfect end to a day like this, a relief sent by some higher power who saw her essay-wrought pain. Thanks, girl. A stutter still lied prominent in her voice, but it wasn't of tripping around and crying like some pathetic little thing. Moreso the kind of trip experienced by a little kid running as fast as he can. The kind immediately shrugged off so that the jubilation could be resumed.
"Oh- uh- I mean- I'd love to!"
Hoisting her pack of academic loadoff with her, she skipped cheerfully off to the car (her chariot) and, overcome by the warm little excitement that'd seized her, didn't bother to wait for the man to open the door, hopping right up and executing a vault into the front seat. A little acrobatics here and there was always a good time, especially when this was the kind of thing it could help. it was only then, nestled right into that warm leather and getting right ready to squee at the proximity to that man when another timely realisation seized her; right! She, uh, wasn't all alone with him yet. Her head turned to her companions, explicitly NOT having forgotten them (
) and she continued to beam. Wider a smile than any she'd shone during the session, though that could be well understood. Outstretched went an arm, and wagwagwagwagwag went a wave, not simply blanketing each of Sylvie's comrades with the statement she was about to make, but precise and suffused with enough of that sheer sunniness that it was sweet and tailored towards each and every one of the motley crew. She let out a soft, yet resounding:"See you all soooon~!"
Before settling back into her spot, giggling just enough for the adjective "maniacal" to fail to apply. She shuffled a bit closer to Claude, and didn't think about how she'd need to call mom and dad (not to mention Clarissa the minx (extra props to her in the goodbye wave for the setup (lowkey))) for a bit. She just thought of the present moment, and just enough of the future that she could draw even more of that warmth. Blush on her cheeks, of course, ever present. Even that was slightly warmer with that sheer, tingling excitement.
Oooh, how she couldn't wait.
[Sylvie Rattray-Aubert continued elsewhere...]
The V9 Children themselves:
The Machininst - Raya Loux The Petite - Sylvie Rattray-Aubert The Forlorn - Céline Sharpe The Tough Guy - Manuel "Mañana" Hernández And here's outdated info about them plus where (not all of) their relationships are: viewtopic.php?t=9024
The Machininst - Raya Loux The Petite - Sylvie Rattray-Aubert The Forlorn - Céline Sharpe The Tough Guy - Manuel "Mañana" Hernández And here's outdated info about them plus where (not all of) their relationships are: viewtopic.php?t=9024