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Who: Adolf ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
zitteraal & Oona mermaiding
When: 3/31 IC
Where: At the aquarium.
What: Fish people being fish people! An eel is dragged out to socialize with a mermaid in a place full of other fish, essentially.
Rating/Warning: None atm, will update if necessary!
[ If someone, anyone'd told him a few months ago back on Earth that there would come a day in which his biggest day-to-day concerns would be what to do about going to an aquarium with a mermaid, Adolf would likely have dismissed them quietly and looked into getting said individual a paid vacation for a few days; they must've been tired. Delusional, even. Long hours at work can do that.
The sad thing is that this is actually the current state of his life, and it would probably be a lot sadder if he'd actually harbored negative emotions about it aside from the usual trepidation and uncertainty. He still isn't sure why people keep voluntarily trying to spend time with him— what a novel thought— but he's still thankful for it, despite all the fronts he puts up that suggest otherwise.
So.
Since this is leisure and not business (even he knows the difference), he's waiting for Oona in front of the aquarium in what he attributes as 'casualwear': aka a highneck sweater and a long scarf that covers half of his face (mandatory). His hands are shoved into the pockets of his pants, and for once, he's not glaring into space as if the mere presence of air offends him.
Maybe he's even anticipating seeing the weird alien fish that might be here... maybe. I-it's not like he likes animals or anything, baka...
When he spots Oona, he pulls one hand out of his pants and raises it to indicate that yes, he is here, and yes, he is Adolf Reinhardt (as if he could be mistaken for anyone else). He also incidentally has a pair of tickets already, because he beat Oona to it and he's a gentleman eel, thank you very much. ]
—Oona.
[ Sup girl you ready to go see some FISH ]
zitteraal & Oona mermaidingWhen: 3/31 IC
Where: At the aquarium.
What: Fish people being fish people! An eel is dragged out to socialize with a mermaid in a place full of other fish, essentially.
Rating/Warning: None atm, will update if necessary!
[ If someone, anyone'd told him a few months ago back on Earth that there would come a day in which his biggest day-to-day concerns would be what to do about going to an aquarium with a mermaid, Adolf would likely have dismissed them quietly and looked into getting said individual a paid vacation for a few days; they must've been tired. Delusional, even. Long hours at work can do that.
The sad thing is that this is actually the current state of his life, and it would probably be a lot sadder if he'd actually harbored negative emotions about it aside from the usual trepidation and uncertainty. He still isn't sure why people keep voluntarily trying to spend time with him— what a novel thought— but he's still thankful for it, despite all the fronts he puts up that suggest otherwise.
So.
Since this is leisure and not business (even he knows the difference), he's waiting for Oona in front of the aquarium in what he attributes as 'casualwear': aka a highneck sweater and a long scarf that covers half of his face (mandatory). His hands are shoved into the pockets of his pants, and for once, he's not glaring into space as if the mere presence of air offends him.
Maybe he's even anticipating seeing the weird alien fish that might be here... maybe. I-it's not like he likes animals or anything, baka...
When he spots Oona, he pulls one hand out of his pants and raises it to indicate that yes, he is here, and yes, he is Adolf Reinhardt (as if he could be mistaken for anyone else). He also incidentally has a pair of tickets already, because he beat Oona to it and he's a gentleman eel, thank you very much. ]
—Oona.
[ Sup girl you ready to go see some FISH ]
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But this is different. It's not a date--she's not foolish enough to actually think of it like that-- but she does want everyone to stare on enviously at Adolf and wonder how he got so lucky. Is that so wrong??
Oona certainly doesn't think so, and it was through the careful enlistment (and one misfired text) that got her through this. She's actually dressed for cuteness and not just comfort.
Thankfully someone managed to figure that a skirt wouldn't be the best idea no matter how cute because Oona probably couldn't be trusted to conduct herself properly in one. Her hair is even put up and she's got make-up on! Effort was put into this!!
So she practically bounces up to Adolf when she sees him, her excited grin tinged with anxiety at what lies before her. It's a big step, going into a place like this, and perhaps that played a part in her decision to dress up. Another layer of disassociation between the person she'd been in her own tank, and the person she was now. She'd heard make up being compared to war paint or battle armor to cover up and for once she could see the comparison as being rather appropriate.]
You did not wait long, did you? [Her brow furrows slightly in concern]
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She looks nice, is his very practical and very sincere opinion. It's just that he doesn't attribute her cute outfit and her curled lashes to anything that has to do with himself, and when he tilts his head and looks Oona up and down, it's not out of scrutiny but out of a vague feeling of fondness that, ah, she must be excited.
As per usual, Adolf neither smiles nor brightens, nor does he have anything clever to draw from in his limited arsenal of casual conversation starters. Instead, he hands her her ticket (it's the one with a happy octopus emblazoned on it; his has a rather angry-looking pufferfish) and shakes his head, green eyes softening just incrementally if you look hard enough. ]
No. I just got here.
[ A lie: he's been waiting at least 20 minutes, but that's no one's fault but his. ]
The place is open until late at night. You can take your time.
[ Meaning that he's ok with that, also that she should pace herself! Look at this dumb eel. ]
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Adolf!! Jeez!!]
Will just have to buy something for you. [The corner of her mouth twitches in a smile she's clearly trying to fight--a joke? Or is she serious?? Guess time will tell.
Her fingers crinkle the ticket somewhat as she looks down on it, considering. This was...actually happening, huh? It had been easy to plan and talk about it, but actually moving herself to walk inside suddenly seems more difficult than she initially thought. Open late. Take her time... Maybe she could feign hunger (well she wouldn't have to feign much of anything, she was always down to eat) and put it off--
Sousei's words came back to her then. You have never struck me as a coward.
Well. Damn.
Oona straightens her back a little and looks up at Adolf with a nod.]
Yes, let us go. It will only get easier once we are inside. [She turns and walks towards the entrance, looking a little like a prisoner going off to face their sentence with as much dignity as they could muster.
But her smile is back rather quickly as she states:] Did you know? They have one of those eh.. shallow areas, where you can pet and touch different fish!
[Oona what was that about not looking at their site so you could be surprised...]
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(He's seen that look before, in new recruits who were shown a terraformer for the first time; fear, uncertainty, resignation. And in some, bravery.)
He takes wide strides so he's back in front of Oona, just a half a step forward and to her left. It's instinct, so he can cover her if something happens, not that they're in any immediate danger. ]
You don't have to do that. [ In response to her gift-buying, though he figures that this will be inevitable... he'll go home with an eel around his neck, won't he. ] ...You went to the website?
[ CALLING YOU OUT, OONA... and here he is, walking inside and showing his ticket so they can both step into the lobby. The air is immediately noticeable as a degree or two colder, and the lights dim the further in they go. ]
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She doesn't answer at first, showing the ticket to edge herself inside with an almost palpable nervousness-- Like, somehow, the security will notice she's not human and throw her in a tank. When that obviously doesn't happen she exhales a breath she hadn't been aware she'd been holding and moves closer to Adolf. Her arm brushes against his, the brief physical contact grounding her.]
I may have... peeked. Briefly. I may have hit link by accident and glanced at it. [She answers at last, turning her nose up slightly as if daring him to call her out further on that.] It was not enough to ruin anything!
[Oona pauses for a moment again, looking around as she tries to decide what to do first. To her right flashes of color catch her attention and she grasps for Adolf's sleeve, tugging him to get his attention, to follow her, as she hurries to a large, circular tube-like tank that goes up through the ceiling. She can't say she really recognizes the colorful fish (is that one changing colors??) but her expression is delighted as she move around it, pressing her hands against the glass and leaning in to watch them swim.]
Adolf, look! [As if he can't already see them, but she grins at him, all delighted and excited like a child given free access to a candy store. She looks back at the fish and hums thoughtfully.]
I wonder how you would smuggle them out... [Is she joking... She slides a sly glance Adolf's way again. Maybe.]
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Before he can let Oona drag him over to the rainbow fish (which he'd been eying anyway, let's be real), he pulls one hand out of his pocket to swipe his debit card against a machine that reads: 'WE TAKE CARE OF OUR FISH! PLEASE DONATE'.
Nerd.
With that done, he's content to wind his way to where Oona is, to stand behind her and look into the glass at the blinking fish. One of them swims over to where Oona has her hand pressed against the glass, changes color from pink to pale blond, like her hair. ]
...Don't think about it. [ About smuggling them out... how would you even do that, Oona!! But he doesn't sound as chiding as he could, and for someone who looks like he doesn't belong here, it's obvious that he's attentive: both to Oona and the fish. ] —Can you speak to them?
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The question surprises her a little though-- and she even looks a little impressed, and pleased, that he remembered she could do that.] Can, yes. Will? Maybe.
[Her smile is cheeky and quick, but she takes a moment to look around. The aquarium must be having a slow day (or maybe the robots and inhabitants have already been so many times, trapped in the colony as they were, that the aquarium had lost some of its luster to them?) because there's really not that many people around. Or maybe they're just further in.
Either way the coast is clear, so Oona leans in and hums. It's definitely not a human-like hum, but it's melodious all the same. It gets the attention of the fish, however, sending a couple over towards Oona. Her finger taps lightly on the glass to focus them and she leans back, not breaking the hum as she watches.
After a moment the tune finally breaks (it's definitely not human how long she can hold it without needing to breathe) and she glances to him. Her finger continues to tap a steady, slow beat to keep the fish there.] Do you have a question? They do not have much to say. They were bred in this place and have known nothing else. They are happy, but I suspect it is because they do not know anything else.
[One of the fish moves, swimming in a circle and Oona tilts her head as if to listen and smiles, amused.] He says most humans are ugly and that most of the fish do not like children, because they beat and tap the glass with too much force and speak too loudly.
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Confirmation enough that mermaids really can lure sailors to their doom, really. For a beat, he doesn't register that Oona is using words he can recognize; he stares at her before a subtle shake of his head snaps him out of his reverie. ]
...Ugly, huh. [ Note to self: fish are as blunt as Oona. The thought would have made someone more expressive smile, but it only manifests in a light exhale on Adolf's end. ] I don't have any questions, if they say that they're happy.
[ The fish, probably attracted by Oona's song, mill toward where the two of them are standing. A mess of colors that change like Christmas lights, pulsing from red to blue to green.
Adolf feels 8 years old again, briefly. ]
...Let's keep moving. According to the map— [ because he already has one?! What a nerd. ] —they'll be feeding some of the fish soon.
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Jellyfish! Adolf, we have to see! Jellyfish! [She's so excited. She practically runs off to go to the jellyfish room and spends a good couple minutes just wandering the various tubes and tanks in the darkened room. She turns in a full circle and smiles at him when he enters, running up to grab his arm again.]
Look, look at these ones! [A dozen beautiful jellies float by, briefly turning the colors in the room from blue to red as they pass in front of the lights. Her grip on his arm tightens somewhat before she steps away to examine the tank of a giant lion's mane jellyfish that's a good deal larger than Oona is.
She stares open-mouthed, the corner of her mouth turned up in an awed little smile.]
Was stung by jellyfish, once. [it comes up unprompted, but she sounds fairly cheerful about the whole thing.] May be a surprise, but I was very reckless when I was younger. [She throws a grin over her shoulder before returning her attention to the lumbering giant in the tank.]
Was swimming with my younger brother, exploring here and there. There was a group of jellyfish. Told him, 'bet I can touch the tops, before they can sting me.' He told me not to, but I told him it was fine. Mother would not have to know.
I was stung, but cried more because I knew mother would be angry, which was worse than the actual sting. [Oona laughs brightly.] Brother never let me live it down. Every time I would try to convince him of a good idea, I would say, 'what is worse that can happen?' And he would say, 'do you remember the jellyfish?' I would get so mad!
[Her laughter trails off with a wistful sigh.] He must be old enough to leave the clan by now. I am sure he still remembers.
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Unwittingly, Adolf's hand presses against the glass— through the thick partition between his skin and the water, he can feel the electric hum of the organism in front of him. It's times like these that he appreciates electric eels a little bit more, for letting him know how life can vibrate through his veins.
With his palm still settled in front of him, Adolf turns his head to watch Oona talk, his carefully neutral expression turning gentle enough that his eyes convey some measure of thoughtfulness. ]
I'm not surprised.
[ By her recklessness, he means, before he lets her finish her story. It's a happy one, he's pleased to find, but the tail end is still somewhat melancholy, a reminder of their current and her past circumstances. ]
He probably does. If it's something that made you angry, he'd definitely remember.
[ Kind words disguised as a jab, as per usual. ]
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I have many stories of my family. I think by human standards we were quite big, but it was nice for me. I wanted to have a large family one day. [A wistful sigh.] I like children, actually. Though, I suppose people are surprised when I say so. I do not think many think I have, hmm...temperament for children.
[Oona pauses for a moment, turning her attention towards Adolf. She wants to ask him abut his family, if he and his wife had children... But she's not sure she wants to know the answer. Instead she steps closer and bumps her shoulder against his arm partly in comfort (just in case) and partly in a sense of 'I'm here.'
When she speaks it's instead to ask:] Is there place you want to go here? You have memorized the map, surely, yes?
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Oona is driving stakes through his chest, but Adolf figures that her scars run even deeper. Best not to veer on cynical, when his companion still has so much to live for. Look at this shoulder bump, too— it's a nice gesture.
So he matches his strides to hers, keeps pace with Oona while he meanders over to the next tank: a swarm of rays, as big as him. ]
You'd tolerate children more readily than adults, in my opinion.
[ Because kids are honest, and so is Oona. Which isn't to say that he thinks Oona is an infant, but he'll leave it at that. Maybe she'll puff up again, that's better than her being melancholy. ]
Places I want to see. [ He parrots it, as he brings up a mental image of the aquarium map, which he has, in fact, committed to memory. ] ...Yeah, I want to see the electric eel.
[ IT'S HERE... the one that has its own Cerealia-equivalent Twitter feed because I say it does. ]
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Besides, they are cute! Loud, yes, but cute. [Maybe they should be more worried abut Oona smuggling a human baby out of here from an unsuspecting mother, more so than her trying to liberate some fish from their tanks.
His declaration about the eel makes her burst out laughing, startling a near-by couple at the suddenness of it.]
I am not even in the slightest surprised! There is one here? Of course you would like to see it. [But she takes his sleeve again--it's the closest she supposes she'll get to holding his hand here right now--and grins at him]
I want to see it too, then, if you do.
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Patiently, he warns: ] The only souvenirs you're allowed to take home are whatever is in the gift shop.
[ He remembers saying similar things to Isabella, frankly. Bless you, Isabella, for training him for this day.
But then he's being laughed at, he assumes, and... well. He breathes a silent sigh under his scarf, keeps his ears safely hidden behind his hair to make sure that they haven't reddened slightly. ]
It shouldn't be so strange. They're not common.
[ Oona will also be delighted to see that they have a screen set up next to Sparky the Eel where you can scroll through his fish puns... they'll be there all day, if they're not careful.
Leading Oona by the sleeve, Adolf winds his way through the relatively-empty halls, past a tank full of what looks like giant crabs with way too many legs. ]
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I did not say it was strange. I like eels. [Normally she might try to give Adolf bedroom eyes at this, trying to flirt it up, but it's... It's Adolf. Oona knows she's getting nowhere here, though she does slide a glance his way. Her arm slips around his, giving it a hug like she's trying to reassure him again, but she doesn't pull away once she's done. It's kind of comfortable to walk arm-in-arm and let her eyes wander to the tanks, trusting Adolf to lead her without her needing to fully pay attention to where she's going.
(Man how many crab cakes could you make out of those things--)]
Oh look, the electric eel! [And its twitter which Oona eagerly steps up to read.] 'How do you make a goldfish age? Take away the "g".'
[She's quiet for a long moment before her face screws up as she understands. She actually snorts, throwing her hands up over her face as she dissolves into giggles. THIS IS THE GREATEST EVER...]
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But here they are now, in front of the bae(el). Adolf's attention strays more towards the actual fish itself than its Twitte(el)r, which has cleverly been renamed the 'Zapper'. They're really committed to this, huh.
The eel stretches and rolls lazily in its tank, winds itself through the water with a curious grace. It's a sentiment somewhere between fondness and gratefulness that Adolf bites back before he hears Oona laughing, and he contents himself to cast his gaze down to the side to see what she's laughing at. ]
"...Where do alien fish live? In trouter space."
[ He will never admit to this, but this is possibly the best thing he's seen all day, maybe excluding Oona's cute outfit. ]
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Just stick a fork in her, she's completely done. Just as she's calming down from her giggle-fit about 'oldfish,' Adolf has to read another one and it starts the cycle all over again.]
Trouter-- [is all she manages to get out before she snorts again (which just makes her laugh harder in a mix of embarrassment and genuine mirth at herself), her shoulders shaking with the effort of keeping her laughter down.
Her eyes linger on another and she manages to squeak out:] "What's the strongest creature in the sea? A mussel!"
[She's dead. Oona is just dead. There are tears in the corner of her eyes and she's really, really glad the Kaoru went with legit, waterproof make-up for this because otherwise there'd be trouble. She leans fully against Adolf, not trusting herself to stand on her own and presses her face against his arm as she laughs.]
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If his lips have curved upwards under his scarf, he wouldn't know, himself— he's occupied by Oona, her love of fish puns, and the gentle reality that there are things that can make her laugh until she cries.
Just for that, he'd like to give Sparky here a word of gratitude. ]
...It's watching you.
[ He finally says, after letting some of her giggles subside into quiet hiccups. The arm that's free from Oona's grip moves to wipe a bit of moisture off of the corner of her eye, making sure not to smudge her eyeliner. ]
You're probably the best reaction it's gotten all day.
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If I am the best, than clearly others do not have sense of humor! [But once he's wiped the stray tears away, she turns her attention back to the eel and leans against Adolf's arm in companionable silence. The eel blinks at them lazily[
Ah, I see the dots. [She points to the eel, and then to her own face, below her eyes.] The ones you had then. Can see resemblance now. [She taps her lips with a mocking sort of thoughtfulness] I do not know who looks better with them, though. You, or the eel. You are both cute.
[She sends him a sly smile and a playful nudge again before watching the eel watch them] Could smuggle him out. You could put him in your room. Make a new friend! [Bc that's how you make new friends. Kidnap them and put them in your room.]
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[ Not going to touch the 'cute' denomination, for obvious reasons. Shouldn't 'cute' be used in tandem with things that are actually endearing... he wonders sometimes, about Oona and her preferences.
(Not that he objects to her being around, but. That's something else entirely?!)
His brow raises carefully when Oona suggests another Oona Escape Caper, and the arm still held in Oona's nudges a bit against her side. ]
...Any tank that I put in my room would be smaller than this one. He's better off being here.
[ Practical, pragmatic. What a party pooper. ]
—But I've been thinking about it. Getting a home aquarium.
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The silence is more thoughtful than disapproving, but she mulls it over in her head anyway, giving him a scrutinizing look. No, if there was anyone that would treat and aquarium with the utmost amount of care, it'd be Adolf.
She wants to tease him, too, for getting comfortable, for settling in. But she's a little worried that if she does he might shrink into himself again or realize it too much himself and throw the idea out. (It goes without saying that she might be projecting quite a bit too, because running away is what she certainly would have done).]
It would be good for you, I think, to have something to come home to and have something depending on you. [She tilts her head lightly.] You will take care of them. [It's said matter-of-factly, no questions. There isn't even a real need to put a threat in there (take care of them or else) because she knows Adolf better than that.
Anyone that's been caged up surely knows how to treat things in similar circumstances much better. And she can't say she's against pets because, well, even mermaids had pet fish. Granted they weren't kept in tanks, but...]
You should get colorful ones. Happy ones that brighten the room. You are too serious and gloomy sometimes.
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Like him, he figures that they must be comprised of code and wires; that even if he disappears someday (which he still thinks about, the impermanence of this place), someone will come clean up his space and take those fish with them, deprogram them and clear their memory bank. Good as new.
It's sad, he supposes. But most things are.
Oona's encouragement sits warmly against his ribs, though, and her accusation of him being serious and gloomy aren't wrong at all— case in point. He won't say anything about his prospective aquarium being filled with fake fish, because her consideration is important and she literally just called him out on being A Downer, so.
He lets his expression soften incrementally, dials back his melancholy about 10 points. ]
'Sometimes'. —Give me a break. [ That's a shockingly informal statement from him, but in reality, that's more of the real him showing through... ] I'm always this way.
[ A mild joke, delivered in deadpan. ]
If you have suggestions for which fish to get, I'm open to it.
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[But she's joking, obviously. Because clearly the worst he can do is deny her; how dare he tell her not to steal fish from the aquarium?? Or kidnap a baby??? Sheesh!
But her voice softens, because as much as she teases him for his faults, she also thinks it's important to put some praise in there.] But you are also sweet and kind and caring. You came to the aquarium with me, and you are patient with me even when I know I am annoying, or strange, or do not make sense. I still struggle with speaking and expressing self, but you do not make me feel stupid for it. Thank you.
[Her head leans against him and she presses close in a brief nuzzle of appreciation before she rights herself (she's still clinging to his arm though).]
Bright fish! Damselfish are pretty and so are butterflyfish. Mandarinfish are very colorful, and nice to look at.
Oh! Should get toadfish, or frogfish! They are very cute! [They aren't.]
And pufferfish. They always look like they are smiling, and lionfish are very neat to look at! [She pauses, because really she's just listing pretty coral reef fish she can think of.] ...Dumbo octopus are also very very cute, but I do not know if they would fit in with that setting...
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Somehow, it's easier to deal with her talking about wanting to kidnap fish then it is when she thanks him, and he clears his throat before turning his attention back towards Sparky the eel.
(Sparky reads the mood: it gently wafts across the water and zaps its surroundings once, prompting the words 'BOOM!' to flash across the screen. Thanks, bud.) ]
You overestimate a lot of things. [ His personality, for one. But that's not what he focuses on. ] You're outspoken, but I've never had a hard time understanding you.
[ It's bad, all of this. It's bad for his heart, for example, because it's not a good idea to get attached to circumstances that are uncertain, but it's exhausting to live here while putting himself on permanent exile. He's not sure he understands what he wants at all anymore, if this is a second chance or what— he puts himself on autopilot most of the time, but these outings are pleasant to him regardless.
If anything, he's the one that should be thanking her. ]
I'll keep it in mind. [ Her list of fish, he means. He's already committed most of them to memory. ] —Oona.
[ And he tips his head to the side, looks down at Oona through the slits in his bangs. It's just him saying her name, but there's a question there, a continuation: a silent 'I want to ask you something'. ]
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A+ Sparky. Good going. Oona's momentarily distracted from trying to argue further (she's truthful! She doesn't lie! So if she says he's sweet and all the junk, it must be true!), which, granted, isn't that hard to do in the first place. Still, it's enough to get her to drop the subject for now.
So maybe Sparky did, in fact, read the mood perfectly.
Him saying her name snaps her to attention, however, and she vaguely realizes that he uses it pretty rarely. Her head tilts, curious.]
Yes? [Should she be more cautious about what this question or request could be? Or maybe he just wants to know what the eel might have to say?]
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It's a big step up for Adolf, though, because it's one of those incredibly mundane questions that he rarely asks— or has asked, not in a while.
All of this is just to illustrate the fact that what's coming up is incredibly stupid and awkward, essentially. ]
Are you enjoying yourself.
[ He says, flatly, without even an inflection at the end to suggest that it might be a question. He says it as if he's asking for a status report, as if enjoyment is a statistic that is very vital to knowing how to evaluate his current situation.
Maybe if Adolf were less of a nerd, he would have said something like 'I'm having fun so I hope you're having fun', but. God, look at him. He's so dour. ]
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As such, it actually gives her pause to consider. Perhaps a normal person would have said, 'yes!' outright, because the idea that one had to stop and think about it would imply, in and of itself, that she wasn't.
It's not that she isn't, but it's more complicated than that and she wants to make sure she's giving an honest answer.]
It is... difficult, to see them in tanks. [Not a good start, she supposes, but it's the honest one she's always promised to give. She steps away from Adolf then, moving closer to place her hands flat against the glass surface of Sparky's home. Her face is kept carefully neutral, eyes staring into the water.]
I was kept in one for a long, long time. I do not know if it is better or worse to have known freedom for so long beforehand, or to have never known anything but this. You cannot miss what you never had-- I have heard that said before. But I have also heard, 'it is better to have loved and lost, than to never love at all.' When I think of such things, it makes my heart hurt.
The scientists wanted to breed me. [She says it quick, blunt-- she never brought it up before with, well, anyone because how does one come back from that?] I do not know what they would have done when I refused. [because of course she would have] Not that they would have found a merman. They are not so careless and too protected to have gotten caught. I was stupid. [A self-deprecating smile and she shakes her head a little.]
Perhaps they would only catch another mermaid. Perhaps they would have no use for me. Being here makes me think, 'could I have ended up somewhere like this?' Would I be nearly as content as these creatures? Would I settle for 'this is enough'?
[That word again. 'Enough.' It's both a word of comfort and fear; of settling, of growing too content and not bothering to save herself anymore. Her fingers curl lightly against the glass.
Sparky lets out another zap, sending a text up on the screen that just reads 'BAM!' But it catches Oona's attention and she steps back to look at the screen, smiling despite herself.
Gosh, all of that sounds like such a downer, huh?]
I am not as upset as I thought I would be. I thought I would hate this, but... I do not. It brings up bad thoughts at times, and bad memories. I am afraid someone will somehow... notice, that I will be put behind glass again.
[Oona turns to face him then, holding her hands behind her back in a surprisingly confident stance despite her admission of all her insecurities here] But I am not alone. You are here, so I feel safe. If I was alone, I do not think I could do this. But you ask me questions about the fish. You listen. You care, and I know that. [She tilts her head slightly with an expression that seems to say 'don't even try to deny it right now.']
You being here turned an experience that would have been much, much worse to something better.
So yes, I am having fun. I have not laughed so hard I have cried in-- many years. [A pause in her speech, because 'many years' is such an understatement, jesus christ.
Her expression softens as does her tone.] Thank you. [As if, somehow, he's the reason for all of it. Another smile and she repeats herself with more finality:] I am having fun and I am even looking forward to seeing more.
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Comfort seems pointless: he knows what that's like, words that border on pity, words that console but never get at the root of the issue. He doesn't think to correct her or to draw empty observations, the 'it won't-s' and 'you aren't-s'.
She said so herself, all those weeks ago. That she'd never let something like that happen again, and he believes her. ]
—There'll be more things, for you. More opportunities to laugh.
[ 'For you', he says. Optimism isn't a strong suit of his, but he's willing to bend his cardinal rule at the moment.
He reaches out for Oona, puts his hand on her shoulder and applies the faintest pressure— almost a squeeze— before he lets go. ]
...As far as experiences go, it'll only get better from here. I set the bar low.
[ Again, a wry joke: 'don't expect this to be the highlight of the year, you'll probably have a lot more fun than this in the future'. But it's the kind of joke he doesn't make too often, and the quick flick of his gaze to the side should properly convey his mild shyness.
Listen, he just wants Oona to be happy.
(And he thinks vaguely about Rosa, their first 'date', her head pressed against his chest. "Of all the days I've lived, this is the happiest", she'd said.
Don't think about that, he tells himself.) ]
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Still, she reaches out to grab for his hand, her eyes clear and a smile turning up the corners of her mouth a little.] I still have not made you smile. I will do so. [A promise, perhaps a bit arrogant in her confidence] I do not lie, so it must come true. [Okay maybe more than a bit, but there's a playful sparkle in her eyes now.
Her fingers curl over his hand, a light squeeze of her own] I hope you will be by my side for those better experiences.
[So he can have fun too, so maybe he can find some little moments of happiness and peace regardless of how much he might try denying himself.]
I hope you did not think to escape me so easily. [Another light joke. He can't just agree to one or two fun things (swimming at the beach, going to an aquarium) and hope that'd satisfy her for long! He's (unfortunately??) caught Oona's attention too much and there's no way she's letting him slink off into the obscurity again or anything.
Sorry about your life, Adolf.]
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He wasn't expecting the handholding at all, so he stares at the point of contact with a vague expression of incomprehension. That look lingers, before he seems to understand the implication and the sentiment, and he tugs his arm back with a slight undertone of embarrassment— not embarrassed by Oona, but mostly at himself for being so momentarily unguarded. ]
They won't be able to say that I didn't try.
[ Rude Eel... but whatever, he's stuck and he's not going to overcomplicate that notion by being overly dour about it. ]
...Come on. You want to touch the sharks, don't you.
[ He coughs, just to deflect from his own sheepishness. He's so obvious... ]
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But since she doubts it'd be what he actually wanted even if he did say it one day, she doesn't have to worry about it. Doesn't even spare it a thought.
Besides, she's too easily distracted to dwell on things like that for long. Her eyes go huge and her mouth drops] Can pet sharks!? Ah! Why are we standing here? Come, come! We must go, now! [She pulls at his arm with a childish abandon, despite the fact she actually has no idea where to go for these sharks.
DOESN'T MATTER, SHE HAS SHARKS TO PET. WHO NEEDS DIRECTION]