estoria | papa was a rolling stone

Entry tags:

papa was a rolling stone

Who: Yang (

flaredo), Ludger (

insolvent>), and Elle (

foodcritic)
When: October 18
Where: Ludger's apartment
What: Play date... more or less.
Rating/Warning: None

[ ludger wasn't entirely sure how it had happened, but one way or another yang had talked him into inviting her over to his (moderately overpriced) apartment. er... at least, that's what he thought had just happened. still, this was probably a good thing. when all was said and done, ludger still wasn't sure how to best take care of elle now that she was here, so having some help on that front was appreciated. though he'd taken care of her back in their world as well, he'd always had jude and the others to rely on. suddenly playing dad to an eight year old girl was not something ludger was particularly equipped to do... okay he was actually strangely well equipped to do that, but he was still having some trouble wrapping his head around it.

it would definitely help if elle had some friends around her age here though, so calling yang over seemed like a good idea. not that yang was actually elle's age... now that he thought about it, he actually wasn't sure how old she was, but she was definitely closer to ludger's age than elle's. well, regardless, having someone else to play with would would be good for elle.

probably.

he'd at least used that as an excuse to put his place back in order at least, not that it was ever particularly out of order. he'd told elle that yang was coming over too, and she seemed more or less happy about the idea (at least, he thought that was happiness, anyway). so for now, all there was to do was wait. ]

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[ "An hour," Yang had said, and that was really all it took. Tuna was more of a Blake staple food than hers, but appeasing a cat had to figure into her calculations, so she'd come prepared. An offering for the cat, and Yang herself as a sunny presence for Ludger and Elle. Maybe a few other small things. Nothing wrong with that.

And she doesn't even get all that lost on the way there, maintaining a cheery bounce in her step as she swings her bag and comes to a halt in front of the door.

She's polite enough to knock on this one. The last door that denied her got blown apart. ]

[ ludger probably couldn't manage to foot the repair bills for this particular door, so he comes hurrying to answer it when he hears a knock. not that he really know of the peril his front door had been in... he just figures he shouldn't keep her waiting. ]

You made it.

[ and pretty much on the hour, too. he held up his own end of the deal too - the apartment is pretty much spotless, which is quite a feat considering how large and well decorated it is. when he notices the tuna, he can't help but smile a little. ] Is that...?

[ actually he doesn't even have time to finish asking his question before rollo wedges himself in between the two of them, looking up expectantly. the cat has very good instincts when it comes to this sort of thing. ]

[elle is more or less happy about the company, given how quickly she took a liking to yang. okay, and maybe she's a little bit curious to see how things will go with rollo after be a grand storyteller of his escapades as cat royalty.

and maybe because she's welcoming of an extra distraction when things are still just reasonably weird all across the board. elle's gotten used to having a lot of people around since she met ludger, and that support system being gone isn't the easiest thing. she's good at putting on a brave face at least.]

It looks like Rollo really couldn't wait to meet you. [she's just going to casually poke her head out from behind where ludger is standing, looking at the cat before looking up at yang knowingly. no, it's totally not that elle is a little excited for company. not at all.

she also hasn't noticed the tuna offering yet, mostly because of where she's standing.]

[ Yang grins knowingly right back, before she lowers herself right there and produces a can of tuna from her bag. Lucky for Rollo, it's not that hard to peel open and offer. ]

As promised, for the emperor.

And hi again to the both of you! Long time no see!

[ Yang, that's not true at all. ]

[ caring little for the usual courtesies of royalty, rollo just spares a glance back at ludger and elle, before going straight for the tuna. by the way he goes at it, you wouldn't guess that he was just fed like an hour ago. ]

It seems the emperor is pleased with your gift.

[ maybe a little too much. still, ludger'll glance down at elle himself, who still seems intent on using him as a shield. well, it's not like that's new. ]

Yeah, it's been a whole... three days. [ forever. ]

[listen, one never knows when the door will open to something bad. it's happened before, hasn't it?]

Don't people usually say that when it's been longer than three days? [even at that, probably a lot longer. but hey, what does she know? grownups are so weird sometimes.

but hey, at least she's coming out from essentially hiding behind ludger, kneeling next to rollo and watching him eat the tuna.] He's definitely pleased. Emperor Rollo is almost ready to go start a new cat army!

[is he? who knows, but it could come in handy, right?]

This guy's the only cat I've seen around so far, though. [ And she'll offer Rollo a quick scratch behind the ears before she holds out her arms to Elle. ]

So, do I get a hug as part of my friend status?

[ Ludger won't be spared for long. ]

Fortunately, hunting down cats is my specialty. [ ...he's not sure whether to be proud or ashamed of that particular skill, but it's one he's honed down to a rather disturbing science. if there's a lost cat somewhere out there, he will find it.

then forcibly draft it into rollo's cat army.

but either way, human shield ludger is ineffective against hugs, so he'll step out from between the two of them. sorry elle, you're on your own here. ]

[thanks for that, ludger! she's definitely shooting him a look akin to "am i really supposed to do this?" she's not exactly the biggest hugger here.]

I... guess. I mean, if that's what you really want. [but it's not really the worst thing in the world either. she could probably use more of them, honestly.]

Yep! I have it on excellent authority that I give the best hugs, but I need more feedback.

[ authority being Ruby, who squawked over affection half the time. ]

[ sorry elle, you'll really get no guidance from him... he can't really say whether yang is truly Giver of the Best Hugs, though he doesn't doubt it.

instead he just gives her what can only be described as a sly smile. your call, elle. ]

[yeah, that's totally not helpful at all.]

I guess it's okay if it's really that important to you. [will she reluctantly go in for the hug? sure. there's a good chance that in the future it will be much less of a hassle to drag out of her, but as much as she likes yang already, she's just unsure. eight-year old tsun baby life is hard.]

Does that mean you're gonna give Ludger a hug, too? [since it's a friendship thing. or whatever.]

Sure! [ without any hesitation, this girl. But first, she's gotta give Elle a little squeeze and a proper hug before she straightens and lifts her off her feet for a playful twirl. ] I wouldn't want him to feel lonely.

[ against all odds, the hug seems to have been a success. even eight year old tsundere couldn't stand up to you, yang. well done.

yeah that makes sen- wait what? ]

No, I think I'm okay. I don't feel lonely at all. [ he says, burying his crippling feelings of solitude somewhere deep down inside. ]

[elle's gonna have to work up her tsundere skills to emulate her favorite one at this rate. broken down so easily!!

in any case, ludger's getting an expectant look for elle now as she crosses her arms over her chest.]

You heard her, Ludger. Now you two have to hug. [crippling feelings of solitude are not allowed, okay.]

[ Yang's just tsundere-proof, Weiss-tested and grudgingly approved. ]

Awww, c'mon. I'm not gonna bite you. [ and once Elle is safely on the ground, she'll hold out her arms expectantly. ]

[ this was not in the plan. but since both of them are staring at him now, he doesn't have much choice, does he? ...at least not if he doesn't want to set a bad example for elle.

so somewhat grudgingly he moves forward, giving yang a stiff and all together awkward hug. which he retreats from just as quickly. ]

There. Happy? [ he really should have expected that. ]

[what a good dad.

at least it puts an amused (and maybe slightly triumphant) smile on elle's face. that makes it worthwhile, right?]

Ludger, you look like you really did think she would bite you.

Yeah, no kidding... [ and Yang will huff a little. ] I think I'm a little hurt now!

What? No, that's not it! [ though he can't really deny it either. ] I'm just not good at hugging.

[ to a somewhat ridiculous degree. ]

You know what they say, Ludger...

[he's getting a totally knowing look right now.] Practice makes perfect!

[besides, she thinks he's a pretty good hugger anyway. but elle's probably an exception to the rule.]

Well, if that's the case, then I'm going to make you a champion!

[ INCOMING TACKLE, LUDGER. ]

Huh? Wait-

[ almost by reflex he tries to dodge, though by that point it's already too late - all he can do is awkwardly fumble around for a second before he takes the brunt of yang's tackle hug. ]

Gah! [ and nearly crumples to the floor. he does not really see how this is supposed to make him better at this. ]

[geez, ludger! elle thought he was faster than that. still, the display is pretty amusing to her, and she's letting out some small giggles.]

They look like old friends already, don't they, Rollo? [always defer to the cat.]

[ Yes, old friends nearly take each other down. It's page 36 of the rule book. And Yang isn't fazed by any of this, unfortunately for Ludger. ]

Okay, so on the promise that I won't show my teeth here, you put your arms around me and squeeze. Got that?

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