papa was a rolling stone

[insolvent]

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. ]

Comments

[foodcritic]

[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.]

[flaredo]

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.

[insolvent]

[ 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. ]

[foodcritic]

[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.]

[flaredo]

[ 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. ]

[insolvent]

[ 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. ]

[foodcritic]

[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.

[flaredo]

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

[insolvent]

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. ]

[foodcritic]

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.]

[flaredo]

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

[ INCOMING TACKLE, LUDGER. ]

[insolvent]

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. ]

[foodcritic]

[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.]

[flaredo]

[ 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?

[insolvent]

So that's how this works... [ okay he already knows the theory behind hugging, but he'll play along regardless. all while questioning why it came to this.

as instructed, he puts his arms around yang before giving a squeeze. perhaps a bit longer than necessary, just to make sure he's receiving full credit for this. ] There. Do I pass?

[foodcritic]

Hmmm....

[she's just humming thoughtfully and watching. she looks to rollo, then back at yang while waiting for the verdict. will you pass the hug exam, ludger?]

[flaredo]

[ Well, she was going to get an opinion from her panel of judges, but it's her call, huh? Yang hums just as thoughtfully-- and then she'll nod. ]

We've got to work on your delivery and enthusiasm, but I'll give you a passing grade. Good job!

[insolvent]

[ he definitely lets out a sigh of relief at that... he's not sure he could take much more hugging. ]

I'll... try to work on that. [ maybe. ]

[foodcritic]

[she wasn't sure she really could give accurate input. she wasn't on the receiving end of the hug. and she's not really the biggest hugger either.]

You did it, Ludger! [there's still some giggles going on over here. it's a little funny when people can throw him for a loop like that. rollo probably approve of these developments too...]

[flaredo]

Keep practicing! [ with a wink as she leans back. ] There'll be a final later on. But I feel a lot better now, at least!

[insolvent]

A final...? [ she's just joking, right... though after all this, he can't be entirely sure either. oh well, at least he's in the clear for now. ]

Are either of you hungry? [ as usual, he will retreat into his familiar bastion of cooking. at least in the kitchen, he is safe from hugs. ]

[foodcritic]

Oh, I am!

[when isn't elle hungry for ludger's cooking, though? she's small, but her appetite is formidable. of course, she also has to inform yang of how important this is.] Ludger's a really good cook... pretty much the best.

[trust her palate, yang.]

[flaredo]

The best, huh... I don't know, someone else's cooking skills have given me some preeeeetty high expectations.

[ granted, that someone else is now dead, but-- ]

Let's see what you can do, Ludger!

[insolvent]

[ that sounds like a challenge to him. ]

Well, I don't know if I'm the best... But I'll see what I can do.

[ make no mistake, despite sounding laid back, he is anything but that as he enters the kitchen to do battle. his reputation as a pro chef is on the line here (even if it's really not). ]

[foodcritic]

[elle's familiar with this competitive side of him, which just makes the whole thing better. it's okay... she's picked her side.

team ludger, of course.]

You'll see, Ludger's pretty hard to beat. [elle puts her hands on her hips puffing her chest out as she looks at yang. and for the second opinion:] Right, Rollo?

[always defer to the cat.]