[PLAYER PLOT | HUB SCANNING SYSTEM INSTALLATION]

[spellbindmods]

Who: Any coven members interested in installing the hub scanning system OR exploring the (???) on the map!
Where: From the mansion to the peak of the hub's tallest mountain.
When: Day 128
Open/Closed: OTA!

[ Come one, come all, it's time to head to the top of the Hub mountain! Whether your character has been involved in the preparations up till now or not, anyone near the mansion on this clear morning can join the expedition that's going out. The mission: to boldly install some monitoring equipment up on top of a mountain, and see what's there while you're in the area. Time for departures and last-minute tinkering! ]

((ooc note: If you'd like to backdate any participation, please feel free to comment to the post linked above -- if not, jump in from here!))

Comments

[talim]

You have nothing to worry about.

[ jude's head droops over 9s' shoulder, perhaps a little too close but not minding the proximity in the least. ]

And I prefer the same.

[deem]

Geez, I'd think so...

[It's not as though he minds the proximity either, as they make their way along with the others. He imagines it'd be quite a sight, the whole procession of them following the mountain pass]

[talim]

[ jude doesn't seem to mind it, at least. he allows his eyes to slip shut. just for a minute, he tells himself. ]

You did good out there. I'm proud of you.

[deem]

[Hearing such things always warms 9S, and pertinent to their line of conversation, it surprises him too]

You're always generous with the compliments, aren't you?

[talim]

I'm only being honest.

[ and he knows that 9s thrives off of praise. so jude will give it to him, as much as he possibly can. he deserves it more than anyone. ]

[deem]

[What an enabler...]

Because you're kind like that.

[And this is a fact. Jude could find something to appreciate about just about anybody]

i thought i tagged this

[talim]

Maybe, but I don't say anything I don't mean.

[deem]

I know. And that's part of why you're such a nice guy.

[That's a simple fact, right there]

[talim]

I wouldn't have so many nice things to say if the person in question didn't deserve every one of them.

[ ??? this is such a simple concept to him. ]

[deem]

[He's not used to so much casual complimenting, and he's reminded anew of that now]

Is there anyone you don't have nice things to say about though?

[talim]

Of course. What, you don't think there are people I don't get along with?

Nobody can please everyone.

[deem]

It seems like a valid question when you seem to get along with everybody.

[Not that he's seen Jude around absolutely everyone, but the point stands]

[talim]

I would have some choice words for anyone who deliberately hurt a friend of mine. And you know I know how to use my fists when I need to. I have before.

[ he kind of punched god. ]

[deem]

I'm not about to forget exploding punches.

[They did just talk about this]

Other than cases like that, though, it's hard to picture.

[talim]

Well, hopefully you won't have to see it.

[ talking like this, easy conversation back and forth combined with being carried on 9s' back makes the trip back a whole lot less tedious. ]

[deem]

Considering what it'd take, yeah, I'd rather not.

[Somebody getting hurt isn't something he's going to encourage, of course]

[talim]

That's fair.

[ sleepiness washing over him, jude tries to fight it, nuzzling 9s' neck affectionately before he lets his eyes flicker shut again. ]

Thanks again for carrying me...

[deem]

[He gets a conversation out of the bargain, so he's pretty sure he comes out ahead in this case]

I'm happy to help out. Besides, it's fun carrying you.

[Because he's generally the one who gets carried, where he comes from]

[talim]

It's... fun?

[ jude didn't expect that. just another instance of 9s surprising him. there's an unspoken question in his voice. ]

[deem]

Yeah. [Is it really that strange?] I'm getting to spend time with you, aren't I?

[And surely he doesn't need to legitimate that being a good thing]

[talim]

You spend time with me all the time. What difference does carrying me make?

[ but jude can't help but laugh, a little giddy. butterflies in his stomach giddy. ]

But I'm... really happy. You know I feel the same.

[deem]

Usually it's me getting carried around, so... It's distinctive.

[And almost entirely unique, except for one time that Nike fell from a tree]

Your laugh is too, for the record.

[Doesn't hurt to tease just a little, does it?]

[talim]

My laugh? Distinctive?

[ gosh, where is all this coming from? jude can feel the tips of his ears starting to burn up, a blush spreading all the way down his neck. ]

Now who's the one saying nice things...

[deem]

[After being around so many no-nonsense types who wouldn't even take a compliment, 9S' experience with the coven has been drastically different.

Jude is a case in point. And also easy to fluster, seems to him]

I'd know that sound apart from anybody else's, anyway.

[talim]

Are you trying to fluster me?

[ because it's working! ]