sixthiterationlogs | ( CLOSED ) Just like the river I've been running ever since.

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( CLOSED ) Just like the river I've been running ever since.

WHO: The hotdog man
WHERE: Around the village & out.
WHEN: Todayish
OPEN TO: Tiny Horror Daughter
WARNINGS: Oh deer, it's vampires. But our hearts will be healed by zalpacas.

[ kamala and frank have taken down the last of the soundproofing and cleared it away. for good measure, frank's started to clear the land of the schoolhouse he "borrowed" the materials from, so that it could eventually be repaired or torn down. he hasn't thought it through too deeply, it's just something to occupy his hands for now. since peeta's death, things have been strained around the village, but it's left frank feeling strangely numb. in reims if a child had died he would have never forgiven himself. here - even with the destruction caused by the wendigo - he can't find the energy to blame himself.

he'd taken to jogging of all things, small projects like this, cooking and patching up the inn. training the dogs. nothing mentally or emotionally strenuous, and hardly even physical by his usual standard. when a familiar pattern of footfalls alights down the path, he looks up, wiping sweat from his brow already accumulated in the morning hours. it gets much hotter here than it had in reims, but he's hoping that will mean they get a winter, something to start them off fresh. he doesn't voice any of it, knowing he shouldn't want to stick around here. knowing it's just another torture chamber. but when it's less painful than reims and new york, who could really blame him? especially when he keeps it inside. ]

Mornin', lady. Is it time for lunch already?

[ usually that's when they get together, but it seems early yet despite the climbing temperature. he can't read her expression from down the path, though agita is already nesting in his guts. did something else happen? he tries to keep his breathing even until she speaks up at least. ]

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[Kamala has been building a life here despite missing her parents. It's probably not the right use of her time. She should be angry. She should be raging against this. The truth is she doesn't know what else to do at this point. There's no grand mystery to uncover from what she can tell. They just apparently have captors everyone blames for everything. At this point, she's not even sure they actually exist. There's just no evidence to confirm or deny anything.

All she has is the desire to make something for herself until she can figure it out. Well that and Frank. The projects are a nice distraction. She likes feeling that they're healing together by doing things like ripping down soundproofing, taking care of each other on a more equal level, and of course cute farm animals. That's actually what brings her here right now instead of later in the day bearing food and good cheer.] Morning, Frank!

[She's extra cheery if only because she does need to pitch this in a way that wins him over to her way of thinking.] Nope! I'm too early for that. I'm here because I think Whitney needs a friend. You know the kind that will hang out with her all day. Thoughts? Feelings? Stop asking for more cute things, Kamala? We're at our quota?

[ he's not actually hungry yet, having drank nearly a pot of coffee to himself long before she arose today. so he just lets her prattle on until there's a break in speech he can slide into. ]

Bethany visits. [ a dull argument, beth being kira's goat of course. while the two got along well, they weren't penmates and he had noticed whitney's morale waning some since being separated from her herd. ] You've thought this through, huh?

[ he puts his hands on his hips, highlighting as always his mayoral bracelet on one wrist and the teal communicator on the other. he's wearing his t-shirt and overalls today for a change-up, one shoulder strap undone like something out of the 90s. that seems to be his persona here so he's decided not to fight it. ]

Alright. What'd you have in mind?

[She nods eagerly. Kamala has naturally thought this through. It's part of the reason why she's here actually making a pitch instead of just doing the thing and begging forgiveness later. She could in theory do this, but having Frank would be helpful. Not only that it is his house. She knows she can't just show up with new and cute things like she would her actual parents even if it was tempting for a minute there.] Glad you asked! I've heard about an incredibly cute animal that's both useful and good for some cheering up! It's called a zalpaca and with your help I know I can get one. I mean we as a team can do this. Yep!

[She's even practically stressed in jeans, boots, and that scrub shirt she can care less about anything happening to. Her hair is tied back in the world's messiest ponytail!! This is adventure Kamala at her best.]

Zalpacas, hmm. [ he makes a show of thinking about it, even though he knows exactly what those creatures are. is trying to keep his cool actually because they might actually be the most adorable thing this place or any other could dream up. ] Well, since we're both ready to go.

[ it would be dumb to let the opportunity pass them by, right? ]

[Kamala actually waits there with baited breath. When he gives the okay, she actually jumps up and pumps her fist in the air. She really wants in on that cuteness too. So many fluffy cuddles. *-*] Yay! Great! I packed us water and snacks because I totally wasn't anticipating a yes.

[Spoilers: she was counting on a yes.]

[ he rolls his eyes goodnaturedly, moving up the path to meet her halfway. ]

Am I really that easy? [ don't answer that. he points for her to lead the way. ]

[She doesn't answer answer that directly. Kamala just adjusts her backpack and waits for him to catch up to her more or less. Naturally she knows the way. She's super invested in this idea.] You love cute things and adventure. I love cute things and adventure....

[ it comes easy for him to meet her pace, falling in line since this is her idea. ]

I guess that's not inaccurate. [ shut up about it though!!!! ] Who told you about these things?

Peter! [Aka that guy who gave her hair ties at the party. She's not even going to pretend Frank doesn't notice everything even if she is in the dark about if they know each other or not.] I guess he figured they'd be my thing.

The kid who knows the Avengers. [ of course kamala would find something in common with him. and yes, he noticed the hair ties. that was sweet. ] Be careful with that one.

[ he knows how these things work with boys and girls, he's not completely naive!! ]

That's the one. [She replies chirply. She makes a face at the rest. Kamala goes for the least likely answer as always because she is completely naive.] Why do I need to be careful around him? Is it because of the Avengers' enemies randomly showing up and looking for revenge? Because let's be real here like knowing me could also get him in trouble too. No one wants to fight an evil bird or giant purple guy with teenage henchmen because you're the skinny friend of their archenemy, but that's kind of what he signed up for.

[ there's something ironic about frank lecturing anyone about dating, so he's taking the out. besides, villains are just as much a concern as that little punk trying to kiss kamala or something crazy. ]

I tried telling him— warning him about Kilgrave. He didn't wanna listen to me, probably because I was acting unglued. [ she does have a point about the rest. ] He seems nice. You like him?

[Kamala doesn't even look remotely surprised to hear Frank is out there terrorizing the male youth. She's going to guess this happened before she came around or at least at the start when he was definitely acting unglued in her book. She doesn't hesitate to reassure him. This is one subject she is confident in.] I do like him. He trusts me and I trust him so if we ever need to have the talk with him about that guy again, I'll handle it. I'm sure Peter listened since he is nice. He just probably needed to listen really far away while holding something heavy in case you came back.

[She nudges him with her elbow. Kamala is teasing... mostly.]

[ he snorts, idly rubbing at the spot she nudges though he barely felt it. ] Yeah, that's pretty much the size of it, sweetheart. You're better at talking anyway.

[She smiles, clearly proud to have gotten that bit of praise from him.] Every team member has to have a thing. I am totally okay with handling the writing and talking side of things if you take care of stuff like being the scary one and working old appliances first so I can follow your example.

[ frank ducks his head, taking his compliment gracefully as always. ]

I'm glad you've got someone your age to talk to.

Me too. [That comes out a little too fast. Kamala is quick to correct herself from her perceived slight against him.] I'm grateful to have you, Frank. You're the person I trust the most. It is a little less lonely with Peter around. It's nice to have someone else remember that I might want some hair ties at a creepy birthday party.

[Which sounds like a simple thing, but it had meant a lot to her.] So, uh... how are things going with people your age?

[So smooth.]

[ he shoots kamala a weary look. people his age, yeah, subtle as a shark bite. ]

Weird. [ he answers truthfully, blowing a breath out through his nose. ] You didn't have to talk to Karen, by the way. But... thanks.

[ frank shoves his hands in his pockets and focuses on the path ahead. ]

[At first she stiffens a little at getting caught. The rest visibly saddens her even if she knew going in the rest would be up to Frank and the parties involved. She can't fix everything despite all her good intentions.] You're welcome. I figured I had more experience when it came to smoothing stuff over with lady friends.

[She focuses ahead even while driving to the point of why she was meddling in his life. It doesn't matter that he didn't ask.] I want us to be happy. As happy as we can be considering we're in this weird place and I don't have the first clue how we're going to get back at this point aside from a miracle. Friends can make you happy. Also cute purple fluffy things that totally deserve our love and attention. Maybe especially them.

[This is as much for their happiness as it is for Aretha's. Spoilers.]

I know, sweetheart. [ it's soft, like he doesn't want to hear what she's saying, but as always he's listening intently to every word. frank isn't sure he wants to get back, but kamala needs to. she needs her real family. ] I can't promise you anything, but that I'm gonna keep you safe until we can figure it out.

You still trust me to do that?

[Kamala reads between the lines and drops it. He's always paying attention so she really only ever needs to tell him these things once. She looks back at Frank at the question which truly isn't one for her. The answer is always the same.] You know that I do. I'll always trust you.

[She's heartbreakingly sincere as always because she shares his sentiment. She does need to go back to her family unless of course it's Ms. Marvel and the Punisher's turn to be part of some 90s clone saga. Kamala doesn't know anything about that so she can only go with the information she does have.] You've got a great track record so far.

[She reminds him gently. He did rescue her from her dumb experiments with lightning and flowers successfully!]

[ maybe you shouldn't, is what he wants to say. his track record is full of holes just like a tac vest he'll never see again. frank still grasps desperately at her trust and holds on with both hands. it's important there's someone left who doesn't think he's a total piece of shit. lord knows he doesn't share the opinion. ]

I'm doing my best. [ sad, but true. ]

I know. [She really does. Kamala's not sure when she became the one with any wisdom here. She can't keep it to herself. Even an idiot can pick up on the fact that he's hard on himself. She wants to reassure him as a friend, but also because it's the way these things go. One day she'll need him to put things into perspective for her.] It was really rough especially at first but, your best is still really good. Try to remember that, okay? You can't spend your whole life beating yourself up. Even when you were putting up soundproofing and stuff...

[She shrugs. Kamala knows they looked crazy to the others, but she had a lot of time to think about it. The conclusion she came to is neither of them were as over Reims as they thought they were. That was okay. It was terrifying especially for Frank.] I think we still kind of needed that to feel safe. Like training wheels on a bike. We took them off when we were ready.

Okay. [ it's even softer, but it's obvious he believes her. he should probably worry more about taking as much advice as he does from a naive 16-year-old, but she really is wise. and it helps. ]

What should we call her? The - did you say zalpaca? [ that's even a cute name. gdit. ]

Edited 2018-08-27 20:37 (UTC)

[Just like that the flip switches. She's that naive teenager who is super hyped about life and all things cute.] Yep! It needs to be something cute! Oh and it needs to go with Aretha. They need to be a matching set.

[She says it like this is the most important thing they could be doing.]

And Whitney. [ he reminds her, since he had named the cowthing to match the dog too. he racks his brain for classic soul artists. ] Do you know who Etta James is?

Yes! [Her eyes are impossibly bright as she gets herself even more hyped up about this.] She's the one who sings that song "At Last," right? I tracked down her version after I heard a lame cover of it. That would be such a good person to be named after. We have to do this!!!

[ he laughs, just one bark of bemusement. ]

Okay, we're doing this.

Yay! [She laughs in excitement.] I love that we have a theme. Everyone is going to be so jealous of us.

They won't have to be. We'll make them all the cheese and sweaters they want after this.

[ more selfish, frank. when will those kira lessons sink in? ]

I mean, if they're cool enough. Whatever.

[Kamala is totally on board until she flashes back to the mayor days. Yikes. They need to make Frank scale this back a little.] Let's work on making some for us and our friends. Together. Emphasis on together, Frank. Please don't let me catch you trying to knit a hundred sweaters at whatever passes for four in the morning here. I will sleep on your arms if I have to.

[Because clearly she'd be too heavy to move.]

In that case... [ he lifts an eyebrow, they both know he could easily move her aside and keep knitting. but she's right, and he's trying hard not to be That Guy anymore. ] No, you're right, sweetheart. We do it together, or not at all, right?

[ he shoots her a pointed look- ] That goes both ways.

[Kamala looks a little flustered when it gets turned back on her.] I know that! I love making friends my own age, but we're forever so yeah. We're in this together or not at all.

[She means it even if it sounds like kid stuff. He proved himself to her a thousand times over. She'll always be on his side.]

[ we're forever. he swallows, but doesn't let on it's a lot for him to take on right now. what isn't, honestly? ]

Deal. [ he holds out his fist to tap before following her out into the woods. ] So you said you know where these things hang out? Did you bring peaches or something for them?

[She bumps his larger fist with her tiny one. Kamala makes a big show of being offended by the idea that she isn't ready to do anything, but bully her roommate into her shennigans.] We're close! And ye of little faith, I'm pretty much loaded with peaches.

[She taps her backpack cheerfully.] We're totally prepared! Believe it or not, I thought of everything.

I didn't think you weren't prepared.

[ it's soft, warm. there was a time not so long ago where she probably wouldn't have been. ]

I'll stop questioning you, sweetheart. Lead on.

[She smiles proudly, satisfied he's on her side. It's because she knows she used to be so useless when it came to this stuff that she's so adamant about leveling up. Kamala wants to prove that she is capable and not another child he needs to fret over.] Good! Because according to Peter, we can find them on mountains and foothills which we are currently heading towards! They also like strawberries best, but peaches are what I have the most of so we'll have to play this smart! I'm thinking we give you the strawberries because animals love you so it's like a one-two punch! We use our best player and weapon to win! Smart, right?

Uh. [ okay he's cute animal bait. honestly, he's been so much worse, so who is he to disagree. ] You're running this op, so whatever you say goes.

[ he worries his lip between his teeth, thinking of when he'd said the exact same thing to jess. ]

[Kamala couldn't look more pleased and oblivious to what he's thinking. She's being given a responsibility. She can't wait to prove herself.] Yay! I mean... I'm totally glad you're on the same page as me. I'll definitely lead us to victory.

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( CLOSED ) Just like the river I've been running ever since.

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