tunasub | MISTLETOE MEME REDUX

[ When nothing immediately assaults them, 9S takes his time scanning the room. A trap it may be, but if the Machine intentionally used costuming to lure them in, then that's new behavior right there. It's worth looking deeper into... if you're 9S. ]

I've never heard of it. Pod?

[ Pod 153 offers:

Analysis: Christmas was a prominent religious and cultural holiday marking the birth of the figure Jesus Christ. Major elements included gift-giving, cold weather, and tree ornamentation. ]

Huh. Why would a Machine be interested in all that?

[ A question really for himself, because it's 2B he's talking to. ]

Edited (can't forget the kickflip) 2018-12-04 02:19 (UTC)

[ yeah, that explanation does literally almost nothing. They don't appear to be in any kind of danger at the moment, at least, which she's thankful for. She crosses her arms, looking somewhere between pensive and frustrated, as much as her half-covered expression ever belies anything. ]

I doubt there's any meaning behind what they're doing.

[ squashing discussion immediately, as usual... yet she doesn't move to immediately cut the plant down or start circling the room looking for an exit. She's found herself more and more pliable to the Machines' weird requests lately. If they do... whatever they want them to do, maybe they can get some kind of reward, even if it's only information. It's better than fighting, at least. ]

Is this supposed to be the tree?

[ what are they supposed to put on it, then...... it's so small. And upside-down. ]

[ Her response is about par the course, so he gently... ignores it. Not that he doesn't value her opinion; she's just rarely interested in these things, and he doesn't expect her to be. Her comment on the tree is sufficiently distracting though, and he joins her in staring up at it. ]

It looks... kind of pathetic. There's nothing for us to decorate it with, either.

[ And why is it on the ceiling if they're supposed to do something with it? Either the Machine's got a few cogs knocked loose or they're missing something here. ]

Pod, what's the deal?

[ Again, Pod 153 chimes in evenly.

Analysis: That is an obligate hemiparasitic plant commonly referred to as mistletoe. Christmas tradition dictates that any two people standing underneath mistletoe must kiss, or else bad luck will befall them.

9S's pulse rate immediately skyrockets. He sputters. ]

WHAT?! What's that got to do with some religious fart's birthday?!

[ He wouldn't be half as bothered if he and 2B weren't standing directly under the thing... ]

Edited 2018-12-04 10:32 (UTC)

[ it wouldn't be the first time they've met a machine that seemed direly in need of a cognitive tune-up - and, after hearing the truth, she wishes it was that simple. 2B makes a choked noise somewhere between a grunt and a gasp, ostensibly from surprise and irritation.

It would have been better if the machines just cornered the two of them in here for an ambush. This is worse. Her fists clench, anxious, and she turns to her own Pod. ]

Pod, look for structural weaknesses in this room.

Acknowledged. Beginning scan.

[ it buzzes off to begin investigating the perimeter. From the outside, it likely appears that she's simply disgusted at the Machines' suggestion here; she'd like for it to look that way, at least. The reality is that she's terrified. She can't do that. Not with him. She doesn't have the right, and she doesn't have the strength of heart to put up with the aftermath, either. 2B avoids looking his way, doing her best to pretend to be focusing on -- anything else. ]

[ 9S's embarrassed panic makes way for a more logical kind of panic when he hears 2B's command. He sidesteps back into her line of sight, and his hands shoot up in appeal. ]

Whoa, hey! That's a bit drastic, don't you think? I get how you feel, 2B, but we can't just go busting down the building on a whim.

[ Preservation of the city for humanity aside, the civil engineering units would probably heap complaints about it on the Commander. Which would then translate to Operator 21O heaping complaints on 9S...

It's hard to justify breaking down a wall to avoid something ultimately harmless.

It is harmless... right?

One of his hands fidgets with the strap of his bag. His pulse rate might as well be a sustained vibration now; he feels fit to combust with what he's about to say. ]

Look, what if... what if we gave it a shot?

[ she stops in her tracks when he reappears in front of her - and, not for the first time (not by a long shot), she's thankful her goggles hide the way her eyes dart away from him. She knew he'd do this. It's not like he's wrong. Blowing their way out of this room would be detrimental in the long run, even assuming it doesn't make the rest of the building come down on their heads in the first place. From his perspective, she can imagine how absurd her reaction must seem. Maybe he's thinking she's being shy.

He's always like this. ]

Are you serious?

[ 2B can see him fidgeting nervously. Maybe if she didn't have the prospect of completing her mission for the 49th time looming vaguely in her future, she'd be doing the same thing. But she does her best to shove any of those feelings away, out of sight, like she's trained herself to do, and schools her voice into the most exasperated disbelief she can manage. ]

[ Ouch. But that's also a predictable 2B response, so as harsh as it is, the routine of it improbably steadies his resolve. He'd be more flustered if she'd actually agreed to it right away. ]

It only takes a second. And it wouldn't be hurting anyone. It doesn't have to mean anything.

[ ... That came across as a little presumptuous, so he hurriedly rambles on: ]

Not that it would mean anything. I know I'm the short end of this stick, so you'd probably rather be stuck with someone else for this kind of thing. But we're the only ones here, sooo... work with what you've got, right? For the sake of the mission.

[ when her curt replies actually have their intended effect, it's always bittersweet - she doesn't like hurting him, even if she's doing it so things will hurt less later. When they don't, it's even worse. Then she's forced to contend with the fact (fact, because it's plain to see, and she's seen it in nearly every iteration) that he likes her enough to keep reaching out even when she is cruel. And this particular situation might be the worst of all.

(the short end of the stick - as if she'd ever let anyone else get this close to her - as if doing this won't hurt the both of them later - as if it really "won't mean anything" when she knows damn well she's terrible at keeping her feelings out of her work.)

Denying it more than this would be suspicious, though. He's right, logically speaking. She hates that. She hates it almost as much as the fact that, despite everything, there's a part of her that's okay with this outcome. Somehow, there are still pieces of her that are soft and vulnerable, and she hates that most of all. 2B is silent for a long few seconds, expression unreadable. ]

... Fine. For the sake of the mission.

[ ... she doesn't actually move towards him or anything, though. She has no idea how she should tackle this. ]

[ It's an excruciating few seconds. When she finally relents, the relief is audible in his voice. ]

Great.

[ He's careful not to sound eager -- and really, eager isn't the right word for his feeling about the situation. He likes being with 2B. He enjoys spending time with her more than anyone else. So if he has to think about kissing someone, she naturally comes first to mind. But it's only ever been a wisp of an idea, an entertaining thought experiment; their relationship isn't of that nature, and he would never do anything to disturb the quiet comfort between them. He's more than happy with what they have already, as formless and indescribable as it is.

2B clearly has reservations. That, too, makes this an awkward spot. But that pesky curiosity of his -- it's a bit much even for himself sometimes -- keeps him from even attempting to suggest any alternative plans. What is it like to kiss someone? What makes it such a big deal? His body still feels restless at the prospect, like it knows something he doesn't.

(Underneath it all, he's distantly aware that he's fooling himself. Curiosity about kissing and curiosity about kissing 2B are two different things.)

... In any case. There she is. 2B hasn't made a move yet, so after a moment of hesitation, 9S steps closer to her. Just a little. They've been closer in the past, but somehow every remaining inch between them looks its own battle. ]

[ inwardly, she wonders if he's relieved that she gave in and therefore won't start trying to demolish the room, or if... no, it's best not to entertain those thoughts. She doesn't need to think about that when she still has the rest of this situation to deal with - which she's sure is going to take all her willpower. Her gut instinct is to let 9S handle this -- situation, but he's as hesitant as she is, because, well, of course he is. That leaves the two of them standing there, the space between them a yawning chasm despite an agreement to give this a try.

I just need to get this over with. That's all. She convinces herself of that, then takes a step towards him herself - then another, until there's only a foot or two between them. The click of her heels sounds horribly loud in the silence of the room; her frail conviction in this matter starts crumbling again as soon as she starts moving, and by the time she's standing before him, she's back to not knowing what she should do. Not that she doesn't know how a kiss works - she's never done it, never had much of an interest in those sorts of relationships with her fellow androids, but theoretically, it doesn't seem particularly difficult.

But throw 9S into the mix, and she's suddenly frozen in place. Fear, nerves, guilt, they all intertwine; she opens her mouth like she's going to say something - I can't do this, probably - before closing it, the very slight shift in the cant of her head suggesting she's not quite managing to look at him. ]

[ Observation is what he does best, so even as 2B comes very distractingly close, he still notices the slight shift of her head, her lips parted then closed, her sudden halt. 2B verbally shuts him down so often that he's had to learn to read her in any way he can.

He can't help finding her a little funny. Entertaining, even. For someone who tries so hard to sound gruff and emotionless, she betrays herself so easily with her actions. It's fun to watch her now as much as ever, so even if this situation is awkward and embarrassing, he has time enough to be captivated by her. It's tempting to stay still and see how far she'll be able to take this on her own.

But in the end, he takes pity on her. It's funny too that he even feels in a position to pity her; it must be her shyness that gives him courage. He even feels cheerful enough for a gentle bit of teasing. The corners of his mouth tip up into a smile. ]

Aw, come on, 2B. Don't tell me you're actually the bashful type.

[ Though he already knew that about her. She never seems to know what to do with herself in soft situations.

He takes that last step between them. She looks so stiff and unwont to move, and he isn't sure how this type of thing usually goes, so he just does the first thing that makes sense to him, which is to lift his hand to the base of her jaw (gently, as if touching her too suddenly might scare her into calling this whole thing off) to try and guide her attention back toward him. He'd feel weird(er) about trying to kiss someone not even looking his way. ]

[ even his gentle touch makes her flinch - probably because it's gentle, in fact, and because she knows it's only the prologue to more gentle touches, more closeness than she should allow herself. There's no need for this tenderness; she should bat his hand away and keep this quick and utilitarian. But 2B can't bring herself to do it. She lets him tilt her gaze back his way. His smile is small and kind and affectionate, meant to comfort, and that familiar bittersweet emotion wells up inside her. No matter how she tries, she can't stop it from coming back. ]

That's not it, [ she says, quietly; she tries to sound annoyed, but her voice lacks its usual sting. Bashful. It would be nice if that's all it was. She's afraid. And she resents herself for not being able to stop this, for being drawn in by his smile and his soft touch, like a moth to a flame.

She finds herself gingerly placing a hand on his shoulder. If this has to happen -- it would be nice if it could be a good memory, a good experience for 9S, even if he's destined to lose it. She justifies it that way in her mind, wishing that there wasn't still a part of her that just wanted to touch him back, that feels the tails of his blindfold brush her fingers and wonders if she should take it off because she wants to see his eyes. If only it would stop coming back. ]

Edited 2018-12-18 07:59 (UTC)

[ "That's not it," she says, and it doesn't sound like an empty denial. Admitting that it's something more than just reflexive shyness holding her back. She would've been better off saying nothing at all. She always drops these tiny, bothersome pieces for him to obsess over like sand in a boot, but he knows better than to probe; she'll only withdraw, guarding her thoughts all the more closely.

It's okay. She's entitled to her secrets. It doesn't change his affection for her. Besides, that clumsy self-expression is part of her charm.

There's something too in that flinch of hers, but he doesn't withdraw his hand. He's more interested in seeing how she slowly gives in, fighting whatever battle is going on in her mind. And he can't say why, but it's just nice to be able to touch her face.

Her hand on his shoulder is delicate, and distracting. His smile eases away, only a hint remaining. It's now or never. He shifts a little closer to her. Out of necessity, of course, as he isn't really in the position to be bending over to reach her. He tips up onto his toes, and his hand slides to the back of her neck to press her closer -- a suggestion that she bend to help him out here. Her face is so close. He begins to lean in... but pauses short of the last few inches between them. A last chance for her to change her mind... and a last test of curiosity, to see if she'll meet him halfway. ]

[ All these little tests are just hurdles lined up for her to trip into. He's the one who wanted to do this. Is he teasing her, or does he already know more than he should? Maybe he wants to see how far he can push her - although he's never done it like this. None of it is malicious; she knows it isn't. Her job would be easier if he was cruel. But he's warm and bright like the sun, finding her no matter what shade she tries to hide herself in. Luring her out, even though she knows the sun will set soon and leave her cold again. 9S must already suspect she's hiding things; 2B's lived this too many times to believe otherwise. Yet here they are, barely inches apart, breathing each other's air.

She leans down at his urging, hesitant, ostensibly shy - or maybe actually shy; she doesn't know where one set of anxieties ends and the other begins. He's waiting for her to take the last step. Her fingertips curl into the fabric of his coat and the small frame of his shoulders. She shuts her eyes behind the goggles.

But she can't do it. Even if she wants to - no, especially because she wants to. She doesn't have the right to even stand this close to him when it's all a lie that will come crashing down on him later. And yet she can't back away, either. Always trapped in this orbit, simultaneously too close and too far. She leans in enough for her nose to brush his; then she tilts her head away again, barely, retreating a heartbeat away. ]

[ He lets out a small, amused breath. Talk about leaving him on the edge of his seat. His senses feel heightened like he's in the middle of a pitched battle, but neither of them are moving now and there's hardly any noise; it's only his hand on her neck, her hand in his coat, the warmth between them settling together. His eyes have drifted shut by now. As stilted as this whole endeavor has been, he still manages to be oddly comforted by her closeness. He doesn't mind standing here, being with her.

So even if her nerves are getting the better of her, he lets this moment linger. He harbors no illusion that they'll ever be this close again, as close as they could possibly be. If only he could rest against her. If only he could hold her with both hands. But that's a barrier he dare not breach. This is only a passing moment, and their relationship can't be of that nature.

So it's bittersweet when he finally does move to kiss her, lagging, knowing that afterward they'll have to draw apart. He's conscious of having to tilt his head so that their noses don't bump again, and close as they are, it's a soft movement. Here, more questions arise (is he supposed to do something with his mouth? what's the protocol on duration?) but he settles on studying 2B's reaction as his lips touch simply against hers. ]

[ knowing it's coming doesn't really do much to prepare her for it. This time, at least, she doesn't jump at the contact. She just feels something crumbling inside of her. She shouldn't have done this. This is a line she can't uncross. He might think of this as a passing moment - she knows it's going to stick inside her for months, years, forever, as long as she remains his Executioner. And as long as she remains his Executioner, she can't be anything else.

So she wonders why she wants to, not for the first time. It doesn't make sense for unit 2E's systems to be struck silent by the softness of another's lips or the heat of his breath. If emotions are forbidden, she shouldn't be feeling this longing, this painful flash of happiness, or the prick of tears threatening to spill from behind her eyes. She's defective. She's as useless to YoRHa for these unnecessary feelings as she is to 9S for her loyalty to them. But she made a promise to continue her useless existence -- for his sake. And, in the end, she cares more about what he wants than anything else in this damned world.

Even if he doesn't know or remember.

The grip on his shoulder tightens, almost painfully. He might be surprised when she presses back against him. It's very hesitant, and a little clumsy, but 2B kisses him back. She shouldn't, but she can't stop herself; amidst the pain and regret, her mind is flooded with memories of him and his smile, his simple presence at her side, and with a feeling she doesn't dare assign a name to. ]

[ After all her hesitation, he isn't prepared for her to actually lean into the kiss. The pressure is soft like her lips are soft, and fascinatingly gentle from someone who goes to such pains to act hard. He doesn't think his pulse has ever felt so fast. He isn't sure what to make of that any more than the desperate grip on his shoulder. Unconsciously -- maybe it's his keyed up state, or maybe his grip responding to hers -- he tightens his hand on her neck, holding her to him.

Humans seemed to enjoy this. 9S isn't certain he's experiencing "fun" at the moment as much as very compartmentalized panic. But it isn't unpleasant. He's in no rush to draw away. There's something unexpectedly personal in her imperfect reciprocation, and he's helplessly attracted to that small window into her inner self. She's always stifling herself. It may be that she's never exposed herself so fully; it may be that he's experiencing the most of her anyone ever will.

Again, he has a lot of questions about what he's supposed to do now. If it were up to him, if he could throw all caution to the wind and not worry about what 2B would think, he'd kiss her again. There wouldn't be much logical reason to it, except to see if they could manage to do it a little less awkwardly than the first time. Maybe it gets more enjoyable when you do it right. Truly, kissing her again would only be an indulgence. Their bodies against each other, the tender touch of her lips -- it feels like some part of her belongs to him in this moment, and a buried voice in him clamors for more. Selfish. Possessive.

Unreasonable. He knows that. Thankfully, he's saved from having to wrestle any more with himself when a friendly ding! chimes from the locked door, and a small red light beside it flips to green. ]

[ She feels him pull her in more; she isn't surprised, she doesn't resist. She already failed to resist any of this - trying again now would be just twist the knife and hurt both of them more. And she knew from the start that this could never "not mean anything," because she knows, has known many times, that she means something to him, and that this confused lie of a "partnership" they have means more than that. 2B can't know what he's thinking in this moment; she can only guess at what he's feeling, from the leather glove at her nape urgently holding her closer and the gentle, unfamiliar shape of his lips against hers.

In a just world, she could focus on that alone - 9S, not an iteration or a liability or a target, just another android, just a boy, existing in this world with her, sharing this strange, awkward, pleasant experience with her - but she can't, and even when she thinks for a second she can almost forget the rest, the mechanism on the door unlocks with a ding and reminds her that she can't. For the sake of the mission. She has duties, and she must attend to them. Nothing else can matter.

2B is slower to part from him than she should be, given her reluctance to do this in the first place. When the sound goes off, she lingers just a second longer than she should rather than jolting away. But she does move away, straightening back up, her unconscious vice-grip on his shoulder relenting (with some guilt on her part, realizing she'd been holding him so tightly.) They did it. It's over. Her eyes feel a little damp behind her goggles, and she hopes hollowly that dampness didn't bleed through the material.

Something hurts inside, knowing this can't be again. She feels it setting in immediately. She's a fool. Without a word, or even a glance, she steps around him, heels clicking as she starts heading straight for the door. Focus on the mission. That's all she needs to do. ]

Edited 2019-01-27 02:09 (UTC)

MISTLETOE MEME REDUX

KICKFLIPS EXCITEDLY I'M HERE FOR YOU SIBSAN

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that icon.... i'll kill you

sorry for the lateness!! i died when you killed me

that was my christmas present to you. murder

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BOBA THIS IS SO LATE I'M SORRY I LOVE THIS THREAD I JUST SUCK!!!