ic contact

[adamantlyardent]

audio, video, text, voicemail

Comments

[adamantlyardent]

[withered, as she has no target for her remaining ire:] Right..."lucky" is a word to use, I suppose. My apologies, then; I assumed it was another obnoxious bully.

[as opposed to a handsome buffoon.]

[soldierpuppy]

[ Oh ho, he's handsome! ]

Nah, I'd never intentionally bully someone! And even if I did accidentally, I'd apologize.

Oh, I guess I should apologize for the butt texting. Sorry about that.

[adamantlyardent]

[sigh.] No, no. It's fine. As far as outcomes go...I guess this isn't the worst of it. [except for that "cute" part. that's probably bullying.]

I'll leave you to your..."exercises," then. [she cannot fathom what he's up to that involves his derriere calling her and she kind of wishes she wasn't unintentionally trying to fathom it.] Be more mindful of your phone.

[soldierpuppy]

You don't need to say it like that; I'm just working out. Gotta stay in shape, you know?

[ He's only on his second pass around De Chima; he's slacking. ]

And don't worry, I'll figure out somewhere else to put it.

[adamantlyardent]

Say it like what? I'm just--

[no, no. stop. down, girl.

exhale.]

N-never mind. Yes, you--you do that. Do...whatever it was you were doing, and...pretend this didn't happen, okay?

[soldierpuppy]

[ Zack stared at his phone a moment; her reactions were so weird. ]

Uh... are you all right?

[adamantlyardent]

Wh-what? Huh? Wait, why? I mean, why are you asking? [she should've just switched back to text UGH]

[soldierpuppy]

I mean, you sound like you're... I dunno, troubled, or bothered, or something. And you really get upset over me being honest. What's up with that?

[adamantlyardent]

[a couple smaller flustered sounds.]

Why...why wouldn't I be...bothered? I mean-! Like. Random messages, awkward mishaps, embarrassing statements...! I, I feel rather justified in how I sound, thank you very much!

[soldierpuppy]

Yeah, but like... it's not like I'm out to personally offend you or anything. I'm just trying to be nice.

[adamantlyardent]

That...that's all well and good, thank you. Perhaps consider someone not quite used to that in such a scenario and it seems a bit easier to understand my perspective?

[soldierpuppy]

[ There was silence, and when he spoke again, his voice was a little softer. ]

Oh... really?

[ There's another pause, before a determined noise came from the other side. ]

Then I'm just going to have to help you get used to it!

[adamantlyardent]

[beat.]

...I beg your pardon?

[soldierpuppy]

I'll be the nicest person you've ever met, so you'll get used to people being nice to you!

[adamantlyardent]

...

[this...........is starting to sound dreadfully familiar.

oh no what has she done he's emanating dark Darin energies.]

Um. You...uhh. Don't...have to go to the trouble, you know...

[soldierpuppy]

Of course I do! If you're not used to it, then it means you don't have enough friendly people in your life. So I've gotta make up for that!

[ Zack logic. You're stuck with it, Cece. ]

Oh, I don't think I introduced myself properly. Zack Fair, SOLDIER First Class!

[adamantlyardent]

[gods dammit.

stiffly:] Right. Zack Fair. Duly noted. Now see here, I'm not...all that eager to be a, a project or...charity case or, or whatever it is you seem to be out to do, you know. I'd find myself more insulted than charmed, if charmed is what you're actually going for here.

[soldierpuppy]

Nope! No project, no charity. I'm just being nice.

[ It's almost easy to picture him shrugging. ]

It's what I do. Like, say, I mean it when I say you're cute. Seriously, the freckles are super adorable.

[adamantlyardent]

[PAUSE FOR. THE NEED TO. KEEP FROM SCREAMING OUT OF REFLEX.

much effort, very clipped, such teeth-gritting, wow:] Niceness for niceness' sake? Like pointing out...flaws a person has and is...extremely sensitive about. I...see.

Explain to me how you...expect. Me to respond. If you please.