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[He slides a foot backwards automatically when he sees the sparks, bracing himself for a fight. Years of habit make him begin to reach for his shoulder, before he realizes exactly what he's doing, and stops.

Something's really wrong. Maybe she is a threat, right now, but that's not a reason to leave someone who's hurt alone, let alone fight them. He knows better than that. He moves his foot back up, shoving his hands in his pockets. Get away? Not yet, at least.] I wasn't going to. [He's just barely not yelling. Ideally she'll be able to hear that over herself.] What happened?

[she's immediately mortified. it's unclear in the moment if it'd be better or worse to have nearly electrocuted a stranger instead of one of the boys next door, and Cecelia's not in a state of mind to reflect on it.

instead, she hastily bends to pick her journal back up, hugging it tightly to herself as tears spill out of her eyes unchecked.]

I have to leave, I-I, I can't stay here, please-- Just leave me alone!

[He really, probably, should. Maybe she just needs space to...yell or cry until she's let it all out.

But maybe she needs not to be alone. (Or, really, maybe she needs someone to make sure she leaves other people she runs into alone, considering those sparks.)

He takes a few steps down the remaining bit of walkway, stopping not quite next to her.] Where are you going to go?

[He's such an idiot.]

Oh, what do you care! [her face heats up with fresh frustration as she whirls and glares up at him.] Go jump for joy! One less person to complain about your, your atrocious smoking habit! You should thank me for going away, honestly!

[Unfortunately, too many people here complain about that for one person to make that much of a difference.

He crosses his arms. She seems to be reacting in the moment way too much to have thought this through.] You don't know where you're going, do you.

[it's not a great feeling to be so easily and bluntly called out, especially when she's so wound up and upset. Cecelia scoffs, then scoffs again, just opting to turn back around and start her march down the sidewalk, hugging her arms miserably to herself.]

I don't. I don't and I don't care! I'm getting out of this...stupid city. There! That's what I'm doing! Happy?!

[He follows, the thick soles of his shoes slapping sharply on the concrete.] No. You're going to run into trouble like that.

[It's an exasperated, lecturing kind of tone. He's not happy that either of them are doing this. Why is he doing this, again?

Right, because he lives near her and this could be a problem.

And maybe that whole "wanting to be someone who doesn't turn their back on other people" thing. Though that was based on situations considerably more high-stakes than "teenage girl is upset."]

Omigawds, shut up! Like you care! You'll probably just--just blip out of existence here, too, anyway! Poof back in your desert!

[behold! another piece of the drama puzzle!]

[Hang on...the "blue idiot" thing... Did Darin Port out? Is that what this is about?]

I'm here now.

[Which means he...cares. Kind of. She's not a friend, exactly. But she is, well, a neighbor.]

To do what? Tell me to stop being noisy and stupid? You're not my father! You don't even like me! Leave me alone!

[she quickens her pace.]

[For a second, his expression drains away. Her father? He doesn't look that old yet. (...Does he?)

But that's not important right now. What she said after that is. He gives her a look - sharp but concerned.] Why'd you think that?

[ugh. why is he making her lay it all out like this? she's dismayed enough as it is. frustrated tears well up in her eyes as she glares at the upcoming crossing light, daring her to try and make it with only half the allotted time.]

Because I know what I'm like! I know what a pain I am to put up with! You're only here because you heard a nuisance anyway! Don't lie!

[He turns his attention to the crossing light, too, as he comes to a stop beside her. At least her tears aren't being observed.

2...1...stop. There are squeals as drivers suddenly lift off the brakes and cars begin to pass in front of them.

Of course he's here because of the noise. Because she was breaking things.] I wouldn't have followed a nuisance.

[thank gods she's not strung-out enough to just Philly-walk right into traffic. but this does leave her in quite the situation, doesn't it? having to explain herself? to a guy who just won't go away?

she makes a point of keeping her back to him, practically tipping off the curb to do so while bracing against the breeze of cars blowing by.

she sniffles.]

Well, I. I don't know what to tell you, then...!

[That makes two of them. "I promise I'm not going to walk into any poles or electrocute anyone?" He lets out a long breath that's not quite a sigh.]

You should tell people if you're leaving. [Today, in "do as Wolfwood says, not as he does."

One of the passing drivers, possibly afraid Cecelia is about to walk into traffic, honks their horn loudly.]

It doesn't matter if-- [she's cut off by the honk. frightened, she lets out a yelp and hops back -- back into him, and immediately tenses up, bringing her hands to her face as she's brought back up into panic again.]

Ohhhhh I HATE! I hate this! Stupid, stupid awful place! All of it!

[He doesn't reach out to steady her, in case that results in being electrocuted. But he doesn't stagger back, instead remaining a steady wall of suit.]

Of course it matters. [He doesn't put an "idiot" at the end of that, but his tone implies it.]

It's not all bad.

[The cars slow to a stop, and the walk light switches back on. Wolfwood doesn't make a move, waiting to see what Cecelia will do.]

[what she does is scoff at his remark, hustling across the street as she scrubs at her eyes, sniffling quietly. she stops only briefly to double-check which way she needs to go, and the looming presence drawing near from behind spurs her back into hasty movement.]

For you, maybe! Good for you! Have fun with it. I'm leaving!

[For you, maybe. Well, yeah, he and other dead people are going to think a little better of this world. Hard not to. For most of the others, though, it's probably hard not to focus on what you've given up. But it's still a bad idea to reject it all. And especially to do it so recklessly.]

What, you're just going to march up to the Porter and demand it send you home? [Because that will go well.]

Oh, shut up! I'm not that stupid! [okay, maybe she is, but! not that he up and said it like that!

now embarrassed, she starts to trot ahead, as if she can ever outpace those awful long legs of his.]

I'm getting out of this awful city! Leave me alone!

[He doesn't say anything in response this time, just turning his eyes upwards and sighing briefly. And adjusting his pace to keep up, staying a step or two behind her shoulder.

He's still not leaving. He's kept up with even more troublesome idiots before.]

[such a gesture would be heartwarming to her in better states of mind, but as it stands? she's more frustrated than ever. as if his refusal to leave her be is just further cementing her stupidity, judging her, bullying her. as if anything she says or does is futile! this damn man...]

This is all just hilarious to you, isn't it? Is this how you spend your time? Following people who don't want you around?

[The thing is, if she didn't want other people around, she wouldn't be so upset about someone leaving, would she?

The worst thing in the world might be being alone. Even if you're an incredibly aggravating elf.] It's not funny.

Pathetic, then? Or are you just expecting me to go off and, and...and, I don't know, blow up a building or something? Like I'm that unhinged?! [she lets out another loud, frustrated huff.]

If you're going to be stalking me, you may as well say why!

No, I just think you're going to throw more things. [He snaps. Okay, yes, she's upset. But stalking? Seriously?]

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