How about the mansion library? I'm already here, so...
[ considering everything that's happened over the past day or so, jude has decided that cooping himself up might not be such a bad idea, for the time being. it's easier than thinking about certain other things, but for elle's sake, he does need to talk to alvin. he can't isolate himself from him. ]
See you soon.
[ jude is at a table near the back, a thick stack of books shoved to the side, chin in his hands. the library is otherwise deserted. ]
[Alvin doesn't exactly run, but he doesn't take his good old time either. His expression is pretty neutral when he steps inside. It only takes him a split second to find Jude among the books in the back.
In a few strides he approaches the table; flipping the chair across from Jude backwards and sitting on it, with his arms on the back of the chair in front of him.]
[ jude offers him a weary smile before anything else. it's good to see him. despite living together, they somehow manage to miss each other on most days, alvin off doing who knows what when jude isn't out and about himself. their little hut is... cramped, to say the least. it's no wonder they don't spend much time at home. ]
So... Elle wants to learn to fight.
[ jude closes his eyes and presses his fingers to his temples. ]
She went and asked the other coven members where she can get her hands on some weapons to train with. I tried to talk to her, but she really is a stubborn girl.
I got into an... argument of sorts with a friend who agreed to help her out. He said Elle should learn how to protect herself. I said it's our job to protect her.
[ time for some co-parenting. ]
So what do you think about all this? I just don't want her to get hurt. As long as we're here, she's our responsibility, isn't she?
[He can tell Jude's been thinking about this a lot. Well... he doesn't think that's the only thing bothering him because as he just keeps talking it sounds like there's more to it than that.
Well. He'll know if Jude tries to lie to him-- not that he thinks that'll really be an issue.
Either way this is still a subject of great importance to Jude. So he can't just say whatever he feels like. He's quiet for a moment, sighing.]
...sure. In an ideal world, that doesn't have to be an option. And maybe if the others were here, that would be more realistic-- but it's not like you and I are going to be with her every second.
[And he's seen how things just happen here sometimes. You can't be prepared for everything, as much as you want to.]
I'm the last person who'd push a weapon into some kid's hands if they were against it. But if that makes her feel safer, then maybe we should be the ones teaching her, instead of of fighting it. At least we can make sure she knows what she's doing. We might even be able to minimize the likelihood that she ever has to use it.
[ jude considers this, looking thoughtful as he mulls alvin's words over. he's... not wrong. in all honesty, jude trusts alvin to know a little better than he does in a situation like this, having grown up the way he did, and it's part of why he wanted to talk to him as soon as possible. ]
I think I can see where you're coming from. She wants me to teach her martial arts, too, and I agreed to it, but I know that's not enough.
[ jude looks down at his calloused hands, a beat passing. ]
I just... if something were to happen to her, I wouldn't ever be able to forgive myself, and it's hard to imagine such a little girl stuck in a situation where she needs a weapon.
But I guess I never thought about it that way. That if we're the ones teaching her we can make sure she's in good hands. It makes sense.
[ he glances back up to meet alvin's gaze. ]
I've been looking at this in black and white. I probably could have avoided that argument entirely had I just talked to you before jumping the gun.
No one wants to be in a situation where they have to make these kinds of choices. Hell, good or not, it's not something I want to do.
But we still gotta consider her wishes. We turn her down and she goes somewhere else... who knows what'll happen or what kind of weapon she'll get her hands on. Us... we can at least find her something that suits her and make sure she won't hurt herself.
Girl's still just a kid. But she wants to do what she can to help everyone. [Alvin smirks.] Sounds like another crazy kid I know. [That small bit of teasing aside, importantly--] So, her choice or not-- if something goes wrong I'll take the blame for it.
[He's the adult here.
But there's one other thing that he doesn't want to let Jude be able to sweep under the rug.]
So what's going on with you? You're only a few books away from making your own little house here.
[It's not like Jude to isolate himself. That... is more his shtick. So naturally he's concerned.]
If something were to go wrong— and I pray that we don't have to worry about that— sorry, but I wouldn't let you take the entirety of the blame. When it comes to Elle, it's 50/50. I'm just as responsible for her as you are.
[ after all, jude is the one who insisted they take her in in the first place. ]
... We're sort of like her stand-in mom and dad. I never thought I'd be a parent at sixteen.
[ despite the worries gnawing at him underneath the surface, he can't help but laugh. it's a funny thought. and parenting with alvin, of all people. ]
[He can't believe that Jude would really try to deceive him of all people. It would be ridiculous to believe that Alvin; who's entire life was built up of facades and fallacies-- would fall for such a poor lie.
But if Jude wants to play that game then fine.]
Can't say I'm surprised I'm in the position to rob the cradle.
[Can't blame anyone for thinking he'd add another crime to his already impressive list. It's a joke though. Really.]
Well, if that's the case then I guess I really can't accept that answer, darling. You're not being even a little believable. That's just going to make a guy worry more.
["Playing" or not, the last part is... surprisingly genuine. Incredibly so. He's not going to make him talk but Jude should at least know that he's got someone to talk to if he wants. Not that he'd say he's the best to talk to. Even so...]
[ you could say jude has good news, following up on their little chat, but that's not what he's focused on at the moment. there's something more pressing than that.
alvin is home, for once, and jude gives him a little nudge in the shoulder when he walks in the door, a frown curving his lips. ]
Elle's gone.
I think she might have figured out a way back home. Rollo's gone, too, and it's just... this feeling I have. I haven't seen her anywhere.
Will you meet me in the library again? I wanted to talk to you. I've been wanting to for a while, but I couldn't figure out the right time, so... I figured now is as good as any.
And you're more than likely to be outside wandering around who knows where. Are you up to something shady again?
[ but the look on jude's face makes it obvious that he's very much kidding. he knows alvin is done with that life, and he trusts him, wholly and completely. he can't blame him for not wanting to be cooped up in such a small space all the time. ]
So... um. About what we talked about last time. I thought you might want an update.
[ he twiddles his thumbs, a light flush rising to color his cheeks. ]
[...ah yes. Jude's love life. part of him feels like he could absolutely get away will telling him to keep the mushy details to himself without seeming odd. but considering how anxious he was about that in the first place--
he doesn't really have much of a choice does he? as a friend, it's his job to listen.]
So you actually did something about it. Good for you.
[he hates to tell you jude but the result is pretty obvious from the look on your face.]
[ jude beams at him, a genuine smile curving his lips. alvin's words fill him with warmth from the inside out, something about his approval meaning a great deal to him. ]
I'd really like you to meet him sometime.
[ a pause. ]
That's not the only reason I called you over, though.
[ alvin will come back to a box on the table in his apartment. attached is both his name and a note written in neat cursive that will be instantly recognizable as jude's.
dear alvin,
happy sunsu! to be honest, i wasn't sure what to get you at first. i know you prefer designer brand, but regardless, i decided to knit you a scarf. i picked a warm shade of brown to match your coat — hope that's okay!
and i thought i'd take this opportunity to let you know that... you have no idea how much you mean to me. thank you, for letting me call myself your friend.
don't be a stranger, okay?
yours truly, jude
the scarf is just thick and big enough to cover alvin's broad shoulders. it's clear a lot of love went into it. ]
[ Whenever Alvin will be back from the Sunsu festival, he'll find a metal tin filled with homemade cookies and a bottle of the Sunsu alcohol. There's also a card, but the message is quite short: Happy holidays, roommate. Hibiki ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
backdated to 10/08
Date: 2017-10-14 07:38 pm (UTC)I need to talk to you. It's about Elle. Do you think we can meet up somewhere?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 02:41 pm (UTC)Sure. Just name the place.
pretend i backdated this to 10/09
Date: 2017-10-15 03:49 pm (UTC)[ considering everything that's happened over the past day or so, jude has decided that cooping himself up might not be such a bad idea, for the time being. it's easier than thinking about certain other things, but for elle's sake, he does need to talk to alvin. he can't isolate himself from him. ]
See you soon.
[ jude is at a table near the back, a thick stack of books shoved to the side, chin in his hands. the library is otherwise deserted. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 04:19 pm (UTC)In a few strides he approaches the table; flipping the chair across from Jude backwards and sitting on it, with his arms on the back of the chair in front of him.]
So. What's going on?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 04:37 pm (UTC)[ jude offers him a weary smile before anything else. it's good to see him. despite living together, they somehow manage to miss each other on most days, alvin off doing who knows what when jude isn't out and about himself. their little hut is... cramped, to say the least. it's no wonder they don't spend much time at home. ]
So... Elle wants to learn to fight.
[ jude closes his eyes and presses his fingers to his temples. ]
She went and asked the other coven members where she can get her hands on some weapons to train with. I tried to talk to her, but she really is a stubborn girl.
I got into an... argument of sorts with a friend who agreed to help her out. He said Elle should learn how to protect herself. I said it's our job to protect her.
[ time for some co-parenting. ]
So what do you think about all this? I just don't want her to get hurt. As long as we're here, she's our responsibility, isn't she?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 05:21 pm (UTC)Well. He'll know if Jude tries to lie to him-- not that he thinks that'll really be an issue.
Either way this is still a subject of great importance to Jude.
So he can't just say whatever he feels like. He's quiet for a moment, sighing.]
...sure. In an ideal world, that doesn't have to be an option. And maybe if the others were here, that would be more realistic-- but it's not like you and I are going to be with her every second.
[And he's seen how things just happen here sometimes. You can't be prepared for everything, as much as you want to.]
I'm the last person who'd push a weapon into some kid's hands if they were against it. But if that makes her feel safer, then maybe we should be the ones teaching her, instead of of fighting it. At least we can make sure she knows what she's doing. We might even be able to minimize the likelihood that she ever has to use it.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 05:35 pm (UTC)I think I can see where you're coming from. She wants me to teach her martial arts, too, and I agreed to it, but I know that's not enough.
[ jude looks down at his calloused hands, a beat passing. ]
I just... if something were to happen to her, I wouldn't ever be able to forgive myself, and it's hard to imagine such a little girl stuck in a situation where she needs a weapon.
But I guess I never thought about it that way. That if we're the ones teaching her we can make sure she's in good hands. It makes sense.
[ he glances back up to meet alvin's gaze. ]
I've been looking at this in black and white. I probably could have avoided that argument entirely had I just talked to you before jumping the gun.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 05:49 pm (UTC)But we still gotta consider her wishes. We turn her down and she goes somewhere else... who knows what'll happen or what kind of weapon she'll get her hands on. Us... we can at least find her something that suits her and make sure she won't hurt herself.
Girl's still just a kid. But she wants to do what she can to help everyone. [Alvin smirks.] Sounds like another crazy kid I know. [That small bit of teasing aside, importantly--] So, her choice or not-- if something goes wrong I'll take the blame for it.
[He's the adult here.
But there's one other thing that he doesn't want to let Jude be able to sweep under the rug.]
So what's going on with you? You're only a few books away from making your own little house here.
[It's not like Jude to isolate himself. That... is more his shtick. So naturally he's concerned.]
1/2
Date: 2017-10-15 06:01 pm (UTC)[ after all, jude is the one who insisted they take her in in the first place. ]
... We're sort of like her stand-in mom and dad. I never thought I'd be a parent at sixteen.
[ despite the worries gnawing at him underneath the surface, he can't help but laugh. it's a funny thought. and parenting with alvin, of all people. ]
2/2
Date: 2017-10-15 06:04 pm (UTC)Oh. Um...
[ jude can't meet his eyes. suddenly, that wall over there is very interesting. ]
Nothing important. Same old, same old. Boring stuff.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 07:37 pm (UTC)But if Jude wants to play that game then fine.]
Can't say I'm surprised I'm in the position to rob the cradle.
[Can't blame anyone for thinking he'd add another crime to his already impressive list. It's a joke though. Really.]
Well, if that's the case then I guess I really can't accept that answer, darling. You're not being even a little believable. That's just going to make a guy worry more.
["Playing" or not, the last part is... surprisingly genuine. Incredibly so. He's not going to make him talk but Jude should at least know that he's got someone to talk to if he wants. Not that he'd say he's the best to talk to. Even so...]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-15 07:51 pm (UTC)I was just kidding! Why do you have to make everything sound so... unsavory?
[ of course alvin wouldn't believe him, though. how many times has jude called him out on his lies? and alvin is a far better liar than jude is. ]
But it's... It's sort of complicated. Seriously, there's nothing for you to worry about.
Dear.
[ maybe he can pretend everything's fine if he keeps up with the banter! yeah. ]
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From:action
Date: 2017-10-27 11:24 pm (UTC)alvin is home, for once, and jude gives him a little nudge in the shoulder when he walks in the door, a frown curving his lips. ]
Elle's gone.
I think she might have figured out a way back home. Rollo's gone, too, and it's just... this feeling I have. I haven't seen her anywhere.
backdated before day 122
Date: 2017-11-20 09:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:15 am (UTC)[heh. not surprising though.]
Yeah sure, just give me a bit.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:18 am (UTC)[ and he is. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:21 am (UTC)[translation: hey friend how's it goin'.
he'll be making himself comfortable-- in the same chair as last time.]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:23 am (UTC)[ but the look on jude's face makes it obvious that he's very much kidding. he knows alvin is done with that life, and he trusts him, wholly and completely. he can't blame him for not wanting to be cooped up in such a small space all the time. ]
So... um. About what we talked about last time. I thought you might want an update.
[ he twiddles his thumbs, a light flush rising to color his cheeks. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:27 am (UTC)he doesn't really have much of a choice does he? as a friend, it's his job to listen.]
So you actually did something about it. Good for you.
[he hates to tell you jude but the result is pretty obvious from the look on your face.]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:29 am (UTC)[ for a second, he buries his face in his hands, only to peer at alvin through the cracks between his fingers. ]
So... thanks. For cheering me on.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:34 am (UTC)Naturally.
[there are some things he has confidence in.]
Good for you kiddo.
[he leans back in his chair, a grin pasted on his face.]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:36 am (UTC)I'd really like you to meet him sometime.
[ a pause. ]
That's not the only reason I called you over, though.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-20 09:39 am (UTC)[He's sure the person Jude picked was fine. It's not like he was concerned. If anything he's more anxious about that person meeting him.
not like he needs any reminders about who's not good for who here.]
Oh?
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From:sunsu present delivery
Date: 2017-12-23 06:40 am (UTC)dear alvin,
happy sunsu! to be honest, i wasn't sure what to get you at first. i know you prefer designer brand, but regardless, i decided to knit you a scarf. i picked a warm shade of brown to match your coat — hope that's okay!
and i thought i'd take this opportunity to let you know that... you have no idea how much you mean to me. thank you, for letting me call myself your friend.
don't be a stranger, okay?
yours truly,
jude
the scarf is just thick and big enough to cover alvin's broad shoulders. it's clear a lot of love went into it. ]
12/20; delivery
Date: 2017-12-23 08:27 pm (UTC)