Audience - Jacopo

[holyspirits]

Comments

[batterypack]

[ you know what that's fair. ]

See? [ there's a grin because she does like being correct. ] I can think of a few people who would agree with you anyway. [ out of the herbalist we go, heading onward to the dark forest. ]

I happen to have an excellent sense of direction. Besides, you're really only lost if you admit you're lost.

[obdure]

That is definitely not how it works.

[ Just saying, but he'll follow. ]

[batterypack]

Oh? Then how would you say it actually works? [ walking, walking. ] I'm the navigator here.

[obdure]

It's when you don't know where you're going, obviously.

[ But he will let her navigate. ]

But I can be quiet while you're navigating.

[batterypack]

And when did I say that I wanted you to be quiet? [ marching on... ] You really do seem to think the worst of yourself when it comes to talking to me, I've noticed.

[obdure]

[ Okay, he's a bit confused about this. ]

I—didn't mean it seriously. I meant it as a joke.

[ Like because she's driving, he shouldn't backseat drive. ]

[batterypack]

Oh. [ she at least looks apologetic for assuming for once. ] Well... my point stands. I would hate to lead you somewhere you don't actually want to go. This is an adventure for both of us.

[obdure]

[ it is back to being awkward ]

[batterypack]

[ no! ]

...Jacopo. [ she turns to frown up at him. ] Don't actually clam up on me, that will make the journey more dull for the two of us.

[ also... a joke. but also please. ]

[obdure]

[ HElP ]

I'm not doing anything on purpose—I'm just thinking?

[batterypack]

About what? [ this is more of a prompt to talk if he wants rather than a demand to tell her. into the woods we go. ]

[obdure]

[ It takes another moment as they explore some more before he starts. ]

Things... Are okay between us?

[batterypack]

[ oh. buddy. she actually looks a little confused with the question before she remembers men are stupid. ]

Of course they are. [ but she can take a shot in the dark what this is about. ] Is this about our conversation last week?

[obdure]

[ listen..... he feels guilty... even though it wasn't quite him, but it's still him. ]

It is... I was acting so erratically to you. I don't know why, but I still shouldn't have done that.

[batterypack]

You were, but considering the situation you're all in I'm surprised more of you aren't acting erratically. And besides, they were only questions.

[ very fucked up questions, but questions nonetheless. ]

I don't mind questions so long as you don't mind I may not be able to always give answers you want.

[obdure]

... Right, but still. That was a lot, you have to admit.

[ Jacopo doesn't say it, but it seemed insane and some of it maybe manipulative. ]

[batterypack]

Oh, it was. I'm not absolving you completely. [ she's not that nice, unfortunately. ] But I do think some of them are mildly understandable.

... are you willing to have a conversation now, or would you like to pretend you never asked those questions to begin with?

[obdure]

Okay, you're not, but you could have definitely told me to stop or taken a step back!

[ PLEASe. She's asking complicated questions a past self personality him has a hard time answering. ]

I just wanted to say sorry.

[ That's what it ends up being. ]

[batterypack]

You're forgiven then. [ GOD. further into the woods they go... but. ]

I could and should have told you to take a step back, but I also don't know if that would have benefitted you, or if it would mean you asked yourself those questions and speculated on your own. Our job here is to guide you, remember?

[obdure]

It is, but I don't think it means you need to sink with us.

[ is it funny how self-loathing shows up in a different channel. into the woods. ]

... But thanks.

[batterypack]

Don't thank me. [ there's a lull though as she thinks, folding her hands behind her back as she leads them onward. ]

I don't think I would allow either of us to sink. I'm a very strong swimmer. [ metaphors... ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo is still grateful, but he doesn't add more. All he wanted her to know is that he's sorry. ]

If only swimming was helpful while we're in the woods...

[batterypack]

[ she chooses not to harp on the point but instead distracts him. ]

Would you believe me if I said I spent the last year or so speaking to trees back home?

[obdure]

If you want me to believe that's a normal psychic thing, then sure. I believe you.

[ That is just what they do now. ]

[batterypack]

[ she does laugh slightly at that because she's aware it sounds silly to other people. ]

No, it wasn't a normal psychic thing. I'm not a psychic. [ very much not a psychic. ] But it was at the heart of the ley line that ran through town. We found it one day while we were on a search for something else.