[After a busy day of catching up, trading info, and showing Adaine the very basics of pokemon battling, --as well as overseeing Adaine's first two catches as a trainer with as much pride as a parent watching their kid tie their shoelaces for the first time-- it's time to bed down for the night in a little hostel. Tomorrow, they'll start heading towards Saffron, but honestly, it had been nice to just hang out for a day and walk around Pallet town. It had given them time to talk and had given Adaine the chance to stretch her legs after spending three days on a ferry.
And yet, somehow, despite all the subjects that had come up, both pertaining to this world and their own, there was one subject that had not come up.
Somehow Riz had not been able to tell Adaine he was dating Boober. He should. He knows that he should. It's not like he can hide that when Adaine is coming back to Saffron to live with them. Nor does he exactly want to hide it from Adaine, it's just--
It's a little awkward. Romance is. Talking about it always seems to invite so much mention of kissing or worse and even apart from that, it's not like he and Boober are a very normal couple. Or, at least, Riz is pretty certain that going to a laundromat together wouldn't count for a cute couple thing for most folks.
Sitting crosslegged on his bed, Riz futzes with his gear, waiting for Adaine to be done in the tiny little bathroom attached to their room. He strategically let her have the first turn, partially because after three days on a ferry --no matter the amenities!-- Adaine probably was really looking forward to a shower that didn't rock gently, but also partially because if this conversation does go horrendously, he can at least flee into the bathroom. He's a rogue! Finding escape options is what he does!
Finally, Adaine reappears in their room, and Riz awkwardly scrapes his throat, keeping his eyes glued to his gear.]
Oh, uh, there was something I still wanted to tell you.
[ It's been a nice day, walking around Pallet Town with Riz. Not doing too too much, but still doing more than sitting on a ferry and gazing out at the sea, ruminating on all the strangeness that's been suddenly thrust upon her life. Adaine walks out of the bathroom, freshly changed into sleep clothes, towel around her neck and her hair half pulled up into a ponytail. Her first task is going to make sure her three(!) Pokemon are still safe in their capture balls inside her backpack, before she sits down on the bed that will be hers for the night and turning her attention to Riz. ]
Hm? What's that?
[ She figures it'll be some new element to how to catch and train Pokemon, or something to do with their trip back to Saffron in the morning. ]
[Wow, just look at the poke-gear. It's truly the most important object in the world right now, which is why Riz needs to keep all his attention on it.]
Iiit-- [Riz drags that out, not even realising he is mirroring the sometimes faltering way Boober speaks.] --kinda has to do with Boober.
[ Adaine's first thought is that Riz is going to issue some sort of warning. She replays her conversation with Boober from her first day over in her mind, trying to guess what Riz might want to warn her of. ]
He seemed nice when I spoke with him. If you're trying to say that you've already talked to him about me, he already said as much.
[ Leave it to Riz to confess to being in a relationship in a sneaky and roundabout way, as befitting of a rogue like him. Very different than Ayda loudly and plainly claiming Fig as her paramour, or Kristen making explicit references to her and Tracker's lewd acts at every given moment. ]
Riz!!! That's big news! I can't believe you waited three whole days to drop this on me!
[ Grinning from ear to ear, she shuffles over to dangle her legs off the edge of the bed closest to Riz's. ]
[ The blush is all the more obvious on Riz's skin now that it's not green. But it is enough of a clue for Adaine to lean back a bit and try to put the brakes on her enthusiasm. ]
Is it? You're the one who brought it up. I assumed you wanted to talk about it?
[ She pulls her heels up, hugging her knees to her chest and plopping her chin down on top of them. ]
I'm not asking you to go into, like, Kristen-level detail. No one wants that. But just... How did you meet? How long have you two been dating?
[Riz visibly cringes a the thought of going into Kristen-level detail, part remembered awkwardness hearing Kristen talk about those subjects, part talking about those subjects at all, and part just imaging him doing those kind of things with Boober. Ick. No, thanks.]
There is no Kristen-level detail to get into! We don't-- We don't even kiss!
[Well, technically they kiss. They kiss each other on the nose and forehead, and once on the lips. But they don't... they don't do the thing with tongues, the thing everybody seems to find so important.
Adaine had asked other questions too, but Riz felt it was very important to first make this clear. The idea of people thinking he and Boober do those kind of things just doesn't feel right, which is perhaps why he doesn't talk much about them dating to begin with.]
[ Adaine looks a little surprised at first, but then she supposes she shouldn't be. Riz had always seemed as uncomfortable as she felt with Kristen's constant TMI, or with all Fabian's talk of "getting his kisses in" with Aelwyn. Obviously, Adaine had been uncomfortable with that for different reasons, but it isn't completely out of left field for her to hear Riz say he doesn't kiss his boyfriend. ]
That's alright. I mean, I've not... I've never... kissed anyone, either. But I've talked to Jawbone about it, and he always said it was fine if I didn't want to. He says that there are many ways to be in a relationship, and they're all just as valid and real.
That does sound like something Jawbone would say. Minus some story with far too much information. Like, upsetting amounts of TMI.
[Would figuring this all out have been easier for Riz if he had had someone like Jawbone here to talk to?
No. No, it wouldn't have been, because Riz would not have talked about this. Boober and him had sorted things out together, with the help of a few caseboards and some internet research.]
There... is a word for it, actually. Which, uh, I think I might be.
Yes, there was definitely more, uh, graphic details about a guy he once did drugs with in a bus station restroom, when he said it. But the point still stands.
[ She offers Riz a soft smile, hoping that she's being as supportive as she can be. It's a bit of a different position she's put in now, than when Ayda was first telling her about kissing Fig. ]
I'm happy for you, Riz. Really. Whatever words you are or aren't. If you're happy with Boober, then I'm happy.
Yeah. Yeah, I'm happy. It's weird. I mean, we are weird. The way Boober and I are doing this is. But... that's the part that I like. I like being weird with him.
[ It's cute, the way Riz is blushing. But Adaine doesn't need to be all that insightful to be able to tell that he means what he's saying, that he really is happy. ]
Good. You deserve someone you can be weird with.
[ She chuckles. ] At least this time I've spoken to him myself, so I can confirm that he's real and not some freakish nightmare puppet from the Baronies.
[Riz groans, pressing his palms against his eyes.]
Can we never bring up Baron ever again? I didn't exactly mean to make some sort of weird... skeleton boy fake boyfriend. Besides, I don't even think I ever told Boober about him.
[ She would rather not talk about some of the terrors the Nightmare King showed her, either. Even if her greatest fears were less scary and more depressing.
Though, thinking about the Nightmare King's forest just makes Adaine think about the conversation she had with her future self, about whether they deserved to be loved. She hugs her knees closer to her chest, subconsciously trying to make herself so small and ball-like that she'll give Riz a run for his title. ]
What I was trying to say was... It's good, that you and Boober found each other.
[ Adaine hesitates for a moment— they both well know the associations that go along with "Mumple people," and how derogatory they can be. But, she hasn't had much of a chance to get to know Boober yet, so she doesn't want to be mean to Riz and cast any unnecessary aspersions. ]
I suppose... The world needs Mumple people as much as it needs Aguefort people. [ Now, Hudol people? Those, the world could probably do without. ]
I'm looking forward to being able to meet him properly.
[Mumple folks can be the worst of the lot, it's true. On the other hand, Bud Cubby had attended Mumple and he could probably go toe to toe with plenty of adventurers.
Not to say that Boober was anything like that beloved socio-anarchistic postman, but clearly Mumple produced its share of gems too.]
Yeah. I'm-- I'm kinda glad you are the first one who gets to meet him. You... well, I think meeting you is probably least intimidating.
[Fabian would be so judgemental. Kristen would probably be unable to shut her mouth and ask too many invasive questions. Fig was cool, but she was also Cool to an intimidating degree with her outfits. And Gorgug... he was an absolute sweetie, but he was also as tall as a Gorg, and Riz could easily imagine Boober being intimidated.]
[ Bud Cubby is an outlier and they both know it, but if someone as good and as radicalized as him can come out of Mumple, then who knows what else Mumple people can do!
Adaine just chuckles, and shifts to lean back against the headboard of her bed, legs outstretched in front of her as she grabs a pillow to hug to her chest. ]
Yeah, it's for the best that it's me he meets first. Everyone else is... [ What's the kindest way to say it? ] ...More intense.
[ Gorgug is sweet enough to not be as intimidating upon first meeting, but there is always the chance that something will set him into a rage and no Mumple person wants that upon first meeting. ]
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furiousfists) wrote2024-02-15 02:18 pm
Pallet Town
And yet, somehow, despite all the subjects that had come up, both pertaining to this world and their own, there was one subject that had not come up.
Somehow Riz had not been able to tell Adaine he was dating Boober. He should. He knows that he should. It's not like he can hide that when Adaine is coming back to Saffron to live with them. Nor does he exactly want to hide it from Adaine, it's just--
It's a little awkward. Romance is. Talking about it always seems to invite so much mention of kissing or worse and even apart from that, it's not like he and Boober are a very normal couple. Or, at least, Riz is pretty certain that going to a laundromat together wouldn't count for a cute couple thing for most folks.
Sitting crosslegged on his bed, Riz futzes with his gear, waiting for Adaine to be done in the tiny little bathroom attached to their room. He strategically let her have the first turn, partially because after three days on a ferry --no matter the amenities!-- Adaine probably was really looking forward to a shower that didn't rock gently, but also partially because if this conversation does go horrendously, he can at least flee into the bathroom. He's a rogue! Finding escape options is what he does!
Finally, Adaine reappears in their room, and Riz awkwardly scrapes his throat, keeping his eyes glued to his gear.]
Oh, uh, there was something I still wanted to tell you.
no subject
Hm? What's that?
[ She figures it'll be some new element to how to catch and train Pokemon, or something to do with their trip back to Saffron in the morning. ]
no subject
Iiit-- [Riz drags that out, not even realising he is mirroring the sometimes faltering way Boober speaks.] --kinda has to do with Boober.
no subject
[ Adaine's first thought is that Riz is going to issue some sort of warning. She replays her conversation with Boober from her first day over in her mind, trying to guess what Riz might want to warn her of. ]
He seemed nice when I spoke with him. If you're trying to say that you've already talked to him about me, he already said as much.
no subject
[Plus, lets face it, they are a very badass crew that get involved in lot of cool adventures. Who wouldn't want to chat about that!
But also, there is a real risk of allowing himself to be drawn into this conversation and once again, not spit it out. That wouldn't do.]
No, uh. The thing I wanted to say is-- Boober and me-- We're erm involved.
no subject
[ Hang on. This might take her a second. ]
Wait. Involved? You and Boober?!
[ Leave it to Riz to confess to being in a relationship in a sneaky and roundabout way, as befitting of a rogue like him. Very different than Ayda loudly and plainly claiming Fig as her paramour, or Kristen making explicit references to her and Tracker's lewd acts at every given moment. ]
Riz!!! That's big news! I can't believe you waited three whole days to drop this on me!
[ Grinning from ear to ear, she shuffles over to dangle her legs off the edge of the bed closest to Riz's. ]
Tell me everything.
no subject
I don't know what there is to tell! Isn't this all rather private?
no subject
Is it? You're the one who brought it up. I assumed you wanted to talk about it?
[ She pulls her heels up, hugging her knees to her chest and plopping her chin down on top of them. ]
I'm not asking you to go into, like, Kristen-level detail. No one wants that. But just... How did you meet? How long have you two been dating?
no subject
There is no Kristen-level detail to get into! We don't-- We don't even kiss!
[Well, technically they kiss. They kiss each other on the nose and forehead, and once on the lips. But they don't... they don't do the thing with tongues, the thing everybody seems to find so important.
Adaine had asked other questions too, but Riz felt it was very important to first make this clear. The idea of people thinking he and Boober do those kind of things just doesn't feel right, which is perhaps why he doesn't talk much about them dating to begin with.]
no subject
That's alright. I mean, I've not... I've never... kissed anyone, either. But I've talked to Jawbone about it, and he always said it was fine if I didn't want to. He says that there are many ways to be in a relationship, and they're all just as valid and real.
[ Now it's her turn to blush a bit. ]
no subject
[Would figuring this all out have been easier for Riz if he had had someone like Jawbone here to talk to?
No. No, it wouldn't have been, because Riz would not have talked about this. Boober and him had sorted things out together, with the help of a few caseboards and some internet research.]
There... is a word for it, actually. Which, uh, I think I might be.
no subject
[ She offers Riz a soft smile, hoping that she's being as supportive as she can be. It's a bit of a different position she's put in now, than when Ayda was first telling her about kissing Fig. ]
I'm happy for you, Riz. Really. Whatever words you are or aren't. If you're happy with Boober, then I'm happy.
no subject
[Riz rubs at his cheek, feeling them burn.]
no subject
Good. You deserve someone you can be weird with.
[ She chuckles. ] At least this time I've spoken to him myself, so I can confirm that he's real and not some freakish nightmare puppet from the Baronies.
no subject
Can we never bring up Baron ever again? I didn't exactly mean to make some sort of weird... skeleton boy fake boyfriend. Besides, I don't even think I ever told Boober about him.
no subject
Fair. Yep, nope. No more Baron talk.
[ She would rather not talk about some of the terrors the Nightmare King showed her, either. Even if her greatest fears were less scary and more depressing.
Though, thinking about the Nightmare King's forest just makes Adaine think about the conversation she had with her future self, about whether they deserved to be loved. She hugs her knees closer to her chest, subconsciously trying to make herself so small and ball-like that she'll give Riz a run for his title. ]
What I was trying to say was... It's good, that you and Boober found each other.
no subject
[Riz might as well admit it! Adaine will probably come to the same conclusion once she meets Boober in person.]
But he's always working hard. And he doesn't mind doing the stuff nobody else cares about. And he is funny. In his own way.
no subject
I suppose... The world needs Mumple people as much as it needs Aguefort people. [ Now, Hudol people? Those, the world could probably do without. ]
I'm looking forward to being able to meet him properly.
no subject
Not to say that Boober was anything like that beloved socio-anarchistic postman, but clearly Mumple produced its share of gems too.]
Yeah. I'm-- I'm kinda glad you are the first one who gets to meet him. You... well, I think meeting you is probably least intimidating.
[Fabian would be so judgemental. Kristen would probably be unable to shut her mouth and ask too many invasive questions. Fig was cool, but she was also Cool to an intimidating degree with her outfits. And Gorgug... he was an absolute sweetie, but he was also as tall as a Gorg, and Riz could easily imagine Boober being intimidated.]
no subject
Adaine just chuckles, and shifts to lean back against the headboard of her bed, legs outstretched in front of her as she grabs a pillow to hug to her chest. ]
Yeah, it's for the best that it's me he meets first. Everyone else is... [ What's the kindest way to say it? ] ...More intense.
[ Gorgug is sweet enough to not be as intimidating upon first meeting, but there is always the chance that something will set him into a rage and no Mumple person wants that upon first meeting. ]