Come As You Are // Open Post

[therealbrianna]

P.Y.T. [ Pretty Young Thing ]

(Taken during THAT mission that we do not speak of.)

Comments

[icarusalsoflew]

You worry about me.

[Tweaking her nose.]

It's only fair. Besides, telling me not to worry about the people I care about never works out well.

[therealbrianna]

[ She notices that Aria's moving towards her daddy, and instead of going towards him as well, she internally raises an amused eyebrow. Now, Brianna has whipped out her phone and is leaning against a tree, pretending to type away. She keeps the pair within the reach of her peripheral vision, because yknow, curious. ]

[therealbrianna]

[ Playfully swatting his hand away. ]

Yeah well I worry about you cause you're old. But then again, guess you really can't teach an old dog new tricks.

[ Trying to tease him just to get a genuine smile on that face again. ]

[therealbrianna]

That would be super awesome.

[ She's watching Tala as she's doing that. It never ceases to amaze her how much capabilities her BFF possesses. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[And what Brianna's going to notice is that her father's relaxing even more, and listening to Aria as their conversation moves towards her students. The look on his face is a marked improvement from how he had been during the Quiapo engagement, their coffee date, the Ball, and... well. Everything else that's been happening lately.

Anyway. When Aria finally pops the question, he's blinking, and then rather casually saying:]

Oh, I just need to talk to Bri about something.

[He keeps his tone casual, and his manners light. Got it under wraps, this one, as if he hadn't been waiting around to break the news on Something Important to his latest daughter.

She'll find out soon enough.]

Don't worry. I'll wait for you to finish up. You wanted to talk to her about Michael, right?

[Neither of them have glanced in your direction this entire time, Brianna.]

[icarusalsoflew]

Excuse me, young lady. I NEVER look my age, and I DO learn quickly.

[A pause, then a crooked smile.]

When I choose to, anyway.

[thetalavega]

Give me a bit.

[She's shutting her eyes, and rubbing her fingers together. It takes less than a minute.]

He's in his room right now. Just went up from dinner... he's going to go out on duty soon.

[therealbrianna]

[ At this point, she's already tired of holding her phone up in front of her.

Content to just being direct and staring at them now, waiting for her cue especially since both Hikaru and Aria seem to have something to discuss with her. ]

[redemancy]

I did.

[She's lifting an eyebrow at him and giving him a curious look, but she's not going to press. She'll ask him at another time, perhaps.]

I'll be quick.

[Then, with one last smile in Hikaru's direction, she's walking over to Brianna.]

Hi. Thanks for coming around again.

[therealbrianna]

[ Duty?!

Deep inhale, followed by a deep exhale, then a nod. ]

I'll run there. [ She says that as she's standing up. ]

[therealbrianna]

And that's the problem.

[ Crinkling her nose at him, hihi. ]

[therealbrianna]

[ Insert innocent smile here, hehe. ]

Sure! I don't mind. Whatsup?

[redemancy]

[...She is starting to become familiar with that smile of yours, but okay. Not pushing. Not going to think about it.]

I just wanted to tell you that Ziz is really, REALLY happy about Michael's progress. He's starting to open up to them again... it's slow work, but you've helped him make some breakthroughs.

[Like today.]

[thetalavega]

Okay. I'll walk out with you, then head home.

[Tilts her head at the other as she's standing as well.]

Good luck. Tell me how it goes.

[icarusalsoflew]

I'd like to think that it's just a natural product of my discerning mind.

[Yeah, he's relaxed again. And they're also slowing down, because the cars are being unloaded for a new batch of riders.]

Hmm... I guess we both ought to go home after this.

[therealbrianna]

[ Nodding at Tala and smiling, but her jaw is slightly clenched. ]

I will, I promise.

[therealbrianna]

[ Oh, wow.

The smile on her face morphs from innocent to accomplished. ]

Thanks! I... Well, I did what I can, for Michael. I'm happy to see Ziz took notice.

[redemancy]

Same here. As it is, it's good that he's finally responding to him. He got picked up by his resident therapist, after all... he used to insist on going by himself, as you know.

[Yeah, she can't help but be REALLY hopeful.]

If this continues, maybe we'll be able to get him to reach out more by the end of the month.

[therealbrianna]

[ And just as she lets out a yawn, too. ]

I'm okay with that.

[icarusalsoflew]

[So he's smiling at that, and dutifully getting off first once they're turn. He holds the door open for her, and then holds his hand out in her direction once they're both far away from the crowd.]

I'll take us both right to your doorstep.

[therealbrianna]

[ Silently taking his hand with a smile and preparing herself for the walk back. ]

Surely!

[therealbrianna]

[ Just the thought of that makes Brianna feel all warm inside. It wasn't long ago when she felt like the Michael Lamont to Tala Vega. ]

Yay, hopefully! Somewhere down the line, maybe he'll even be ready to be introduced to a family.

[ This one is hopeful as well. ]

Brig can manage casual encounters pretty well. But he's not used to dealing with genuine attraction.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig looks back at her and tries to smile ] Got to put it out on the table first, I guess, so you don't get lost. I'd been joining her in the evening regularly for drinks when we were at Seigi. [ There's a moment of fondness in his features. Then it's gone ] She said she enjoyed my company as much as I did hers. Then [ a beat ] on our last night, it felt like she just shut me out. [ He looks troubled and sad ] I must've done something wrong.

[atlas_shrugged]

Hey, I'm sure they'll all still check in. [ He tries to hide the uncertainty in his voice. He's not very successful. ]

Taning's always watching over everyone and I'd like to believe there's a soft spot in Yulia even though she doesn't like to show it. [ He smiles as he remembers Yulia's smile on the trip back from Sta. Cruz ] And I'll keep checking up on you and Josh.

[redemancy]

Maybe we can arrange for something... or well, a lot of things. Your home and mine.

[Michael needs as much support as he can get, after all.]

I'll ask the others on my end.