harmonial | (no subject)

( shouldn't she?

... shouldn't he? for that matter... it isn't an argument that he'll let her have, in any case, when her watch beeps again with his deposit and makes an off-tone with her own failed return. she stares at her wrist for a long moment, and then another longer one, frustration and a feeling of something bittersweet welling up tight in her throat at his incoming message.

his protection has always felt warm, but especially here, after everything, when she knows it shouldn't be so one-sided... )

... I want to take care of you, too, Brother.

( distance — does make this easier. )

You'd said that we could work together, couldn't we? So we should pool our resources.

[There are only so many denials he can make. In the past, in the exchanges of their letters, conversation was — prolonged. Days and weeks and even months passed between, extending delays until what was once a spontaneous issue might be resolved by the time they heard from each other again. And in their life before, funds were not one of those problems.

Her, stardom and celebrity buoyed freedom of both a physical and financial kind.

Him — well, Penacony was in no short supply of resources.]

I can see if it's possible to create a joint account between us.

[Acquiescence, finally.]

Would you accept something like that?

( and so are the dangers of modern technology: there's hardly the space of time to allow a problem to dissolve on its own.

plus, text can hardly convey the way that robin puffs up on her end of the line like a ruffling bird, all pleased at this compromise. )

I would be honored, Mister Sunday.

If it helps ease this decision, I will do my best to show you my financial independence by getting into the occasional squabble over the dessert allowance with you.

You don't need to call me that.

[Even if it's... cute, in a way it literally never is when anyone else calls him 'Mr. Sunday'.

Also, no, her brother still does not know how to joke.]

There's no dessert allowance. Eat as much as you would like.

( nearly too serious. too bad it's a charm point instead of anything that she thinks requires fixing. )

Aren't you worried you spoil me too much? One day, I might think to spend our hard-earned chips on more cake than either of us can eat, and where would that leave the both of us?

My dear sister isn't so irresponsible.

[Wow, this faintest glimmer of... teasing.]

If she does happen to demonstrate such behavior, then we'll have to resume my original suggestion — and she'll be placed on a budget.

( !!! )

And thus I'd become the recipient of my dear brother's cute scolding face...

That *is* quite a threat, Mister Sunday. I suppose I'll promise my good behavior, after all.

[Don't call him cute? That's not fair.]

Then I think we have an understanding, Miss Robin.

( ? he wants her to lie?

that besides, in case the Powers That Be require an... address... to consider their application for a hypothetical joint bank account: she forwards him her room number.

... not because she's secretly hopeful he'll visit or anything. (she is.) )

I know it's a little unconventional... Of course, I can come in person to vouch for it too.

( jic he thinks he can sidesweep the topic... )

No need. This should be all that's necessary.

[And, in fact, after some deliberate work on his side through the Watch's automated system — the joint account is created. It registers their current names in the system, unfortunately, and he hasn't yet been able to change that... so Thursday and Pigeon they remain.]

You should receive the credentials to access the account shortly. If you'd like to transfer the funds I already gave you into it, please feel free.

[Big brother business mode activated.]

( by the time his message sends??? she's already done it... )

Thank you, Brother.

Does this mean we'll be having dessert together soon to celebrate our union?

( stop avoiding her already. :( )

[wow this is emotional manipulation?]

Were you craving any dessert in particular?

( ...arguably her schtick but ok )

I think the selection might be limited if we're to be careful...

But it shouldn't be that hard to find something sweet, right?

That's true. If you're ever in doubt, let someone else sample it first.

[Yes, he'd rather some rando suffer consequences than his sister, is that so wrong?]

I'll investigate some safe options for us.

( slightly nervous laughter where he can't hear it...

though lbr she's also employed that watch and wait tactic, so... )

I wouldn't want to put you or anyone else at risk to sate my sweet tooth.

( ... but there's a thought. )

You've avoided the food and drink that's been tampered with then?

I apologize... I realized I'd nearly served you something that could've carried that danger.

( ... the martini... )

Please, you don't need to apologize for that. Both of us were... new, at the time, to the machinations of this place.

[The secret is that he would consume anything Robin handed to him without question. Siscon privileges.]

So far I've avoided those foods or beverages I suspect to be tainted. Most often, it's quite obvious — some places even advertise their 'enhanced' properties.

Ideally we would be able to make our own food. [Ahem.] It's unfortunate that our suites don't come equipped with the necessary tools.

( ... she's going to aphro him on accident... 😰 )

... I wonder if they'd allow use of the kitchens somewhere...

Although I understand upgrading our rooms is also a possibility... Perhaps it can be done with luck at an actual card game.

( ... and not by having sex? unlikely... but if she can just be idealistic for just a message longer. )

[okay but what if i want that to happen personally—]

It's possible. I'll try to raise your rank as soon as I can, but in the meantime, let's see if we might be able to find a spare kitchen for our own use.

[😇]

( i phrased it as a statement for a reason i mean— )

... Raise my rank?

( forget dessert for a moment, she's picking up a trend, and she's still not sure what she can do about it. )

I would ask and beseech for your every comfort, Brother. So I cannot speak against such a sentiment when I am so touched by your kindness... But truly. A communal kitchen and a bed to sleep in is more than I could ask for.

[He's not surprised by the pushback of her denial. Perhaps he shouldn't have said anything at all.]

Isn't it natural that I would wish to improve your circumstances?

[That has been his goal, all along. To brighten the world around the pearl of her presence. She deserves nothing less.]

Ideally, we won't remain here long enough for it to matter.

( ... easier said than done.

if they're talking about ideals, then of course this isn't it — not the freedom that she'd hoped he'd find, and not the reunion she'd hoped for... even if his care and concern lights the same space in her heart as his letters always seem to do, leaving her too warm to give the coldness of his lack of self-interests any real thought.

... but. )

I'll keep searching for alternative means of escape. This entire facility is so vast, after all. An exit could be overlooked.

... and I will play the Game only after exhausting those options. There is no small population composed of similarly minded people, who are reluctant to engage in it. It still feels exceptionally cruel to force the contact.

( ... )

Please, Brother. Won't you promise me that you will only have someone kind too?

[It is cruel, isn't it. Forcing an intimate connection.

Only after — yet he knows what is being said underneath those words. He knows what she'll have to do to play along. Not only with the Game that might allow them an exit, but all variety of games that this resort likes to throw out at its guests, all of its secrets and promises and lies. Temptation is like a meal they could eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.]

You're worrying about me... aren't you? I'll be all right. I've gotten back up before, haven't I?

[Failure is difficult, but it didn't destroy him then.]

Have faith in me. If you weren't here, I think that it would be worse, selfish though it might be to say.

... I would worry more if your sister were to not worry for you at all.

( simply said. because they'll be in each other's thoughts inevitably, and pretending she isn't concerned otherwise seems like an impossibility.

still. his resolve does shine through somewhat, which emboldens hers, and that's always the first step. )

I do believe in you, dear brother.

Even if it might be a selfish thing to confess, I'm so happy you're here.

[That sentiment sits with him gravely, because it feels so good to hear.

He swears to himself — he will never abandon Robin to this place alone. He'll stay as long as necessary in order to protect and support her, even if he knows it is only motivated by his desire to remain at her side.]

We'll go out for dessert soon. All right? I promise.

I will mark the date.

( for their date

... suspend disbelief, for a moment. because here, he doesn't have a busy schedule to tend to that would impose upon his freedom to spend time with his sister otherwise. )

I won't ask for all of your time, but I hope we will get to see each other often.

Preferably before you have enough experiences to fill an entire letter to me.

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'our union' they're married your honor

someone's going to make that mistake

sunday won't correct them and then he'll have a crisis later

you mean they won't get matching rings 😔

after his crisis he'll buy them rings 😔

😇

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not me deliberately ending the thread on comment 69 of this post