[Returning to the library at the beginning of this chilly week, clad in a longer skirt and new sweater (probably like this?), Cantarella is passing by the seating area when she spies a familiar figure indulging in the entertainment on screen.
Rather than sit down next to them, Cantarella appears over the back of the couch nearby (but not too close...by now she's careful about touching anyone), leaning over her gently draped arms.]
[ Siffrin's doing their best to pay attention to the TV over the bizarre ghost touches and the eyes that are constantly on them. It's difficult, but once again they find themselves watching another musical.
They're curled up on the couch, and while the group might no longer have their animal appendages, It's difficult to say that Siffrin doesn't look like a black and white cat, especially as they turn towards the familiar voice. ]
Oh, it's um... [ They look at the DVD case, and then offer it to her. ] called Chicago? It's pretty good. The songs are nice, too.
Are they all musical shows like this? They certainly found a way to create a memorable performance. Looks like you've unlocked the rich secret of keeping warm...
[Cantarella takes great care when she reaches for the case, doing her best to make sure their hands don't brush at any point, though whether she's successful is another story.]
[ Too bad. Their fingers do brush, but lucky for Cantarella, Siffrin is not truly Siffrin without their gloves. Which means that while the spark of pain is present, it's not as bad as it could have been.
Not that they stay for long. Siffrin retracts his hand quickly, sitting up in alarm. ]
[Her response to the muted pain is in her eyebrows pinching and the low grunt in he throat that crests into a near-chuckle. Humorless but also seamless in its transition. Her hand reflexively tightens, which catches the film fox from falling from it no matter how the nerves twinge otherwise.]
Ah... No need to fret; I hardly felt it. With your gloves on, it was hardly even a shock.
Cantarella circles around the side of the couch, having drawn her arms closer to her body while still holding the disc case in her hands. She sits before Siffrin can scoot, crossing her legs.]
You know it doesn't have anything to do with you. [Because he does know that, whether he's acknowledging it right now or not.]
[ Of course they do. But it doesn’t make it any easier. He shouldn’t make life for anyone any harder than he already has. They already hurt one person they cared about, so they don’t want to make that same mistake again.
They draw their legs in just a bit, to give her more room. ]
[Though she surely means it in a different way than Sifrin does. The might be downplaying or deferring, but her echo of the same sentiment is intended as a nudge. There was no trouble caused at all. Water, when disturbed, settles back into its form quickly enough, and no one will ever see what grazed it.]
You don't want to miss the rest of the show, do you? [It's too bad the situation makes it so she can't tilt his head up so his gaze can't stay fixed and turned away.
[ Right. The recording. Wondering where and how to file this moment, Siffrin turns back towards the TV, focusing on the musical number. The stage direction is great, and the singing is wonderful, too.
But last time they watched a musical, and now they're watching a musical and what if she wants to watch something else but they're hogging the TV? This is definitely selfish, isn't it?
After some minutes of silent fretting, they turn their head back towards her. Play it cool, Siffrin! ]
[That gets Cantarella's eyes to leave the screen and turn back to Siffrin. She cocks her head, thinking he might not be asking the question he really wants to loose.]
Why do you ask? If it's not to your tastes, you may simply say so. I won't be offended.
[ She's enjoying herself! That's good! She probably likes performances as well, and they just happened to be there. They agree that it's a good compromise to make.
With a small nod, Siffrin returns towards the TV. ]
[Well...She does seem interested in the performance, especially any numbers that showcase dance choreography. There's an obvious glint in her eyes when she watches those large, showy performances.
It's a show to savor, so she waits a while before even thinking about interrupting it again. She leans forward a little before glancing over.]
Are you all right, dear? The last few days carry a heavy weight.
[ Siffrin glances back at her when she asks the question, wringing their gloved hands under their cloak.
(You try not to think about how you wish that something real could touch you. Even if it does cause you pain. At least the pain reminds you that you’re real.) ]
I’m… I’m okay. Just… been having a hard time sleeping, I guess.
[Would they like to know? She debates it quietly for a moment.]
Is it because you would find it more comforting knowing that something was really there? The uncertainty, for me, makes it easier and easier for doubt to creep into the hairline cracks...like a cold draft.
[ Of course they knew what they meant, but to have it spelled it out for him is... shameful, in a way. Comforting, in another. They nod, hiding into their cloak. ]
I don't know what to trust.
[ What if he has suddenly lost his mind? Who would be able to prove him otherwise? ]
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w2, monday, late morning or early afternoon?
Rather than sit down next to them, Cantarella appears over the back of the couch nearby (but not too close...by now she's careful about touching anyone), leaning over her gently draped arms.]
What's the play this time?
no subject
They're curled up on the couch, and while the group might no longer have their animal appendages, It's difficult to say that Siffrin doesn't look like a black and white cat, especially as they turn towards the familiar voice. ]
Oh, it's um... [ They look at the DVD case, and then offer it to her. ] called Chicago? It's pretty good. The songs are nice, too.
no subject
[Cantarella takes great care when she reaches for the case, doing her best to make sure their hands don't brush at any point, though whether she's successful is another story.]
no subject
Not that they stay for long. Siffrin retracts his hand quickly, sitting up in alarm. ]
Sorry! Did I hurt you? I, uh, stars, I'm sorry.
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Ah... No need to fret; I hardly felt it. With your gloves on, it was hardly even a shock.
no subject
[ No need to fret, but Siffrin can't help but feel like fretting anyways. But they'll hold back. ]
If you want to watch, I can go on one end and you on the other. That way you don't have to touch me.
no subject
Cantarella circles around the side of the couch, having drawn her arms closer to her body while still holding the disc case in her hands. She sits before Siffrin can scoot, crossing her legs.]
You know it doesn't have anything to do with you. [Because he does know that, whether he's acknowledging it right now or not.]
no subject
[ Of course they do. But it doesn’t make it any easier. He shouldn’t make life for anyone any harder than he already has. They already hurt one person they cared about, so they don’t want to make that same mistake again.
They draw their legs in just a bit, to give her more room. ]
It’s not a big deal.
no subject
[Though she surely means it in a different way than Sifrin does. The might be downplaying or deferring, but her echo of the same sentiment is intended as a nudge. There was no trouble caused at all. Water, when disturbed, settles back into its form quickly enough, and no one will ever see what grazed it.]
You don't want to miss the rest of the show, do you? [It's too bad the situation makes it so she can't tilt his head up so his gaze can't stay fixed and turned away.
no subject
[ Right. The recording. Wondering where and how to file this moment, Siffrin turns back towards the TV, focusing on the musical number. The stage direction is great, and the singing is wonderful, too.
But last time they watched a musical, and now they're watching a musical and what if she wants to watch something else but they're hogging the TV? This is definitely selfish, isn't it?
After some minutes of silent fretting, they turn their head back towards her. Play it cool, Siffrin! ]
Do you... uh... like this?
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Why do you ask? If it's not to your tastes, you may simply say so. I won't be offended.
no subject
[ This, at least, is genuine. ]
I just thought... that maybe you would want to do something that, uh... you want?
[ And now that they've said it, they feel like a total dumbass. Great job, Siffrin! ]
no subject
I am.
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[ She's enjoying herself! That's good! She probably likes performances as well, and they just happened to be there. They agree that it's a good compromise to make.
With a small nod, Siffrin returns towards the TV. ]
siffrin i just groaned out loud
It's a show to savor, so she waits a while before even thinking about interrupting it again. She leans forward a little before glancing over.]
Are you all right, dear? The last few days carry a heavy weight.
looks away. also cw for mild self harm allusion
[ Siffrin glances back at her when she asks the question, wringing their gloved hands under their cloak.
(You try not to think about how you wish that something real could touch you. Even if it does cause you pain. At least the pain reminds you that you’re real.) ]
I’m… I’m okay. Just… been having a hard time sleeping, I guess.
no subject
Or is it this damnable feeling of never being left quite alone?
1/2
[ The response is blurted out like a frustrated grumble. ]
2/2
(Oh stars, now look what you’ve done.)]
Sorry, I uh. I don’t know what I meant by that.
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[Would they like to know? She debates it quietly for a moment.]
Is it because you would find it more comforting knowing that something was really there? The uncertainty, for me, makes it easier and easier for doubt to creep into the hairline cracks...like a cold draft.
[Best to just be on guard against them, always.]
no subject
[ Of course they knew what they meant, but to have it spelled it out for him is... shameful, in a way. Comforting, in another. They nod, hiding into their cloak. ]
I don't know what to trust.
[ What if he has suddenly lost his mind? Who would be able to prove him otherwise? ]