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[evocation]

@kyna.medina | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[withmeinparadise]

[ So yeah, brows up, and this dubious damned voice and not touching her skin anywhere, so hey, this is fun. ]

Were you planning on letting me in on this little plan of yours?

[evocation]

I am letting you in on it, right now. It wasn't a plan before this.

[withmeinparadise]

Lemme put that another way. Were you gonna see if I wanted in on your little plan?

[evocation]

Yeah, I was. But then you decided you didn't care, so I did too.

[withmeinparadise]

Well, you can count me out. I got my own shit to deal with here.

[evocation]

Like what, Sam? Are you saying no because you're having a hard time, or because you don't want to be bothered?

[withmeinparadise]

[ He gets up entirely, running his hand through his hair as he walks away. Not toward the door, but definitely away. ]

I'm saying no because I'm not here to get volunteered to cut down trees for orphans.

[evocation]

[She just... does not understand this. She can't wrap her head around it, and when he stands up and moves away, she tenses.]

What is the big deal with helping?

[withmeinparadise]

Nothing's the big deal. Why's it matter so much if I don't?

[evocation]

Because people need us, and it's the right thing to do?

[She says it questioningly, as though she's not sure if he's serious.]

[withmeinparadise]

So you do it.

[evocation]

Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? I don't get it.

[withmeinparadise]

Whaddaya mean?

[evocation]

We were talking just fine and now you're shutting down on me.

[withmeinparadise]

No, we were talking just fine and then you decided we had to go rescue everyone in New Amsterdam.

[evocation]

I didn't say everyone!

[It comes out indignant, disbelieving.]

I'm just saying we should help, and you're acting like... I don't know. Like some old boomer grumbling about bootstraps or something.

[withmeinparadise]

Some old boomer.

[ Okay, first of all, he is Generation X and completely unfamiliar with boomer memes. ]

You wanna help, help people. Have a great time. But I got other plans.

[ Time to stomp over to the vine-drenched safety wall at one edge of the rooftop, crossing his arms as he stares out over the edge. ]

[evocation]

Ughhh.

[It's a long, drawn out sound, and she scrubs her hands over her face.]

What plans? What are your plans?

[withmeinparadise]

Not this.

[evocation]

[Why. Why is every dude she knows so emotionally shut down? Kyna sighs again, drags herself up off the bench, and crosses the roof to join him.]

Sam.

[She really, really doesn't want to believe he's just a selfish asshole who doesn't care.]

[withmeinparadise]

Kyna.

[ His gaze moves down toward her, but his head doesn't. ]

[evocation]

Can you just talk to me?

[withmeinparadise]

[ He exhales. Maybe it's a sigh. ]

Last I checked, we were talking.

[evocation]

You know what I mean. Why don't you want to help? Seriously.

[withmeinparadise]

People gotta figure out their own lives. We all did it. They can, too.