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[evocation]

@kyna.medina | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[withmeinparadise]

That's all it takes to be your hero? [ He's trying not to look too close, aware that he'll just be sitting there admiring her, but he catches a fair amount in a quick glance. ] Woulda bought you a beer weeks ago.

[ He's teasing--sort of, anyway. And since he figures how are you? and so how was home? are off-limits... ] You didn't miss much, y'know. No new monsters to fight.

[evocation]

[She sticks her tongue out at him briefly, but mostly focuses on that whole "no new monsters" thing.]

Good thing, huh? You would have been screwed without me.

[withmeinparadise]

Eh, don't be so sure.

[ It's idle shit-talking, punctuated by a sip of beer. ]

You planning on rescuing me, next time the city's overrun?

[evocation]

[She laughs at that, which feels especially nice right now when she's feeling so unmoored.]

Maybe. Why, do you want me to?

[withmeinparadise]

Eh, wouldn't say no.

[ Usually I save myself, he wants to say, but how true is that, these days? ]

Maybe I can save you. Figure out my little, uh, superpower.

[evocation]

You know, Nathan—other Nathan. Nathan Lowell. When he first got here, he had me punch him to figure out his power.

[withmeinparadise]

Don't know 'im.

[ He swigs a sip of beer, thoughtful, swallows, and turns a little more toward her. ]

Okay. Try'n punch me.

[evocation]

[Oh boy. She raises her eyebrows, twisting towards him slightly, a mirror of his movement.]

Are you serious?

[withmeinparadise]

[ He gestures at his stomach, currently safely covered in the fabric of a wifebeater. ]

As a heart attack.

[evocation]

You want me to punch you in the stomach?

[withmeinparadise]

Worth a try, right?

[evocation]

[Jesus Christ. Okay. Kyna takes a deep swallow of her beer, as though prepping, and sneaks a glance at the bartender. At least he's not paying attention.

And she punches Sam in the stomach. It's not nearly as hard as she could have made it, but it's a solid punch.]

[withmeinparadise]

Jesus.

[ He's sort of ready for it, abdominal muscles tensed, but she still knocks some of the wind out of him. ]

Helluva right hook when you're sober. I glow any?

[evocation]

[She looks a little pleased by that.]

Nope.

[And then a shit-eating grin spreads over her face.]

Want me to try again?

[withmeinparadise]

Could go out back, see if a punch to the face works better.

[ He's not getting up--he's still got half a beer here--but he's more thoughtful than joking at the moment. ]

Gotta be some way to shake it loose. Whatever it is.

[evocation]

Maybe you're just a late bloomer or something.

[withmeinparadise]

That'd be a first.

[evocation]

[Kyna lets out a laugh that's half a snort.]

What's that supposed to mean?

[withmeinparadise]

[ He shrugs, unruffled by her laughter. ]

Exactly what I said. You want a late bloomer, you're looking for my little brother.

[evocation]

Why? Was he a total nerd?

[Give her the gossip, Sam.]

[withmeinparadise]

[ He snorts. ]

You ever talk to him? Of course he was. [ As much as he's ragging on Nathan, though, there's affection in it. ] We'd go to cantinas and he'd spend the whole night staring at his sketchbook.

[evocation]

Ooh, a cantina. And what'd you do? Sweep everyone off their feet?

[withmeinparadise]

More'n one. We were outta the US by then. [ Wandering all over the place, especially once they'd picked up enough Spanish not to get their asses beat. ] Depended on the place--how the bar girls looked, mostly. Places that let women in, though? Sure.

...Y'know it took him months to figure out his power, too.

[evocation]

Maybe it runs in the family.

[And of course this conversation isn't making her miss her brother at all. Not one bit.]

[withmeinparadise]

Let's hope not. [ Wouldn't be the worst thing--but all things being equal, he genuinely wants to know what it is. ] Sure you don't wanna try a real scuffle?

[ Now he's joking. ]