Living was a game. But now I seem to walk in dreams...

[talkyourwayout]

It shouldn't require any thought. This was just hanging out with her friend. Alone. Sure, the last time they'd done that, everything had gone wrong, and Gobo had nearly died. But it was okay, now. He was even due to try speaking again soon. And on the mend or not, Gobo was still Gobo. So why did Lexi feel uneasy and a little sick?

She arrived directly inside the Other Duckburg's manor, for once, and was relieved for having that much less to do or think about. She was directed to conservatory, not at all surprised to hear that's where Gobo was.

Comments

[talkyourwayout]

This was nice. Just the two of them, sure, it had seemed a little scary... But even without Gobo talking, it felt like old times: Two dear friends just goofing off.

She finished her - mildly lopsided - radish flower, and smiled. Not just her usual lazy one, but one with a hint of pride. Oh, sure, the flower wasn't a big deal. But the fact that she was here - that they were both here, having made it this far... That was huge.

[gobetween]

When she was done he patted her on the back, clearly proud of what she'd come out with. Picking his up, he placed it beside hers.

"There! Side by side."

[talkyourwayout]

"Yeah. That's how they belong, huh?" Lexi said softly - ugh. What a softie she'd become... But right now, she could only bring herself to mind so much. She headed over to the refrigerator, next, poking around inside for a bit before emerging with a can of soda.

[gobetween]

He tapped his chin, looking at the two of them. Wonder if they can save them somehow...?

When he noted Lexi, he waved a hand and then signed. "Once you get your sip out of the way, I'll take the rest of that," while grinning lightly. Yeah he knows she's only interested in part of it.

[talkyourwayout]

Lexi watched him, then made a whole big show of sighing and rolling her eyes. "Oh, fine, sure," she ultimately said, opening the pop top of the can and taking her standard first sip, then lightly tossing the can Gobo's way.

[gobetween]

WAIT NO THAT CAN IS OPEN-

He makes a grab for it, though likely because he had to quickly toss the radish he'd been eating into his mouth first, the spent time meant he missed and the can bounced off the end of his nose instead. One failed grab for it and it hit the floor, which is when he snatched it up on the rebound. A moment to give a "Euch" look at the over-carbonated soda now spilling down his fingers (and the small splash puddle on the floor) and then he turned to give Lexi a look.

[talkyourwayout]

Lexi had to stifle a giggle as Gobo was hit on the snout. "Sorry! Sorry, I didn't think that one through," she admitted, going to grab a sheet or two of paper towels.

[gobetween]

The look on his face said it all. No, no you did not.

He took some of the paper towels from her and wiped off his hand and the can, then took a sip- around the radish, still in there, with the tops hanging comically out of his mouth. Once the soda was down he sucked the leaves in, chewing through now.

[talkyourwayout]

Lexi just shrugged, with a bit of a sheepish smile, as she wiped up the mess on the floor quickly - perhaps a bit sloppy in her work, honestly. Whatever, Unca Scrooge paid someone to clean, right?

"Is your nose okay?"

[gobetween]

He nodded, other hand waving dismissively. Yeah, he's perfectly fine! Oh but, should put the 'flowers' in the fridge, so that's what he sets to do.

Aaaannnd grabbing a couple more radishes for the road. Looking at Lexi, he quirked a curious eyebrow and made a 'walking' motion. Wanna head outside?

[talkyourwayout]

"We can. I mean, there's a perfectly comfortable and warm couch available, too. It has a tv in front of it, and you can sit," she pointed out dryly, before giving a little chuckle. "But sure, man."

[gobetween]

He rolled his eyes with a snort, waving toward the rest of the manor.

"We can sit if you really must."

[talkyourwayout]

She laughed and ruffled his hair a bit. "We can go outside later, though, I promise," she offered, before leading the way out of the kitchen.

[gobetween]

He rolled his eyes good-naturedly, following her into the rest of the manor.

"I mean, I AM only supposed to stay active and everything."

But that laugh motion after a moment spoke that he wasn't even serious. He rarely was, especially with being on the mend.

[talkyourwayout]

Lexi stopped walking, then gave a snort as she turned around to walk in the other direction. Sure, Gobo was kidding, but that didn't mean he didn't have a point...

"You suck, Gobo," she said in a casual, light-hearted tone, as she headed toward the front door.

[gobetween]

Surprised by her sudden move, he had to duck down through her legs to avoid being trampled, a practiced move that helped with people that were bigger than he was. Trailing in her shadow he laughed again, shaking his head to himself before popping a radish into his mouth.

[talkyourwayout]

"It's fine, it's fine," Lexi said with an exaggerated sigh. "It's not like Ottoman Empire is a thing over here, anyway." She opened the door, motioning for him to head through.

[gobetween]

"I could've sworn Dewey was looking into making that a thing, though."

Bowing to her with a grin, he walked out the door first, pausing on the stoop to wait for her to join him.

[talkyourwayout]

She laughed as she stepped outside after him. "Yeah, he is, that's why he's Smart Dewey. But it's taking forever."

[gobetween]

"Well, I'm sure he'll do it in the end. So, since coming out here was my idea, I guess it's up to me to answer the question about what to do..."

He paused to sip thoughtfully at the soda (which usually got transferred to his elbow when he had to sign, at least the liquid lost earlier made it a bit lighter to hold awkwardly), looking out through the yard. Beyond, the city waited, and if Lexi were watching him, she would see the indecision cross his face. A- rare, these days? -hesitative moment for him. He stared a bit longer, then looked up at her.

"I know it's not very exciting, but wanna hang out in the garden?" Ah, there was the grin. "You can still get to sit, since you seem like you're really attached to that today."

[talkyourwayout]

She considered pointing that out - she definitely caught the moment of hesitation - but... No, why make it harder for him? Instead, she lay a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. Sometimes, these things could be communicated without being spoken.

"If that's what you want, dude, sure."

[gobetween]

Her gesture caused a possibly unexpected reaction in him. His eyes fell and he glanced off to the side, as if shamed. He nodded and signed his thanks, then started walking around to the walking path that wound its way through the garden. The whole space wouldn't be much to look at, but it was outside and on Scrooge's property, and that was all he wanted.

[talkyourwayout]

"Gobo...?"

She didn't like this, and what was worse, she couldn't really get a read on how to handle this. Making a point of bringing it up, that would just make it worse, right? Or... Did Gobo need a push? She really had no idea.

She caught up with him, then passed to stand before him, crouching down to put both hands on his shoulders and look him in the eye as best he'd allow.

"What's up?"

[gobetween]

He looked at her with a blink, though after a moment his expression troubled. His eyes glanced back and forth, and he started to reply, by voice- then he just grit his teeth and looked down and away.

[talkyourwayout]

"Gobo, it's me. And you know I get being scared more than anyone. You don't have to talk, or leave the garden, or anything until you're ready- If you're ready! If you're not, that's okay, too, but... Just let me know what's going on. Please."