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

[gobetween]

Gobo was indeed inside the conservatory. It just felt nice to be in here, with the way the windows gathered the warmth, and this time of year there was precious little of it to go around. Hearing footsteps he turned, then raised his hand in a greeting to Lexi.

He had been doing a lot better lately. There was still some bandaging but it was light, more a precaution for any final healing than anything else. He had been cleared for normal activity, which did include talking and singing, though by his signing to Lexi- "How are you?" -he seemed to be avoiding it for now.

[talkyourwayout]

Lexi smiled and waved. Despite her nerves, her hesitation, it waws so good to see him up and doing well. "Still no talking allowed, huh?" she guessed.

[gobetween]

He visibly paused, drawing his hands in a little. Then he sighed- in which Lexi might hear half a note of his voice -and replied.

"No, I can talk anytime I want to. I just... haven't wanted to, yet."

[talkyourwayout]

"You sure about that, man? I mean, it's been a long time..." And he was a Fraggle - a very vocal, very musical being. But if he wasn't ready, he wasn't ready, and Lexi could certainly understand fear. "Okay. Well, that's fine, then." she concluded with a light shrug.

[gobetween]

He tensed, ready to defend himself. He'd been hearing plenty of it from the others, and had even endured a few attempts to try to get him to talk. He had an argument ready, but then Lexi shrugged and he relaxed.

"Thanks. I will talk! Just... when I'm ready."

[talkyourwayout]

"Yeah, and then the trick will be getting you to shut up," Lexi chuckled with a quick wink. Then, she started to walk out of the conservatory, motioning for Gobo to follow her. "Come on, let's grab a snack."

[gobetween]

That got a glare from him, and a snort through his nostrils. Rolling his eyes, he walked up beside her, looking up.

"Radishes are in season, you know."

[talkyourwayout]

Lexi snickered a bit at that. This wasn't too strange, then. She could handle this, after all, maybe.

"Radishes it is, man."

[gobetween]

He laughed, mostly silently, and made a fist pump gesture. Radishes and one his best friends, this was already shaping up to be a good day.

[talkyourwayout]

She caught that fist pump out of the corner of her eye, and snorted. "You're a dork, Gobo."

One of her favorite dorks in existence, but she wasn't going to point that out. Fortunately, she didn't think she had to, anyway.

[gobetween]

"Yeah, but I'm a dork who gets radishes." He paused, then bounced a bit and looked up at her. "Oh I should show you something Boober taught me, with a radish. I think you'll like it."

[talkyourwayout]

She nodded, with a little laugh. "Sounds like a plan. Is it a way to get stains out with them, or something?"

[gobetween]

"Nope! You'll see."

It was a short trip to the kitchen, and once there Gobo procured a radish and a sharp knife. Leaning so Lexi could see, he held it carefully by the tips of his fingers and turned it with a series of cuts, until he had made a flower. Looking up, he presented it to her with a flourish and a grin.

[talkyourwayout]

Lexi watched closely, and gave a giggle when he'd finished. It was downright charming, and it really made things feel a bit more natural. "Aw, man, that's cute! Here, let me try?"

[gobetween]

He nodded, giving her an uncut radish. Before he handed the knife he waved a finger of the hand holding it to say Careful, then gave it to her.

[talkyourwayout]

An eyeroll on Lexi's point, though accompanied by a smirk. "I'll be fine. You sound like Uncle Donald," she pointed out, setting the radish down on the counter and setting to work.

[gobetween]

He snickered softly, shaking his head a little before leaning up so he could watch her work. Every now and then he pointed to direct her blade, helping her cut out the flower. While eating on another radish like it was an apple, of course.

[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.