[The building, finally, gives her pause, as well as his suggestion that he carry her. A part of her goes back to Slade House, the place burned so deeply into the far recesses of her subconscious. Not that this building looks anything like it, but nonetheless, there's that little tickle.]
Are you sure? I mean, you're obviously totally strong and all, but I'm...
[She can't bring herself to even say "heavy", so instead, she halfheartedly gestures at herself with her free hand.]
[Doing her best to shake off her nerves, Sally lets out a breath and nods, giving in and clambering onto his back in a way she hopes isn't too awkward. It feels kind of silly, like she's a little kid again, but at the same time...
[The entire thing is incredibly foreign to her. The experience of being so easily carried around, by someone wanting to do that--someone wanting to spend so much time with her in general, really--but scaling the side of a wall like it's nothing...
Sally's heart is beating fast by the time they get to their destination, so even with her feet back on the ground, she stays close, all but attached to his side.]
[Victor had kept it to himself mostly, but he craved this. To know someone wants to spend time with him and not shove him aside once they had their fill.
He wraps an arm around her to help steady her, smiling to himself when he heard her heart racing.]
I went exploring one night and found this building.
[Maybe that's why this has worked out so well. He is outwardly sort of intimidating, but it's easy to get past that once you talk to him. And she knows that most people, her age at least, look her over because she's not confident or typically pretty. She thinks often that if she's given a chance, it would show that she's more than just a sad, heavyset girl.
And Victor hasn't run away, yet. Lord knows he could've.]
[That made perfect sense. Two misunderstood, overlooked people finding such a special connection. To him she is beautiful and he'll be sure to tell her often.]
I'm glad you met me now. Past me was a real handful... In the worst way.
[He cups her cheek with a gentle caress.]
You're pretty amazing, too. Beautiful and genuine.
[Sally doesn't altogether think that's something that she needs to be thanked for...but then, she doesn't know his past yet. So she's quiet for a moment before making a decision.]
Great. If it gets too cold, we can head back to the shop and nap on the couch.
[She'll hear about his past, and the reason for him thanking her.]
When I was younger, my animal side went into full force. I let myself be tricked by the biggest enemy my kind ever had... He promised to make me stronger. I don't know what the hell I was thinking. Instead of making me stronger, he kept me locked up. Managed to escape somehow, with most of my memory gone.
[Now, Sally is neither soft-spoken nor a prude, but just generally keeps her opinions to herself, never much aggressive. But at that nugget of knowledge, she twists around to look at him without breaking their closeness, shock plain on her face.]
Your...your own father? Are you fucking joking? Just because you were a little different?
Been around for nearly 211 years. Seen a lot of good and bad things in the world.
I've done my best to learn the ways of modern life. But you won't see me using a computer any time soon. [He chuckles.]
Was supposed to get lessons from someone here but she decided not to bother with my feral charm anymore. But I don't mind it that much anymore... [He nuzzles into her hair.]
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It's a place with a damn nice view. And don't worry about the breeze, I'll keep you warm.
[Benefits of being a big cat of sorts. He soon leads her to the old building.]
Hop on my back, Sally.
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Are you sure? I mean, you're obviously totally strong and all, but I'm...
[She can't bring herself to even say "heavy", so instead, she halfheartedly gestures at herself with her free hand.]
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[He crouches a little so she can get a good grip and climb on easily. Victor's curious to see her reaction to the view they're about to share.]
And hold on as tight as you need.
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Well, he really is very warm.]
Alright, I'm good!
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Once they arrive, he sets her down carefully.]
Here we are.
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Sally's heart is beating fast by the time they get to their destination, so even with her feet back on the ground, she stays close, all but attached to his side.]
How did you find this?
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He wraps an arm around her to help steady her, smiling to himself when he heard her heart racing.]
I went exploring one night and found this building.
Are you okay? I know that was a long climb.
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[She takes a breath, smiling her usual, sheepish smile as she looks up at him furtively.]
Just not used to it, that's all. This view is...really incredible.
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It is pretty special, huh?
[He finds them a spot to sit down, offering his arms for her to snuggle into, to stay warm.]
It's even better when shared with someone special.
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Someone special, huh?
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Yeah. I feel good around you, Sally... Been a while.
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[She wasn't really expecting a serious answer. But it makes her confront the situation head on, and so Sally gulps.]
I feel good around you, too. For me it's...well, the first time.
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[Victor smiles down at her. He's surprising himself with the seriousness, too. But it feels right.]
It's good to know I haven't scared you. People see me as this big cat who doesn't feel much, but that's a damned lie.
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[Maybe that's why this has worked out so well. He is outwardly sort of intimidating, but it's easy to get past that once you talk to him. And she knows that most people, her age at least, look her over because she's not confident or typically pretty. She thinks often that if she's given a chance, it would show that she's more than just a sad, heavyset girl.
And Victor hasn't run away, yet. Lord knows he could've.]
You're one of the nicest guys I've ever met.
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[That made perfect sense. Two misunderstood, overlooked people finding such a special connection. To him she is beautiful and he'll be sure to tell her often.]
I'm glad you met me now. Past me was a real handful... In the worst way.
[He cups her cheek with a gentle caress.]
You're pretty amazing, too. Beautiful and genuine.
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[Where would she be if she did? Alone and sad, that's where. Sally squeezes his arms more tightly around her.]
I think amazing is a bit of a stretch, but...thank you. For saying so.
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[He gladly holds her a little tighter, breathing in her scent.]
And I'd say it again in a heartbeat.
Thank you. For not running.
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Not in a hurry to go anywhere.
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[She'll hear about his past, and the reason for him thanking her.]
When I was younger, my animal side went into full force. I let myself be tricked by the biggest enemy my kind ever had... He promised to make me stronger. I don't know what the hell I was thinking. Instead of making me stronger, he kept me locked up. Managed to escape somehow, with most of my memory gone.
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[Like a real animal. It makes her heart ache thinking about it, imagining it, and leans back into him.]
How long did that go on for?
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[He hugs her close with a sigh. It was all too similar to his childhood.]
It felt like being back in dad's basement. To him I was some monster with claws, not his child.
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Your...your own father? Are you fucking joking? Just because you were a little different?
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[The feral lets out a low growl at the memory. That's one of the wounds his healing factor won't work on.]
We ran away with my brother Logan. They call him Wolverine now.
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You're from the 1800s? I had no idea.
[He seems so...modern. Maybe he adapted in Duplicity?]
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[A joke to lighten the mood a little.]
Been around for nearly 211 years. Seen a lot of good and bad things in the world.
I've done my best to learn the ways of modern life. But you won't see me using a computer any time soon. [He chuckles.]
Was supposed to get lessons from someone here but she decided not to bother with my feral charm anymore. But I don't mind it that much anymore... [He nuzzles into her hair.]
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