Yup! I am totally relaxed. Nobody is more relaxed than me. [Goes to draw in another deep breath, but there must be dust in the air or something because I end up coughing.]

[In my nose. Out my mouth. In my nose. Out my mouth. In my nose. Out my--] Oh hey, this is actually working! Thanks, Malia.

[Glances over with a sheepish smile.] I guess I have been letting all kinds of stress catch up with me recently. It can be hard to slow down sometimes.

[Turns to face you more, gratitude in my expression... even though it’s still somewhat bashful.] What do you normally do to relax?

[Stares for a beat. 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠. 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠.] Okay, well I can eat! I don’t think I would try scaring Isaac... How do you normally do that?

I don’t know how I feel about threatening Isaac... but I’d like to learn your stare technique if you’re willing to teach me! I’ve heard before that Hales have the best stares.

None taken! I can’t really think of anyone in town that I want to threaten, anyway. I could probably use that stare sometimes, though. Especially when I break out my katana.

Tear into? I don’t think so! My Geometry teacher can be pretty rude, but I wouldn’t want to tear into him! Maybe I could use the stare, though.

Mine is so fun!!

This one? Pretty sure it’s for blush. [I hold up the brush higher, waving it a little before going through the motions of quickly brushing it along my cheeks one at a time.] You know, Scott… You don’t have to keep me company while I go through everything Lydia brought over.

[I end up smiling at your response because I 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 this has to be boring for you to some degree. But you never act like anything I tell you is even remotely boring or a waste of your time.] Yup, you’ve got it. It blows my mind because most of this hasn’t ever been touched.

That’s… true. [I already know I’d never be able to look her dead on in the eyes and say that. Fashion is so important to Lydia and I’d hate to accidentally offend her. My tone becomes teasing.] Or maybe I could convince her to give the clothing to you instead.

[I break into a fresh smile when you nudge me, setting down the brush in my hands before angling more towards you.] You’re right, I have seen those closets and they’re pretty full. I’d say she could try Malia next, but I don’t see that happening any time soon.

Yeah… [I can already hear Malia turning the clothing down flat in my head. I almost wince just from the thought.] Malia isn’t really a dress person, but I do love the sense of style she has. I feel like she always looks so comfortable in the clothes she picks out.

⠀ 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦... 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘳... 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖊. ĸιra; 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵-𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. ⠀

[ ĸιra ]