[ It's always awkward for him to interact with other dolls. He's far more advanced than them, and far more complete, and so it's neither the same as dealing with a person like himself nor like a human interacting with a doll. That's particularly true of Hiyori's creations. But now they share a space, and he's obliged to watch over her as much as her creator, and so he takes the handle of the teacup without lifting it. ]
Six months. Telling you everything might be kinda hard. Whatchya wanna know?
[ He suspects that she has something a little more specific in mind. ]
( six months...! to think that he would be here for so long and maple would be none the wiser. she isn't one to question the technicalities of it too deeply though, and instead gives a thoughtful hum at the return question. while there must be other important things she can ask about, hiyori did already explain a little bit to her, and what she really wants to know now... well, isn't it obvious? )
How about the people then. Have you made any friends here? I'd love to meet them if you have.
( resting her chin on her hands, looking at him hopefully — tell her, ranger!! )
[ He had a feeling that she would focus on that topic. ]
Friends? Nothing like that.
[ He has, though he still doesn't think to categorize them as such. He debates how much to say, as anything he offers up here will make its way back to her creator. But then, Maple is simple-minded enough to not think to report every little detail, and past that Ranger will already share anything of interest with his colleague anyway. ]
There's a few people I could introduce you to. I've got a partner here too.
( it's an answer that disappoints her visibly at first. excitement falling away as he lips purse in a frown, but it's lucky that it doesn't last for long.
a partner? the light returns to her eyes, attention dialing into that one first.
this place isn't like the facility, after all. partners don't seem assigned by the circumstance, but become something that one chooses for themselves. ranger may not use the word "friend," and it is something of a disappointment, but this is a consolation prize that maple can accept: it's one step towards a friendship. )
That's great, Ranger! ( this mysterious partner, mostly, but the others too. ) Will you? What are they like?
My partner? He's a pretty emotional guy. He's the type who wants to see an idealistic world, but he has a cynical take on how to get there... He'll go on about wanting to see your hope, but he's a reliable person.
[ Or perhaps he should say he was an optimist? That seems like an ill-fit when he focused on dichotomies. There were the minority and the majority, and there were the weak and the strong, and all were sacrifices for some overarching goal. But Ranger is fond of him, and so those words are laced with affection. ]
There's a few cute kids around here that you should get along with. They're pretty close to how Kanna was.
[ Will Maple know that name? Well, whatever. There's other examples he can use, that's just the quickest since Maple is likely to have seen her on Midori's floor. ]
( it's a name she recognizes, surely, but not one that means much to her. sara and ranmaru had been her dear guests in the discussion room — a shame, but none of the others seemed too interested in chatting with her. )
If you think so, Ranger, I'm sure we'll get along.
( so she'll stick with the truth for now. the recommendation of another member of asunaro is more than enough to vouch for someone in her mind. hiyori's word is best, but she has no reason to think less of ranger either. that said, she does turn the earlier descriptions of his mysterious partner over in her mind, offering a gentle, thoughtful hum as she does. )
So he's cynical and hopeful at the same time...?
( contradictory. multi-faceted. like a puzzle in a person — maple finds herself fond of the idea when she considers it that way. )
It sounds like he has quite the temperament, but I'm sure he must be special to catch your attention. Do you have fun talking to him?
[ Special, huh? Maple's right. Ranger is difficult to get close to due to his view of the world and high standards. There's no one else who has caught his attention in the same way, much less managed to keep it.
He keeps his face hidden behind a card. ]
He's easy to talk to.
[ He considers how to continue the conversation. In a way, Maple is a little like Komaeda. They're both sensitive and prone to mood swings if one hits the wrong note, but she's excitable when it comes to relationships and bonds.
Hm. It might be a good opportunity for other things as well. ]
I gave him and chocolate and flowers on Valentines Day... That's how they do it in the West, though I guess you're already supposed to be in a relationship with the person before you start giving them stuff.
( excitable is certainly not wrong, judging by the way her eyes light up and shine as ranger elaborates. )
That's great, Ranger! I'm so happy for you.
( a little bit jealous too, maybe—to think that ranger would come so far before she even managed to get hiyori's attention. but overall, it's good news. happy news, and she means what she says, though she can't help but be curious for more. )
[ There was more to it, but that's the statement which stands out in his mind most. Ranger doesn't always understand the relationship that his partner has with his luck, but he thinks that it is a kind of power and an assurance all at once - so long as he waits long enough, good luck will follow any misfortune that he suffers to. Then if he (or at least his actions) could be considered a form of good luck, then that must be a good thing right? If he was able to make him happy like that.
He muddles over that as he takes a sip of his tea. It's always odd to share with someone in this way when he so rarely indulges. ]
I dunno if he got the message though... Hmm, maybe I should have kissed him? You think that would've been more obvious?
( even just the very beginning is enough for her eyes to light up, fingers pressing together as she clasps her hands happily. oh, that's great news. there's simply no way that the fortune of ranger's confession could have been missed, right? not in the way it's been framed at least, so maple's excitement continues to bubble over into her words, nodding along with them as she speaks. )
White day is coming up, you know, so there's no reason you can't do it then.
( she's rooting for you, ranger! do your best out there! )
Heehee, I'm so happy for you. It looks like both of us are making good progress, don't you think?
( and... she looks like she has more she wants to say, but manages to keep it locked up behind her smile for the moment. like a dam ready to burst, it's written all over her face: oh, she hopes that he asks her too. )
[ Ranger is almost the exact opposite of Maple, who wears her heart on her sleeve, as he retains Gashu's stoic nature even now. But there's a hint of consideration to those mumbled words, and he does bring curled fingers up to his chin just briefly. White Day is meant to be a response to Valentine's Day. The recipient of the initial gift is meant to give something of higher value in return - there's marshmallows and chocolates, countless options for what it might be, and to not do so is to spurn a person's affections.
His ego isn't so big that he would expect anything, and he finds that compensating for it by forcing a kiss on someone is far too bold. But it doesn't hurt to keep the date in mind when it promises him a more concrete answer. For now, he focuses on the look that she has. If he had to guess, she's waiting for the right moment to share whatever might have happened to put her in such a good mood.
He doubts it was progress, given the way that Hiyori is, but there's no need to say that when he can indulge her. He's a little curious. ]
Hm? You too? Something happen with you and Hiyori?
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no subject
Six months. Telling you everything might be kinda hard. Whatchya wanna know?
[ He suspects that she has something a little more specific in mind. ]
no subject
How about the people then. Have you made any friends here? I'd love to meet them if you have.
( resting her chin on her hands, looking at him hopefully — tell her, ranger!! )
no subject
Friends? Nothing like that.
[ He has, though he still doesn't think to categorize them as such. He debates how much to say, as anything he offers up here will make its way back to her creator. But then, Maple is simple-minded enough to not think to report every little detail, and past that Ranger will already share anything of interest with his colleague anyway. ]
There's a few people I could introduce you to. I've got a partner here too.
no subject
a partner? the light returns to her eyes, attention dialing into that one first.
this place isn't like the facility, after all. partners don't seem assigned by the circumstance, but become something that one chooses for themselves. ranger may not use the word "friend," and it is something of a disappointment, but this is a consolation prize that maple can accept: it's one step towards a friendship. )
That's great, Ranger! ( this mysterious partner, mostly, but the others too. ) Will you? What are they like?
no subject
My partner? He's a pretty emotional guy. He's the type who wants to see an idealistic world, but he has a cynical take on how to get there... He'll go on about wanting to see your hope, but he's a reliable person.
[ Or perhaps he should say he was an optimist? That seems like an ill-fit when he focused on dichotomies. There were the minority and the majority, and there were the weak and the strong, and all were sacrifices for some overarching goal. But Ranger is fond of him, and so those words are laced with affection. ]
There's a few cute kids around here that you should get along with. They're pretty close to how Kanna was.
[ Will Maple know that name? Well, whatever. There's other examples he can use, that's just the quickest since Maple is likely to have seen her on Midori's floor. ]
no subject
If you think so, Ranger, I'm sure we'll get along.
( so she'll stick with the truth for now. the recommendation of another member of asunaro is more than enough to vouch for someone in her mind. hiyori's word is best, but she has no reason to think less of ranger either. that said, she does turn the earlier descriptions of his mysterious partner over in her mind, offering a gentle, thoughtful hum as she does. )
So he's cynical and hopeful at the same time...?
( contradictory. multi-faceted. like a puzzle in a person — maple finds herself fond of the idea when she considers it that way. )
It sounds like he has quite the temperament, but I'm sure he must be special to catch your attention. Do you have fun talking to him?
no subject
He keeps his face hidden behind a card. ]
He's easy to talk to.
[ He considers how to continue the conversation. In a way, Maple is a little like Komaeda. They're both sensitive and prone to mood swings if one hits the wrong note, but she's excitable when it comes to relationships and bonds.
Hm. It might be a good opportunity for other things as well. ]
I gave him and chocolate and flowers on Valentines Day... That's how they do it in the West, though I guess you're already supposed to be in a relationship with the person before you start giving them stuff.
no subject
That's great, Ranger! I'm so happy for you.
( a little bit jealous too, maybe—to think that ranger would come so far before she even managed to get hiyori's attention. but overall, it's good news. happy news, and she means what she says, though she can't help but be curious for more. )
Did he like them? What did he say?
no subject
[ There was more to it, but that's the statement which stands out in his mind most. Ranger doesn't always understand the relationship that his partner has with his luck, but he thinks that it is a kind of power and an assurance all at once - so long as he waits long enough, good luck will follow any misfortune that he suffers to. Then if he (or at least his actions) could be considered a form of good luck, then that must be a good thing right? If he was able to make him happy like that.
He muddles over that as he takes a sip of his tea. It's always odd to share with someone in this way when he so rarely indulges. ]
I dunno if he got the message though... Hmm, maybe I should have kissed him? You think that would've been more obvious?
[ it's a joke. ]
no subject
White day is coming up, you know, so there's no reason you can't do it then.
( she's rooting for you, ranger! do your best out there! )
Heehee, I'm so happy for you. It looks like both of us are making good progress, don't you think?
( and... she looks like she has more she wants to say, but manages to keep it locked up behind her smile for the moment. like a dam ready to burst, it's written all over her face: oh, she hopes that he asks her too. )
no subject
[ Ranger is almost the exact opposite of Maple, who wears her heart on her sleeve, as he retains Gashu's stoic nature even now. But there's a hint of consideration to those mumbled words, and he does bring curled fingers up to his chin just briefly. White Day is meant to be a response to Valentine's Day. The recipient of the initial gift is meant to give something of higher value in return - there's marshmallows and chocolates, countless options for what it might be, and to not do so is to spurn a person's affections.
His ego isn't so big that he would expect anything, and he finds that compensating for it by forcing a kiss on someone is far too bold. But it doesn't hurt to keep the date in mind when it promises him a more concrete answer. For now, he focuses on the look that she has. If he had to guess, she's waiting for the right moment to share whatever might have happened to put her in such a good mood.
He doubts it was progress, given the way that Hiyori is, but there's no need to say that when he can indulge her. He's a little curious. ]
Hm? You too? Something happen with you and Hiyori?