oooh someone's touchy.

[myownhand]

Yes it's all well and good that y'found a few games t'look at.

But we aren't talking about that pocky game.

Comments

[myownhand]

...No one. you... know. He's just some one I met.

[STALL. STALL.]

Look it's not important. Really. You'll probably never even see him around.

[THIS IS NOT SUSPICIOUS.]

[mathair]

[ MERIDA AND ANY BOY IS SUSPICIOUS BEYOND BELIEF. ]

Playing wee kiddie games with someone you met.

[ Mom face? Mom face. She knows, kiddo, quit while you're ahead. ]

You sure about that? I'd hate to find out the hard way, dear.

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[myownhand]

[.................]

[myownhand]

Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum!

[brb going to die now, k?]

[mathair]

Oh, well, then I'm sure you at least got his name.

Surely wouldn't want yer father findin' out about it either, but we'll save that for when he does.

[ EVEN SHE DOESN'T SOUND THAT EXCITED ABOUT IT. ]

[myownhand]

It's not like that! It's not even close t'being like that. It was just one kiss---



[WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS.]


It was no-thing. Alright?

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[mathair]

[ OHOHO, SHE WAS RIGHT. ]

[mathair]

Oh really?

[ AND AFTER ALL THE BEAR SHIT THAT HAPPENED, MERIDA, SHE ISN'T SURE SHE'S UPSET OR PROUD OF YOU. ]

Now I have to know.

[ YOU DONE IT NOW, GIRL, SHE IS NOT GOING TO LET YOU LEAVE THIS THREAD. ]

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[myownhand]

[THIS FACE. LITERALLY. RIGHT NOW.]

[myownhand]

[.......]

He's... Just. This boy I met. And there was this game going on called the "Pocky" game. [She raises her eyebrows in a "Follow me?" motion]

You take a stick of sweets about yea big --[she motions the size of a stick of pocky with her hands] -- and then eat until you get to the middle.

Whoever breaks the kiss first loses.

[CAPICHE, MUMSALOT? CAUSE IT'S CLEAR THERE'S MORE.]

[mathair]

[ Oh. Oh. Well, her first thought is: ]

Well, clearly not a children's game, especially not with strangers you just met.

[ She had to break out the "Mom" voice eventually. But enough of that--- ]

And he can't be just a normal boy t'go stealin' kisses out of you, even if they are for winning games and nothin' else. Can't even be bothered to kiss yer father on the cheek now and then, some strange boy manages to.

[myownhand]

Well, I mean normally I wouldn't but-- it was supposed t'just be a game. No one takes it seriously.

But then he got weird about it. Like-- stutterin' and defensive.

[...you have raised a dense daughter, Elinor.]

I just don't know what I did.

[mathair]

Normally--well, no, I should hope not!

[ Honey, do we need to have a talk. ]

That's just it, you didn't take it seriously.

If he ended up all upset about it, chances are you hurt his feelings.

[myownhand]

Hurt his feelings? [WAT.] But. I mean. Why would that even hurt his feelings? It was just a game.

...Right?

[mathair]

Well, he probably thought it was too, until it actually happened.

Kisses can't just mean nothing, Merida, even if you want them to. That's why they're kisses, you share them only with the people you love, you know that.

[myownhand]

But then why even play? Isn't that bein' a bit of a... masochist?

[mathair]

Yes, well, 'you won't know until you try' applies here much better, I think.

[myownhand]

But. I mean. He's just-- I'm...

[dsajpdsapDJapodJPOSDjPOAjaspd]

It doesn't make any sense.

[mathair]

...

[ Oh yeah, Elinor's definitely seeing why now letting her make her own decision regarding the whole marriage thing was a good idea. ]

Most feelings aren't, dear.

What doesn't make sense?

[myownhand]

[.............I GUESS ITS TIME TO BREAK IT TO DEAR OLE MUM]

He's th'spirit of winter, mum. Most people can't even see him.

[mathair]

[ ....WELL NOW. ]

Oh, yes, well, I see where that puts a wee damper on things.

[ She's down with the whole magic thing but---spirit of winter? ...Hang on a second. ]

That Jack boy my mun's been seeing all over the place?

[ Yeah, that one. ]

[myownhand]

Aye, him.

[...her mother is actually handling this a lot better than she would think]

[mathair]

[ Well, given the context. That or she's hiding it. Time to hike up the big-girl pants though. ]

Well. While I'm all for minding your own business and all---

[ How to put this----well, lightly? Nah, just not---as overbearing as she used to put it. ]

Do remember what is expected of you. You are still a lady, and a lady of our clan, and I expect you to represent it.

[ Whew, that was...easier than she thought. "Make your own decisions and whatnot but don't go off kissing a ton of boys now you hear me."

Aha, oh wow, she's imagining trying to explain not only to the three clans but also to Fergus how the spirit of Winter might have a bid on Merida. THE THINGS YOU DO FOR FAMILY, SHEESH. ]

Just don't---don't hurt yourself, alright?

[ Oh, there's the mom again, peeking out from under the Queen. Taking those jumped-to conclusions and only worrying about the worst that could happen. ]

[myownhand]

Don't worry, mum. I'm never kissing anyone ever again.

[BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.]

[mathair]

Aha, well, we'll see about that.

[ Disbelief? Oh yes. ]