Viper “Absolutely.” Viper shoots a wink in his direction, “All the more fun when it’s more creative, eh?”
“Fun for me, sure. But ’f you’re that much’a a masochist, ya might need psychiatric help.”
Jack watched her larceny process, nodding along slowly. Good individual moves, even if she clearly lacked the life experience to really finesse it. Or something.
Viper “…'Kay. Watch the head.” She reaches up and actually loosens her ponytail enough that it sits on the back of her head, not on the top. Less likely to be noticeable there!
If Jack offered more expressions than “blank,” “sarcastic,” and “traumatized,” he may have looked briefly impressed.
“Yeah, best t’ keep that outta the way much as possible. Loose hair, loose clothes—all just more to brush up against stuff an’ make noise.”
“Y’ever think a’ loppin’ it off?” Shorthair Viper arc.
Viper “See, always assume ‘cause of TV an’ stuff, that like… movin’ around real quick is a great plan. Glad I got ya to teach me differently!”
While the first bit got a semi-derisive snort, he flashed a grin back.
“Careful, my rate’s gonna go up if ya start takin’ me for granted.” Up from the low, low price of gaslighting.
Viper She gives Jack an almost affectionate nudge with her elbow.
His gaze sharpened, but she clearly wasn’t putting her weight behind that. She could at least fight better than this, right? He… probably remembered as much. Some people hit each other for basic communication purposes, he knew that much. That was fine. Just don’t catch him any more off-guard with that stuff or it’ll be your turn for a nose-breaking.
As to what she was trying to communicate, well. He could gloss over it like half of anything else she said. Much easier than trying to relearn what physical affection was.
Viper “If ya wanna grab ya’self a pair, we’ll get goin’. ”
He scanned the display sneakers briefly but didn’t make a move.
“Eh, think I prefer the extra challenge.” Discomfort. “Makes sure I stay sharp, yeah?”
He did glance over a hoodie farther down, but there were a few bright stripes on it that wouldn’t fly. Probably not the most durable weave, either.
Viper “Best not ta stick around for too long, eh?”
“Depends on your approach more ‘n anything, but good rule a’ thumb, yeah. Applies here.”
But did that make it Segway time again? Ugh.
