006 The Not Bucket List

[kinships]

[A: Phone; Private to Diana Ethelbert]

I think it's time we called to order the first meeting of the... hm. We still need a name! Then it's doubly important we have a meeting.

[B: Action, all around Mayfield; Open to All]

[Cain knows that his time here is precious, not just for seeing his brother happy finally, but because it may be the only

Comments

B

[expiatrice]

[On her way home after some minor errand, she's carrying a paper bag with some common grocery goods when she notices the blond boy up in a tree.]

--Ah, of course! [She'll come closer and put her bag down on the sidewalk, expression showing concern.] ...How would you like to do this, though? [There are actually several ways that she can think of on top of her head, but let's take it one step at a time...]

[kinships]

[She looks kind, if the expression of concern was any indication, so he leans down as far as he can to give her a smile in return.]

I'm not sure, the branch I used to get up here snapped, so I can't get back down again.

[expiatrice]

Goodness, ah... [Looking somewhat helpless, she nevertheless seems to be thinking hard about this.] That's unfortunate, but we'll get you down soon! [A beat.] The quickest way would be for you to hop off, I'll definitely catch you! ...I can promise too, but understandably, that may be asking for too much. [She gives a small and sheepish smile. It's an option, so throwing it out there. She really is confident about it, but you don't go around expecting people to trust you like this from the get-go. ;;] I could also go find a ladder, but that would take a while. ...What do you think?

[kinships]

[He thinks about this for a moment, looking at her and wondering if she was strong enough to catch him.]

Are you sure you'd catch me?

[expiatrice]

[That she'll beam back with complete confidence, while she comes closer until she's directly beneath the tree, looking up at him.]

Yes, I'm sure, but I know I can't prove it to you by just talking. So if you're still worried, is there anything that I can do to assure you? Please, feel free to bring up anything that you can think of!

[kinships]

[He really isn't sure she will catch him, but he's also pretty confident he won't get hurt if he happens to fall anyway. So nodding, he takes a deep breath and jumps off towards her.]

AHH--!

[expiatrice]

[That's a discouraging line of logic! :( Even though it made sense...

Straightening herself, she'll catch him with ease, her grip is surprisingly strong and solid. Before he even recovers maybe, she'll carefully put him back down onto the ground. She'll then lean over a bit so that she's more at eye level with him.]

Aha, there. Are you okay? That wasn't so bad, was it?

[kinships]

[He gives her a bright smile when she leans over to his level, straightening his clothes out.]

Thank you very much, ma'am.

[expiatrice]

[The smile will be mirrored!] It's no problem, and you're very welcome. My name is Ciel, what's yours?

[kinships]

Cain Knightlord, Miss Ciel, it's a pleasure to meet you.

[expiatrice]

It's nice to meet you too, Cain. What were you doing up there, if you don't mind me asking? Did something catch your eye?

[kinships]

Ah, no. It's just I've never climbed a tree before, and I'm trying to make the most of being here by doing things I never managed to at home.

[expiatrice]

[He couldn't climb a tree back home?...

Ah, so it must have been a guarded and secluded childhood, probably. She won't ask.] Is that so? That's very good of you, to seize the opportunity despite the circumstances! But if it's your first time, shouldn't you have done it in the company of someone else? We can't predict accidents. It could still be dangerous, if anything happened...!

[kinships]

It's alright, even though something did happen, I was lucky enough that someone like you came along.

1/2

[expiatrice]

That's true, everything did turn out okay today, but still, please be more careful in the future! [And despite the chiding, it ends up becoming more like a mild concerned warning, like a child would receive from their caretaker.]

2/2

[expiatrice]

[That said, she'll resume a cheerier air.] But you're trying out things that you haven't before, right? Hm... [She seems to think on this.] Have you been to the Malt shop in downtown yet, Cain?