(Untitled)

[soapcarvedhands]

"I just wanted--Oh," says Harding, as he walks into the bar.

For most people, it's been months since Harding's been in the bar. In fact, it's probably been months for Harding, too, but he hasn't really noticed--life's the same everyday, where he is. (The narration would like to mention, his mun has been working on college applications since

Comments

[notapoodle]

How about having an overly extroverted, blond teen who can probably manage enough interpersonal relationships for most of the bar and then some?

Well, there's one at the bar anyways, who happens to be watching Harding with a friendly smile.

"Not quite what you were expecting?" This place still surprises him at times, after all.

[soapcarvedhands]

Sounds awesome!

Also, the mun just saw High School Musical 3, so she is kind of hyped up on the fabulous ridiculousness of it all!

"Never is," says Harding, smiling thinly, but not unkindly. "I haven't been here in . . . god, a long time. I thought it was--not real," and his voice cracks.

[notapoodle]

Ryan is certainly fabulous, as is the rest of his canon!

"I get that," he replies with a sympathetic and understanding nod. "Sometimes- if it's been a while- I wonder if I managed to think this place up, or it's some weird dream." Or one of those musical hallucination things he and his sister get.

[soapcarvedhands]

"Dream. Yeah. I mean, a nice one, but--you know, a dream nonetheless."

It is possible that Harding is in his cups, rather. He rarely drinks, but that just means his tolerance is ever lower.

[puckishly]

It is just slightly possible that a soft laugh gusts against his ear.

"Boo."

[soapcarvedhands]

Harding stiffens--not so different from his tense, awkward pose--and then lets a breath out, turning his head slightly.

"Hi," he says, shyly. "It's been a while."

[puckishly]

Puck pulls back, ducking his head and laughing brightly in what could nearly be called a giggle.

But not quite.

"Oh-- prithee forgive me," he says. "It has, hasn't it?"

[soapcarvedhands]

"Yes," he says. He turns in his chair and his breath hitches, caught somewhere between his lungs.

It's.

Well.

Appealing isn't a word many use to describe Harding, but then many haven't seen him like this: a little flushed, a little drunk, a little desperate. His hands, soft and white has ever, cling softly to Puck's hips.

[visible_sariel]

Shy, blond and tall? Here, have a shy, small and dark. Neither the pup nor the mun could resist.

Sariel looks up from her tea at precisely the right moment. Then she beams. "Harding!"

[soapcarvedhands]

Hi hi hi!

"Sariel!" he says. His face lights up; his eyes are a little glassy, but his wide smile makes up for it.

[visible_sariel]

Sariel misses the glassy eyes for the moment; she's not expecting that, at least not from Harding. The wide smile? Now *that* is getting mirrored. "Are you alright? I've missed you!"

Some things never change, do they?

[soapcarvedhands]

"I've missed you, too," he says, and reaches out a hand, tentatively.

(Some things don't; but some things, oh, how they do.)

[river_meimei]

Luckily, River is brilliant at interpersonal interaction all the time!

Um.

She glances Harding's way, idly, from where she's perched crosslegged on a table and watching the room at large.

There's a moment or two when her gaze drifts past his face and on to the air beyond. And then she flinches at nothing, with a sharp intake of breath, and her eyes snap back to him.

[soapcarvedhands]

Harding looks at her, shaken; the sudden noise has set his hands trembling, and he hides them under his knees.

[river_meimei]

River's own hands spread against the air, and tighten again, twisting at nothing.

She's staring at him for a moment -- and then she turns her head away, closing suddenly damp eyes, in a gesture that might be negation or might be apology.

[soapcarvedhands]

He opens his mouth--talking has always been his greatest talent--but nothing comes out for several seconds. "Are you--" he finally starts, and stops, not wanting to disturb her.

Quietly enough that she can ignore it, if she wants to, he asks, "Are you all right?"