(closed) do I really see what's in her mind, each time I think I'm close to knowing?

[dreamchasing]

Who: Asbel Lhant (protectingwishes) and Cheria Barnes (dreamchasing)
When: Shortly after this post.
Where: Grace's House
Style: Starting in Brackets!
Status: Closed

[ Since seeing Sophie's post on the network, Cheria had come to realize just what sort of things people might be telling her, and how it affects Sophie's view on things. Of course, Mommy bear as she is, she didn't think it was a good idea to let it keep happening, though even she knew there was only so much she could do herself ...

... but maybe she was just being overprotective. A second opinion never hurt, did it? Even if that second opinion came from the biggest dope on the face of any planet. As much of a dope as he was, though, that dope was still one of her best friends, and she did value his opinion.

She stood in the doorway to the room Asbel was in, leaning against the doorframe for a few moments. She watched him, hesitating to speak ...

But then, she finally did. ]

Hey, Asbel? Could we talk?

Comments

[protectingwishes]

[Asbel had just finished getting changed into his work uniform. The suit was not as comfortable as his usual attire and the tie in particular frustrated him immensely; it just refused to sit straight. But it did look cool and that was important, or so he had been led to believe.

He turned when he heard his name from the doorway.]

Oh, hey Cheria. Of course we can.

[Asbel smiled briefly at her before attempting to straighten the tie again. Despite being absorbed by the task he was still paying attention.]

What do you want to talk about?

[dreamchasing]

[ Even if she wasn't really a fan of Asbel working in this 'host club,' she had to admit, the work uniform made him look pretty amazing. Cheria couldn't help but stand there for another few moments and stare at him.

After those few moments, though, she shook her head, making a face akin to 'what am I doing?' and making her way over there. He seemed to be having trouble with his tie. As she looked a little closer at it, she could see where the issue was ... her grandfather had this issue sometimes, too. ]

Here, let me help with that ...

[ she moved in front of him and took the tie into her hands, working on straightening it herself. she started talking as she worked. ]

It's about Sophie. I'm a little concerned about what other people in the city have been telling her.

[protectingwishes]

Um, sure.

[Asbel continued to shift the tie in every angle until Cheria took it from him. He was a little surprised but he didn't fight her; he knew he probably wouldn't get it by himself.

He was more surprised to hear that the conversation involved Sophie.]

What have they been telling her?

[dreamchasing]

[ She finally finished with the tie, then stepped back, looking at it to make sure before nodding to herself in triumph. Cheria then took out her SFC and flipped through the entries, pulling up Sophie's most recent one and showing it to Asbel. ]

I'm not ... overreacting, am I? Do you think I have a reason to be concerned?

[ The reason she had gone to Asbel as opposed to Pascal or Hubert was that she knew how close Asbel and Sophie were. She needed an opinion from someone who was as close to her as she seemed to be. ]

[protectingwishes]

Touching people?

[That seemed to be an odd question. After all he did touch Sophie whenever he hugged her.]

Appeal more to certain types... Does that mean...?

[dreamchasing]

[ She's giving you one of those 'really? really?' looks now, Asbel. If you can't figure that one out, she's not telling you. ]

That's exactly the kind of thing I'm worried about! Sophie is very impressionable. We can't have people telling her things that she can easily misconstrue!

[protectingwishes]

[He gets it! He gets it! Sudden outburst was sudden Cheria.]

I understand, Cheria. But we can't tell Sophie that she can't talk to people just because she might hear some strange stuff.

[dreamchasing]

No, but maybe we could ... I don't know, address the community as a whole? Try to get the word out that Sophie is as impressionable as she is? I'm not sure how much good it will do, but it's better than doing nothing ...

After all, we're her guardians, aren't we?

[ Mommy and Daddy must do something. :| ]

[protectingwishes]

R-Right. I guess we could do that.

I suppose it could get more serious if we don't do something.

[dreamchasing]

Right, then. So ... are we going to?

[ She's in it if you are. ]

[protectingwishes]

Yes. We'll ask everyone to be a little more careful when talking to Sophie.

[Serious Asbel is serious.]

[dreamchasing]

Okay, then.

[ She takes one more look at his tie, and then smiles a little at him. ]

For now, though, you should probably get to work.

[protectingwishes]

Oh? Oh yeah. I don't want to be late.

[He smiled at Cheria, still grateful for helping him with the tie.]

We'll talk to everyone when I get home.

[And with that he turned to leave.]

[dreamchasing]

All right. Have a good day at work ...

[ She finds herself staring out after him as he's leaving ... before she can stop herself, she's talking again. ]

H-Hey, Asbel?

[ rkjgnrkngrkn crap. what could she say now? she was just thinking that he looked really nice today-- ]

You look ... really nice today.

[ kjngkrngkn w-well, he kinda did. She looks away, clasping her hands together behind her back, her cheeks burning. ]

[protectingwishes]

Oh? Thanks heh heh.

[His face is a little red too.]

Um you do too, Cheria.

[Yeah he needs to work on his compliment delivery, but at least he's honest?]

[dreamchasing]

[ Yes, thank goodness for that. ]

Thanks ...

[ And now it's awkward. What do. ]

... You should probably get to work now.