tushanshu | 005; console; video;

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005; console; video;

[Raine looks a little drawn, but otherwise her face implies her usual cool distance.]

For anyone familiar with my brother, Genis:

He’s returned to our world.

If he left any obligations of which I’m unaware, I’ll do what I can to fulfill them.

[That's it. Despite the fact this must pain her, she's holding whatever emotions there are close to her chest. There's a beat, in which it looks like she might be about to say something more, but then she closes the feed.]

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[Pepper never got the chance to meet Genis, but she's spent some time with Raine and she's really starting to like her. She considers the half-elf a friend, and this is a major big deal.]

I'm so sorry, Raine. That's...[She's not sure what to say. But she does know how hard it's been without her dad, and how upset she would be if either Gene or Tony vanished without a trace.]

Do you need anything? Tony knows where to get some almost-chocolate and he's got a printer that makes crazy-shaped sugar cubes.

[That gets half a smile out of Raine, though it's a thin thing, not much light in it.]

I honestly don't know.

[She doesn't. She has Solomon, still, and can draw emotional support from him, but it was one thing adjusting to life without her brother the first time, and something completely different having had him back and lost him again. Raine's a little lost.]

[In the end she focuses on the tail end of Pepper's offer.]

They can't still be cubes, then. Almost-chocolate?

[Raine's demeanor is unsettling for Pepper. She seems a little less than whole - which Pepper guesses she is, now that her brother is gone.]

Um, no, I guess they're not. There's a few that are empty cubes and some spirals and things. It's just sugar, but it's still kinda neat.

[Yes, sadly almost chocolate.]

Tony says it's the closest thing they have here to chocolate. It's pretty good - I'll ask him where he got it, if you'd like?

I-- yes, all right.

[Fruit's more her thing, but she can recognize the attempt to help for what it is. And in any case, most sweets are useful for encouraging energy regeneration; it'd be useful to see if this works the same.]

His printer creates three-dimensional objects with sugar?

[Raine latches onto this as the distraction it is. Her eyes brighten a bit.]

Do you think we could experiment with its capabilities?

[Pepper makes a mental note to raid the chocolate stash and pay Tony back later.]

Yeah, it does. It can print with other stuff, too. He, um, he said he uses it to print things in wax to cast metal components. And I've seen 3D printers use plastic.

[This seems like a weird topic, but she's glad to just keep Raine talking. Besides, Raine seems a little more alert at the possibility of doing some science.]

They're pretty common back home, and they're not too hard to build if you have the right materials. He'd probably teach you how to use it, if you want, or maybe even make you one. Why, what do you want to make?

[s c i e n c e]

[...and chocolate is nice, too.]

I'd need to know its limits, first, before being sure. Still, there are a few charms that might be reproducible... I wonder.

My own world may have something a little like it, but not something I ever had the chance to examine in much detail.

[Really, this is more Lloyd and Dirk's purview, but Raine's curious.]

You're welcome to come over any time you want. We have a lot of tea, too.

[Given the sheer amount of tension that still existed between Gene, Tony, and Pepper, there was a need for large quantities of soothing liquids.]

I'm sure Tony would be happy to let you play around. He can definitely explain it better than I can.

I may take you up on that. You live with Tony and Gene, correct? [She knows where they live, at least, and it makes the most sense.] Tomorrow, perhaps?

I'll have to ask him, then. It sounds fascinating.

[It lacks a little of her usual vigor, but it's no less genuinely meant.]

Yeah, I moved in with them. [It still sounds weird to say it out loud.]

I'll let them know you're coming over tomorrow and make sure Tony's around to answer questions - he likes talking about his gizmos.

[That way they'll have enough time to clean up. And maybe she'll ask Gene to make dinner for them all.]

That's good. I'm glad you have friends here.

[It's better, not to be alone. Part of the reason she was so relieved when she and Solomon and Genis could all find a home together... ah. Maybe she won't think of that right now.]

All right. Thank you.

Edited (why do i keep borking html today) 2015-07-12 04:52 (UTC)

[Pepper still isn't 100% certain that Gene is a 'friend' yet, but living with him is definitely changing that.]

You're included on that list now, you know.

[She smiles, her head tilted a bit to the side, perhaps a little sheepish.]

You're welcome. I'd offer to have Solomon over, too, but Tony might have an aneurysm.

[That was rapid. They've only really met a couple of times, haven't they? Though Raine can't say the feeling isn't mutual.]

[She is, however, suddenly and startlingly reminded of Colette's approach to friendship.]

Ah. I see you've become acquainted with their distaste for one another.

[The sentence sounds like nothing so much as an exasperated 'boys.']

I'm sure the thought is appreciated.

[By one of them. Maybe. Raine lives in hope.]

Edited 2015-07-13 09:18 (UTC)

[It is a well known fact that Pepper doesn't do 'slow' in just about anything.]

It's kind of hard not to. They don't exactly try to hide it.

[Yes, very much agreed. Boys.]

If you say so.

[She's not nearly so optimistic. She is, however, looking forward to trying to make them both get over themselves.]

[~~Even chemistry?~~]

Tony is at least now courteous enough not to mention it in my presence.

[Which, while not much of a win, Raine will take. It's better than having to smack Tony for getting judgy about things that aren't his business. ~~Again.~~]

I... hope so, rather.

[Sigh.]

~~[No, she just skips that entirely.]~~

Wow, how did you manage that? It's next to impossible to get him to shut up when he's doesn't like someone.

[Look who's talking. Tony did get a tad more vindictive than Pepper, though - except when it came to Whitney. Ick.]

They're going to have to deal with it anyway, so they can stuff it if they can't turn off the angst.

[Grin.]

[~~blasphemy~~]

I... believe I simply informed him that I expected him to behave like an adult.

[She might have snapped at him a little. The pen-throwing incident was completely unrelated.]

[Pepper's grin sparks a little amusement from Raine in return.]

I suppose there isn't really an alternative.

You really can do magic.

[Seriously. Tony didn't usually listen when he was angry about something until his emotions got the better of him and he got beat up because of it.]

Can you teach me that arte? It sounds mega useful.

[A startled laugh. ]

He might simply be growing up.

[She can dream.]

I doubt my tactics will work for you, however. You're classmates, aren't you? [Equals. Whereas Raine, even if not actively teaching, is still a Responsible Adult as far as Tony's concerned.] Perhaps if you inform him you're disappointed in him...? I wonder.

Well, he's definitely taller than she used to be.

[Which is a daily reminder that he's even older than her than he was. She's not annoyed about that at all.]

It usually takes a lot of yelling for him to listen to me. And then he goes all 'sad puppy' and it's really hard to stay upset. [Pepper shrugs.] I guess I can try something different though. Sad puppy Tony is almost as bad as boneheaded Tony.

[This laugh sounds slightly more genuine, less startled.]

Regrettably, height doesn't inform maturity.

[~~Just look at all the tall dumb boys she has to deal with~~.]

If previous methods have only resulted in, ah, 'sad puppy' Tony, then it may be useful to try a different method, yes. Regardless of what that method is, at least you will gather data on what does and doesn't work.

[It's science.]

No kidding.

[Applying the scientific method to psychology sounded pretty boring, mostly because it required patience, buuuuuuut then again it was probably a useful skill to learn and something that Skulduggery would suggest.]

You are definitely a scientist, Raine. I'll...try.

[Raine nearly beams. It's so rewarding when people actually listen to the lessons she's trying to impart. It tempers the loss, even. Just for a moment, but it's something.]

I'd be interested in your conclusions, should you reach any.

Edited 2015-07-26 10:39 (UTC)

[And for that smile, Pepper really will try. It certainly wasn't going to come naturally.]

Just don't ask me to write a paper. I'm taking a vacation from homework.

[How did she know.]

I'll settle for an oral report.

[Pepper's expression shifts to somewhere between curiosity and horror.]

You are being serious about this, aren't you?

[There's the hint of a smile about Raine again, and her tone of voice is a little too dry to be entirely serious, but the risk is a very genuine one.]

Why wouldn't I be? I am a teacher, after all.

[Pepper groans a little. She walked right into this.]

There will never not be homework, will there?

[Raine shakes her head, mock-solemnly.] It's my duty to provide opportunities and encouragement for learning. That includes homework.

[As much as she's teasing, in her way, she does genuinely mean that.]

[Well. At least Raine's brother leaving didn't put too much of a damper on her style.]

I'm more of a learning-by-doing kind of person, honestly. That doesn't mean I want practical exams instead, [she adds hurriedly.]

And Skulduggery is teaching me plenty, too, so it's not like I'm lacking in instruction.

[Sort of.]

[She can thank Pepper for that, at least for the moment. This teasing -- banter, whatever they choose to call it -- it's nice. Distracting. Cheering, even.]

It's still important to understand theory.

[But that's light enough that the matter can be understood as laid to rest, and Raine keeps going.]

...what is Skulduggery teaching you?

Uh.

Detectivey things? He usually asks a lot of questions to get me to reach conclusions, mostly his, but sometimes mine.

[He hasn't let her interrogate someone yet, and she is slightly miffed.]

And he puts up with my questions. Actually, he encourages them, just one at a time instead of, you know. All of them.

Good. [Any concerns have been near-immediately laid to rest. And Skulduggery sounds like he's teaching her deductive reasoning and critical thinking, which are material. Raine is pleased.] I'm glad.

I'll see you tomorrow, then?

[It's good to know that Raine is playing Overseer/Mother Hen around here. Pepper bets she could rein in even Skulduggery.]

Yup! I'll hide the candy until then.

[Well, someone's got to. A smile, and:] Thank you.

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