[OPEN][BACKDATED] Stitch me back, one by one!

[chronomancer]

Characters: Jade!Eridan Ampora, and YOU!
Setting: Floor 15, the workshop.
Format: I'll start with action, but I'll match you.
Summary: In which Eridan pretends he knows how to sew. Spoilers, he doesn't. Backdated to before the Labyrinth event!
Warning: None? I'll add if necessary.

[It's really not that hard, he figures, to use his torn jacket as a pattern and make a new one with some scraps of red fabric lying around. It's just. Cutting fabric and sewing it together. How hard can it be?

Apparently, very hard and not really a project for the uninitiated.

He's left the whole mess on a workbench for now, focusing on patching up his other pair of pants. That, at least, he's relatively used to. It's not the neatest of stitch-work, but at least it'll hold.

At least, he thinks with grim amusement, he has two hands now, to do this. Otherwise it'd be well and truly hopeless.]

Comments

[chronomancer]

[Eridan offered a very thin, tiny smile.]

Thank you.

[mamadonna]

[ Oh, that's it Eridan, now you've done it. She's not even going to say anything, she's just going to bend down and give him a hug. ]

[chronomancer]

[He makes a little sound of surprise, freezing all over as she touches him, but very, very slowly relaxing into the hold. It's okay, she's not going to kill him, no one's trying to kill him, it's okay, it's okay. Oh god, Eridan, don't you fucking dare cling, you asshole, she doesn't deserve you getting all clingy and stupid and-- He doesn't cling, but he does, tentatively, reach out to return the hug. Very awkward still, very nervous.]

...I'm sorry?

[He sounds bewildered about the whole affair.]

[mamadonna]

[ She's still just going to keep holding him here for a bit. ]

This is the very last thing you must need feel apologetic for.

[chronomancer]

[This is. Kinda. Real nice. Make him feel like a wiggler again, but fuck that, it's nice.]

...okay.

[mamadonna]

[ You're telling her. It's been so long since she's had someone so young to mind like this. It's almost nostalgic. ]

There's little need to fuss, I'll always be willing to listen and solve any issue which may arise for you, if you're willing to allow me to do so.

[chronomancer]

But. Why?

[He's so confused, he doesn't deserved this at all. :C]

[mamadonna]

[ Okay, now she'll break the embrace to look him in the eyes, her hands still placed firmly on his shoulders. ]

And why not?

[chronomancer]

[Can't look at him in the eye if he stays staring at the floor.]

...'cause.

[mamadonna]

[ So she moves a hand under his chin to try to encourage it back up. ]

You know that doesn't describe a full reasoning, yes?

[chronomancer]

[Why is this so hard, his own lusus didn't make him feel this awkward. Then again, his lusus let him go around fighting hordes of the undead so. Er.]

...I know.

[mamadonna]

[ Well, Dolorosa talks more and burrows less. ]

And I don't imagine you'd attempt to elaborate, then?

[chronomancer]

...you're going to get mad at me.

[mamadonna]

Do me a favor, Eridan, and instead of withholding in order to spare my assumed reaction, allow me to cater my reaction to best accommodate.

When have I, in the past, displayed anger towards you?

[chronomancer]

[Wiiiiiiiiiincing and secretly trying to make himself very small and insignificant.]

...nevver.

[mamadonna]

Well, there you have it. Now, perhaps you should vocalize the elaboration I requested.

[chronomancer]

[GNNNNNNN, WHY ARE YOU SO MATERNAL AND NICE AND MAKE HIM FEEL SO INADEQUATE ALL THE TIME. SOB.]

...it's just. You said I was young. And. You know. That I had time to grow out of... this.

[He motions with his hands a little hopelessly about "this".]

But... Well.

[mamadonna]

[ She moves a hand to her heart. ]

Forgive me, had I misspoken?

[chronomancer]

No, I am young.

[He gives her a bit of a hopeless look.]

I died young, remember?

[mamadonna]

[ Well, either dead, dying, or wishing he would die, according to what he told her. Her face falls and she gives Eridan another squeeze. ]

Oh, Eridan, my deepest apologies! It was a thoughtless utterance, I hadn't considered the deeper significance...

[chronomancer]

No, it's okay!

[He hugs back, quickly trying to turn the soothing on her.]

It's not your fault, please. It's okay. I... kinda forget, myself. Sometimes. Kinda.

[mamadonna]

Then the fault would lie in my supplying a reminder.

[chronomancer]

But you didn't mean to, so it's okay. I promise.

[mamadonna]

Lack of my intention does not forgive the carelessness. I will attempt to avoid the subject in the future.

PAYBACK IS FAIR. And retroactive. Kinda. Somehow.

[chronomancer]

No, no, it's. It's okay. You don't have to do anything at all, really!

[Shrinking into himself...]

I don't want to inconvenience you in anyway.