let's believe in something small [open and closed]

[toten_sie]

Who: Randel + others, possibly Randel + you!
Where: Lotus Street Animal Shelter, A Certain Lake, Around Town, Grocery Store
When: after that first week in town
What: a couple of 'reunions', a cat cafe, and business to do
Warnings: none so far


[closed to Pepper]
He's been looking for familiar things and comfortable places and for some reason, that's brought him to a small lake. It's brought him there a few times, actually, almost frustrating in how tantalizingly close it seems like he might be to getting something familiar. But it's during one of those walks that he spots someone else... and his legs are moving before he even realizes that he knows her name.

"Pepper?"


[closed to Izumi]
He's taken to walking a lot: sometimes in the town to see if he can remember people, and sometimes out in the park or near the woods to get away from all the things that just don't seem right. It's during one of those park walks that he spots someone who finally starts ringing a bell and those long legs eat up the distance pretty quickly.

"I know you!"


[open]
While he still doesn't remember so much of this, while he's still suspicious and awkward about so much of the life that's supposedly his, Randel's never been one to shirk when there's a job to do, which was why he'd gone to the animal shelter and gotten to. ...there may have been some time with the kittens, which the other workers hadn't begrudged him, honestly, but then there was work to do. Part of that involved heading out to the grocery store to pick up supplies, to the pet store to pick up other supplies, and the hardware store for a few odds and ends that the other two couldn't provide. There's plenty to do and Randel's actually enjoying himself, getting along well with the volunteers and other employees... and maybe he ends up taking his breaks in the cat cafe just to spend more time with the animals but no one would begrudge him that.

Things are still confusing and he really really doesn't like the signs and some of the more suspicious aspects (like Why Everyone Was In A Car Accident) but he can't see how helping animals and making people feel better could make matters worse. That said, he's keeping his eyes out... and he's keeping his lantern on him at all times.

Comments

[ceoinstilettos]

Alright. [ she snickers. ] I’ll give you that. I’ll be more fine as soon as I’m inside. [ but she doubts she’ll catch a cold. she hadn’t been submerged all that long and the weather, well, it’s not too bad. ] Don’t say that. [ she gently elbows him in the ribs. ] I missed you and it’s been a while… how have you been?

[toten_sie]

[ He sways with the elbow to the ribs and takes a moment to try and settle her with a smile. He'd say he's self-depreciating but that would require thinking that he isn't being absolutely honest. ]

How close is your house? Mine's not far at all.

[ It's an invitation, though it feels weird. They're old friends. Shouldn't she know that? ]

And I was in the hospital. Car accident. Apparently.

[ Translation: does he buy that? Less and less. ]

[ceoinstilettos]

[ she smiles and falls into place alongside him so she can lean over and rest her head on his shoulder. ] It’s… not that close. [ it had been a bit of a trek, but falling into the lake aside it was worth it. ] If you don’t mind. [ she smiled, looking through her bangs. ] Though I’m not so sure if you’re going to have anything I can change into.[ she had started ringing out her hair when he told her that he, too, was in a car accident. she stilled, unable to keep from frowning. ] I was in a car accident too… I mean, at least that’s what they told me… [ she still didn't believe it, but it's all she had... not to mention tony remembered being in the same one. ] Weird, huh? [ she chuckled, trying to make light of the strangeness. ]

[toten_sie]

That's what belts are for.

[ They'd figure out something for her. He'd found something for Clary and she was actually smaller than Pepper. At least it would be clean and dry. ]

And it's definitely weird.

I'm not sure if it's anything else.

[ Strange echoes, though nothing he can properly grasp at. This place itches at the back of his brain in more ways than one. ]

But I'm glad to see you.

[ceoinstilettos]

True. [ all that matters is that, yes, she’ll be getting out of these damp clothes. ]

Yeah… I tried getting some answers from the staff at the hospital, but, as you can imagine, it didn’t go anywhere. [ she’s feeling the same. something’s not quite right, but she can’t put her finger on it. ]

So what have you been up to?

[toten_sie]

You remember where I work?

[ Which is smack dab between 'DO you remember?' as a test of whatever's happening with both of them (not of her, never of her) and 'you DO remember..." as if to say the same old, same old. Mostly, he's been trying to catch up there, since he was gone for a while. Paperwork, which is difficult for him, has been filling his hours. ]

What about you?

[ceoinstilettos]

[ and her silence is probably telling. she had only just remembered where she worked. she frowns, shaking her head and feeling awful for having forgotten. ] No... [ an unspoken apology follows. ] I don't.

[ when he turns the question on her she can't help but to frown, because what has she been up to. ] Not much. I went back to work and that's been... something else. I don't get it, it's like I'm the only one that thinks there's a point to keeping things organized. [ she shakes her head, because there's still so much to do. ] But that's been about it.

[ her life isn't the most interesting... at least here. there are a few things she remembers that don't really add up. ] I'm glad to be back home, but something feels... different. Was it always like this?

[toten_sie]

[ He nods, the kind of confirmation he was hoping for, though he feels bad about the fact that it leaves Pepper so confused. He breathes in deep before looking forward to pick up the pace a little. If he has to, he'll scoop her up; he's been a little worried about her in those heels, soaked as she is, anyway. ]

The animal shelter. That's where I work now. I run it, in fact.

[ And that will never stop boggling. He doesn't think of himself as a leader, any kind. He doesn't trust where he would lead anyone. ]

As for this town... [ He swallows a little. ] It feels wrong. And my memories feel... off. Incomplete.

They don't agree.

[ He doesn't like it and he wants to admit that he's scared, honestly, but he won't leave that on Pepper. He has to be strong for her, not because she's not strong. But because he knows she'll take on his burdens too if she's given half a chance and he can't do that. ]

[ceoinstilettos]

[ he shouldn’t feel bad about it. ever since she had come to in the hospital she’s been confused, the mish mash of memories from here and… and somewhere she can’t quite place ensuring her constant disorientation. and he might have to!, because she’s having trouble keeping her balance in her sopping wet heels. lesson learned; stilettos aren’t an all-terrain shoe. ]

You run the local animal shelter… [ she doesn’t sound so sure, herself, but he would know where he works, right? ] Good for you. [ she nudges him gently. ] I’m proud of you, Randel. I just work at the school, administrations. Not nearly as exciting… or fun. [ she’s going to have to stop by so she can play with all the cute little puppies and kitties. ]

… [ when he mentions the town she feels her stomach knot. she knows what he’s talking about, but she had been doing her best to avoid thinking about it. ] I know… I remember things that don’t make any sense. [ she’s a ceo. she was running a multibillion dollar company, but, for some reason, she opted to come back here to work in the school as an administrator? what! that, and she remembers falling to what should have been her death in a shipyard… but, uh, maybe that was just a fever dream. ] It’s… frightening. I don’t know who I really am. I mean, I do, I’m Pepper, but… [ she shakes her head, feeling ridiculous all of a sudden. ] Something’s not right.

[toten_sie]

[ He watches her for a moment and finally, after a frown and pressed lips, he reaches over to scoops her up. She's not heavy, even wet. At least not to him. And he doesn't mind at all. ]

Hold onto the things that make you feel like Pepper.

[ He doesn't want to say this but- ]

The things that match your scars.

[ A faint smile over at her. ]

And anything else you want. Some things don't match mine, but I think they're still good.

As long as you feel like Pepper.

[ceoinstilettos]

[ when he scoops her up she coils her arms around his neck, pressing close as she stifles a sound of surprise. ] You didn’t have to do this… [ she whispers, eyes turning down as a small smile purses her lips. ] Thank you.

[ hold onto the things that make you feel like pepper. it all kind of does, at least to a degree, but what’s real and what’s not… for now she’ll cling to it all, because, like he’d said, some of what’s mismatched is still just as good. ] I will and, Randel, no matter what we’ll still be friends. [ since she has the sinking feeling she’s not from here like she believes she is. ]

Next time [ assuming there is a next time… ] I decide to go to the docks remind me that heels are not a good idea. [ she chuckles. ] I’m not looking to take another unexpected swim.

[toten_sie]

[ He can't help but give her a faint squeeze, letting his face settle against her still-damp hair as he breathes in. There's the wet from the lake but mostly there's just Pepper and... it helps ground him. Bring him back here. For all that his mind keeps rebelling around some of the memories, he wants them. He wants to be someplace where he's been able to go home instead of

Instead of your real life.

He wishes the voice didn't sound so much like brother Abel. Especially since he's not even sure Abel exists. ]

I'll remind you. And you'll ignore me.

And you're welcome.

[ceoinstilettos]

[ pepper shuts her eyes and, with a smile, lets out a content sigh. she doesn't know what is going on in this town, but right now she doesn't really want to think about it. the memories she has about how they forged their friendship might not be real, but this is real and that's really all that matters. ]

Hey, give me some credit. [ she chuckles and moves a stray strand of hair aside. ] I might consider wearing flats next time. [ falling into the lake is not something she'd like to ever do again, so it'll definitely get some serious thought. ]

I think you're probably going to want to change too, since it looks like I'm getting you all wet. Here's to hoping neither of us catch a cold.

[toten_sie]

You'll consider it and then do something else.

[ It's said with affection. ]

And yes, I'll change when we get in. You'd worry if I got a cold.

[ceoinstilettos]

[ she’s got to chuckle at that, because he’s not exactly wrong. heels are a habit, and strangely enough she doesn’t find them that uncomfortable… at least not anymore. ] You know me too well.