[Hmm. Typically, Val only picks up on mood shifts when she’s in interrogation mode; otherwise, she’s usually busy steamrolling them. Maybe it’s this lovely weather, which sure is weather-ing, that gives her pause.
[Maybe… Dera is starting to freak out…?]
[Val frowns, mildly concerned. Not so much with what he’s talking about, though.] I mean, I never freak out— Well, no. I do. I do freak out. [Like she very well could have, in Void-Mart!] But getting zapped somewhere new for no reason? Kind of exciting, I think!
[She flicks a hand.] I get why you’d be concerned, though. If that helps.
[At this, he sort of...shrugs and nods at the same time. He is freaking out a little bit, but to his credit, he's keeping his emotions in check just fine.]
It kinda helps, yeah.
You're right, though. Like...I'm still not convinced I'm not dreaming. That's how...insane this is.
[Fuck. It's better than sitting at home and staring at the wall every night. He feels himself frown, lips quirking slightly to the side.
[Val’s not sure what to say after that; Dera’s mood seems to do another couple little flips of its own accord. She is reminded, again, that dealing with Real Flesh-and-Blood People™ is a strange experience. (Is it, though? Is Dera’s upset, here and before, really that foreign to her?)]
[All that aside, his request hits like a block to the face.]
[Oof. Rejected? His anxiety is outmatched only by his need to not appear like a complete loser; that need is being neglected, because he really, really does not want to be alone in this place - even if this particular corner of it does look like Home.
[It feels polite to argue and say something along the lines of, "No way, Val. I would still totally think you were cool no matter what world we were in." It feels disingenuous. Maybe she's insane. Maybe she's trying to destroy her world. Maybe she's a super scary villain who just happens to be kind of nice. Better than a super scary villain who's also really mean.
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[Hmm. Typically, Val only picks up on mood shifts when she’s in interrogation mode; otherwise, she’s usually busy steamrolling them. Maybe it’s this lovely weather, which sure is weather-ing, that gives her pause.
[Maybe… Dera is starting to freak out…?]
[Val frowns, mildly concerned. Not so much with what he’s talking about, though.] I mean, I never freak out— Well, no. I do. I do freak out. [Like she very well could have, in Void-Mart!] But getting zapped somewhere new for no reason? Kind of exciting, I think!
[She flicks a hand.] I get why you’d be concerned, though. If that helps.
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It kinda helps, yeah.
You're right, though. Like...I'm still not convinced I'm not dreaming. That's how...insane this is.
[Fuck. It's better than sitting at home and staring at the wall every night. He feels himself frown, lips quirking slightly to the side.
[He should enjoy this place while he can...
I'm chill. I'm good.
[Pause.]
Stick around and hang out a while though, okay?
[Please don't leave him alone like this...]
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[Huh, that actually worked. Kind of.
[Val’s not sure what to say after that; Dera’s mood seems to do another couple little flips of its own accord. She is reminded, again, that dealing with Real Flesh-and-Blood People™ is a strange experience. (Is it, though? Is Dera’s upset, here and before, really that foreign to her?)]
[All that aside, his request hits like a block to the face.]
…What?
[Baffled. Dumbfounded, even.]
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Would you stay with me? For a while?
Please?
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[Valerie blinks. Jabs a thumb at herself.]
Me?
[Points at the sky, waves around.]
Here?
[And finally, at Dera.]
With you?
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[Besides. He likes Val.]
You know. If you want, yeah. We could hang.
I'd like you to.
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[Val stares at him for a moment longer.]
[Promptly, flicks herself in the side of the head.]
[It does not wake her up.] You’re not kidding!
Wow, I’m sorry! [Sounds more stunned than apologetic, but it’s not false.] You know, no one’s ever asked me to stick around before!
[Is this actually happening?]
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Hmmm. [She glances aside for a moment.] If you were in my world you would not think that!
However… seeing as we are not in that world… [Probably, anyway....]
[Val folds a hand behind her back, and she dips her head in a little bow.]
I would be honored to keep your acquaintance, Dera~!
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[The bow is very charming. Evil super villains don't do cute little bows like that-- although, maybe.]
Sweet deal. We're buds, then.
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[Why not any/all of the above? That Dera is not fake-polite only endears Val to him more, frankly.]
[She goes for a firm, affirmative handshake.]
And so we are buds.