huh??? yeah im at my house but you cant just invite yourself over im not ready!
[Well he stops electrocuting himself for now, at least, to unplug that from the wall and shove it into hiding somewhere. His hands are a little scuffed up, and his clothes are kind of sweaty but maybe that's ok...
[It takes her a few extra minutes to get to Killua's than it usually does. Before running over she picks out a carton of ice cream and some dvds of dumb comedies left over by previous housemates. Mabel doesn't know the exact protocol for when best friends and siblings are ported out, but she does know a heck of a lot about breakups. And sudden disappearances are kind of like breakups, right?
So eventually there's a knock on Killua's door and a yell:] Killua! Hey, Killua!
[Killua needed all that time to effectively hide the dangerous wire cut from a lamp and the gifts he'd gotten for her for Christmas away in his closet. Along with anything else that was probably embarrassing and lying around, like a comic or magazine or two.
At the yell, he tries his best to run his hands through static charged hair and try to make it stand up a little less as he slides down the banister to the door. Not much luck.
He opens the door anyway, looking a little baffled still that Mabel decided to rush over-- but moreso now at whatever she brought. He's in a baggy, white tank top and some simple cargo pants, so at least he's not a fashion disaster today aside from a little extra life in his hair.]
Hey, Mabel... What's all that? [Letting go of the door, he steps back a few steps in implication that she can head on in.]
[She heads in, too restrained to skip or run. Serious matters mean serious walks.] Friendship materials! Which is mostly triple chocolate brownie ice cream. It's a foolproof method of dealing with any negative feeling a person could have.
[Mabel looks him over, inspecting him for signs of sadness. The outfit isn't as bad at it could be, which might be a good sign or a bad sign in terms of how he's taking care of himself. When she notices his hair, though, she grins. ]
[Friendship materials... It's so bizarre. He looks surprised, but shortly after she explains the type of ice cream and the reasoning, he's smiling fondly. He's not alone here after all. That's what he's been learning slowly.
As far as 'signs of sadness' go, he's pretty good at looking pulled together in everything except for his eyes. Anyone familiar with looking for the signs in that, or subtle clues, would probably be able to see that he's pretty heart broken. (Yes, it's to that extreme.)
That question, though, snaps him right out of any fondness and back into shock.]
W-why would I do that?! [With a grumpiness that's normal from him when hanging out at school, he ruffles his own hair again, small shocks and zaps audible from it.] It's nothing!
[What a great liar.] More importantly, I want some of that ice cream. Let's have it right away.
Because it's funny! I used to do it all the time. But your hair has way more zap to it than mine ever did.... [It's worrying that Mabel can even tell how's he feeling. Normally Killua's so cool and confident-- not being able to cover up how sad he is means this isn't just bad. It's giant evil robots, evil triangles, all glitter is banned forever levels of bad.
Obviously she needs to be as distracting and whimsical as possible.]
Good idea! Otherwise it's gonna melt and that would suck since I didn't bring any straws.
Haha... [It's nice that Mabel is doing this, even if being aware that she's here to cheer him up does some damage to his pride. It's still relaxing. He can settle into a usual role and try to forget about the not-so-great stuff a little more.]
Come on, the kitchen is this way, so I'll get us some bowls. Have I been missing out on a lot at school? I can probably still pass as long as I show up for the tests... Not that it matters or anything.
You've missed some stuff but everybody's focused on the holiday break! You can borrow my notes if there's anything you really want to know about. [After they're heavily edited and rewritten and all the embarrassing doodles are removed.]
But yeah, I guess it doesn't matter. [She looks around at his kitchen with interest, dumping her bag of stuff on the table and wrestling the lid off the ice cream.] Saving people and making friends and having super cool adventures, that's what matters!
Hmm, I haven't been able to do much of those, though. I made friends, at least.
[But the adventure part... They caught an alligator? That's about it. Moving across the kitchen with practiced ease, he tiptoes to get into the cabinets and pull out a couple of bowls. From there, it's the spoons, the ice cream scoop, and-- ah, it seems he has toppings available, too.]
You helped save people in the maze! Who knows what those guys you fought would've done if you hadn't been there?
[She bounces a little bit in anticipation. She grabs the scoop and starts dividing the ice cream into two bowls, making sure the one Killua gets has the most.]
I guess most of this stuff doesn't count as an adventure to you, though, since your life is so exciting and cool all the time.
Actually, I don't really think I was helpful in the maze, either...
[Everyone helped themselves in the end, didn't they? Mabel included. He makes a face like he's troubled by this memory (Kite was there, too), but that fades soon enough into something a little more neutral.]
I wouldn't really say my life is cool either. [What? Denying something about himself as cool? He sorts out the syrup and cookie crumbs on the counter, watching Mabel with interest.]
My family's nuts, my big brother is a total creep and hangs out with an even bigger freak that likes following me and Gon around, and we're always getting involved in dangerous, uncool things! ...It's kind of tiring.
[ Her enthusiasm for the toppings dies down as Killua starts describing his life back home. By the time he admits how tiring it is, she's stopped paying any attention to the ice cream at all.]
That's... [Depressing? Disheartening? Mabel had no idea Killua had all that to deal with. Sure, she knew about his assassin background, but... this isn't what she was picturing. She thought it was romantic and cool-- this is complicated. This might be a challenge to fix.]
...yeah. It sounds tiring. Why's your brother a creep? [Mabel hopes it's because of his internet search history or an inappropriate crush on a teenager. Those, at least, she knows how to deal with.]
[His internet search history is probably a lot of rich old guys... Still weird, but not quite what Killua's talking about here. He blinks, wondering how far he should get into this with Mabel. She seems a lot more innocent, and honestly, he's not sure how to handle it. Talking to his sister is one thing, but to another girl?]
He's always trying to control me. Following me around and telling me that friends are useless and bad for me, and that I'd just end up hurting them. He's upset that I quit being an assassin, I think.
[For a second Mabel's just stunned. It's always a little difficult for her to see siblings who aren't as close as her and Dipper, but she's gotten used to it. Sometimes brothers and sisters just don't get along as well as they do. But there's a huge difference between a brother who calls his brother names and one who's actively trying to ruin his whole life!
The shock doesn't last for more than a second before she gets angry. Mabel jabs her spoon in the air, as if Killua's brother is right there and silverware is any kind of effective weapon at all.]
He what!?! What the heck, your brother is the biggest jerk! [Now she's waving the spoon around for emphasis, her voice just a little big shoutier than strictly necessary.] What a huge liar! You'd only hurt your friends if you did what he wanted, and like he'd know about friendship and stuff if all he does is hang around with creepy people and try to make your life suck!
[Her outburst actually startles Killua. Thoroughly distracted by her motions, he steps back the slightest bit from her spoon waving, his shocked expression slowly fading into something honestly torn.
He agrees with her. He's always complained about it, since he grew old enough to realize how restricting it was. But somehow now, self doubt nagged at the back of his mind. The constant thoughts and desires to run didn't help, and a recent decision to abandon a friend to die in order to carry Gon away had sealed the deal. He was troubled over all of this, and Illumi's face was tied to it all.
But--]
Do you ever feel scared? [He asks this out of nowhere, soft and curious, but toned just casually enough to sound like he doesn't mind if the answer goes one way or the other.] That I've killed a bunch of people. Does it ever feel like I could hurt you?
[That's what he's worried about. He'd never do it-- but his brother keeps warning that it'll happen anyway. And with recent news from Hisoka about Gon...]
I-- what? [She calms down at his question, confusion all over her face. Did he really just ask her that?] Of course not!
[The answer is a reflex-- she's never even considered being scared of him. Killua's her friend.
He's killed people, though... she thinks back, to all the times she's seen him fight. Killua's strong, definitely. Like, way stronger than anybody she's ever met, and probably much stronger than any of the weird terrifying stuff she's seen in Gravity Falls. Even knowing that, though, she can't even bring herself to be nervous around him.
Mabel shakes her head forcefully.]
No way! I don't think you ever would, so I never worry about it. You're my friend, Killua-- I trust you!
[She says it confidently, like there's no other option. He's a good guy, case closed.]
[He watches his owm hands as she reacts, curling his fingers one by one. The answer was so immediate, but he can't say he's surprised by the answer. Worry lifts but an imprint remains in the back of his mind with the rest. Raising that hand, he rubs at his forehead a little, pausing when Mabel speaks those last words so confidently.
He looks over like he's caught off guard before blinking away to try and hide the smallest bit of blush at his cheeks.]
Y-yeah. Well, good! We're friends! [It's amazing to think that he can have people like this around him. How? He swore with everything in his soul that he'd never hurt a friend, but fear can linger when all the powerful adults around him press this into him. For now, though, he lets it fade away, a smile slowly taking over the sheepish look on his face.
He looks back to her now.] Let's hurry and have some ice cream before it melts!
[She smiles at him in return, full of relief. If he's anything like Dipper (and he is pretty fond of long-winded explanations of stuff, so yeah, they do have a thing or two in common) then he'll probably need multiple reassurances, but that's okay. Mabel's not sure if awkward friend hugs are a thing, but she might need to make it a thing.
And, privately, she promises herself if she ever meets Killua's brother she is going to give him a piece of her mind. The jerk!!]
Yeah! And then we'll do cool, non-dangerous and fun things. Since you're on vacation from school, you need to make the most of it.
[Mabel no... that's not a good idea to have in mind ever.]
Yeah!
[Building up from the optimistic excitement, Killua beams, himself. Sticking a spoon into each bowl, he helps finish up with the toppings before putting them away. From there, he grabs his own bowl and moves to the table, hopping into one of the seats there.]
Hmm. [Eventually, he's thinking, the spoon hanging out of his mouth and wiggling a little as idly lets one of his legs swing forward and back.] But what sort of things could we do? What do you usually do for fun, Mabel?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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yeah im fine sorry mabel
i guess youve noticed gon got ported out right
my little sister too
i havent really felt like school so ive been training
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i didn't know about your sister though, i'm sorry
you've really just been training?? all alone?
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but usually alone yeah
not many people know about nen here so i have to work on that myself
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i mean it CAN be but it shouldn't be??
are you training right now
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yeah i am
[He's electrocuting himself right now, it's great.]
what else am i gonna do
i need to be ready for anything
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You have to take breaks sometimes!!
are you training at your house?
you better be at your house because i am on my way right now
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yeah im at my house but you cant just invite yourself over im not ready!
[Well he stops electrocuting himself for now, at least, to unplug that from the wall and shove it into hiding somewhere. His hands are a little scuffed up, and his clothes are kind of sweaty but maybe that's ok...
He was not ready for a visit.]
text -> perma action
[It takes her a few extra minutes to get to Killua's than it usually does. Before running over she picks out a carton of ice cream and some dvds of dumb comedies left over by previous housemates. Mabel doesn't know the exact protocol for when best friends and siblings are ported out, but she does know a heck of a lot about breakups. And sudden disappearances are kind of like breakups, right?
So eventually there's a knock on Killua's door and a yell:] Killua! Hey, Killua!
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At the yell, he tries his best to run his hands through static charged hair and try to make it stand up a little less as he slides down the banister to the door. Not much luck.
He opens the door anyway, looking a little baffled still that Mabel decided to rush over-- but moreso now at whatever she brought. He's in a baggy, white tank top and some simple cargo pants, so at least he's not a fashion disaster today aside from a little extra life in his hair.]
Hey, Mabel... What's all that? [Letting go of the door, he steps back a few steps in implication that she can head on in.]
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[Mabel looks him over, inspecting him for signs of sadness. The outfit isn't as bad at it could be, which might be a good sign or a bad sign in terms of how he's taking care of himself. When she notices his hair, though, she grins.
]
--are you rubbing balloons on your hair?
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As far as 'signs of sadness' go, he's pretty good at looking pulled together in everything except for his eyes. Anyone familiar with looking for the signs in that, or subtle clues, would probably be able to see that he's pretty heart broken. (Yes, it's to that extreme.)
That question, though, snaps him right out of any fondness and back into shock.]
W-why would I do that?! [With a grumpiness that's normal from him when hanging out at school, he ruffles his own hair again, small shocks and zaps audible from it.] It's nothing!
[What a great liar.] More importantly, I want some of that ice cream. Let's have it right away.
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Obviously she needs to be as distracting and whimsical as possible.]
Good idea! Otherwise it's gonna melt and that would suck since I didn't bring any straws.
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Come on, the kitchen is this way, so I'll get us some bowls. Have I been missing out on a lot at school? I can probably still pass as long as I show up for the tests... Not that it matters or anything.
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But yeah, I guess it doesn't matter. [She looks around at his kitchen with interest, dumping her bag of stuff on the table and wrestling the lid off the ice cream.] Saving people and making friends and having super cool adventures, that's what matters!
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[But the adventure part... They caught an alligator? That's about it. Moving across the kitchen with practiced ease, he tiptoes to get into the cabinets and pull out a couple of bowls. From there, it's the spoons, the ice cream scoop, and-- ah, it seems he has toppings available, too.]
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[She bounces a little bit in anticipation. She grabs the scoop and starts dividing the ice cream into two bowls, making sure the one Killua gets has the most.]
I guess most of this stuff doesn't count as an adventure to you, though, since your life is so exciting and cool all the time.
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[Everyone helped themselves in the end, didn't they? Mabel included. He makes a face like he's troubled by this memory (Kite was there, too), but that fades soon enough into something a little more neutral.]
I wouldn't really say my life is cool either. [What? Denying something about himself as cool? He sorts out the syrup and cookie crumbs on the counter, watching Mabel with interest.]
My family's nuts, my big brother is a total creep and hangs out with an even bigger freak that likes following me and Gon around, and we're always getting involved in dangerous, uncool things! ...It's kind of tiring.
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That's... [Depressing? Disheartening? Mabel had no idea Killua had all that to deal with. Sure, she knew about his assassin background, but... this isn't what she was picturing. She thought it was romantic and cool-- this is complicated. This might be a challenge to fix.]
...yeah. It sounds tiring. Why's your brother a creep? [Mabel hopes it's because of his internet search history or an inappropriate crush on a teenager. Those, at least, she knows how to deal with.]
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He's always trying to control me. Following me around and telling me that friends are useless and bad for me, and that I'd just end up hurting them. He's upset that I quit being an assassin, I think.
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The shock doesn't last for more than a second before she gets angry. Mabel jabs her spoon in the air, as if Killua's brother is right there and silverware is any kind of effective weapon at all.]
He what!?! What the heck, your brother is the biggest jerk! [Now she's waving the spoon around for emphasis, her voice just a little big shoutier than strictly necessary.] What a huge liar! You'd only hurt your friends if you did what he wanted, and like he'd know about friendship and stuff if all he does is hang around with creepy people and try to make your life suck!
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He agrees with her. He's always complained about it, since he grew old enough to realize how restricting it was. But somehow now, self doubt nagged at the back of his mind. The constant thoughts and desires to run didn't help, and a recent decision to abandon a friend to die in order to carry Gon away had sealed the deal. He was troubled over all of this, and Illumi's face was tied to it all.
But--]
Do you ever feel scared? [He asks this out of nowhere, soft and curious, but toned just casually enough to sound like he doesn't mind if the answer goes one way or the other.] That I've killed a bunch of people. Does it ever feel like I could hurt you?
[That's what he's worried about. He'd never do it-- but his brother keeps warning that it'll happen anyway. And with recent news from Hisoka about Gon...]
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[The answer is a reflex-- she's never even considered being scared of him. Killua's her friend.
He's killed people, though... she thinks back, to all the times she's seen him fight. Killua's strong, definitely. Like, way stronger than anybody she's ever met, and probably much stronger than any of the weird terrifying stuff she's seen in Gravity Falls. Even knowing that, though, she can't even bring herself to be nervous around him.
Mabel shakes her head forcefully.]
No way! I don't think you ever would, so I never worry about it. You're my friend, Killua-- I trust you!
[She says it confidently, like there's no other option. He's a good guy, case closed.]
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He looks over like he's caught off guard before blinking away to try and hide the smallest bit of blush at his cheeks.]
Y-yeah. Well, good! We're friends! [It's amazing to think that he can have people like this around him. How? He swore with everything in his soul that he'd never hurt a friend, but fear can linger when all the powerful adults around him press this into him. For now, though, he lets it fade away, a smile slowly taking over the sheepish look on his face.
He looks back to her now.] Let's hurry and have some ice cream before it melts!
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And, privately, she promises herself if she ever meets Killua's brother she is going to give him a piece of her mind. The jerk!!]
Yeah! And then we'll do cool, non-dangerous and fun things. Since you're on vacation from school, you need to make the most of it.
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Yeah!
[Building up from the optimistic excitement, Killua beams, himself. Sticking a spoon into each bowl, he helps finish up with the toppings before putting them away. From there, he grabs his own bowl and moves to the table, hopping into one of the seats there.]
Hmm. [Eventually, he's thinking, the spoon hanging out of his mouth and wiggling a little as idly lets one of his legs swing forward and back.] But what sort of things could we do? What do you usually do for fun, Mabel?
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