Room 504, Saturday Evening

[intraspective]

It had been the sort of day where all she'd wanted to do was hide away and not talk to any one (Zack was the sole exception to that) and Ino was feeling quietly pleased with the fact that her day had gone exactly as planned.

She wasn't exactly in a good mood, no, but it had settled into something vaguely… calm. Calm was a good word. She would go with that.

Now, after showering and changing into her jammies even though Ino didn't think she'd be going to sleep any time soon, she curled up on her bed with a book and devoted herself to reading it just to pass the time.

That was all right, wasn't it? She thought so.

[For one and SP, la.]

Comments

[intraspective]

"Because happiness means mental stability," she said flatly. "You want to wallow in self pity and woe is me when there's nothing actually bad happening? What do you do when something is wrong, then? Reach critical mass and kill everyone? Ain't something you'd like to live with, I'm sure."

[furnaceface]

//I don't wallow,// Jono protested, thus demonstrating that he was, in fact, in supreme denial. //And I am happy, I think. Usually. There are things I miss. Eating, breathing, kissing. Swimsuits in th'summertime. Standing in shopping lines back home without being spat on. But, all things considered, I am happy.//

He had Didi. He had friends, here, and a place to stay that didn't chase him off because he was a hideous, malformed, burning freak of nature. That was cause to be happy, at least.

[intraspective]

Ino gave him a long considering look.

"I think you don't want to be, not really."

Then she stood, turning her back to him and stretching a bit. It was late, she was tired.

It wasn't her problem, was it?

"You still owe me," Ino added, "for the bet we made in the cabins."

[furnaceface]

And zip went Jono's jacket, or what was left of it, and as he stood, it was with his bandages in hand.

//I've been practising,// he stated, eyes on the floor again. //I was going to settle for one song, but I might have gotten carried away.//

It was entirely possible that he'd gone right ahead and learned an entire album in a fit of boredom at work one day.

[intraspective]

"Oh?" she asked, flopping down on her bed. "Does that mean you're sayin' I ought to be prepared to lose?"

[furnaceface]

And for possibly the first time since he'd stepped into the room, Jono allowed himself not only to look up, but also to try a smile on for size.

//To lose horribly,// he confirmed.

[intraspective]

"I'm looking forward to it," she said, smiling back. "What songs?"

So she could sing along, yes. Shut up.

[furnaceface]

//You know that Ikimono-Gakari album that you came in looking for, that once? Hajimari no Uta?//

He only stumbled on the pronunciation a little!

And he left that statement at that, yes.

[intraspective]

Her eyebrows went up as she grinned at him.

"Seriously?"

[furnaceface]

//Why not? It passed th'time.//

Yes. Absolutely. And he was totally bragging, now, too.

//And it isn't bad music, really. And it was a welcome challenge.//

[intraspective]

"Oh, I see," she said, shaking her head. "You're just going to expect me to stroke your ego, huh?"

[furnaceface]

//Well, of course not,// Jono admonished, waving a dismissive hand about in the air. The one that wasn't currently holding on to the bandages with the meaty chunks of his shoulder stuck on. //You have to at least listen to make certain I do it any justice first, of course.//

[intraspective]

"Of course, of course," she said, amused and rolling her eyes. "Got a time and place in mind?"

[furnaceface]

//Nothing set in stone, really. Unless you happened to be free Tuesday. I'll have my guitar with me at work, as usual.//

[intraspective]

"I'll see if I can wander over there on my lunch break," she said, glad to have another distraction lined up.

Ino's reasoning for things was a bit... broken these days.

[furnaceface]

//If it doesn't work out, then whenever, really,// Jono decided, shrugging. //After classes, after work. My schedule is more or less open, unless something comes up, after all.//

[intraspective]

"I'll keep that in mind." Ino studied him for a few moments. "Try an' have a good night, yeah?"

[furnaceface]

//I'll try,// Jono agreed. And then he looked down at the mess in his hand, holding it up in a futile sort of gesture that really said nothing at all. //I'm sorry about...//

Interrupting her?

//I mean... Thank you again, for...//

For being sane?

//... Good night, Ino.//

[intraspective]

"Good night, Jono," she said softly. "You're welcome."