doubledollar | IC INBOX

[Aw yes, she gets to help!]

Okay! Just tell me what we need to do.

[For the garden. Which admittedly might be on hold for the moment while they discuss her bookshelf ambitions.]

[That's a yes? Yes! Eve is so excited.]

You think so too? Jun mentioned I should decorate the room with what makes me happy. And so far nothing makes me happier than books. [Other than Sven and her Kaisou dads.]

Jun probably won't mind either way. He seemed familiar with the teapot. He just wants to know when you'd be able to get it.

Jun is absolutely right. It's your room now, I'd like for you to put whatever you want in it. ...Except wild animals. Those go outside. Kuroneko and most of the Pokemon can go inside, though.

[ but he digresses. ]

If books make you happy, we'll have to get you a whole bunch. Maybe we should take a trip to a library soon... or maybe a used book store?

[ he shakes his head!!! anyway. ]

We'll discuss the garden and what needs done when we get back. They can wait till later. I'm ready to go visit Jun now and grab that bookshelf whenever's best for him.

I'll just put the teapot in my bag and we can ride Brad out into the city.

But I don't have any animals. Those are all yours.

[She just has her robot friend Pod.]

Whatever I want... [Spoken like a whole world has opened up to her. While Sven and crew did their best to give Eve chances at self expression, like her allowance, they had limited funds and space. What would she want in a room? Books, obviously, but is there anything besides books?] ...I could have a reading space, just for me.

[One day she might indulge more hobbies, but for now... the books win.]

The library! I want to show Nico the books I discovered there. [A book store is always tempting, her usual haunt back home. (See aforementioned allowance.) Not as economical though, so she hesitates.] Can we go book shopping?

[Do they have the funds? She would very much love it if they could.]

[Hold on, what was that? "When we get back?"]

What? Right now? [That was faster than expected. Eve underestimated the persuasive power of being little and cute.] I guess I'll let Jun know.

[She gets out her phone to message Jun. See when he is available.]

You live here now, so they're your pets now, too. That's how it works! Maybe Kuroneko might want to nap on your lap while you're reading one day, who knows.

[ family pets are family pets. ]

And absolutely. We could make you a little space in your room with a table, a cozy chair... if you get enough books, we can get you a second bookshelf later. But let's work on the one Jun's hands first.

[ he's gonna move to pick up his side-bag, carefully picking up the teapot to place it inside. He knows--the shopkeeper he bought it off--that those inside won't feel any change in the scenery inside when the teapot is moved, but he's still decidedly careful. ]

Right now! No time like the present and all that! Unless Jun isn't available.

And if nothing else, we can definitely go book shopping today, too.
I've seen more than one used book store on my way to work.

Is that how it works?

[Seriously? Once you're staying in the house, the creatures there are yours? What is pet ownership, this seems too easy. Eve wouldn't know since the sweepers were traveling too regularly to take care of a pet. The cat wanting lap naps isn't surprising, cats will go pretty much anywhere.]

[Oh that's... more concrete plans than Eve originally had. When asked what she wanted, her thoughts felt nebulous. Yet now, her vague idea is quickly taking form.]

One bookshelf would probably be plenty. I only have a handful of books right now.

[A selection of chapter books, plus one on different fighting styles. A gift.]

Oh.

Okay then! It's a trip.

[She doesn't expect Jun to be free on such short notice, but if they go book shopping that's a net win for her.]

[Eve checks as her phone pings. Her eyes blink in moderate surprise.]

Jun says he can be ready in a couple hours?

Absolutely how it works. They're not fully your responsibility--we still all pitch in to take care of them, but.

[ seriously! eve doesnt have to feel like she's a stranger just sharing space--she's family, and vash is gonna' make sure she one day realises it. At her own pace, of course. ]

A couple of hours sounds great. Gives us time to go book shopping and the like.

Ooh... I'll take good care of them.

[She's trusting Vash on this, Eve doesn't know enough about pet norms. So unfortunately she also doesn't realize this is specifically a sign of being family. Something to discover one day.]

Alright. I'll let him know.

[She's typing now.]

[ he's busying himself getting a few things packed up for the trip--mostly just some extra saddlebags on Brad so they could carry the books back. Carefully tying the bag with the teapot in against the bird's side, giving the creature a big scroofle on the top of its head as he unhooks him from the little hand-made corral he and wolfwood had built for the creature.

He's gonna trot the thing out to the gate exiting the garden before getting him to sit, so he and evie could clamber up onto the big creature.

Even with Vash's added height, they should both still be able to fit. fortunately. ]

I know you rode him before, when I walked you to the garden for the first time.
But are you ready to see how good he runs?

[Eve gets a light hoodie and puts it on, ready for the early fall outdoors. On the way back out, she does poke her head in the kitchen to see (or more likely ask) if there's anything obviously missing. In case they swing by the grocery store on their shopping trip.]

[So practical, even on a fun trip for her.]

[Now outside, she watches at a respectful distance as Vash readies Brad. So far all the creatures here have been remarkably fond of Eve. (Because of Kaisou's animal love gacha, unbeknownst to her.) Yet the Thomas is still much bigger than her, and thus she remains cautious when approaching the bird.]

[At least Thomas travel is familiar this time. She knows what to expect. Eve sits on the saddle, ready and waiting for Vash.]

[But then Vash throws in another curve ball with that question. Is she ready?]

Uh... yes?

[This feels like a trap. But Eve isn't about to back down!]

[ it's not a trap, it's definitely not a trap. But unlike last time, where he'd slowly walked Eve into the garden by walking side-by-side with the animal, when Vash climbs up to sit behind her on the saddle--he's quick to grip the reins and give them a tug.

This prompts the bird to get up onto its tall, caber-like legs.

And when Vash gives the reins a little snap...

...It starts on a run almost three times as fast as what she's experienced before.

If she's never ridden a horse, it's definitely a bit of a bumpy ride--but fortunately, the saddle is designed in the front to be used to hold onto. That, and Vash has his arms positioned in a way to cage her in a little--to keep her safe as the creature takes off at a rapid pace.

Once the initial shock of the takeoff is over, maybe she'll enjoy the speed and gallop of the beast. Riding a Thomas can be pretty fun, after all. ]

[Her perspective shifts as Brad stands, bringing a glimpse of the view up high. Something Vash is probably used to seeing, gangly legs and all. But it's still novel for Eve. Not so high up that everything looks small (like when she's flying), but enough that things don't tower over her to the same degree. So far everything about this trip is as she remembers.]

[And then the reins snap.]

Wah-!

[Eve yelps as the bird jolts forward. She was already holding onto the saddle like last time she rode, but suddenly she's GRIPPING much tighter, both hands clinging on to steady herself. The back of her head jostles back from the inertia, bopping against Vash's chest where it stops short. A small reminder that Vash is there, being his usual protective self.]

[As the first rush of adrenaline starts to subside, she starts actually noticing the scenery flying past. Reminds her of riding the motorcycle, but taller. Is it fun? Maybe, a bit like flying, but she's a little preoccupied atm with the sheer speed which she can't control.]

So fast!

[ It is fast, right??? It's a bumpier ride than a car or motorcycle is--and maybe it's not as fast at cruising speed, but there's definitely something different about being on the back of some big animal instead of a motor vehicle? It bumps and jumps differently, and you really have to hang on.

Vash gives a loud, whooping laugh. ]

He's got some good legs on him, right? I think he loves running on pavement--he's so much more used to shifty sand, it must be a relaxing difference not to belel--pPfhh!

[ oop.

he coughs suddenly. ]

--Sorry. Swallowed a bug, I think.

[Well, someone's enjoying this, that's for certain. Vash's enthusiasm is outright impossible to ignore, even while Eve is holding on for dear life. She can hear him talking a mile a minute when he suddenly cuts off and starts coughing. Eve's momentary concern lasts a good minute before he finally speaks again.]

[Ah yes, no windshield.]

A risk when you talk so much.

[Did she intend to be so blunt? Maybe, maybe not.]

[It's a mystery]

--If I don't talk, I'll die. For real.

[ not for real. he's definitely being dramatic, but. he really is a chatterbox who seems to run on energy and chatter alone, right? Right?

Brad has at least reached a stride, and the rough ride has started to become smoother, if only because it's easier to get used to the rhythm of the beast's big feet slapping on the pavement underneath them as the city grows closer and closer. ]

So, do you have any books in mind for your collection start?

[Eve stares into the middle distance.]

[She's absolutely seen him having quiet moments around the cottage, rare as they might be. Why u lying plant man]

[Eve gradually gets more comfortable with the bird's fast speed. Just as their destination starts coming into view, and Vash reminds her of their intended goal]

Mm... Well, Vergil and Jun already offered me fiction books, so maybe scientific texts?

[he's serious, he's so serious!!!!

maybe he had his moments of long quiet--but truth be told, he also thought noone ever saw him when he was like that. ...he's not sneaky at all. he just thinks that he is. ]

Hmmm, like some books on Biology or Chemistry? Maybe some books about nature....
Those'd be fun, yeah?

[Press x to doubt]

[Vash is the least sneaky, even with Wolfwood's giant cross he carries everywhere.]

Yes! Maybe we can find a general reference book... or something more specific. I could learn more about DNA sequencing.

[Why would a twelve year old need to know that???]

[ that's definitely a weirdass subject for a kid. However, this is Vash, and he's not exactly your normal sort of person. That sounds like a book Kni would be interested in, truth be told. ]

Sounds like a pretty heavy sort of study. You wanna' be a scientist one day?

Not... really? I still want to be a bounty hunter, but I find science books quite engaging.

[Eve does not realize yet that she was cloned from a scientist, which might explain a bit.]

[Then, after a beat:]

...I also want to learn more about how my powers work. I only heard a little when the researchers talked around me, about nanomachines affecting DNA. If I understood how, maybe I could find new things I can do with them.

--Oh! You know, that's actually a really great idea.

I don't know too much about nanomachines myself, but. Maybe there'll be some books about them available at the library.

Is it a common technology from Earth? I only really had a year to learn from the computers up on the spaceship I was born on, so I never really got very far into science.

I mostly read a lot of fairy tales...

[She shakes her head.]

I don't think so. So far I haven't heard of anyone using them in Kaisou.

...I'm not even sure how common it was on my Earth.

[Outside the research facility, only her Sweeper group and the Taoists seem to bring up nanomachines. And usually in the context of her. Who knows how much the average person knows.]

Hmm.
I can't say I know a lot about nanotechnology. I know I read something about it...

...But. My brain is soupy and full of holes, I forgot what it was. The name still rings a bell, though...

[ hm. ]

I wonder if we'll be able to find a book about them.

Even if you could remember, it might have been different than my kind of nanotech. Different worlds.

[Same way there are so many different kinds of magic powers here other than Tao.]

It's worth trying.

[She's hoping, but knows it'll be a long shot.]

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