themainframe | 23 Butterflies

[The feed comes to life as Sprout rubs the back of her head, looking a little embarrassed.]

So uh...hey guys...

[While not entirely whispering, she does seem to be making an effort to keep her voice down.]

So...sorry that we uh...disappeared for a bit. The three of us kinda got...swept up in a data stream that dropped us off in some forest...without the D-Terminal, conveniently. [You can hear the sarcasm dripping in her voice.]

We just got back...like literally just got back. Seems we missed a bunch'a stuff, huh?

[Her expression sobers for a moment.] Looks like a lotta people left, huh? [Sprout glances behind her with a bit of a concerned expression, and her next words sound more like she's talking to herself.] Hope she doesn't get too upset...

[Then she clears her throat, turning back to the camera.] So yeah, uh...Just wanted to let you guys know Fluttershy's back, safe and sound. She's doing okay, nothing some days resting up won't fix.

...Oh yeah...Chris, if you uh...whenever you see this, mind giving us a call? I think Fluttershy wanted to ask you something...

[As Sprout moves to turn the D-Terminal off, there's a brief glimpse of Fluttershy - a little scratched up but on the whole looking all right - on the screen behind her, lying in bed with Choco sleeping against her side and a rabbit plush tucked in her arms as she slept.]

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I-I...wouldn't want you guys to trouble yourselves...

[He waved a hand, snickering.] Naah, it's fine. We made plans to return to there eventually, to refuel anyway.

Mm...okay...

But after you gather more supplies...you'll be leaving again?

.....I guess so, yeah.

I know we said we'd spend more time together, but-

I-I know... [It's hard to tell what she was thinking as she said that, but whatever it might have been was gone as she cleared her throat.]

D...Do you think...I-I...we could maybe...go with you guys next time you go...?

I-If...that's all right, I mean...I-If not that...th-that's okay too...

Edited 2014-03-01 08:14 (UTC)

[It's a good thing she interrupted him, because he'd honestly had no idea where he'd been going with that. "But what we're doing is important?" "Is going to come first?" "Is too hard to interrupt?" None of them all that good sounding, or all that true. So he was glad for the interruption, even if what is was came as a surprise.]

Really??

[She might have taken his response in a different way, judging from how she flinches a little and shrinks back a bit.]

I-I just thought...s-since you asked me if I wanted to...t-to go with you before...I-If you don't want me to anymore, I-I understand...

Oh, nono, having you along would be- great!

I'm just... a little surprised you decided to come after all. You seemed a little reluctant, to uhh... [Minorest of throat clearings.]

What changed your mind?

[While she seemed a little relieved that he would still want her to join him, his question has her hesitating again. She can't help glancing away, subconsciously hugging the rabbit plush a little closer.]

Wh-When the...the data stream picked us up...we got sent to...to some kind of forest...And...we were just so lost, and...I-I didn't know what to...t-to do...

[It seems she's not entirely okay after the trip, after all.]

Oh no...

You're alright though, right?

[She nodded, though her eyes seemed suspiciously wet as she sniffled a little.]

Y-Yeah we're...w-we're okay... [She sounded a small, humorless laugh.] Didn't break anything this time, at least...

I-I just...I had no idea what to do...even though this was the...the second time I've gotten lost like that...I...I was starting to worry I wouldn't make it back...

I'm.. I'm really glad you did make it back... [He doesn't know what he'd do if Fluttershy wound up hurt because of something he could prevent...

That he could......

With a blink he raised his head slightly, looking at her.]

You.. want us to teach you wilderness survival, don't you?

Edited 2014-03-01 08:50 (UTC)

[She hesitantly glanced up at him.]

I-If it's...not too much trouble...

Aha, no trouble at all! [He gave her a pleasant smile, clearly eager to be able to do this.]

Wouldn't want that to happen again.

[She sighed softly.]

It's happened twice already...I'm just lucky nothing broke this time...

Yeah.. But once we teach you a few things, you won't have to worry about that again.

[That gets a smile from her, however small.] Thanks, Chris...

Are you sure Martin will be okay with me coming along, though?

Yeah, 'course he will! We've been talking about traveling with others since the very beginning.

[She nods.] Okay...If you're sure...

Hundred percent.

All right...thanks, Chris.

You're welcome, Fluttershy.

[Beat.]

And hey, at least it makes the "spending time together" bit easier.

[She giggles a little.] That is true...

[She won't say it, but that was another push toward convincing her to travel with them.]

[He snickered a little, but any further comment was cut off by a sudden face popping around from behind him.]

You know, he really missed you, Fluttershy!

[Chris has turned Nes' way sharply, which is echoed by a turn the other way when Sylvia appears on his other side.]

Ohhhh, yes. [She giggled.] It doesn't come up during the day, but when he talks to us at night, he mentions you a lot~

[Icon, Chris.]

[Fluttershy blinks, a dark blush appearing on her cheeks.]

O-Oh...r-really...?

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