:3

[discomfort]

Comments

[discomfort]

I did not want you to be concerned.

[ again, the only reason he is even admitting to this now is that it is likely going to come up at some point, so it felt better to just admit to it before gregor finds out on his own. ]

[verminous]

I was concerned about you anyway.

[a little shake of his head.]

It wouldn't have just been... out of concern. It would've been because I just didn't want you to have to be alone.

[discomfort]

It is not really something that I mind, Gregor.

[ he reaches over to poke him on the shoulder. ]

I am okay. And delighted to get to spend time with you!

[verminous]

Fine, fine, I'll just mind it for you then...

['that's not how it works' it is now!]

-I am too, though. Glad you didn't make me track you down after all.

[discomfort]

... it would have been funny.

[ don't just admit it ]

[verminous]

See, this is exactly why I halfway figured I was gonna have to.

[BECAUSE OWNER WOULD THINK IT WAS FUNNY]

[discomfort]

We can redo this from the beginning and you can look for me.

[ hide and seek!!! for no reason!!! ]

[verminous]

[pretending to consider this....

and then curling an arm around him.]

We could, but let's not, yeah?

[discomfort]

Ah. Yes, mo--

[ he covers his mouth with his hand, laughing quietly. ]

[verminous]

Again-?! I'm not even doing anything!

[NOOOO DON'T MOM HIM]

[discomfort]

It is the... how did the kids put it? The vibe.

[ his youthful slang knowledge that he rarely uses.

they are much closer to the buildings now though. city! ]

[verminous]

Now, that just doesn't sound right from you.

[(owner voice) oomfie has big babygirl vibes fr

city though!! gregor is looking ahead curiously, peering at it.]

You spend much time here?

[discomfort]

I can be hip if I want to be.

[ only people not hip would say things like that. ]

Mm, yes, even when my inn was active. It is how I found a lot of guests!

[ sometimes you wander around and invite people over :) ]

[verminous]

Ask a teenager about that.

[there's no way in hell.]

So you still had to do some advertising, eh?

[discomfort]

Well, sometimes you need to lead people a certain way.

[ he pauses as they get closer, before stepping away from gregor. ]

Give me one second.

[ scurries behind a tree like a rat ]

[verminous]

Eh-? Sure, but what're you doing...?

[gregor blinks as he scurries off, but he will wait where he is, looking toward the tree... what are you doing you lil rat]

[discomfort]

[ and owner will walk back out a few moments later, wearing something different now and with tatas. incognito... ]

Okay, let's go. [ a pause. ] I would like to be less recognizable today.

[ to explain. so their tour doesn't get interrupted. ]

[verminous]

...less recognizable, maybe, but that's sure not gonna keep any attention off of you.

[sorry he's having a moment

it's not his FAULT owner is hot okay]

[discomfort]

[ help

well. owner will just walk over and hook their arms together. ]

Haha, well, we shall see! Let's explore for now, I also have many questions to ask you.

[verminous]

[he's less used to any other Owner Shapes after he only knew one of them for most of the time they were in space, it's just gonna be a minute before he acclimates again... but he still goes along easily as owner links their arms, staying close.]

Show me some of the places you like while I answer 'em, then.

[discomfort]

[ sorry. this is funny. owner is so amused. ]

There is a shrine and a bookstore nearby that I enjoy. We can start there. [ onward, then. ] Have you visited anyone else?

[verminous]

Not since I went back to the City. You're the first one I came to see, after I got the time.

[unsurprising, probably.]

[discomfort]

[ on one hand, it is unsurprising, yes. on the other, owner still manages to be slightly surprised by it. ]

... I see. I have not visited anyone.

[ ALSO, NOT SURPRISING ]

[verminous]

Yeah, I kinda figured you'd stick around here.

[that's what he THOUGHT you'd say etc etc etc]

Has anybody else tried coming by?

[discomfort]

Not yet, but I know there were people who were interested. Shouxue-sama, Sidon...

[ they might be disappointed at the lack of inn though. ]

I assume as more time passes, others will be free to start visiting.