snowblindrpg | [network] @ADMIN; Arrival

[ Well, it is one thing she's good at: casting aside sentiment when business is at hand. Still, even though she doesn't know about Simone, she does know Flynn, and she knows he can be a sentimental person at times. But yes, she does understand. Or she would, if she knew of all the things going on beneath the surface. ]

Some sort of Flynn is better than no Flynn at all.

[ Although she really doesn't know what that's even supposed to mean. He looks and sounds like the Flynn she knows, but she suspects something's happened that she's unaware of because of their difference in timelines. ]

Do you have warm clothing? Jackets, gloves, good shoes? I'd assume you do, or you wouldn't have survived this long. [ Or he'd be riddled with frostbite, a thought she doesn't want to think about. ]

I've heard people say that about this town. They warned me that it's possible to turn against those who are your friends.

[ She fixes him with a look. ]

You're what? [ Her expertise lies with saving him from present dangers like those attempting to kill or hurt him, but she does try to be an emotional support as well. She's just not always that good at it. ]

Well, some sort of Flynn appreciates that. [His smile widens for a moment.]

And I have... layers. [Ridiculous layers but can beggars really be choosers in this town? Wait until you see the fake bear fur, Nicole.] It's not ideal but enough to get by for now. How about you? Did you manage to find anything yet?

[He pulls a face when she goes on about the town. It's nothing he likes to think about.] Yeah. That really happens.

I'm... [useless lingers on the tip of his tongue but he can't bring himself to say it. He promised Peter he'd keep exploring and find alternatives to the kill experiments and he's still adamant on trying.] I haven't been very successful in trying to figure out what's going on here.

Good. I'm sure it's obvious, but I don't want you freezing to death. [ She won't laugh (much) at his ridiculous layers. It's only by the luck of the draw that she's not here waltzing around in a tank top and cargo pants. ]

Luckily for me, I arrived with hiking boots, so that's one thing I can cross off the list. I haven't found anything yet, but I'm working on that. [ And it helps that she arrived with layers too. Not the thickest layers, but enough to buy her some time. ]

I find that hard to believe. You're usually the first one to figure things out. So either that means you're busy trying to survive, which I have no issue with, or the situation is much too complicated for one person on his own.

[ Which is nothing to be embarrassed about, if that's the case. Nicole might not be the biggest proponent for teamwork, but even she knows when some things are too much for one person alone. ]

Well, it's not supposed to be like that.

[It comes out a little clipped. Look, nothing against teamwork but he's used to solving things (on his own) and he's used to a fast-paced life where missions take a week tops. And they take a week tops because he's solving things. This here is... difficult to adjust to.

Then again she makes a very good point that placates him, at least somewhat.]

The surviving does get in the way.

No, of course not. The answers to all the problems should just hand themselves over to you on a silver platter. Come on, Flynn, you're not less intelligent just because things are complicated. Even geniuses take some time to figure out solutions to problems.

[ Look, she's just trying to counter his upset with reason. Well, reason and a bit of flattery thrown in. ]

I'm confident Judson would tell you the same thing. And the day you stop trying to survive is the day I whack you soundly on the head.

[ Just saying. ]

He would, wouldn't he. [At the mention of Judson's name Flynn's expression softens, some of the agitation leaving his face. He misses the man, misses his guidance, and the hurtful dream that had haunted him for a fake twenty years still resonates from time to time.

Funnily enough, the threat of physical violence brings a small smile out of him.] That won't be necessary.

[And, with more affection than he actually wants to let on,] Psychopath.

[ There. That's better. She likes Flynn when he's not so agitated. Well, she likes him in all of his moods, but she prefers it when he's relaxed and happy. And he was looking decidedly unhappy for awhile there.

One of these days, she's going to try and get it out of him exactly what she's missed, but for now, she just wants to enjoy his company. ] Really, are you sure about that? I can't have you giving up on me, now.

[ That affectionate tone gets a smile out of her. She considers herself extremely lucky to have found someone like him. ] Come on, you like it.

[ She can't help but tease him a bit, but it's all from a sense of fondness. ]

I guess I do. [Flynn exhales airily with a bit of a chuckle. The fondness in her voice is nice and confusing and he has no idea how to respond to it.]

Do you... Where are you? Have you looked at the map yet?

[ She'll let that subject lie for now. There'll be plenty of time for them to banter about it later if they so choose. ]

I have looked at the map, and I'm in a building not far from the school.

I'm on the other side of town, where the skywalks are.

[He hesitates.]

We could meet somewhere.

If it isn't too far out of your way, I'd like to see you.

[ But she won't force him to walk a great distance if he doesn't want that. ]

[He lets his gaze drop on his hands for a moment.]

I'd... like to see you, too.

All right, then.

[ Maybe when they meet in person, she can finally figure out if it's just her imagination that he's acting weird or not. ]

So I'll join you, or do you want to join me?

We could meet at the museum, should be pretty much halfway. I can be there in a couple of days.

[Part of him briefly wonders if he'll ever make it to the new zone but it's Nicole and it takes precedence in his head right now.]

That's probably the fastest way for us to meet.

[ She smiles at his suggestion of meeting up at the museum. It's completely unsurprising, because if there can't be a library for him to lose himself in, at least there's a museum, even in what is, by all accounts, a snowy hell like this. ]

That sounds like a good plan. The museum it is, then.

Alright. [He returns the smile, still marveling at bit at the sight of her.]

You have to be careful in the tunnels leading up to it, though, they can be tricky to navigate.

Well, then I won't take them lightly. But they can't be any trickier to navigate than an unfamiliar jungle or snowy mountaintop.

Now that you mention it, I think you'll be fine.

Never mind me. What about you? Will you be fine?

Yes. I've been there before, I know the area. I'll be okay.

Right. Well, I'll see you at the museum, then. And you'd better still be okay by the time I get there.

[ Or else what? She's not even quite sure. But still, she wants Flynn to stay in one piece. ]

Nicole. [He gives her his best 'don't you know me by now' look.] I promise I won't let any anomaly devour my flesh until you get to have a chance to inspect it.

[Wait.

Wait, no, that is not what he meant to say!]

... That. Sounded so different in my head.

Hmm? [ She gives him her best 'I have no idea what you're talking about' look. But then said look turns to one of amusement and fondness. ]

Still haven't managed to maintain control of your tongue, I see. But if you insist, I'm sure I can manage a little flesh inspection.

[ Perhaps it's wrong of her to poke fun at him, but sometimes, she just can't help herself. ]

I'll have you know I have excellent control of my--

[At least he manages to stop himself there.

Clearing his throat he wonders how it can be so easy to fall into old teasing patterns while his mind is still reeling, trying to catch up. Or maybe exactly because of that.] Right.

Yes?

[ She's just going to grin a cheeky grin. ]

I'm sorry, I should be going easier on you.

[ Except she never really has, so why start now? ]

[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

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