paradisa | (no subject)

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clementine

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[This evening, Clem is outside, a small puppy on the end of a pink leash beside her. It currently seems to be happier rolling around in the grass rather than listening to the little girl trying to get it to do a trick.]

Sit. Siiiiiit. See, like this. [She tries to push the puppy's rump down, but it thinks it's playtime and rolls around some more. It gets Clem to laugh.]

No, no... [Sigh.] Okay, maybe we'll play for a little bit. It's time for a break, anyway.

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I know. I just miss when it wasn't like that.

Me too. [He nods. Joel's voice gets quiet, kinda gentle.] You can keep pushin' on for years and years and you'll still miss it. I, ah, I'm glad you got out when you did.

Edited 2013-10-03 18:18 (UTC)

I'm glad you got out, too.

[She gives him a small smile.]

Things are a lot better here, so I hope they're better for you, too.

[For a few seconds, he just blinks and stares down at the little kid, feeling far away. It's bizarre-- how their worlds and timelines differ, but she reminds him of when kids could be this nice, of what it means when they don't grow up militarized and starving, and it-- well, it's bizarre.

Joel breaks eye contact to rub at his mouth, hiding a similar little smile underneath his hand.]

Yeah, I dunno. [Mumbling.] Can't complain, right?

You could, it just wouldn't be very nice.

Not nice to who? The Castle?

[There's a note in that, almost teasing. Just barely.]

Just in general! Though I try not to be mean to the castle anyway.

[In general, not nice to complain. Duly noted. Joel passes the hand he's been keeping by his mouth over his jaw, rubbing at it absently and shaking his head.

Too much.]

Seems like you try not to be mean to anyone, period. [And on the one hand, it's refreshing and sweet and all that- on the other, he kinda hopes she's got a mean streak hidden inside her, somewhere. Just in case she ever goes back home.] But don't you ever feel like complaining?

Edited 2013-10-11 23:49 (UTC)

Sometimes. But it doesn't really fix anything. [She can get mad and upset all she wants, but things are the way they are.]

You're right. Just, ah, don't keep things bottled up too much, kiddo.

[The epitome of do as I say, not as I do. Joel's eyes meander off in another direction while he thinks it over. Clem doesn't really do that, he decides. More like she just accepts things, the bad and the good. She talks about them, accepts them and plays nice with everyone, even Tess. He's trying to picture what kind of adult (survivor, he hopes) she'll be twenty years down the line.

He frowns.]

Ain't good for you, in the long run.

[She wonders if he's talking from experience. By the look of him... probably.]

I know. I have people I can talk to if I feel like I'm going to pop with stuff.

Your group. [It's good she has them. She's probably made plenty of friends in Paradisa too, lots of good folk milling around. And-- he'd told her things would work out, so he offers the next part in a lighter tone.] And us now, the grouchier ones.

I don't think you're grouchy.

[lol fuck tess tho]

[omg so hurt]

[Huffing out half of a laugh.]

That's a first. I'll take it.

Why is it a first?

Tess is my partner. [He thinks it over- what's the easiest way to explain to kid like Clem that you're actually a dirtbag?] Might not seem like it, but we've got a lot in common.

Maybe, but you treat me nicer. [As simple as that.]

... well. [What's the easiest way?] She's just not used to kids.

And you are?

[...]

I spent a good amount of time travellin' around with Ellie.

I see. I'm a lot younger than her, though.

[And then, like she's letting him in on a secret:]

But you're doing okay.

[...he's gotta smile. It's a sad one, but he's gotta smile.]

Yeah? I was a parent once, too. [A long time ago, implied by his word choice and his tone. The smile fades and he shifts where he's standing, shrugging a little.] Tess ain't had any of that. Give her time and she'll come around.

[Oh. Clementine knows what that means. Something happened to his child. She remembers how hard it was for Kenny to lose Duck, and wonders how Joel lost his boy or girl, but she won't ask. She knows better than to ask.]

I'm sorry. I bet you were a good dad.

[The only time he hasn't been especially nice or gentle was when he first arrived in Paradisa. He was scared, so it's okay.]

I'll be patient with Tess. Promise.

[Whatever prompted him to share, he just nods at the ground, sorta numbly. And he's sure your dad misses you like crazy, Clem, wherever he is. Wherever his soul is probably resting. Too much; he tries to shake it off.]

Thanks.

[For which part, it's unclear. It's real quiet and he hems over it, speaking up.]

You're a good kid.