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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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.

Thanks.

[She tries. The least she can do is not cause anymore trouble.]

Um. My parents, they--they turned into walkers. That's how I know Lee. They were on vacation when everything happened, and he found me and took me to look for them.

[Maybe it's only fair to share.]

[And it's exactly what he was afraid of. Joel's not surprised, but he's a little attached to Clem already and his face crumples as her small voice speaks up to confirm his suspicions. He looks at her and back at the ground. Copper is snuffling in the grass somewhere, completely oblivious to the heaviness settling between this little girl and a man so many years her elder.

She wasn't born in this world alone, like most kids Joel knows. She'd had nine years with her family before they got ripped away from her.]

Ah, I'm sorry, Clem. [His voice gentles to a degree that is almost abnormal for Joel.] I know how rough that is.

[Christ. He rubs at his wrist, worry-lines etching deep into his forehead.] Lee kept lookin' after you, right?

[She nods. It's strange to know that he looks after her until he can't, and then it's up to her to look after herself. She'll be alone.]

Yeah. He always kept me safe and protected me. No matter what. [He was bitten and lost his arm and he still came to save her.

She rubs at her eyes, not quite crying, but the stinging hurts as much as the weight in her chest.]

[He likes Lee more and more, just from what he hears about him. Joel nods too, thinking that Clem's words mean that Lee took care of her and continues to-- but all of a sudden she's rubbing at her eyes like that and he catches onto the plain fact that he's made her upset, a fact that gnaws at him the longer he lets silence draw on.

It's killing him. She reminds him of before and that's the part that makes him soft. Goddamn. Joel places a hand on her small shoulder after a pause, trying to be comforting with the simple gesture.] Hey, it's alright.

You'll be fine, Clem. I, ah- I'll help you out, too. If you ever need it.

[She shouldn't cry, not in front of Joel. Clem nods and hastily rubs her cheeks.]

Sorry.

And I'll help you, too. We're a team now.

[Don't be sorry, no, nope. He shakes his head no when she apologizes, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before he lets go and folds his arms, like he's not sure what to do after trying to be nice.

She's just so--]

That's right. [hem.] You've been here longer than me. I'll probably be needin' your help again soon.

I'll do what I can.

Yeah, me too. [Joel looks to the ground, a little awkward.] You- you ain't alone, not anymore.

[Her parents gone, turned. Christ. She's only nine.]

You're not, either. [Well, he had Tess and Ellie, but--] You can always count on me and Lee and our friends, too.

[A tiny whiff of amusement, self-deprecating.] Yeah. I don't know your friends too well yet, but you're alright.

[How did he make friends with the nine-year-old first? Lee is alright by extension. More alright than Joel is, is his guess.]

Edited 2013-11-23 19:43 (UTC)

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