[After finishing her shifts and checking on the construction site, at approximately 6pm Stellaris reached Section 3. Her house wasn't entirely spared from vine growth, but the few hanging outside her windows seemed benign. She stood at doorstep, digging into her jacket pocket for the key.]
[Just as Stellaris managed to get the door open Lyle rounded a corner and came into clear view of the door of the house. A couple of severed vines were hanging off of the bag of essentials he had tossed together, a testament to how stubborn the little buggers had been.
[She smiled rather nervously. After re-reading her replies to him, she wondered if she had overreacted with the spur-of-the-moment addendum regarding a couch. On the other hand, inking it out after the fact seemed like it would attract more attention.]
So, that persistent? I can't really say I'm surprised.
[Oh, he intends to address the couch comment, but not until they've gotten settled inside. She gets a smile back with the slightest quirk of a brow.]
The little buggers are livelier than I'd expected. Not just on the outside, either, but they've managed to creep there way inside of the place, too. They seemed to have something against me packing to leave, since they kept crawling over and tugging out everything I put in the bag.
[Noting the location of her things, Lyle deposited his work boots beside the door, then moved across the room so he could deposit his bag inside the door of the bedroom.]
I wouldn't put it past them. Did someone at least manage to cut the poor sucker down before too much of the blood rushed to his head?
[Coming back across the living/dining area, he pulled out a chair and parked himself in it.] By the way, thanks for letting me stay for however long. Would you mind if I ask something?
[Stellaris moved her backpack to the not-bedroom, also known as the room where electrical whatevers and secret notes got worked on, then followed into the bedroom to check on Shizuko. It was sniffing on Lyle's bag when she did. She smiled, picked up the sock monster and carried it on her shoulder like a gym towel.]
Hm, I already left for Housekeeping when Bookman wrote that, but I think so. Well, hope so.
[Back in the dining area, she approached Lyle until her knees brushed his calf.]
You don't even need to ask. [She leaned down, intending to give him a peck on the cheek.] What is it?
If he was in good enough shape to write about it he must not have been too bad off.
[Lyle let a hand rest on the small of her back as the kiss made contact with his cheek.]
I know I don't have to. [His lips pursed for a moment and he glanced askance at her, his expression both measuring and hard to read, before saying what was on his mind.] Which is why I'm a little at a loss as to why you would think I'd prefer a couch.
I mean it's cute! You're so...you and she's so intelligent, sciency and serious. It's like beauty and the b--[ok wrong example]. Ahh Beauty and McHasGuns!
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