eloquentness | mask or menace

It's okay. [ Actually, she doesn't know if it is; a problem for future-Iris. ] First, take a deep breath and slow down. We'll break it up bit by bit and walk through each part.

[ she takes a breath herself, mostly to set the speed, ]

Walk me through it, from the very beginning.

[a beat.

exhale.

...ok.

but.]

I...I don't actually...know where the beginning really is though. Just that...well. Through all that's been said and done, I...I have something of a date this weekend? And...maybe more than that. I think.

[ what?

what??? Iris draws in an excited breath, fighting back the urge to squeal because she's - well, she knows better now! especially over the phone!! ]

Oh my god. That's great! [ beat ] But what do you mean, more than that?

Well, that is...! Um. [goodness, it's easier to just constantly stew about a thing rather than explain it to someone, isn't it?] Well. I just mean...I--we. Already... See, we! Already kissed before, and...and maybe that's out of order, I don't know. I certainly don't know, but! That...definitely is what happened. Before. So.

[ okay, NOW she's squealing! she pulls the phone back to make it quieter before speaking - ]

Aww! Okay, so, one, there is no real order as far as relationships go, and two, I'm so excited for you! Who's the lucky guy - er, lucky person?

[GODS IRIS...it kind of kills her and thrills her? she's not sure which. she's not sure if this is a good thing or not yet!!

and worse, when asked about who, she's kind of stuck with a half-spoken note, at a loss. because.

well.

WELL...]

Um. He's...

[a thug? kind of? postures as one, anyway. makes terrible first impressions up close and on the network.

she clears her throat.]

M...Maybe it's too soon to say...Maybe it'd be. Bad to discuss this...whatever-it-is... [she lets out a weak sigh.]

Forgive me, Iris, I'm so confused!

[ confused sounds right.

why on earth would it be bad to discuss such a relationship, especially if this was about seeking advice? is she dating... a supervillain...... ]

It's okay. [ she thinks. ] Relationships are pretty confusing, so let's uh - let's go back to the date. It's this weekend, right? Where is he taking you?

Um. It's...it's dinner. At his place. I'm to bring a dessert.

[a beat.]

I-I've been there before! [............is that a good thing.] So I at least...know what that's like...

[...]

I'm not sure if that was a date before, though. I think I just...invited myself over...I don't think that counts. Does it?

Oh, so you were friends before he asked you out? That's sweet.

[ Also promising! Very promising! Iris had been over to Tohru's place a bunch of times before they dated, and well, she had grown up with Barry. Nothing unusual here in her mind. ]

I don't think your past visits counted, unless he agrees they did. So you're in the clear. But if he's making dinner, that's a really good sign. It means he wants to impress, you know?

[a long beat, considering that.]

...Oh, um. He's not...making anything, I don't think? He mentioned takeout. Asked for suggestions, that is.

[ oh.

is he... also a bad cook like iris....

rip lucina. r. i. p. ]

Well, what city does he live in? Tohru and I live off take-out, so we could give suggestions too. [ beat ] Either way, it's a good sign. Low-key, relaxing, nothing too big or extravagant.

Right...

[exhale. it's fine! see? Iris said it's fine. so it's fine. this is fine.]

He's in Maurtia Falls, too. So I don't have far to go.

[a beat.]

I guess that...I just don't know how I'm to...what's expected of me. I don't want to do something wrong by mistake, simply out of ignorance...

Lucina. [ Iris pauses, purposefully slowing down her words: ] It's going to be okay. I know it feels scary. Like, stupid scary because you like him. But he asked you out because he clearly has good taste, and well...

You kind of work it out as you go along. Everyone has a different pace. You just have to figure out where yours is, and set the tone as you need. [ beat ] But also, talk to him. Check in every so often, and you'll find the middle ground between you.

...

[gods, Iris is so wise. it’s weird how even just her voice over the phone comes as a comfort...

she may not be free of fear, but her assurances lee Lucina’s feet on the ground.

talk to him, huh...]

It’s strange... I knew from the onset that I wanted to understand him. Learn. But I thought it was just to protect myself and my friends.

Now it’s...I think...in just giving me a chance, I want to hear what he has to say. Because it’s his to say.

If that...if that makes any sense at all.

I think so. [ based on Lucina's reluctance to talk about the man, Iris can't imagine he's an upstanding citizen. Probably someone with a fluid sense of morals– or at least the appearance of fluid morals.

But it's not Iris's relationship, it's Lucina's. So walking her through it is eons more important. ]

If you keep that in mind, I think you'll find your balance just fine. [ she pauses, ] In my experience, a first date is usually somewhere public, like a coffee shop or a bowling rink, but if he's comfortable enough to invite you to his place... it means a lot. Like he trusts you, or at least likes you enough to be honest with you.

[likes her enough...to trust. to...

she gulps, letting out her breath with a weak laugh.]

Someone like Guzma ever trusting me...the very thought is just--

[beat.

wait.]

...Er. I...

[oops.]

[ Guzma... Guzma....

why does that name sound familiar? Iris pauses, taking a moment to Schmoogle his name and–

oh.

Lucina sure is dating the local gang leader of Crimetown. ]

[ . . .

but you know, Mick and Len were decent people at heart. Ditto for Jesse and Crane. When you really get down to it, then maybe - ]

So that's his name! [ Iris laughs, allowing herself this, ] He's one very, very lucky guy.

[there's a brief moment in there that Lucina believes that maybe, perhaps, Iris doesn't know the notorious name!

...but she's a journalist.

a damn good one. she can only imagine that beat was her quietly judging this...as is probably warranted. it's not a great feeling to wear, however.]

Lucky... [mirthless:] I wonder if that's so.

I know so. [ This comes too quickly, as if she knows it as well as herself. Her feelings on local crimelord aside, Lucina chose him. Lucina's happiness is what matters. ] If they put pictures in the dictionary, you would be right under badass.

But the point - you're going to be fine. Everyone gets first date jitters. Even I did, when I started dating Tohru.

[ though, if she's dating local crimelord, maybe that's why they're at his home and not somewhere more public... ]

Even you?

[Iris? the bastion of wisdom and kindness? Lucina almost doesn't believe her, but...it'd be wrong to.

she exhales with a pained sound.]

I...I mean, I guess that has to be true. But it still doesn't feel like I... I suppose I just got used to the idea of not really...pursuing things like this. Not since Leo left. [and that was well over a year ago -- an eternity, when one is still just 18 and not used to a regular girl's life.]

Even me.

[ though the mention of Leo gives Iris pause– she hadn't heard the name in a while. He was friends with Owain, right? Or something like that. At the same time, ]

You have had a lot going on. [ she laughs, ] I think not-dating is understandable in your case, but - you know, this is your time to give it a try. See where it goes. A date isn't a life-long commitment. Just a way to see if you want to make that leap.

[it...isn't a life-long commitment. Lucina needed to hear that -- more than she realizes, even in realizing she did.

she sounds a little sturdier now:] Yes, I...I'l trust in that. That is, your advice is sound. It has to be right.

Thank you... Forgive me, I simply... [...] I don't think there would be anyone better to turn to than you, really.

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