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I guess that's true.

[Jayden rarely has to purposefully avoid people, and if he is avoiding them they're usually avoiding him in return, so he doesn't put all that much thought into the intricacies of it.

He only briefly has to catch his breath, although the fact that he has to at all registers in his mind as an annoyance; a month in a hell pit and then two months--even if in reality it's somewhat less due to time in the Horizon--in his room has apparently not been great for him. Who would've thought.

It's no surprise that his own sass is returned, though it is nice to not feel terribly awkward about that.]

Guess I'll just have to keep an eye out. Mine's a hotel; big white building, hotel lobby inside.

['Pretty boring' is implied at the end of that, even if he feels no need to change it to something less boring.]

[ If the sass is an indication of returning to some level of normalcy, Hilda will happily take it - even if it'll be the last thing she'd admit to anyone's face. Sass she knows how to deal with. Trying to help people through trauma that they experienced while she wasn't there? That's a little bit more difficult. ]

I'll need a grand tour once we're done today which - [ She catches herself, realizing what she's saying. ] is the only time that I'll ever ask you to meet in the Horizon. Just know that I expect it to be decked out in fun dinosaurs and an actual submarine by the time I get there.

[ The teasing and conversation about the Horizon is put on pause for the time being. Reaching the boundaries of the farm, Hilda actually does make good on her promise to do all of the talking and with minimal flirting to boot. Hilda didn't think it would be that difficult to convince the farmer anyway considering she had promised they'd stop here first on the way back with their water. Before they know it, they've hitched the horse (Maple) to the cart and they're on their way back down the hill in style. ]

See, now that wasn't so bad, was it?

[Jayden reserves his sass for two main categories of people: those who deserve worse but he for some reason can't just go off on, and those he likes and is at least semi-confident will take it in stride. And since Hilda is in the latter category, which requires him to be in something at least approaching a relaxed mood, it's definitely a turn toward normalcy.

Is that because he repressed his issues instead of dealing with them? Sure. But the end result is the same, so good enough, right? Right.

He can't help but give an almost-smirk at the mistake of encouraging time in the Horizon, but he will definitely have to make a few dinosaurs later to practice. And a submarine, even if he's a little less concerned about that; he's pretty sure he could get away with a less-than-accurate one, and they're much less cool than dinosaurs.

While Hilda talks to the farmer, Jayden isn't completely against chiming in if necessary, but thankfully it isn't. Instead he just observes, lurking until they're heading back with their borrowed cart and horse, and he gives Hilda a flat look for her question.]

Any time I go talk to a stranger and don't get shot at or somethin' is 'not so bad.'

[Just because he doesn't like talking to people doesn't mean he can't, although he did definitely prefer not having to do so. But--]

I'm a little more nervous about the horse, actually.

[Are horses always this big up close? And sure, she's trotting along completely agreeably, apparently happy to be doing her job of pulling the cart, but who knows what she's actually thinking? How do you read a horse's body language? So many questions.]

[ Even if the dinosaurs and submarines aren't completely accurate, it's unlikely that Hilda would know any better. There's only so much (read: very little) that she knows of Jayden's world, let alone modern times in general. It would take a fair amount of certainty that someone was trying to pull a fast one on her (and maybe some pettiness) for her to go out of her way to fact check someone from their own world.

Had she not learned about his occupation in their first meeting, Hilda probably would have felt a little more alarm towards Jayden's first statement. It isn't normal to get hurt speaking to a stranger but then again, Jayden's line of work seems to introduce a little more risk than any job she'd ever be willing to take on. Everyone is nervous or scared about different things though. So it's not the getting shot by someone comment that gets an eyebrow raise from Hilda - it's the horse comment. ]

Seriously? She's a sweetheart though. [ Not that she's any better at deciphering what Maple is thinking. Hilda's animal perception skills, funnily enough, are better suited towards wyverns. ] I've been around horses that are way more temperamental than she is. You should give her a pet after we're done this as a reward for a job well done - that will help you get over your nerves for sure.

[He has zero reason to be afraid of horses, having never had a bad experience--or really any experience--and he's not typically the timid type, even if he can certainly be somewhat anxious. So although Hilda's comments are encouraging, not insulting or patronizing or anything, Jayden feels a sudden flash of annoyance at himself and considers Maple for just a moment before stepping closer and reaching out to touch her mane as they walk.

Maple, unsurprisingly, barely pays him any attention, one of her ears twitching but otherwise the horse seems much more interested in continuing to pull the cart than anything else. Jayden, on the other hand--]

I didn't think it'd be so soft.

[The mane. He thought it'd be a lot coarser.]

[ Jayden's tentative pet of Maple's mane brings a bright grin to her face. ]

You can tell that her owners really care for her. Some people don't take care of their horses properly but Maple is lucky. All the more reason that we should make sure that we take good care of her while we're borrowing her.

[ Thanks to the carriage, they're back at the machine far quicker than they had on the way there. ]

Okay, so we'll just have to tie Maple to the submarine and pull it a little further into the water so we can fill it up! [ She tosses the ropes over to him. ] Please tell me you know how to tie a knot.

Yeah. He did seem most concerned about her when it came to loanin' her out.

[Which had been a point in the man's favor; even if Jayden doesn't really consider himself an animal person--nevermind that he's still petting Maple's mane as they walk--but it's often a good indicator of personality to see how someone treats them.

Once they're at the bank again, Jayden catches the ropes Hilda tosses his direction, and then gives her a flat look.]

How could you have forgotten my expertise at tying fancy knots?

[And sure, he'd been talking about ties specifically at the time, but still. And he is not actually at all offended by Hilda possibly forgetting about that conversation, since it was not even slightly actually important, but will he pass up the opportunity to tease her about it? Of course not.

Of course knot.

If he looks vaguely pleased with himself while carefully securing the horse to the machine with a slightly ridiculous but still very secure knot, it certainly isn't because he made that stupid pun in his head.]

I don't blame him. She seemed like she's his own horse. And horses don't just grow on trees - they're expensive!

[ That much at least she knew. In spite of her spoiled upbringing, information about the cost of livestock had at least managed to float into her mind as second hand information. Wyverns for example, cost more than a handful of coin. She says the next part based on personal experience as well. ]

But I'm sure he's just as attached to her on a personal level.

[ The awful joke practically telegraphs into the air despite Jayden not having spoken it aloud. His pleased expression says it all, prompting her eyes to roll into the back of her head. Gods. When she's certain that he's done, Hilda slides off Maple's back before coaxing the horse forward.

It does take a little effort on the horse's part to tug the metal machine forward, but slowly and surely, the wheels on the device roll forward too. Hilda lets out a cheer, going so far as to wade a little bit into the water to give Maple a quick hug around her neck. ]

One part down...a couple more to go? We'll just have to get that hose into the water and we should be on our way, right?

[Jayden keeps a hand on the side of the machine as Maple starts pulling it, as if guiding it--he isn't--or ready to stop it if it gets out of control, which is something that would definitely not be possible. There's not much else he can do, but fortunately everything goes smoothly and although Jayden doesn't follow Hilda into the water, he does give a relieved smile at the success.]

Yeah. Provided it works like we're thinkin', it should be simple from here.

[Too optimistic? Maybe. But he ignores that possibility for now, instead assessing the machine and the hose, realizing--]

I think we're still gonna have to turn it a little.

[The machine. It's close enough now, but the hose might be a little awkward at this angle, which means there's an ~~excuse to~~ need to try to turn the vehicle.]

If the wheel on top works to turn it, Maple should only need to pull it another few feet and we'll be good.

Okay great!

[ Hilda is still in the water and looking at him expectantly. A beat later she motions for him to get a move on to climb atop the machine. Surely he wasn't expecting her to handle Maple and handle the steering of the machine, right? After all, she's the one that has to wade a little further into the water and ruin her completely appropriate boots.

In the midst of her motioning, Hilda coaxes Maple a little further in, being mindful of her own footing against the rocky bed of the river. Once she thinks it's far enough she gives him a little thumbs up. ]

[Jayden rolls his eyes, more for show than any real feeling, and turns to step up on the rungs on the side of the machine again. A little messing with the wheel, along with the extra pull further into the river, and soon the machine is in position.

Now to see if it actually works.

Jayden uncoils the hose again, but doesn't try turning it on, instead looking toward Hilda again.]

You want to do the honors?

[It's only polite to offer, not that he necessarily thinks she's going to want to.]

[ The look she gives him screams, "Are you serious?" Maple meanwhile, seems completely impervious (or maybe the word is oblivious) to their ongoing banter in the form of sass. All they're waiting for is Hilda's signal to move, and perhaps the prospect of some treats and a good brushing later. ]

Jayden, I'm literally in the water. Don't you think it would just be more efficient for you to turn the hose on since you're there?

[ Despite what she's saying however, Hilda is actually enjoying herself. There's a realization that dawns on her that she had missed this kind of interaction with people - with friends. The thought alone sends a warmth across her chest, and the corner of her lips quirk upwards ever so slightly. ]

And, I wouldn't want to take away this moment from you.

[That looks says so much, and so he's already grinning a little by the time she responds. The response itself is exactly what he's expecting, though he does have to remark--]

Uh-oh, got demoted to 'Jayden'.

[He's joking, of course; like Hilda, he's having fun as well. It's been an adjustment--or a readjustment, perhaps--to have people he enjoys being around, to not feel the need to second guess himself all that much in conversation. It's nice.

But okay. Enough delays, time to see if they can actually accomplish round one of the entire reason they're out here. Jayden puts the end of the hose in the water, takes a deep breath, flips the switch.

He's not sure what he's expecting to happen, but it's... Anticlimactic. In fact, it seems like nothing is happening at all, but he soon realizes there's bubbles in the water and--]

Oh, wrong way.

[He flips the switch the other way and then a deep gurgling noise begins, and as he glances back toward the machine, a small amount of water is starting to accumulate on the bottom.]

Hey, it's working!

You'll be demoted further to 'Norman' if you're not careful.

[ The likelihood of that is actually rather unlikely. Jayden rolled off the tongue far easier than Norman, and frankly suited Jayden better because it didn't make him sound old. Or rather, older than he was. Maybe that was a thought best kept to herself though.

When nothing happens at first, Hilda worries that something else had gone wrong with the machine. But the distinct rumbling of machinery makes her jolt slightly in surprise. Maple, ever steady and true though, doesn't budge even as Hilda lets out a cheer. ]

We'll get those farmers their water in no time. [ She shoots a grin towards Maple who had let out a slight whinny. ] And more importantly a treat for Maple.

[ The water fills up remarkably faster than Hilda initially thought it might, but that just seems like the power of technology in action to her. Once the machine has reached its capacity and it's been turned off, Hilda readies Maple, leading her back up the gentle slope albeit a little bit slower thanks to the added load. When they reach Jayden she gives him an encouraging smile. ]

Did you want to lead her?

[He can't help but laugh at that threat because it's just such a perfect response, as pretty much much the only other people who ever call him Norman also do so when annoyed with him.]

The treat's the important part.

[And he's not even really joking, rapidly becoming more attached to the horse than to the whole point of their little mission, though the latter is still important. He cautiously watches the machine fill, making sure it's all going smoothly and nothing strange is happening, but the tank fills and he switches off the hose.

He's about to ask if Hilda's ready to go when she asks if he wants to take the reins, and only briefly hesitates before deciding why not.]

Sure, but be ready to take over if she decides she doesn't trust me.

[But it seems like Maple does trust him, or at the very least is too chill to really care who's leading her, which is probably most likely. Either way, Jayden feels distinctly encouraged by the success, both when it comes to the mission and the horse.]

Think it'd jinx things if I said that went better that expected?

[ As Jayden leads them away from the river and out towards the first farm requiring water, Hilda can't help but cast him a sidelong glance that can only be described as proud. It's the look that she sometimes gives Holst, her big brother, even if she'd rather die before admitting it.

A part of her had been undeniably concerned when they had started out that day. Her relentless cheer could only do so much in the face of someone who was relentlessly grumpy but she was determined to make sure that he didn't stay trapped inside his room when there was so much life happening out here.

Whether or not he catches sight of it is something she doesn't dwell on because the minute he mentions potentially jinxing things, Hilda lets out a groan. ]

Jay, can you look on the bright side for once? If a wheel breaks off or the rope snaps, I'm going to blame you! Then you're going to have to explain to Maple why her treat is going to be delayed.

[At Hilda's exasperation, Jayden hides his amused grin by turning to pet Maple's mane again with his free hand, straightening out some of the strands that had gotten tangled by splashed water. He'd caught Hilda's look earlier but didn't comment on it, instead just filing it away mentally for later emotional parsing, and it's a nice change to do so for something that's actually positive.]

Hey, I acknowledged the jinx, that means it won't happen.

[That's totally how it works, right? Of course. And Maple's mane straightened, he looks back at Hilda, hesitating just briefly before adding--]

I meant what I said, though. This was a nice change of pace.

[It isn't a 'thanks for dragging me outside', but it's as close as he might get.]

Edited 2023-06-27 00:17 (UTC)

[ The unspoken 'thank you' seems to be heard, and the pained look on her face softens into an expression that clearly says that she's more than happy to do it. Although it doesn't show up in her expression, it might also go unsaid that if it does happen again, she'd be there to do it all over again.

Of course, because it's her, she can't be entirely too sweet. Goddess forbid she do that without trying to be ironic or putting on an act of some sort. ]

Good, I'm glad. I'm always here as a friendly reminder that there's some life outside of your apartment.

[ They round the bend, the first farm coming into view. The spend the rest of the day delivering the requested water to several farms before returning the machine, and Maple. Before they return back to the city proper, Maple is given several treats, a kiss on the nose from Hilda and a promise that they'll hopefully see her soon. ]

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