>>5361484Maybe it’s the unorthodox solution to the problem or maybe it’s just how cocksure he sounded saying it, but something about Talbot’s words send a tickle through your body–one that makes you erupt in laughter that doesn’t stop even after confusion spreads on your ex-bodyguard’s face!
“H-hey, I <span class="mu-i">mean</span> it!” He sputters as you press yourself against him so that you don’t fall over laughing, “Those idiots are <span class="mu-i">chumps</span>! G-get ‘em all over here right now–I’ll knock ‘em on their asses one by one! Hell, I’ll take ‘em on at the same time!”
It’s no use–the more he tries to convince you, the more you laugh. Gasping for breath, you give the big oaf the best smile you can form while your chest aches from the laughter–h-he… he’d get his… his <span class="mu-i">ass</span> kicked…
“Are you kidding me!? Who’s on my level, huh? Answer me seriously, Stan!” He roars in disbelief! “Look, Gus might be big, but I’ve been practicing, alright? And Kiki? You saw what I did in the arena! Syb’s got magic, but she’s like a pale noodle up close, and Mitz? ‘<span class="mu-i">OoOH, I’m SoOOoO COOL! I ReEAD MAgAZiINES!</span>’”
Giving Talbot a playful jab to the chest, you blink the remaining bits of moisture away from your eyes as your laughing fit slowly but surely dies down. D-damn <span class="mu-r">HAY FEVER,</span> m-man…
“You feeling better now that you’ve called me a <span class="mu-i">wuss</span>?” Talbot growls, pride still wounded yet the hug still intact. “You’re a real piece of <span class="mu-i">work</span>, y’know that?”
Yea, well, you wheeze, still regaining your breath, so is <span class="mu-i">he</span>...
Still standing awkwardly in each other’s embrace, the two of you exchange bewildered glances as neither one of you says or does anything further.
“So uh…” Talbot mutters, frozen in place, “that was, uh… some good food…”
Even Ly and Nats are eerily refraining from making snide remarks… looks like you get to lead again–wherever you’re going, that is.
How do you navigate this situation?
>QUICK! ASK TALBOT SOMETHING ELSE!>HE’S A MAN–LET HIM TAKE SOME DAMN INITIATIVE FOR A CHANGE! YOU CHOOSE CRAP ALL THE TIME!>ESCAPE! THERE’S STILL FRIES AND BEER ON THE COFFEE TABLE! GET ‘EM!>YOU’RE ALREADY HUGGING, SO… WHAT’S WRONG WITH A KISS OR TWO?>IT SUCKS, BUT TELL HIM HES A GOOD FRIEND–YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING AND YOU’VE GOTTA LET HIM DOWN GENTLY.>WRITE-IN! 