homophonic ❆ alex

[bindings]

alex

I'll tell you when you're being weird.

CODE

Comments

[bindings]

[hesitation, in that same faint way.]

I often feel aggressive and violent. It has caused... problems, in the past. But it doesn't now.

[camena]

[ hmm, that's - she doubts it's like anything she's familiar with. but it does make her feel like she understands a little better. ]

And this is better for you?

[bindings]

... I've never thought too closely about it. I can't be anything other than this, so it isn't worth it to wonder. It just is.

[camena]

[ concern intensifies a little bit, but it's fine. ]

So... Would it be easier if we didn't hang out, for now...?

[bindings]

No. [a pause.] I... I like it.

[she's probably not supposed to admit this but whatever!!! who is gonna stop her!! not her mom, she's not here!!]

I suppose try to avoid being angry, but... I think this is safe.

[camena]

[ oh phew. alex is relieved to hear it, and swings their hands a little bit. ]

Just don't do anything to make me mad. [ she's kidding. mostly? rude. ]

[bindings]

[a little twinge of amusement. she also seems to enjoy the hand swinging.]

I'll do my best. [...] Ah, what were the options again?

[camena]

For where to go? We could walk through the park, it's not like it's gone away. Or we could go to the library, or walk through the neighborhood and look at houses...

[bindings]

I'd like to visit the library. [she says, thoughtfully.] There is a bookstore in Liyue, but it isn't quite the same.

[camena]

Library it is. It would be nice to have something to read before bed.

[ leading the way! ]

What's that bookstore like?

[bindings]

[she follows easily enough!]

It is small, and open to the air. The owner is very nice, and likes rare copies of books. She is always very busy.

[camena]

Huh... So is she selling out of like a wagon or something? Is it mobile? 'Cause otherwise what about the weather?

[bindings]

No, it is... hm. It is difficult to explain if you've never seen how Liyue is built.

It is on the second floor, and there is a small overhang that protects the books. I think that she has a space reserved to put the books inside when she is not there, though.

[me like how tf do i explain this]

[camena]

Oh, okay. Kinda like a strip mall.

[ alex probably is not picturing it correctly and also this clarification means nothing to shenhe, so they're doing great. ]

[bindings]

... Yes.

[doesn't argue because yeah that means nothing to her]

[camena]

We've got, like, a hundred used book stores in town. And practically nothing else.

[bindings]

[a little bit of curiosity...]

That seems like too many. [not. literally]

[camena]

You would think. But it's a reliable business. I haven't seen a single one shut down in my whole life.

[bindings]

What is the place you're from like? Other than the book stores.

[camena]

Pretty boring. Not a lot happens there, and there's only, like, one high school, so you know every kid in town and their family. And it's by the beach, but it's cold and windy most of the time so it's not as fun as you'd think.

[bindings]

You don't sound like you like it very much.

[camena]

No, I uh... I actually like it a lot. It's where I grew up so it's got, like, all my memories, you know? And my friends and my family, and—um. My life.

[ she feels sadder the more she talks but is trying to suppress that as best she can. ]

[bindings]

[ahhhh. she holds alex's hand a little more tightly.]

Will you tell me a favorite memory of yours?

[camena]

[ she thinks for a second and then just. goes with the first story that pops into her head. ]

One time in middle school we were there practically alone. I think there was supposed to be, like—a couple clubs still meeting or something, but they were across the building, but so that's where all the teachers were? And we were just killing time because we'd had a half day and we were waiting for the high school to get out because we had plans with—that part doesn't matter—but...

[ listening to teenagers tell a story is excruciating, i'm sorry. alex is like half delighted by the memory, but also seems to realize this is boring and starts talking faster to get through it faster. ]

Anyway, we started gluing bottle caps to the wall for no reason. The cafeteria was unlocked so we grabbed a bunch of them from the recycling. We got like twenty up there and they never caught us, but last I heard there's still a big blotchy spot where they tore them down.

[bindings]

[honestly, it's such a fascinating thing to listen to for shenhe because she has absolutely no context for school shenanigans, so she just kind of has this little bemused tinge to her emotions as she does.]

... And this is an achievement? [she's like ??? why do this, but not in a like what a waste of time way, she's genuinely like this is good???]