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[mountainfoggedlotus]

Hey there! This is Ren. Uh, the smaller one. Mini-Joker.
You can leave a message after the beep, I guess.
Or text me. Actually, please text me. Unless you're Raven.
Anyway. Do I make the beeping sound, or...? Uh. Beeeeeeeep.
[ Beep ].

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

Oh. That's... not quite what Goro anticipated. When he joins Ren on the rink, he crouches beside Ren.

"Need a moment?"

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Cooling off," Ren says, muffled by the ice.

[fogboundcrow]

"Would you prefer to the snow?" They could always throw snowballs, build a snowman... Any number of options, really.

Though something tells him that Ren is in no hurry to move.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"We put these whole outfits on and everything..." Ren grumbles.

[fogboundcrow]

"Then we can skate. Just take the time you need first." In the meantime...

Raven glides over (a bit shakily) to grab the antlers that fell off Ren's head.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Guess I'll have to...rein myself in?" He chuckles.

[fogboundcrow]

"Hormones are stupid and a curse." Though he grumbles, he gently pats Ren's shoulder. "But we will emerge on the other side of puberty."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Hormones...at least we aren't girls. I can't imagine having...that. Each month."

[fogboundcrow]

Ugh. His face crinkles further at that fact. "My little sister will have to endure that one day, and she doesn't have any other girls in the house to relate to." He takes a deep breath. "So, I suppose I'll have to do research when the time comes, so I can support her."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Hopefully she'll have friends at school?" Ren ventures, peeling himself off the ice. "My mom likes chocolate. And painkillers...maybe someone should invent painkillers dipped in chocolate."

[fogboundcrow]

"Chocolate isn't a terrible option, and I do like treating her..." After a moment, he shrugs, offering a hand if Ren needs it. "But she's only six, so it won't be for quite some time."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Not if my aunt has anything to say about it...she's always talking about how much time flies," Ren grumbles, wobbly, taking Goro's hand. "Where are Wormwood and Shiro?"

[fogboundcrow]

"That's a good—" He turns to look, and...

Shiro is twirling around on the ice with a big, shining smile.

"...Someone's having fun, evidently."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"They are. We should, too! C'mon..." Ren tugs his hand.

[fogboundcrow]

"Of course." Giving Ren's hand a little squeeze, he dares to skate forward. Not too fast, but hopefully they'll look cool.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren wobbles and takes a shaky stroke forwards.

[fogboundcrow]

"It's okay. I'll be here to support you." He keeps his movements slow, so Ren can get a feel for it properly.

Shiro, meanwhile, is trying for a figure eight.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

And, of course, Wormwood is right by his side, ready to catch him from any fancy jumps.

Ren leans into Goro, trying to not focus too much on the way their alternate selves move with so much more ease.

[fogboundcrow]

That's all right. Goro gladly lets him lean, trying to turn just a little, all while giving Ren's hand a squeeze. "I think balance is key. The slick surface also means that you'll move much further than you might expect..."

Seeing Wormwood, Shiro dares to do just that. A dramatic jump into his arms, for added flare...

Goro tries not to watch, but they're just so... happy.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Wormwood catches him lightly, giggling, easily sliding off into the rest of the rink.

"At least we're good at ice skating in our hearts," he chuckles.

[fogboundcrow]

"There's always room for improvement, anyway." Hmm... maybe another slight swerve? "I just wanted to make pleasant memories with you."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Kissing was pleasant..." Ren mumbles. "But we can do other things, too."

[fogboundcrow]

"Is there anything else you'd like to do today? We don't have to spend the whole day here." Not that he's in a rush to leave, but Ren deserves some say in their activities, too!

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren fixes up his antlers. "I dunno. This is n-ice, but I think I've had my fill."

[fogboundcrow]

"We could always pick up some fried chicken and spend some time at home." He gives Ren a little peck on the cheek. "The Kotatsu should be good and warm..."