[ he just continues coloring, covering the cast in degrees of Loki decorative taste. he doesn't lift his gaze. ]
You saved lives, which, coincidentally, is very heroic. You're better for the ware, which is all a plus. This may have slowed you down for the time, but you're not out to the least.
[ he weighs those words and lifts the marker. ]
You did a good job. If someone hasn't told you that, I certainly will. There may be different degrees of gratitude, but you're in the company of a friend that will gladly cover your cast with his good taste. Tah-dah!
Charlevoix. Lots of Hornets, very few powers. [There's a sing-song nature to that, like she's trying to pretend to be as casual as possible about it. She really is.
After a beat, Springsteen, her Australian shepherd puppy, comes trotting out after a moment. He's already a decent size, given that she's had him since November. He starts circling around Wally curiously, sniffling at the bottom of his pants.]
Or perhaps you're buttering me up so I can continue to let you take ownership over my cast. [It's not like she's batted him off yet, but she will when it comes to saving some free space. Billy still has every right to scribble something in there soon.]
Wow, that sounds like it sucked. [Wally drops the bag on the table and takes a Twizzler out of the already open back, gnawing on it when Springsteen starts nosing at his clothes.] Aww, buddy! You're so cute! [Wally crouches and rubs at Springsteen's face and ears.] Why do all my girl friends own dogs? Is it like a requirement for you?
It's because you know people with incredible taste in animals. I had a dog back home, but he didn't turn up with me. [Twice, actually. If she hadn't been told about the whole "time doesn't technically pass while you're gone" thing, she'd be really worried about Lucky.
Then again, Lucky's an amazing dog. He'd probably be fine.]
So I told him it was okay. And it is okay. He needs that, to figure it out, he needs it and he deserves it, so it's okay.
It doesn't mean that I like it, or that I'm not sad, but if I let him know he'll just come here and force himself to be okay because Teddy doesn't always think about himself first.
Would you like to hang out this weekend, maybe? In light of recent network broadcasts, I suppose I'm ready to talk about what happened with Kanaya and -- the things relating to it. But I'd rather do it in person, if that's alright with you.
[The text comes both as a surprise and with Kate piecing together precisely what she means. After all, Rose had been reluctant to talk, so she hadn't pushed her.
Plus, Kate's trying to take it easy right now, really unfortunate Young Avengers drama aside.
But that's still part of "taking it easy" ... for her, anyway.]
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