strongroots | [thecity] inbox

[ One tease!!!! It was one tease!! no you cannot see how we quantify teasing.

He starts to ask about her checking habits, but you know what? He can ask that in person. So: ]

alright, we can go to the fair. i haven't been yet.
so this really will be you taking me out
and maybe sweeping me off my feet

what time?

[ "Probably not literally," she thinks. Though maybe she could... Well, that's a thought for much later. ]

It's not open til the evening
Wanna aim for 6:30 or 7?

7 works. i'll meet you there?

[ Hopefully it has....one obvious entrance or entrance place that most people would go. ]

Yep!
I'll meet you at the entrance! See you then!

[ Thank god this was text, she's kind of just staring down at her phone.

Oh, she actually has to think about an outfit, huh? ]

[ Yes, picking out an outfit is a thing.

Which is what Robby knows he has to do, but he'll take a moment after their exchange to just stare at the phone himself and think--huh, that didn't go so bad after all. Which makes him happy, and curious, too. He knows less and less how this will go, but that isn't a bad thing.

Let the night be a mystery. As long as there's no threats on their lives (from outside sources), then Robby can handle it.

Robby picks something casual, usual for his style, but makes sure to slick his hair back and to put on a good cologne before he heads out, taking line 2 to get him over to the fair. It truly is the first time Robby's bothered coming over here; he felt no pull towards it and the fun promised, the events he suffered in the mall still fresh for him. His mind hasn't been changed about that, but considering the circumstances, Robby's willing to use it for his own benefit.

His and Tsuruno's benefit, even.

So, given his unfamiliarity with the area, Robby does end up outside the fun fair a little early, and waits by the space where the merry-go-round sings somewhere in sight, the gates at his back, and where multicoloured lightbulbs can be seen hanging from any protruding roof. He's got his hands in his pockets, watching between the inside of the fair and the park path leading up to it and where he is; dressed in soft blue colours, jeans and a blue jacket to keep off the night chill.

But once he sees Tsuruno, he'll stop looking at the fair, and likely walk up to meet her once she closes in.

She has to arrive, though, first. ]

[ It's a lot to prepare for, for someone who has never done this before. In that, Robby has more experience (she assumes, he seems like the type) but she reminds herself that Robby has likely never had to fight underground in an abandoned prison with someone trying to set him on fire, so it evens out. Maybe.

All she can do is her best, and isn't that how she's managed up to now? She skips the perfume, carefully tries on a little bit of mascara, and opts to twist her freshly shampooed hair into a lower ponytail that drapes over the front. High ponytails aren't conducive to rollercoasters if you want to be kind to the other passengers.

Ideally Robby didn't get there too early; she's a few minutes before the appointed time, jogging toward him in a slightly oversized lavender sweater that exposes her shoulders and a black skirt, though she's got tights on under that.

As soon as they're in conversing distance, she huffs a rueful laugh. ]

Okay, I know you aren't nervous. You couldn't have just let me beat you here?

[ Coming in with the guns, Tsuruno! Not really, but--! ]

I haven't been scoping this place out every day, I didn't know how long it'd take to get here! [ --Robby's on the (playful) defence!

But his mood is light, he's smiling with dimples in his cheeks, his limbs loose as he jerks his head back to the fair, his shoulders swinging slightly as he does. ]

Anyway, you have the advantage. All I know is that merry-go-round there, the candy floss in that stall opposite, and that everything sounds way too loud.

[ He pauses, a smile still on his face; and, a note lower (but still plenty audible, and fond): ]

And maybe I was excited. You look good.

[ That doesn't feel like a tease, which only prompts a tinge of pink on her cheeks that is, unfortunately for her, still visible.

No, it's okay, she can do this, she is here to enjoy the company of her cute boy friend!! There's a space there! There are no obligations!! ]

You look really nice yourself. [ And there it is; she's able to relax a little more. This is still Robby. ]

But don't worry, I make for a great guide! I can tell you right now, the food's all safe, the Tunnel of Love is really boring and kinda musty and the games are rigged but you can beat them if you try hard enough.

[ A dramatic, sweeping bow towards the fair, one arm before her. ]

Shall we?

[ His smile pulls more at the compliment back, a small but happy 'Thanks' slipped in there. The fair exactly sounds like everything it would be in this city, and there's a short breath that might sound like a laugh.

But for her bow, he puts a hand to his stomach and enacts a bow too, if not as deep. He's doing a gentleman's bow! ]

We shall. [ And then offers his hand as he straightens, letting them swing down between them--if she takes it. ]

Gotta admit, the games sound like they have our names on them. But are there prizes...?

[ Because there's a follow-up question to if that's a Yes. Because if the games are rigged... ]

Yep, of course!

[ Robby has saved her from having to figure out what the protocol is for hand-holding, and she's inwardly grateful for it as she clasps his hand. Like she'd reassured him before (to no avail), she runs warm; there's nothing chilly about her hold at all.

She knows where the games are, so she'll take the lead, which is just a step or two ahead of his stride. ]

It depends on the game, but they've got hats, those little sparkly bouncy balls, really big stuffed animals, the usual stuff. No game consoles, of course.

Wouldn't be any good if they did, [ he remarks with there being no consoles, and confidently. Nothing electronic that comes from these things is ever any good, but it's not like quality is the point.

What is the point, you wonder? There's a wrinkle at the bridge of his nose left over, but as he gives Tsuruno an observing look, it grows more as he concludes: ] But you would look good in a hat. You need a hat.

[ She can keep her lead, but he tugs at her hand playfully at that decision, looks around to see if he can spot any of the upcoming game booths. It's not the games he wants to see, of course, but their goods.

We need the best hats. Only the most sophisticated hats, here. ]

Even I'm not sure if I want to try pulling off a jester one.

[ with a minuscule snort, but she's led them true! Thankfully the games are all kind of closely clustered together, and it's the shooting one that boasts... so many hats. The jester's hats, some green and pink monstrosities, cowboy hats, a few dinky-looking crowns, some that just look like Nightmares, dopey fedoras. Amazing. ]

You owe telling me your favorite animal, then. It's only fair.

[ Oh. Oh, look at the selection! Robby wants to scan the selection, and he starts, but Tsuruno asks her question, and-- ] Favourite animal?

[ Okay, give him a second to think here... ]

Well...dogs are okay, I guess. [ But is that a favourite? Hm - ] --Prairie dogs, have you seen prairie dogs? They have the silliest faces, and they jump up when they say hi.

[ That's a pretty good contender for a favourite, right? ]

Oh! Yeah, I've seen them at a zoo before. They're really cute and squeaky, aren't they?

[ She would not have guessed that of Robby without asking, but that's the point of asking questions, isn't it? To get to know someone better. ]

I'll keep an eye out, I think the stuffed animals are the ring toss one...

Really squeaky, [ he confirms. Granted, he's never thought about favourite animals much, but Robby will go for that. He wonders what's the chance of her finding a prairie dog plush around here, but before they find out--! ]

But I've got to win you a hat first. I see the perfect one. [ He's faux pleading here, and is he deliberately not telling her which hat he wants to get for her? Yes. ] Give me..... three rounds?

[ Too many shots? He hasn't forgotten she said these things are rigged! ]

Mm... if you can get it in two rounds, ice cream's on me.

[ Said with all the cheer of someone who knows the ice cream is perfectly free.

Is she dreading what hat hell he might put her through, maybe, but she'll be a good sport about it, either way. ]

Oh, okay. [ His voice is slick with the challenge presented, the grin that shows teeth for a second--like not only is this ice cream worth the gamble (and not nothing), it might as well be the real prize.

He's picking up one of the guns, and the lack of an attendant--or, really, anyone else at the fair--is kind of goofy, but Robby finds he doesn't mind. Can't mind about that now, after all: he's got tin cans stacked upon each other to aim, and...!

Hit! They clatter on down, and all but two of the bottom fall off. ] Alright, I can still make this, [ Robby comments--or commentates, for himself. He's got to put on a show--and missing two doesn't put him out of the running! There's three more tin pyramids to go for, three more bullets, so he takes aim on each...!

All three on the bottom row missed!

Another three missed on the next try!

And wow, for that last shot--he only manages to make the middle one knock off, with the top tin somehow balancing on the tippy edges of the two underneath?! ]

--Oh, come on! [ Robby is, rightfully, gesturing to this result. ] The hell does that happen? That's gotta be glued to do that!

[ Bullshit!! ]

[ Tsuruno is doing her best not to laugh, but compared to Prompto (who had done this flawlessly somehow) and Daan (who she never would have made fun of), there's very clear amusement in her eyes as she watches this go down. Or maybe not go down? ]

You'll get 'em next time. Maybe.

[ Too cruel.... he is trying his best here?

But Robby's got a good mood despite his failures. She said it was rigged, right? And it's not like he's a super cool experienced guy at this. Regardless, he turns to her, placing the gun back where he got it. ]

How about you? I can't have all the fun. Show me what you've got.

[ Oh, and he is saying that like a challenge, a lift to his chin. You got what it takes, Tsuruno? ]

Sure. Fair's fair. [ sagely, picking up a gun herself. ]

Just don't feel too bad when I kick your butt. I still like you.

[ And she says it with a brightly mischievous grin, taking aim.

For all that, she still misses the first and second shots, which has her huffing a little at herself. Okay, fine. Focusing. Prompto had taught her how to adjust to the gun already being weighted strangely and the targets being a pain, so while she doesn't do it as impressively as he did, she manages to hit the rest.

And lifts an eyebrow at Robby. ]

[ I still like you gets a huff from Robby, but he's watching!! Arms folding as she takes the centre stage, and not, it doesn't pass him that the targets reset themselves from absolutely nothing. But look at him be good about not freaking out (he expected it, and also still finds it fucking weird!!! but anyway.)

And look at her. When she's done, both of his eyebrows are up, and he swings a look at her that's a funny kind of impressed. He unfurls his arms to give her a few claps. ]

Okaay, hotshot, look at you. [ He points. ] --But you have been playing more than me.

[ So let's not get cocky now, obviously. He glances back at the results of Tsuruno's game, then back at her as he picks back up his gun. ]

Are we gonna talk about how it keeps doing that?

[ A pointed look to the tins, and. You know. They're set back to normal.

Any point in talking about it, really? ]

[ Honestly, probably not. Tsuruno shrugs, a little ruefully. ]

Let's just say there's some elaborate mechanical reset system. Or it's haunted, I guess.

[ She's more used to weird things than he is, lucky girl. ]

Anyway, I had help. And then, like you said, I spent way more time here than you did. It was kind of a nice distraction.

[ From everything, including the boy she wound up going on a date with. ]

You've got it this time, I can feel it!

[ It's haunted, she guesses. Robby says nothing to that--he wasn't very serious about a discussion, anyway--but enjoys the good mood they have going on despite...well, everything, really.

But, time for round two, it sounds like. ]

Okay. [ He exaggerates a sigh as he turns back to the game. ] Work with me, here. There's ice cream on the line.

[ He just has to get 20 out of 24 tins -- no problem, right? And it's looking good: he gets 4 on the first shot (oh no), but then a 5 and then a 6! (Which, yes, does get a fistpump and an 'Alright!' out of Robby. he's proud of himself!!) He just needs to be as cool as Tsuruno and get that last 6!!

Bang! The gun goes off, and the tins come toppling off!!!...leaving two tins behind.

Like the game knew.

And just as excited as he'd been getting the six, Robby's as dramatic at getting the four, spreading out his arms. ]

I'm getting cheated by a hell city! What kind of torture is this!

[ The worst!!! ]

... Okay, let's say this. Get it in the third round and we can split the cost on the [ totally still free ] ice cream.

I don't make this kind of deal with just anyone.

[ As solemnly as she can manage, but her eyes are dancing. Sorry, Excited Robby and Dramatically Thwarted Robby are equally cu--hilarious. ]

You were really close this time, too!

[ What a deal. He closes his eyes with a nod that knows he's on his last line of luck (that just nobody gets to have), sighing in a very meaningful way as takes his gun, checks it out like there's actually anything to really check out. ]

Can't believe my life and money's come down to this moment. You know I can never show my face here again if I don't get it, right? [ So, so, dramatic. But even so, with a cheeky little smile directed Tsuruno's way. ] Will you visit me anyway?

[ In his self-imposed jail of...not successfully impressing Tsuruno? Please, heed not the details, but his wistful, lover boy movie request. ]

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