acatalepsy_logs | done with having dreams

[She's expecting him to get flustered, or to be bashful, or something that's a more fun reaction. Instead, she gets that honest, almost admiring tone. It's not what she'd expected, and it throws her off guard.

More to the point, it kind of hurts, a little. Hearing someone talk about someone they loved like that, when neither Alto nor Ranka are anywhere to be seen, and she doesn't know if she'll see them anytime soon.

Sheryl realizes, after a moment, that she's feeling a little jealous.

So, to cover up her momentary vulnerability, she opts to, again, be something of a gadfly.] She seems like a pretty amazing girl. And she's got an incredible body, from what I saw in the baths.

[More seriously, though:] That's a pretty mature thing to be able to recognize, though.

( if he sees it, he chooses to sidestep it. it's obvious, that sheryl is one of those people that covers up her vulnerabilities by going on the offensive. he's a detective, sure, but he's not going to prod her unless there's a reason for it. so while she gets a pensive sideways glance, he shifts his attention back ahead as they walk shortly afterwards.

— and then she says that. oh spirits, he does not want to imagine the two of them in the baths in any sort of proximity for sheryl to admire korra. he has too many memories of that body beneath his hands to do anything except just. awkwardly try to think about pro-bending. the return of the not now, boner.

thankfully, sheryl's next comment yanks his attention back like a too-short leash. )

It really wasn't.

( they hurt each other a lot before they got to that point. being young seems like such a flimsy excuse, now. )

I was an idiot. Realizing all that came later.

Maybe, but it doesn't make it any less of a mature thing to know now. When you learned it isn't as important as the fact that you did learn it.

[Again, not the reaction she was expecting, and this line of questioning is starting to feel a little personal. Not enough that she'll stop, mind you, but she resolves to be a little more careful about it.] How long ago were you together? She seemed pretty comfortable trying to find you a date, so I'm guessing this isn't a "we broke up six months ago" deal.

( stop being the mature one here, sheryl. mako shrugs a bit. )

About three years ago. We were just kids.

( he doesn't realize he's echoing what korra had told her. it's just that he and korra are sort of... of one mind. )

But we've been through a lot together.

( and apart. but they've settled that between them now. )

[She can be really mature! Sometimes.] Clearly, the way you talk about her.

[It's said with that sort of wry confidence, but it's masking the fact that... yeah, she really does envy Korra, at the moment, having someone talk about her like that.] You're in your early twenties, right? You aren't that much older than you were before.

Besides, at least you've got each other here.

[Oops. There it is. She's probably just said a little more than she means to.]

( there it is again. mako's brows furrow thoughtfully, though he glances back towards the lake rather than at her again. )

I just turned twenty-two. And. Yeah. I know, I'm luckier than a lot of other people here.

( that's his... sort of awkward, fumbling segue into asking her his next question — )

What about you?

Me? [There's a brief moment when she glances at him at smiles.] I just turned eighteen. So you're not that much older than me.

[That's not what he was asking, Sheryl.]

( just. a look. he knows she knows that wasn't what he meant. he's just going to put a little pressure on her. maintain that surly cop-honed silence until she caves. he can do this forever, sheryl!! )

[Her confident (if slightly feigned) smirk fades as he gives her the silent treatment, and she crosses her arms over her chest with a huff.] No need to look at me like that.

If you're asking if I have anyone in my life... I do. A grumpy, beautiful flyboy. [A beat.] And the sweetest aspiring singer you'll ever meet.

( he doesn't have to be a detective to recognize the wistfulness in her tone. they aren't here.

despite everything, losing his bending, being here... at least he has bolin and korra. he'd be absolutely destroyed without them. spirits, just look at his last three years in republic city without them. so he. understands, a little, and his brow crinkles in sympathy. )

I'm sorry they aren't here.

( he's pretty sure he isn't wrong, and the platitude is wholeheartedly meant. as much as sheryl is a bit of a gremlin, she's sweet beneath it all. )

[Genuine sympathy is that weird mix of nice to hear and uncomfortable for her to accept.] Yes, well. Alto would hate it, because there'd be a wide open sky above him for once, but he couldn't fly in it.

Ranka would probably do better, though. She's the girl who works at the restaurant I told you about.

[Sure does sound like she's dating two people, doesn't it?]

( honestly, any connotations of a threesome go right over his head. it's only just something mako's even been... informed of existing for himself, he just... assumes that the guy she mentions is the boyfriend, and the girl is someone else she's close with.

or. maybe it's the other way around. he hadn't really given it much thought before korra told him about her and asami.

but threesomes? nah. not even a little. )

I'm sure there's a chance they'll show up. This place seems to like bringing people in from the same worlds.

Maybe they will. I wouldn't be against it.

But if I hope they will, and they don't, I'll be disappointed. Whereas if I assume they won't, and they do, I'll be pleasantly surprised. It's all about managing your expectations.

( it's so pragmatic it sounds like something he would say. he rubs out a knot at the back of his neck, fingers dug in against the muscle. sheryl is like a puzzle, almost, but a few pieces have slotted into place. she's not as flippant as she wants people to believe. as much as she seems like a bit of a diva on the surface, no one comes to that worldview without experiencing some sort of suffering or loss. )

I guess that's one way to look at it.

[She's developed a few coping strategies in her life. She's had to.] Oh, don't get me wrong-- if there was anything I could do to force that nosy goddess to bring certain people here, I'd be fighting for that until I passed out.

Some things, though, are just out of your hands. And the best you can do is roll with the punches.

( roll with the punches. well, she's not wrong. sometimes it's all you can do, play the hand you're dealt and try not to stumble too badly. mako's silent for a while, but rather than hang awkwardly between them it's just... mild, almost pleasant.

at length, )

I caught the end of your concert. You have a nice voice.

I'd hope so. If I didn't, I'd be in the wrong line of work. [She says with a cheerful expression.]

Does that mean you liked the music?

( wow, way to put him on the spot, sheryl. )

I... yeah, I guess I did. It's not really like anything I'm used to back home.

( ... but it's better than wu, and that's really his takeaway here. you don't want to know how many hours of his life he lost to wu's off-tone singing. although. he does sort of tip his head down. )

And I bet it'll be good for people in the Circle to have your skills. Singing has a way of keeping morale up.

[She flashes him a smile.] Great! If there's anything I can't abide, it's to be boring~ [Flattery will work, sir. At least a little bit.]

If it'll keep spirits high, I don't mind singing. [She pauses, and then laughs.] To be honest, you'd probably have a harder time stopping me.

Well, you certainly aren't that.

( crap. no. that sounds like flirting. absolutely not. he clears his throat abruptly and folds his arms like he's warding off a chill — unlikely, given the current attenuation to fire. )

Boring. I mean. You aren't boring. And it's good to pursue your passions, so. Good.

( spirits, at least he didn't awkwardly salute her. )

[Oh my god he's so awkward it's kind of cute.] Thanks, I think?

So, since you aren't boring, either... what are you passionate about? And your work, the law, and justice don't count.

( he makes a soft, frustrated sort of exhalation. korra posed that question to him just the other day, following it up with when was the last time you had a vacation? as far as he's aware, he's never actually had one. even that time with korra at the south pole was still on avatar business. )

People keep asking me that. I don't know, all right? I guess I like cooking.

( but it's not. a passion. just something to do. )

...it's a start, I guess. [Mako, we really need to get you a hobby.] I suppose we could make you into a regular gourmet with enough time.

What about that sport? The one that you played with Korra?

( he just sort of throws his hands up into the air. sheryl pls, you are about to witness him lowkey have a tantrum of pure chagrin. this time he makes a very put-upon argh sort of noise. )

What difference does it make if I'm passionate about something other than my job? I love being a cop! It's important to me, and I get a chance to make a real difference in my hometown! I've put away hundreds of criminals!

( and every person he drags off the street is someone else who won't —

no, he's not going to think about that right now. )

Besides, pro-bending brought out the absolute worst in me, I don't want to go back to that.

[Huh. She really wasn't expecting that reaction from him. Maybe she touched a nerve.

She waits until he's gotten it out of the system (or looks that way, anyway).] It's not wrong to care about your job.

But what are you going to do here? If that's the only thing you're interested in doing, then you'll die of boredom. Maybe literally, for all I know about this place.

[She's a little curious about what his "absolute worst" looks like, but won't push it.]

done with having dreams

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