[ The door opens and he's pretty sure that—for a second—he's having a heart attack. In the midst of the most awkward staring contest of his life. It's awkward. He's awkward.
But, well. At least it's not Eren. Or godforbid, Mikasa. He eventually nods slow in greeting—they've seen each other a couple times, mostly by merit of Armin and missions now, so. ]
November. [ His mouth twists a little, palms raised slightly in a relenting gesture. ] I swear I wasn't doin' anything weird.
[ It's definitely awkward. If he felt that at all anymore, this probably would be going down a lot differently. Instead, he just relaxes a bit, expression on the placid side, if not a little curious.
Mostly because Jean was being pretty normal (maybe he caught him at a bad time). But now he's definitely acting suspicious. Just what was going on here? ]
That's very convincing. [ Nah. ] Was there something you needed?
[ It's okay, Jean can be awkward enough for the both of them. In fact, he's doing a pretty stellar job of it already, shifting his weight onto his other foot as he frowns. Sensin' a little insincerity there, November. ]
No. [ Really, no. Don't look at him. ] I was just checking if... [ uhhHH ] Eren was here.
[ Not only is this an unconvincing lie, but it's also having to pretend he tolerates Eren. Gross. ]
[ Jean deserves a gold star for how awkward he's managed to make this. The oddness is starting to penetrate even November's uncaring persona, and he's trying really hard not to quirk too much of a smile at the obvious anxiousness the younger man is presenting. ]
I thought you two didn't get along very well? [ He's seen them arguing heatedly before. Half the ship has seen them arguing. Okay no, more like the entire ship. Keep trying, Jean. Maybe you'll convince him of something. ]
[ Jean 'Gold Star' Kirstein. It's got a nice ring to it.
Anyway, November is almost definitely mocking him. But he agrees instantly, thoughtlessly— ]
We don't. [ The very beginnings of a scowl start on his face before he can stop it. Him and Eren are actually... friends, maybe, but three years of absolutely hating his guts and generally knocking heads every two seconds comes with a little bit of muscle memory and teenage bullishness.
Having just dismantled his own, shoddily built lie, and the frown morphs to a small grimace as he scrubs across the side of his neck. ] Look—can you not tell either of them I was here?
[ Should be obvious who he's talking about, even if he avoids mentioning her. ]
[ Careful, he might start actually calling you that.
No really, he might. Because watching Jean try to lie and then immediately blow it not two seconds later is pitiable. But also laughable. November is a bit amazed, in all honesty. ]
I see. [ He watches as the younger man frowns deeper, brows furrowing. The expression almost matches one he's seen Eren do on a daily basis. If someone didn't know better, they could be mistaken for brothers. ] You seem a lot alike.
[ There it is. Though, he's not done until he confirms some suspicions. ]
Are you the one who left the book here, for Mikasa?
Or maybe not, because Jean looks mortally offended for a second. ] Wha— [ And really, November wouldn't hear the end of it—how they are not even remotely alike, how insulting it is to be compared to that suicidal shithead, how him and Eren are so far apart they may as well be on opposite poles—but he gets cut off just in time.
His mouth shuts with a clack, then twists uncomfortably. Finally, ]
Yeah.
[ He seems to shrink a little at that. ] Does she know?
Though, he almost has to laugh at the immediate reaction. Because Jean isn't disproving his assessment, and is, instead, digging the hole deeper. At least, he's about to, before the other boy seems to clam up, nervous. ]
By now, maybe. She thought it was from several other people, beforehand.
[ Ah, get outta here with your things like logic, November. He nearly winces. ]
...It slipped my mind.
[ Which is true. He'd tried half a dozen times before scrapping the notes altogether in frustration and embarrassment, but in retrospect he. Probably should've at least left his name. He rubs along his neck, glancing to the side a little guiltily. ]
I didn't mean to make her run around looking for who left it. [ ... ] Shit, y'think it looks creepy that I didn't write something?
[ He kind of had to ask Eren for ideas anyway—far as Mikasa knew, he had no idea about her Japanese lessons. ]
[ Jean please, he's a Contractor. Logic is what he does best. Also noticing things. He's good at that, which is why his eyebrows lift a bit when Jean winces. ]
I see. Quite the slip.
[ That's kind of the most important part of leaving a present anywhere. November would point that out, but he's going to be gentle. The teenager already looks rather embarrassed. ]
I don't think creepy is the word I'd use, no. Forgetful. Irresponsible. Air-headed, perhaps. [ Harsh. ]
However, if you haven't already, I'd ask her about it. [ Is that a hint? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
this is the height of my rp career
But, well. At least it's not Eren. Or godforbid, Mikasa. He eventually nods slow in greeting—they've seen each other a couple times, mostly by merit of Armin and missions now, so. ]
November. [ His mouth twists a little, palms raised slightly in a relenting gesture. ] I swear I wasn't doin' anything weird.
[ Yeah, that doesn't sound suspicious at all. ]
a long way down from here bro
Mostly because Jean was being pretty normal (maybe he caught him at a bad time). But now he's definitely acting suspicious. Just what was going on here? ]
That's very convincing. [ Nah. ] Was there something you needed?
linkin park lyrics go here
No. [ Really, no. Don't look at him. ] I was just checking if... [ uhhHH ] Eren was here.
[ Not only is this an unconvincing lie, but it's also having to pretend he tolerates Eren. Gross. ]
these wounds they will not heal
I thought you two didn't get along very well? [ He's seen them arguing heatedly before. Half the ship has seen them arguing. Okay no, more like the entire ship. Keep trying, Jean. Maybe you'll convince him of something. ]
this is a disaster
Anyway, November is almost definitely mocking him. But he agrees instantly, thoughtlessly— ]
We don't. [ The very beginnings of a scowl start on his face before he can stop it. Him and Eren are actually... friends, maybe, but three years of absolutely hating his guts and generally knocking heads every two seconds comes with a little bit of muscle memory and teenage bullishness.
Having just dismantled his own, shoddily built lie, and the frown morphs to a small grimace as he scrubs across the side of his neck. ] Look—can you not tell either of them I was here?
[ Should be obvious who he's talking about, even if he avoids mentioning her. ]
it's incredible tbh
No really, he might. Because watching Jean try to lie and then immediately blow it not two seconds later is pitiable. But also laughable. November is a bit amazed, in all honesty. ]
I see. [ He watches as the younger man frowns deeper, brows furrowing. The expression almost matches one he's seen Eren do on a daily basis. If someone didn't know better, they could be mistaken for brothers. ] You seem a lot alike.
[ There it is. Though, he's not done until he confirms some suspicions. ]
Are you the one who left the book here, for Mikasa?
meanwhile the rest of the game is in flames
Or maybe not, because Jean looks mortally offended for a second. ] Wha— [ And really, November wouldn't hear the end of it—how they are not even remotely alike, how insulting it is to be compared to that suicidal shithead, how him and Eren are so far apart they may as well be on opposite poles—but he gets cut off just in time.
His mouth shuts with a clack, then twists uncomfortably. Finally, ]
Yeah.
[ He seems to shrink a little at that. ] Does she know?
the one elmo emote.gif
Though, he almost has to laugh at the immediate reaction. Because Jean isn't disproving his assessment, and is, instead, digging the hole deeper. At least, he's about to, before the other boy seems to clam up, nervous. ]
By now, maybe. She thought it was from several other people, beforehand.
[ Including himself. ]
May I suggest leaving a note, next time?
no subject
...It slipped my mind.
[ Which is true. He'd tried half a dozen times before scrapping the notes altogether in frustration and embarrassment, but in retrospect he. Probably should've at least left his name. He rubs along his neck, glancing to the side a little guiltily. ]
I didn't mean to make her run around looking for who left it. [ ... ] Shit, y'think it looks creepy that I didn't write something?
[ He kind of had to ask Eren for ideas anyway—far as Mikasa knew, he had no idea about her Japanese lessons. ]
no subject
I see. Quite the slip.
[ That's kind of the most important part of leaving a present anywhere. November would point that out, but he's going to be gentle. The teenager already looks rather embarrassed. ]
I don't think creepy is the word I'd use, no. Forgetful. Irresponsible. Air-headed, perhaps. [ Harsh. ]
However, if you haven't already, I'd ask her about it. [ Is that a hint? ]