rhapsodeity | 🌟INBOX

[ jade's a busy bee. the reason anya's carrying the snacks is because jade's got an overnight bag stuffed with all the essentials - a few astronomy documentaries, nail polish, stuffed animals, and there's a bag stuffed with tubberware in her free hand. barbecue, because anya deserves everything jade's hands can carry.

she isn't used to sleeping a house. she has a home, yes, but it is an apartment and there is still something kind of unique about steeping into a house. jade doesn't dislike her home, but even crashing into dave's bedroom in the strider residence leaves her feeling sort of displaced. her expression is tight, thoughtful, but there's a smile on her lips - it is as though she is thinking deeply.

she is, she supposes. maybe she'll ask for advice tonight. jade doesn't know; anya's been supportive but... ]

Of course!

[ the expression is wiped fresh, replaced with an open, honest grin. she's not really a girly diy sort of person - it might be more rose's schtick, though jade thinks that maybe rose is a little more tomboyish than her, secretly. as it stands, though, jade bursts through, searching for a room with a tv and table. they can hang out and talk over the sounds of narration about wormholes, she thinks. ]

I made sure to bring the prettiest nail jewels I could find! [ while jade's removing the items from her bag, her voice is chipper and clear. ] Although I'm not sure how steady my hand is... if you're okay with it, we'll just clean up as much as we can?

[Jade's adorable.

Anya hums happily, giving a simple:] Make yourself at home. I'll go get the blankets and Mama's snacks. [before she actually goes to do what she said.

Anya's home is a relatively small one - definitely one that used to house many more people than just Anya and her mother. There are pictures scattered everywhere. Plenty of Anya, courtesy of a doting mother, but even more family pictures of the two of them, sometimes the four of them when Anya's parents are in the picture. Then, of course, the neat collection of pictures of a man that Jade's never met - that Anya never really got to meet either. Life's interesting when your mother is still hopelessly in love with your late father.

Yet everything still feels so very, very warm.

Anya joins Jade not too long after, arms full of fluffy blankets and then snacks on top of that. She's excited and it shines through in her giggle.]

I don't mind at all. We'll make it work - thank you for even thinking of it! [If she's being honest...] I can't remember the last time I had a sleepover, so I think I'll be happy no matter what.

[ jade lingers over the photographs of the man, picking out features of anya's. she's never met the man, but she's sure that if anya's mother is still head over heels for him and their relationship is the reason anya believes in soulmates, then jade thinks he was a wonderful man. he's very handsome, in her opinion. she would have liked to meet him, she thinks.

but the promise of galaxy nails quells any lingering wonders of a man she's never met's lif. she considers asking anya how her parents met - did they get married? was anya there, too? anya believes in love just as strongly as jade did, so maybe anya was at her mother and father's wedding, too.

in the end, though, they're both a pair of teenagers. jade knows she's in for it tonight, that anya may very well press the topic, especially under the gaze of her late father. "like the stories mama told her," jade thinks with a smile that isn't quite sincere. she's pretty sure there's no way taylor swift would ever sing about her love story, here. anya, on the other hand -- ]

Anya, you met up with someone today, right?

[ jade's hand is so very delicate in the process of placing a base coat down on anya's nails. through black holes and wormholes is playing on the television, images of space on display for the two of them while they indulge in a little bit of glamor. she's careful not to get any on the skin of her fingers, making sure not to pinch too hard as she moves the girl's hand this way and that. anya has been waiting all day for this, and it would be a shame to mess it up. ]

That Ryoji boy! Did you have fun?

[ they're still a couple of teenagers, though. ]

[they are definitely a couple of teenagers.

Anya smiles a little bit - amused that Jade managed to beat her to the punch about asking. When it comes to the part of who she met up with today though... admittedly Ryoji isn't the first name to come to mind? After all, Anya had promised Kashuu that she would see him today too, not to mention Yuri came out to the festival because she asked.

Anya might believe in love and have a penchant for romance, but she's also terribly uninterested sometimes. So at the question she laughs a little bit.]

Ah, his highness! [since he was the prince in the parade and all, Anya had been calling him that all day.] I did. I meant to get nii-chan a date today... but I suppose it's okay that I ended up with one instead? Ryoji is very nice. He's quite charming - it was fun just to watch him interact with everyone.

[that's

that's not romantic at all, anya

why is she like this]

Hmm... I wish I could tell you something more interesting than that, Jade. I'm sorry.

[though judging by her little laugh, she's not all that sorry. she also knows exactly what jade was looking for there, whoops]

[ so he didn't try anything funny, huh? jade smiles a little lighter, the grin less teasing. ]

Sounds like fun! Would you hang out with him on a date again?

[ she's not letting this get pinned on her too quickly anya you will not win this sleepover (anya always wins. jade loves her too much.) ] It's okay. I'm just glad you had fun. You know, that's the point of a date? So whatever you end up doing... well, as long as you enjoy it, even watching him play prince is a good date.

Probably not.

[THAT TURNAROUND. Anya almost shrugs - but then remembers that mess with Jade's task, so she doesn't actually. Instead she's just going to laugh a little bit and offer a smile.]

I think dates are fun, but I don't want to... date someone? [that's a weird specification, Anya, but okay] Or maybe I just don't feel that way about him...

I don't really know what that feeling is like.

[pointed look-

no just kidding, Anya's laughing. because she's so sure, so sure that Jade can't say the same]

It's fun being with someone, maybe? [ as in, is that what you mean? jade is so interested in helping anya figure out her feelings on dating... wow... they are so fascinating to jade... for some reason. that reason has nothing to do with jade's lack of a love life. ] I understand that. I love hanging out with my friends. I've never been on a date?

[ jade's around the striders so much, and then she opts to spend the night with anya during each other's nails and watching astronomy documentaries. she'd be a terrible girlfriend, she's sure. anya, on the other hand, is so sweet and cute, jade can't imagine that she's not beating the boys and girls off with a stick. ] I think wanting to be with someone and wanting to date someone is different! A little like margarine versus butter, you know?

[ that's a silly metaphor, she thinks, and jade giggles to herself. ]

[girl talk is so cute. Anya hums a little bit - she has plenty of close friends and people who love her, but far too often they're older or... well, boys who wouldn't be interested in having a conversation with her like this. She can't imagine talking to Karkat or Yuri about things like this at all?]

Maybe! I can't believe you've never been on a date before. Jade is so cute. [FACT. which is why Anya is happy to say it.] Um... Dates are... dates? [that's really helpful, Anya.] It is just spending time with another person, right? Just the two of you... and you get to have fun, which is why I don't mind going on dates.

[ . . . actually. There's a moment where she seems to realize something.]

Or... maybe that's too vague of a definition of date...

I don't go on dates with Dave, Karkat, or Yuri?

[????? shit, now she's gotten herself confused]

[ jade knows exactly how to answer this question, because everyone knows she's been dropping hints and flirting for years. not too long ago, she'd literally told dave that it was a "date" when they went out for lunch. it was not, in fact, a date. she busies herself a moment, blowing lightly on anya's nails. out of the corner of her eye, she watches the television as the program illustrates what traveling through space is like. ]

It's not vague at all! It's like... A date's a date because of the intention. So you can even stay inside and watch Netflix and call it a date.

[ is it tacky, yet? jade tilts anya's hand to see if the polish is still wet. ] Anya's cuter than me, that's why all the boys are going to be rushing to get to her!! Hehehe. [ it's quick drying, so jade'll risk it. the first bottle with actual color is retrieved, but first: ] Do you want to do anything with your hands before I really start?

[can you believe that jade just suggested netflix and chilling

Still though, Anya's shaking her head.] No, I trust you.

[more importantly:] I am not cuter than Jade? Don't be silly.

[there's an even firmer shake of her head at that, but anyway she's also not hesitating with her next set of words]

Or... maybe that's okay, if it keeps the other boys away from Jade. After all, Dave might get worried if he thinks he has competition.

[just saying]

[ with jade it's more netflix and passed out half way into the intro theme, honestly

holy shit, anya. cold. it's kind of a shame jade doesn't have her dog ears yet, because they would be completely flat against her head. she sets about beginning her work on anya's nails instead of answering at first, because this isn't public, at least, and. well. ]

Dave's my friend, Anya. You are, too. [ it's like that, you know? it's pretty clear jade has no idea dave's at all concerned about jade's dating habits, and is assuming he actually couldn't care less. ] And besides, you don't want too many boys around. You need a couple of girls around to balance it out!

[it's... like.... what? Anya blinks in confusion and she's quick to answer, though admittedly a little briefly:] Girls are cute too. I wouldn't mind getting to know more girls. Do girls send memes as much as boys?

[don't answer that]

Did I say something wrong, Jade...? I meant - Dave is your friend... of course. Your best friend, as he likes to say. [and there's another little smile - a happy one, because she thinks they're adorable] You can only have one boyfriend though.

One soulmate, too.

[which is dave

obviously

duh]

[ jade makes a mental note to send anya memes? so many memes. every single kind of meme. also: anya that's gay?

jade doesn't answer that, though, only looking up for a moment to meet anya's gaze. something wrong? no, never. anya's too sweet to do something wrong. jade's gone and messed up the conversation, and that's entirely on her. all anya wants to do is gossip, but jade's... shy. her lips purse and she frowns. ] No, you didn't say anything wrong, Anya! You really, really, really did not!

[ there's a coat of navy blue on a few anya's fingers that jade thinks is pretty on its own. her expression is softly conflicted, because this is... ]

We are best friends. I've known him since we were eight.

[ so no, they're not soulmates to jade. they flirt constantly, but he flirts with people he likes, she thinks? just a general like. it's natural for him. he's a social butterfly. jade's... she likes her friends and she likes meeting people. but she and dave socialize very differently. ]

Um. I don't know what it is... you think... I'm not... [ no, she is very sure she knows what anya is on about. jade pls ] Dave's not my boyfriend.

[ that is the best she can muster apparently? ]

Edited 2017-02-07 08:53 (UTC)

[Anya watches carefully - she watches people closely to begin with. But even more so, the more that she likes a person, the more she watches. It sometimes ends up in quiet mimicry, but Anya is simply doing her best to try to understand a person to the best of her ability. So she watches Jade's expression and tries to understand.

To someone on the outside, it's hard to see any of the things that might be causing Jade concern. Anya nods once - she's known Dave just as long, even though she's a few years his junior - so perhaps she can see some of the weirdness in that. After all, as much as Anya adores Dave, she doesn't see him that way.

But.

She doesn't think that's the case here.

Except there's only one way to find out.]

But don't you want him to be?

[A completely innocent, open, sincere question delivered in the terribly direct way that only Anya can manage.

Oh dear.]

[ every year on her birthday, jade has a cake placed down in front of her. there's a flurry of candles lit, and anya probably has seen her make a wish before blowing them out. she doesn't say it out loud; she doesn't do anything but close her eyes, think really hard and then blow the candles out, leaving the room in complete darkness. the lights always go on before anyone can catch her looking to the spot she knows where dave is. once cake's been cut and eaten, jade always leaves with dave because their birthdays are only a day apart, which means they enjoy a three day long birthday celebration.

so anya sees an opening and goes for it and finds out what exactly it is that jade's been using her birthday wish on for the last five years. ]

Since I was ten years old, Anya. I wish for it every year on my birthday.

[ there's a catch, though. and it's easy to see because jade swallows a lump in her throat because it's nice to say it, finally. it just also means she has to explain why it's not a thing, even though she's been wishing for it for years. ]

Just because I like him doesn't mean he likes me or that we're meant to be together, though. That is just the way it is.

[ . . . oh.

Anya blinks and says what's on her mind, as always:] ... That's a lot of wishes.

[Though admittedly she thinks it's a good thing. Despite Jade's discomfort and uncertainty, Anya gives her a smile. With her free hand, she reaches over to let her fingers rest on Jade's non-painting arm as a gesture of affection and reassurance.]

I think... what you're describing - that's the way that it could be, maybe.

But I don't think that's the way it is. Not at all.

Even though I know it doesn't mean anything coming from me and you'll have to wait for him... I hope you'll be patient. [A brief little nod.] All those wishes have to go somewhere. They'll come back to you soon, I think.

[ jade stops, mostly because she's surprised. anya's touch is cool and reassuring, a nice reminder that she's not alone. it's a lonely sort of feeling, wishing and wishing with all your heart and thinking birthday magic is a bunch of baloney because it never works. santa claus doesn't exist, the easter bunny is made up, and dave strider is definitely not her boyfriend.

thank god she has anya, though, because this is the first time she's probably ever told anyone, and it feels like her secret is more than safe with her. ]

You're talking like you know something. [ it's not a bitter statement, but lightly teasing, as jade resumes her work. ]

Um. He did do something I don't know how to interpret?

[ does.... does anya want to know. jade's not sure, but it's clear that jade's concern is dissipating, giving way to... teenage worry, mostly. ]

All I can say is that I have known you both for a very long time.

[That's her little hum - because Anya actually can't confirm anything. Dave hasn't talked to her about this, after all. However Anya has that habit of watching people and this is something that she came to of her own conclusion. Another one of those little facts. Stars are beautiful, breathing air is necessary to stay alive, and Dave Strider and Jade Wolf are probably lowkey in love with each other.

So lowkey that they both apparently missed it.

Shame.]

But I'm listening. [a happy little tilt of her head - she's listening to Jade far more than she's listening to the documentary at this point]

You can always tell me anything. I promise.

[ that poor, poor documentary is just background noise, not unlike britney spears' first album playing at the last sleepover i went to.

anya's words are gentle and reassuring, and jade feels a little like she's the fifteen year old here. the thing is, she completely trusts anya, so she talks like she's making some grand confession over the hum of talk of galaxies and time travel. (the irony will hit her later, when she knows things about herself and dave, and then anya will find out just how much they're entangled in each other, perhaps just like the stories her mama has been telling her for years) ]

We had a fight, but he apologized to me and we made up quickly. [ quickly is emphasized here, because everything happened so fast? a few text messages and then... ] He asked me what my favorite song was at that minute, and... you know that song by Carly Rae Jepsen? Your Type?

[ i mean jade plays crj all the time, so your type is probably something anya has a vague memory of, she imagines, but jade asks anyway. ] He sang it on the phone for me. [ dave doesn't just sing. lord in heaven knows jade is still trying to figure that one out. jade doesn't stand outside his bedroom door playing hotline bling on her ukulele just because. ] I don't really know what he meant by that.

[If there's ever a moment when Anya tenses - it's when she finds out that Jade and Dave had a fight. It disappears just as quickly as it came, of course, considering the fact that they made up quickly. But in general she's not very happy when such negative things happen to her friends.

... but it sure seems like something good came out of it.

Anya blinks once and it takes her a second to recall the song - she absolutely listens to whatever Jade chooses to play - and a smile plays across her lips as she finds herself singing a part that she finds funny:]

And I want you to miss me when I'm not around you. [A brief little giggle, though she continues on.] I know that you're in town. Why won't you come around to the spot that we met? ♪

[If she had both hands, she'd clap. As is, she's absolutely delighted.]

Wow! You're forward, Jade.

Was your heart racing? How bold. I'm flustered just thinking of it.

[anya stop being embarrassing]

[ ANYA IS THE CRUELEST... but she's not wrong. jade does have a defense, though. ]

I didn't know he was going to do that! Dave doesn't sing like that, Anya, and it was reflex. I was just... sad! And listening to it when he texted me, um... [ THAT'S NOT HELPING, IS IT. jade winces.

but galaxy nails will persevere - it's not quick work, but she's got one hand down now. ]

We sang a duet after that, I played my ukulele, and... [ it's so hard to stop explaining everything that happened once she starts because jade... doesn't tell anyone what happens with dave. she's so sure it means nothing, but in this case? in this case. ] He's sweet, but I don't know if it's because... He's sweet in general or sweet on me!

[ jade's going to die. ]

[It's not helping at all but Anya thinks they're adorable.... So even as Jade goes ahead and explains, Anya's going to go ahead and keep humming the song. Sorry Jade, she's an artsy kid at heart. Songs get stuck in her head easily. So even as she's careful, admiring the galaxy nails in delight - she's too distracted by Jade's apparent near death to actually say anything right now.

Oops.]

He's sweet on you.

[THAT'S BLUNT.

Then she continues to hum - ]

I'll make time for you.... ♫

[Another little giggle, happy and amused.]

What did you duet?

[Now she just wants all the details, sorry.]

You've got a good singing voice.

[ an idle compliment, delivered with a light huff. jade's not mad, not by a long shot, but she's certainly baffled and rambling. it's just nice to finally get things off her chest - as stressed out as she is, she definitely looks like.

anya's words are ridiculous, and she'll...answer that in a moment, but she wants to answer the question, first. ]

A song called Something Stupid. It's by Frank and Nancy Sinatra.

[ ...if dave's sweet on her, she feels bad for picking that song. ]

Thank you.

[An idle response, one that makes Anya hum happily. That's years of choir for you. Still, she enjoys compliments more than she's willing to let on...

Though she's heard that song before - she listens to all sorts of music, including some of the oldies that show up at her uncle's bar. She doesn't know it nearly as well as Your Type though... so she gives Jade a smile, this time actually completely innocently.]

Why?

How does it go?

[ anya.

anya.

...anya. jade is reliving this moment all over again. at the time, it hadn't occurred to her that there was a theme with her music choices that night, but now, as she's thinking about the lyrics... she might as well have stamped "please date me" on her forehead. she's mortified.

even so, softly, jade picks up with a little tune. she's not a trained vocalist, not like anya is. (anya is so amazing, to jade. such a brilliant girl with so much culture in her.) but it's not unpleasant, either, perhaps just an acquired taste. she knows the notes, at least. ]

I know I stand in line until you think you have the time to spend an evening with me. and if we go some place to dance, I know that there's a chance you won't be leaving with me. And afterwards we drop into a quiet little place and have a drink or two, then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like "I love you..."♫

[ she's bright red at the memory, fighting off a smile. don't think about dave singing "i love you," jade, don't do it, don't do it... she's doing it. ]

🌟INBOX

ITS TIME

SLEEPOVER GAL PALS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)