betheroleplayer | Call Me Out: October 2018

[Lena never thought she'd find herself saying this, but... life had been pretty darn good lately. Free of both Magica de Spell and her shadowy prison, with a body and a life all her own, it was like a whole new world was opening up to her. Perhaps not coincidentally, she'd also been working on finding out just what kind of a person she was--and wanted to be--without Get The Dime constantly hanging over her head. That... and she'd been spending a lot of time with her best friend.

Lena and Webby had only grown closer since her revival, inseparable friends, learning more about each other and themselves without Magica's influence tainting their time together. But to Lena, it felt like something different was lurking in the shadows, still unsaid. A certain feeling that she'd first recognized after that dreamcatcher's nightmare, and now that they were past all the terrible events that had followed, that feeling had blossomed all over again.

She had promised Webby total honesty, and sure, technically she hadn't broken that promise. The words "I am not in love with Webbigail Vanderquack" had never passed her beak. But it still felt like a lie of omission, and Lena had decided that she needed to come clean. This would be the day she told Webby how she felt, and changed their relationship for good or for ill.

Assuming she didn't chicken out again.

It wasn't hard to hear Webby approaching their little meeting place. She was stealthy when she wanted to be--only when she wanted to be. Lena stepped away from the column she'd leant against and turned toward her friend. At her sides, her hands tilted just a fraction of a degree outward; that subtle signal was, for now, the best she could do to indicate she was open to a hug.]

Hey, Webby.

HI LENA!

[She doesn't MEAN to scream it - she still has trouble knowing a "normal pitch" when she's excited. And of course, she dives right into Lena's arms. Typically after a good squeeze, she'd let go, so a proper conversation could begin. But... things had changed, since Magica's appearance.

Lena had almost died - or, well, the death equivalent of a shadow... it was not something Webby cared to think about. But she did think about it. Even though Lena was here and alive and all right, there had been that chance. Webby had never lost anyone before - her parents not counting, as she'd never truly known them - and the emotional trauma had taken its toll. There had been times when she woke up from awful nightmares where Lena hadn't made it after all, crying out in horror - Beakly would then break into her room, ready to murder whoever threatened her granddaughter, before realizing the girl needed a hug, but this was neither here or there.

As such, the hugs had lasted longer than usual, as if Webby was afraid the second she let go, Lena would be gone.

Not that she displayed such fear in her face. Or at least she hoped she didn't.]

What are we doing today? Is there another cool place you wanted to show me? Or we could just hang out and do friend things! Or we could do both! Or neither! Or anything!

[Lena had long since given up all pretense of "not being a hugger". In fact, she seemed to be a little touch-starved if anything. Webby's immediate and uninhibited affection had filled a void that Lena never even realized existed. So as far as she was concerned, Webby could hold on as long as she wanted. Especially if it helped with her nightmares--a couple of which Lena had witnessed from her shadow, unable to comfort her.

But this was a day for happier thoughts. Or, in Lena's case, more nervous thoughts as she thought about her big plan for the day. She coughed and tried to keep up her usual "cool girl" facade as Webby released her from the hug and started her adorable chatter.]

Well, I have a few ideas in mind... But I thought maybe we could just chill out in the secret hideout for a start.

[With the words "secret hideout", Lena nodded her head toward one edge of the stage, where the secret door to her old... "home"... sat. Recently she and Webby had been cleaning out and cleaning up the hidden space, sometimes even with the help of the triplets. Slowly but surely, they were driving out Lena's cold memories of living there with Magica, replacing them with warmth and love.]

What do you say? I found snacks~.

Great! You know, once we took away all the horrible Magica-reminders, it's a pretty neat place!

[Of course for someone who was a social shut-in for most of her life, almost 99% of everything she saw outside was neat. But she still meant it! It was Lena's place, so it was important! They had even managed to decorate it with their own style, a mix of Webby's bubbly personality and Lena's too-cool-for-school attitude.

Also-]

What kind of snacks? Are they evil snacks of undead shadow creatures? ... Or gummi bears?

[She'd enjoy both, let's be real.]

Yeah, and it's not so bad now that you can actually see, huh?

[With a practiced tap of her sneaker, Lena popped the trap door open and easily slid down the ladder into her little hideout. Just like she said, replacing the blacklight now that she didn't have to fear her shadow had done a great deal for the room. The eclectic mixture of posters and the comfortable new--well, lightly used--mattress and chairs completed the look.

Lena hopped onto the bed hard enough to bounce, trying to shake off her nerves. She gestured to the dresser, where a half-full grocery bag rested.]

Nah, nothing evil, unless you count "big box mart that pushes out mom-and-pop stores". Tea Time made me promise to get some healthy stuff, but she never said it all had to be healthy.

[Yes, there were gummi bears.]

[Webby followed, humming a few bars of 'Dewey Dewnight', bouncing once off the floor. Not that she had ever stopped smiling since she saw Lena, but her smile became brighter upon seeing the room. It looked so much better now, like the Real Lena. A click of her heels, and she headed for the dresser snatching the bag before sitting besides Lena on the bed.

Sharing is caring!]

Oh wow, Granny would never let me have any of this. Did I ever tell you she didn't let me have a hamburger before the boys moved in?

[Not that it's stopping her from digging inside and grabbing the candy. GUMMI BEARS!]

But Uncle Scrooge says what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger! ... Except giant poisonous spiders. They'll just kill you by extracting all your bodily fluids after paralyzing you.

[Casually opens the gummi bag to pop in an orange one before offering them to Lena.]

[A mock gasp.] No hamburgers? How could she call that living? Lucky for you, I have a near-encyclopedic familiarity with the best junk food joints in all of Duckburg.

[Translation: the cheapest ones and/or easiest to sneak food from. Not that that was a concern any more, but old habits died hard. Lena reached into the bag and came out with a handful of candy, letting Webby keep the bag. A green bear was soon decapitated, its body quickly following its head into Lena's mouth.

As she reclined on the bed, she let herself enjoy the familiarity of the conversation. Crushing on Webby didn't mean they couldn't still have chill, fun moments like this. Maybe it was going to be okay.]

Hey, Webby? Can I ask you something... kinda weird?

Well, you know her...

[A one-shoulder shrug.]

She just wants to look out for me. When you've been on as many adventures as she has, the whole world is one big ball of danger.

[Another gummi-chew chew chew, but then Lena's question instantly distracts her.]

Sure, I love weird stuff! Bring it on!

[Lena hadn't thought of it that way before, but it made sense. And for all her failures, no one could deny that Mrs. Beakley loved and cared for her granddaughter, which put her leagues beyond a certain horrible sorceress.

Mrs. Beakley and food were instantly forgotten, though, when Webby gave her eager reply. Lena might have been hoping for a no, illogical and improbable as that would have been. But now she had to actually ask. ]

Okay, uh... I was just wondering, do you ever think about, ah, dating? Like, romance, and all that sappy stuff? [Unusually for Lena, the word "sappy" was spoken without a hint of disdain or mockery in her voice.]

[At first, the word dating flew over Webby's head - the romantic version, anyway. She thought of carbon dating, or dating back Scrooge's history, which was always a fun pastime, maybe Lena was suggesting they build a Scrooge scrapbook together and -

"... romance and all that sappy stuff"?

Maybe Beakly had been right to keep certain foodstuffs away from Webby because the moment those words registered, one small gummi lodged itself into the wrong pipe. She wheezed, and then thudded her chest, getting the villainous candy down swiftly.

Romance? Lena wanted to talk about ROMANCE?]

Uh. Uhhhh. Not... really...?

[Alarms began to sound off in Webby's head, because once more her imagination was taking off. If Lena was asking about this, maybe she needed advice, and that would mean... Lena was interested in someone.

It was probably inevitable that Lena would want a life outside of Webby to discover herself - Webby just didn't think it'd be so soon. Why now? Who now?! WHO WAS THIS MYSTERY PERSON THAT LENA LIKED?!?!]

... Why do you ask?

[Play it cool play it cool play it cool-]

Not that I'm planning on interrogating whoever it is to make sure they're totally right for you or anything.

[SO COOL.]

[Lena hopped up immediately when she heard Webby choke, only untensing when she recovered and began to speak. Reclining again, she tried not to let her feet tap while she waited, nerves jangling, to hear her friend's thoughts. Play it cool, play it cool, play it--

Did... Did she just say "interrogating"?

That vivid mental image, that silly, caring, and oh-so-Webby response broke right through Lena's nerves and got her to laugh. Giggling with abandon, she grinned up at Webby, tension gone. No matter what happened there, they'd definitely still be okay.]

Well, it just so happens there's this really fun, really smart, really cute girl I wanna ask out. But you might have a little trouble interrogating her.

[Lena glanced down at her hands, oh so casual.]

Unless you can sit on both sides of a table at once and you've never told me.

[Whenever Webby has been jealous, it's been more for experiences and relationships than actual people. Like being envious of Scrooge's many adventures, or the sibling love between the boys. But here? Now? Oooh, she's veryveryveryvery jealous of whoever Lena likes.

She doesn't want to be, doesn't mean to be - Lena deserves to be happy, especially considering the awful life she's led. Even if it means spending more time with this other person.

This fun person, this smart person, this cute person, each adjective stabbing Webby in the heart, whoever they were, they had BETTER make Lena happy, or -

wait.]

Huh?

[... Oh.]

Oh.

[... OH!]

... OOOOOH!

You... you mean me? You want to ask me out? ... Why haven't you?

[It's a dumb question, but she's not feeling particularly intelligent right that second. Mostly because her head is full of OH OH OH OH as dots being to connect. Romance was one of the things Beakly hadn't taught her, and as such Webby knew very little about it. She had written the occasional fanfiction about Scrooge and his exes ~~yes this is canon~~ but never envisioned herself doing anything of the sort.

Until right this second.]

[Lena is blushing like crazy now that everything's out in the open, but she's not freaking out like she thought she would. She's trusted Webby with everything else until now, so why not with her heart too?

She smiles and glances away again, unable to look Webby in the eye while she's spilling her feelings out. Magica is gone, but the lessons she taught linger.]

Honestly? I was scared I might mess this up. What we've already got. I mean, I didn't know if you liked me, or girls, or anybody. And I'm still getting used to, y'know... having good things in my life, and having them stay.

[Webby's cheeks are reddening too, but she doesn't realize it. She's never really had much occasion to blush before. The last bit gets her attention the most, and she suddenly takes Lena's hand.]

Lena, you're my best friend. There's nothing you could ever do or say that will keep me away! I'm always going to stay, no matter what!

[Seriously, if 'betraying' the family and being Magica's shadow didn't make Webby give up on her, nothing would.]

You'll have to try wayyy harder to get rid of me.

[Webby is holding her hand. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Lena intertwines their fingers and gives Webby's hand a squeeze.]

Yeah... I know. Same goes for me. You couldn't do anything to drive me off. So if you're not interested, or you think it'd be too weird, that's totally cool!

[Lena finally gets up the nerve to lift her gaze again, meeting Webby's eyes.]

But if you are interested, well... I wouldn't mind being your best friend and your girlfriend.

[Webby's heart is beating hard and fast - she can't stop grinning. Something bubbles up in her throat - it turns into almost mad giggling, and she suddenly divebombs into Lena's chest, hugging her tightly.]

YES! Of course yes! Oh my gosh, this is the BEST DAY EVER! I've never dated anyone before! We can do all the dating things!

[... Uhhh. Come to think of it... She blinks, and then glances up.]

What do people do on dates anyway?

[It's not exactly a concept she gets 100%, as it's not something she's ever been interested in before. But IT'S LENA SO OBVIOUSLY IT'S IMPORTANT AND AWESOME.]

[She said yes? She said yes! Lena doesn't think she's ever smiled this wide, or held Webby so close, or been so happy. Her heels bounce on the mattress unconsciously, so much joy and love overflowing in her that she just has to let it out.]

Yeah... Yeah, it really is.

[Her smile doesn't exactly go away at the question, but it lowers from a blinding 11 to a more reasonable 8.]

I mean, I've never dated before either, but I've seen a bunch of them. It's honestly a lot like when we just hang out, except for, like, holding hands, and...

[Lena's eyes dip down for an instant to Webby's beak--but almost immediately she tears her gaze away. Maybe that's a little too much too fast??]

And anyway like I said earlier--! I-I got a couple things in mind. For instance, you ever been to the Duckburg Fair?

[Holding hands? Easy enough, and Webby re-grabs Lena's hand. Invading people's personal space is one of her prime traits, but now she has permission to do so to her best friend - scratch that, girlfriend? Sweet!

But when Lena trails off...? What's wrong? Webby blinks, clueless, and is about to ask what the 'and' is - but, as usual, she's easily distracted.]

Nope! I've heard lots of things about it, though - the boys say Uncle Donald takes them every year, they eat a ton of gross food and go on a bunch of scary rides and then throw up all the gross food. It sounds like fun!

[There'll be time for that later. Lena can only gather up so much nerve at one time.]

Haha, yeah, that sounds about right. How about we head over there for our first date, then? I just so happen to have a handful of tickets right here.

[With the hand that isn't being held (that one's not going anywhere any time soon), Lena pulls a sizeable sheaf of fair tickets from the drawer of her nightstand.]

That's perfect! This is going to be so much fun! When can we go?

[is it soon SHE HOPES IT'S SOON!!! In fact, now that she's 'allowed', she's just going to comfortably sit in Lena's lap, if that's okay (why would it not be okay).]

[That is unexpected, but very much okay as far as Lena is concerned. Almost reflexively, she slides her free arm around Webby's waist, letting the tickets drop onto the bed.]

Well, I mean, now I kinda wanna just stay like this for a bit.

... I guess the fair's not going anywhere for a while.

[Hee. This is comfy. She leans back a bit, just enjoying Lena's warmth and touch.]

And it looks like neither am I!

Mwahahaha, I've got you, my pretty!

[Lena giggles and tightens her arms around her girlfriend(!!!), leaning in close as well. Her beak opens to say something else, but she pauses, an intruding thought breaking in. She swallows, then leans her head against Webby's.]

Hey, um... If I did anything you weren't cool with... you'd tell me, right?

[Mmm? Where did that come from? She blinks, but supposes it's not 100% surprising. Ever since She Who Must Not Be Named had her butt kicked, Lena has had some issues of doubt and confidence.

It just makes Webby want to track that woman down and hurt her more.]

Of course I would! You know how hard it is for me to shut up. Plus, I'm not a really good liar.

Okay, good!

[Lena laughs, a bit self-consciously, trying with mixed success to shake off the insecurity.]

I mean, I know I used to be kinda pushy with you, with the money bin and the other bin and all that dime stuff... And I just don't want you to do anything you don't want to do just for me, you know? I, sorry, does that make any sense?

[It does, in its own way. In Lena's own way. Looking back, sometimes it was hard to tell what were Lena's choices and what Magica was forcing her to do. Little by little, Webby's been learning about the real Lena.

But that comes with its own difficulties - Webby would rip out her own heart if Lena so desired. Which. Well. Is probably not a good thing? Something to work on, at least.]

I guess I do need to stand up for myself a little more, but... it's not like it was all bad, the dangerous stuff we did together! I'm part of the McDuck clan now, adventure is in our blood.

But, I could totally say no to you if I wanted.

[In theory.]

Just be you, Lena!

Call Me Out: October 2018

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