betheroleplayer | Call Me Out: October 2018

[your fishy waifu wants to cuddle! I'm blanking on ideas though ^^;]

[Yes, this is good. Hmm... How about it's been a while since they've had quality time together, so Undyne sets up a little date night for the two of them?]

[Sounds adorable. And also potentially dangerous to the kitchen :V]

[Well, if they're living together Alphys probably has the kitchen at least 50% Undyne-proofed. Hopefully. |D I'm taking off for the night; would you like to start or shall I?]

[I mean, Doomguy's gonna get a hookshot on his shotgun in Doom Eternal so come on, this has to happen. Hit me with a setup or let me know what you want and I'll start! o7]

[That's beautifully appropriate. I think I like the Link-ending-up-in-Hell idea best, but I'm blanking on a setup, so would you be so kind? ♥]

[Welp, here he was again. Back in Hell. Did Hayden honestly think this was going to stop him? It's just a matter of time until he finds a way back.

Time and dead demons. They're stirred up something fierce in the area he's found himself in, too - an old, sprawling, labyrinthine complex made of stone and twisted flesh. Some kind of temple, maybe. They probably heard he was coming. Not that it was gonna help 'em any.

But as he chews his way through the horrors coming after him, he starts to notice something odd. The ranks are thinning, more than they should in his vast experience. And there are demon corpses where he hasn't been. Huh.

He takes a moment to examine the corpses. Some are sliced up, like they've been struck with a blade. Some look like they've been on the wrong end of something explosive. Some have arrows sticking out of them. Goddamn fucking mundane-ass dungeons and dragons looking arrows. Okay. Whoever is here also kicking ass, he's impressed. Some of these fuckers aren't easy to take down even with modern firearms.

Curiosity piqued, he starts following the trail of dead demons. Any ally would be welcome, and maybe this time they wouldn't be a pompous asshole who thinks repeatedly poking Hell with a stick is a good idea.]

[You know what would be really useful right about now? A friggin' blade of evil's bane.

Link has many regrets right now. Leaving the Master Sword in Hyrule is one of them, but let's be real, ending up in some kind of horrible demonic hellscape is the most prominent of them all. At least Epona didn't get dragged along with him, though that's cold comfort when it also means Link is completely alone here. He's running low on arrows and bombs, and he's even resorted to pulling his old slingshot out again. That's how you know things are bad.

But the flow of monsters has been stemmed briefly, or the horde has decided to back off until they can better assess this threat. Whatever the reason, he won't complain of the chance to rest. Link finds a dead-end in the labyrinth and sits down, back to the wall and bow at his side. He reaches for one of his potions... but decides against it. Better to save it for when he truly needs it.]

[With each passing day in McDuck Manor, Webby gained a little more freedom - and finally, finally, FINALLY, she had gained permission to leave the mansion all by herself. As much as she loved the triplets, she also wanted to learn how to socially survive on her own and find out what kind of person she was without their help.

That... and she could explore the wide open world with her BFF. She had tried to downplay that little detail, but subtlety had never been her strong point, especially as she all but raced down to the meeting place Lena had chosen - the place they had first met for what now felt like a century ago. In fact, meeting alone had been Lena's idea as well, and Webby, she of naive believe and full heart, was more than happy to grant that wish.

What kind of exciting adventure would they get into today? What new discoveries were waiting behind the corner? Lena was so cool! Lena was the best!! Webby and Lena for-ever!!! She was so full of excitement she could barely contain herself, almost tripping over the rocks and splashing into the cold water that would lead her to the abandoned stage.

Lena lena lena lena Leeeenaaaa~!]

[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.]

[It had been a bit of a harrowing adventure - not particularly all that dangerous exactly, but definitely strenuous and exhausting in its own way. Of course, trying to find a magical artifact to bring a physical form to a conscious shadow, and then fulfilling the requirements to complete the spell to give the shadow a body would be pretty tiring for anyone.

...It would also be a lot less normal for most people, but for this family, it was just another week.

Still, Donald as definitely glad to be home after all that. He hadn't been too keen on going, but at least it was over now and he could finally relax.

Besides, it hadn't turned out too badly, in the end.]

[Lena had spent most of this adventure just... boggling in disbelief. Webby she could understand, but everyone else really barely knew her. She would've half expected them to abandon Magica's rotten little puppet, not go out of their way to rescue her from Webby's shadow. Even Donald, who she'd spoken to, what, maybe once?

She spent the whole plane trip home in Webby's arms, of course--after so long being separated by shadow, neither of them wanted to let go. But eventually Webby had fallen asleep, and Lena, still keyed up and high on having-a-body-again, had begun to wander the manor, not sure what else to do with herself.

Even having been there a few times, it was easy to get turned around in such a huge mansion. Looking up from her sneakers, Lena found herself standing by the pool, and just nearby was...]

Oh, hey, Mr. Duck.

[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?

[He had just been about to head inside when he hears her, and paused to glance over at her.]

Oh...hey. Everything okay?

[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!

[She was starting to get the hang of that weird voice of his, and wasn't that a whole new variety of weird all its own? Lena glanced down at her sneakers, not quite sure of what she wanted to say, much less how to phrase it.]

Yeah, just couldn't sleep. Um, I wanted to, uh...

[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).]

[He watched her for a moment, waiting because he wasn't entirely sure what else to do.]

To...?

[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.

Thanks!

[The word is blurted out all at once, as if Lena had to force it out--which, considering how her model for emotional competence was Magica, might just be true. She reddens a bit and ducks her head to the side.]

I-I mean, you didn't have to go all that way for some shadow you barely know, so... thank you.

[That surprises him a bit, and for a moment he isn't sure what to do. In all honesty, it hadn't been his idea. He probably wouldn't have helped at all if it hadn't been for the kids insistence.]

You're uh...you're welcome.

[Quite frankly, he's still a bit wary of her since finding out where she'd come from. But even Scrooge had vouched for her, which was saying a lot given the history between him and Magica. So, somewhat begrudgingly, Donald is willing to give her a chance.

As he watches her now, though, he definitely doesn't see a shadow, but an uncertain teenage girl. And given his own awkward teenage years, he could only imagine what it's like for her, having to suddenly be placed back in to the world with no other direction than to live in it.

She was alive, but in some ways living was even scarier than not.]

...You...wanna come up for something to drink? I was thinking of making some hot cocoa.

[He hadn't been until that moment, but he figures they could both use some right now.]

Edited 2018-11-08 10:29 (UTC)

... 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?

[Donald's much more observant than Lena has given him credit for, to be honest. Being alive is so much better than being a shadow, but it's also so much harder. It was easy to coast along in Webby's wake, but being her own person is difficult. And having Magica control her was dreadful, but it gave her, yes, direction.

She doesn't know what to do with herself now. But... hot cocoa is a good start.]

That... sounds great, actually.

[When you're raising three boys on your own, you tend to pick up on things now and again.

With a small smile, he motions for her to come up the ramp as he opens the door to head inside.]

You want yours with or without marshmallows?

[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.

[Lena never took Donald all that seriously before, but maybe she should start paying more attention to him from now on. She hadn't really thought about how tough it would be to raise any triplets... let alone those three.]

All the marshmallows! Uh, please.

[She follows Donald into the boat, looking around curiously.]

Looks nice in here! Last time I saw it was... that... time in the money... bin. Uh. Sorry about that, by the way.

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!

[He's silent for a long moment, his back to her as he gathers the ingredients for the hot cocoa.

Then after a moment, he sighs.]

...Well... [A soft, though slightly exasperated chuckle.] You kids didn't do any worse damage to it than Mrs. B did.

Call Me Out: October 2018

YO ALPHYS

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hey Link let's be mute badasses in green together

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I've had those opening sentences in my head for DAYS. XD

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Lena please~

But of course!

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