shoplifter | Old Game Inboxes.

[Dude, she's never met a chicken, so... carry on with your uncertainty.]

These all sound very different.

I'm not entirely sure myself. That's why we should go take a peek. You up for it?

Sí, sí, I will meet you there.

[Don't you doubt her; just point the way, she'll be lingering around in wait.]

Great. See you there in about half an hour?

[Jensen might have bought her a present. Maybe. No, he definitely bought her a present and he was feeling kind of excited about giving it to her.]

I will see you there.

[And sure enough, when he goes to find her -- she'll be there.

Sitting on a log rather patiently, holding what appears to be an old plastic horse of sorts.

As much as she's wanted to run off into the forested areas, she will be good this time, promise.]

[He's got a backpack over one shoulder, and his heart melts just a little more when he comes over.]

Hey, you. I'm Jensen. Jake. Jake Jensen. You can call me either one. Everything good? I, ah, if it's not too weird, I got you something.

[Hello Jensen Jake Jake Jensen. She'll stick with Jake. As he wanders over, she stands up, looking rather relaxed in the setting; it's quiet, it's nice. Her brows raise on her forehead at the mention of a potential gift.]

For me?

Yeah. Well, like I said, I got a niece around your age and you said you liked horses, so...

[He dug in the backpack, pulling out a stuffed horse. He handed it out to her somewhat awkwardly.]

I, ah, wasn't sure about the coloring. I mean, if you wanted something like this or something pink and sparkly. If you want, we can always trade it in for something else...

[Her eyes widen slightly, and she reaches out to take the toy with some reverence.

... This is really great. It even makes her smile a bit as she inspects it.]

It is a mommy horse for my smaller one.

Yeah, sure. That'll work. So you like it?

[Point, Jensen. He felt kind of good right about then.]

So, you want to go look at the giant chickens, or find something to eat first?

[She nods, so very pleased with her two horses.]

I want to see the giant chickens.

I've never met a chicken before.

Well then, giant chickens you shall see, little miss. Come on. I hear they're big enough to ride.

[He gestured, hand out for her to hold, more out of habit than because he thought she wasn't capable of walking on her own.]

[This is so groovy, she's down for giant chicken wrangling.]

Can I keep one as a pet?

I've heard of 'pets'. Like dogs.

Ah, I think they're already someone's pets. Or... rides. Or whatever. It's a pen thing. We're not going into the wild.

[Not with a kid.]

[She frowns. Pouts, even, a little.]

It sounds fun, though. I like the wild.

Yeah? Well, ah, look. I'll be honest with you -- I haven't exactly had the chance to go out and poke around to see what's out there. Last thing I want to do is have a nice little picnic go sour because of... I dunno, man-eating vines or giant brain worms or something. So how about until I get a chance to scope out the area or find out where some safe places are, we limit ourselves to inside the city for now? Sound good?

[Come on, Laura. He cared.]

It would be okay. I could protect us.

[Come on, dude, I got this.]

... Have you seen -- giant brain worms before?

[Wow. Way to shit all over his masculine pride, Laura. Wow.]

No, but who knows what's out there. Giant brain worms. Butt-spiders. No one knows. So it's best to just... you know, wait.

[Yes, good. Be afraid. Come and see the giant chickens, Laura.]

[whaaaat]

Butt-spiders? That is not a real thing.

[..................... Is it.....................???]

Might be. There's butt-worms, no reason why some new reality couldn't have butt-spiders. That's the point, kid. We have no idea what the rules are here. Better to play it safe.

[Well. Shit. Lead the way. But--]

If you say so... but I am not afraid of whatever's out there.

Hey, fear's not a bad thing, kid. Fear keeps you on your toes. It's a chemical and neurological response for a reason. We as a species learn from it and--

[Geek mode had been turned on, along with male machismo mode, and he had to rein himself in and give her a sheepish look.]

Nothing wrong with being afraid. Just depends on what you do with it. Don't let it run your life.

[A shrug.]

"Fear creates limitations, and limitations are unacceptable when being used in battle."

[But she's walking along, kicking a rock, looking particularly childish.]

What are you scared of?

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