[ oh.

jade rubs at one arm, feeling a tiny bit silly. ] Thank you, Dirk. I do not know what else to say, but I do appreciate you looking out for me like that. [ um. ] This was kind of supposed to be about Jake, but I guess it became a mutual discussion, heh.

No, it's not! [ it reminds her of someone else, back when things weren't so difficult. jade, however, doesn't want to make him feel like a ghost of someone else. ] You're a lot like Becquerel was, but you haven't grounded me, at least, hehehe.

Bec was not a lusus! He was a dog. Since it's us, we do not have to worry about cross-culturual terms at the moment.

You are a dog, Dirk!

[ oh thats cute ]

Do you purr like a kitty cat?

Me too!!!!

[ jade demonstrates, baring her fangs (literally, what with being half dog?). the noise that comes out of her is very distinctly canine and not human, because of course it is. woof woof ]

But I only growl sometimes now!!! I can control it really easily, except when I'm angry.

[ she was asking what makes him growl without asking :/ ]

Yes it was! It's your turn to show and tell.

Obviously, but it must be kinda cute if Jake comments on you sounding like a kitty cat! Can you make any other animal noises, then?

Oh, is that your impression of Neigh the Sayer? It is missing some moxie, mister!

But it was fun!!! You are absolutely not going to neigh, huh.

Okay, jeeeeez, Mr. Chicken Hair, I get it.

[ folding her arms, jade somehow manages not to ruin the gifted flowers. ]

Too cool to goof around, but that's okay, I think I get why Jake likes you. [ he's fun. like, a lot of fun. some day she is gonna get him to neigh. ]

I think that is a question for Jake to answer, not me! Have you never asked?

Sounds like something you've got in common. [ takes one to know one, and all that. ] You are a fun guy to talk to and be around, and it can be very easy to talk to you... This is just a shot in the dark, but sometimes that is very important for people like me and Jake.

[ you know, kids whose social interaction was entirely online, who grew up knowing civilization was out there, but they had no chance of ever finding it. dirk can probably relate? maybe. jade's not sure and won't assume. ] Not to mention you are smart, but it has not gone to your head. I can tell you have a really good heart, Dirk, but maybe we are just in that weird age where everything feels a little bit too big or too small to fit into...? I don't know! I know that I know I am glad I got to meet you, and I am glad Jake had you around.