031 - 4th wall

[tapestodiane]

[If you're around ... wherever he is, but it's out in the woods somewhere, you might hear gunshots. And if you're curious enough to see what's up, you'll see that Coop evidently has his gun back and is shooting at targets. Where they're from is a mystery, but he's making the best of their presence - his skills have waned some in the years he's been stuck in pokémonland, but it's evident the longer he's at it, the more confidence and skill shows in his shooting.]

[Until he's at the point where he's consistently hitting the bullseye in every single target every single time.]

[Yeah, he's that good. He could shoot you a pattern if you like.]

[... and there magically seems to be ammunition around whenever he needs it, so hey.]


(Action absolutely anywhere as per usual - feel free to just bump into him wandering if you prefer. COME AT ME.)

Comments

[tapestodiane]

_{[He could ask what she means by that, but instead he thinks about it. The response is truthful, if also a bit of a non-answer.]}

I hope that it does.

[allthekeys]

[She seems like she is satisfied with that answer, nodding her head slightly as she straightens up. She folds her hands in front of her, tiny fingers entwining. She keeps looking up at him.]

You don't need it as much any more though, do you Dale?

[tapestodiane]

<sub>[... Dale.]

[It's interesting, in a way, how little he actually responds to his first name, how little it's even used. There are generally two people who call him that, now, and one of those people is his Dad - the other is Windom, for entirely different reasons.]

[Otherwise, people call him Cooper. Coop. He prefers it when they do.]

[So to hear his given name like this, from a strange child who doesn't quite seem like a child, that has him react.]

[Not physically, so much, even if he does tense slightly, pauses in the surprise. It's mostly in his mind and the way he starts going through the possibilities for her to know, and how he should react in turn.]</sub>

You mean this?

_{[He's pretty good at being outwardly calm when he calls attention to the gun by lifting the hand that's holding it a bit.]}

No. Not in this place.

[allthekeys]

[She doesn't nod, and she gives his gun only the most cursory look before she looks him in the eye again.]

Yes. You don't have to try as hard to protect people. So do you need to practise?

[tapestodiane]

Your skills will fade if you don't.

_{[His tone is guarded now - she managed that pretty neatly just by that little show of knowledge. Because that's what it comes across as - fact, not assumption.]}

[allthekeys]

[She's frowning at him again, but she doesn't actually seem all that bothered in the long run. It's more like she doesn't understand, and she rocks on her heels and tilts her head again to emphasize this fact.]

You have more important skills than that.

[tapestodiane]

_{[He's quiet for a brief moment, like he's not sure he's allowed to ask, however slowly the question comes out.]}

How much do you know about me?

[allthekeys]

[And there it is: she smiles suddenly, when he asks her that question. Or at least her lips turn upwards, showing teeth to him.

Her eyes never leave his.]

You're my friend, so I should know all about you, shouldn't I?

[tapestodiane]

_{[He wouldn't say he's scared. But those little alarm bells in his mind? They're ringing.]}

Everything is a lot to know about a person.

[allthekeys]

[That expression is still in place on her, and she doesn't waver.] It's okay, I don't mind. I should know, so I do.

[tapestodiane]

Then why don't you tell me something about yourself?

_{[It would only be fair, wouldn't it?]}

[allthekeys]

[She seems to agree because she nods to him, and she does answer. As flatly as ever, like she is telling him the most obvious of facts, but she answers.]

My name is Danielle. Laura named me.

[tapestodiane]

_{[There's something lightly prickling in his skin with that, something so subtle he barely feels it but still notices now just because it's been gone for so long.]}

Laura?

[allthekeys]

[She inclines her head again, to the side, before she offers her clarification. That smile is gone, though, replaced with something calmer.]

Laura Palmer. I know you must remember.

[tapestodiane]

She's dead.

_{[Yet his tone isn't fully convinced. The little girl is cause for some of the doubts - his own mind responsible for others.]}

[allthekeys]

She's at my house now.

[It's a statement of fact, again, just telling him like he should already know this, somehow.]

I'm keeping her safe.

[tapestodiane]

<sub>[Her house. Two lodges. Where would a house figure into the workings of that?]

[Or is it even the same universe?]</sub>

Then you know about BOB.

[allthekeys]

He's not allowed there.

[Again, it's an obvious statement, perfectly clear to her as it should evidently be.]

She stays with me and he can't hurt her.

[tapestodiane]

_{[Cooper nods, but feels uneasy. He believes the girl ... yet he knows that this isn't how it should be.]}

Who are you, Danielle?

[allthekeys]

[That smile is back, slow and knowing.]

I'm her friend. That's why I had her promise to stay.

[tapestodiane]

_{[There it is, isn't it?]}

Friendship shouldn't be about power.

[allthekeys]

It's not. [And now it's a frown again. Something more irritated this time.] Laura's my friend. She promised to stay with me so that I could help her.

[tapestodiane]

_{[It could be true, he reasons. But even if that's true it's not all of it.]}

How did she find you?

[allthekeys]

She came to my house. She's my guest now. You wouldn't be able to find her.