(no subject)

[hot_mess_express]

Who: anyone
When: day 38, after noon
Where: in and around the train

[A gentle breeze keeps the afternoon cool. It seems peaceful around now, with the malice pushed back so far, unless you're heading to the island of concentrated malice of course.

It's a good day to relax and daydream.

Distantly you might sometimes hear the tick ticking of clockwork? Or it might be your imagination.

Speaking of imagination, if you think about things too hard you may find your thoughts and feelings shared with those nearby. Or even if you don't think hard at all.

At the mildest this might simply be like your thoughts and emotions being understood by others next to you, either in a vague or explicitly detailed way, but at the most extreme you might project shared delusions. Something like others getting to watch your own memories. Or fantasy sequences. Or inner monologues. Or maybe even blending you delusions with another's.

Whether it goes that far or remains a more telepathic/empathic thing is very random.]

Comments

[survivaltricks]

[. . .]

Mmmyep. Got it in one.

[voreaciously]

Stubborn. Very well, what do you wish to do?

[survivaltricks]

Talk, mostly.

[hmmmm]

Did you arrive here with amnesia too, 80H?

[voreaciously]

[but why tho]

No, I did not.

[though very few people would be able to corroborate that now.]

[survivaltricks]

[he doesn't need corroboration; he is satisfied she's telling the truth]

Well, that'll make answering this next question much easier.

Can you tell me a little about yourself? Things you're willing to share. They don't have to be big secrets or anything.

[voreaciously]

I like the colour blue the most, but silver, violet, and marigold are very nice as well.

[she has ribbons in those colours tied around her hat, but she normally swears them in her hair.

there's something.]

[survivaltricks]

[it's perfect, because it's 100% what he expected from her]

Blue, hm?

I think I like red the most. Black is a good second, though.

[voreaciously]

I could not tell.

[mister black and red.]

Were you thirsty?

[survivaltricks]

[black and pink for now, but that's thanks to Clover's bright and searing shade]

[also blinks a little, taken by surprise by the question, but--]

Hm? Ah-- sure. Are you offering?

[voreaciously]

Of course.

[she retreats to fetch a tumbler of cold tea that she pours into a cup and offers to him after a moment.]

[survivaltricks]

[flashes her a grateful smile as he takes it. see!! nie!!!]

That one came out of nowhere. Did you think I was dehydrated?

[or was she trying to change the subject]

[voreaciously]

It seemed only polite since you have decided to remain here.

[survivaltricks]

[aha]

And you told me I was wrong when I called you nice.

[voreaciously]

You are, but it reflects poorly upon me to act boorishly. That is all.

[survivaltricks]

[knocks back the tea, taking one large gulp as she speaks. he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand when he's done]

Mmmhm. If you say so

[he's not arguing with her but there is clear DOUBT!! in his tone]

I know you can make tea, but-- can you brew coffee?

[voreaciously]

Would you not find it odd if someone extolled your purported virtues when you were only being a basic level of decent?

[but w/e]

...Yes, I can.

[survivaltricks]

It's not extolling when some people can't even manage that basic level of niceness.

[a hum]

How do you take yours?

[voreaciously]

I am not particular.

[survivaltricks]

No? Cream? Sugar? Flavored additives like caramel or vanilla?

[voreaciously]

I usually let whoever is making the coffee to do as they please.

[so it was...the version of him, mostly. or an angel.]

Surprises are nice, sometimes.

[survivaltricks]

I'd say more than "sometimes" myself. I think.

[flops onto his back, hands linked behind his head as he idly watches the sky]

I think I take mine black?

[that's what instincts say, anyway]

But I suppose I don't remember having it any other way.

[voreaciously]

["you do". she very nearly says it, it claws at her throat with surprising ferocity, because she does not realise until it happens, how desperate she is for him to be the person she knew. for him to remember.

but she doesn't say anything.]

Black is fine one can appreciate its flavours as they are.

[survivaltricks]

[if he knew about those hopes, many of the things she's said to him already would make sense in hindsight. but he doesn't, so. . . for now? all he can do is try his best as he is, surprisingly earnest, oblivious to everything]

I guess for most people that's pretty difficult. Most coffees have a strongly bitter taste.

[voreaciously]

...Do they?

[she's only had the really really amazing kinds]

[survivaltricks]

I don't remember remember, but--

[hm. FROWNS!!]

It's like how we still have muscle memory, and pop culture memory, I guess? I don't remember drinking anything other than good quality black coffee, but some part of me just instinctively thinks--

"Most over-the-counter coffee blends are made up of robusta beans mixed with hints of arabica, which is why they're so bitter."

[RANDOM COFFEE FACTS]