mingle!

[grimpa]

Who: anyone!
When: Day 6, morning
Where: the lounge carriage (or, like, wherever, I'm not your boss)

[What's shakin', heroes? That sure was a trial last night, huh? What's on the agenda this morning-- still exploring, for new folks? Having team talks in light of having two trials'-worth of info on how this stuff is gonna go? Cooking something up in the public kitchen? Taking memories or testing out new powers? Playing with new purchases from the sparks shop? Just hanging out in the lounge? You do you; everyone's gotta find their own path on their magical interdimensional spacetrain journey.]

Comments

[voreaciously]

There is little point in my doing so.

[her throat is dry and pained, like desert heat. and she would know, she's actually been. but she pushes past that discomfort, pausing a moment to speak normally, hiding the agony she feels.]

I am conscious now, everything is fine.

[and the gems are gone.]

[crimeson]

Don't fuck with me, 80H! Just-- fucking rest! Why is it so hard for you to cooperate?!

[voreaciously]

[She closes her eyes a moment in lieu of flinching.]

This body does not require rest, most of the time. It is an indulgence at best and a waste of time at worst.

[crimeson]

Then how the hell are you supposed to get better?!

[voreaciously]

It will resolve on its own.

[crimeson]

Will it? Tell me honestly, because I'm really fucking worried about you.

[voreaciously]

[Worlds away, Breeze's cutting words flash in her mind. Not only her, she has been told by a few people by now, has she not? That people simply cannot turn off their feelings for others.

It is uncomfortable and does not make any sense to her.]

...I do not understand it. I do not matter, so why would it be worrisome? I can still perform. [h...m.]

That is should be the crux of the issue.

[crimeson]

Why are you just-- saying something like you don't matter?! You do matter!

[voreaciously]

You do not know me.

[crimeson]

There's no one who doesn't matter!

[voreaciously]

[mmmmmm, doubt.]

That is naïve, sir. But I suppose that does not matter. I am sure to be fighting fit...eventually.

[crimeson]

[goddess, he can't afford to get distracted by every little snipe she goes for]

So you're just planning to wait until something changes.

[voreaciously]

Knowing when not to act is equally if not more important at times as taking action. It is slow going, but my temperature has begun to decrease.

[crimeson]

Yeah, knowing when not to act is important, but I don't wanna hear that from the woman who passed out in the middle of the kitchen.

[voreaciously]

[Her temperature may be falling but it is incremental and she is still irritated, clenching her teeth behind closed lips before the build up of heat leaves her panting a little.]

Because I decided to do that.

[She didn't, but this conversation is making her want to self-destr.]

[crimeson]

I know you didn't, but it's part of exactly what you were saying! Knowing when to rest is important. If you're too sick to safely cook, I'll gladly cook for you. Even if you want nothing to do with me, there are people here who will help you when you need it.

[voreaciously]

That is one matter. Asking for aid entirely another.

[She cannot rely on anyone. She will for trials, she knows that much by now, at least, even if that is also no guarantee. It is as before, you never know who will or will not be there, but if there are others, she will cooperate to the best of her ability.

Outside of that...why? When nothing is certain. People are fleeting.]

If I cannot do it myself, it will simply not be done. Thank you, but...no, thank you, sir.

[crimeson]

... What scares you so much about being supported?

[voreaciously]

I am not scared.

[It's quiet, subdued, but unmistakably a snap. The heat is getting her, affecting her composure. She is self-aware enough to realise it.]

My apologies. But you assume incorrectly.

[like, he's not, but listen.]

Relying on others is a risk. I am careful with the risks I take, and that is not one that appeals to me most of the time. Why rely on others when you can do something yourself?

[crimeson]

Because you can't always do something alone! You said it yourself, if you can't do something, then it's not getting done.

Can't you see that's not an option here, 80H? It's literally our job to be bonding!

[voreaciously]

I do not care about bonds! No good has ever come from such things.

[hot, hot, hot, it's too hot, she's driving her temperature back up in her anger and yet she can't stop]

Such insidious, parasitic things that only leave you weaker than when you started, more so if you no longer have them. Why bother? The only person you can trust is yourself.

[crimeson]

Who the hell hurt you?! That's not how life is! Bonds make you stronger! Bonds are the only reason I've managed anything in my life!

[voreaciously]

No one hurt me. I am simply self-reliant.

[Her voice is hard, too many past housemates with their backs turned flit through her mind..]

If you believe they make you stronger, then you are entitled to that.

[sounds fake tho]

You helped me, but I will not stand for unbalanced scales. I will do something for you, provided it is within reason.

[crimeson]

80H...

[he really didn't want to do this, but... he's not seeing another way.]

You were begging someone not to leave. When you were just about to wake up.

RANDY IS A GOOD MAN WHO DESERVES THE WORLD

[voreaciously]

[She is quiet for many moments, the silent heavy and not at all comfortable or amiable.]

I did not.