Rachel Gardner (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sweartoyou) wrote2018-04-06 10:45 am
sweartoyou) wrote2018-04-06 10:45 am
Ryslig | IC Inbox.
WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, RACHEL GARDNER. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 000.00.000.00 | ||||
We can count it as a non-death, since I rose from the lake like a cool wet phoniex. [Very helpful description on his part. He puffs up his chest a little in pride.]
Oooh, my shell is different? [He tries to twist and look at it and just... spins in a circle in the water. He grumps at that, and... does it again.
No braincell here.]
Oooh, my shell is different? [He tries to twist and look at it and just... spins in a circle in the water. He grumps at that, and... does it again.
No braincell here.]
[She watches him with dim amusement, drawing his old beetle wing covering closer. Yep... Not a single braincell. That's fine. The fact that he feels well enough to be moving around like this is a relief.]
Mhm. It's shiny, like an oil slick but lighter. I think it's called abalone?
[She really should have brought her camera.]
Mhm. It's shiny, like an oil slick but lighter. I think it's called abalone?
[She really should have brought her camera.]
[Leo gives up his attempts to see his shell, just dramatically falling over onto the sand, wiggling further out of the water.]
OoOooh aba-abda- abalonenaa? That's fancy! [He absolutely said it right, so correct! Being a fish has stolen his braincell.]
Later, when it's day time and the moon isn't fucked, we can take a picture.
OoOooh aba-abda- abalonenaa? That's fancy! [He absolutely said it right, so correct! Being a fish has stolen his braincell.]
Later, when it's day time and the moon isn't fucked, we can take a picture.
[...]
Leo, I just said abalone...
[She wasn't positive it was right, sure, but after hearing him butcher it? Never been more certain.]
Don't remind me about the moon, it's hard enough to be this close to the water...
Leo, I just said abalone...
[She wasn't positive it was right, sure, but after hearing him butcher it? Never been more certain.]
Don't remind me about the moon, it's hard enough to be this close to the water...
Aba- adbloned. [Somehow, worse.] Its the fanciest rock around.
Sorry, sis, hard not to think about the moon. I mean, the water feels... bad? Grody. I dunno. Fish senses. [He is just figuring that out right now.] We should figure out a family picture anyway. Donnie likes dressing up for those, so, it'd be fun.
Sorry, sis, hard not to think about the moon. I mean, the water feels... bad? Grody. I dunno. Fish senses. [He is just figuring that out right now.] We should figure out a family picture anyway. Donnie likes dressing up for those, so, it'd be fun.
It's not a rock.
[LEO DO YOU THINK YOUR SHELL IS A ROCK
enough about the spooky moon and the water, though.]
A family picture... I'd like one of those. We had a few growing up, but they didn't feel real.
[LEO DO YOU THINK YOUR SHELL IS A ROCK
enough about the spooky moon and the water, though.]
A family picture... I'd like one of those. We had a few growing up, but they didn't feel real.
What is it, then-? [Big ole turtle eyes focused on Ray, red and blue. An opposite to Donnie's own eye color.] ... Is it a space rock? Am I space now?
[His fin waggles, a happy gesture.] See, it'd be a cool family portrait, cause, it'd be you, me, Dee, Bucky, prrrroobbally Sherlock? Maybe a cat.
What if we took a picture of Donnie when he's a cat, but he's got like a dignified little bow tie?
[His fin waggles, a happy gesture.] See, it'd be a cool family portrait, cause, it'd be you, me, Dee, Bucky, prrrroobbally Sherlock? Maybe a cat.
What if we took a picture of Donnie when he's a cat, but he's got like a dignified little bow tie?
[She's fond of their heterochromia. It reminds her of Zack, though she knows that his was likely from a pupil expanded by head trauma rather than a true difference in colors. It wasn't something to pity about him. Just...part of Zack. Leo's silly little empty head was part of him.]
Umm...
[She learned this...because of snail research... Unfortunately, she learned this as a Slime, so the specifics are gone. The chances of Leo understanding the science of it were low anyway.]
It's a kind of water gastropod -- a little like a snail. It's just an exoskeleton, but the shiny part is really... [She's clearly less certain about this part.] Like...if you sweat and it hardened into a coating. I have it too, but mine isn't as pretty. Just kind of a beige color.
...But yours does look like space, even if it has nothing to do with it.
[Her rhinophores perk, blinking steadily.]
...We could each be holding a cat with a bow tie.
Umm...
[She learned this...because of snail research... Unfortunately, she learned this as a Slime, so the specifics are gone. The chances of Leo understanding the science of it were low anyway.]
It's a kind of water gastropod -- a little like a snail. It's just an exoskeleton, but the shiny part is really... [She's clearly less certain about this part.] Like...if you sweat and it hardened into a coating. I have it too, but mine isn't as pretty. Just kind of a beige color.
...But yours does look like space, even if it has nothing to do with it.
[Her rhinophores perk, blinking steadily.]
...We could each be holding a cat with a bow tie.
Oh my god, I'm a shiny space snail. [He definitely took something from it, but he seems delighted.] A snaimaid, mernail, snermaidle? [This is him slamming snail and mermaid together, it sounds like absolute nonsense.]
What if, we put Donnie on a little stool and held up a paw each?
[That will never happen.]
What if, we put Donnie on a little stool and held up a paw each?
[That will never happen.]
[pretty... that's not a word she associates with herself much or even prefers, but it feels nice for this, from Rachel.]
thanks
i'm glad you didn't lose a memory
even if i was upset and i think what you did was wrong
i don't want bad things to happen to you.
and i'm okay with people disliking me and it's fair for them to come after me if they feel like they have to, i guess
but i'm glad you didn't
you're still my friend.
thanks
i'm glad you didn't lose a memory
even if i was upset and i think what you did was wrong
i don't want bad things to happen to you.
and i'm okay with people disliking me and it's fair for them to come after me if they feel like they have to, i guess
but i'm glad you didn't
you're still my friend.
[...mmmmmm.]
I know it wasn't "right", but...
Is it really "wrong" to do the same to her as she's done to us?
Even if I don't mind it... Even if you love the way you are.
I was just showing her what it's like to be in a body you didn't choose.
And unlike her...I did it for the people I love instead of my own selfish desires.
I know it wasn't "right", but...
Is it really "wrong" to do the same to her as she's done to us?
Even if I don't mind it... Even if you love the way you are.
I was just showing her what it's like to be in a body you didn't choose.
And unlike her...I did it for the people I love instead of my own selfish desires.
no, i don't think that part of it is wrong at all.
that's part of why i'm not upset with you about it
i get that and i can't disagree
i also believe that following your heart is still what the fog wants from us
so i can't say you're wrong on that either.
what i think is wrong is
well, two things
i believe doing things to hurt or depower the fog puts all of us in danger because she is what's holding us here and keeping the world together
and i think that doing something that hurts the whole monster community because of one monster's personal feelings is selfish.
what you did isn't wrong at all, by itself
but doing it when you know those two things is. that's how i feel.
does that make sense?
that's part of why i'm not upset with you about it
i get that and i can't disagree
i also believe that following your heart is still what the fog wants from us
so i can't say you're wrong on that either.
what i think is wrong is
well, two things
i believe doing things to hurt or depower the fog puts all of us in danger because she is what's holding us here and keeping the world together
and i think that doing something that hurts the whole monster community because of one monster's personal feelings is selfish.
what you did isn't wrong at all, by itself
but doing it when you know those two things is. that's how i feel.
does that make sense?
It does. I can accept those feelings.
But...she doesn't hold this world together.
Täge does that now.
And she doesn't have a choice in who comes or goes, so she isn't really what's holding us here, either.
She isn't the sort of "god" I learned about and wanted so desperately to absolve and love me. She has power and she uses it on us, but...she isn't absolute. I think that if it had to, this world could continue without her, the same way it's continued without other gods.
So I can't say that I think your thinking is completely correct, either, even if that wasn't the point.
But...she doesn't hold this world together.
Täge does that now.
And she doesn't have a choice in who comes or goes, so she isn't really what's holding us here, either.
She isn't the sort of "god" I learned about and wanted so desperately to absolve and love me. She has power and she uses it on us, but...she isn't absolute. I think that if it had to, this world could continue without her, the same way it's continued without other gods.
So I can't say that I think your thinking is completely correct, either, even if that wasn't the point.
[She huffs a little, rolling her eyes. Yep, Bucky sure does fold easily...and she sure doesn't take him seriously as a parental figure... The Naphil doesn't really imagine that he'll be a good counterbalance to her, but presumably he'll help the boys if they get lost in the weeds, and they'lol help her. At least...Leo would. Donnie takes even more convincing than she does, she's pretty sure.]
Well... The biggest source of power is really Miss Fog. Elias is the way he is because power was stolen from her. [Not that that's what he means.] You'll have to be careful. He could take everything away before you're successful. And...we'd need to find out how he's able to do some of the things he does. Preserving memories, for example...
Well... The biggest source of power is really Miss Fog. Elias is the way he is because power was stolen from her. [Not that that's what he means.] You'll have to be careful. He could take everything away before you're successful. And...we'd need to find out how he's able to do some of the things he does. Preserving memories, for example...
that's okay.
we can disagree
i don't think either of us knows for sure and i don't think you're wrong to think the way you do
i do agree that she isn't absolute.
if her power was untouchable i wouldn't worry when people do things
i don't think this world is stable.
if we shake it up too hard i'm worried it'll fall apart
and i can't let this world fall because i want to keep living here.
i think the lack of other gods is part of why it's unstable and i don't trust elias to hold it together or to let us live how we want to
his ideal world isn't safe either
so i can't accept making him stronger and the fog weaker.
but i understand why you did, and i don't think the way you feel about your friends is wrong
i think you're more
realistic. about it
than most people
and you don't act like you're better than anyone
or above it
or like you're not causing harm
you just accept the harm is worth it for you.
and even if i wouldn't make that choice i get why you did
and i can respect your mindset way more than people who pretend they're righteous when they're doing the same bad stuff all of us do.
so thank you, again
for warning me and for being honest with me
it means a lot.
we can disagree
i don't think either of us knows for sure and i don't think you're wrong to think the way you do
i do agree that she isn't absolute.
if her power was untouchable i wouldn't worry when people do things
i don't think this world is stable.
if we shake it up too hard i'm worried it'll fall apart
and i can't let this world fall because i want to keep living here.
i think the lack of other gods is part of why it's unstable and i don't trust elias to hold it together or to let us live how we want to
his ideal world isn't safe either
so i can't accept making him stronger and the fog weaker.
but i understand why you did, and i don't think the way you feel about your friends is wrong
i think you're more
realistic. about it
than most people
and you don't act like you're better than anyone
or above it
or like you're not causing harm
you just accept the harm is worth it for you.
and even if i wouldn't make that choice i get why you did
and i can respect your mindset way more than people who pretend they're righteous when they're doing the same bad stuff all of us do.
so thank you, again
for warning me and for being honest with me
it means a lot.
Yeah.
You're welcome.
You should also know that what I did wasn't meant to be permanent. I started looking for her when she disappeared with the cage I made.
I'll try to keep things from getting too out of hand when I can on this side.
I want to keep living here, too. With the people I love, and...with real friends, like you.
You're welcome.
You should also know that what I did wasn't meant to be permanent. I started looking for her when she disappeared with the cage I made.
I'll try to keep things from getting too out of hand when I can on this side.
I want to keep living here, too. With the people I love, and...with real friends, like you.
[leo do you need medical attention]
What are our other hands doing, then?
[like, what kind of pose is this...]
What are our other hands doing, then?
[like, what kind of pose is this...]
[There is no helping him, Ray.]
First, I have one hand, generally, so, I'd be at full hand occupancy. If I did have two, we could do a heart hand shape. [There is no logistics here, Ray. Only feelings.] I'm picturing you holding Dee, or we put Dee on a little stool.
If he's on a stool, you hold a lil paw, I hold the other lil paw. Simple.
First, I have one hand, generally, so, I'd be at full hand occupancy. If I did have two, we could do a heart hand shape. [There is no logistics here, Ray. Only feelings.] I'm picturing you holding Dee, or we put Dee on a little stool.
If he's on a stool, you hold a lil paw, I hold the other lil paw. Simple.
That's the plan essentially, slowly build up then pounce. Going off half cocked wouldn't do much beyond get Donnie and I booted, then where would that even get us? [Leo wants their efforts to be worth it. Even if they had to get their hands dirty.]
I want this to be worth it. I want to make this place better, even if it means I'll need to reign Donnie in more.
I want this to be worth it. I want to make this place better, even if it means I'll need to reign Donnie in more.
[Emporio gives it a bit before venturing out into the world after the last week's events.
People were...not themselves. Some didn't even remember it, which made it all the more worse. He, frankly exhausted emotionally and wanting to just sit with his dog for a while, thus took to his attic room with an unspoken all of you have to be very nice to me for like 3 months now to anyone wondering where he went.
Unspoken of course, because it wasn't as if Emporio would actually be able to hold that sort of thing over anyone.
Still, feeling a lot better after distracting himself with car ideas and race plans- Beat isn't the only one in need of a distraction- it's time to go back into the world. Yes, it was only one day, but if he leaves it longer people will probably wonder, and well.
Can't have that!
So after Ermes is dropped off at work, FF as well, he's driving off for the Morgue. Just to say 'hi' to...people he knows, again.
Sort of knows?
The turtle peers into the room after being told of where to find everyone, and blinks.]
Uh...Hi Rachel. ...Busy?
[He's not sure if she remembers, so he's just. Going to wait before poking the balloon that is 'you weren't really here. All week.']
People were...not themselves. Some didn't even remember it, which made it all the more worse. He, frankly exhausted emotionally and wanting to just sit with his dog for a while, thus took to his attic room with an unspoken all of you have to be very nice to me for like 3 months now to anyone wondering where he went.
Unspoken of course, because it wasn't as if Emporio would actually be able to hold that sort of thing over anyone.
Still, feeling a lot better after distracting himself with car ideas and race plans- Beat isn't the only one in need of a distraction- it's time to go back into the world. Yes, it was only one day, but if he leaves it longer people will probably wonder, and well.
Can't have that!
So after Ermes is dropped off at work, FF as well, he's driving off for the Morgue. Just to say 'hi' to...people he knows, again.
Sort of knows?
The turtle peers into the room after being told of where to find everyone, and blinks.]
Uh...Hi Rachel. ...Busy?
[He's not sure if she remembers, so he's just. Going to wait before poking the balloon that is 'you weren't really here. All week.']
[She's not expecting to hear her name, really, usually left to her own devices once she got going on things at work -- and then, more often than not it would be "Miss Gardner" that someone calls for. A weird anxiety overtakes her for a moment at the idea that the front desk hasn't respected her wishes to turn away visitors, but when it registers as Emporio, who has, as far as she can tell, been given an all-access pass thanks to his ability to make good decisions and have morals, her shoulders and leafy ears relax again. Her green-on-green gaze once again goes a bit sleepy, though not nearly as severe as it had been the week before.]
The usual amount of busy, after mid-month. [Almost as an aside to herself,] Mm, though neither Mr. Holmes nor I were around. I'm not sure about the other two...but I'm doing a few doubles so Miss Cooper can take time off to make up for it.
[Ray looks back to her paperwork, scanning it over while she continues. Despite this, her tone is about as friendly as it can get, for someone she likes but hasn't accepted into her closest of circles.]
What do you want?
The usual amount of busy, after mid-month. [Almost as an aside to herself,] Mm, though neither Mr. Holmes nor I were around. I'm not sure about the other two...but I'm doing a few doubles so Miss Cooper can take time off to make up for it.
[Ray looks back to her paperwork, scanning it over while she continues. Despite this, her tone is about as friendly as it can get, for someone she likes but hasn't accepted into her closest of circles.]
What do you want?
It's not worse? [Since....yknow. Well, shrugging the surprise off, the turtle clacks his claws together- clearly anxious about something.] I uh...
I wanted to check in? ...I tried finding everyone I knew through the week, even just to try and be there while they acted different...but I never saw you here that whole time. I saw Ianthe at least, but..."
Well. He trails off, unsure of how much to say there.
Instead, he adds- "...It... ...Are you happier now, or... ...Do you remember much?"
I wanted to check in? ...I tried finding everyone I knew through the week, even just to try and be there while they acted different...but I never saw you here that whole time. I saw Ianthe at least, but..."
Well. He trails off, unsure of how much to say there.
Instead, he adds- "...It... ...Are you happier now, or... ...Do you remember much?"
[It feels weird, with how everything is with them, to do this but he has hit an impasse. His skills can only take him so far after all.]
I need your help.
With Leo's birthday gift, I can pay you.
I need your help.
With Leo's birthday gift, I can pay you.
[...She shouldn't feel so happy about this...but having him ask something of her, it's a nice feeling.]
Actually, I could use your help on my gift to Leo, too. We could trade labor?
Actually, I could use your help on my gift to Leo, too. We could trade labor?
[It's a mutual happy feeling then, because lordy is he still unsure on where he stands with Ray. Even with one date under his belt.]
Oh sure? I just need help with some sewing stuff, what do you need help with?
Oh sure? I just need help with some sewing stuff, what do you need help with?
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