[2]

[savethedarkness]

[settling in isn't the right word for what M has been doing. more like coping. everything is still as bizarre for her as it was when she arrived.... maybe even more so. realizing that everyone she'd spoken to thus far was at least telling what they felt to be the honest truth didn't exactly make her feel better. on the contrary, it made her feel worse. either there was something she was missing, a clue to some drug or process they had all undergone, or she really was in another dimension with something irretrievably lost, and no way home. she didn't want to think on which was worse.

she had spent much of her first few days resting, writing in the journal rather than speaking, as her body knitted itself back together and her fatigue waned. Carson had already checked in on her, regularly, and slowly the clinic was becoming familiar to her. finally, she felt fine enough to try looking around on her own, even if she wasn't sure if she was technically cleared to do so.

so, this fine evening, residents will find her anywhere on the second or first floors, making a tentative exploration of her own. she'll end up in the kitchen though, in robe and slippers, staring in perplexion into a dark blue mug]

I don't understand. It's not as though this was meant to be difficult.

[she glances over to see her journal merrily transcribing away].... And I know I left this damn thing back at the clinic. What in God's name...

Comments

[wolfchild]

[ Arya had walked in to overhear the complaint. ]

They follow you.

[ She continues to the refrigerator. ]

[savethedarkness]

So I see. .... [she recognizes the voice, and does a double take. who looked like a little boy sounds exactly like...]

Arya? Is that you?

[wolfchild]

[ She frowns. ]

Do I know you?

[savethedarkness]

I'm sorry, yes. We've spoken. [she nods toward the journal] I recognized your voice.... I'm Emma.

[heal_theworld]

[It's at this point that Martel walks into the kitchen to get a cup of tea. M might have seen this woman in the clinic at some point, though never up close, but she's incredibly hard to mistake with her green hair down her back and her own tendency for wearing green.

She sees the kettle is already been taken out with water in it and turns to M, headtilting.] Are you using the rest of this water?

[savethedarkness]

[damn. caught. M isn't about to back down, though, and she simply shrugs a bit]

You can use it as you like, but I think the tea is off. [she pulls the tea ball out of her mug and watches the water drip out, clear as from the tap]

[heal_theworld]

Thank you! Though, don't worry, I have my own tea. You can use some, if you like. [She gets up into the cupboard and takes out a cup, along with a packet of her own tea leaves, setting it on the counter. She isn't here to tell you to go back to the clinic, though, she does recognize you from there.] ...Oh, weren't you in the clinic for a few days?

[savethedarkness]

Kind of you. [she picks up the packet and inspects it thoroughly, first - she's still in the habit. a lifetime of espionage will do that to you]

And what if I was, does it matter?

[wishmadeinfire]

<sub>[ Though Ashura knew he could simply wish for tea, or cocoa, or wine or anything he wanted, there was something to be said for being able to walk things out before bed, and making it for yourself. He had come to actually enjoy that small experience, where normally everything had been done for him when he was King.

He glided into the kitchen, wrapped in red and white, cocking his head at the sight of an older woman staring at a blue mug, like she expected something to happen. ]</sub>

Is something the matter?

[savethedarkness]

Not quite sure if it's the matter, but it's certainly not normal. Not that very much is, so far.

[she glanced over her shoulder at him and - well. my. his ears were certainly something. thankfully, she was accustomed to a perfect poker face at the sight of shocking things. the only thing that betrayed her surprise was the slightest initial widening of her eyes, before a blink covered it up]

[wishmadeinfire]

A blue mug is not normal?

_{[ He arched a delicately manicured brow at her, coming up to the cupboards and selecting a tall mug for himself before turning to fill it with water from the sink. ]}

[savethedarkness]

Oh, the mug's normal enough. It's the tea. [she lifts the little silver tea ball out of the steaming mug and lets the water drip out, demonstratively. it's painfully clear, no tint at all]

I've had that steeping at least five minutes now.

[Dictated]

[deductiongeek]

[Conan recognized that voice from the other day.]

What's difficult?

[savethedarkness]

[and she recognizes his!] Hullo, Conan. ... Something off about the tea in the kitchen, it seems.

[deductiongeek]

The tea? [He pauses thoughtfully.] I wonder if this is a new pattern. A few days ago someone had the same problem with the coffee.

Have you tried asking someone else to make it?

[savethedarkness]

The thought hadn't occurred to me, no. It'd be rather silly when I'm perfectly capable, now that I'm out of the clinic.

[kungfuwitch]

[Phoebe had been heading to the kitchen for some tea, herself, actually. She could have gone all the way up to her room but she feels like being social.

When she sees the other woman already there she smiles warmly]

Hello.

[savethedarkness]

Good evening. [she managed a smile of her own, welcoming enough, even if it wasn't completely warm.

what, she's British, and she's a spy. warmth isn't exactly in her repertoire, nine times out of ten]

[kungfuwitch]

[She gestures to the mug as she steps into the kitchen, heading for the kettle.]

I see you had the same idea I did. Mind if I join you?

[bronwe]

[ It must be time for supper!

Have a hobbit now puttering into the kitchen in calf-length pants and braces and a colorful vest over a pressed white shirt. He grants her a little smile if she happens to look his way, moving over to one side of the room to then stare up at a cabinet...

He always falls when he tries climbing up on one of those. ]

[savethedarkness]

[oh, it's a little person. M is no stranger to people of unique stature - they're very useful in espionage! - but she's never seen one as dapper as this fellow. she nods back, watching him without actively staring... except maybe a little at his feet. goodness.]

I'm not trying to be rude, but do you need something down from up there?

[bronwe]

[ Oh good, an offer. Frodo turns, smiling a little sheepishly at her. ]

Yes, if you would be so kind. I should like a cup to make some tea.

[compromisedarrow]

[Clint's been out all day. He likes to spend most of his time at the shooting range, exploring around, getting to know all the nooks and crannies available in this weird-ass dimension.

As such, he's walking into the kitchen, quiver on his back, a flight case containing his bow in his hand. He nods to M, setting his case on the ground, going to boil the kettle for some cocoa.]

Evening.

[savethedarkness]

Evening. [she's eyeing those weapons with shrewd, quiet interest]. So the castle has a guard, does it?

[compromisedarrow]

Hm? [He looks back at the woman at the table.] Oh. No. Just a hobby.

[It's the same excuse he's used on everyone who doesn't know he's from SHIELD.]