paradisa | 134.0

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134.0

[The castle has really got to stop with this turning York into a toy business. It's starting to get annoying.]

[Filtered away from anyone who would use this information for harm]

What the hell is everyone talking about? Did something happen? I've been, uh, out of it for a couple weeks. Anyone mind giving me a hand here?

[Carolina]

Hey. Sorry about that. You okay?

((ooc: Since the distress call was over the radio, it didn't get recorded on the journals so what expedition?))

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And you know? She wouldn't be any good as a leader now anyway. She doesn't even value herself, much less care about a team.

[He's silent in response and almost doesn't answer.]

She doesn't have anyone else, South. And as far as I knew, she was dead back home. If I didn't try, I'd always have that on my conscience.

So at what point do you realize it's not worth it? How long as she been back?

[Just because you tried doesn't mean you have to keep trying forever.]

If she hadn't started responding, I would have. I did, for a little while. I mean, sometimes you do have to just let things go.

But it's not easy, and, well, she is crying out for help. She's just burned most of her bridges and doesn't have anyone else to turn to.

She's not crying out for help. She's pushing people away. All I ever got from her is I wasn't worth shit unless I did what she ordered.

[Yeah guess what bridge has been burned.]

None of what I did, what I tried to change, mattered. [It's said a little softer, because it hurt, that South had thought, had hoped maybe, that Carolina would be proud of the strides she's made in trying to change her future. If not there, then here.]

It matters, South. She just can't see past herself to give a shit about anyone else, not yet. You remember how she always used to push herself too hard to get to the top of the list? How after she wasn't at the top anymore, she cared a lot less about the team and a lot more about making--making the Director happy? This is the natural result of that.

I'm not excusing her behavior, because, frankly? It's been terrible. But you gotta believe me when I say I wouldn't be having this conversation with the psycho bitch you would have turned into who only wanted to steal my AI. There's more to you than that, and we both know it. It's not who you are, and it's not who you have to become.

I just wish she'd see it. She's part of the reason I even fucking thought I could do anything to make a difference in the first place. [It's comes out thicker and more emotional than she'd planned.]

I need a drink. You want to continue this I'll be here. [She scribbles in the address to a bar in town, which is in stumbling distance from her house. Then, she closes the journal.]

[Getting a drink the night before he wants to leave on a trip probably isn't the wisest choice, but--Carolina's not the only one crying out for help.

In about as much time as it takes to walk from the castle, there's an armored figure walking in.]

[South's not in armor, instead wearing some tight-fitting low-cut top that she uses to attract townies and a pair of cutoff jean shorts. She snorts a small laugh, seeing him in armor, and understanding now all too well why, and gives the chair next to her a little kick out to motion him to sit.]

Kinda surprised you showed up.

[Someone only has to get burned to death once to wear protection from then on. Still, he sits down and takes off his helmet.]

Well, I still have to pack for the trip so I can't stay out too late. But on the other hand, I've been stuck as a toy for a few weeks. Could use a drink.

Got it, quick and dirty.

[She waves the bartender down and orders two shots to start them off. Well, besides the beer she's already nursing.] So you're going to go play Cavalry and beat away the nasty aliens?

I think I have to, South. The kid who says he's in charge is literally a kid - teenager who claims he's a mafia boss. You can imagine how confident I am that he'll actually get anything done.

Ugh, really? Someone should start a daycare. [She finishes off her beer as the shots arrive, then pushes one towards York and takes the other for herself.]

Who else is going?

I think kids actually outnumber adults here, so it might be hard to enforce.

[He takes the shot and sighs happily, eyes watering just a little bit. Good stuff.]

The usual suspects - Ino, the Doctor, Percy, probably Allen. From our group, only Carolina so far.

[She nods; that's two from her house.]

You're probably the only one willing to travel with her.

[She orders a couple more shots.]

That's--huh. Yeah, maybe. [Depressing is what that is. York gets kind of a frustrated look on his face.]

How far the mighty have fallen.

Hey,

[She nudges him forcefully with her arm. She would have smacked him, but he's in armor and she's not keen on breaking bones. She hands him another shot.]

Shut up and drink up. You gotta painful ride coming up so might as well enjoy tonight, yeah?

[She lifts her shotglass in a toast.]

[York snickers and takes a tiny sip of the shot to make sure it's not going to kill him.]

Yes, Mom.

[And downs it. Okay, now he might be starting to feel it a little.]

So? How'd things go with you the last few weeks?

They went. [Downing hers, slamming the shotglass upside down on the counter and ordering another round.] Next question; boxers or briefs?

[She was turning this into a game, in part to steer the conversation away from her.]

What? I'm not telling you that!

[But he grins. Maybe--]

But I can tell you I own both a Speedo and a pair of regular swim trunks. Close enough?

I remember the speedo. [She tilts the shotglass at him with a glint in her eye. The annoyingly green one, right?]

Now come on, ask me a question.

[York smirks. Yeah, he thought she might.]

Let's see.

[He orders a beer this time so he can drink it a little more slowly.]

Did you get to choose purple and green, or was it chosen for you?

[Hard to ignore a color that hideous, especially paired with the nonexistance of coverage for a speedo.]

[She hefts a sigh and throws her shot back, frowning. Leave it to him to ask the awkward shit.] What do you think?

Well, it matches your eyeshadow, so I wasn't sure.

[How is that more awkward than asking about underwear? Only South could say.]

[There's just something more invasive to her about bearing her soul than bearing her body.] Yeah well you're wearing -- [She gives a half-wave at his armor,] damn, what is that color?

[Again, deflecting.]

It's goldenrod and steel, of course. Or "tan", if you can't remember goldenrod. Blends in with a lot of environments, actually.

[Yeah, with someone as open as York, he doesn't really see what's awkward about color choice.]

South

York

South

Re: South

South

York

action!

action forever!

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