Fifty Sixth Sip

[mal_addict]

[Maladict likes to tell herself that she isn't prone to making friends. And by and large, that's very true. She naturally keeps people at arms length. Even amongst her regimental sisters, there are only two or three she'd be willing to call her friends.

But sometimes, people worm their way close to her. Just enough that when they eventually go, she misses their presence. That's happened more than once this month, and Maladict has found a rather disturbing absence in her life because of it. There was a touch of fear settling in, too. After all, it could send anyone home at any time, and it deeply concerned her to learn that neither she wanted to leave, nor did she want certain people to be sent home.

And so, she's headed out to the firing range, where she usually goes to try and get rid of stupid emotional feelings like that. She takes a few shots at the moving targets with her Horsebow, her journal open to catch the KA-THUNK as the bolts hit home. Eventually, she decides to speak, almost as if she's started half this conversation in her head already]

You know, that's one of the really annoying things about this place. You think you're comfortable. That you know what's what and you can deal with it. And then it just pulls the rug out from under you, and you're left struggling to catch your footing again.

It's times like that I can see the appeal of just picking up sticks and moving out to the dead zone. Lack of powers be damned. [There's another solid KA-THUNK]

You know what, forget it. Let's play a game. You people like inane games don't you? Name your favourite vegetable or colour or whatever. Or tell me if you find cats or dogs more enjoyable, or at least one less offensive than the other. Something.

Comments

[persequor]

[ She knows that feeling. She's had it herself all month. Whatever this month's name is, it sucks. ]

I prefer wolves.

[mal_addict]

[Maladict hears that. It's got a stupid name anyway. Sect-ober? Whatever. It's dumb]

They're a lot more comforting. We had a lot of them around the castle when I was growing up.

[persequor]

[ The dumbest. ]

Wild?

[mal_addict]

Oh yes, very wild. Some of them were even werewolves.

[persequor]

Were-what?

[kalinda]

I'm not much of an animal person, but I will say that dogs give you this weird... look.

[mal_addict]

[That gets a chuckle] A weird look?

[kalinda]

Yeah. I was seeing this dog trainer for a while. For a K-9 unit at that. Every time we'd take it to her place, they'd just... be as observant as ever.

[mal_addict]

Can't say I've ever noticed that about dogs before.

Filtered to Maladict

[vampirize]

[Oh dear. He recognizes this tone. This is the same tone he took when Helen had left, and he had thrown himself at the castle in an attempt to deal with his feelings.]

...

What are you doing?

[DON'T BE PLANNING WORLD DOMINATION ON HIM, NOW.]

Nikola forever

[mal_addict]

[KA-THUNK]

Target practise.

[It's a simple enough answer. She's annoyed at herself for caring so much. And even more so about worrying people are going to leave. Even him.

Especially him]

Maladict forever

[vampirize]

Crossbow, huh? I remember Helen is pretty good at using one of those...

[A pause. How do you do this comforting thing, again?]

Want for me to come over and see just how good at it you are?

[mal_addict]

Horsebow, they're from my world and are a lot more vicious.

[KA-THUNK]

...Sure. If you'd like. [Yes please, she'd like that very much]

dictated

[samson]

[oh ... she sounds unhappy. HOW DOES ONE 'CONCERNED FRIEND' AGAIN, he doesn't even know.]

I could tell you my favorite ways to kill people.

forever!

[mal_addict]

[That works well Brock, good job]

Yeah, sure, go on.

yes!!

[samson]

[He tries! Sometimes.]

Alright. This one time, I ripped a guy's head off with a plunger. And then another time, I killed a guy with a shark.

[mal_addict]

...Did you push the shark guy into a large body of water or did you hit the man with the shark?

[eatsfire]

Mnnn, guess I'd like cats better, though Exceeds aren't normal cats.

[mal_addict]

...What's an Exceed?

[eatsfire]

They're like cats, but they can talk and have wings! Well, they can make wings appear and use 'em, that's their kind of magic.

[mal_addict]

So they took a creature that was already irritating and obnoxious and made them even more so.

[teratologist]

In for a penny... carrots, lavender, dogs are more loyal.

Now the niceties are out of the way...just what is it that is bothering you? Care to come round for tea and talk? Or just tea? If the mood really calls for it I believe I have some 1942 Cabernet still hidden around here, but you can't breathe a word of it to Nikola.

[mal_addict]

Nice list there, Helen.

[There's a considerate pause] You have any coffee there?

[teratologist]

Personally? No, I would never let the foul brew touch my lips. However since I know how many others indulge I keep some onhand for them.

[mal_addict]

[Helen no]

Foul brew? Do you and James have meetings about this?