trustfell | Initiative.

Rachel looks a bit conflicted about what should happen from here; Lisbeth is still on the floor, but she's told her what she should do, and so... Well, she's never really been good at saying no, though she does walk up and reach out to pet Lisbeth's hair gingerly for a moment before turning to everyone else.

"We should leave."

And with that, the courtroom changes, all at once; it was one thing, and then quite simply it isn't, and the podium circle has been replaced with a round spread of consoles wrapping around a center spire. The room is no longer concrete and steel, but rather stark white, all done up in glossy tile that looks like it'd crack if you hit it hard enough with something – that said, it's not recommended to try, given that it's just as indestructible as everything else in the building.

Rachel approaches the consoles, reaching out to touch them, fingers tapping gently against several of the unmarked buttons; it's probably not precisely necessary for her to do so, given the state of things, but she seems to like doing it, so do it she shall. There are a pair of slots that look like keycards are required; she glances at them for a second before manipulating more buttons, causing a small panel to open up in front of her – it looks like an authorization mechanism of some sort, the kind that you press your hand against to get it to recognize you.

"It's going to be a bit jarring when you wake up; sorry about that, but you've been asleep for a really long time. I'd suggest giving it a moment."

She pauses, though, once that's out there, glancing back at everyone.

"I'll be on the other side with you, but not like this. We can still talk, though, if you like."

And with that she just turns and presses her hand against the panel without waiting for an answer; the next thing you're aware of is the flash.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I have my own at home. It's a gift from my granddaughter, to wish pleasant dreams on me when I sleep.

... I don't know if you sleep though.

I DON'T HAVE TO! IT WOULD BE KIND OF INCONVENIENT IF I DID, BECAUSE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE KEEPING AN EYE ON THINGS.

Are you capable of it? Ever wanted to try? I actually like sleeping, myself.

I LIKE BEING AWAKE! I LIKE KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON, AND SPENDING A LOT OF HOURS UNCONSCIOUS SEEMS WEIRD.

You get to rest though, and dream!

WHAT IS DREAMING LIKE?

Dreaming is... It's what happens when you allow your mind to wander, and when it moves freely. Images, sounds, smells, all of those things come together in your head - bits and pieces of things you've experienced form images and feelings, and they can take you to wonderful places which might be impossible in reality.

SO YOU'RE HALLUCINATING WHILE YOU'RE ASLEEP.

It sounds less romantic when you put it like that, but yes, I suppose.

NO, IT SOUNDS PRETTY NEAT, ACTUALLY.

If you can, try it sometime.

[ A beat ]

... Probably after you're not hooked up to things that can make people pop in from across worlds but. Eventually?

EVENTUALLY, YES.

Good.

[ . . . ]

I appreciate when you let me sleep in the office, to this day. That was - that was just was I needed, then.

...IT'S OKAY. LOSING FAMILY IS HARD, EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT REALLY GONE FOR GOOD.

It was.

[ . . . ]

And I really appreciate you being sensitive to that, even if it just was what Hilda would have done.

[...]

YOU LOOKED LIKE YOU NEEDED SOMEONE TO BE YOUR FRIEND AT THE MOMENT.

I truly did.

[ Exhale. ]

If we actually don't see each other after this, I wanted to reaffirm my gratitude for both that and the assistance you gave us at the end. ... And that we are still friends.

I LIKE HAVING FRIENDS.

WE CAN STILL BE FRIENDS IF YOU WANT TO.

I do! [ She laughs at that. ]

I can't say I'm unbiased, because I didn't connect with you as "Alena" as a lot of others did, but I appreciated you a lot ... in total. You even let me paint your nails twice, now I think of it!

IT WAS FUN! I'D NEVER HAD MY NAILS PAINTED BEFORE.

...MAYBE BECAUSE I DON'T USUALLY HAVE NAILS TO PAINT, BUT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT PROBABLY.

Hey, maybe you will in future!

... Unless you mom's making you another cat, but hey, a lot of people liked Johanna.

CATS ARE NICE, BUT I DON'T THINK I WANT TO BE ONE? I DON'T KNOW.

Yeah you've gotten to be a person-- human? ... Thing with a human or vampire shape! [ Ziska has a soul ok so... ] ... Anyway, I imagine being something without thumbs would be unfortunate after that.

RIGHT! CATS ARE ALSO VERY SMALL AND LOW TO THE GROUND, AND EASILY PICKED UP AND MOVED PLACES.

[cats are almost a perfect predator that are pointy on five of their six ends, only to be completely thwarted by the fact that they have no thumbs and also they weigh eight pounds and we like to pick them up and give them kisses]

So if you have the option, what do you want to be?

(no subject)

trustbound - 2017-11-21 18:42 (UTC) - Expand

matchbreaker - 2017-11-21 18:48 (UTC) - Expand