I was a high school drama teacher once β a very brief affair. For good reason. Why did I ever think a professor would be any easier? The students still lack any sense of innate inspiration and there's no budget for putting up a proper production.
This has been even more stressful than taking up the understudy position for Katharine Hepburn in As You Like It on Broadway.
embarrassing walking back in here when the only other tag here is MY DROPPED ONE
I'll admit I've been a little hesitant to try. I'm not always good with all that techy stuff.
But Elizabeth Taylor did own her own private spa and I happened to be one of the lucky guests to get a tour. The men she employed had the nicest hands.
[ Shang-chi isn't, actually, much of a morning person. When forced to get up with the alarm clock, he'll absolutely do the thing, but he won't be happy about it. Thus, the invitation to Rita's town hall meeting unfortunately stays neglected until Alina comes into his room with a handful of pocketed doughnuts, and then he tunes in and out of the feed to get the basic gist of what's going down.
The doughnuts aren't so bad, if a tiny bit lint-y.
Halfway through and needing the caffeine boost, he decides he'll brave the mess hall if only to get to the kitchen for a strong tea (or maybe coffee) when he catches sight of the hostess herself right outside of the doors, leaning against the side and ... admittedly looking a little stressed out. The doors themselves are closed but he can just hear the reverberations of two parties arguing with each other. It sounds like some kind of political debate. Totally not his scene.
And he guesses that might be one of the reasons Rita's out here. ]
[ it had all started so well and maybe rita's lucky it had managed to stay that way for a long enough time before the conflicted opinions began to really make themselves known. she expected debates, but she'd been hopeful that the change in scenery from the high-stress of the mission could allow for more breathing room. then again, even she briefly found herself a little heated when the unexpected argument of "acting v spy work" became a sudden hot topic.
with the potential for stress on the uprise, briefly catching her cheek feeling a bit loose, rita decided the best option was to catch her own breath, slipping out of the room and taking a plate full of assorted donuts with her.
she doesn't want to go too far, aware that she'd be a horrible hostess if she simply left and didn't come back before the meeting's end, but it's at least enough of a change of scenery to be in the empty hallway, which is where shaun finds her, looking up with surprise when he greets her, lips pressing together with slight embarrassment in being caught. as well as having a mouth full of donut.
swallowing it down, she nods, ]
Sure is. [ she laughs quietly and rather bashfully. ] Promise not to tattle that I'm out here?
[Clayton leaves a carefully-wrapped present in front of Rita's room - thin and a little floppy, obviously some kind of small paperback. It's apparently a play, something titled A Young Man's Game; leafing through it reveals a plot similar to Lord of the Flies except set in a remote factory, where the lack of adult supervision (with an emphasis on missing company culture) leads the group of children abandoned there to eventually succumb to anarchy and, most horrifying of all, bankruptcy. The writing is uninspired, but with a bit of work with stage direction, it could at least be an entertaining production.]
[A note has been tucked into a random page, written in horrifically bad script.]
If you're still recovering from your time at the school, I hope this helps. --Clayton
[In the spirit of the holidays, (1) mud-covered, scraped up Newton Geiszler is currently stopping in his clumsy running from giant (venomous) furries to cup a hand at his mouth and holler at a familiar face across the mucky ditch:]
Rita!!! Heeeey!!
Happy Valentine's Day!
[in case its our last, yanno]
I REFUSE IT TO BE SHORT > fast forward a few days after the return.
[ it's a few nights after the return that rita goes to newt's room and it's only because she'd needed days to get the ingredients together and the recipe right that it even takes that long. but after catching his words briefly during those final hours of their mission, where the chaos hadn't even allowed her to give a reply, she'd set her mind to making sure she got it done.
but after a knock on the door, newt will find rita with an honest, heartfelt smile on her face as she holds up the plate in her hands. on it is a small rocky road cheesecake in the shape of a heart. ]
It isn't very big. Getting the shape right was a bit of a trick, so I couldn't quiteβ [ oh, shut up, rita, it's not important. ] Anyway ... Happy Valentines, Newt. Belated, as it is.
He's a child, Rita. Children are entitled to their tantrums, it has no bearing on who you are and the continued kindness you offer everyone on this station.
[ he does kind of wish she had kept dogshit mcgivens on the backburner in case booker ever returned, but. swings and roundabouts. ]
[ honestly, it'd been less about itachi himself and more about everything she'd been forced to remember that she hated about herself. all those inconsiderate, selfish flaws she'd tried to work on to be a better person. she'd never been good at it, so it's often hard for her to tell if she's doing it right.
as heavy as her heart is, joe's words have a way of soothing it somewhat. ]
I'm not entirely sure everyone sees it that way. I think I ended up offending more people than not.
[Okay, Itachi was... such a complicated person. So complicated. But there was being complicated, and there was being that harsh with someone who hoped to have a little fun and bring a little light to the day. Finn had his fair share of that with certain people (or... person) on this ship. Whatever they meant by it, heart in the right place or not, it still sucks.
And having it happen so publicly? It makes him wince. Rita held her own just fine, more than fine, but the way her form went spongey at the end... It felt like something he'd seen thousands of times before, even if Finn can't place it. That vague feeling overrides any sense of privacy she's owed, messaging her before he has the time to second guess himself.]
[ no one was supposed to see that, the part of herself that she tries so hard to hide. revealing her abilities had been one thing, for people to know that she could stretch and grow, but for them to see the it when she isn't under control, where her skin melts like wax β
all at once, the rita whose instinct had been to isolate herself comes rushing back. and she does, concealing herself in the darkness of her room where she can bury herself until she can collect herself again.
but what she doesn't expect are the messages that come filtering in through the earpiece, words of concern for her. and suddenly, she finds herself overwhelmed all over again, for entirely different reasons. ]
Of course! [ there speaks rita farr, actress, queen of pretending. finn's a good kid, positive and enthusiastic. he doesn't deserve to have to deal with her mess. ] I'm fine. It was just a little misunderstanding.
[Natasha wouldn't describe herself as close to Rita. They have different experience and different approaches, but she does like her. She also feels for her after her rather public meltdown. For... lack of a better term.
So she gives it a minute, letting the other woman collect herself, before she messages:]
I know I was giving you a little shit, but... I don't think people thank you enough for what you do for people around here. Things like this, even when we're ungrateful, it's the kind of stuff that helps make a team instead of a bunch of idiots fighting in the same direction.
[She knows something about that. She also knows something about mistakes, and just how unglamorous being a quote-unquote superhero can be.
She's very familiar with how much it looks like what they've been doing, collecting the orbs. Fuckups and all.]
If you think you'd be up for a beer, I'd be happy to drop some by your room. If you think you'd be up for some company, I'm good for that too. Your choice.
[ rita has enjoyed natasha's company in the times they've chatted together, but it still surprises her to hear from her. not because she'd seen her as someone inconsiderate, by any means, but because β well, sometimes it still surprises her when people actually seem interested in checking on her. considering the reactions, she'd started to wonder just how many people have been annoyed by her presence all this time.
she considers the offer for a moment, debates her original plans of tucking herself in, maybe throwing on an old movie of hers, and weeping until she falls asleep.
the beer with natasha sounds much left pathetic. ]
I think I could use a beer. The company sounds especially nice too.
[ there's plenty of people rita likes on this station (and some that she's not sure she likes much at all, based on recent interactions), but there are a few in particular that have a way with becoming a soothing balm to the ache of anxiety in her chest just from a simple message.
andy's helped her get as far as she has, even if she's wondering if she's cycling back more steps than she can count after that little public outburst. but still, it's relieving to hear from her. ]
I'm not so sure the vodka will taste very good without that hug first.
[ rita's still trying to pull herself together from the entire fiasco, but the fact that several different women have offered all kinds of alcohol has definitely had its effect in cheering her up. ]
[It happens around an hour after the confrontation with Itachi on the network. After watching Rita's face slip, like a candle melting, and the thundering silence from her after.
The video is shrouded in darkness, the edges of his face vanishing into the shadows around him.]
[ she's ... somewhat better by the time his message comes through, at least to the point that her face is properly as it should be again, no longer sloppy against her fingers. ]
You're very kind to ask. But I'm alright, really. Just got a little caught up in the excitement.
[Newt has been so preoccupied with recording everything here in Ciraiwei that most crewmates will find it at least a fraction quieter around them. As it turns out, Newton Geiszler is most easily tamed into silence by work, especially work on limited time. He's got his earbuds in (and thank god they shrank with them, huh?) and has been in his own little world while carefully drawing a collection of different flowers in bloom down the hill he's found. He's absolutely no artist, but he has learned how to recreate the general shape and anatomy of plants over the years. Little scribbly stamen and pistils and peduncles...
He's so preoccupied and serious with his work, he doesn't notice Rita coming along (does this planet have large birds? he really should pay attention in case there are large birds-). The only sound that comes out of him, as he lowers his notepad, is a little deflated sigh.
Why so down in the dumps, right?
It's not like this planet is probably going to explode into tiny pieces.]
[ rita's had her own share of being preoccupied on this planet. from the moment the concept of trying to contact remi had come up, she'd made it her entire objective to see if they can pull the wizard over here to somehow help them with the attempted evacuation efforts. unfortunately, it's been days, and with some of their crew researching the environment and hunting down the orb, there's only so much time she can spend sitting around with mal, waiting for their savior to arrive β it he does at all.
she leaves their magical sos necklace in mal's hands for the time being as she's urged to take a much needed break from bouncing from group to group, seeing where they are on magical portals and potential ship drafts, to take a walk for fresh air and try to ease her mind from stress for a few moments.
unfortunately, it's walking amongst the beauty of this world that reminds her of the devastation that's fast approaching, leaving her all the more tense about whether or not they can really save the people within it.
it's as she's walking down along a hill that she finds the familiar face, one that always has a way of being a calming balm to her own personal panics. the sight of him eases her, but it does take long to realize the rare quiet that surrounds him this time around.
realizing he might not hear her with his buds on, her feet try to step carefully around the flowers, avoiding to stomp any with her heel, as she bends down a short ways in front of him so she can get his attention without scaring him. ]
I'm not disrupting your date with the flowers, am I?
[ she'd been nervous, wringing her hands, but the way her conversation had gone with remi, she'd wanted to feel hopeful, even if she'd known nothing would be definitive until he learned what their resources are.
when she gets the message from stephen, she very nearly starts to cry.
time had been ticking and she had ran on a whim with this one strand of hope, which so many told her had been a long shot. finally, it's proven worth it. ]
Thank you for helping to make it possible.
I'm not a magician, but whatever you need me for, I'm here to help. I can aid with the evacuation efforts once they get started, corralling everyone. [ a pause before she adds, ] I can stretch and grow if that's needed for anything.
[ before they leave but after the announcement of the orb's finding, rita will find during a brief pause back in her hutt to compose herself a thick, leaf wrapped package. it's about as heavy as a thick book and there is a note pinned to the front of the package with a thorn. ]
As comprehensive a record of their people and culture as I could manage. If the rescue is successful, please make sure one of their leaving elders has this.
If not, keep it please so their lives are not forgotten.
[ if she peaks inside she will find loose sheaves of a vellum-like paper made from the wafer thin membrane of a mushroom harvested by the edge of the sun-drenched forest and a number of pages ripped right from joe's own journal, filled with portraits of the hivawei along with scribbled stories and notes next to detailed sketches of their flora and fauna and traditions. there is also instructions for book binding so whomever receives the papers can compile them into a book on their own, joe hadn't the time.
Rita. Rita! [ malyen calls out after he catches sight of her, ever on the move like a hummingbird with it's heart pitter-pattering in it's chest. since the wizard's arrival and the subsequent plans made, the tracker's not sure that he's seen rita slow down for a moment.
not as the day turned to night, then the light faded from the next day. mal's not sure she's sleeping. and while it's not his place to protest or comment on anyone's dedication, he was there when remi pointed sharp words at rita too. he knows this is personal. so when he sees rita flitter past where he's seated at a small campfire, away from where many are gathered, with the sort of look that reminds him of a soldier with a mission to complete --- mal stands up and calls out to her. ] I need your help with something! Do you have a moment?
[ it is a dirty trick, actually, but no one ever said that malyen plays by the book. no, not when it comes to things like getting someone to rest and eat a meal. ]
[ rita hasn't really stopped, not while so much has been on the line. once remi's help had apparent and the spark of hope had been ignited, it seemed like there wasn't a moment to waste trying to organize the plans for evacuation efforts, a clutter of papers in her hands with names and ideas of how things will go down.
really, she's barely had time to catch her breath, which she doesn't seem to do either when mal seems to call for her. once upon a time, rita would have met someone's request for help with a groan of hesitance, believing herself ill-suited for any job that required effort, but now she seems to buzz with the intent of making sure everything's in order as she darts over to the campfire, eyes wide with her continued frantic panic. ]
Mal? What is it? Is something wrong!? [ because nothing, nothing, can be going wrong. not now. ]
[ The message comes through late that first evening, once most had trudged to bed exhausted. Jake was among them, eager to let sleep ease away the aches of a day spent shoving mushrooms into his body and then back out into various adjoining holes. It seemed almost farcical to look back on, though no one on the ship was doing much laughing today.
This message would've come earlier, had Finn not hit up against the grim discovery of Steve's disappearance. It was a long night nursing the boy through an accelerated stage of grief, only for them to end up right back at the start again. At least depression was good for one thing; Finn would get some sleep.
Was Rita sleeping? It was late enough that he hoped so. Heck, it was late enough that he shouldn't check. Still... ]
[ considering the lack of sleep rita had actually managed to receive during their time on mission, one would think she'd instantly pass out the moment they made their return. but the understanding of what had come from their efforts, the bittersweet conclusion of their attempted rescue, had been an overwhelming thing to bear, the weight of it heavy on her heart the moment they arrived back.
though her skin had begun to sink from her cheeks, it was the hot tears in her eyes that had kept her from meeting anyone else's eyes, excess of both exhaustion and emotions getting the best of her.
she's so tired but the kind of tired that keeps one awake rather than send them into immediate sleep. ]
Hi, Jake. [ she says quietly, missing the usual rita farr spunk and enthusiasm. ] Yeah, I'm ... I'm awake.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text | un: 182
never ever be a student for your mission cover story
i can't believe i have to find a wish-granting orb and still do homework
[ someone is Suffering™ ]
no subject
I was a high school drama teacher once β a very brief affair. For good reason.
Why did I ever think a professor would be any easier?
The students still lack any sense of innate inspiration and there's no budget for putting up a proper production.
This has been even more stressful than taking up the understudy position for Katharine Hepburn in As You Like It on Broadway.
embarrassing walking back in here when the only other tag here is MY DROPPED ONE
2) what's the best spa you've ever been to?
clarice stops ghosting your bestie
But Elizabeth Taylor did own her own private spa and I happened to be one of the lucky guests to get a tour. The men she employed had the nicest hands.
don't you shame me i shame myself
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action β in the middle of town hall meeting ;
The doughnuts aren't so bad, if a tiny bit lint-y.
Halfway through and needing the caffeine boost, he decides he'll brave the mess hall if only to get to the kitchen for a strong tea (or maybe coffee) when he catches sight of the hostess herself right outside of the doors, leaning against the side and ... admittedly looking a little stressed out. The doors themselves are closed but he can just hear the reverberations of two parties arguing with each other. It sounds like some kind of political debate. Totally not his scene.
And he guesses that might be one of the reasons Rita's out here. ]
Hey β some meeting in there, huh?
no subject
with the potential for stress on the uprise, briefly catching her cheek feeling a bit loose, rita decided the best option was to catch her own breath, slipping out of the room and taking a plate full of assorted donuts with her.
she doesn't want to go too far, aware that she'd be a horrible hostess if she simply left and didn't come back before the meeting's end, but it's at least enough of a change of scenery to be in the empty hallway, which is where shaun finds her, looking up with surprise when he greets her, lips pressing together with slight embarrassment in being caught. as well as having a mouth full of donut.
swallowing it down, she nods, ]
Sure is. [ she laughs quietly and rather bashfully. ] Promise not to tattle that I'm out here?
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slowly puts hands over your eyes shh don't pay attention to the timestamps
text - un; nightmoves - misfires
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Well, it's always important to feel like one is living in style. I only wish I'd been so lucky. Mine feel like I'm rubbing against a cheese grater.
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[ present ]
[A note has been tucked into a random page, written in horrifically bad script.]
If you're still recovering from your time at the school, I hope this helps.
--Clayton
no subject
The contents include:
the shortest thread during the big D&D dragon fight
Rita!!! Heeeey!!
Happy Valentine's Day!
[in case its our last, yanno]
I REFUSE IT TO BE SHORT > fast forward a few days after the return.
but after a knock on the door, newt will find rita with an honest, heartfelt smile on her face as she holds up the plate in her hands. on it is a small rocky road cheesecake in the shape of a heart. ]
It isn't very big. Getting the shape right was a bit of a trick, so I couldn't quiteβ [ oh, shut up, rita, it's not important. ] Anyway ... Happy Valentines, Newt. Belated, as it is.
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text β un: joe
He's a child, Rita. Children are entitled to their tantrums, it has no bearing on who you are and the continued kindness you offer everyone on this station.
[ he does kind of wish she had kept dogshit mcgivens on the backburner in case booker ever returned, but. swings and roundabouts. ]
no subject
as heavy as her heart is, joe's words have a way of soothing it somewhat. ]
I'm not entirely sure everyone sees it that way. I think I ended up offending more people than not.
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text; un: raddude5000
[Okay, Itachi was... such a complicated person. So complicated. But there was being complicated, and there was being that harsh with someone who hoped to have a little fun and bring a little light to the day. Finn had his fair share of that with certain people (or... person) on this ship. Whatever they meant by it, heart in the right place or not, it still sucks.
And having it happen so publicly? It makes him wince. Rita held her own just fine, more than fine, but the way her form went spongey at the end... It felt like something he'd seen thousands of times before, even if Finn can't place it. That vague feeling overrides any sense of privacy she's owed, messaging her before he has the time to second guess himself.]
hey! hey, are you okay?
no subject
all at once, the rita whose instinct had been to isolate herself comes rushing back. and she does, concealing herself in the darkness of her room where she can bury herself until she can collect herself again.
but what she doesn't expect are the messages that come filtering in through the earpiece, words of concern for her. and suddenly, she finds herself overwhelmed all over again, for entirely different reasons. ]
Of course! [ there speaks rita farr, actress, queen of pretending. finn's a good kid, positive and enthusiastic. he doesn't deserve to have to deal with her mess. ] I'm fine. It was just a little misunderstanding.
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text --> voice;
sorry for her emotional dump, finn!!!
drinks it up with a straw
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audio; un: romanoff
So she gives it a minute, letting the other woman collect herself, before she messages:]
I know I was giving you a little shit, but... I don't think people thank you enough for what you do for people around here. Things like this, even when we're ungrateful, it's the kind of stuff that helps make a team instead of a bunch of idiots fighting in the same direction.
[She knows something about that. She also knows something about mistakes, and just how unglamorous being a quote-unquote superhero can be.
She's very familiar with how much it looks like what they've been doing, collecting the orbs. Fuckups and all.]
If you think you'd be up for a beer, I'd be happy to drop some by your room. If you think you'd be up for some company, I'm good for that too. Your choice.
no subject
she considers the offer for a moment, debates her original plans of tucking herself in, maybe throwing on an old movie of hers, and weeping until she falls asleep.
the beer with natasha sounds much left pathetic. ]
I think I could use a beer. The company sounds especially nice too.
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text | un: andy
I'm leaving vodka outside your room in a few minutes. It's one of the good kinds, as a special treat.
And I'm offering a hug to go with it if you're up for one of those too. Sometimes the combo is just what a girl needs.
no subject
andy's helped her get as far as she has, even if she's wondering if she's cycling back more steps than she can count after that little public outburst. but still, it's relieving to hear from her. ]
I'm not so sure the vodka will taste very good without that hug first.
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Text | un: belova
Hey, you want some Jell-O shots?
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I would absolutely love Jell-O shots.
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Visual. Un: Aleksander
The video is shrouded in darkness, the edges of his face vanishing into the shadows around him.]
Miss Farr. Are you alright?
no subject
You're very kind to ask. But I'm alright, really. Just got a little caught up in the excitement.
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action. (during the mushroom planet mission)
He's so preoccupied and serious with his work, he doesn't notice Rita coming along (does this planet have large birds? he really should pay attention in case there are large birds-). The only sound that comes out of him, as he lowers his notepad, is a little deflated sigh.
Why so down in the dumps, right?
It's not like this planet is probably going to explode into tiny pieces.]
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she leaves their magical sos necklace in mal's hands for the time being as she's urged to take a much needed break from bouncing from group to group, seeing where they are on magical portals and potential ship drafts, to take a walk for fresh air and try to ease her mind from stress for a few moments.
unfortunately, it's walking amongst the beauty of this world that reminds her of the devastation that's fast approaching, leaving her all the more tense about whether or not they can really save the people within it.
it's as she's walking down along a hill that she finds the familiar face, one that always has a way of being a calming balm to her own personal panics. the sight of him eases her, but it does take long to realize the rare quiet that surrounds him this time around.
realizing he might not hear her with his buds on, her feet try to step carefully around the flowers, avoiding to stomp any with her heel, as she bends down a short ways in front of him so she can get his attention without scaring him. ]
I'm not disrupting your date with the flowers, am I?
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text, un: strange (like 30 minutes after he last saw her on Remi Day)
We can do it. With Remi's magic as key.
Thank you for keeping hope.
[ If she hadn't, they might never have got so far. ]
no subject
when she gets the message from stephen, she very nearly starts to cry.
time had been ticking and she had ran on a whim with this one strand of hope, which so many told her had been a long shot. finally, it's proven worth it. ]
Thank you for helping to make it possible.
I'm not a magician, but whatever you need me for, I'm here to help. I can aid with the evacuation efforts once they get started, corralling everyone. [ a pause before she adds, ] I can stretch and grow if that's needed for anything.
(no subject)
delivery β
As comprehensive a record of their people and culture as I could manage. If the rescue is successful, please make sure one of their leaving elders has this.
If not, keep it please so their lives are not forgotten.
[ if she peaks inside she will find loose sheaves of a vellum-like paper made from the wafer thin membrane of a mushroom harvested by the edge of the sun-drenched forest and a number of pages ripped right from joe's own journal, filled with portraits of the hivawei along with scribbled stories and notes next to detailed sketches of their flora and fauna and traditions. there is also instructions for book binding so whomever receives the papers can compile them into a book on their own, joe hadn't the time.
the note is unsigned. ]
action | during the mission, post-remi
not as the day turned to night, then the light faded from the next day. mal's not sure she's sleeping. and while it's not his place to protest or comment on anyone's dedication, he was there when remi pointed sharp words at rita too. he knows this is personal. so when he sees rita flitter past where he's seated at a small campfire, away from where many are gathered, with the sort of look that reminds him of a soldier with a mission to complete --- mal stands up and calls out to her. ] I need your help with something! Do you have a moment?
[ it is a dirty trick, actually, but no one ever said that malyen plays by the book. no, not when it comes to things like getting someone to rest and eat a meal. ]
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really, she's barely had time to catch her breath, which she doesn't seem to do either when mal seems to call for her. once upon a time, rita would have met someone's request for help with a groan of hesitance, believing herself ill-suited for any job that required effort, but now she seems to buzz with the intent of making sure everything's in order as she darts over to the campfire, eyes wide with her continued frantic panic. ]
Mal? What is it? Is something wrong!? [ because nothing, nothing, can be going wrong. not now. ]
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voice; un: jtd (post ciraiwei)
This message would've come earlier, had Finn not hit up against the grim discovery of Steve's disappearance. It was a long night nursing the boy through an accelerated stage of grief, only for them to end up right back at the start again. At least depression was good for one thing; Finn would get some sleep.
Was Rita sleeping? It was late enough that he hoped so. Heck, it was late enough that he shouldn't check. Still... ]
Hey, Reetz. You up?
voice;
though her skin had begun to sink from her cheeks, it was the hot tears in her eyes that had kept her from meeting anyone else's eyes, excess of both exhaustion and emotions getting the best of her.
she's so tired but the kind of tired that keeps one awake rather than send them into immediate sleep. ]
Hi, Jake. [ she says quietly, missing the usual rita farr spunk and enthusiasm. ] Yeah, I'm ... I'm awake.
Re: voice;
voice;
voice;
voice;
i'm destroyed