snowblindrpg | [log] Reunited and it feels... awkward? [closed]

Entry tags:

[log] Reunited and it feels... awkward? [closed]

Characters: Rhys, Angel, Beckett, Claire, America
Location: F24 - 235, the aquarium
Date: Afternoon 189
Summary: A reunion with early friendly faces!
Warnings: Awkwardness?

235: A small aquarium. It has the feel of a small-town tourist attraction, the sort built to give people just stopping to get gas a reason to stay for an hour or two. There are various aquariums inside that, according to plaques beside them, once showcased various Alaskan fish, but they're all empty of fish now. Various fish names are carved into the plaques: catfish, dogfish, mousefish, and birdfish. A piece of paper stuck on the lip of the catfish-labeled tank reads, in childish text and red pen, as follows: "You have to put your own fish in the tanks. DO NOT put Birdfish, Mousefish, or Dogfish in the tank with the Catfish!" The water still runs here, and even runs hot in the sinks, though there aren't any showers or bathtubs to use.

The whole atmosphere is kind of eerie, with the water casting rippling patterns on the walls, ceilings, and floors. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR, TRAVELLING SOUTH. IF ANY ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED CONTACT @LELRIC ANY TIME" is carved into the wall. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX, TRAVELLING NORTH, IF ANY ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED CONTACT @LELRIC ANY TIME" is written on one of the walls. A rough map of the Entrance area on a wall at the aquarium, along with this warning: "An anomaly has been trapped in the bathroom in the fire station. Avoid if possible, and use caution if you have to pass through or spend the night. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. @standardissue" The fire station (242) and the fast food place (248) are both labeled as such, with an X on 235 with the note: "You are here." "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY, CONTACT @LELRIC FOR ANY ASSISTANCE." is written on the wall. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT, CONTACT @LELRIC FOR ANY ASSISTANCE NEEDED" is written on the wall. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY TWO, PLEASE CONTACT @LELRIC FOR ANY ASSISTANCE." is written on the wall.

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[It takes a while to get to the aquarium, even though it's closer than Claire thought it would be. It's a strange feeling that she has to contend with, always looking down at her hands and never being able to move them. She has to ask for help to stick her hands under her armpits to keep her fingertips from freezing - she might not be able to feel them, but that doesn't make them resistant to frostbite.

But they make it, finally, to the aquarium. She's incredibly uncomfortable, nervous, humiliated by her own predicament, and trying her best to keep herself in check isn't something she's very successful at. She manages not to break down on America, though, which she takes as a win for the day, and looks cautiously around in the aquarium.]

Rhys? Angel?

[ First, nothing.

Then, screaming.

Tinny, robotic screaming, of course. Dumpy drunkenly bobs into sight, shrieking happily. Or angrily. It's... hard to tell, if you're not around him 24/7.

Fortunately, Rhys follows after, and the little headache quiets down in his presence. ]

Thanks for the introduction, dude. ...heya, Claire.

[ And company, says the eyedart. ]

[Obligatory wincing ensues when Dumpy's screaming starts, but it's immediately followed by relief. They're here. She smiles when she sees the little robot, wishing her hands worked. She'd so pat his head.

She almost sags with said relief when Rhys follows suit, her shoulders dropping the only sign she can't stop. Well, that and the tears in her eyes, but she's tired of how tense she's had to be the whole time. A tiny portion of a dam breaks in her head, emotions starting to leak.]

Hey. [She smiles, a little brokenly.] It's good to see you.

[And it is. He looks sad, but then again, Claire isn't sure she's ever seen him not look this way. And despite that, she still thinks there's something incredibly charming about him, but she's going to blame this thought on one - the currently leaky feelings, and two - the weird intimacy of their first meeting.]

How's the eye?

[ Sadness detected. Objective: Cheer up the nurse.

He stands tall, fully self-aware -- if he shows weakness, she'll pick up on that, and that's the exact opposite of what she needs right now. ]

Bacteria-free, as far as I can tell. How's the...

[ Rhys jazz hands for her. Jazz...hand. ]

[Claire can't help the slightly watery chuckle she lets out at Rhys giving her jazz hands. She looks down, pulling her arms back to hide her hands from herself.]

They're... not jazzing. But it'll come back, I'm sure.

[Feign confidence. These things come back for everyone. There is no reason for it to be different for her.]

What you guys doing, around here?

[ 'Slightly aimless wandering' is probably not the best answer, is it. He tries for a noncommital shrug, accompanied by a pfft. ]

Oh, y'know... y'knooooow... ...y'know?

[ By this point, he was hoping something eloquent and/or revolutionary would've come to him.

It hasn't. ]

The usual stuff, usual things. Exploring, investigating, trying to avoid death.

[Death. Well. Considering Vaughn, Claire should probably thread carefully.]

Yeah, um... about that, I'm sorry.

[She liked Vaughn, and it was obvious that he and Rhys were incredibly close. Rhys has lost a whole lot in this place, and to Claire, it feels incredibly unfair. She takes a step forward, a small smile on her lips.]

Honestly, it looks like you're in dire need of a hug, so if you don't mind my weird non-working hands, I volunteer. I could do with one, too.

...well, you are the medical professional here, so who am I to argue?

[ The invitation is swiftly and eagerly accepted. Rhys' hug is lopsided and he's so tall it's awkward, but every bit of the embrace is warm and genuine.

He's kind of a skeleton, though, Claire. Apologies. ]

[She sigh into it anyway, lopsided skeleton or not. It feels nice, warm, and Claire has been craving human contact. She smiles for a moment before letting him go, her awkward hands at her sides.]

If I could, I swear I'd make nutritional plans for everyone around here. [Not that anyone would follow them.]

So hey, if you guys don't have much plans, I'm thinking of going North, going by the chapel for a bit. Maybe restock on food at the school. What do you say?

[ He feels a sudden burst of happiness. Something he hasn't felt very intensely in awhile.

Hugs are so good. ]

They have those little ice cream cups at the school, so I'm in.

Oh, do they? Now you're talking my language, even though... [She looks down, slightly embarrassed. Then she shakes her head. No, no, she is not going to tell him he'd have to feed her. It's way too much.] Nevermind.

So, um, do you know.. where the bathroom is?

Bathroom?

[ He jerks his thumb back in its direction. ]

Angel might be using it. For, uh, laundry, not the usual purpose.

Yeah, I kinda need it. But I also need Angel's help with it so it's fine if she's there.

[Because thankfully, Angel is here. She is not asking Rhys to help her. This is not the relationship they have, and Claire most definitely doesn't want it to go there.]

Thanks. And, okay, unrelated to anything but. If you ever need to talk, I'm around, okay? And I won't judge. I'm like a bartender that way.

[ If you don't think that running hot water is the raddest shit, then get out of Angel's face. Okay, bathing isn't really possible in the little sinks. But guess what is?

Laundry, motherfrickers.

Which means Angel is busy cleaning clothes with the last of her shampoo and generous amounts of hot water. Running hot water. Hopefully nobody needs to pee or anything because gosh that sound isn't going to help with that amirite ]

[Claire's gone to try and find Angel because if she's going to ask for help, she's not going to ask Rhys, thank you very much.

And what does she have to do to find Angel? Follow the sound of running water, like that's making her situation comfortable in any way. She ends up actually having to burst through the bathroom door, shoulder first, her whole body tense.]

Angel! Angel, oh, it's so good to se- [She pauses, unable to finish.] If I don't pee in the next minute I will implode, you've got to help me.

[Her tone is more panicked than she'd like it to be, but there is no time to beat around the bush.]

Please?

[ Just. This face. Angel, barelegged in her oversized coat, holding up a ducky-print bathrobe that she's trying to get bloodstains out of, making this fucking face.

Silently.

For like a solid ten seconds. ]

[ She turns the water off. That's definitely step one in this process. ]

O...kay. What kind of help do you-- talk me through it.

[ what is this what is life any more what is anYTHING ]

Oh, oh no did Rhys not tell you?

[She has never felt this humiliated in her life, and honestly she's used to all sorts of gross bodily fluids, she's a nurse, this stuff doesn't really bother her but how many times does she have to explain this fucking situation?]

I can't use my hands. They're currently two dead weights at the end of my arms. So I haven't peed since yesterday. Angel.

[Hear the desperation in her voice, Angel please hear it.]

Oh sh-- hec-- crap. Okay --

[ The sopping wet ducky robe is abandoned on the side of one of the sinks as she tries to dry her hands on the front of her coat. Which doesn't work all that well since the coat itself is pretty damp, but shush. ]

Can you hold-- no, I guess you can't. Okay. Let's just get you out of these, and, um. Do you need me to open one of the stall doors for you, too?

[ She may be babbling as she's assisting. Just a bit. Helping someone out of their clothes is a new and slightly embarrassing experience. Should she be offering to clean these while she's doing laundry? WHAT IS THE ETIQUETTE HERE?? ]

No, I should be able to, with my elbow. I think, anyway?

[This is so embarrassing. It really, really is, because Angel is obviously embarrassed herself, and Claire never wanted to have to ask a very little more than a stranger to help her with something like this.]

If you just pull them down, it'll be fine. Oh, goodness - [Claire drops her head, wishing she could hide herself.]

This is humiliating. I'm so sorry, Angel, I wish I didn't have to ask, but it's that or peeing myself, and while I've had been covered in worse, I can't exactly clean myself up.

[Stop babbling. Seriously. Stop talking, Claire, you're not helping yourself.]

Oh, there's - there's no need to be sorry, this is stupid.

[ She's scolding herself more than anything else. She's twenty one years old, and she should be able to deal with a little awkwardness. After all, hasn't she dealt with much worse?

Thinking about it that way helps. A bit. Angel kneels and takes a deep, incredibly mature and unruffled breath. ]

Okay. Here we go! Three - two - one -

[ DOWN THEY COME. In Angel's mind there is a whooshing sound effect, people gasping, and she doesn't look stupid as she squeezes her eyes shut.

In reality, none of these things happen. Especially the bit where she doesn't look stupid. ]

WouldyoulikeasparesetofunderwearIhaveextrabikinisfromdowntownifyouwantone.

[ VICTORY ]

[Well, Claire does let out a whoosh of relief and scampers into one of the bathroom stalls to pee, the door swinging shut behind her.]

A spare pair of underwear would be so great. I've got a spare bra that I found early on, but at this point all of my clothes need so much washing, if I had some more I could switch between, it'd be great.

[She lets out another sigh afterwards, closing her eyes for a moment. Her hands better get back to work soon, because she doesn't want to have to do this countless times.

Still, she takes her time before standing up, only doing so when she gets a bit too cold.]

Okay, need you again. [She resists apologizing again.] Can't wait for my hands to work again, you have no idea. I'm so - helpless.

You're not helpless if you're being helped. A technicality, I know, but it's true.

[ There's no trace of embarrassment left, now. Angel seems downright chirpy as she helps Claire out of the stall. HELPING! IS! FUN!! ]

Okay, I got a clean set of underthings for you, so we can - you know, deal with that now. And since you said your other things need washing - if you like, I can do that for you? It'd mean you'd have to be wrapped in my sheets until things start drying out, but. Iunno. Maybe worth it? Your choice.

[ It's probably very obvious by now that fussing over people is Angel's calling. SORRY, CLAIRE. ]

Do you have a lot of sheets? Because I don't want to put you out.

[Nevermind the fact that there is blood on her jeans from that time she helped out Rhys. So there's caked, dried-up blood on her pants and there has been for weeks, now. Fancy as hell.

Biting the inside of her lip, Claire considers.]

Because if you don't mind and it doesn't mean you're going to freeze, it'd be amazing. Otherwise I can wait until the feeling in my hands is back and I'll do it myself - I do plan on going to that house with a hot shower. It was part of my plan for a while, but then, you know. I got eaten by an anomaly.

[She smiles, wishing she could give Angel a hug.]

But thank you, really. What I'd love beyond anything else would be to be able to wash my hair...

Just the one. But it's a double! Very good for making into a makeshift toga. And - er, well, if you want to wash your hair now would be the time. I've been using the last of our shampoo to... clean the clothes.

[ That. Sounds really stupid, doesn't it. ]

It's herbal scented.

[ EVEN STUPIDER. ]

What I'm saying is, we can do your hair and your laundry, and that's... cool.

[Despite herself, and everything that's happened lately, Claire laughs. It's a little delighted and a little delirious, like she's so obviously exhausted she's sounding demented, but she doesn't really care. It feels good to laugh, makes something in her chest loosen up a little.

She sobers up, giving Angel her best fond look and smile.]

I should have never stopped traveling with you guys. You're full of resources.

[Not that her interlude with Alfie hadn't been interesting and useful, but... Not really for the same purposes.]

That sounds great. One stone, two birds, right?

Huh? Oh! Yes.

[ "One stone, two birds" must be the Earth equivalent of "two rakks with one shot." Cute!

But okay. More important matters. ]

So how should we... Would you prefer your hair being done while you're still - er, fully clothed? Or would you prefer to... be sheeted first. It's your choice! All part of the service.

[ Embracing the silliness of the situation is the best way to make it less embarrassing. Definitely. ]

[Claire, for one, is very grateful for Angel embracing the ridiculousness of the situation. She'd been so freaked out, and most people she'd talked to had been so worried, and now Claire is at a point where she just needs to get things done.]

I think we can do my hair first, and then I'll get naked for you.

[She grins, winks - sometimes, she just wants to get a reaction out of someone. She does shrug off the coat by herself, leaving it on the bathroom floor.]

You've got so much stuff. I'm still struggling to find anything. Especially now, but even before!

[ CLAIRE NO. There's certainly a reaction - Angel blushes bright redcan't help but reflexively shoot a frightened look over her shoulder at the bathroom door, just in case.

It takes a few seconds for her to remember that snooping invisible Handsome Jacks aren't a thing, and Rhys isn't about to stagger in bleeding from all his faceholes for the sake of a jokey comment. She can relax. It's fine.

Time to turn the hot water back on. ]

We - we've been kinda lucky in that regard, I guess. Finding things. I think Rhys' frying pan is the best thing we've found, though. Even better than the shampoo. Which reminds me, uhm - do you like pancakes?

[ If not, what the heckie is wrong with you ]

[Claire pauses, head upside down with her hair in the sink, and looks at Angel.]

If anybody doesn't, they have a problem. [She'd do so much for pancakes. Warm, fluffy, amazing pancakes. Just the idea makes her salivate, especially after weeks here.]

Are you serious, you can make pancakes? Oh my god I am never leaving you, ever again.

Dude, of course I'm serious. You don't kid around about pancakes, that'd be beyond cruel. Tell me if the water gets too hot.

[ It's pretty hard to work up a decent lather with the small amount of shampoo that's left, but Angel's getting there. Slowly. But still! The land of clean hair beckons. ]

We filled up our extra bags with approximately eighty percent pancake mix when we were downtown. It's good for keeping up morale, and a little goes a long way, so. We were just being sensible.

It's perfect, don't worry. [Claire would not want to move even if the water was scalding her skin at this point. She has to bite down on a groan it feels so good to have hot water for a moment.]

You didn't find anything else of value? Not that pancake mix isn't of value, obviously, the fact that you can make pancakes is... well, it's kind of incredible. Actually, I haven't found much downtown, either.

[Apart from Alfie, and she's not bringing that up, because it'd be really awkward.]

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[log] Reunited and it feels... awkward? [closed]

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u wanted awks thread u get awks thread

oh my god you DEVIL CHILD

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