I have died every day waiting for you

[lovelikeyou]

[That was, in Rose's opinion, even worse than last week. Any loss of life is an awful waste, but for it all to come of some horrible accident...

This week, she doesn't retreat back to her room. She knows now that the people here, or at least enough of them, like to gather after these experiences. Many of the Crystal Gems were the same way; she remembers their post-battle huddles well. It's not a party, really, but...it's good to be together. To have friends around. Maybe, to remember those who were lost.

So this time, she'll go to the cafeteria herself and request some food for everyone. It's just basic snacks, the kind of human food she knows well enough to ask for. There's some hot chocolate provided, too. She definitely knows people enjoy that. It doesn't take too long, since she isn't making most of it, and then she goes to invite everybody she can find.

She doesn't slip any notes underneath doors, for the people she doesn't happen across. Some Crystal Gems didn't join the groups, or maybe did after one battle but not another. Sometimes they wanted to be alone. She never really understood that...but it wasn't her place to tell them otherwise. Weren't they all about freedom?

Everybody probably knows something like this is going to happen again, anyway. It's their choice to come.]

Comments

[snackooed]

I'm...definitely feeling, Zerinda.

[ The nug is kind of cute, at least. Ema almost feels bad being grouchy watching the little thing sniffing around under her arm like that, but it doesn't quite salvage the mood. ]

A little discombobulated, is probably the best word for it. Angry, too, on some level. But mostly a bit defeated. I wish I knew how to handle it better, but...

[ If it were Lana, she would probably know exactly how to get a grip, but...unfortunately, she's not Lana. Never was. ]

[bogwife]

[She nods slowly in understanding, giving a small sigh as she rakes her free hand through her hair then shaking out a few loose hairs.]

I'm- yeah, feeling about the same. But you know what helps in the short term, when you feel like nothing is in your control and you don't know how to process your feelings? Saying sod it all and coloring your hair green. [It's difficult to tell if she's joking or not.]

[snackooed]

I don't quite know if green would be my color. It takes guts to do that, if you ask me. And I think if my sister ever saw me with hair like that, she would probably faint...

[ It seems like she's taking the suggestion seriously, even if Zerinda said it in jest. ]

You tell me. Think I can pull it off?

[bogwife]

I think you could absolutely pull it off. A nice forest green or maybe fuchsia if you want something more vibrant.

[She leans her cheek on her hand and smiles, trying to hide her own tiredness.] I personally think anyone can pull off anything they want so long as they have a bit of confidence.

[snackooed]

Sounds kind of like a colleague of mine, actually. That kid would be a ball of nerves about any given thing, but the second he starts yelling "I'm fine!" to himself, he's ready to go with the best of them.

[ But she can't help but agree. Confidence really can't be understated enough. ]

I think I could be convinced into trying fuchsia. Maybe not the whole thing, but a nice streak might be a fun change of pace.

[bogwife]

He sounds completely adorable. Sometimes all you have to do is go out into the woods, scream for a few solid minutes and everything feels much better. [Not that she's speaking from experience or anything.]

A streak would be an excellent start. Maybe the fringe too, once you see how you like it?

[snackooed]

We've helped each other out of a jam, once or twice. He is a good kid. Got his head on straight...

[ But he'd probably be a little miffed that she blabbed about his "Chords of Steel" routine-- ]

I'm open to that, though. I wouldn't trust myself to do it, but I think that could look nice, actually.

[bogwife]

Well, when you see him again [Emphasis on when.] Tell him a strange bog woman he's never met thinks he's a doll.

[She must never meet Apollo Justice, the affectionate fussing would never cease.]

You're in luck then. I do terrible things to my hair frequently and I just gave Mira pink hair. So I can do it for you, if you have a spare hour.

[snackooed]

I think I can squeeze you in to my busy schedule. But how about I do you one better and tell him that a friend said that?

[ Her smile can't help but grow a bit wider, though, at the thought of Mira sporting hot pink. Another good kid... ]

Certainly sounds more appealing than "strange bog woman," don't you think?

[bogwife]

[Zerinda's eyes widen slightly. She can count the number of people who've openly called her a friend on one hand and most of them had either forgotten about her when they grew up and got married, left in search of adventure or just died of one thing or another. She always forgets how nice it is to hear the word out loud.]

"Strange bog woman" is what I'm used to but I think friend would work just as well.

[snackooed]

Then it's settled. I'll get back home and tell him that a friend of mine with a good heart and great sense in hair styling thinks he's cute. That'll get him to ask for your number in no time. Between you and me, he could probably benefit from a bit of coloring himself...

[bogwife]

Oh ho. Very sneaky, Ema. Trying to convince a boy to court me before he knows what he's getting into. [She laughs a little and runs a hand through her hair.] Now you've got me curious. You said he was a colleague, what does he do exactly?

[snackooed]

Apollo's a defense attorney. When someone gets accused of a crime and pleads they're innocent, it's his job to step in and try to prove that they're not responsible for it, with evidence. He only started about...mm, I think it was two years ago? But I will admit, even though he's a rookie, he's good at finding the truth. When it comes to people, he's a pretty darn perceptive guy. And on top of that, his mentor and I...well, we go back quite a ways.

There are some people who are only in jobs like that for their own reasons. Money, or reputation, or connections, or whatever it may be. Not them, though. They've got hearts of gold.