unknownseas | WEEK 4

Another trial, another week, and still you're probably running lower on answers than you'd like. And on people - you lost three since last Sunday. By the end of this week, you'll have been here for nearly a full month, yet still the days crawl on.

You wake up Sunday, again with no memory of Saturday, but this time with a simple message on your devices: You may resume requesting items, if you like. Enjoy. Guess it really was just a stealth motive after all, but at least it's being communicated that it's over! That's something, at least.

And when you leave your rooms on Sunday, there's another new area to explore! This one is... certainly more ambitious in its construction than the last one, to say the least. But hey, you have a pretty neat place to host parties, if you feel so inclined! That's... fun...

Hey, you gotta find the fun in situations like this where you can! Silver linings, right?

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

[ ooc: Welcome to Week 4! Remember to turn in AC here, threads for regain coins here, and if you feel so inclined you can visit Angel's office hours over here! ]

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[ That lost time... Lana can't get that back, and Mira's heart aches for them both. Especially that Ema hurts so much. It's not the first time she wishes she could take away someone's pain, but-- it's startling, here. Then again, she cares about Ema. Seeing her in such a state, hearing that sniffle...

Mira holds her a little closer. ]

If I were Lana... I'd be so proud of you, Ema. You've worked so hard, back home and here. If she could see you here, I think she'd be speechless by how incredible you've been.

[ She squeezes her gently. ]

But it's hard to not think about how she's suffered, isn't it? Especially in a place like this, where we're so often left to our thoughts... Especially when you love her so, so much.

M-Mira...

[ Those sniffles get a touch more frequent, as she listens to Mira's words. She's trying hard not to let herself get choked up more than she already is, but it's proving difficult, the more Ema speaks, and the more Ema hears. She feels the lump in the back of her throat, and her eyes getting glassy, but... ]

I'm sorry. I know that...this week is hard on everyone. I know it. [ With a motive like this, how could it not be? ] But now more than ever, I can't stop thinking about her, and it's...

[ The exhale that she gives is all too shaky, and she squeezes just a touch tighter. ]

When I think about what her greatest wish would be, I just think about the way that she smiles at me like that, and...I can't be half as strong as she is. But she...Lana makes me want to try, for you, and for everyone else...

[ Oh, Ema... she shakes her head, and squeezes her back. ]

Even if it's hard... that doesn't mean you should try to pretend everything is okay. [ Geez... that's sure a thing for her to say, isn't it? But she means it. ] If it's hard... that's all the more reason to talk about it.

Being scared, or-- being upset, that isn't weakness. It takes a lot of strength to be vulnerable, to tell someone about all of this... And, really, all you can do is try. I know you're trying so hard, Ema. But you aren't alone, okay? I'm here for you, at least. I can help you carry whatever it is that weighs on you.

That won't change. I promise.

[ Ema's just silent for a few moments after that; she's on the verge of tears, but she's trying hard to collect herself now, and she clears her throat a few times before she continues at last. ]

If, if there was anyone I was going to tell, anyone who was going to get it...I knew it would be you, Mira.

[ And she doesn't have the words to express how grateful she is, that she was able to confide in her like this. That she unloaded all of this baggage onto her, and came out of it feeling stronger for it, rather than smaller... ]

All of the best decisions that I've ever made in my life...they all happened because I was able to rely on someone, when I was feeling weak, or when I was in a pinch. Every single one. And this was one of them.

[ She lets out one last sniffle, and actually wipes her nose with the sleeve of her labcoat-- ]

I really can't thank you enough. Just talking about this was...I haven't gotten to do that with anyone in a long time.

Edited 2020-05-02 06:16 (UTC)

R-really?

[ Well... that surprises her. But she hugs Ema close again. ]

I'm glad you told me... because you trust me with something so personal. It-- it means a lot. Relying on people-- it's not as terrible as people like to make it out to be, you know?

[ It's something she's had to learn. She pulls away, smiling as she does. ]

If you ever want to talk about anything... you can come to me. Even if it's late. I'm rooming with Zerinda, but... Just knock, and I'll come out.

It's not terrible at all. I've gone through more than my fair share of highs and lows, ups and downs. But there are people who have my back, and people who count on me to have theirs. We pick each other up when we're on the ground, and we cheer each other on when we're on top of the world. If I let them down...

[ Her eyes are still glassy, but she tries hard to flash Mira a grin. Far be it for her not to return her's, after all of that. ]

Well, I won't let that happen, no matter what. I want to be a person that people can look at and know that I'm someone they can count on in a tight spot. Especially the people I care about. And that includes you, big-time.

So if I'm ever low, I swear I'll come knocking. But...but it goes both ways, okay? Room 12, way in the corner. You can't miss it. You need me, I'm there, no matter what. That's a promise from me.

[ She puts her pinky out, just so they can lock. ]

I'm with you.

[ Mira's still a little surprised at just how much they have in common... but maybe that's why they're able to be so close. She nods, and she hooks her pinky around Ema's. ]

I will. And, you know... I know I can definitely count on you, Ema. You never have to worry about that. [ It's strange to be able to say that, but... she's glad for it. ] I'm... I'm really glad we met.

[ Even if she's scared of what she'll find each Friday... she knows that much. ]

A lot is uncertain here... but not that. Never that.

I am, too. You're someone that I'm proud to call my friend. Strong, and determined, and kind...And I hope that I can help you the way you helped me tonight, somehow, someway.

[ Even if it's only a little...ah, wait, that reminds her-- ]

Here, actually, I got these from the machine. They're spares, but I think they'd look good on you.

[ She goes rummaging through her labcoat pockets, and pulls out a pair of glasses with pink lenses; the same as the kind she's wearing on top of her head. ]

Now we can match. And they go with your new hair, which is always a plus. Take them, really.

W-well, I... definitely try.

[ She turns a little pink--she's not used to compliments, not from people outside her tiny, tiny circle back in her world. But maybe she's starting to learn a little bit. Either way, when Ema pulls those glasses out-- ]

Really? [ She looks at her with wide eyes, and then she smiles as she takes the glasses. ] Thank you. I'll wear them well, I promise.

Yours to keep, as part of my thank-you. There's a little trick to them, too, but I might need to have a little better luck with the machine before I can show you that. Let's just say they're a bit more practical than your average Guccis.

[ She flicks the ones on her own forehead up a bit, and laughs a little; the sound is a bit strained, as though there's still a lump in her throat that she's trying to swallow, but it is sincere. ]

A-anyway...if I'm not mistaken, I think I at least owe you a hot chocolate.

WEEK 4

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