mira delacroix (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
philoxenia) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
unknownseas2020-05-02 03:15 pm
philoxenia) wrote in unknownseas2020-05-02 03:15 pm
What I want to hear on nights I can't sleep is your voice
[ ... Well, that was an absolute shitshow, wasn't it? Instead of dwelling on how she feels about everything that just happened, Mira's channeling that energy into something else--and she has a little bit of help doing it. Zerinda and Ema are here in the bar to make drinks, and Mira's brought in a ton of food that's definitely not healthy for anyone, but screw it, who cares about health right now?
Della's here to pass out invitations, too--they let everyone know there's a gathering in the bar, if they'd rather not be alone.
If you choose not to come, well... Mira's got that taken care of, too. She'll place a little container of cookies and hot cocoa outside your door. Maybe it'll help someone feel a little less alone--at least, that's what she's hoping. ]
Della's here to pass out invitations, too--they let everyone know there's a gathering in the bar, if they'd rather not be alone.
If you choose not to come, well... Mira's got that taken care of, too. She'll place a little container of cookies and hot cocoa outside your door. Maybe it'll help someone feel a little less alone--at least, that's what she's hoping. ]
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I think this one in particular was just...it's a difficult thing, Mira. After a month of this, well, everyone's a little worn down. And when you're getting run ragged, as everyone here is, things get...
[ Disastrous? Ema was next to ground zero today, and she still feels like she's going to have to do something about her blood pressure after this. But even then... ]
It's not getting any easier. But that's all the more reason to take advantage of what we can to keep ourselves moving.
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... The motive was rough on all of us, too.
[ And so much is coming out. The longer this drags on, the more revelations will occur... Mira only hopes it doesn't strain things to the point of snapping, like an old rubber band. ]
... But you're right. I'm not sure what else to do, really, other than rely on the others I've come to care about... and maybe be there for them, too.
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[ To say the motive was rough might be a bit of an understatement, all things considered. And just because it's over doesn't mean the effects will be, either. But even so... ]
If I didn't do that, I might've just spent the evening by myself after doing my rounds at the bar. I'd be shutting myself away, and thinking about Lana, because I'd be too afraid to let anyone see me upset.
[ She ruffles the top of Mira's light pink hair, just a bit. ]
But for me...well, you made a difference. And I think one person always can.
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You know, she's a little surprised it took this long, but... She feels the tears start to well up. Mira ducks her head, swiping a hand across her eyes. ]
I'm glad I did. That-- I was able to help you. [ Her voice is all thick, and she kicks herself for it. ] I just-- I'm scared, of finding you or someone else I really care about one day, you know? About-- not having been able to do more.
[ She's sure Ema does know. ]
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[ The second she starts to see tears, her arms move more quickly than her head does. She moves on instinct, and her instinct here is to wrap her arms tight around Mira and to wipe her tears, to comfort her as best she can-- ]
I know how that feels, trust me, I...I ask myself the same thing, every time this happens. If there's something I could have changed, or something else that I could've done, or anything. Anything so that we wouldn't have to go through that, that I wouldn't have to put you through that...
[ Even if Mira says it's fine, that she's happy to help, the guilt that Ema feels when she asks her to face those deaths head-on with her camera... ]
But, Mira, I don't think there's anyone here who tries as hard as you do. Take it from me. I know how easy it is to get stuck in "what if," but I've seen you, all month. You do your best every single day. You put others before yourself. You care so deeply, and put your all into it...and here you are, still asking if you can do more.
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She still holds onto Ema, but she nods. ]
Giving up, I-- I could never do that. I can't give up on anyone here. [ Maybe there's something to be said about that, and maybe she's... realizing something, too. ] Not after I've seen how incredible people can be, I... I've been alone for so long, aside from my brother and my best friend. I don't want to lose that--
I don't want anyone to fall, ever again, because of the Professor. Everyone deserves so, so much better.
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[ Of that, at the very least, she sounds sure. She keeps Mira pulled in, and runs her hand through her hair as the poor girl keeps her face buried away, but there's no hesitation in Ema's voice as she continues. ]
No matter what, there are people here who are going to be on your side. You've made friends and allies who support you, the same way you support them. And I swear to you, you're never alone. And neither is anyone else here. As hard as things are right now, as tough as it may seem, I still believe that we're at our strongest when we're helping each other.
We'll get through this. And I'll have your back every step of the way.
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Keep saying things like that, and I won't be able to stop crying... [ But even if she's crying, there's a part of her that's happy. Happy that she has someone to rely on... more than one person, even.
For a while she just... cries. And then she pulls back a bit, wiping her eyes. ]
Thank you, I-- I can't tell you how much it means to know you're here. I could try for hours to find the words, but I'm not sure I could. [ She wipes at her eyes, and adjusts the glasses at the top of her head. ] I think... I think Noah would've really liked you, Ema.
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Wait..."would've"? Hang on...sure, Mira did refer to her brother in past tense, when she would tell stories about him, but she never-- ]
Mira, I'm so sorry, I...
[ She honestly had no idea. And she looks like she doesn't even know how to begin to apologize. ]
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[ She takes her hand, shaking her head. ]
You didn't know, and it's-- it's not the sort of thing that would come up in casual conversation.
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[ She feels terrible, that she didn't pick up on it earlier. Even if she didn't say it, she shouldn't have just assumed... ]
I'm sorry, anyway. For your loss. [ He must have been so young... ] I hope I wasn't being insensitive or putting you out, when I was telling you about Lana. You don't have to tell me about it or anything, either. But I'm here for you, if you do.
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[ She pauses. ]
I would never want anyone to not share their happiness just because of my own loss. I was happy to hear about Lana. [ She's absolutely sincere about that much. ] It's... still hard for me to talk about, but-- I'd like to tell you, some time. Maybe not now, after all of that, but...
[ She gives Ema's hands a squeeze. ]
I trust you. Quite a lot, actually.
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[ She still feels a bit guilty, but she squeezes back, just the same... ]
I trust you too. Which I guess should be obvious, because I wouldn't have told you about all of the SL-9 stuff if I didn't, but...well, I never want you to feel like I'm not on your side.
And, for the record? Lana would adore you. Of that, I have no doubt. I can already imagine what her face would look like, if she ever got to meet you. And I guarantee she'd ask you if you kept me out of trouble...
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[ Trusting, and being trusted... it's a nice, warm sort of feeling. Mira squeezes again, and she-- well. She can understand that guilt. It's not easy, what Ema asks her to do... but she means it when she says she doesn't mind. In some ways, at least.
But-- oh. ]
... You think so? [ She gives a quiet laugh. ] I'd like to meet her, too... and I'll tell her I did my best, but you were just too much of a handful.
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[ She certainly doesn't look like she'd mind that; sleep's been hard, anyway. And company is never a bad thing. ]
If you say that, though, I'll get scolded...I can't talk you into showing a little mercy, in front of my older sister?
[ As though Lana isn't....40........ ]
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Well... in that case, I guess I can vouch for you. Lana is a smart lady, though, I'm sure she'll realize it before long....
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Realize what, huh? That her sister is a scientific genius who always takes care of her friends in a pinch? You're right, I'm sure she will realize that, thank you very much!
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[ She playfully swats her hand away, but there's definitely no force behind it. In retaliation, she's definitely going for Ema's hair. ]
That you're an absolute doofus, that's what!
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A doofus?! How could you? What, you think that just because you're the Whack-A-Mole Champion, that just gives you freedom to call me names whenever you--ah!
[ Her hair..! ]
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Well, that's payback for messing with my hair first!
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[ But she doesn't seem to be resisting; she's just keeping her cheeks puffed out, with her hair totally askew.
For someone who took such offense to being called a doofus, she sure does look the part. ]
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[ Something seems to occur to her, though, and she pulls her phone out of her pocket. ]
And because we both probably look completely ridiculous... we should take a photo to immortalize it.
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[ Her hair is a mess, but there's definitely a grin on her face, a far cry from the bittersweet smile she wore when she first found her here. A little photo-op sounds great right now. Let Mira use that camera for good things, for a change. Things worth taking pictures of. ]
Come on, we can make a little shoot out of it. It'll be fun.
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[ It's good to see Ema smiling. It soothes her heart, just a little... but it can't be understated at all. She hums and pulls up her camera app, looking through the filters. ]
This one even has cat ears.
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[ She scoots in a bit, to poke the top of her head in the frame... ]
If I had one of those growing up, I'd never be able to stop taking stuff like that. You know I only just recently graduated to my first smartphone about a year or two ago? Crazy, I know, but I was so attached to the old flip kind...
[ Maybe that "Best Grandma" statue from the machine isn't actually too far off the mark-- ]
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