[ M is sat near the back of the cafeteria, legs crossed lazily over one another and a lit cigarette cradled between her thumb and pointer. A distant look in her eye, she’s watching the flickering monitor sat above her. ]
@hauntedsleuth [ She laughs, but it’s breathy and a little weak. ]
I suppose so.
Anyways, I’d definitely… advise against that. For sure. Ehm, most people don’t bite.
… most.
But uhm, you know. Find those you trust. Ones that won’t leave a trial without you. Find… well, find /friends/.
[She blinks in raw surprise.]
Oh.
[She then laughs, but it’s not entirely clear what exactly she’s laughing at.]
Hide behind a teammate? Like — like a meat shield? Hhhahaha. That’s funny. I don’t think I could… do that. Hhhah.
[She shifts where she’s sat, wincing slightly.]
⠀
nakikinig ka ba? [are you even listening?] (the face of annoyance quickly shifts into calm.) i said freeload. fuh–ree–load. ok? but you always do the main objectives. you run, you hide, you go behind a team mate. freeload. ☝🏽
⠀
[ M slowly pans over to the nurse, raw curiosity glittering in her good eye. ]
Is that so?
[ A smile tugs at her lips. Unfortunately for Darling, she wants to know more, and badly. ]
It’s tradition to get your Valentine a gift. What did you get her?
Mm... Not that time, I didn't.
(His smile changes just slightly, turning wary. It isn't often that he opens up to the Reagents about more personal matters.)
I did this time around... But I'm not sure she'd appreciate me airing out our business, hm?
(He chuckles softly.)
12) — @hauntedsleuth
It’s you again. Goodmorning.
[ M greets him pleasantly as moves to sit beside him. ]
I hope you don’t mind. I’m stalling before my next trial, you see, hehhe.
What’s got you out in the common room today? Got a trial queued up yourself?
Fascinating. Why is that?
[ As her smile grows, so does her curiosity. At her comment, however, it falters in her surprise. ]
Kind? Do I?
[ A thoughtful look crosses her face. Kind? Kind isn’t a word used in a place like this. And yet, she’s actually quite flattered. ]
[ A slow nod. ]
Dr. Easterman makes Vera wear it when she’s in trials, same with the jumpsuit. I’m not allowed to wear either outside of them, M.
[ She gave a tiny tilt of the head, curious. ]
You look very kind.
@hauntedsleuth Hahhah, because it’s not hope. That… that gets crushed pretty quickly. I’m talking about the ability to empathize with… well, with the other reagents. I think that’s the key to… staying… sane…
[ She trails off with a small frown. ]
I wish I could tell you.
@splatterchrist [ She can’t help the way she stares at the scarring. A question burns in her mind, but she bites her tongue, both literally and figuratively. She’s too nosy for her own good. ]
That’s… good. Err, no, it’s not good. Uhm. I’m glad you’ve… got the basics down? Hahh. I’m sorry.