realityshifted

[in the library, Menzies is sitting in a chair with a book in her lap, but that is everything about her appearance today that could be considered somewhat normal. at the moment, she isn't reading the book. in fact, what she is doing right now is staring at the floor as though she expects something on it to be staring back at her. she's even pulled her legs up to curl them underneath her in the chair, like she's in the middle of one of those jokes about the floor being lava]

[anyone who takes a closer look at her will notice a number of other strange factors in her normally-neat appearance, too. she's dressed casually in jeans and a blouse, her hair pulled back, but it's partially falling out of the hair tie, her clothing is rumpled, and her expression is one of weariness mixed with frustration. there are dark circles under her eyes, too. she obviously hasn't been sleeping well, and she looks suspiciously like she might have been napping in those clothes recently]

Damnit, what is that? What the hell are you!?

[also, she is shouting at the floor. because she is quite possibly at her wit's end at this point and has apparently ceased to care whether someone might overhear. either that or she's just assuming no one is around--incorrectly, as it turns out. still, from the state of her, wise characters might not approach her today...but then again, is wisdom really a strong suit for most residents of the Plane?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He was probably just doing that for Delta's sake. If he had said something, security would've already been here long before now. And he got in that easily because he's a master locksmith. No one really can get in otherwise, not without really trying.

[He glances at her, reluctant to see her go.] Maybe you're right. I want you to feel safe, and if you don't feel safe here...

Safe? [she scoffs, still too out of it to think about how that reaction might impact him when he so wants her to feel safe at a time that it seems to her to be an impossibility] Somehow I doubt this place is less safe than the Plane.

[but despite her words, the fact is that she has a very real fear of North not being safe here because of her. and so she stands from the bed, pulling North's T-shirt over her head so she can change back into her own clothing. but she tries to make her tone sound positive as she says:] You did promise me dinner. What if we do that?

I'll have to have Theta disable the door controls next time. See York try to get around that. [He says this with a half-smile but he can understand her not wanting to come back here for a long time.]

[He starts handing her her clothing while she dresses.] You know, dinner sounds amazing. Worked up quite the appetite with that training session. Got any requests? I'm buying. [He smirks at her, unable to help himself.]

[she glances at him skeptically] 'ow do you get around that? Or would I 'ave to let you in?

[at his offer, she snorts, accepting her clothing from him piece-by-piece as she dresses] I, ah, think we'll need to see what's on offer first. But good to know I don't 'ave to worry about starting a tab in space.

If you wanted. [His smile grows a bit.] Or Theta could let me in, too.

Yeah, I don't think you want to see what passes for curry these days--military-issue curry, anyway. Your taste buds will never forgive you.

[Once she's done dressing, he holds a hand out to her.] Let's go back. But...if you're still hearing those things and need a break, we'll come back. [He gives her a look, concern in his eyes.] I mean it.

Wait. [she frowns, still worried about a future incursion] If Theta could do that, couldn't Delta?

[she takes his hand, but she sighs at his words, shaking her head] I'm all right. And I wouldn't put it past York to come looking for you later, so I shouldn't be 'ere. [trying not to sound as exhausted and defeated as she feels about all this, she adds:] Besides, I could always go back to Manchester. [not that she means to. after all, she can't work in her current state, and she's already called in once; she'd rather not have to again. but she doesn't mean to tell North that, either]

[she gives him a wan smile instead, squeezing his hand] Let's go.

Only if Theta let him.

You really don't have to worry about my York. Has a good heart deep down. I'm going to talk to him and tell him what's going on, or rather, as much as I'm willing to tell him. But if you want to go back to Manchester... [He frowns slightly, his brow furrowing.] If you want me there, all you have to say is the word.

[And while he's talking, he squeezes her hand back, and drops them back to the Plane.] But if you don't, all you have to do is call me over the radio and I'll be there.

[she's not sure she understands, but she'll take his word for it]

I know he does. [she sighs, running her fingers through her hair as she tries to keep sight of which of her current worries are legitimate and which are based on sleep-deprivation] But that doesn't mean he'd take my word for not being a danger. [she pauses and, unable to resist, asks:] What are you gonna tell 'im, anyway?

[at North's almost overbearing support, she sighs again, wearily] Yeah, I know. Just...let's get dinner, all right? [because right now, she needs to take things one step at time, and she hopes he can understand that]

[He thinks for a moment. He did have something planned in case something like this happened, but what was it...ah right. Now he remembers.] I'm going to tell him you're from the recent shipment of cargo that's going back today. I get to see you every time there's a shipment of food, then back you go.

Dinner it is. [He smiles warmly, encouragingly, and nudges her gently with his shoulder.] Whatever you want, it's on me.

So I'm, what, a deliveryman now? [she looks amused at the thought--and relieved] Sounds believable enough, I suppose. [more believable than she was expecting he'd be able to come up with, if she's honest. his ship doesn't exactly get much by the way of visitors as far as she can tell]

[she tries to match his smile with a smirk, though hers is still thin] You said that already. [and, that said, she starts walking in the direction of the kitchen]

Yup. And he'll make a couple jokes about delivering a special package for me every time you visit, that kind of thing. [He can hear the teasing now.]

[His smile turns into a slightly embarrassed smirk.] I know.

[022]

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