Week 2

[airlockedmods]

[Other than the reappearance of the Overseer, there's no real change in the routine. PAL still makes the morning and night time announcements through the PIP on each Champion's arm, and still the Champion unitards are freshly laundered and re-hung each morning in their closets.

No other floors unlock, but Cece and Kip will still be appearing randomly to chit-chat.

All you know is... something has to change soon.]

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday



[ooc: Don't forget to to turn in your AC for week 1 and submit your threads for the Benefactors!]

Comments

[tacomeme]

Wait, what?!

[He startles, then looks like he's about to get upset- not mad, upset]

W-what did I say?

[Gods this happened with the tea too and he feels a sudden crawling dread. He did it again, he said something and now she hates him just like everyone else]

I thought... if I finished it maybe I could ask you some things about it...

[everylittlesecret]

It's not what you said, it's how you said it.

[Oh wow... is... Okay, now she feels kinda bad. She moves her weight from one foot to the next, frowning.]

Are you afraid of me or something? You can be honest with me.

[They can get to what he just mumbled about once this has been cleared up.]

[tacomeme]

I-i'm not afraid!

[And again his voice gets that tone like he's being a dick. Like, wow no WAY he could be intimidated by her. Pffft yeah right!

But his expression doesn't match, as he's looking at his hands and his face is screwed up, as if he's holding back tears or the desire to flee, and his voice raises an octave or so]

I didn't mean to take your your book, okay? I'm sorry...

[He puts it on the bench like it's going to burn him, then scoots to the side, trying to get around her so he can bolt]

[everylittlesecret]

[Oh. That just puts her on guard. So this is one of those situations where if she acts just wrong, there goes any chance of Takumi trusting her. Great. Just great.

What would her parents do? What would her sister do? What would daytime family friendly television therapists do? Dr. Phil can't help her out here...]

..... [Before he can run, she takes his hand, the other reaching for her book. Once she has that, she places it in his and makes him close his fingers around the binding.] I'm not mad. I promise. You can read the book as many times as you want to, okay? Just promise me you won't tear anything out on purpose.

[tacomeme]

[He turns the book over and over in his hands, a repetitive action]

I wouldn't... I wouldn't do that to a book. Especially not one someone's father gave them...

[He takes a moment to breath]

I really am sorry. I didn't mean to make you mad. That... happens. A lot. Roland hates me too, that's just the kind of person I am.

[everylittlesecret]

Thank you. It does make me a little happy to know that someone else might get some use out of it.

[Most of her ideas here have come from that very book.]

Hate you? Why would I hate you? I don't even hate the person who hur-[She stops, biting her lip.]-I don't hate people for things like this. I find it difficult to hate. Even if I should. Roland... I can't speak for him, so I don't know if he hates you or not.

[Time to take a cue from Queenie. Nari puts her hands on Takumi's shoulders lightly.] I can tell you that even if everyone else here is against you, you'll have me on your side. Except if you murder someone.

[tacomeme]

[He looks up at her, eyes wide and exposed]

You... mean that?

[everylittlesecret]

I don't lie. So yes. I mean it.

[This is about as close to a friendship speech as you'll get.]

[tacomeme]

[He smiles brightly]

Okay. Then you have my support too.

[everylittlesecret]

[...... Well fuck. That is a cute smile. Be still, my heart. She'll return the smile gladly.]

So, how far have you gotten into the book?

[tacomeme]

Oh! Hmm... about a third?

[Takumi, you haven't even had it a full day yet. I mean, it's not a heavy novel or something but gawd.

[everylittlesecret]

Ooh so you've gotten past the terrain lessons then? Those were boring, but damn useful. Let me know when you get to edible plants. I can show you some real examples when you do. Okay?

[Someone is getting excited.]

[tacomeme]

I did! I learned a few of those things on marches, but there's a lot of new things in here I've never been shown.

And sure, it shouldn't take long. I tend to tear right through books.

[everylittlesecret]

Not every place has the same kind of terrain. The book fails to mention anything about different swamp consistencies. The ones in the world I'm from are all unique. Like... the ones in Florida are not the same as the ones in other parts of the United States, for example. But the book gives a good basic overview.

[Though her notes in the margin... are far more vulgar and insulting to the author.]

[tacomeme]

Is that why 'someone' added a bunch of things on the sides?

[everylittlesecret]

That's all me since the writer is dead. Can't argue with dead people face to face.

[tacomeme]

[He chuckles]

I've wanted to do the same thing to so many books back home, but if I got caught defacing any of the books or scrolls that belonged to the castle I'd have been in so much trouble. There's nothing as frustrating as not being able to argue with long dead philosophers for being idiots.

[everylittlesecret]

Tell me about it. There was a reason my dad always got two copies of the textbooks he and mom taught me with. My copies would be so defaced... But I can tell you my dad's copy of the guide is far more ink heavy than mine.