-- edifyingBadinage [EB] began pestering gourmetGaud [GG] at 22:55 --
EB: *he's standing in front of the holoboard, looking over the stats for the umpteenth time though his gaze seems distant and unfocused, as if he's deep in thought*
GG: *meanwhile, jane is emerging from the lounge with an orange. she spots john by the board and freezes. oh dear. okay jane, you'll have to do this eventually. she takes a deep breath and slowly approaches him, clearing her throat when she comes to a stop*
EB: *he blinks a few times, eyes focusing as he turns- and immediately tenses, stumbling back to thud against the terminal*
EB: hi, nanna- i mean, jane. um.
GG: *gasps quietly when he thuds, taking a step back* I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. A-Are you okay?
EB: y... yeah. it's okay. i was sort of zoned out. *he slowly pushes away from the console and drops his gaze to the floor nervously*
GG: *maybe she should have waited a little longer to talk to him one on one. she folds her arms, rubbing at them awkwardly* Listen. John. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I don't think I did anything to you directly, but I'm pretty sure you were there for at least some of... that time.
EB: *he brings a hand up to rub at the back of his neck uncomfortably, still not quite looking at her* i... yeah. yeah, i was. you didn't do anything to me, though....
GG: Well. It obviously made a certain impression. *sighs* I'm just sorry. I did terrible things and I'm sorry.
EB: *makes a frustrated noise and runs his hands through his "unruly" hair a few times* look, i just... i'm not trying to hold any of that against you, okay? i know you were, like, mind-controlled or something.
EB: but it's really, REALLY hard to just forget the fact i saw you stab and kill someone i kind of care about. even if i didn't know him as much at the time.
GG: I'm not asking you to forget that! You don't have to forget in order to forgive. *stops, looks down at the orange still in her hand, and unfolds her arms to start picking at the peel* Not that I expect you to forgive me.
GG: I just want to be able to talk to you normally.
GG: We're family, and it would be nice to feel like it.
EB: *he almost seems to flinch at the word "family, watching her for a minute before looking away again with a frown* i wish i COULD forget. every time i see you i just get this awful flashback of red and that terrible symbol and your giant fork that just...
EB: *he cuts himself off and rubs at the sides of his head*
GG: *stops peeling, as well as breathing. for a second, she holds her breath, then she lets it out with a heavy sigh.* Alright. Okay. Then um.
GG: Well, what about text? Like messaging each other? Maybe you could be okay with that?
EB: yeah... i guess that could work....
EB: *he seems to concede hesitantly; almost grudgingly*
GG: Don't... don't force yourself. *continues peeling the orange, just letting bits of the peel fall to the ridiculously pure white floor*
GG: I'll see- *she stops that thought. "see you around" isn't really a thing that should be said at this time, huh?* Bye, I guess.
EB: .... *he sighs heavily and shakes his head* jane, wait...
GG: *she had started turning away, but then she looks up at him slowly* Y-Yeah?
EB: *shuffles his feet a bit as he stares at them, still not looking at her* ...i'm sorry. i can't... i just can't, right now. okay? i know it seems stupid, and stubborn, but...
EB: *a pause as he toys with the hem of his shirt, then-*
GG: No, I understand. *whether he looks up to see it or not, she gives him a reluctantly sad smile* You don't have to. Not until you think you're ready. Don't worry about it.
GG: *and then it's time to fiddle with the dial so the door will lead to her room*
EB: *he misses it, but when he hears the clicks of her turning the dial he looks up with his own sad gaze* if... if you ever want to message me, though....
GG: *she turns her head a little before she goes, smiling the same smile but not meeting his eyes* Thanks. *and through the door she goes. she takes a shaky breath only once the door has closed behind her and she squeezes her eyes shut. well, nobody can say she didn't try.*
-- gourmetGaud [GG] ceased pestering edifyingBadinage [EB] at 23:46 --
EB: ...damn it! *he kicks a bit of peel before using the dial to abscond to his own room*
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