pandora watkins ::

[urystonsteppe-blog]

 ❝ Not still a convict. More of a… psych patient. It’s a very valid phrase.      And yes, yes it is. ❞

[pandora-watkins]

Are you trying to goad me? 

[urystonsteppe-blog]

 ❝ It’s the only place they have for people who were hijacked like me. Oh,       curiosity killed the cat. ❞

[pandora-watkins]

Still a convict. And that’s a ...stupid phrase. And not really at all applicable to the situation. 

[urystonsteppe-blog]

 ❝ First of all, I’m not a convict. Second of all, prove it.  ❞

[pandora-watkins]

The whole prison bit seemed to argue the contrary. And how? More importantly, why?

[urystonsteppe-blog]

 ❝ How in hell did I end up with an oddball like you. ..I bet you couldn’t even       find your way out from here.  ❞

[pandora-watkins]

Well, I ended up with a...convict. I think I got the worse of the two deals, really. And I could so!

[urystonsteppe-blog]

 ❝ Aren’t you the philosopher. So what is it you’re looking for? ❞

[pandora-watkins]

No. I’ve no patience for philosophy. And....nothing. Nothing in particular.

[urystonsteppe-blog]

 ❝ Looking for something, are we? Or we just lost? ❞

[pandora-watkins]

Always, and...no. One is never lost. One just...makes some unexpected turns.

[pandora-watkins]

[pandora-watkins]

How do I keep getting lost?

Are these rooms changing...? 

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Our father. Barric Steppe was my father, too. Well. Before he was ever yours.

[pandora-watkins]

...Oh. As the realization hit her, Pandora kept her face neutral. Well that certainly explained a lot - the fighting between her mother and father, how little he came to see her. She was silent for several seconds before clearing her throat. Well that's...a bit awkward then.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

It was like seeing a ghost. That’s exactly how Uryston felt right now. Barric Steppe. Not much of a father, but he respected him nonetheless. Until now. His face practically drained of colour. So he had a sister. After all these years of being the only child, he had a sister. 

The anger gone now, he sat on his bed, voice barren of emotion. I suppose I should say our father, now.

[pandora-watkins]

Pandora blinked at him, confusion clear on her face, but she said nothing for several seconds. ....What? She cringed at the lack of eloquence, then shook her head slightly. I...I think I'm the confused one now. Why was he suddenly so pale and quiet, when a moment ago it seemed he wanted to lunge through the bars to get to her? She wasn't understanding, the implications not quite catching on.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Your father. Your father!? He began to pace his cell like a cat. He wasn’t having any of it. No it’s not. Only one of those were made. I would know— I was there. 

What was his name, huh? What was your damn father’s name?

[pandora-watkins]

Why are you putting so much emphasis on 'your'? Her eyes followed his prowling, unmoving in her position a few steps away from the bars of his cell. Well, I don't know to tell you. I've nearly always had this, it was the token in my games and everything.

Barric. The first name came out easily, but the last name required a bit of thought. She had been given her mother's surname, and her father had stopped coming around when she was so young..Barric..Steppe. I think. Don't quote me on the last name, I took my mother's surname.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

No. No, she had to be lying. His father was buried with the necklace. He knew, because his mother said so. ….Didn’t she? Uryston scoffed at her, hate filling his eyes. At this point, he was just seeing red. It was my father’s, you wench. Did Malcolm put you up to this? See what reaction you could get out of me?

[pandora-watkins]

Well, that's rude. Pandora frowned, and shook her head. I don't see how I've earned any of this from having a necklace that my father left for me. However, his words processed and she tilted her head again. Is it not possible for two people to have the same charm? That was what logic told her. I've had this since I was four, I don't really see any other option. And I don't even know a Malcolm. You're very...confusing. And frustrating. 

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

His upper lip curled up, sneering at the blatant lie. Had he not been behind bars, he’d have his fingers around her neck. Don’t. Lie. To me. Where did you get the damn thing!? He said through his teeth. There was no way she could have his father’s necklace. No way.

[pandora-watkins]

I'm not good at lying, she remarked absently, and Pandora offered a shrug. Her brow knit together even further, confused by his sudden hostility. This must be why he was locked away, or at least one of the reasons. I've already told you, it was my father's. He always wore it, and Mother said he left it for me since I always played with it when he was around. Something about her birthday, if she remembered correctly. Why are you so angry about something so silly? Sillly as it was, her hand wrapped protectively around the little charm. She had so few reminders of either of her parents, and she wasn't about to surrender one because someone was throwing a fit.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

I know this place. Like the back of my hand. That’s why you should let me out.

His eyes are drawn to her fingers and whatever she’s messing with. It looks familiar to him. Too familiar, and in an instant he knows exactly why. It’s something his father wore often when he was still alive. The friendly features that graced Uryston’s face disappeared into thin air at the realization. Without another thought, he was at the bars of his cell in another instant, his eyes turning snakelike, his voice venom. Where did you get that.

[pandora-watkins]

 But that doesn't mean you would help me. You're likely to just take off running and leave me with all the trouble of cleaning up the mess I made. I don't like messes much...well, this sort of mess anyway. 

Pandora took a step back as he lunged forward, blinking at him with childlike curiosity rather than fear. She tilted her head slightly, eyebrows furrowed, fingers still wrapped around the familiar worn token. It was my father's, she said, voice colored with confusion. My mother gave it to me after he stopped coming around. I think he died.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

If they put you down here, that’d be a hell of a shame. A mind like that trapped in a cage like this. Yeah, you’re damn right you’d have to let yourself— and— well, maybe just me out.

I mean yeah, but.. Mine was just…. Out of the blue. Doesn’t mean anything, doesn’t come from anything. Just.. A bunch of letters put together.

[pandora-watkins]

Well, no, I wouldn't be...because I'd get myself out. And why would I need to let you out? You've already admitted why you're in here.

It's kind of fun to say though. Uryston. Uuuuurryyystttooon. She giggled a little to herself, idly twirling the charm at her neck out of habit as she bounced on the balls of her feet. It's a good name, she decided with a nod, as though her opinion on the fact mattered. Interesting, too.

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[urystonsteppe-archive]

Not all prisoners are geniuses, I’m afraid.

Can’t say I know what my name is from. I’m pretty sure they came up with it up off the top of their heads.

[pandora-watkins]

But some could be. What if they'd put me down here, or I'd earned my place down here? I could release myself and everyone else down here in the blink of an eye. Good thing I'm not, for their sake at least....but I should probably go repair that machine then. Isn't that how all names come to be, technically? 

[pandora-watkins]

...Well, this place is...curious?

[pandora-watkins]

urystonsteppe:

Uryston laughed at that. The fact that 13 hadn’t shown someone around yet was priceless and almost surprising. It seemed as if things were falling apart within the district. He stopped laughing when he heard her say disarm. If she could disarm their security, she could be of great use to him. That’s.. impressive.

Ah, no wonder you could disarm their security. Tch. Fairytales. Never had time for them, myself. He looked her over once more, deeming her more trustworthy than any soldier that came into contact with him. Uryston.

...It's not really that impressive. It didn't even take any tools, I just had to use my hair clip. The rest was just coding, and their methods are far too simple. I never would have imagined that silly little machine and system was meant for securing prisoners. It's almost..laughable. 

I suppose my upbringing had something to do with it, yes. But I mostly credit my skills with technology to my own personal interests and research. She shrugged, eyes finally falling away from him to examine the rest of the area. I'm not particularly fond of them myself, but I can't help what my mother chose for me. Your name isn't exactly...normal either.