@badtrigger sent "Fun day at work, huh?" from Vaas to Eden!
Every day is like this, really. Everyone always looks at her like that, she always has to repeat herself or rephrase. Always puts in all the work to bridge a connection. But it's hitting especially hard today. Even Hayes seemed annoyed with her before she even woke up. It's the kind of day that used to end in childish destruction of cult property, but she has no such outlet on Rook.
Eden is much to strong to curl into a little ball and cry. She's far too smart to see any benefit in sobbing in her bed. So, instead, she makes her way out to the water. A nice little river within shouting distance of her cabin. The fact that someone looking for her could easily finds her eases some of the worry that breeds from rest.
Shiny black boots are discarded gently, left in a pile with her outermost layer of clothing. Eden adjusts her modified boxers with one hand, using the other to scratch at her collar bone where the wrap around her chest meets skin. Her clothes need a wash too. Maybe after a quick swim. When her mind straightens out.
The sun-warm water welcomes her happily, ripples and waves lapping at her tattooed skin as she steps through a practiced path on the river floor. She stops in the middle, only half submerged. Algae catches her toes, rocks scrape at her soles, small fish rush past out of fear of getting eaten. It's the most peaceful her surroundings have been in a month and it's still not enough. Something roars between her ears, a dull scream beating on the walls of her skull. God himself is yelling at her for something. Something her aching brain can't seem to conjure.
Eden sighs, pulling both hands out of the water to run over her head, wetting her hair and dripping down her face. The droplets are uncomfortable, touching her far too gently to feel like anything other than an itch. Rough hands scrub harshly over her damp face, trying to soak the uncomfortable wetness into her skin or shed the irritating layer. She doesn't notice Vaas until he speaks, the familiar voice making her whip around to address him.
She knows he's aware her work is done, she reported it directly to him, but the dread of being caught with her pants down throws logic somewhere into the jungle.
"I finished my work, sir- Do you need me to do something else?" Eden pushes through the water with difficulty, trying to force her legs forward without seeming too awkward or kicking up too much water.