R1 DEADLAND PT2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[12d3]

[2-D nods, unaware that she can't see him nod in the first place and it takes a couple of seconds of silence for him to look up and realize she was turned away. So, he lowers his face again, looking at a random spot on the ground as he replies.]

I think I just.. got too used to being here that I didn't actually realize somethin' awful happened to you. I... I was just really happy to see you again.

[He lets go of himself, to reach up and wipe at one of his eyes.]

[throwabookatit]

...Crivvens, I should stop being surprised, just by how stupid you are.

[ It's not a warm teasing, but it's not the same frigid bite. Rebecca has far from forgiven him--maybe she never will. But...this is a start. Isn't it? ]

[12d3]

Hah!

[2-D just lets out a dry sounding laugh at that, but it does get a little smile on his face again.]

I honestly never thought I was as stupid as everyone kept telling me but... but I think I'm startin' to see it, now.

[It sounds a little bitter, but honestly it's the truth and he can't even really be mad.]

Especially after all that junk I ended up rememberin' when I woke up here. Like, remember when I told you I must've been in a coma for... a really long time because my age was all wrong?

[He lifts one of his arms to run a hand through his hair, feeling embarrassed by admitting this.]

It was just one year.. er, maybe two. I don't remember much about that time but I was definitely awake for all the years after.

[throwabookatit]

[ That makes more sense, doesn't it? Honestly, she should've thought of that, but- well, he was so earnest, and she was so unwilling to believe their memories had been tampered with.

See how well that turned out for her.

The book tightly clutched in her arms, Rebecca keeps focus on a point at the wall. Away from him, away from the siren's call of the library. ]

That's...good. [ ... ] Good for you, then. That it wasn't like that.

[ ...Rebecca sighs. ]

I... I should be going, Stuart.

[12d3]

[Ah.. it's almost funny how disappointed he feels when Rebecca tells him she should leave. Of course it's not like they're suddenly the best of friends now that he's apologized, so he shouldn't be expectant of her wanting to stick around and hear about all the stuff he remembered -- even though he had so much to tell her. But.. still. It hurts, but at the very least, they're... somewhere better.

This was a start.]

Ah, yeah. Of-- of course.

[He doesn't move off the floor, even though he probably should he just.. he needs a moment to process all of... This.]

Um.. thank you. If you ever want to... to talk or anythin'... [He starts, knowing full well that this may as well be the last time they'll talk to each other but despite that, he looks up at Rebecca with a warm smile.]

My door's always open.

[throwabookatit]

[ A part of her wishes that smile, this little moment, could make up for all of it.

But the truth of the matter is, it can't. So, she responds with a small quirk of her lips--nothing close to a smile, not at all--and a slight glance in his direction.

It's better than nothing. ]

...I know.

[12d3]

[Honestly, he'll take it. It still hurts -- all of this does. But that little twitch of a smile and passing look feels.. really hopeful. Really hopeful. And now that he's gotten all off his chest that he wanted, he doesn't feel this.. blockage in his chest anymore. He feels so relieved he could cry (more than he already has) but he doesn't, he just nods and lets her be on her way as he gives himself a little bit more time to calm down.]