[ Lottie has been on the verge of some type of nausea, some type of growing panic, since she planted her feet here. She's a combination of upset, tired, appalled and scared. So scared, and so frustrated. She catalogues every whip mark, burn, and cut, wonders with a gross fascination what it feels like. How much it must hurt for them, how they probably don't even deserve all that's happening to them (but then an invasive part of her brain asks, what if they do deserve this? Lottie's hand twitch in her jacket pocket).
She's about to turn and cry somewhere, the feelings becoming too overwhelming for a public space, when she hears someone beside her (after a small bump of shoulders, that is). When did Misa get so light on her feet? How long has she been here, watching her? A tear manages to slip down her cheek, a sensation of guilt and weakness overcoming her as Misa talks to her gently. Almost like she understands what she's going through, what she's thinking.
She looks down at her, hoping her eyes don't show how upset she is (or how she's been crying on and off for the past hour). How hard would Misa judge her for feeling this type of way? ]
I-I.. [ She stumbles, flinching when she hears a particularly loud thwip hit her ears. ] Yeah, yeah it is.
[ The worst part is, Lottie can hardly think of a proper (out loud) excuse to leave. Whether they like it or not, they're known here in Achamoth - some have been elated to see Lottie stand here and are keen to see what she'll do. What they'll do, ]
Can we..?
[ A pause, as she thinks. And then ends up blurting out something she actually does want. ]
[ When she sees that tear fall from Lottie's eyes, in that moment, she feels a sense of responsibility to remain bright— to provide some sort of stability to the other woman. The Kenoma is in a precarious place, after all, with people falling out of line left and right. She thinks if she doesn't do something, Lottie might be one of the next people to disappear mysteriously for a week or more, and... well, perhaps it's a sense of sentimentality, for the girls just like her that she used to be friends with on Earth, that makes her want to prevent that. ]
You've got it, no problem. I actually know a really good place.
[ She snaps once, tugging on Lottie's sleeve once before linking her arm with hers, giving her a gentle pull in a direction off and away from the display. They can go somewhere far away from here, if that's what she has to do right now. But ultimately, there was no running from the Kenoma, so long as she was in Achamoth's walls. If she could somehow convince her of that... ]
Do you know that guy, Eustace? The one with the dog ears? He showed it to me once.
[ And she can act like an airhead, if she has to, talk of things that are completely unrelated if it's to calm her down before they're out of earshot of the prisoners. It wouldn't do well to ask her what's wrong or are you okay here, anyway. There are soldiers about, watching for how the Kenoma are dealing with this, she's sure. Right now, what's most important, is acting as a fun and supportive friend, and to draw Lottie out of the direct eye of the city's higher ups. ]
[ Going somewhere far away is exactly what Lottie wants, just to be able to clear her head and remember that.. Well, even if what she's looking at is some kind of horrific, it's for a reason, right? She tells herself this as her brows furrow, clearly inside her own head as Misa tugs and guides the two of them away. She follows with no complaint, with completely faith that she'll figure something out - she always does, after all (she's seen how well Misa navigates situations here, how she can take care of herself with no problem, much like how she's taking care of Lottie now).
But the mention of Eustace is definitely not the 'something' she assumed she'd toss her way. Lottie's brows raise, a stray tear slipping down that had been resting at the corner of her eye when she asks in a stupor: ]
..H-he took you to get coffee?
[ She doesn't realize the light change in topic, how no one is especially interested in hearing about the man with the dog ears right now when the crowd is roaring and everyone is here to spectate. Her head tilts down to look at her as they pass by guards, by shop owners and worshippers, in a distant way being reminded of Misty when she looks down at Misa.
Maybe it's because of their similar stature, or the same amount of familiarity and skinship.. Whatever it is, it calms her down. Helps her to wonder if she was some marketing genius like her, too, before their worlds were destroyed.. After all, a pretty people can do anything. ]
Yeah, it was for an errand. Maybe someday, he'll take you on an errand, too. He is pretty cranky though, huh?
[ She laughs, though the sound is a bit sheepish - while it would be nice to mention here that Eustace actually has a tendency to be kind of cute sometimes, she wonders if he'll get mad if she goes around tarnishing his image as a cool, aloof wolfboy. Well, she supposes it'll be easier to just commiserate with Lottie on the subject of him being a stick in the mud, instead, so she merely goes along with it,
Misa is sure to keep their stride quite brisk (as brisk as her short legs can take them, at least) to hurry their travels along, past the highest concentration of Achamite guards and into the camoflauge of the hustle and bustle of the city. Once the pair are out of eye and earshot of the display, Misa looks once over her shoulder before guiding them both onto the sidewalk that'll take them right to the combination bakery and cafรฉ's entrance, keeping her head close to Lottie's arm and speaking in a hushed tone. ]
I don't remember how he heard about it, but it's a nice place, and good for whenever I'm bored of being in the Citadel. [ It's far away, and not an obvious spot, she means, between the lines. As she describes, the bakery on the corner is upscale and classy, with high arched windows and ornate, gothic decorations inside. There are glass cases filled with all kinds of pastries and sweets, ranging from the common to the very fancy - with chalk written menus of specialty drinks along with. ] We can totally sit there for a while. There's always tables!
[ The implication being that it'll be a safe haven for as long as Lottie needs in the moment. Her words, while framed as any normal girl telling a friend about a hidden gem of a cafรฉ that has everything one could ever want (free seating, nice dรฉcor), they're carefully placed to try to give Lottie peace of mind, without so much as announcing her distress to anyone who may overhear. Once they're behind walls, and are only in the presence of Achamites who are busy with work and not prone to eavesdropping, she knows it'll be safer for them to talk in clearer terms. ]
[ She takes a wide look at the cafe they walk into and.. In a weird way, she can see why Eustace would come here. Nondescript, no one is fawning over them being Aions, and more importantly: Misa's carefully, considerately, crafted offer to snag a spot just for them. Lottie tries not to look down at Misa, because she knows there's a reason why she's speaking so softly. Everyone is listening, even in a gorgeous place like this, and who knows what they might say.
At least, this, paranoia is something she can live with (gossip). Not the paranoia of constantly battling with her morals and random people probably plotting to kill them all.
Lottie leans her head ever so slightly towards Misa's, strands of green brushing against the very top of her head. She's considerably less stiff beside her, knowing that she's doing her more than a favor by taking her hear after her display at the Citadel. Because that's what friends are for, right? She tries to smile, to play it overtly 'cool' here before they disappear, and pipes up: ]
Y-yeah.. Let's grab a table and some tea!
[ Her enthusiasm dies down the tiniest bit, though, when she brings a hand to touch her cheek. She feels the remnants of her tears drying along them, the bare touch of wet along her fingertips, and she whispers to her. ]
I don't look that bad, do I?
[ In other words, if she goes up to order for them, will it cause a social stir? Questions?! ]
[ Misa spares a glance up towards Lottie herself, gauging for herself the state of the other woman. The tear stains on her face certainly aren't doing her any favors— especially not when the news about the prisoners is so abuzz about the city. Misa waves a hand, keeping close. ]
Well, er— it'll be fine![ She neither confirms nor denies whether Lottie looks "that" bad - which, in turn, basically implies that she does look some degree of bad. ] If anyone asks anything, we'll just say it's boy troubles, or something else.
[ Why try to cover up something so obvious? The easiest way to go undetected is to lie in plain sight, of course. And who would suspect two pretty, young women of anything as nefarious as being conflicted over the sight over their sworn enemies being admonished in public? Misa pulls them both along to the counter - the worker there seems to recognize Misa, from the way she frequents the area. And with both their shards hidden, they're just two regular citizens of Achamoth. Misa chatters happily with the attendant to draw attention away, and once the two of them have ordered their teas, they're informed it'll be brought to their table in a matter of minutes. And more importantly, when they're at the (relative) privacy of their table, Misa's able to return to the matter at hand. ]
See? We'll be fine here. [ As Misa settles in, her eyes glance out the window. ] Until you're ready to head back.
[ Because the same sight will be waiting for them, she wouldn't deny that. But she could accept that it takes time to getting used to - time they have the opportunity to take. ]
[ the pain of knowing she would do the same thing so the fact this is happening to her is even worse ]
Yeah.. Boy troubles..
[ Lottie has to hold back the eesh that she wants to let loose at fully knowing she's looking less optimal right now, but Misa's quick thinking makes her a little less stressed about it (all considering she has been basically sidelining some public torture for an hour). She follows her lead to the counter and is simultaneously amazed at how easy Misa makes socializing in distress look, all the while making Lottie seem like a natural fixture beside her.. Even in this state.
They take a seat at their table, and she looks at Misa beneath wet lashes, twiddling her thumbs on her lap beneath the table. ]
I don't think I'll be ready for a while.. I need to just, [ She can't stop herself from following her companions trail of sight, joining in after a moment. ] pretend like this is the reason I'm out tonight. Doing something fun instead of..
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
She's about to turn and cry somewhere, the feelings becoming too overwhelming for a public space, when she hears someone beside her (after a small bump of shoulders, that is). When did Misa get so light on her feet? How long has she been here, watching her? A tear manages to slip down her cheek, a sensation of guilt and weakness overcoming her as Misa talks to her gently. Almost like she understands what she's going through, what she's thinking.
She looks down at her, hoping her eyes don't show how upset she is (or how she's been crying on and off for the past hour). How hard would Misa judge her for feeling this type of way? ]
I-I.. [ She stumbles, flinching when she hears a particularly loud thwip hit her ears. ] Yeah, yeah it is.
[ The worst part is, Lottie can hardly think of a proper (out loud) excuse to leave. Whether they like it or not, they're known here in Achamoth - some have been elated to see Lottie stand here and are keen to see what she'll do. What they'll do, ]
Can we..?
[ A pause, as she thinks. And then ends up blurting out something she actually does want. ]
Coffee?
no subject
You've got it, no problem. I actually know a really good place.
[ She snaps once, tugging on Lottie's sleeve once before linking her arm with hers, giving her a gentle pull in a direction off and away from the display. They can go somewhere far away from here, if that's what she has to do right now. But ultimately, there was no running from the Kenoma, so long as she was in Achamoth's walls. If she could somehow convince her of that... ]
Do you know that guy, Eustace? The one with the dog ears? He showed it to me once.
[ And she can act like an airhead, if she has to, talk of things that are completely unrelated if it's to calm her down before they're out of earshot of the prisoners. It wouldn't do well to ask her what's wrong or are you okay here, anyway. There are soldiers about, watching for how the Kenoma are dealing with this, she's sure. Right now, what's most important, is acting as a fun and supportive friend, and to draw Lottie out of the direct eye of the city's higher ups. ]
no subject
But the mention of Eustace is definitely not the 'something' she assumed she'd toss her way. Lottie's brows raise, a stray tear slipping down that had been resting at the corner of her eye when she asks in a stupor: ]
..H-he took you to get coffee?
[ She doesn't realize the light change in topic, how no one is especially interested in hearing about the man with the dog ears right now when the crowd is roaring and everyone is here to spectate. Her head tilts down to look at her as they pass by guards, by shop owners and worshippers, in a distant way being reminded of Misty when she looks down at Misa.
Maybe it's because of their similar stature, or the same amount of familiarity and skinship.. Whatever it is, it calms her down. Helps her to wonder if she was some marketing genius like her, too, before their worlds were destroyed.. After all, a pretty people can do anything. ]
I'm surprised.. He's such a stick in the mud!
no subject
[ She laughs, though the sound is a bit sheepish - while it would be nice to mention here that Eustace actually has a tendency to be kind of cute sometimes, she wonders if he'll get mad if she goes around tarnishing his image as a cool, aloof wolfboy. Well, she supposes it'll be easier to just commiserate with Lottie on the subject of him being a stick in the mud, instead, so she merely goes along with it,
Misa is sure to keep their stride quite brisk (as brisk as her short legs can take them, at least) to hurry their travels along, past the highest concentration of Achamite guards and into the camoflauge of the hustle and bustle of the city. Once the pair are out of eye and earshot of the display, Misa looks once over her shoulder before guiding them both onto the sidewalk that'll take them right to the combination bakery and cafรฉ's entrance, keeping her head close to Lottie's arm and speaking in a hushed tone. ]
I don't remember how he heard about it, but it's a nice place, and good for whenever I'm bored of being in the Citadel. [ It's far away, and not an obvious spot, she means, between the lines. As she describes, the bakery on the corner is upscale and classy, with high arched windows and ornate, gothic decorations inside. There are glass cases filled with all kinds of pastries and sweets, ranging from the common to the very fancy - with chalk written menus of specialty drinks along with. ] We can totally sit there for a while. There's always tables!
[ The implication being that it'll be a safe haven for as long as Lottie needs in the moment. Her words, while framed as any normal girl telling a friend about a hidden gem of a cafรฉ that has everything one could ever want (free seating, nice dรฉcor), they're carefully placed to try to give Lottie peace of mind, without so much as announcing her distress to anyone who may overhear. Once they're behind walls, and are only in the presence of Achamites who are busy with work and not prone to eavesdropping, she knows it'll be safer for them to talk in clearer terms. ]
no subject
At least, this, paranoia is something she can live with (gossip). Not the paranoia of constantly battling with her morals and random people probably plotting to kill them all.
Lottie leans her head ever so slightly towards Misa's, strands of green brushing against the very top of her head. She's considerably less stiff beside her, knowing that she's doing her more than a favor by taking her hear after her display at the Citadel. Because that's what friends are for, right? She tries to smile, to play it overtly 'cool' here before they disappear, and pipes up: ]
Y-yeah.. Let's grab a table and some tea!
[ Her enthusiasm dies down the tiniest bit, though, when she brings a hand to touch her cheek. She feels the remnants of her tears drying along them, the bare touch of wet along her fingertips, and she whispers to her. ]
I don't look that bad, do I?
[ In other words, if she goes up to order for them, will it cause a social stir? Questions?! ]
no subject
Well, er— it'll be fine![ She neither confirms nor denies whether Lottie looks "that" bad - which, in turn, basically implies that she does look some degree of bad. ] If anyone asks anything, we'll just say it's boy troubles, or something else.
[ Why try to cover up something so obvious? The easiest way to go undetected is to lie in plain sight, of course. And who would suspect two pretty, young women of anything as nefarious as being conflicted over the sight over their sworn enemies being admonished in public? Misa pulls them both along to the counter - the worker there seems to recognize Misa, from the way she frequents the area. And with both their shards hidden, they're just two regular citizens of Achamoth. Misa chatters happily with the attendant to draw attention away, and once the two of them have ordered their teas, they're informed it'll be brought to their table in a matter of minutes. And more importantly, when they're at the (relative) privacy of their table, Misa's able to return to the matter at hand. ]
See? We'll be fine here. [ As Misa settles in, her eyes glance out the window. ] Until you're ready to head back.
[ Because the same sight will be waiting for them, she wouldn't deny that. But she could accept that it takes time to getting used to - time they have the opportunity to take. ]
no subject
Yeah.. Boy troubles..
[ Lottie has to hold back the eesh that she wants to let loose at fully knowing she's looking less optimal right now, but Misa's quick thinking makes her a little less stressed about it (all considering she has been basically sidelining some public torture for an hour). She follows her lead to the counter and is simultaneously amazed at how easy Misa makes socializing in distress look, all the while making Lottie seem like a natural fixture beside her.. Even in this state.
They take a seat at their table, and she looks at Misa beneath wet lashes, twiddling her thumbs on her lap beneath the table. ]
I don't think I'll be ready for a while.. I need to just, [ She can't stop herself from following her companions trail of sight, joining in after a moment. ] pretend like this is the reason I'm out tonight. Doing something fun instead of..