( closed ) with my fists in the air, if my body's alive

[periastron]

WHO: Sarah Manning & Alexandra Karahalios
WHAT: disasters
WHEN: once Sarah's back from her mission
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES:

Sarah,

( she starts, before immediately falling into a long pause, chewing her lip and just looking at Sarah. Alex has a bag in her hand, and rubs her jaw with the knuckles of her other hand. )

What— what the— what the flipping Christ did you do?

( Her cheeks inflate, and slowly she exhales, before taking a step closer. )

Fucksticks. Are you feeling okay?

Comments

[periastron]

Oh, just a darkspawn. No big fucking deal, then. Not like they're something they've been warning us about since we got here. Not like they're bloody nightmare bloody fuel.

( Dramatically, she sets down the bag, eyeing the tragic hobbling and the cast. )

That cast looks like shit. ( Fuss fuss fuss fuss fuss )

[coppelganger]

Yeah, well, what d'you expect? Everyone here's basically stuck in the middle ages. Cosima's a genius, but she's not a doctor.

[ Sarah shifts so she can rest her weight against something besides the crutches, which are starting to hurt her arms. She exhales slowly, the only hint that she might be in pain still, and then props the crutches against the wall. ]

[periastron]

( Concerned, she moves closer to Sarah, offering her hand and forearm in case Sarah needs help holding herself up, and frowns. ) You boofhead.

( Said very quietly, as she glances up to Sarah. )

Have you been restin'?

[coppelganger]

I'm fine, Jesus.

[ But she says it in a sort of wryly fond way, as she lets herself lean a bit on Alex's arm. ]

Sitting in that cave afterward was the worst part of the whole thing.

[periastron]

No shit. ( There are memories that drags up, sitting on a concrete floor in the dark, that she bats aside as quickly as she can. Better to shove those far away, before they have a chance to start festering and sinking their claws in.

Alex swallows, chewing the inside of her cheek, and looks around. They aren't too far from the gardens, and at least there were benches there. )

Come on, let's get you somewhere to sit down, yeah? You can tell me about how you're heaps hardcore and badass, now.

( A slight smile, teasing. )

[coppelganger]

Now? I've been hardcore and badass my entire life, thanks.

[ But fine, even though it's embarrassing and the whole thing feels sort of overdramatic, she's letting Alex lead her to a bench in the gardens where she can sit down and rest. Crutches are hard work, you know. ]

[periastron]

Oh?

( A dramatic stop, as though she is looking for a way to backpedal. ) Yeah, of course.

( You know that way how people can say something that is so clearly trying to be convincing that it shoots straight past it and into "not remotely convincing"? Yeah, that.

Gently, she makes sure not to lead Sarah over uneven ground or let surprise obstacles cross her path, and in the process needs to hold back a reaching tendril of wisteria, before nodding to a bench a little further along. )

[coppelganger]

[ Sarah rolls her eyes. It's fine if Alex doesn't think she can handle herself. Well, not fine, but not like she needs personal validation from a hot Australian vet. She sticks her arm inside cows, for Christ's sake. ]

Cool, thanks. [ And with that she sinks down onto the bench and props her injured leg out in front of her, keeping it as straight as she can. ]

[periastron]

( Alex's smile is a bit conspiratorial, and then she glances about. When she spots what she's looking for, she hefts over a wooden crate, moving it close enough for Sarah to use as a foot rest. ) That might help a bit.

( It feels like a lame offering, but she'll do her best. )

Gotta say, I was kinda surprised you were going on missions. I didn't know you were that desperate to keep from getting bored.

[coppelganger]

Thanks. That's better.

[ She props her foot up on the crate (which like, how did Alex even know this would be here, did she plant it ahead of time?) and shrugs her shoulders. ]

Uh, I mostly joined to keep an eye on my sister, if I'm honest.

[periastron]

( This is a video game setting, there's crates and jugs everywhere, probably.

I mean, nothing.

Alex can't quite help a grin, bemused. ) Sounds like it went really well.

[coppelganger]

We're both alive, so I'd say so.

[ Why yes, she is going to double down on this point. ]

[periastron]

( With a laugh, Alex leans against the back of the bench. )

"High Standards Manning," they call you.

[coppelganger]

[ Despite the fact that it's kind of an insult, she laughs. Sounds like something Felix would say, honestly. ]

Yeah, always. You and my brother would get along great.

[periastron]

Yeah?

( At least it's an affectionate insult, if... if that's even a thing. But, at least she insults herself, too: )

He must be the worst.

[coppelganger]

[ pfft ]

No, he's the best. I miss him. I guess I'll have to hang around and listen to your commentary on things in the meantime.

[periastron]

( Alex smiles as her gaze drops, and she slouches lower on the bench. )

Oh, shit. I'll have to up my game, then.

( With a sigh, she fiddles with the leather bands arounds her wrist. ) I'm an only child, so I'll just live vicariously through all your wild sibling stories. ( And a gentle nudge to Sarah's arm. ) What's he like?

[coppelganger]

Well, I grew up thinking I was an only child. Besides Fee, I mean, but we're foster siblings. He just happened to be the one who stuck.

[ She sighs, but it's more of a thoughtful sound than anything, and leans back on her arms. ] He's an artist, and he's really funny, but you can never tell him I said that if he shows up here. He's always got my back, even when I treat him like shit. He's a much better person than I am.

[periastron]

( With a quiet laugh, she nudges Sarah. )

Nah. You're alright. You just seem all prickly, but there's a marshmallow centre in there. Underneath all the scowling and the leather.

( But, obediently, she makes a zipping motion over her lips. ) Don't worry. If he's ever here, I'll tell him you said he smelled really bad. Like, the worst onion breath in the world.

[coppelganger]

Oh, good. That makes me feel much better.

[ It really sort of does, in a weird way. ]

[periastron]

( Slouching down, Alex lets her shoulder rest against Sarah's. )

The bit about the onion breath or the marshmallows?

[coppelganger]

[ Sarah turns and gives her a Look, mock-affronted at the idea she could be considered marshmallowy in any way. ]

The onion breath, obviously. Everyone knows I'm not a marshmallow.

[periastron]

( Alex nods, definitely totally agreeing, before sing-songing under her breath, )

Marshmallow Manning.

[coppelganger]

Oi, shut up. [ She shoves Alex lightly, laughing. ] Don't tell anyone. I don't want word to get around or people might start asking me for shit.

[periastron]

( A sway from the push, and then back, grinning stupidly. ) Oh, trust. Lips are sealed. Your secret is safe with me.

( But, hmm. Alex taps her jaw, thoughtful. )

Though, you did say I wasn't trustworthy. Real hurtful. ( Look, look at her face, it's very devastated - if by "very devastated" you mean "not even remotely devastated at all." No, if anything she looks like she's having a great time. It's a relief, really, just having a stupid laugh with someone about normal shit. )