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

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

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?

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( 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.

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.

( 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.

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

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

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

"High Standards Manning," they call you.

[ 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.

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.

[ 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.

( 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?

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.

( 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.

Oh, good. That makes me feel much better.

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

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

The bit about the onion breath or the marshmallows?

[ 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.

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

Marshmallow Manning.

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.

( 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. )

That's true. I did.

[ Sarah gives her a kind of thoughtful smile, then adds, ] It's not that I don't trust you, just that I don't really trust anyone. If that makes sense.

[ It's been nice, hanging out with Alex, shooting the shit about normal things, laughing over dumb stuff. It reminds her a bit of how she used to be, before Beth and the train. She'd had friends back then, too. Maybe not the best friends, but they were there. Now her world is very insular, and it sucks, but she can't change it. ]

I'd say it makes sense before we fell into Wonderland: Medieval Hell edition.

( A little shrug. ) Doesn't really give a lot of reasons to inspire trust. But, I mean—

( Her she smiles a little bit, the smile self aware and a little self deprecating, as well. )

I think sometimes not trusting anyone can get lonely. And, I mean, shit's weird enough without feeling like no one's got your back as well, y'know?

( Another shrug, hapless. ) I'm not saying trust everyone, I mean, I don't like most people, but— I'll try to have your back. I might be shit at it, but I'll try. ( Her tone turns a little silly-conspiratorial: ) Gotta protect the marshmallow, hey?

[ Sarah sighs, and scratches the side of her neck, more of an absent gesture to stall for time than anything else. It's true, the stuff Alex is saying—you have to trust some people—but there's "my ex cheated on me" trust issues and then there's "I'm patented" trust issues. ]

Thanks. I—yeah. It's complicated.

What? My shitty motivational speech didn't immediately resolve all your concerns with the world?

( A gently nudge, bumping their shoulders together. )

If you want to talk about the complicated shit, I'm around. If you don't, I promise I won't get weird and shitty at you. Just, you know, I think there's decent people around and finding some of them that you're a little comfortable with might make shit a little less shitty, sometimes.

( She rolls her eyes at herself. ) But don't trust anyone who tries to give you this weird dwarven ale. It's fuckin' rank.

[ She laughs, shakes her head. ]

Ugh, why the fuck are we even talking about this? Forget it, yeah? [ There's a beat, and then, ] Who the hell's giving you dwarven ale?

'Cause underneath my roguishly handsome and rugged exterior, I too am an emotional marshmallow.

( Thats why, Sarah. But, yes, moving on: ) I can't even remember. Some dickhead down at The Hanged Man.

What rugged exterior? And you shouldn't accept drinks from dickheads.

I'm so rugged!

( A flex, dramatic. ) Look at all this, look at my rugged jawline. I'm stunning.

( That said, she nods. ) Yeah, when I've had a few I don't really make sensible decisions.

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