( open )

[overclocking]

Date & Time: Several days after the necromorph outbreak
Location: A VR room
Characters: Chrono + Rosette + open!
Summary: Lil bit of coping in-between zombie apocalypses and civil wars, nbd
Warnings: None! KEVIN AND BREAK
Notes: Feel free to tag around also! ♥


[ Chrono doesn't bother to close the door when he finally decides to try one of these rooms for himself. Something about the last few days (weeks) (months) has left him unwilling to stay in enclosed spaces too long, with no obvious path of exist. Too much like a lab or an undead-lined hallway.

But these concerns slowly melt away as he sets about instructing the AI, and the room gives way to a place that isn't a room at all.

Mountains rise up in the distance, framing a blue, clear sky, and a faint breeze rustles the treetops of a thick Michigan forest. Birdcalls ride that wind, and the air smells cleaner, fresher, than any moon base could reasonably boast. Where the blanket of trees ends, a large, glassy lake gleams in the sunlight. He takes care with this part—instructs the AI to make the water a temperature a bit too low to be entirely comfortable for swimming, knowing full well that this won't actually be a deterrent. But it wouldn't be right, otherwise.

He takes his time strolling from one familiar landmark to the next, having the computer make adjustments as necessary. He doesn't miss details, either; for all the times that Rosette brought him to this very place, his eyes had missed nothing. They were wide and all-absorbing, like someone who had been born anew and was discovering the world for the first time.

(Likely because, in all honesty, he had been.)

He stops once he circles back around to the open door—a black silhouette hanging oddly in the landscape, and the only giveaway that none of this is real. It's here that he surveys the scene as a whole, the sum of all its little memory-parts. ]

Perfect.

[ Well. There's still a thing or two missing. ]

... Almost.

Comments

[soul_sister]

[She laughs.]

Who knows. We never found anything like that.

But there'd be neat roots and stones with holes worn in the middle. Sort of its own treasure hunt.

[debtor]

[A children's game, he thinks. Sounds like one fondly remembered. He settles nearby.]

You've been to this place before?

[soul_sister]

[She nods, grinning.]

We grew up here. It was the place where we'd go when we needed to get away from everything. The only place in the world we called a safe place.

[debtor]

[Ah. His own smile falters, as his gaze sweeps over the lake, to the forest.]

It's beautiful. Where is it? [Somewhere in America, probably, judging by her accent - but it's best not to assume.]

[soul_sister]

Michigan! There's a small orphanage outside of Lansing...

We always ran out here whenever something we didn't like was happening.

[debtor]

Ah... [ quiet. he doesn't want to press. ]

It was kind of you both to share it with everyone.

[soul_sister]

[She smiles and shakes her head.]

Good things lose their meaning if you hide and horde them. They become like secrets. Something like this, I'm happy to share.

[debtor]

I guess so.

[ a pause, then, ] How have you been lately, Miss Rosette?

[soul_sister]

[She washes her muddy hands in the lake, trails of silt following her fingers in the clear water.]

No need for anything like Miss. You sound as old as all that grey hair.

[debtor]

Ah. Right. [ why won't anyone let him use miss

She didn't answer. And he's not sure how else to lead into this without sounding very awkward, but.

He watches the water intently as he rubs the back of his neck. He can't avoid it forever, he has to give it a shot,]

It's just that... Mr. Break spoke to me recently, about you...

1/2

[soul_sister]

[That was... clearly not what she was expecting. She pulls her hands out of the water and drys them on her skirt.]

What about?

[soul_sister]

If it's the thing about his shirt...!

[debtor]

Well, he—

[ what ] his shirt?

[soul_sister]

Nothing!

[debtor]

[RIGHT . . .]

It wasn't his shirt. He just— [ good lord how should he phrase this ] he seemed very concerned.

About your safety.

1/3

[soul_sister]

[Instead of angry, or surprised, a smile slowly settles on her face instead.]

... It's kind of funny, isn't it? How much energy he puts into pushing away, and then pulls with the other hand.

[soul_sister]

But... You don't need to worry either.

[soul_sister]

I'm completely fine! A few little accidents here and there aren't really that big of a deal. I can handle myself when it matters.

1/2

[debtor]

[And Allen relaxes a bit. To be honest, he wasn't sure how she'd react at all. (Anger certainly didn't seem out of the question.)

But this is better than expected.]

He's not very good at hiding it at all, is he?

[debtor]

I don't doubt you can take care of yourself. He came to me because - [ actually, let's not worry about the reason ] If you ever do need help, with anything...

I know we're not very well-acquainted, [ and he sprayed fire-extinguishing liquid all over your kitchen ] but please don't be afraid to ask me.

[soul_sister]

Not even a little bit.

[Luckily, she's far, far less put out about the additional kitchen destruction than Chrono was. ... Is. She waves a hand, dismissing it.]

I wont turn down an ally or a friend. [She smiles up at him, and then pats the grass beside her.] And you should do the same. I know an apartment on fire's not the best impression... and we were in separate groups that mission...

But I am a First Class Exorcist. I am pretty good when it comes to combat, you know.

[debtor]

[ hhhhHOLD UP ]

You're an Exorcist??

[soul_sister]

[She misinterprets the surprise.]

Yeah. I know, I look young, but that's no reflection on skill!

[debtor]

No, that's not it—

I'm an Exorcist, as well.

[soul_sister]

... Really? You look really young!