Voice. (possible action outside of the wall) | un: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

[It's been... a hell of a last two weeks for Laura. She had woken up with a chunk of memory inexplicably gone, uninjured as always, and yet — the faintest scent of blood under her scrubbed nails. She wasn't in a hospital, but some big room with heavy doors and Linda the social worker; her head was bandaged, her look one of bone-deep concern as she sits beside the girl.

Oh. The memory of her recapture sits heavy in her gut. The collar, the chair, the network recording, just before everything vanished from her mind. Linda runs a hand through her hair and explains things basically: Shiloh came, he took her, and he used something on her to control her. But it's fine now — all fine, his body was found, he can't do anything anymore.

Laura looks tiredly skeptical at the whole thing. She asks if she killed anybody. Linda dodges the question, which is answer enough. "We just... what he used might still be in effect, so we're making sure you're back to yourself." Linda knows her bad history with rooms like this. Maybe it's why it's so big and spacious.

But she stays, and days pass, and she's not sure what happens outside. She just knows people are dead, and she hasn't any clue who. There's something terrifying about not remembering if you took a life, even if such an act is too easy for someone like her.

When she's finally cleared to leave, there's a paranoia in her that maybe she isn't.

So she steers clear and packs a bag and runs away into the woods. But she at least leaves Linda little note this time, so she doesn't pull her hair out panicking. Out there where she can find comfort in isolation, she makes herself known on the network; she doesn't use text. It feels like an easy out.]

I do not remember... what happened. I know a man did something to make me hurt people, but...

[A pause, heavy and unsure how to proceed; but the guilt is there to carry her forward.]

I am sorry for any pain or suffering I caused.

I will be staying outside the wall for a little while, to make sure I am not a danger.

[She thought she'd maybe figure out something to say after that, but...

Her mouth just sort of freezes there.]

Comments

[11calls]

And I get that, but Laura you were a victim too. You shouldn't need to be away from your people and your home right now.

[shoplifter]

... I will not feel very comfortable around people, either.

[It's a quiet admission, because as much as this is for the people she hurt—

It's for her, too.]

[11calls]

[Alex couldn't deny her that, she didn't quite understand the sentiment, but she wanted Laura to be comfortable while she dealt with what had happened and what that bastard had made her do. So Alex just took a little bit of a breath before she spoke.]

Well, when you're ready for a little bit of company, let me know and Apo and I'll come visit. We'll bring some cake or something. I'm sure we've still got food coloring.

[From the rainbow cake, Richard had made for her birthday.]

[shoplifter]

[She considers her for a moment.]

I wouldn't mind meeting.

... I didn't attack you, did I?

[11calls]

No Laura, you didn't attack me. But even if you had, I wouldn't have blamed you for it, not when it wasn't your fault.

[She frowned a bit.]

Is there anything else you'd want?

[shoplifter]

[She hums.]

I would not have blamed you. It's fair to be angry at someone who caused you pain.

[... Anything she'd want? She didn't feel much like she could enjoy anything at the moment. But that's just wallowing, isn't it? She bites her lip, unsure.]

... Playing cards.

[11calls]

Yeah it is, but it's not fair to be mad if someone else is the person who did it.

[But that's the last that Alex is gonna say about that before she sighs softly and considers:]

Playing cards. I think my ipad has some movies on it, if you want them. I don't know how well it would work out there, but we can try?

[Alex is gonna bring it. And an extra battery charger thing. And a shit ton of food.]

[shoplifter]

... If you'd be willing to let me borrow it. I wouldn't let anything happen to it.

The phone I have from home is — [She stops, bites her lip.] It was someone else's. I take care of it, though.

[11calls]

Of course. I wouldn’t offer it to you if I didn’t trust you with it, Laura. If I had my game boy here I’d bring that too but it wasn’t in my bags when I was at home so I don’t have it here.

[An oversight on her part honestly.]

There’s some books on my iPad too if you want.

[shoplifter]

[A cock of her head, childish interest growing in her eyes.]

A 'game boy'?

[She's not gonna assume it's a tiny boy you play games with, but you know.

It's a funny name.]

[11calls]

Yeah. It’s what they call this portable video game thing. But I’d been playing Pokémon on my phone instead.

[She doesn't have a problem. She just convinced Tony Stark to make it here. That's fine.]

[shoplifter]

There is Pokémon on our phones?

¿Dónde está Pokémon?

[11calls]

It a game where you catch Pokémon. They’re like little creatures that do battle for you. Fake ones anyway. And they just fight other fake ones. I asked Tony to make the game months ago.

When you come back to town I’ll show you how to play it if you like.

[shoplifter]

[Her brows raise.]

You would?

[It's — just a really nice offer after everything that's happened, anyway.]

[11calls]

Of course. You’re someone I care about Laura. And when you’re ready to come back we’ll be here for you.

[shoplifter]

Thank you, Alex. Sometimes it's easy to forget, that people will be there.

[11calls]

Of course, Laura. So I'll be out later today with some stuff, alright? Do you want to meet me at the gate? Just outside of it?

[So Laura has some privacy about where she's camping, Alex means.]

[shoplifter]

I can do that, yes.

And that way, I can keep you protected, in case of monsters.

[11calls]

Okay, that sounds like a good idea.

Are you sure you don't need anything else?

[shoplifter]

... Junk food?

[She smiles slightly, a little lighter.]

[11calls]

I can do some junk food. Any particular sort you want or should I just go shopping like I’m on a road trip with an unlimited budget?

[ie the only way to go on a road trip.]

[shoplifter]

I like the idea of this 'unlimited budget'.

[11calls]

Yeah we do too. Nic and I don’t do it on every trip but sometimes you can’t help it and just gotta blow a bunch of money on junk.

[shoplifter]

[Ohooo, something new to learn.]

Nic?

[11calls]

Yeah, he's my best friend back home. Sort of my boss too, but mostly my best friend. We've been friends since college.

[There's a little sadness in her voice, because she misses Nic, but would seriously rather that he never ended up here for various reasons, including their last conversation.]