Last Video. UN: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

... I am back in town. 

[It had been longer than she planned, really. She had a lot of things to think about — after all the harm she'd done, even if it wasn't her will to do it... It left a lot of room for uncertainty. Fear and panic for those she cared about. Part of her wondered if it would just be better, to stay out there like some little hermit child. It left room to think, though, about her time here. She's so much different, isn't she? Not in blinding ways. But she would like to hope that she's... improved. Became something bigger and better than the girl in the small cell, back in Mexico City.]

I'm back in school, too. People like Strange would be upset if I played 'hooky' anymore, even with them gone. I will — keep trying. To live like a person, to be someone. I think it is important to the people before me. It does not change what has happened... any of it. But it is making something for later, I think. That is what I've settled for, in my head.

To be better. And to not be what I was made for; I want to... think about things I can be... when I am older.

[She fidgets with the old, raggedy strap of her backpack, considerate. There's no limit of hesitancy to her voice, but even so—]

Is there something... You think changed for you? As a person?

After staying here.

Is there something you would still like to change?

... Maybe we can work on things together.

[She hopes, in the end, that it'll be enough to make her father proud of her.]

Comments

un: TheStrandInstitute

[nobasisinfact]

Career-wise, no. Personally, there has been quite a bit.

[11calls]

I'm glad you felt you're ready to come back. Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?

[shoplifter]

What sort of things?

[Obviously, you must be open about sharing these things, yes? :)]

[shoplifter]

[Alex, you know she can't turn down a free meal.

But maybe she should at least pretend to play hard to ge-]

Sí, sí! What are you making?

[Nevermind, she's easy.]

video; un: yakyuu.luvr

[yakyuuman]

I think I became a bit more responsible? This is the first time I got to keep a job for longer than a week, or... lived alone, too.

[ A sigh. ]

Not sure if those changes will stick once I go back home, but that's something I can only find out if I decide to leave.

video; un: yakyuu.luvr

[shoplifter]

Responsibility is important.

... Not for most things, but. For some, it's important.

[She cocks her head to the side, studying him in earnest through the feed.]

It is the first time you've lived alone?

[yakyuuman]

[ He nods, rubbing the back of his head. ]

Lived with my family, even shared a futon with my brothers every night!

Sleeping alone for the first time was a nightmare... that's why I set up that slumber party, you know?

[11calls]

I'm not making anything, and you should be really glad for it.

[There's a laugh in her voice, but Alex means it. She burns toast. Three times in one day once.]

I think it's beef stew that he started this morning. It's definitely long-cooked whatever it is.

[shoplifter]

Está bien, I would probably burn things, too. [Linda burns stuff sometimes, too, bless her heart. Laura hasn't dared trespass on her tradition of forgetting she's cooking and almost burning the complex down.] That sounds nice. I will even use a spoon this time.

[shoplifter]

... I see. I remember that night.

[The night of the booger-eating. She won't forget it, being able to make someone else happy.]

I was used to sleeping in a cell alone; it is strange, to share a big room with so many now.

[nobasisinfact]

Nothing of note in particular.

[Totally doesn't want to talk about it.]

[yakyuuman]

... I see we've got it in reverse, huh?

[ He's not touching the bit about cells because that's quite messed up. ]

Was it hard to have so much company all of a sudden?

[11calls]

There's nothing wrong with burning things. Sometimes anyway. [Yeah, there's an audible laugh in her voice before she chirps:]

Good! Any requests for desserts? I can grab some on my way home.

video; un: finn

[bythehand]

A lot's changed for me here. Yeah. I've just been trying to live like a person, too. Now I know what it feels like.

[ Having a place that feels like home. Building a life with friends and a job and a really dumb-looking pet fish and stuff. Very easily at the top of the list of things about being stuck here that are good. ]

It's good that you're gonna keep trying. I think trying's one of the best things you can decide to do. You're a person even when you're on your own. Pretty important to make sure you choose for yourself.

1/2

[shoplifter]

Nothing burnt.

[She smiles, rather mischievously.]

Other than that, I like everything sweet.

[shoplifter]

... I would probably eat the burnt desserts, too.

[Honesty, it's a brand that sticks.]

[shoplifter]

... There has been quite a bit, but also nothing in particular?

[Is she smirking a little behind her chewed nail? Never.]

[shoplifter]

A little bit.

Some people are extremely annoying and impossible to be around.

video;

[shoplifter]

[Laura nods in solidarity. If there's anyone here she trusts to understand her feelings, it'd be Finn for sure. Because as much as she understands and relates to the superpowered and mutants here... he gets what it's like, to be a prisoner to someone else's cause. He knows what it's like, to taste freedom — and to know how daunting and scary it can be, and sometimes for such mundane reasons.]

As long as you keep trying, I will, too.

[11calls]

It's okay, [Alex confides quickly, the smile evident in her voice.] I'd definitely eat the burnt desserts too.

I think I may still have some Nanaimo bars, if you want them?

[yakyuuman]

Haha! I hope I'm not one of them! People say that often about me!

[ A bit of self-depreciation hidden within. ]

But you enjoyed having people around eventually, did you?

[shoplifter]

[What better way to get a Laura focused than to bring up new mystery foods...?]

I have never heard of those before.

[shoplifter]

[Jyushi is worthy of a little smile, that much is sure.]

... No, I think you're funny.

[You're alright, amigo.]

And nice to have around.

[11calls]

They're really good, and are a huge Canadian thing. They're this layer thing, and the first layer is cookie crumbs and coconut and butter and walnuts, then the second layer is like a custard butter cream and the third is chocolate ganache.

It's one of the only things I can cook.

[nobasisinfact]

Both can be equally true.