A Sudden Shut-In

[straykitty]

After returning from the impromptu raid she had organized, Renne Bright has locked herself in her room. It's only been a few days, and she's been sending for food so she is eating, but she hasn't really been present. If you try to contact her on the Ether-net, you'll be greeted by her "Kitty-bot" who will provide automatic responses for her. It's a neat bit of technology, and reasonably good at giving appropriate information, but it's definitely not passing things along to Renne, so far as anyone can tell.

If folks are concerned, however, they might be able to check on her. She's been briefly answering her door for food, after all.

Comments

[testygirl]

"Yeah, well, a sister is a sister!"

Whatever that means. Aira is an only child, if those vibes weren't obvious, so it's silly for her to speak with any authority. Though Atom has started calling nee-san, which rules.

When Renne mentions the pictures, she starts to vibrate and bounce a little on her feet.

"Ooh, can I see?"

[straykitty]

"Well, I suppose."

Renne removes her ENC from its place on her desk and pulls up a few pictures, all depicting a young woman with long brown twintails wearing an orange vest and skirt over a black undershirt. In every picture, she's holding a large fish up and grinning. It has overwhelming amounts of dad energy.

[testygirl]

Aira scoots up to Renne's shoulder so that she can get a good look.

"Aw. What a dork!" She gives Renne a little nudge. "You should totally get her one of those meme hats that say Fish Fear Me."

Alas, here we have another charity bake sale moment.

[straykitty]

Renne does indeed give Aira a look.

"Me-mes?"

She blinks in confusion.

[testygirl]

She's been here a few months now, so you'd think...

"Oh. Uh. They're, like, stupid running jokes? Back home, we have this thing called the inter... you know what, never mind. There are these hats that say Women Want Me, Fish Fear Me. I mean, obviously I don't know if she swings that way, but there's probably a Men Want Me version?"

Renne can't be totally baffled and filled with intense self-loathing at the same time, right?

[straykitty]

Renne considers this for a moment.

"I think she's rather popular with both, although Joshua might have something to say about it. Assuming he can ever get his act together, anyway."

[testygirl]

"Heh. I wasn't sure if you cared about romance at all!"

She hums thoughtfully.

"Do you think it's easy for most people to confess to the person they like?"

[straykitty]

"I'm sure it is, if they aren't cowards."

That definitely seems pointed at this Joshua fellow, whoever he is.

[testygirl]

Aira laughs, though it sounds a teeny bit forced.

"You're cold! I wouldn't blame anyone for being nervous about it. Uh, like, especially if they've been rejected before, you know?"

Cough.

[straykitty]

Renne smiles magnanimously.

"Oh you poor thing. I can only imagine how much the sting of rejection can harm one's confidence. And yet, you must carry on. I'm sure you will again feel confident enough to express your feelings."

[testygirl]

"Wh— hey! Who says I was even talking about me, huh?"

Aira looks away and purses her lips, pouting.

"It's way more complicated than that, anyway. I doubt you'd get it."

[straykitty]

"I'm sure it is."

She's completely ignoring the first statement. Girl, don't even.

"Well, I'm sure it'll work out in the end, one way or another. These things often do, or so I'm told."

[testygirl]

Dang. The cat was never even in the bag.

"Ugh. There's no way I can have that kind of attitude! Love is a battlefield. I have to fight hard and seize victory with my own hands! You think I should expect a happy ending to just fall in my lap?"

She did used to think that way, more or less. Rejection does sting, and so does reality.

[straykitty]

Renne smiles faintly.

"No, I should think not. Happiness, if it can be achieved at all, is hard-won indeed. I know that better than most, I think."

[testygirl]

Aira can't quite manage a smile in return, and she looks away again.

"What makes you happy?" Her throat feels tight, and she clasps her hands behind her back as she stares off. "I want to help you get it. While I'm here."

[straykitty]

Renne ponders for a moment.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I think I'm mostly happy, when I'm with my friends and family. I enjoy working with code and helping the Corsairs. I find making progress in my studies edifying. I guess it would be that."

[testygirl]

"Simple stuff like that, huh? Well, pretty simple, anyway."

Her voice is reflectively soft and uncritical, with a supportive smile to match when she turns back to Renne.

"I always feel like I have to aim really big. Maybe I oughta slow my roll a little... but I probably won't!"

[straykitty]

"I think there is something to be said for dreaming big." Renne's smile is faint, but indulgent. "The life I have lived has been extraordinary in many ways, most of them terrible. I do enjoy moving forward, but I've come to appreciate quiet and peace that much more, as rare as it can be in this world."

[testygirl]

"Yeah! No way can I argue with that."

Even just a little smile is enough to make Aira's chest tighten up. It's probably—no, definitely—good that Renne didn't decide to press her on what's actually so complicated about her feelings. She would have had to lie or something.

Aira clears her throat. "I should get out of here and let you rest. Since I know that you're okay now, at least."

[straykitty]

"Of course. I... do appreciate it. This has helped."

[testygirl]

"I'm glad."

She turns for the door, but then stops herself.

"Oh! Right. Let me know if you wanna come by again and do some more modeling. I want to put together a legit photo shoot sometime soon. Or, uh... if you ever just feel like hanging out? I'm usually the only one there, and not gonna lie, it can get kind of lonely."

[straykitty]

"I suppose I can make time. I look forward to seeing what you come up with."

[testygirl]

Aira makes one of her sillier confident expressions, and flexes. As a reference to her... creative muscles?

"You'll be dazzled even more than last time! Be prepared."

[straykitty]

"Understand that if you make such promises, my expectations will be that much higher. I'll be waiting~"

[testygirl]

"And you saying that makes me extra motivated! I don't do disappointment, so look forward to it."

Aira flashes Renne a peace sign over her shoulder as she departs, and there's a bounce in her step as she heads along down the hall. That was tough for a minute there, but she's glad it ended on a good note.