108. Plain

[corrinesbell]

That wasn't me.

I dunno what that was but I promise it wasn't me. I'm really sorry if I said something terrible to any of you.

...Especially you, Colette.

Shirley, I think...can I talk to you?

[And there are some apologies that only work in person. Which is why later in the day she'll be going to house 42 and knocking hesitantly on the door]

Comments

[action]

[wise_maiden]

Not long enough, evidently.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

I'm not a wreck.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

... It's a long way from your house. You didn't have to push yourself on my account.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

I didn't push myself. Promise.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

But there's something else, isn't there?

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[One finger taps on the handle of her teacup]

I've got another set of memories too...I guess that's it.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

How much is that... affecting you right now? That's an entirely different life ...

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[Really, she shouldn't be lying to Raine this much. Hanging around Zelos might be doing this to her.]

It's just...weird. I don't remember a whole lot of what that life was like before Luceti. But the stuff that happened recently was way different.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

You feel... disconnected, from yourself.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

Yeah, kinda.

[And she does, in some ways. So going with that as a primary excuse is valid, right? ...It would feel wrong to tell Raine anything else, with how distracted she is right now.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

It must be difficult for you. Acknowledging... such a possibility. A reality that you can't even imagine yourself being a part of.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

It just bothers me because it wasn't strange at the time. It was the way I'd always been.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

Because it... was you. And it wasn't. It was as if our lives were... temporarily interrupted, without us actually being aware of it. Until now.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

One of the things I kept thinking about was what if... I'm pretty sure it's not an experiment. That it wasn't one.

[and she does the thing with picking up the tea and putting it right back down again.]

So does that mean that there's something that is real about it?

[action]

[wise_maiden]

From the start... I never believed that it was.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

All the other stuff wasn't, but I've heard some people say that all this change in personality stuff was just to throw us off. I don't believe it.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

I doubt we'll know for certain, unless Sir Catherine clarifies. But I have a feeling that it was the result of something far larger that has been going on for a while now.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

Yeah.

...Is there any tea left?

[action]

[wise_maiden]

Hm?

Yes, of course. [She starts to move so she can get the kettle.]

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[Oh good. If she turns her back Sheena has half a minute to make a face and rub her temples.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[She only turns her back for a moment, bringing the pot back to the table to pour more of the tea.]

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[Ninja are ninja even at hiding pain.]

Thanks. What kind is this, anyway?

[action]

[wise_maiden]

Hm? It's black tea, with just a hint of orange.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[It's relaxing, is what it is. Several times now she's almost said the other thing she wanted to tell Raine. ...Ask her about. But she can't quite bring herself to unload on someone so obviously taxed already.]

It's good.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

I'm glad you think so. It seems to be one of the few things I can make without difficulty.

[She will sit back with her fresh cup and actually attempt to study Sheena properly this time. Trying to focus on the other woman instead of her distractions. It seemed better to do.]