corrinesbell | 146. Cube

146. Cube

It's been six years.

Maybe I should just stop counting after this. Is it worth it? All that stuff about seven years...

[Sheena remembers her last 'anniversary' with neutrality, but the fallout with a hard grimace and clenched fists.]

There'd better not be some stupid statue anywhere this time.

[locked to Albert Silverberg]

Hey. Up for a talk?

[[ooc: Six long years ago I joined this silly game. I can't wrap my head around this and I have lived it. You guys are amazing.]]

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[He folds his hands on the table, not entirely sure what to expect, but not against lending an ear.]

If we are going to be here awhile, I would suggest beer, then.

[He'll leave Sheena to breach the more serious topics.]

Oh great. Something I have no idea how to order. Guess that puts you in charge of the drinking part.

[Sarcasm or not, he knows enough to ask for suggestions from the bartenders and receive a pitcher before returning his attention to Sheena. All without speaking too much to her, as he wants her to talk when she's ready.

...He can be patient.]

[There's a lot on Sheena's mind about the number. Most of it just floats around, little mental wind gusts, none of it forming into real words that know how to be useful.

Finally, after waiting for him to say...well, anything, she picks up her full glass in his direction.]

Year seven.

[He holds up his own glass and clinks it against Sheena's, frowning wryly.]

Year seven. Time flies, sometimes stutters, and hates us.

[It's a rather blunt comment from him, but that fear Shift that seemed to be affecting so many was not helping his opinions of the passage of time.]

Stutters, huh? Time been stuttering for you?

[Sheena takes a drink that would be shameful if they were sharing sake instead of beer. Despite her apparent good humor it has been a long day.]

[He waves a gloved hand dismissively, answering before he takes a long drink of his own.]

I could do without this Shift that has been persisting since before the amusement park. But that should not be surprising.

Shift from before the amusement park? [Unafflicted herself, Sheena hasn't heard much about it either.] What's up?

[He frowns at her obliviousness, briefly debating if she was fortunate for being in such a position.]

A vague fear-inducing Shift that has lasted longer than the usual week. I suppose if you have not seen anything by now, you were not affected.

[Unsurprisingly, he again goes for a dismissive position.]

But that is not why we are here, I'm sure.

Actually, I was pretty much here to make that toast and then listen to you say the usual insightful stuff. What're you afraid of?

[Albert sighs at the question, though he's quick to clip it down to a very short exhale; he didn't need to create excessive worry about a situation that Sheena couldn't control.]

The passage of time. It's not such an idle worry as it becomes something ... worth pause.

[If, by "worth pause," he meant "crippling."]

Afraid of time passing? [Well, it can't be that bad, if he can get through every day. And apparently he can.] Hope you don't think you'll get ol-

[Wham, goes a memory she didn't quite have until now, bursting from vague color blotches into real, if faded, images. Old before your time. Every day, in the space of a day. Her eyes widen quite far and she takes a big drink to cover it, if she can possibly cover it.]

[He's already answering after Sheena's question, a few words that trail off when he realizes that she is reacting to something else. It's not long before he's frowning at her attempt to cover her reaction by taking a drink.]

What was that?

Nothing.

[As if he'd take that for an answer without the suspicious guzzling.]

I just...I remembered something, that's all, sorry. [The apology is for the memory, that it was something terrible for him.]

Sheena.

[He doesn't even blink as he stares hard at her.]

You do not get to react like that and not explain yourself.

It was a long time ago and if I say it you might freak out because you just said you're scared of...stuff.

I will not "freak out." At worst, it will be somewhat uncomfortable while you explain.

[Though he makes a dismissive gesture, he knows he's partially lying; he doesn't know what Sheena could possibly say at this point.]

Well I...I was gonna tell you not to worry that you were getting old before your time. That's all.

It's already happened before, courtesy of Shifts.

Yeah. I know. Don't scowl like that just because I didn't want to scare you, geez.

If I feel like "scowling" over unnecessary caution, that's exactly what I will do, Sheena.

[His expression is calm as he makes his declaration, and he takes a moment to drink more of his beer.]

Three more years of "possibilities" in this village.

Wait, are you toasting to three more years? Because if they're like this last one I dunno if I'll make it.

[He pauses at the comment, looking at Sheena over the rim of his glass.]

Because of the invasion?

[Suddenly her hands are very busy trying to figure out how to fold in her lap.]

Yeah. That's one reason.

[He notes the way she seems to fidget, quietly waiting for a moment before prompting her.]

What are the others?

146. Cube

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