voicetesting! Spoilers for the midseason finale likely in comments.

[jessieanderson]

It is frustrating. I know that. Having to wait all that time to see what happens. And I know it's not likely that you're going to like what happens next. But, hey. It's the world we live in, right? And I guess sometimes, it's not enough to pretend to be brave.

But maybe we're onto something here. Maybe we can find a place to just have a normal life. It doesn't hurt to hope for some kind of future, does it?

Comments

[becauseichooseto]

Hope is an essential part of the battle.

[jessieanderson]

Sometimes, it seems that's all we have left. Hope. But what happens when you lose even that?

[becauseichooseto]

Hope has a way of coming back when you least expect it.

[burningdaylight]

Y'know, after what I been told... what you folks have goin' where you're at is the closest thing to normal, like, actual-normal [--and not normal for this world--] I heard about in a long time.

[jessieanderson]

That's an optimistic way of looking at things. Maybe you're the voice I need to hear.

[becauseichooseto]

I hope I am.

[jessieanderson]

And now that's pretty much gone, too.

[ She offers an undulating smile before mentally berating herself for the negativity. It's not gone. Yet. ]

I'm sorry. I don't know what sort of world you come from -- if it's ours or something similar. But you're right. What we had was the closest to normal there is. We were fortunate to have lived so well for so long.

And now, things will just change.

What's it like where you're at?

[jessieanderson]

So what is it you do? Around here? Do you have a 'place' or are you just kind of here. Like me?

[becauseichooseto]

I have Ruby City to call my... temporary home. [ He has things to do. ] It's quite nice, for what it is.

[jessieanderson]

And what is it, exactly? Because it sounds to me like something out of the Wizard of Oz.

[ She says it with a soft laugh. Goodness, how long had it been since she had watched that movie? ]

[becauseichooseto]

Exactly, I'm not sure.

But I arrived by train despite not having get on, which I suppose is preferable than being brought by tornado, and there are various challenges to undertake that effect the... wellbeing of the city.

Being virtuous and so on improves it, otherwise makes it more dreary. Leaving seems impossible, with various unfriendly beings living in the forest, the train tracks seeming to go nowhere as well as the sea leading to nothing.

[jessieanderson]

That just seems to be a running theme with worlds, doesn't it? No escape. No matter how hard you try.

But I'm glad it's pleasant for the most part. And...

[ She wears a playful smile with the next part: ]

I'm glad you didn't arrive via tornado. I hear the landing is especially unpleasant.

[becauseichooseto]

Yes, I suppose so.

It definitely could be a lot worse. [ Not that having various incarnation of your brother around is entirely ideal, but it's not terrible either. ]

It's not my favourite way to fly, no.

[notaafraidanymore]

There isn't such things as a normal life now.

[jessieanderson]

Do you find it to be better than your world? I mean, are there elements of your world you wish you could escape from and this place, Ruby City, provides you just that?

The CR I have longed for since the show gypped us of this! ;A;

[jessieanderson]

Maybe not there.

[ That's still a little optimistic, isn't it? Maybe. ]

I mean, definitely not there. But here? Isn't there a chance we could find someplace? A chance at a real future?

Sooooo many feels for this season!

[notaafraidanymore]

[Carol has longed stopped believing that any kind of place here or there is actually safe or worth living. No where really is, they always fall in the end don't they? ]

Do you believe that? Actually really believe that? After what's happened with Alexandria?

Ughh, I know. It's the best one yet.

[jessieanderson]

I don't really know what I believe anymore. But I know we have to believe in something. If we don't, then what's the point of even living anymore? If we don't have something to work toward...

[ She stops, trails off, and then shakes her head. ]

This can't be it.

[burningdaylight]

[His brow knits in sympathy.]

Same as what you got around your walls. Lurkers, bandits... ain't much else out there.

It has broken my heart so much. I seriously have been wanting a Sam, haha.

[notaafraidanymore]

[She gives a bit of a look at that comment]

Work towards? [Her voice goes a bit harden] You work towards keep yourself alive every day! I don't know about you but right now I could give a damn about a future because right now is what we have and personally I'm tired of people dying...

I don't want anyone else to die and I'm gonna do whatever I have to in order to make sure that happens.

You want a future? A safe place to live and be normal? No. Such places don't exist anymore. Someone orsomething is always going to come and its going to want to kill you...

[She takes s step closer]

Or Sam...

That's what you've got to be concerned about. "Work towards" Staying alive!

[jessieanderson]

[ That's just the world now, isn't it? It seems so bleak and hopeless. ]

So what is it that keeps you going?

[becauseichooseto]

[ Well, now, that is a question. ] My world is... well what world is ideal? I do feel a certain proprietary feeling over it.

I have people I care about there. [ Which is the main truth of it. Leaving it wouldn't be as hard as he might like for the sake of duty, but he comes back for the people there. ]

I have people I care about in Ruby City as it turns out, but I can least trust in [ Him. But let's not confuse her about the Doctor. ] ...them to care for themselves. I have a part to play where I should be. I would like to play it.

Escape is for other people. I understand it, but I never feel able to do it for myself.

I would love to see Sam so much. Or a Ron, too! ANYONE IN THIS FAMILY.

[jessieanderson]

But what are we staying alive for, Carol? That's my question!

[ Her outburst is a bit more emotional, and she reins it back in after a moment. ]

It's something I asked myself even before all of this happened. When it was just Pete as the biggest threat to my life. And my answer was that I continued to live for my kids. Sam and Ron, they're what keep me going. They're my future. But what is there for them? What am I supposed to tell Sam is in his future?

As it is, he doesn't sleep at night. He wakes up screaming. He talks about turning into a monster. How can I reassure him that things will get better?

[burningdaylight]

Jus' tryin' to keep my friends safe an' together. An' wantin' to believe that there's still more to life than this... somethin' better out there, for the kids at least. [He shrugs, his gaze heavy and dark.] Without hope... what else do any of us got?

Sam breaks my heart. I wanted more interaction with him and Carol.

[notaafraidanymore]

[She can already feel her body go a bit tense at the mention of Sam. After those people burst into Alexandria she didn't see him around much, not at all. She even noticed a sudden change in thr boy. He was scared, hell beyond just scared.

Turning into a mother? Being eaten by them...

Carol couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for she knew where those nightmares were coming from]

Then you fight for them...

[She takes in a little breathe]

This...this world is a nightmare...who knows if it will ever change?

I don't know what kind of future Sam is going to have, if he has much of one at all but the kids still alive, they are a future...