canon update express (@empatheias).

[torsion]

[ It's been a wild few months for her. Not bad, but enough she that she has a lot to comment on. She talks with her hands, gesturing first as if she's nearly surrendering. ]

Just because I won a lifetime of free burgers for doing a task doesn't mean it's a suggestion to eat that many, but I should give 'em a ring and see if he wants to go for round two before I go back home for a while. Took you damn long enough, it's about time I settle things and know how it all turns out, you know?

[ It's stressful, though. Her tone is still bordering neutral, but her eyes suggest she's worried if not outright upset. Body language is stiff, hand gravitating to her hip like she's about to chide but instead it comes out in a huff of a sigh. Something like relief. ]

I just... don't want anyone to worry about me while I'm gone. I know you seem to think I attract weird people, but the friends I've made are important. Plus, I make fun of them, too. Just because my best friends dress up like a pirate and the grim reaper doesn't mean I'm not giving them shit for it... Alright, so what I really mean is I don't think they'll completely fall apart with me gone for a few weeks.

[ There's a moment of a pause while she reconsiders. ]

Well, probably not.

Comments

[sewermouth]

A lifetime of burgers? [ With eyebrows slightly raised, she does a small head tilt to the side. ] You definitely should not eat that many. [ There's a crease in the corners of her eyes that suggest she's struggling to hold back laughter. Her lips grow wide as she ends in a smile.

She observes Jill's body language for a moment picking up that there might be more to how she really feels than what she's saying. Her arms cross as her face turns more neutral opting not to pry -- for now. After all, the friends part seemed to be a good point of conversation. ]

Hey, a pirate a doesn't sound too terrible. [ She avoids commenting on the grim reaper part. ] At least they're not trying to eat you?

[torsion]

Hey, who is to say exactly what a "lifetime" consists of? Or that I'm eating them multiple times a week, sometimes more than one? What kind of adult would do something like that, Claire?

[ Her smile is tight and wan, but it's clear that she's pulling it with an effort to not widen it and have it split into something much more dorky. She bites her bottom lip and after a second, lets it all out in a huffing exhale. ]

He's not too terrible, actually. Kind of a softie, but you didn't hear that from me. [ On the bright side, he's actually a decent guy and gets what she's been through. ] Not being eaten or having someone attempt to eat me is always a breath of fresh air. Bonus is sometimes they even are willing to have a conversation that exists as more than a grunt. BOWs don't appreciate a good joke, either...

[ That username tho. ]

How's it hangin'? Getting a chance to breathe, yourself? Or being forced to the run-around?

[sewermouth]

I can think of at least one who would. [ She's pretty sure Jill will be on the same page as her when it comes to unmentioned person. It's to say she'll give it a bit before dropping a name. ]

Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Seems it's always the ones that look tough that turn out that way. [ She should know growing up with one. Speaking of jokes though, that one was pretty spot on. She lets out a laugh this time. ] You're telling me. [ After Raccoon she doubts she'll ever complain about another living human again -- too much. ]

Me? I'm holding up... decent? I mean it's not exactly an ideal situation, but at least it's not Raccoon again.

[ That username tho indeed. ]

[torsion]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[ He lifts enough that it's fine. Or maybe she'd just be happy to have his company to an extent she doesn't care what he's doing... or she'd also like to have another. ]

Oh, I wouldn't say he looks tough. You didn't hear it from me, but Archie's a dweeb. [ Chris, though, is selectively soft. And Claire is definitely his biggest weakness; it's cute how she has him around her little finger... she could probably swing Barry, too, without much effort. ] I mean, that's the bonus of working in a partnership, though. You quip and they'll give you a high five.

[ Might just be her pardners that are into that, though. Leon doesn't seem like he'd be as likely to high five as say... Parker. ]

Never is, is it? Long road ahead of us still, but I think it's better than being in the dark. Felt too long like we were unaware and bystanders. I miss Raccoon, but I can't say I'm hankering for a repeat of its final days.