re: an impending return, i suppose...

[petitehands]

You do realize it's only a vacation if I'm actually aware that time has passed?

Because this doesn't count. At all. [ ... ] Though for what it's worth, I'm kind of relieved, so I'm not as angry as I could be, but on a spectrum of one to furious, I'm still on the boundaries of really mad.

Comments

[starked]

You were gone?

[ ...ha ha ha. tony you are a lying douchenozzle. ]

[petitehands]

She still has time to change her mind.

[ do not even ]

[starked]

She wouldn't dare.

[ shut up let him pretend. ]

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who knows for sure that you left. Actually. Otherwise everyone would have piled into the "let's offer Tony our condolences" car and driven it straight to my door.

[petitehands]

No, probably not, but the threat remains.

[ n o p e ]

And we all know how much you hate that car, so it's a much better and healthier alternative to just let everyone assume I've suddenly turned into a hermit who never leaves her room?

[starked]

Not much of a threat if I'm not scared.

[ s i g h ]

I didn't say that. I may have implied that you were around and if they hadn't seen you then it's just a consequence of different floors. They'd know something was up if you up and turned into a hermit.

[petitehands]

Because somehow no one except you supposedly seeing me anywhere doesn't seem odd or suspicious at all. [ Not unkindly, ] You don't think there was the slightest chance people might have been indulging your denial?

[starked]

Considering the events of me sleeping in the pod the entire month before this one and then a grand total of two people dying, it's kind of the least odd thing lately. I'm waiting for me to end up starting to spew Caffrey style nonsense at this point to round out the insanity.

[ Well, okay fine yes it did but Jenna hasn't said anything. ] You really think some of them, Jenna included would have really done that? They like going on about how I should be a little more healthy. With how I deal with things.

[petitehands]

See, I'm not going to wait for that, I'm just going to pray that it never happens.

[ Tony, you really aren't great at making people feel better did you know that? ]

I can't imagine why. By which I mean, of course they do, because you and I both know they're right, which also doesn't mean that you're going to act on it. Still, even if Jenna - of all people - didn't say anything, I still find it hard to believe that she wouldn't have thought something was weird. Unless I'm overestimating our friendship.

[starked]

You don't want to play crazy translator? Guess I'll have to recruit Topher for that position then.

[ Tony, don't joke about that, it's not funny. ]

You know they're right. Personally, I'm of the belief that they're wrong. They're perfectly healthy coping mechanisms. At least I'm just drinking. And it's not to The Birthday levels. [ Like that's an achievement, no Tony no. ] You know how I'd react when they point it out.

[petitehands]

I don't, no, but this is going on the continued assumption that I won't ever have to. [ A pause. ] And if I do, then I'll learn.

[ anyway (yeah that's what you get for making jokes, Tony) ]

Funny how knowing that the people who care about you right and still believing that your coping mechanisms are healthy just doesn't correlate in any logical way. [ Touching her temple, briefly. ] I do know how you'd react, but it won't stop me from pointing it out.

[starked]

You'll make them all jealous will how well you can do it too.

[ Oh, that was sadder than anyone meant it to be. Oh dear. ]

Considering the fact that last I checked, I'm not Spock, pretty sure I don't have to be logical about it. At all. Weird how that works. [ Tiny twist of the mouth because hnnngh feelings are hard. ] And you're the only one allowed to. I've missed you.

A bit. [ A lot. ]

[petitehands]

I'll have had years of building up the foundational knowledge, it's true.

[ And Pepper's still smiling, because they do that, they have these moments that are dumb and sad, except they always gently cover it up with smiles that aren't quite there and they both know it. ]

You're not Spock, but a little bit of logic behind our reasoning never hurt, I'm sure. Maybe. [ She sighs, and nudges his hand with her pinky. ] Still, I'm glad that I'm allowed. That way my nagging might get through to you one day.

[ She knows, and just smiles more reassuringly in response. ]

[widowing]

Your timing is, as always, impeccable.

[petitehands]

Thank you. I'm glad some things never change even if they're beyond my control.

[endeavors]

You're not as angry as you could be? [Uhm.] That's - good.

[petitehands]

Relatively speaking.

[ tight. smile. ]

[endeavors]

[lady u scary]

So, uhm. You've been there before?

[petitehands]

[ good I mean ]

I have. From what I hear, I take it you're headed for a first trip?

[endeavors]

Yeah, it - looks like it. Maybe? I never know with her.

[Fighting the urge to whine.]

I can't say I'm looking forward to it...

[petitehands]

I think they enjoy being like that, "keeping us on our toes" or something equally unfunny.

[ adbshdfgjsdfg (': poor puppy ]

No, most people don't. I'm already feeling nauseous just as the thought of being soaked in blue goo on a monthly basis.

[endeavors]

[So is he, Pepper. So is he.]

Does it get any better?

[petitehands]

A little. Repetition tends to invariably make things easier to cope with, but it never gets any more enjoyable, to say the least.

[endeavors]

I can imagine. [Or something. Blech. After a pause, tentatively,] What do you mean by being aware that time has passed?

[petitehands]

Well, there was one time when I was still there, I didn't skip a jump, but I came out of it having spent months at home. This time, it's practically the opposite. I've missed time in space, but not gained any back home.

[ She frowns. ]

I'm not sure if that makes sense; it's harder to explain than think about it.

[endeavors]

That's - [derp.] A little weird.

[petitehands]

If you think that is weird, then good luck dealing with everything else that happens there. Unless, of course, you manage to avoid it somehow.

[endeavors]

[HE'LL CRY PEPPER no not really]

I don't really like weird. I've had plenty of weird in my life. I mean - not weird, just. Unusual. I've had enough of that.