IC contact for lastvoyages

[cactusy]

[If I don't have an active post up, feel free to use this post to have your character call, videochat, text, or knock on Shaw's door.]

Comments

[never_francesca]

It worked every time.

[It's out before she can stop it, and more follows.]

Her life was...even more alone than mine is. Death around every corner, nothing but losses. Every time was...special. Memorable.

Satisfying.

[cactusy]

[Shit.

In theory, that should be good. She'd asked because she'd been hoping to hear that her plan had gone as intended; that she'd left that other Franky with something solid and worth remembering. But what she says is--]

I'm sorry.

[never_francesca]

[That provokes a bit of a look.]

Sorry for what?

[cactusy]

Uh-- being that important, and then just... going back to being the real me? The situation kinda sucks.

[never_francesca]

You're selling yourself sh-

[She stops, shaking her head, rubbing the back of her neck.]

What sucks is...the mixing up. The breaches all faded before, you know? Back to my usual self, tickety-boo as they say. I could tell what was there, what was here.

And here, well, it's usually a lot simpler. Alone, like being that way and...and, well. Hadn't found myself drawn to...[she clears her throat.]

To women before. Or...or a woman.

[cactusy]

That doesn't make it worse?

[She asks, mildly baffled.]

[never_francesca]

[She half-laughs, and the next statement is out before she even thinks about it.]

Makes it bloody confusing but sex that satisfying doesn't make anything worse.

[And then her face realizes she's said it.]

Shit, my turn to say sorry, I think. A bit gauche of me, as they say.

[cactusy]

I'm good at what I do.

[It's meant to be a quip, even if she's too worn out to sound properly lighthearted. Either way, she certainly isn't offended.]

[never_francesca]

[She sighs, what little is left of her pretense falling away.]

Clearly.

[She swallows, thickly.]

Enough so that the thoughts have...lingered. They're...not going away, like the other breaches did.

[cactusy]

Want me to help you find a rebound?

[It's another joke, though honestly, if Franky takes it as a serious offer she'll absolutely do it.]

[never_francesca]

[And she does, in return, look mildly affronted at the suggestion.]

What? No! God, no. Look, I'm a big girl, I can sort out the suddenly new things, I don't need some half-assed letdown to follow y...

[She waves that away.]

All my standards are uncompromising. Not many have ever measured up. Or delivered...adequately.

[Translation: she is a vigorous, energetic lady and very, very few are worth her time, and fewer still have made her body sing.]

Your, uh, gal in port. She's lucky.

[cactusy]

[She's dead. She isn't anything anymore. Shaw's face is still and blank, her mouth dry.]

Thanks.

[Because really, what else does one say here?]

[never_francesca]

[And she, in turn, nods slowly, and then stands with a sigh, hands thumping against her thighs.]

I...really should be going. I've used up enough of your time blabbering away like...like a besotted schoolgirl or something.

[It might be a useful line, but the flush in her cheeks...]

[cactusy]

Sure.

[Probably a good idea, because Shaw wants to fucking sleep for a week.]

Wanna patrol together later?

[never_francesca]

[She nods.]

Works for me. And there's plenty of soup in those meals. Good, hearty stuff. Get you back on your feet.

[And she heads for the door, nodding.]

See you around.

[cactusy]

[Shaw nods wearily, and flops back, burying her face in her pillow. She'll head back to Steve's soon, but right now? No moving.]

Thanks.

[She mutters again, just barely loud enough to hear.]