IC contact for expiationnet

[cactusy]

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[incorrigibles]

[ when she finally messages him, his relief is palpable — sure, he already talked to root and all... but it's good to hear from shaw, too. despite not having known her nearly as long as he's known root, nor as well, he cares about her a great deal. ]

hey, good to hear from you

glad that you're okay. i've died a couple of times in this place and coming back's always

a bit disorienting, innit?

[cactusy]

if I said it's more like same old, would you think I'm full of crap?

[incorrigibles]

no, i wouldn't.

there's people with all kinds of stories and experiences here. would be right stupid to doubt, wouldn't it?

wanna tell me more about it? ... dying, i guess?

[cactusy]

none of it's ever been real, so technically, I've never actually died. in the simulations I'm used to, dying booted me out. I'm not sure if that was a deliberate programming choice, or a function of how the simulation worked. here, it was seamless. I woke up and I was still here, with full continuity and everything.

if you're looking for information on the afterlife, sorry. I'm as in the dark as you.

[incorrigibles]

just like all of this is a simulation and not technically real? nah, i don't buy that. it all still happened, you remember it all — that's real enough to me.

and i didn't mean it like that. i've got plenty of information about the afterlife, actually

just... well. can't imagine it's easy for you, if those simulations are what you're used to, to be stuck here, can it?

[cactusy]

I'm really sick of computers.

[Which is to say, no, it's no cakewalk.]

[computation]

Guess who got let off early for good behavior?

[cactusy]

I'm in one of the free houses, come get me.

[ Insert address here! She's going to make you help her carry a few bags back to the apartment, Root. ]

[computation]

Uh-uh, you come to me. I have a surprise for you 💖

[cactusy]

you asshole, I have stuff to carry

[computation]

Get it later, Shaw. It's not going anywhere.

[cactusy]

no way, I'm blowing this joint

[But truthfully, she doesn't have much to carry: she's used to traveling light, and even though she hadn't packed anything from the apartment to take with her for the month, she hasn't accumulated much stuff during her time away. Bear's things go in a tote bag that gets slung over one shoulder, the clothes and toiletries she'd bought for herself go in a duffle that gets slung over the other, and in her hands she carries a small paper gift bag. Everything else from the little free house - all the basic furniture and home goods that had been there when she'd moved in - gets left behind.

Shortly after sending that last message, she arrives at the apartment, letting Bear off his leash before they both come through the door.]

backdated delivery... from the okc times

[coolerjunpei]

[It's a delivery of a sandwich order, courtesy of Root. Junpei doesn't linger to chat about it, he's still on the clock, but he's sure to convey this is a Very Special Order from Root.

Enjoy (belated) your pepperoncini monstrosity, Shaw.]

[cactusy]

[She's already eating it before he's halfway back down the steps. Thanks, bro.]

[computation]

[ Root flounces into their shared living area wearing a gauzy, layered dress covered in a cute cherry print. She's fully made up, down to a flashy ring and matching cherry-red lipstick. She's also carrying a huge ridiculously feminine tote bag, currently mostly empty except for (1) taser and a dark web communicator. ]

Hey, honey. You didn't forget what day it is, did you?

[ Like Root actually cares about holidays, but she's absolutely going to take any chance to treat Shaw like she's a conventional disappointing heterosexual husband. ]

[cactusy]

[Shaw, by contrast is wearing a tank top, jeans, and Bear (he's sprawled across her belly on the couch, and she's encouraging this by scratching his ears. When Root waltzes in, he gives her a big doggy grin. Shaw furrows her brow.]

Uh...

[Honestly, yes.]

Maybe. Why?

[computation]

Typical. I have to do all the work in this relationship.

[ Root winks egregiously to take any possible sting out of it. ]

Up and at 'em, I have plans for us! Bear can come, too.

[cactusy]

[Shaw mmmmms and sits up, gently dislodging Bear.]

Okay. But only if I don't have to dress like that.

[The little smile is meant to take roughly half of any possible sting out of it. The other half can stay, as far as she's concerned; she's positive that Root played up the ridiculousness of her outfit entirely on purpose, which means that she brought this on herself.]

Sit tight; I'm gonna get dressed.

[This is said on her way to the bedroom; also on the way there, she leans in to try to get a peek into Root's bag.]

[computation]

[ Root absolutely did it on purpose, thinks the sniping is adorable, and leans over to willingly offer Shaw a glimpse of the taser and communicator. ]

Just the essentials so far. We'll have to make a couple stops on the way.

Wear whatever you want, [ she says brightly, ] but make sure you have something cute on under your clothes.

[cactusy]

[That taser hints at several options for good things to come, and Shaw's grin stays in place as she disappears into the bedroom. She keeps the jeans, but ditches the tank top in favor of a shirt and blazer, and - after a moment's consideration - swaps out her boxer shorts and sports bra for some actual lingerie.

A few minutes later, she reappears, giving Root another look up and down.]

That ring of yours is on the wrong finger. How are you gonna let the whole world know I've planted my flag if you don't wear it right?

un: deadboydetective; backdated

[incorrigibles]

[ it's been over a week, now — he had held out hope that maybe, just maybe, they weren't both really gone. that maybe they'd be back, and he could smile and say that he never really believed they'd actually be taken away...

but no. he may not like to face the truth, but there it is: root's gone, junpei's gone, and when he finally comes to terms with that, he realises there's someone else going through the exact same thing he is, now.

and maybe, maybe she'd like some company to feel a little less alone. ]

hey, shaw? you home?

un: firecracker; text

[cactusy]

["Home"? This place is home now? Sounds fake.

But she knows what he means, so.]

I'm in the apartment

[incorrigibles]

great, i'm coming over

[ he's not asking, because then she has no chance to say no. ]

mirror or door?

[cactusy]

door

my answer is never going to be mirror

[incorrigibles]

right. i'll remember that.

[ it doesn't take long, though, for a knock to sound from the door; he could simply step through, but that seems... invasive. like the door is a physical barrier between shaw and the rest of the world, and he doesn't want to break it down. he knows all too well how it feels, to remove yourself from those around you, even for a while, to grieve alone. ]