suddenlycaptain | CONTACT ;; ataraxion

[Living on this ship gives Effie a lot of time to think. Too much, if you ask her. She's always relied on keeping busy to push any unwanted thoughts to the back of her mind, but now she's prone to retreating inside her head as she walks through Tranquility's hallways.

This is one of those instances, and she's too distracted to notice the other woman as she walks into the kitchen. Normally, she wouldn't mind -- she'd even start up some small talk, but Carolyn and her memories are partially responsible for her absent-mindedness, and she doesn't particularly want to address what she was forced to see.

Effie would attempt to (discreetly) leave the room, but Carolyn would have had to be deaf not to hear her arrival -- she knew she shouldn't have worn those five-inch heels today.]

[ If it weren't for the memories she received from Haymitch and from Effie herself, Carolyn would have no idea what to make of the woman when she walks into the kitchen. Well, no, that's not entirely correct -- she would certainly have an idea, and it wouldn't be a flattering one. It's not horribly flattering already, save for the way she watched the woman tremble as she read off the names, as Peeta volunteered.

Still. Those shoes are goddamn ridiculous for a spaceship. ]

I'm surprised you haven't hurt yourself in those things, [ Fry says before she can stop herself, nodding at the heels before going back to chopping up some ingredients for Data's cat food recipe. Cats have to eat. ]

All it takes is a little practice, dear. [Briefly, she wonders which of her memories, if any, Carolyn received, and she decides she doesn't really want to know.] Beauty requires a bit of sacrifice.

[ "Dear". That's certainly enough to make Carolyn raise an eyebrow, as if the rest of it weren't. ]

There's not anyone to impress around here, you know. But hey, wear what you want. I just hope you take those things off if you have to run anywhere.

[ Unless- ]

Can you run in them?

In short bursts. You learn after you're forced to work with people who can't keep a schedule. [She says it like it's the worst thing ever. Though it does cause her a great deal of stress.]

But don't worry; I'll manage. Perhaps I'll even find a pair of sensible shoes that don't look atrocious before the next big crisis happens.

Can't switch careers? [ Really, Effie. ]

Boots aren't that bad. [ Not that hers are great to look at, but that's not the point. ] You could... decorate them, or something.

I like what I do. [Barring some aspects of it.]

I'll consider it, if the ship decides to gift me with a pair. [And she does look at Carolyn's boots, only a slightly raised eyebrow revealing her judgement of them.] I could do something with yours, too.

[ It's an answer that makes Carolyn's nose wrinkle, at least, but she doesn't say anything. Not just yet. ]

Shoes came with the jumpsuits, you know. [ Unless Effie threw them out, which she supposes is entirely possible. ] But no, thanks; I've got three cats and a shuttle bay to look after while wearing them.

[Nah, they're just gathering dust in the very back of her closet.]

I can try your suggestion of pleasing but practical clothing. [Effie gets an almost frightening gleam in her eye. You might be her next project, Carolyn.] There's no reason not to look your best even when you have to do manual labor.

Who knows. You might even like it.

[ ... oh. That's not a good look, and Carolyn has the instinctive urge to back up. Unfortunately, she's both too stubborn to do so and still working on cooking up cat food. ]

I, uh-- I saw a party, during the memory... things. It was a little extreme for me.

[The smile on her face falters a little before coming back up, brighter than ever.]

That's understandable. The Capitol can be a bit overwhelming to outsiders. [A beat.] You're certain it's one of my memories?

[ There's a pause where Carolyn looks at her. There's quite a bit of... well, perhaps not optimism, but it certainly brings to mind "kill them with kindness". ]

Well, I'm fairly certain it didn't belong to Haymitch, and I heard your name.

No doubt he's said the most wonderful things about me. [Her words are accompanied with her rolling her eyes, but her expression quickly turns more serious.] I...I received one of your memories, as well. I'm afraid I can't say it was as pleasant as the party.

Mostly he talks about how everyone's going to die, if that helps.

[ Ah-- there's a sympathetic wince. ] Yeah, I... don't have a lot of great ones. Definitely no parties.

He does that. [She hesitates before continuing.] Haymitch was in your memory. Both of you were in the Games, somehow. [And you killed him. But that part remains unspoken.]

[ Oh. Oh. ]

It was-- something on the ship. Something from someone's world, it made you live out these... horrible things. "Your worst nightmare", according to a lot of people. That was Haymitch's, I guess. It wasn't entirely real, but I still have a scar from the bids, so it was real enough.

[She can't help but let out a small shudder. Thank goodness that particular horror was before her time.] I'm sorry that you had to go through that. I'm sure you don't need further reminders of it.

It- well. [ She sighs. ] It wasn't great. But it could've been worse -- and I think I understand Haymitch a little better, which is practically a miracle.

... But thanks.

You're welcome. [Effie doesn't function too well in somber situations, so she continues, tone and expression once again bright and cheerful.]

At least you received a lovely memory from me. It's really too bad I can't organize something of that scale here.

[ Carolyn lives and breathes somber situations, mostly out of necessity than anything else; she can do with a break. ]

I'm not sure most of the people here would know what to do with something quite that... extensive. Maybe something a little smaller.

Smaller would be our only choice, what with the lack of materials and food. [Though a few bottles of alcohol is the first step to a good party, and that can be procured easily enough.] We'd just have to hope it's scheduled on a day of relative peace and quiet.

It might almost be easier to do it spontaneously, on a day when nothing's trying to murder us.

[ ... why is she helping plan this. ]

That could work. The decorations would be a little complicated, but I suppose we could just set a room up and leave it until that sought-after day.

[Because Effie is a black hole of infectious cheerfulness and optimism, Carolyn. There is no escape.]

[ Where is Haymitch she feels the need for some overwhelming grump and despair. ]

Do we have decorations on the ship?

[And some alcohol, tbh.]

You never know what's hiding in storage. We should find some things, as long as we don't explore too far into the ship.

[Yes, "we."]

(no subject)

suddenlycaptain - 2013-12-16 10:28 (UTC) - Expand

CONTACT ;; ataraxion

action!

action!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)