[Voice]

[mirageof_deceit]

Interesting looking marks on people with that sudden infection. I wonder if someone who came through the Door brought it along with them. I suppose we can't expect that all of us have the same diseases... though the Natives are taking it kind of hard

Comments

[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

Stigma? That's what they're calling it? Huh. [And it's all so noncommital.]

[Private]

Uh oh. What'd you do this time?

['Cause he knows that tone of voice and he doesn't like it.]

[Voice]

[mirageof_deceit]

I asked, and they said it was because the ways that the marks look. It doesn't look like much to me... but I still get a bad feeling about it.

[Private]

I... uh... [There's a pause as he struggles to explain] I might have done something... bad. Maybe! It seems alright but... I just don't know what to do. I'm not good at this stuff.

[Voice](Sorry, I have a weird shift at work today. It was hard to get to a computer.)

[i_love_squats]

How bad is it on you? [Pause.] Stigma. Hm, I guess so.

[Private]

[Oh, oh, oh. Now he's really worried.] What kinda stuff is "this stuff"? And what'd you do?

[Voice] It's okay <3

[mirageof_deceit]

I don't have it. I'm not planning on contracting it either.

[Private]

Well... Cara and I might have let things get out of hand.

[Voice] <3333

[i_love_squats]

Good. Keep it that way. [Too bad not all of them could say the same.]

[Private]

[Ooooh, the pause, it's so heavy before the storm of laughter.] Yeah, like I didn't see that one coming from a mile away. So, going to admit you're dating yet?

[Voice]

[mirageof_deceit]

You haven't contracted it, have you? I'm keeping tabs to see if it hits the Scorched.

[Private]

[He makes a sound of what might be embarrassment] O-oi, it's not funny! I-we... no, I don't know if we are.

[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

Wait, no, we're not talking about this now. Not when we've got other things to discuss.

[Private]

[Aw, Spike, you're adorkable!] So, what, you didn't talk to her after? You've gotta sort this out!

[Voice]

[mirageof_deceit]

This is more important than other things, Zack.

[Private]

Well... I tried and stuff, but it's not all that clear cut. I... Do I look like I've dated a bunch? Does she?

[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

Depends on who you're talking to. [Certainly not him.]

[Private]

Ooooh, I see! You need a master on your side. Don't worry, Spike, you've got the best guy on your team right here.

So, what's been said so far?

[Voice]

[mirageof_deceit]

Well... I still want to know you're alright, how about that?

[Private]

Well... there was a bunch of "Oh yes" and "Harder" for most of the night. We talked a bit on the morning, but that sort of turned into more "Harder" and stuff... [A pause] She said she liked a guy before, but he died.

[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

Aren't I always all right? Don't answer that.

[Private]

[Oh, Shiva, listen to him laugh like a nut.] That's not really talking it over, you do realize. [Melodramatic sigh.] Man, you gotta just sit her down, tell her you like her, and ask her where you guys stand. Bring her something she likes --I kinda doubt she's a flower sort of girl-- and be honest. Best way to go.

Did she say what she liked about that guy?

[Voice]

[mirageof_deceit]

...seriously? You'd better be alright.

[Private]

[You're in the doghouse now, Zack. He's have a heart-to-heart here.] Well, we talked a bit, but we're not sure where we stand. I just... don't want to push things on her either. She'd beat me up.

No, she just said he died without knowing she liked him. They probably... you know. She's not a warm fuzzy type...

[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

Don't plan on dying any time soon, Spike.

[Private]

[Hey, he's being good! You know, for Zack.] Well, you shouldn't push her because it's not nice, not because you're afraid she's going to deck you one. The quickest way to send a person running for the hills is to keep nagging them, especially a woman like that. Don't. Just... have a talk. Give her a week to get her own thoughts and feelings in order, and so you can get yours. It'll be better.

Yeah, I can't imagine her writing poetry and running through fields in slow-motion. Still... I can't imagine how that must've felt for her. Poor Cara.

[Voice]

[mirageof_deceit]

You never answered my question either, Zackary. [Que stern voice of friendly worry]

Well... I push her around a lot anyway, but that's because she shoves me first. Okay... so I leave it for a week and then talk. Got it. I can handle that.

[Voice | Private ]

[i_love_squats]

[Oh, hell, not the full name. He swallows, but tries to sound smooth.] You're going to get gray hair if you keep worrying about me. 'Sides, with you running off to fight Yazoo in Dismas --think I forgot about that?-- you don't have the right to be questioning me.

[Blink. Blink.] Um, I didn't mean literally, you know. [Laughs.] Unless she brings it up first, of course.

[Voice | Private ]

[mirageof_deceit]

Well, someone has to worry after you; you're mum isn't here to do it. I haven't fought him lately; he's been pretty quiet, so maybe he's finally behaving himself. Answer the question.

Uh yeah... I doubt she will. A week seems like a good time. I can do that.