(Untitled)

[nothawkingbird]

More new arrivals but her business was elsewhere, and she figured she would be meeting them soon enough anyway

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[oneiropompuppet]

Penelope hasn't figured out any Sensorium etiquette yet. She pokes her head in, her expression eager. She stops, awed at the sight of Central Park in spring. She's always felt a connection to the season spring, though she never joined the Spring Court.

But this means the room is in use, and she shouldn't stand around gaping. "Sorry," she says and begins to back out. Then she catches the sound of slow, shuddering breaths - the kind that preface tears.

Her backing out turns to stepping farther into the Sensorium.

[nothawkingbird]

Kate wasn't noticing her just yet, her frame starting to shake a little. She was murmuring something under her breath, trying to focus on calming down. There was a sniffling sound. Then another.

[oneiropompuppet]

Penelope follows the sounds and finally comes across Kate. She watches her from a few yards away, feeling more wooden (inhuman) than normal.

"Kate," she says gently, not moving closer, to see how the young woman will react. She wants to help, but is wary of pushing too far too soon.

[nothawkingbird]

Kate immediately glanced up, and quickly wiped her eyes.

"Oh hey," She started to stand up again, using the tree briefly as support.

[oneiropompuppet]

Penelope shakes her head slightly as Kate starts to stand. "Don't get up on my account. If you need privacy, I can give it to you. If you need someone to talk to, I can give that as well."

She keeps her tone neutral, making no judgment on either option.

[nothawkingbird]

Kate shrugged, "Doesn't matter. It's not a big deal."

[oneiropompuppet]

"What's 'not a big deal'?"

A problem well-articulated is a problem half-solved, as her sociology prof used to say.

[nothawkingbird]

She just shook her head.

"If you have to ask... no it's nothing." She went to fetch her bow, and sniffled again.

[oneiropompuppet]

Penelope doesn't have to ask, really. She wanted to get Kate to define it herself and hear the experience from Kate's words. Which Kate obviously doesn't want to do.

"I doubt the truth of that statement very much," she says, following at a distance.

[nothawkingbird]

"What should I say? Sorry for being not myself? For trying to hurt people?"

[oneiropompuppet]

"Say whatever you feel you need to say," Penelope replies. "Your feelings are valid. They should be expressed, not repressed."

[nothawkingbird]

She paused at that, and stared hard at her.

"You sound a little like her. My therapist."

[oneiropompuppet]

Penelope takes this as a compliment. "Thank you."

She almost asks if Kate was seeing her for help in dealing with any particular issues, then stops herself. Doctor-patient confidentiality and all.

[nothawkingbird]

And that was really nothing she wanted to bring up. Not yet. Even if the Yeerk did make the memories fresh in her mind again.

She shuddered, and wrapped her arms around herself. Tense, almost like she was ready to strike.

"Didn't help my almost boyfriend got possessed before me and made sure I did too."

[oneiropompuppet]

Penelope watches the reaction intently. (Wrapping arms over the abdominal area: classic protective gesture.)

"Who's your almost boyfriend?" she asks.

[nothawkingbird]

She walked around, almost pacing.

"Paco. Seemed like a nice guy. I know I shouldn't blame him, but it's got all complicated now. He and Jaime got another friend from home." One that was clearly interested in Paco, and she didn't want to be in the middle of it. Better to blame him, keep distance.

Even if she felt really alone.