Third Cycle [Video]

[survivethesiren]

[Gem is sitting outside, holding an umbrella over herself as shade. She is attempting to get used to the sun; she still finds it strange, but it seems here to stay so she will adapt.

Looking at the journal, she purses her lips, and finally speaks]Many people seem curious or confused as to what I am. I thought perhaps I should explain to all; I am

Comments

[ is action viable? ]

[slaying]

[ normally? buffy would have totally risen to that dig. but she just spent the last week hunting and battling one of her closest friends in luceti as he slipped over to the vamp side. she hasn't the inclination or the energy to get into a cat fight.

but if you're game for it? as she passes where gem sits outside under her umbrella, she nods. tired-looking and fightless. ]

[ action ]

[slaying]

Of course he's never corrected you. He's southern gentleman to a t. You gotta read between his lines.

[ a friend to her? hmm. her arms tightened across her chest and she continued to frown. ] You must drive him crazy. You're kinda like him.

[ spock, of course. she means spock. ]

[ action ]

[survivethesiren]

[Her face reveals nothing, but her wings raise up slightly, fluffing. She doesn't know how to control them, yet]

I am attempting to extend a hand, and you insult me.

[ action ]

[slaying]

Attempt being the way operative word, there.

[ she's just...a little over the top protective of her brother-figure. not that she would admit to it. ]

[ action ]

[survivethesiren]

[She stands, in her heels much taller than Buffy.]

It is only an attempt because you refuse to take it.

[ action ]

[slaying]

[ at five-foot-two-and-some-spare-change, everyone's much taller than buffy. her younger sister is taller than her. she doesn't care much about the difference. ]

And I refuse it because you offer it like some kind of God-given favour. That's the real insult, right there.

[ action ]

[survivethesiren]

[She frowns in confusion. She doesn't know another way; she isn't apologizing--she has done nothing wrong.]

You're projecting. I am simply asking for Leonard's sake.

[ action ]

[slaying]

[ another week, buffy might have warmed at this. she might have felt appreciation for leonard's sake. she might have smiled.

but two days ago buffy summers had to beat down and betray someone she adored. her fuse is shorter than usual. ]

Projecting? Puh-lease.

[ action ]

[survivethesiren]

[Gem's eyes flare. She has tried. It is difficult for her; she spent cycles upon cycles being treated like a lower form by female Programs because of her programming. Buffy's attitude brings it al back.]

He deserves better friends than the ones he has, apparently.

Have a good cycle.

[And Gem grabs her things and starts to walk away.]

[ action ]

[slaying]

You don't get to make that call. Don't even for a second think that you get to make that call. Bones and me've been here together for two years. What gives you the right to judge that friendship?

[ action ]

[survivethesiren]

I observe the User who refuses to start over with a Program that did not mean to insult her. Who considers Leonard a friend, and does not wish to quarrel.

I do not judge the friendship, I observe the friend.

[ action ]

[slaying]

Tip number one? Drop the User and the Program shtick. We're two people -- and when two people talk there's a whole iceberg of other underneath the surface. That's a whole lot you're missing out in your observation but you can't just ignore it and get your smug on when someone doesn't want to play nice.

[ so just briefly she breaks out from her guard and in a tight voice: ] It's not you. Or -- not all you. Not mostly you. So back off. Please.

[ action ]

[survivethesiren]

I am not a person.

[She isn't. She will never just be a 'person'. It doesn't make her superior or inferior--but the designation is very important to her.

Doing her best to refrain from rolling her eyes through Buffy's little 'speech', Gem's face stays neutral, even as the other woman finally changes her tone.]

All right.